Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Welcome to the Stock Market


Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced that he would buy monkeys for Rs 10 each. The villagers went out to the forest and started catching monkeys. The man bought thousands at Rs 10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort.
He further announced that he would now buy at Rs 20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to Rs 25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch one.
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at Rs 50. However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.
In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers, "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage (that the man had collected from the villagers itself). I will sell them to you at Rs 35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for Rs 50."
The villagers squeezed up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only many monkeys everywhere!
Welcome to the Stock Market.
This story is still incomplete.This happened in another village.
Replace the monkey with GOATS.
Though the Man and assistant never came back, the goat is a useful animal,though the villagers purchased it at higher rate, it gives milk and when goat becomes old it can sold for meat.
Moral of the story: When you get into stock market make sure you buy goats, not monkeys.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Celebrating 1st Anniversary Of India's T20 WC Win


Its been an year when on 24th September, 2007, a bunch of young Indian lads created history by winning the first ever Twenty-Twenty (T20) Cricket World Cup (WC). And the icing on the cake, the team that lost was the arch rivals Pakistan. Matches between these two nations are something more than just matches. The pride and honour of both countries are at stake and loss means facing humiliation back home. And this was even bigger. First ever WC Final between these two teams.


The shameful exit of both teams from 50-50 WC left the fans and the followers in the state of shock and anger. Criticism flew all over and the national heroes became national villians in one night. Media was behind them and the team members were scared even of making a public appereance. So after few months, when T20 WC started, nobody took them seriously. India, in particular made heavy changes as all the senior players were left out from the final 15. The captaincy was on the shoulders of the new, young and dynamic wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.


India had a bumpy ride initially in the tournament match against Scotland was washed off due to rain forcing them to divide the points. Then came Pakistan in the league match and it finished as an nail biting tie. Although, India was this time lucky scrapping the match in the bowl-out.


India lost the first match in Super 8 to New Zealand and was facing the danger of elimination. But then came Yuvraj Singh as the saviour and butchered England resulting in our emphatic win. His record 12-ball 50 and 6 sixes in a single over will never be forgotten by Indian fans as well as Stuart Broad. Hosts South Africa was also defeated convincingly because of exceptional bowling performance by Indian boys.


And now we were in the Semi-finals and the furious Australia was between India and the berth in the Finals. Yuvraj again showed his class and heart with a blistering 30-ball 70. Bowlers also did a good job. Australia succummed to the defeat and a page in the history books was ready to be written as India and Pakistan were in the Finals.


Then the D-day came and as expected the heat and crunchness reached its peak. India finished off with a low score on a good looking pitch and it seemed as if the dream of 1 billion Indians will be shattered. Pakistan had a shaky but blazing start. Wickets fell on regular intervals but runs also came in plenty. After all the drama, Misbah-ul-Haq miscued a paddle sweep looking shot and Sreesanth made no mistake at the short fine leg. And YESSSSS !!!! we were the first ever T20 WC Champions. It was party and champagne all night and days to come for Indians. After all, everyone was proved wrong. Hats off !! to our heroes.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

TZP in race... An OSCAR in line?

Taare Zameen Par (TZP) has been named as the official entry from India for the Academy Award (Oscars). The legacy of Aamir Khan continues as its the second time after Lagaan (2001), his film has been nominated to compete for the honour. Last time Lagaan lost to the competitor by a whisker. Some allegations of pre-fixing and that Asian movies are not given fair space and consideration were also heard.


This time, I think, there is a strong chance of TZP to win the award in Foreign Language Film category. A theme which is generally overlooked and considered off-beat, a superb script, exceptional screenplay, and the small wonder Darsheel Safari's acting are some plus points which can give the movie an edge over other competitors.


If somebody has observed the Indian education system and society build up carefully, one can easily tell that TZP is a very common experience within the masses. These days, the fad to leave others behind and be at the top is imposed on the kids right from early childhood. How can everyone be a topper? Secondly, Dyslexia is such type of disorder which is not easily diagnosed by any layman. The children suffering from Dyslexia require special counselling and care. Dyslexic children can also be the part of the mainstream society if taken care of delicately.


