The face behind those hands is not that of a girl , not anywhere near. The creature in the picture belongs to a very rare species that genuinely dislikes the female sex [except its mother, grandmother and sister ,or so the creature speaks] So no sajnas or sajnis. This creature here is my little brother Yashas. It was his birthday on the 25th of June where he shouted into my ears I'm a teenager now[....yikes!!!] He looks shy but he isnt. He looks innocent which he isnt. Oneday he'll grow to be a tall, dark and handsome dude that I'm sure he'll be. To my fearless devil....Happy birthday.

This one was taken at Nakshatra, a restaurant in Bangalore during my last visit.

The trip

Original plan : Leave on 19th early morning-visit Edinburgh-stay there for a day and night-proceed to Glasgow-stay there another day-move further north to Fort William-conquer Ben Nevis-stay for two nights- travel the next day in the Jacobite train to Mallaig- if possible visit the Hebrides [the north-west islands]

What happened : We did travel to Edinburgh and Glasgow but had to return by the very first train on 21st afternoon due to some very unavoidable circumstances.....I always ponder upon these words "unavoidable circumstances" on what they could mean, now I know it :(Anyways, I'll let your imaginations run wild on this one :P

Scotland is an awesome place and I did'nt quite expect anything from its capital Edinburgh. My jaws dropped down the moment I stepped out of the Waverly station. Could any other city be more picturesque and artisic? People even call it 'the Athens of the North'! Your Scot trip would be so incomplete if you didnot visit Edinburgh. I've visited London a few times now [I know comparing aint good] but I definitely like it better than London. Heritage flows along with nature here.....the Scot monument located in the beautiful gardens of city centre, the museums and art galleries in between, the church [I think its St.George's] and the graveyard next to that looks breathtaking [I dont know why, but my jaws dropped for the second time and a "Wowww....its so beautiful" sang out of my mouth when I saw the grave yards there...] The castle built on top of a hill overlooks the city and is adjacent to the gardens. There is a place called DYNAMIC EARTH, a must visit which has the backdrop of Arthur's seat[a small but elegant green rocky mountain]. Climb up the Arthur's seat in the morning to get an fantastic view of the Lothians. Around the city there are more places like Hopetoun house [which looks to be used in the movie Yaadein].Travelling in train around Scotland is the best option so that you never take your eyes off the window. The one I liked the most was the route from Darlington to Edinburgh via North Berwick [where the sand on the beach shines with the sun]....its over a cliff beside the sea and I hope you get an idea of what it would look like :)
Glasgow is another city 50 minutes west of Edinburgh and I did not find anything exceptional there except the lighted house....well girls might like it much cos they dont call it the shopping capital of UK without a reason!

Note : I would love to put some pictures on the blog but unfortunately something is wrong with the USB of my camera. The pictures work on the camera but the camera appears unplugged to the computer whenever I connect it. The batteries are full, I double checked the Nikon guide but its of no use. I checked the settings of the camera too and the pictures are not hidden. I will be grateful if someone could help me out :( The camera is a Nikon 4100, about an year old :(

Roundabout

I'm back...suddenly, unexpectedly :( One fantastic day, one terrible day, one tiresome day and two missed out days. All of it in the post to come :D

One more but first.....

let me tell you all that I will vanish [yes, yes, I'm informing]for the next, say, 1 week. I'm not telling you where I'm going but if I you guys dont see my post on the 24th or 25th of June then you know whom to contact [the nearest police station that is!!]. Gonna have a wonderful time wherever I'm going.....see you all in a while!!

A lot of tagging going on.....is there any record of who started this? Parth tagged me on books. I was away from the non-academic books until just last December when I was introduced to books by a friend. Since then, let me say that I'm quite a bit addicted to reading.

Last book I bought/got : The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [gifted to me]

Last book I read : Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

Book/s currently reading : Gone with the wind by Maragaret Mitchell

No. of books I own [non-academic] : 19 books

Books that mean a lot to me :
1. Freedom at midnight
2. Michael Palin's Himalaya
3. Nenapina Doniyali by Kuvempu.....I dont know. I havent read a lot. Books that woul d mean a lot to me are yet to be read :)

Most bloggers I know have been book tagged. I'm clueless of whom to tag.

Someone please tell me why...

1. Why is there a 'RED BULL' on every table in the examination hall except mine? I know that its a energy drink but is it that efficient and tasty? Do answers flash like light when one drinks Red Bull??
2. Generally, what is wrong with most F-R-E-N-C-H people? Are they really that dumb or do they pretend to be that stupid?
3. Why do shops close down at 4:30 or 5:00 in the evening? I thought that night-life is supposed to begin at 5:00 or 6:00 PM?
4. Why do people drink so much everyday that they cannot handle?
5. Why do they shout a lot at 3:00 in the morning on the street?
6. Why do people here use the 'F'word [which I consider too filthy to be published on my blog] atleast twice in every sentence or phrase?
7. Why does the University look like a circus-town right after the exams with picnics/barbecue on the lawn, a beer or vodka in every hand, a bikini on a womans body at a temperature of about 5-6 degrees and a few hookahs too??
8. Why do ""STUDENTS"" at the ""UNIVERSITY LEVEL"" behave so immaturely, throwing eggs and cream at each other during 4/5 AM causing nuisance to others?
9. Did I read somewhere that Picasso and Leonardo davinci have re-incarnated so that I see modern-art everytime in the lift?
10.Gosh....why did these people even need University education? To get a good job? Phbbttt....!!!!

Drifting apart

Welcome to the world of reality. The end of the year and I just realised that the words 'goodbye', 'miss you', 'love you' exist in the dictionary. When people you met just a while ago would be leaving, forever. If fate does bring us together again, we're never going to be the same again. We're not going to live under the same roof, share the same food or talk the same trash! People come and people go and unfortunately, we have to get used to it. Sure there would be mails flowing across, talking over the phone, the usual routine of 'do keep in touch', but I know, its going to fade away with time too. All one would have is just memories to cherish.
I would be carrying one such bag of memories, memories of 'once' a 'stranger'. I saw her off at the train-station and it was like something in the movies. She at the window, tears dropping from our eyes, the train moving slowly until the sight of her face is gone. Returned back to walk without her down the corridor. I wont hear her voice echoing inside her room when she talks over the phone or her loud laughs which always caught attention. She's not going to ask me anymore "Archana, would you like to try the soup?". No more movies in the late night with her. No more talks about Osama and Bush now. I knock on her door and I hear no one answer....she's gone....forever.... Melek, the woman with the headscarf.....I'll miss you Melek, I will!

No comments for this post.....I dont want to hear "It'll be alright" or "Its just life!" cos I am sure I will be fine when tomorrow comes and that life will go on.

A tag and a life

Arun got me into doing this. Its a music tag and its tough :( Here it goes :
1. Total Volume [this sounds like physics] of mp3 on my computer : NULL.... ZERO. I'm not happy storing music on my computer.
2.Last CD I bought : lets see....Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma's The Inner Path, Rashid Khan's Voice of India, Mystic India 4 [fusion music anyone?]
3.Song playing right now : 'Somewhere only we know' by Keane [I could go on with the album 'Hopes and Fears' the whole night.....thanks Raghu :D]
4.Five songs that I like a lot [this is not fair.....there are tons of songs I like. I cannot limit it to 5. Songs I listen to depend on my mood :( ] :
International :
a) Dont speak by No doubt
b) November Rain by Guns'n'roses
c) Soul Cages by Sting
d)Dont Panic by Coldplay
e)Leaving on a jet plane by Chantal

Closer home :
a) Ghar se nikalte hi from Papa kehte hain
b) Naguva Nayana from Pallavi Anupallavi by SPB , music : Ilaya Raja
c) Communion by Tanmoy Bose
d) Nanna jeeva neenu from Geeta by SPB, music : Ilaya Raja
e) Tanushree by Ananda Shankar
List goes on but I'll stop. Sheeshers, Sumit and Game....you guys are tagged!

Next........

Finished my 1st year exams --> done with 1/3rd of my Engineering undergraduate [yes the course is not for 4 years, its only 3 unlike in India :D]--> 3 and a 1/2 months of vacation --> Its about time that I start spending a lot of time with me :)
The last one month was heavy on me. My lifestyle changed completely. Wake up at 13:00 in the afternoon, eat at 15:00, study from 21:00, watch the sunset at 22:00 while eating dinner, get back to studying, hear the birds sing at 3:30 in the morning, watch the sunrise and feel the freshness of a new day at 4:00 in the morning [a lot of nature huh?] and then finally at 5:00 in the morning, go to sleep! I just cannot study during the day.....nodi swaami, naavirodu heege! I lost appetite, lost sleep , became sick and.......I think I'm losing a few kilos :(( I hate being unhealthy! I have to do everything possible to keep myself fit and bright. I shall follow a healthier lifestyle from now.

Green-tag

Smyts started a chain blog a few days ago and she tagged me [sorry I'm late Smyts].....this one's about environment....
My fives that I'll try my best to follow for a better environment around me
1. No more non-degradable things in the place I live in....I'll minimize the use and finally try to stop it.
2. I confess I waste a lot of resources - water and electricity included. I will feel the pinch now as I will start paying up bills....but thats no reason. I will try not to waste it anymore :)
3. Papers - I'll use the back of a sheet to work out math or anything. I will not run to Waterstone's to buy a workbook.
4. I cannot stand people who throw rubbish on the street. The next time I'll see someone doing it [specially someone I know], I shall usher them into not doing it.
5. The front of the house we're going to move in is barren. We'll bring in as many plants possible.

Mother Earth is too precious.....save her!
I forward the tag to :
1)Arun [my revenge which you'll be glad to complete I'm sure ;D]
2)Utkarsh
3)Vasu Venkat

Criminals and why?

I read in the TOI today about a German lady [47 years of age] being raped in Rajasthan by two guys. Now, since I've read a lot about such incidences in India,I was thinking of why foreigners in India are subjected to such crimes. "Women-hungry-beasts" [I'll use that term whether it exists or not], did we run short of Indian women or did you want try something new? But seriously speaking, tell me men, what is it that you get out of raping a woman? Can't your eyes resist a beautiful woman? Or may be your eyes dont search for a beautiful woman. The lady in that case was'nt young, she's 47 years of age! May be your mum's age! Did you not think of the consequences? Or did you think that you are so powerful that you could get away with that? Now that you are sentenced to life imprisonment, you can spend the rest of your precious life introspecting your past. Maybe you can think of what your family would go through. Maybe you can think of whether your kids will look upto you to call you "FATHER" or whether your father would be happy to call you his son. Maybe you can think about the disgust your wife had to go through or the anguish the victim felt. Maybe you can think whether it was all worth it and feel sorry for what you've done....but its too late now. You've wasted your own life and have ruined someone else's too. Maybe now you can learn to respect women around you.
Of robbery and theft : Since the rate of our Indian rupee is lesser than anything else on earth [or so the criminals think], foreigners , specially westerners, who happen to carry pounds or dollars or euros are robbed off. Listen robbers, a foreigner would carry as much the same amount of money as that of a normal citizen. His/her credit or debit cards are of no use to you because you donot know how to use them or most of them are secure. But that does not mean you have to snatch a desi's wallet!

Ooops...I'm sorry I said that!

Hypocrisy and double standards to the core-
If US President's cat can be named INDIA, if the avatars of Hindu Gods and Godesses can be printed on shoes and t-shirts that are nothing but misused in pubs and on beaches, then why not call America the middle finger? It is of the same magnitude.....I'm not anti-American but whats taken has to be given back. Just as they said....it all depends on the way you take it :P

"Following my remarks to the graduating class of Columbia University's Business School in New York City, I have come to realize that my words and examples about America unintentionally depicted our country negatively and hurt people.

I appreciate the honest comments that have been shared with me since then, and am deeply sorry for offending anyone. I love America unshakably -- without hesitation -- and am extremely grateful for the opportunities and support our great nation has always provided me.

"Over the years I've witnessed and advised others how a thoughtless gesture or comment can hurt good, caring people. Regrettably, I've proven my own point. Please accept my sincere apologies."-- Indra Nooyi

If this is the explanation she provided after the speech, if she's taken back what she'd said earlier, then I take back my support too! If Mrs.Indra is not standing by what she said, then the woman is a hypocrite [sorry Ma'm ...I did not mean to offend or hurt you too!! Uh....what the hell?!?!!] Apparently, some narrow minded Americans have decided to boycott the purchase of any Pepsi co's products until she's fired. And I say what? She must be fired because she's not ready to stand by her own words! Just when I was thinking 'she's made me proud'....

Indra Nooyi's thoughts

It has made headlines in the blogosphere, not much in the newspapers. Wonder if people really lent their ear to this. If you havent read it already then read it here. I second her speech. She could'nt have put it in a better way. 'A thorn can be removed by a thorn itself' - goes the saying in a regional language. What better way to talk to Americans [you can also include Britons here] than to rely on their very own 'middle finger' policy?
CHEERS TO MRS. NOOYI-ONE GUTSY WOMAN!!

BTW, We found a house!! So cheers to Han and Me as well - two tolerant girls!

This you have to read!!

Two young girls, both outsiders, looking for a house to move in....me and Han. We saw an advertisement at our University and contacted the landlady of a house by email....this is what I wrote in the email...


Hi,

We were looking for a self contained flat for the two
of us who are students at the University. We found the
advertisement on the Unipol website where we found some
information about the flat.
There would mainly be two of us living together. One
of our parents will also be staying with us
temporarily for 6 months. We insist that we take a
look at the flat since we are interested in it. Please
let us know of the availibility of the flat. If the
flat is available, kindly also let us know when we can
drop in to have a look.

Thank you,

Archana and Han

NOW YOU KNOW HAN IS A CHINESE GIRL AND WE BOTH LIVE IN THE SAME FLAT

Here's what the land-lady replied....



Dear Archana and Han,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Are you husband and wife undertaking study at the University of
Bradford? [HUSBAND AND WIFE?? Excuse me, but we both happen to be from different countries...Oh well actually, both of us are GIRLS!!!!] What course are you studying and what department
are
you studying in?[We both happen to be a close aid of Osama Bin Laden and we were interested to know how you beings maintain peace and harmony. Thus we are studying peace studies at the peace studies department] What are the start date and end date of your studies?[as if you care...]
What date are you looking to rent accommodation from and what date are
you
expecting to rent too? [We can move in this minute......if you dont mind] Is it possible to state why you would be looking
for
a parent to be accommodated with you for a 6 months period temporarily
as
this is a most unusual request? [unusual?? A mother visiting her 18 year old daughter is definitely UNUSUAL in your country ma'm!!] Where would your parent be arriving
from
and where would they be departing too once the 6 month period has
passed? [She figured out that Iraq would be a safer place to live...so she would migrate from India to Iraq]

Are you both visiting Bradford at present?[Oh yes, we are visiting Bradford beacuse we were kicked out of our countries] Is your parent their too? [Yes, they were sent out too]
If,
so, how long will you be looking for to visit Bradford to find
accommodation?[Have some mercy on the two homeless and countryless girls. We want to stay forever.....is that a problem?? ] If not, are you already residing in Bradford and if so
who
is your current landlord and when does your contract end and has your
parent
being accommodated at present too? [No, actually no-one provided us shelter....so we are street dwellers] If you do not have a current
landlord
where are your staying and do you have a contact number for to reach
you?[No, the phone in the booth aint working]

You state that you insist on looking at my property if you are
interested
and want to drop by to have a look - where are you dropping by from?[I told you, we'd drop in from the street]
And
what timescale are you looking to view accommodation before actually
taking
up any prospective tenancy? [Since we're busy studying and begging during the day, could we visit during 1:00 am in the morning??]

Regards,[I'm thoroughly in need of your regards ma'm]

XXXxxxxxxxxxxx

The lady ended up asking us 14 questions all in all. Han had nothing to say except "Go to HELL you!!!!!" Even the immigration officer didnot ask me a single question when I landed at the Heathrow airport. But this lady, though we haven't met her, thinks that we are from AL-QAEDA, plotting to kill her, as she happens to be the First lady of UK.

Obviously 'me'

There should be a reason I posted so many pictures. All of them taken in India. Okay okay, I'm getting there........CHANCES OF GOING TO INDIA ARE AS HIGH AS THE SKY! But do I really want to go there?
Heart says 'YES : grab the opporunity!'
Mind says 'NO : All you do is spend money there'
Heart again : 'You love that place....besides you have to apply for a course there. Its useful if you go'
Mind : 'What rubbish? All that can be done without you. You've told every being you know that you are not returning back until June'06'
Heart says : 'If you dont go back this summer, chances are that you will not go back until next summer. Also you have an unused oneway ticket!'
Mind says....something.....I'm not listening to anything now!!
I''ll take a break.....let them battle!
Maybe all this happened courtesy of my friendly fellow bloggers....Sheeshers says he will travel in December [he's already started to blog about it]. Chakra, I guess, is leaving today and Parth is already in India!