Regarding the movie TZP, I don't think there is anything to describe about. The perfectionist nature of the director cum actor Khan is visible from a mile. He had not left any stone unturned. Every aspect of the movie was taken care of and nothing was below perfect. An off-beat movie with grand commercial success is not India's cup of tea but TZP was an exception. Cities, big or small, multiplexes or the simple theatres, it was a big hit. A person with an average intellect can imagine himself in any of the characters of the movie (Ishaan's , mom's, dad's, teachers'). Such was a charisma of the movie as no one was left untouched by it. Personally, I cannot remember any movie other than TZP after Deepa Mehta's "Water" which brought tears to my eyes.


I will be pleased if this movie is acclaimed at the International level and wins the Oscar as it was acclaimed at the National level and swept almost every Filmfare award. Waiting for the results eagerly.

The Gift Of The Magi

Today, I watched a music video " Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein " featuring Pankaj Udhaas as the singer, and Sameera Reddy as the actor. I was delighted to observe that the stroy line was loosely based on short story " The gift of the Magi " by O. Henry, which we read as a part of our syllabus book in class 10th. It was, by far at that time, the most romantic story I had ever read.



A young couple who were very much in love with each other, but can barely afford their living due to their very bad economic condition. For Christmas, the girl decides to buy her husband a chain for his prized pocket watch given to him by his father. To raise the funds, she has her prized long hair cut off and sold to a wig maker. Meanwhile, the boy decides to sell his watch to buy his wife a beautiful set of combs for her lovely, knee-length hair. Although each is disappointed to find the gift they chose rendered useless, each is pleased with the gift they received, because it represents the other's love for them. O. Henry ends the story by clarifying the metaphor between the characters in the story and the Magi (Three Wise Men, said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts).



In our hindi adaptation as a music video, Sameera plays the girl-next-door who is attaracted towards a boy in the locality. The boy is passionate towards the bike accessories, so the girl decides to present them but falls short of the money. Then she sell off her beautiful hair to fetch the remaining money, only to know that the boy, in order to gift her a beautiful saaree and a necklace, has sold off his most beloved bike.

The moral of the story is that physical possessions, however valuable they may be, are of little value in the grand scheme of things. The true unselfish love that the characters of the story share is greater than their possessions.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye (अजीब दास्ता है ये)

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Shailendra
Actor: Meena Kumari


अजीब दास्ता है ये,
कहा शुरू कहा खत्म ।
ये मन्ज़िले है कौन सी ?
ना वो समझ सके ना हम ।

ये रोशनी के साथ क्यो ?
धूआ उठा चिराग से ।
ये ख्वाब देखती हू मै,
कि जग पडी हू ख्वाब से ।

मुबारके तुम्हे कि तुम,
किसी के नूर हो गये ।
किसी के इतने पास हो,
कि सबसे दूर हो गये ।

किसी का प्यार ले के तुम,
नया जहान बसाओगे ।
ये शाम जब भी आयेगी,
तुम हमको याद आओगे ।

अजीब दास्ता है ये,
कहा शुरू कहा खत्म ।
ये मन्ज़िले है कौन सी ?
ना वो समझ सके ना हम ।

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Myths and Realities About Blood Donation


There are many myths and rumours spread about the blood donation, about the procedure and about the donors' health after donation. Here are some realities about the same.

Myth #1: Someone else will donate all the blood that's needed.
Reality #1: If only it were true. More than 10 million units of blood are required annually in the country against which only half of it is being procured. Lakhs of people, including accident victims, those suffering from various ailments and women during the childbirth, are dying annually in the country for want of blood.

Myth #2: It hurts.
Reality #2: Okay, maybe it does a little just like the mosquito bite. Far less than getting body pierced or tatooed, though, and only briefly. And remember that donating blood hurts a lot less than having someone you care about need blood and not get it because it's not there.

Myth #3: I don't have time.
Reality #3: It doesnot take long: about 30 minutes in all from arrival to departure.

Myth #4: They ask embarassing questions.
Reality #4: Okay, some of the questions are personal, but they have to be. The screening personnel are very professional and are not judgmental. Their only goal is to ensure a safe blood supply for the patients and a safe donation experience for the donors.

Myth #5: I might get some infection from donating.
Reality #5: In the standerd blood banks and donation camps, donations are drawn using sterile equipment that is disposed of after a single use, and the professionals who draw your blood wear sterile latex gloves that are disposed of immediately after use on a single patient. At no time will you come in contact with any piece of equipment or material that has had contact with someone else's blood or body fluids.