The first drop of the first rain in a new year. It rained a day after Ugadi [when a new year begins in the Hindu calendar]. The picture, taken at Vishwaneedam by my little brother, captures my vision. If you can observe, there is a bird right over the trees and the dark rainy clouds provides a perfect background.

Bangles by the dirt

Fresh and Colourful : spirit of a festive season [taken during Ugadi in Bangalore]

Current news

My state : Happy, stressed out, confused,burried in books, extra time at the library, house hunting, job hunting, C.V writing, everything everything!! Semester Exams in 10 days, so I would be an irregular blogger until the 9th of June.
Blog state: Changed the template. The previous one didnot work well with firefox. Thanks to Sheeshers and Percy, I changed it. It works fine on Firefox and Internet Explorer. If it doesnot work, contact me immediately.
News at the University : Imran Khan, yes, the cricket legend has been asked to take over as the University's chancellor....always admired him.
On the movies front : Watched a lot of movies despite deadlines and exams..
1. Troy : This one got into me....I really liked the movie. The character of Eric Bana is one of the best ones I've ever seen.
2. Life is beautiful : Fantastic movie, Roberto Benigini is awesome!
3.Terminal : Yes the Tom Hanks movie which ends in a typical BOLLYWOOD style! Nevertheless Tom Hanks did a good job as a citizen of "Krokhozia".
4.A few good men : Loved this one the first time I saw it....Demi Moore is perfect.
5. Legally Blonde 2 : Now why the hell did I buy this VCD?Please donot watch this one!

Also watched Braveheart, Gandhi [common element is that these two heroes realise reality only when they faced problems], Good Will Hunting [5th or 6th time - an all time favorite].

See you all in a while....

When things go wrong............blame it on time!

This happened when I missed my flight.....As usual, almost every person that I can recognise, blessed me with their presence the day I was leaving Bangalore again. These included my maternal and paternal grandmothers, my aunts and uncles, a lot of cousins - everyone were at home the previous day itself! Our home was nothing less than a convection hall. Evening flight...no hassles...woke up late, did bits and pieces of packing left from the previous night. I am accustomed to wearing a 'saree' [national costume] and visiting a temple before leaving home. I did so and got plenty and plenty of compliments. I head out for the temple and realised that someone important has "borrowed" MYYY CAR!! I am very much attached to my car .... I love it...I mean, how can I leave home without saying 'goodbye' to my car?? I yell out loudly..."I am not going back without looking at my car!!" Okay...after some consolation from my mother, I catch an autorickshaw and go to the temple. It has been a perfect start until now and guess whats more?!! The temples were all closed at 5:30 in the evening. I return back home dissatisfied. My father arrives and we all leave for the airport ONTIME! God knows what went wrong! The flight which usually leaves at 9:30 is rescheduled to 9:15. After bidding tearful final goodbyes, I check in at 8:25. The guy at the check-in counter says "No Maa'm you are too late to check-in your luggage!" So, I've missed a flight....
Tears were pouring out of my eyes after Dad scolded me for accurately 50 minutes on our way back. I came back home only to see NO ONE ELSE BLAME ME! That was a blessing...thanks to all the ELDERLY and WISE people at home. They blamed the tragedy on time itself and these were the reasons :

1 . Exactly a week before all the pictures [of God Almighty] in our small little pooja room fell off....and nobody was in the pooja room at that moment!
2. I was wearing a blue coloured saree and as my aunt said "Its not your fault...dont worry!! Kisiki nazar lag gayee"
3. I should not have said "I am not leaving without looking at my car"...because I said it at the wrong time and also because I happen to have a few moles on my tongue. This means that if I say something then it is going to come true!!
4. The temples were closed.....this is another reason!
5. My grandmother had terrible dreams the night before...

Well, I am not a person who believes in superstitions. In normal conditions, I speak up against them. But time was against me.....what could I do? I just nodded my head to everything they said!

For you

When I first opened my eyes to see life, I saw you holding me with utmost care, just like a little flower, gleaming your eyes at me.....I didnot know the joy I brought to you but with your arms around me, I knew that I would be safe. You wore a pleasant smile on your face, when you first heard me say "Maa...ma..maaa...maa", watched me over when I tried my first steps. The first birthday we celebrated together; the small cake, the small candle,the small house, the small me ; the first day,when I returned from school, did I not cry "No, I hate school!"? The days when I used to run home after classes "Mi, I'm hungry!" The days when I was mad at you because you picked me up everyday from college. I 'd feel tired only to put my head down on your lap so that you caress me with your hands moving swiftly through my hair. You grew old and I grew up. Suddenly I realised that you were not my mother nor was I your child....we grew up together to be the best of friends.
It was my turn now, at the hospital, by your side, to put my hands around you knowing we could fight together. We were victorious, couldnt do it without you. It was time for me to leave....it was hard, but couldnt do it without you, without your undying trust, without your neverending support. Like all mothers you packed a lot of masala ingredients though I, like all children, insisted you not to! You didnot speak to me the whole day as I was leaving that night. You would cry by just looking at me. You came to the airport to see me off, and what a mess that was...all the 30 of you crying so much!!
I miss the times we hugged and cried together, the situations that made us quarrel with each other, the laughs that we had together when Yashu would complain "you love her so much, nobody loves me!", all the shopping we did together....and what not?
You've done so much for us...you've sacrificed all that a woman can all your life...people call you ' an Angel '
but what do I call you? a strong support? a good guide? a best friend? a wise mentor? a fine example? May be all these adjectives would be included in a word called MOTHER. I dont know if I'd want to be like you but I truly want you as my mother in all my lives. I'm thankful to God to have created me as your daughter...
Thank you Mi, for being a MOTHER to me..

And when he is tired of work, he rests his head down on the hardest stone. How much would he earn these days when the kids in town want high-tech gadgets as toys? May be a rupee or two.. 

Changes that are necessary

On my mind : the new look
Music : Shubha Mudgal in Raincoat........perfect background

It had started to look all familiar and boring....so I cleaned it up and replaced it with something new. Now I feel the blog looks quite simple and pleasant.
I returned a week ago, yet I feel at home. So, here's a way of experiencing Bangalore.
Assuming that your day starts at 9 in the morning, just freshen up and head towards MTR near the Urvashi theatre for breakfast. Trust me, these people make the best 'Masala Dosa' on earth. You simply cannot resist them.Time for some action and adventure? Let your car be. Try something new...Find the most arrogant rickshaw driver which almost every young driver is and go on a roller-coaster ride of your life through the city. You will be fascinated by the skills of the driver to squeeze his way through the jam packed roads and his ability to break every traffic rule. Chances are, you are going to enjoy it or hate it to the core. Take a stop at Anil Kumble circle and walk on the green filled right side of the road if you are not shopping. Walk on the left side if you wish to be looted by beggars or haunted by little children who urge you to buy red roses. The sight is a pity. I could not say no to them on the first day. This is where you get to witness the best and the worst part of the city. Hungry? Eat at the many multi-cuisines' restaurants situated on and off Brigade/ M.G. road. My pick is Nakshatra on Lady Curzon road that offers the most delicious Andhra dishes. Expensive but worth it. Dessert at Nilgiri's is a must! It must be past 3 now. Closer is the cubbon park, where you can relax reading a book or enjoy watching the world go by....or just walk on the grass, bare foot that is! Avoid watching the nonsense that most people tend to do and instead relish eating Gola or Bhel Puri from a street vendor. Lalbagh [the botanical garden Bangalore is famous for] is an ideal place but the distance is what you have to cover. Evening time : the city has got everything you wish for. If you are a music fan, there should be someone performing. If interested in theatre, travel to Ranga Shankara in J.P Nagar to catch on some well directed plays by eminent directors [the one I wish I could go to was Girish Karnad's 'A heap of broken images' ]. Movies is not a problem here : Bangalore once had the highest number of cinemas in India. Pub culture is at its peak and Bangalore has been named the pub capital of India. A lot of English culture bars, discotheques, pubs have taken their stands....heard and read a lot about them, so I'm sure you can find the one thats best to your interests. A drive out of the city is always a nice choice during 11 or 12 P.M. I'd always choose to drive towards Nandi Hills with Dad ofcourse. Its just heaven to watch the clear sky from the top of your car at this time.
Ground realities you are going to confront : Honestly speaking, with all my love aside, Bangalore is not crowded or polluted, it is over crowded and over polluted. Air is not of breathing quality. Donot be surprised if you donot hear one speak the local language. Too many non-Bangaloreans have presided over that you may find only about 10-15% localites in the city centre.The funniest thing is that NOT even the beggars are localites. Construction works have all started at one go, so you will find a lot of traffic chaos. Heavy pockets are necessary as everything is expensive. All that apart, Bangalore is still better than anyother city in India. It is modern, laid back and undoubtedly the most happening city. But, if nothing is going to change ,then Bangalore is another Bombay in the making.