Myth #6: I take medication, so I can't donate.
Reality #6: Maybe you're right. Maybe you're not. Because the screening personnel asks about all the medications you are taking beofre hand. And if he feels that you are inappropriate for donation you are informed and blood is not taken.

Myth #7: I'm too old or I'm too young.
Reality #7: There is no upper age limit for donation. So long as you are healthy and weigh at least 45 kilogrammes, you can continue to donate as a lifelong contribution to the community.
Maybe you are too young, if you are under 18. But once you turn 18, if you're healthy and weigh at least 45 kilogrammes, you can make a real grown-up contribution to the community.

Myth #8: They will take too much of my blood and and I will feel weak.
Reality #8: The truth is that the amount they take is fixed to mere 450 mL. In general, no feeling of dizziness aur weakness is experienced by the donors. Also, new blood forms in the body very quickly and recovered in 2-3 days.

So the next time you get the opportunity to donate blood, feel free to do so. Be a regular donor(You can safely give blood every three months) and save lives. After all, sitting, talking and thinking about something doesnot help, if you didnot do anything for the same. Go, change something around you.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Self-satisfaction... The root of all downfalls


Note: This post can hurt one's ego, so reader's discretion is adviced.


Self-satisfaction (आत्मतुष्टि) is a term which means "a feeling of fullness and complacency within oneself". The feeling normally surrounds one, when one acheive a short-term goal, and stops craving for the ultimate aim. In other words, the process of self-destruction starts budding then and one stops working hard in the same direction. This period of pseudo-fullness seem to be very pleasing and relaxing but is seldom short lived. After some time, when much water has passed through the bridge, one realises that now he (not gender specific) is left behind others who were with him before and couldnot cope up with them. And then the disasterous vicious cycle is created and one gets dipressed thinking that he is left behind others which further leads to lesser efficiency and again more depression creeps him.


This feeling is more prevelant in Indian subcontinent than in other rich parts of the world. I can post number of examples from the celeb sphere. You can pick any Indian cricketer who has done extremely well in the past and now he is failing in every form of the game. You can consider any movie star who was at the peak some time but now is out of the frame. But leave the celebs, poor they are always under our axe of scrutiny.


Just consider yourself, when you were preparing for the engineering or medical entrance exams. For few days or months, everything was pretty well and you worked very hard. But after some time everything changed. You became complacent and there she goes... landing up in some or the other private engineering or medical college with no guaranteed and promising bright future ahead.


Leave alone the entrance exams, most of the students here in JIITU, who come here with many plans for the new semester, but ending up screwing everything by the end of T-1. The feeling that "I have scored enough to clear the subject" creeps and then blows off everything.


Consider the general public who lives in our cities. They all are so fed up with the anarchy in the 'dead' system and feel shity every time the car bumps on the pothole, the electricity goes and leave them with the final delivery of the match to be bowled, the water supply disconnected amidst of a hearty bath and many other such incidences. But they will not even try to do something for all these discomforts they face the whole day, because they are preoccupied with the feeling of self-satisfaction. Have you ever tried to move an application for any complaint? Nopes will be the common answer... But believe me, I have tried and with some strong will and determination, it works !!


My whole point of discussion is: Why are we so flexible from inside ourselves? Why we mould ourselves for every discomfort that easily? Why the " भेड-चाल " is prevelant and we don't use our conscious to take our own decisions and stay rigid with them? This feeling of self-satisfaction is deteriorating the condition of our country from bad to worse. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam (when in office as President of India) was tired of asking his countrymen to work hard in order to achieve their goals but a very few took him seriously. As a result, we ended up at the same place we started. It is high time when we start believing in ourselves, leave complacency and strive hard for perfection.


Comments Invited.


Additional Note: My ego was also hurt while writing this post so no offences.

Beer Blues... :)


Pakistani Masood, Bangladeshi Irshad & OUR Indian Sardar Santa Singh are in a bar one night having a beer.
Masood drinks his beer and suddenly throws his glass in the air, pulls out a gun and shoots the glass to pieces, says "In Pakistan our glasses are so cheap that we don't need to drink from the same one twice."

The Irshad (obviously impressed by this) drinks his beer, throws his glass into the air, pulls out his gun and shoots the glass to pieces, says "In Bangladesh we have so much sand to make the glasses that we don't need to drink out of the same glass twice either."

OUR Santa Singh, cool as a cucumber, picks up his beer and drinks it, throws his glass into the air, pulls out his gun and shoots the Pakistani Masood and Bangladeshi Irshad, exclaims "In India we have so many Pakistanis and Bangladeshis that we don't need to drink with the same ones twice." Balle Balle!!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ardh Satya (अर्धसत्य)

Hindi poem by Dilip Chitre, spoken by Om Puri towards end of the film Ardh Satya, summarising the entire theme of the film, of feeling impotent, when one finds oneself part of the system, which one once revolted against.

चक्रव्यूह में घुसने से पहले कौन था मैं और कैसा था, यह मुझे याद ही ना रहे,
चक्रव्यूह में घुसने के बाद मेरे और चक्रव्यूह के बीच सिर्फ जानलेवा निकटता थी इसका मुझे पता ही नही,
चक्रव्यूह में घुसने से पहले कौन था मैं और कैसा था यह मुझे याद ही ना रहेगा,
चक्रव्यूह में घुसने के बाद मेरे और चक्रव्यूह के बीच सिर्फ जानलेवा निकटता थी इसका मुझे पता ही नहीं चलेगा,
चक्रव्यूह से बाहर निकलने पर मैं मुक्त हो जाऊं भले ही फिर भी चक्रव्यूह की रचना में फ़र्क ही ना
पड़ेगा,
मरूं या मारूं, मारा जाऊं या जान से मार दूं इसका फैसला कभी ना हो पायेगा,
सोया हुआ आदमी जब नींद में से उठ कर चलना शुरू करता है तब सपनों का संसार उसे दुबारा देख ही ना पाएगा,
इस रोशनी में जो निर्णय की रोशनी है सब कुछ समान होगा क्या?
एक पलडे में नपुंसकता, दूसरे पलडे में पौरुष,
और ठीक तराज़ू के कांटे पर अर्धसत्य ॥

Warren Buffett... A CEO with a difference


Warren Edward Buffett (born August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American investor, businessman and philanthropist. He is regarded as one of the world's greatest investors and is the largest shareholder and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. With an estimated net worth of around US$62 billion, he was ranked by Forbes as the richest person in the world as of February 11, 2008 surpassing Bill Gates who reigned for 13 years. His annual salary which he gets from the company is a mere $100,000. Buffett announced in June 2006 that he would gradually give away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations in annual gifts of stock, starting in July 2006. The largest contribution would go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:
* He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
* He first filed his income tax return at the age 13.
* He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
* He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, that he bought after he
got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a outer wall or a fence.
* He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
* He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
* His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year.
* He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules.
Rule number 1: Do not lose any of your share holder's money.
Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
* He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.
* Bill Gates, the world's richest man (until 2007 according to Forbes) met him for the first time only 8 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
* Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.
* His words of advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and remember:
A. Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.
B. Live your life as simple as you are.
C. Don't do what others say, just listen them, but do what you feel good.
D. Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which u feel comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather.
F. After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life."

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Seven Stages Of Love


Today, browsing through internet I came across an interesting topic i.e. The seven stages of Love. Never thought of Love that way before. Basically, these stages are classified on the basis of the course of incidents which happen in one's life who falls in love. These stages in order of appereance are-

Urdu / Hindi / English

हब / आकर्षण / Attraction
उन्स / मोह / Infatuation
इश्क / प्रेम / Love
अकीदत / श्रद्धा / Reverence
इबादत / पूजा / Worship
जुनून / दीवानगी / Obsession
मौत / मृत्यु / Death

The satges can be described like this...

1. Attraction - It is the initial stage which occurs when one first see/meet the other concerned person. Normally, it happens in one's early life, i.e. in childhood or teenage. It is very common and most of the time it dies before maturing.

2. Infatuation - The budding period when attraction slowly transforms into this stage. The stage is accompanied by intense passion for someone. This can be short lived or long lived depending on the mental condition of the person.

3. Love - Stage where Infatuation transforms into strong feeling of affection, interest and pleasure. It is often linked with physical attraction. The relationship between two individuals is romantic and offten sexual.