I am back!

I have made it back to the UK safe and sound after missing an International flight. Irresponsible? Careless? Nothing to ponder over now.....I'm here. I would have been here two days before had I not missed the flight. The brighter side of it is that I got to fly business class!!!! Now thats something I did without paying extra ..... and the experience was quite nice as I got to sleep comfortably all through the journey. A busy last month ahead at the University.....hope to get through this one nice and perfect!

'Lucky' - as it is!

A movie to watch out for! I was waiting for this movie to release for a long time....lot of expectations from the movie and it did live up to my expectations. Awesome performances, brilliant music, superb locations, everything is fine until the last 5 minutes of the movie. Try and ignore the last 5 minutes of the movie and you will agree with me that it is one fantastic debut make by the directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. Salman did not take off his shirt for the first movie ever. Sneha Ullal would not ask for a better launch. An absolute xerox print of Aishwarya, she is eye candy....watch her on screen specially during the song 'Jaan meri jaa rahi sanam..' and she is as beautiful as none. Her screen presence is so much that one would not want take his/her eyes off the screen....be it her innocence in the graveyard or the way she follows Salman during the song 'Shayad yahi to pyar hain' or when she breaks down in the train. Salman has delivered his decent funny self in the movie unlike many of the characters that he has potrayed. Mithun Chakraborty as P.D. made a wise choice for a come back. Adnan Sami has composed melodius music for the movie. Every song is ear catching. Hear to the likes of 'Shayad yahi to', 'Chori chori', 'Jaan meri jaa rahin' and 'Sun Zara'....you will love them all!! Please go and watch this movie atleast once.....in theaters only not in a multiplex! Wheres the fun when it is all nice and cosy without much people around you?? Wheres the fun when your neighbour does not sing a song along with Adnan Sami?? Wheres the fun when a girl behind you does not scream and shout at the sight of Salman Khan??
I would rate 'Lucky' higher than 'Black'.I had a very good time watching the movie . Will watch it once more before I leave...hope you like it too!

The rickshaw harassment

I had heard that auto rickshaw drivers in Bangalore can be unreasonably demanding towards the non-Bangaloreans and more importantly towards foreigners but I got to experience what it all was yesterday. I have to say that I didnot have the slightest idea of how worse the actual situation is. I was anything but helpless to use the public transport system which is a big nuisance as my car was out for a service. Me and my friend head towards ICFAI University somewhere in the afternoon when it was still raining. When we reach the destination, the rickshaw driver takes off without returning the change. We say ' Its alright. We cannot chase him anyways in the heavy rain'. After ICFAI, we continue towards IGNOU. Since we had to search for IGNOU in an unfamiliar area, we were charged an extra over the meter. We left for Commercial street for some shopping and contrary to everything that happened, this rickshaw guy who dropped us off did not ask for anything more than the actual price. Things had just started to happen..... we walk towards a rickshaw stand and asked a driver whether he would take us to Mahalakshmipuram. He charged us an indecent 150 INR which would otherwise cost us only out 50 INR....we chose to complain to the policeman who stood on the other side of the road. We walk towards him and he is walking away from us.

[PS : You are at an advantage if you know Kannada]

Me.....Helloooooo [trying to get his attention]
policeman...[gives a mysterious look at me]
Me.....[pointing towards the auto men] Allaaa,avarella alli mooru sala jaasthi charge madthaa yiddare, auto ge. Neevenu hogi kelodilva???
[They are charging me three times more of what they should..dont you question them at all???]
policeman......Aiyyo Maay-dum, avaranna yenu kelodu? Avarella dodda loafergalu. Neevu eekade iro auto galige hogi.
[Aiyyo Maay-dum, what do I ask them? They are all big loafers. You go to the other drivers]
Me......Adu nanage goththu! Avarige warn madodu athava fine haakodu alva???
[That I know. Why dont you warn them or fine them???]
policeman ..... Illi nodi Maay-dum. Nandu ardha bookke khaaliyagi hogide fine haaktha haaktha..
[Look at this Maay-dum, Half of my book is over fining them.....points towards his fine book]

I return back without doing anything about it...

What am I doing there after the wedding? 

Mi with my sister and my Brother-in-law......why dont they smile at all?? 

Monsoon wedding.......is it monsoon?

5:35 in the evening , the clouds have just started to pour down despite the heavy winds. People heading towards shelter, women picking up clothes from their terrace and the smell of the soil to top it all makes the evening beautiful. The light is not perfect, it is rain dark...not totally dark....The power is off, my brother comes out to switch on the radio which works on the UPS and then, a familiar song on Radio City 91FM ".....duniya mein, logon ko, dhoka kabhi ho jaatha hain"..........what an imperfect song for a perfect atmosphere!

My first cousin is happily married now....I attended her reception yesterday but couldnot make it up for the 'muhurtham' , which is the main part where she actually gets married. I was pretty lazy to wake up at 8 in the morning and when I woke up, the wedding was done with....what a shame!! Some pictures I have posted below. Had a fantabulous time with all my cousins, most of them whom I had not spoken to for 2 or 3 years. Some of the conversations were quite hillarious. Good to know them all this way as most of us are of the same age. Weddings at this part of India can be quite boring though...no music, no dance , drift in traditions [a reception before the wedding], everyone busy with their own things....but regardless of all the shortcomings, this one was not boring because of all the food and the company I had. It was simply great!!!

More occasions to add to my memories.......aww....these are all fantastic!

The gender game

I am not much of an observer. Nowadays, I cannot help but look at all the beautiful people around me . Now, now.......I am not a feminist either, nor a masculinist ..... these are just some nothings....

...A boy receives a phone call and the girl who is with him is wondering that there must be another girl who called him. She questions him upon who called and the poor guy tries his best to prove that it was his mother.
Generally women tend to be more suspicious...

He is looking elsewhere , not her.....and she thinks that he insensitive. Now she is looking elsewhere, not him....all he does is just smile at her...
Women, most of the times are over sensitive and too emotional..

He doesnot want chocolate icecream for dessert and she cannot survive without 300 grams of chocolate per day.... Is that a problem??
Most women like chocolates and icecreams......oh, yes ofcourse also the colour pink......who invented this colour anyways??

When he is late home, whether she expresses it or not, she is thinking.......she is thinking why he was late.
Women, as said, think a lot about the 'not so important things'

She promised him that she would be on time...He waits atleast for more than an hour.......
Women are never punctual

He does not remember the day he met her........and "Oh God! That is soo thoughtless of him!!" says the woman. Controvert to that, she knows when his grandmother was born.....and that is too thoughtful of her...

More to go......

These colours.... 

Rang barse

Holi is not a festival that our family is accustomed to. I always wanted to play Holi, so we celebrated it this time. It was not a large scale event but it was nice and colourful. My hands are all still painted green and I hope that I am not looking like 'Feona' from Shrek now......the picture should say everything!
For a long time, the moon too has not appeared as beautiful as today...
Hope you all had a fantastic time.......Happy Holi!!

Down the same old street

It was during my school days between 1999 and 2002. I was at high school.....an all girls school, the best in Bangalore....Dad used to drop me on his way to the office and Mi picked me up after school. Once in a week, specially on saturdays [as it was half day at school] she used to buy me Baskin Robbins icecream. Other times we used visit 'Veena Stores' - the best Idli Chutney available. The school still has those pink and yellow flowered trees. I used to wait for Mi under its shade with a couple of gud'ol friends. I remember the day when I stopped speaking to them because of a silly misunderstanding......We had a huge fight and the class teacher too came to know about it. God! those were such kiddish days.....I decided to catch up on them. It came as a surprise/shock to her when I knocked on her door. It had been 4 years and few days since we had spoken.
The first birthday I celebrated away from home, the time we spent chatting by writing messages on a paper while classes were still on, the lunch we had on the steps of the playground, the out of class trips, all these remain a distant memory now......