4. Reverence - Love, when attains the feeling of intense respect, is the stage of reverence. The lust element dissappears and is not there any more.

5. Worship - The stage of reverence, when attains its saturation point, leads to worship. The feeling of great admiration and devotion for someone is what worship is all about.

6. Obsession - The 'grey' stage where the thought (for someone) dominates all other thoughts. It is disturbing and often leads to destruction.

7. Death - It denotes the end of everything. The end of love, relationship, life.

The description is purely on the basis of what I think it to be. Different individuals can have different opinions about the same. Comments invited.

Remembering BABA…


13th September, 2003. The day when Baba left us. A never filling void was created in my life on that day. Generally, in Indian society, grand parents are the ones who build the character and generate the feeling of morality in the hearts of their grand children. He was no exception.


I remember, the daily visits to the nearby temple in my early childhood with him and when I started attending school, it was only the Sundays and the holidays when I got that privilege. It was him who generated the feeling of religiousness and spiritualism within me. On the contrary, today I don’t remember when I last visited the institute temple.


In my earlier days, if I had any query or problem related to any topic whether academic, historical, religious or any general problem, he always had an answer to it. After all, he was the gold medalist graduate from Roorkee University (now IIT, Roorkee). He was the top ranker at that institution where I always dreamt of getting admission. Tried real hard but could not get into it.


He instigated in me the habit of reading newspaper everyday. It may not look any extraordinary thing but I really think that it helped me gaining whatever little command I have on Hindi and English language.


I can never forget the daily Re.1 he gave us as our pocket money. Again, it was not a big thing but I remember how he advised me to save all of them and buy something significant and worthy at the end of the month or year.


It’s been five years since he left us, but it seems as it was yesterday. The life after that catastrophe was never the same. I wonder if he lived, then many events that took place in my life would not have been the same. Anyways, what he did for our family cannot be expressed in words. He was, and still is, my idol, my mentor, my life. I miss him. May his Soul rest in peace.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (जीना इसी का नाम है)

Starring: Raj Kapoor
Singer: Mukesh

किसी की मुस्कुराहटो पे हो निसार,
किसी क दर्द मिल सके तो ले उधार,
किसी के वास्ते हो तेरे दिल मे प्यार,
जीना इसी का नाम है ।

माना अपनी जेब से फ़कीर है,
फ़िर भी यारो दिल के हम अमीर है,
मिटे जो प्यार के लिये वो ज़िन्दगी,
जले बहार के लिये वो ज़िन्दगी,
किसी को हो न हो हमे है ऐतबार,
जीना इसी का नाम है ।

रिश्ता दिल से दिल के ऐतबार का,
ज़िन्दा है हमी से नाम प्यार का,
कि मर के भी किसी को याद आयेगे,
किसी के आन्सुओ मे मुस्कुराएगे,
कहेगा फ़ूल हर कली से बार बार,
जीना इसी का नाम है ।

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I Just Called To Say I Love You

No new years's day
To celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day
No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding saturday within the month of June
But what it is
Is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you.

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
No even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is
Though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words Could ever do.

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

-Stevie Wonder

Happy birthday... "Someone very special"


९ सितम्बर । एक ऐसा दिन जो मै शायद कभी नही भूल सकता । और कुछ भी भूल जाऊ परन्तु ये दिन... कभी नही । ये जन्मदिन है उस खास इन्सान का, जो मेरे जीवन के चन्द हसीन, खुशनुमा पलो के लिये ज़िम्मेदार है । वो इन्सान, जिसने मेरी ज़िन्दगी के मायने ही बदल दिये ।

कभी सोचा नही था कि मै उसका जन्मदिन उसे बिना देखे, बिना उसकी आवाज़ सुने, बिना उसे महसूस करे मनाऊगा । पर आज मै यहा, उसकी यादो की गठरी के सहारे, उसे अपने मन से देखकर, मन से ही सुनकर और महसूस कर, उसके जन्मदिन का जश्न मना रहा हू ।