My days here

The way back home was not that terrible afterall! Bangalore's population has doubled ever since I left. The other day when I was at the 'Forum Mall', which is the only decent shopping mall in Bangalore, I felt the floor below me trembling.....the mall cannot handle these many people!! Not many were there to shop. Movies at the PVR cinemas on weekends should be planned a week in advance. Even a flop movie is a sold out on weekends....so I would better resist the idea of going to the forum mall on a weekend. I watched the movie Black, on recommendations made by even the flight attendent.....but nothing impressed me except the little girl's and Amitabh ji's acting. I would not say this movie would go all the way to win an oscar. The script and direction may not contain the oscar winning material. Its just too emotional and sentimental...........

At this time of the night

2:21 in the morning and I should have been sleeping, but I'm not! Finished a cup of hot chocolate an hour ago....now I have camomile n honey flavoured tea in my hands which is supposed to bring me sleep. Spilled some hot milk on myself like a kid on top of which the water boiler had to breakdown today :( Afternoon flight from LBA, a total 11 hours of waiting to do in London and Colombo, a total of 13 hours onboard, travel time approximates 24 hours with junk food to eat...nothing could be better. I will be so tired when I reach Bangalore that the last thing I would expect is my mother to tell me "Archana, you look like you are sick" instead of "How are you? Did you have a good journey?".....She said it the last time and Mi, dont repeat it again please!!

Dual life

On my mind : blank
Music : Yuva....A.R. Rahman

Jitters revolving in my head, the same mixed emotions that I experienced the last time I was leaving for India. I am glad that I am coming to my home country where I always belong but there is a feeling of leaving something behind. It is pretty strange that I miss India when in England and I miss England when in India. England has taught me , in my case, how to live life , whereas India has given me that life. Life is certainly what we make of it and here, I am learning how to be myself. I have a sense of freedom and independence here which would have required another 6 or 7 years in India. A normal family in our society may not send their 18 yr old 'DAUGHTER' out of the country, all alone, to study. I am not saying that my family is abnormal but people around ask my parents, I am told, "How could you send your daughter to study there?? All alone?? Are you not scared??" Hey......scared of what?? Anyways, I am grateful to my parents that they sent me here, though they were skeptical about my idea at first....They knew the 'stubborn me'!!
It is just a vacation of about 5 weeks now, but one fine day, I will wake up in the morning realising that I have achieved what I wanted......and this will be the day that I pack my bags and head home forever.....as I have it in mind, this day should come within the next 4 or 5 years. A very wise friend whom I met here quoted the last time I was leaving for India, "All of us who leave home with an intention to go back have two lives. It is the same for you....you have one life here and you have another life there". This life is temporary, this country is always a second home.....never a first one!

Yayy yayy yippie yippie yayy!!

On my mind : blank
Music : Cloud#9 Bryan Adams

What a fantastic day it has been so far.......two weddings and my tickets!! I have the tickets in my hands right now. Just got them from the reception!!! Spoke to my cousin now and looks like she is getting married :D After a few dark days, the sun is here again and yet again I am on top of the world!! 4 and 1/2 more days to go and nothing more.......I am just more than happy!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have to continue packing. Will write more in the days to come..... :D

From the masterchef's kitchen...

On my mind : coursework
Music : What it is by Mark Knopfler.... He is performing in Bangalore n I missed this one too :( Unable to find his older album 'the ragpicker's dream'.

Its directly from the kitchen, and the food tastes disgusting. My efforts to develop good culinary skills were pathetic. Kitchen is just not the place for me. Tried my hand at preparing mutter paneer....but alas!! Cooking is kind of a science experiment to me. Choose some vegetables and put some spices and salt into it. It is edible as everything is in the right proportion but it still does not taste like it should. Sometimes I get it right and when I taste it, I exclaim 'I am a genius!!' and the other times I tell myself 'I am just not meant for this stuff'. No, I am not interested to learn to cook but God help me!! Give me a husband who is a good cook.....

The last thing that had to happen

On my mind : where are my tickets???
Music : Kehte kehte ruk jaati hain naa jaanay kyun
dono aankhen jhuk jaati hain naa jaanay kyun......from Chupke Se

Yes.........looks like the travel company through which I had booked my tickets ONLINE have lost my tickets or may be they are cheating me!! So much so for my 'feel good' days....My parents dont know about it, days are fast approaching but where do I go without my tickets?? Not only did the company make a mistake by stating my room no. as 3 instead of D3, they also did not send it by the registered mail. Now this is either inefficiency of the company or they are huge crooks. I asked them to reissue the tickets to me and they say that it is not possible because no airline will re-issue the ticket until a week before the departure.....Is it true??Of course I am not going to let them to cheat me.....I will check with the post office tomorrow, I am going to the bank to withdraw my money. Life is so miserable now but I will get out of this somehow.....I have a SIXTH SENSE telling me that everything will be alright........

Me...in Bangalore!!

On my mind : Medical physiology
Music : Gori teri aankhen kahe.....by Lucky Ali

10 more days and I will be home!!!!! :D Cannot wait to get myself out of the flight as soon as it lands there. Its rather frustating sometimes as it takes a whole lot of time for the flight to reach the terminal after it lands. Well actually its 12 more days, no...its 13 more days, but who cares......I am counting the days down!! I am so happy, so happy, sooo haappppyyyyy....First thing I would do as soon as I get to Bangalore is run home and eat [thats after giving my city some kisses].....Mii's food. She is going to cook something special for me I'm sure!! Started packing yesterday, got some chocolates for my baby sister and nothing for my little brother....he is not little anymore!!
One thing is that I reserved the tickets online and I am quite nervous now that I have not received the tickets yet! Hopefully, I will get them today.....keeping my fingers crossed! ;D Too many things to do, too many courseworks to complete and so less time....

Godse's India

It was an illusion that he thought was true. Should we flip the coin to see the other side of the story? If Godse was alive today, he would regret the very root of his crime.....He was, what I can term, ' unnecessarily and intensely fanatic' about Hinduism. Now this blinded him to see every reason why the Muslims and Hindus hated each other immensely. All he saw was the Muslims killing thousands and thousands of Hindus, but why did he not give a thought so as to why Muslims hated the Hindus? He wanted a better India without Gandhi....Then I would have suggested him to find the cause for all this loathing and kill the very cause instead of Gandhi. Gandhi saw the root of it. He knew that the Muslims had lost all their trust and hope on the leaders as most of them were Hindus....Gandhi was not the cause for the millions of Hindus who died. It was people like Godse who were the actual reason....Godse would lift his sword high in the air to kill a Muslim who killed a Hindu, but yet another Muslim would return to kill Godse. The process would continue and infact it has!! Gandhi tried to put an end to it by advocating "non-violence" and to an extent he succeeded! Come to think of it.....Wouldn't more people die if it was not for Gandhi? An unimaginable number of Muslims and Hindus would have died and India would have been at 'CIVIL WAR'.....And it would take another 100 years for her to recover from a civil war! The dignity in which the British Raj terminated its rule in India would be a hot blooded war if it wasn't for the non-violence mantra....And after the war, India, even if she attained her independence, would be in absolute chaos.

What we need to see first, is that we are human beings. Pakistan was once the same land which we all together called India. Gandhi, for one, did not want India to be divided. He had foreseen the disasters that would prevail between the two nations. And when it was divided, nothing could be changed. People are dying even until today.....We were brothers and sisters once. Should you hate someone just because they hate you? A little patience and some calm minded practical thinking - if Godse had these two things with him, he would have known that his sacrifice was not worth at all! What did Godse achieve by doing what he did? What kind of victory did he bring to the Independent India by assassinating Gandhi? What good did he do for mankind? What peace did he bring? Things are all the same if not worse...

Gandhiji did ask all Hindus to give up their weapons and not to attack their Muslim brothers. On the real side of it, wouldn't Muslims too stop attacking Hindus?? Why would Muslims kill Hindus if Hindus wouldn't kill Muslims?? Somebody has to stop someday.....Or it would never end until the last person in the battlefield took his last breath. Moreover, Gandhi urged the Hindus instead of Muslims because the Hindu mass were large in number and they would listen to him.....He expected his Hindu followers to understand his decision as he himself was a Hindu.

Look at it even today.....Most of our thinking is based on what we read, more than what it is. We are born in India, we become an Indian citizen......But that shouldn't mean that we are ANTI-PAKISTANIS. If we are Hindus it does not mean that we are anti-Muslims, does it?? The same goes for Muslims too. Believe it or not, this is born within us whether we like it or not. The society around us helps us grow up in such a way. Only when we are matured enough, we decide whether the society around us should influence us or whether we should ultimately let truth influence us. "Hey Ram......" - take a look at this world!!

Words to remember

On my mind : How wrong can I be?
Music : Take me dancing by Sting

I am half way through the book "Freedom at midnight " by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre and these are the things I found.....
When India was to be divided into India nd Pakistan, Gandhi woke up at 3:30 in the morning[30 minutes earlier than he used to] and whispered to his great niece Manu, 'Today I find myself alone. Even Nehru and Patel think I'm wrong and peace is sure to return if partition is agreed upon. They wonder if I have not deteriorated with age...Maybe all of them are right and I alone am floundering in the darkness.' After a long silence ,'I shall perhaps not be alive to witness it' he said, 'but should the evil I apprehend overtake India and her independence be imperilled, let posterity know the agony this old soul went through thinking of it.'
I never did have a strong liking for Gandhi and his ideals of non-violence when I was growing up....a lot of it was due to the misconceptions that took birth in my mind.....only an 'old soul'and the lord above could know the truth! Sometimes perception is so far away from truth.....

the firealarms again!???!!!!

It is 4:59 in the morning and its too early to wake up for my morning classes which begins at 9 AM. These fire alarms started ringing again and this time I am not happy about it though I got to see Jupiter :( ......No consideration for others at all....I admire that great personality which can smoke at 4:45 in the morning [Dude....you've got some real potential to destroy the ozone over UK!] I will not sleep now....if I do, then I will have to skip my morning classes. I have not slept enough over the last week......I need some serious rest!! and some food....I am hungry!

Lost and Found

On my mind : I am too tired to think
Music : Kate nahin raat by Ustad Sultan Khan [99.9 FM]

I have been rather busy lately.....lengthy classes from 9 in the morning, too many couseworks, too much to study, quick run to the supermarket, cooking every evening , a series of mood swings and what not?? It all started when I carelessly forgot to take my Tommy Hilfiger watch from the laboratory. Considering that the watch was dear to me, I was sure that I would find it somehow and so I was not worried...later that day I realised that I had a coursework to complete within 3 weeks....then suddenly, unexpectedly something happened....out of the blue,I heard a voice.....and it was my own.....I was telling myself that I am careless, irresponsible, stupid, dumb and all the things I could think of!! I agree, I am a tiny little bit irresponsible and careless but I was not fair in calling myself stupid and dumb! Today, I found my watch [God, I love you!] and got myself through with the course work!!:D I am one happy person now....what a terrible change of mood that was!! The weatherman too should be very happy...it is snowing... on and off since yesterday. It snows whenever I step out of my flat....wonder why that is :P but who cares.......I love it when it snows on me!!

It was still a surprise!

On my mind : The party should have lasted forever
Music : Jaanam samjha karo by Asha Bhosle

Han, I cannot help this...But once again Happy Birthday and sorry I am mentioning your name...
Do you ever feel this way? You know, when your happiness lies in seeing someone happy, when a smile on your loved ones face can enliven your day.....Han's birthday surprise was still a surprise to her! The look on her face as soon as she entered the kitchen made me realize that efforts pay. She even told us that this was the best birthday she ever had. And listening to her say that, made this day the best day I have had in UK. Han, if you are reading this, I want to let you know that I am satisfied just because you are happy.....We all love you!! [you will not be hearing these emotional words from me for the next few months atleast....Its your birthday...That's why I am being nice to you ;)] Melek, thanks for the help..Couldn't have done it without you!
I will look back on these days for the sweet memories that have rooted in my heart forever. I will turn around to recollect these memories and it will bring a smile on my face every single time. Thank you guys for being the best part of my life so far... Life is so strange and cruel at times. Now the fear is that I am becoming fond of you all. In June, we all have to separate and I am making the situation worse for myself.....

Below are some pictures that I took at the party today

enlighten me with your touch..... 

[Left to Right] Han, Melek, Me, Grace and Shirley.....I wasnt ready for the picture 

emit some light..... 

Is it the busy season??

On my mind : A sound sleep
Music : Pt. Ravi Shankar accompanied by Zakir Hussain

Why is everyone busy nowadays?? Uuffff.. I have a lot to complain so bear with me for the next few seconds. My friends here in my flat and at the university are busy. It is so sad that I get to see them just once in a day. It has been a month since I lost touch with my friends in Bangalore. Nobody returns my calls, my mails, my messages...nothing...I was thinking of throwing away my phone into a stream nearby..its simply of no use!! My dad has reduced his number of calls to just 1 call in 3 days. Earlier, he alone [except my mum] used to call me atleast 5 times a day :( Amrutha and Bhars....you guys be assured that you are soo going to be killed when I come to Bangalore [grr...I hate you both so much!] And Mohana....kapi, manga, where on earth are you?? Well...thats about it....I will stop now...
Lectures on Manufacturing systems were awesome today though it was for 3 incessant hours. This particular module has brought some gusto into the semester. For the first time, I got to toy around with these wonderfully built huge and intricate machines [the central lathe and the milling machine - both used to cut and drill metals to fit a design] and it was too good of an experience. No wonder I opted for Medical Engineering and no wonder that there are only about 10% girls studying in the entire department.....

Surprisingly not surprising!!

On my mind : its freezing!!
Music : Ghum hai kisi ke pyar mein from Dance Masti [the remix version]

A friend's birthday on thursday...we were planning a surprise party for her and it came as a disappointment when someone told her about the party... definitely a surprise for me!! :( Valentines day was beautiful, just like anyother day.....got myself some cards and gifts while a friend was staring at me popping up the question "Archana, why are you buying such things when you dont have a boyfriend??!" every minute. "Well...you dont need a person to be in love, do you?? I am in love 24/7 " was what I said...and then there was this mysterious look on her face "you are crazy!!" she said. Around dusk we started watching some old romantic movies with the candles in the background......aaaahhhh what a satisfying day!

Rays of light through the darkest clouds.....will these clouds rain upon the land I love the most 

Whose business is it anyway??

On my mind : my visit to India
Music : Tanusree by Ananda Shankar

Valentines Day is just around the corner and it is creating issues among the senseless religious leaders and their blind followers. I was talking about the "Shiv Sainiks" as they are called, who go around the town destroying and burning posters, soft toys, red hearts, cards and everything related to Valentines day. The way I see it, I think that even Lord Shiv wouldnt do what the Shiv Sainiks do!! I simply dont find a good enough reason to believe "Hindutva" as preached by the religious leaders though I am a Hindu by choice. Once when I was in Sringeri [a very famous religious centre in Karnataka], I saw this popular sanyasi or a sage or whatever he is [I am not putting up his name] stepping out of his own Mercedes Benz [S class]! Believe it or not he was seated upon a Tiger's skin....a real tiger's skin! I thought that a sanyasi is a person who gives up all worldly pleasures and spends his life time to find 'Mukti'.......wherever did that get lost and whyever did he need a Mercedes !! I suggest that he sell his Mercedes immediately and donate all the money to the poor who are dying because of hunger. Anyways, Hindutva according to them is promoting Hinduism by degrading all other religions....it is to force people to believe in what they suppose the religion propagates. Ask them what the Bhagavadgeetha advocates and they will blink!! They dont even know what Hinduism is or where it originated from. And again, they have forgotten that there is something called 'Right to Religion'. Celebrating Valentines day is not going to increase the popularity of Christianity or westernism in anyway.....nor is it going to convert Hindus into Christians overnight!! [People here in western countries least care about a 'Valentines day'] Or even if it is so....one has the right to choose and follow what he/she believes in......

Good news is that I will be coming to India, after all, in March.....so I have less than a month to wait for. Mixed feelings....but I am more excited. This time I will try to make full utilisation of my trip. As always, I am looking forward to it......... :) I am all pepped up and I cannot wait!!!!!

Expressing yourself........its a birthright guys!!

On my mind : Memories
Music : None

Never had such a terrible day since many years I think. Got some very bad news from Bangalore the first thing in the morning . Someone who is a very close relative expired. Being sad is an issue but what I hate is this helpless and desperate feeling. So had no mood to put up a post on my blog...but this seems to be going on everywhere. So here goes my views.....
Freedom of expression, does it exist at all?? Even if we have the freedom to express we still worry what the listener would think of us. I agree that its better to think twice or even a hundred times when it drops down to expressing ourselves at a personal level but otherwise I would rather feel more uncomfortable, uneasy and tied up when I cannot express what I think. Freedom exists only in text books.....never has it come to life. All of us at some point or another give into the perseverance of the society. How far should this go? Should we live for the society or for ourselves? My mother would often say ' what will they think?' and I would ask her 'what would who think Mii?' She has stopped that now to a certain extent simply because she knows that I dont care for people who dont matter in my life.

Of the Chinese new year

On my mind : Food!
Music : Kaisi hai ye rut ki.. by Srinivas from Dil Chahta Hai [yes....lyrics by Javed Akhtar]

Its a party night!! Today being the eve of the Chinese new year and having three Chinese flatmates its celebration all night long. The atmosphere would be that of China, the food, the aroma [that of sesame oil which I genuinely dislike], the music, the language... A Chinese friend of Rex would be strumming my guitar and the last time he did, it was magic!! My guitar never sounded that good with me but the credit goes to him as he has six years of experience. I cannot wait to be that good.
I found a very interesting link on Karnataka yesterday [the state in India where I come from] . Check out this link and you will be as shocked as I was!! All the websites about Karnataka have too little information and they never look good. Also most of them havent been updated since 5 or 6 years. Thus I was initially happy because this website had glittery looks with a flash version. Later did I realise that it belonged to a rock band in UK called " Karnataka ". I am not able to understand the reason behind that name because neither have they been to Karnataka nor their music is inspired by Karnataka!! A very strange concept to me!!

An Introduction....

On my mind : Im thinking what to think...
Music : The scientist by Coldplay

I have started a new blog aptly titled [I think] 'Reflect on India'. This is an attempt to rediscover the spirit of being an Indian. It is a journey with the country through her progress towards a promising future.It may sound a bit philosophical, but people who know it will understand it. The expedition will involve a combination of the nation's richness in history, culture and heritage as also its regretful side of increasing population, neverending poverty, lack of education, conservative and a low laid backward society etc... Anyone and everyone is welcome to post their thoughts on the blog. Just let me know and I shall add you as a member to the blog. Let us try to make a difference.....
I had been to Waterstones today, purchased 5 books all in all [The life of Mahatma Gandhi, Freedom at Midnight, The piano teacher, Strangers, Gone with the wind]. I feel more happy today buying books rather than expensive clothes and jewellery [but I will never give up on shopping!!]. Will start up with Freedom at Midnight today.

In Leeds all the day

On my mind :Beautiful life filled with happinessssss.....dont know why!?
Music : Thousand miles by Venessa Carlton

Leeds is a city close to Bradford and since yesterday was a saturday it meant travel day for us. Went there for the 2nd time and did what we usually do i.e, eat, shop, walk and celebrate and watch the world go by..... Next saturday it should be Liverpool or NewCastle. One thing was unusual, I did not buy anything at all!!! Nothing interested me much, everything was the same. I had no energy left when I came back but still tried to cook Chow mein with a friend and what an awfully ugly attempt it was!! It was edible though salty, but it was not Chow mein! I tried my hand at using chopsticks for the first time and I was not bad at all.
Its a sunday today and Im spending much of my time trying to recover from my 'pathfinding' job that I did yesterday. May be I will watch 'Dil to pagal hain' again....never get tired of this particular movie!!
And......one more thing, I have dropped the idea of going to India this march. Reason : Some people dont want me to come back and there are somethings I should forget.....

The state of being disappointed

Today is just one of those days where I would do anything to be in Bangalore. Sting is performing in Bangalore and I am not there! :-( Infact, he would be performing as I write this now.......and damn!!!! Im missing every bit of the show! It is a huge disappointment as I adore his music. Well, it would have been worse if I was missing his concert while still in Bangalore... at the least I have a reason now! I know that I can attend any of his concerts here in UK, but its not just the concert, I can enjoy a concert only with the right kind of crowd. Bangalore has this potential!
I read this in the TOI - Sting complained of a bar in Bangalore having no Indian music. We are heading towards a revolution of our own culture now!!! I dont know whether a particular portion of our youth population is obsessed with the country and its richness but sure is Sting!!

It looks like a perfect family together!! Me and my Chinese friends at the Cantonese restaurant- Blue Sky. 

Chow mein....

On my mind : Someone I dont even know
Music : Kariye naa...by Sukhwinder Singh from Taal

Vegetable chow mein has remarkably become my favorite dish now. It goes along with the Chinese tea. It was embarrassing though, making sure that the food ordered was vegetarian. So I ate as little as possible :-( This was my first tryst with foreign food..... I was under the perception that food which is not Indian is tasteless. I must admit I was wrong! Must visit these Chinese restaurants in Bangalore!! Also I should try something new to me like Italian, Thai [which I am told is delicious], Viatnamese, Mexican, Caribbean etc etc, but Indian food is still the best!
There was a bit of both shock and surprise to see two albums of the band Indian Ocean being featured on Raaga. Never thought that such music is available on Raaga...wonder where is TAAQ?! Ma Rewa by Indian Ocean [Kandisa] is a must hear song.

Music blues and some Chinese food

On my mind : The amount of money I spent at the supermarket
Music : My vision by Jakatta featuring Seal

Yesterday in a comment I mentioned that I was never a good listener to Indipop music. But music is 'zeal' to me , it brings in an ardent and a passionate feeling into anyone's senses....It has to be pure and original music for me though. Indipop, as I have known it, is more commercial and nowadays involves a lot of remixes. Honestly, I love some of the remixes specially when the rhythm and the beats are enhanced [Bindu re bindu by Kunal Ganjawala, he's got a wonderful style of singing], but most of this kind of music is made to sell. Music is one of the best forms of expressions which is why I think that it has to be original. There are too many Indian musicians who compose originals but strangely or regrettably have no platform to perform their creations [hope someone from these so called recording companies are reading]. So people lets promote their music!!
Someone's treating us for some mouth-watering Chinese food today. Rex is going to drive us in his new BMW!! Wonder if I can find some vegetarian food down there.....looking forward to have a marvelous time eating......

On my mind : Love n Life
Music : Pyar ki baatein from the album 'Tera mera pyar'

I woke up to an absolutely beautiful and relaxing afternoon after some much needed sleep. Classes were supposed to start from today but will not until thursday. So watched 'Dil to Pagal Hai' for the 12th or the 13th time and now I am watching 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' for the 6th time I think. I know its awfully crazy and I sometimes myself wonder at how people can watch movies for more than 2 times......but then, I have nothing to do since the past 3 weeks!!
I decided that I shall be going back to India, again, during Easter vacations [2nd or 3rd week of march].....have to book my tickets. Its insane cos I returned from India like 20 days ago. But given a chance and the money, I would return once in every week!!

Some trances and ecstasies revealed...

On my mind : me and my dreams

Music : A beautiful dream by Karunesh

Yesterday we had a guest from Indonesia at our flat for dinner. When talking about each of our future in our respective countries, I said something that remained unsaid in my mind for a while. I dont know where it came from or what made me say that, but I said 'I have a vision for my future!!!'. Since then I havnt stopped thinking. I never usually say that to someone. It was firm, intense and impinging! Han told me 'Archana, you are too ambitious'. Now thats something I had not realised about myself! and why not be ambitious?? What I would also like to realise are some of my long lost dreams.... and I need some inspiration for that!

My holidays of about 40 days end today :-( My second semester starts tomorrow. So its back to the usual , normal student life at the university from tomorrow. But having fun will never stop, does it?

The view from my room. Its beautiful at times when you can watch the world go by. Life just goes on. Nothing can ever stop it.  

....and then there is brightness filled by the sun. I never got to see this much of the sky in Bangalore! 

The sunset yesterday as seen from the window in my room. The sky has never been this red in Bradford. 

Brand new.....

On my mind : The Sun
Music : Rhapsody by Tris Chicas

I have changed everything around here....the previous one was boring! I have added a comment box, a link field [with almost everything], a guestbook. The colour is all green and it was never my favorite colour.Why did I choose green? Hmmm....All the clothes that I bought from Manchester too are green. I think maybe green is the colour of the season. Constructing it consumed my whole day but I am happy that it looks and feels good!!!! Finally, there was some sunshine in Bradford today. It has been gloomy and dark since forever!

Life on the fast lane...Manchester in star light and street light. The tram in Manchester in front of the Manchester Art Gallery. 

Manchester's edge

On my mind : the sky
Music : Sting [Dead man's rope, Whenever I say ur name]

Ever wondered how urbanites live? Ever thought about how people adapt themselves to the urban life? Visit 'URBIS' in Manchester. URBIS is an extraordinary modern museum cum gallery involving the concept of 'life in futuristic cities'. Most of the well built, ultra modern cities where life is always on the fast lane, from around the world like Singapore, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Manchester, Paris, Tokyo, Mumbai [ I was upset that Mumbai is enclosed whereas Bangalore is the most modern city in INDIA], GuangZhou [Han was upset that GuangZhou is involved rather than Shanghai] are included. It is an incredibly improbable notion for a gallery but we should have something similar to this in Bangalore! Manchester is so far the best 'ideal city' for me to live in but it comes next to Bangalore. Flamboyant shopping, exuberant breathing space, yum yum food, ethnic yet sophisticated city centre......its all my type except for the weather and the timing because of the weather. The shops shutter down at 6 in the evening....night life is supposed to start at 6 in the evening!!

Republic day and the fire alarm

Yesterday was the Republic day and this is the first time I missed it ever in my life. Nevertheless, as a citizen of the Republic Of India, I sang the national anthem at 12 in the night and my flatmate says it sounded like a ghost! What was louder was the fire alarm which started ringing at around 3:30 AM in the morning.....these things are crazy here! We all had to go out of the building and stand there watching the moon when it was freezing!! I like the whole scenario though!!!I am done with my exams and today we had Mechatronics [mechanics+electronics]. We had to answer 3 questions out of 5 which, by the way were elementary. I need to treat myself now. Thus, I am off to Manchester tomorrow for some fun hunting!

Peace, Piece and Peas

I had just put up a blog....but it did not get published, its lost somewhere in between!!!Ok anyways...here it goes again!
My flatmate came and asked me today "Hmmm....Archana, can you pronounce peas, piece and peace for me?" I said "sure...ofcourse I can". And I did. She asked me again,"which one was it? Peas, piece or peas?" I could not answer her. This is her first time with the English language. She studied in Turkish in her country because they teach only in the national language in Turkey unlike in India. Why is it that we study in English[a foreign language] in India instead of the national language? Studying in our own language promotes patriotism amongst and between us. Instead we have a foreign language ruling the minds of the youth in India. It is shame in India if you donot know to speak in English....why is that so? It is a shame for a few of us to speak our own language. I shall not blame our people in the government about this or the people who set up this kind of a system. This is because I know that it is of no use. The situation is not going to change if I blame them or not.So I have stopped blaming or complaining wayyy backk!! Maybe you and I should do something! I do not know about you but Im sure that I will do something about it which will be successful.That is why I cannot wait to go back to India forever.

Me and my friends have already formed a group called V3 2 years ago......u can join it as well [no admission or membership fee];-) I shall try to put up a website about the group within this April!

before I sleep...the Himalayas

Its almost about 11:35 in the night.... I think my cold is almost gone. Today I have been doing nothing but planning for our travel this friday to Manchester and about the party on saturday that we are hosting at our flat!![hopefully] Since Im a travel freak, I was also planning with two of my other flatmates to go on a Europe trip this June after our exams [ wonder what my father has to say about it ]. Did you know that I sometimes, only sometimes, think of having a trek to the Annapurna base camp and then to the Mt. Everest base camp [ or may be even the Everest ]......well for now thats just a wish which I hope will come true within the next few years once I find a right companion!
Thanks to Michael Palin for providing me inspiration to climb the Everest through his book 'HIMALAYA'. If it is a book that you havent discovered, you should, because you are missing something thats beyond spectacular! It feels like Im almost travelling with him and now Im in Xangmu in Tibet with him!!!!

Ananda Shankar and his music

Somethings in life just goes unnoticed. When I was in Bangalore last decemeber, I picked up an unknown CD from a store as usual. It was interesting to read that the musician was from India and the music too was from India but the CD was "Imported" from some xxx company! After listening to the music I couldnt help myself being shocked. The musician was Ananda Shankar [the nephew of Pt. Ravi Shankar]. For all those who love music, especially those in or from India, Ananda Shankar should have been an household name.He is one of those founders of what today is called the "INDIAN FUSION MUSIC". The way he blended and experimented the classical Indian music with western beats was pure magic! The album includes breathtaking compilations like Tori, Jungle symphony, Alma Ata, Betelnutters, Pluck and never to forget Tanusree [ok....that includes almost every piece now]. Its a pity that a great musician like Ananda Shankar and his music still remains unknown to most. He disappeared unnamed in 1999. The Indian fusion music scenario has thus lost an important character. I am on the lookout for more of his music.....please inform me if you know.

The consequence and some Bangalore music with TAAQ

I was talking about the weather being nice and cold in my previous post. The result of that weather is that I have a cold [finally...and a really bad one at that]. I have not been ill at all in the UK but now I think Im bearing the consequences for going out in the snow!!
I will be back in Bangalore in less than 2 months from now and yes its been just a week since I returned from Bangalore! Someone said its not logical to return home every 2 months but I cannot help it....Its just that I love Bangalore so much. Talking about Bangalore, there is a band from Bangalore called Thermal and a quarter [TAAQ]. They are professionals when it comes to music and are an absolute treat to anybody's ears [well that depends on who that anybody is...preferably a true music lover]. Their new album PLAN B is worth waiting for a lifetime [dontknow whether they've got it out] but you can download it from their website[CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE FOR THEIR WEBSITE]. Songs like The Steal,Paper Puli,Dead Inside from PLAN B are extravagant to listen to! I was there at their fund raising concert, FLOODAID, for the TSUNAMI victims this Jan 4tH at the St.John's amphi theatre in Bangalore [the first time I EVER heard to them] and GOD....they were fantastic.TAAQ UUUUU ROCKKKK!! I'll surely attend every gig of theirs whenever I am in Bangalore.....not to miss!

there's something happening in Bradford

Yes and its love....love is in the air!!!! Maybe its something about the weather here in Bradford. It is more than romantic. It was snowing in the morning and now its raining dark. I look outside the window and its soo beautiful that I cannot describe. A cup of hot chocolate in my hands and the cold wind along with tiny raindrops [which is half snow] flowing through the window, I am thinking of that "someone" whom I donot even know of and some awesome music to make it perfect.....makes me love life more, more and more!
PS:[If you were wondering, yes, I am back to my crazy self again!!]

On top of the world!!Brahmagiri......have to climb about 360 steps barefoot from Talacauvery to enjoy this satisfying view. On a clear day, you can watch the Arabian sea from here!! This my 6th time at the Brahmagiri and the number will go on. 

The Chamundeshwari temple on the Chamundi hills in Mysore. It is an important holy place specially for our family and me....has a special place in my heart, offers me peace whenever Im there and Im here whenever Im in India!! 

The Nanjangud temple...an absolute splendor in its architecture. We visit this temple atleast once in year. 

A journey to my roots : Karnataka, my inspiration

Karnataka, my state, my mother!!She provides me inspiration everytime I try to uncover the secret side of hers. She is a sense of satisfaction to all the free spirited souls like me. Be it walking footloose and carefree in the green fields of the Mysore district or be it watching the mid-day sun with your sunglasses on while travelling on a bullock cart through an unknown village; be it discovering your own mystic self watching the Sahyadri mountains on the Brahmagiri peak, or be it unleashing your intellectuality at the Talacauvery, the place where river Cauvery takes her birth or be it understanding that being alive by itself is the greatest happiness while trekking onto the Kodachadri peak on the Western Ghats. Somebody said it right....Karnataka is a true theatre of inspiration.

I have started to write a book about this, which is why I desire to travel through my state to experience her, the way she is and the way I should.....like a normal Kannadiga, in a crowded bus, in a not so clean train, in the smelly boats, through the dusty yet innocent country sides, through the bustling yet welcoming busy towns.

I am in search for answers as to why life is as beautiful as it is and I am yet to find answers.This journey to my roots has just started and I am sure that my search will end someday, right here, in my roots.

so much of myself......the dress im wearing is called a "lehenga-dawani". Its the traditional attire from Karnataka for young women. I just love wearing these traditional clothes.....it brings out the elegance and grace in women. 

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as it seems...

As it is...everything seems so calm and suddenly something out of the dark happens.
It takes time to understand whats happening but still we need to because life ggoes on. I worry about all those people who are affected by natures fury. What is relief to them?? Is it just providing clothes, food and shelter? Dont they need something more than that? Most of them have lost everything they have had including people upon whom they could depend ,the people upon whose shoulder they would rest all their worries on, people who were life itself to them, parents have lost their children, and the children.... where will they get the love they deserve from when their gaurdians have disappeared? Looking into the eyes of these people makes me feel that I have lost something that is important. If there is nothing one can do then there will be nothing one can ever do! I pity those people who pray to God thanking God that "IT WAS NOT THEM". Is it not a shame because all it means is that you are grateful to God that someone else died instead of you!