विडम्बना ये कि उसे पता भी नही कि मै ऐसा कुछ कर रहा हू । उसको इस बात का ज़रा भी इल्म नही कि वो मेरे लिये कितनी खास है । मेरी हर सान्स पर उसका नाम है, परन्तु उसे तो शायद मेरा नाम भी याद नही । मै हर पल उसे याद करता हू, परन्तु उसकी यादो मे मेरे लिये कोई स्थान नही । वो मेरे लिये सब कुछ है, परन्तु मै उसके लिये कुछ भी नही । वो मेरा ब्रह्मान्ड है, परन्तु मै उसका शून्य ।

जो भी है, जैसा भी है, परन्तु मुझे किसी बात का कोई रन्ज नही । शायद किस्मत को यही मन्ज़ूर था । और वैसे भी सबको सब कुछ तो नही मिलता । इसीलिये जो है, जितना है, उसी मे खुश रहना चाहिये । और मै अब खुश हू । सन्तुष्ट नही, तो दुखी भी नही । सान्सारिक बन्धनो से मुक्त । उसकी यादो के सहारे । उज्ज्वल भविष्य की आस मे । खुशनुमा पलो के इन्तज़ार मे...

"She was the nicest thing, that ever happened to me."

Sunday, September 7, 2008

I Want It That Way ... (Backstreet Boys)

One of my favourite songs.
********************
Yeah-eh-heah...
You are, my fire, The one, desire,
Believe, when I say, I want it that way,
But we, are two worlds apart,
Can't reach to your heart,
When you say,
That I want it that way,
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,
I want it that way...

Am I, your fire?
Your one, desire,
Desire, it's too late,
But I want it that way,
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,I want it that way...

Now I can see that we've fallen apart,
From the way that it used to be, Yeah,
No matter the distance, I want you to know,
That deep down inside of me...
You are, my fire, The one, desire,
You are (You are, You are, You are...)

Don't wanna hear you say,
Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
(Don't wanna hear you say),
I never wanna hear you say,
I want it that way.
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Tell me why, Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,
(Don't wanna hear you say),
I want it that way.

Tell me why...
Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,
(Never wanna hear you say it),
I want it that way,
Coz I want it that way...

********************

Friday, September 5, 2008

Dreams (Un)limited...


Technically, a dream refers to "a series of images and feelings occurrings in a person's mind during sleep" courtesy Oxford Reference Dictionary. There are some other meanings of this word as well but my consideration for today is the one mentioned above. Sometimes, in common parlance, people say that "Eyes see dreams", but let me tell you that totally blind people by birth also see the dreams of the same intensity and quality just like any other normal people. So, that remark is discarded. So a safer remark can be that "Mind see dreams".


But my point of discussion is some what different. I am talking about the dreams which one sees and remembers, and then comes to know that the incident has happened. Normally people take it as a coincidence. I shall give you a latest example to explain the above thing. Days after India won their first gold in Beijing Olympics, 2008, three of our boxers, Akhil, Jeetendra and Vijender were in the quaterfinals in their respective categories. They were going to have their matches at the same day. I was really excited and so preoccupied with these thoughts that the night before I dreamt of Akhil losing and India finishing off with 1 gold and 2 bronze. Following day, Akhil and Jeetendra lost their matches but Vijender reached in the semifinals. Also, Sushil Kumar, the unknown wrestler won the bronze. Also, Vijender lost in the semifinals and end up with a bronze. Now, if we carefully analyze the scenario then my dream was kinda true. I saw Akhil losing and India finishing off with 1 gold and 2 bronze, which was what exactly happened. Although no reference of Sushil winning was there, neither of Vijender winning and Jeetendra losing.


Somebody can doubt of my authenticity, its his/her wish. I cannot really produce a proof of it. Somebody can say it was a coincidence, to which I cannot deny, because these type of things donot happen to me on a regular basis. But for sure, this incident compelled me to think over and write this blog, which is a good thing.


Anyways, a recent study in some university of California claims, that an average person can see upto ten thousands of dreams in a single night of sleep of eight hours. But this can vary person to person. Many of those dreams, one cannot recollect or remember, but a very few, are remembered by them and can be examined if they go right or wrong. Some scientists also claim that one only sees the things and places where one has visited before by any medium, i.e. in reality or through television. But then how can a blind person see and recollect those things. This question remains unanswered. Some scientists talk of the subconscious mind working in these cases, which can be considered true to some extent but this subconscious thing also explains the whole thing.


The conclusion to which I am upto is that, this thing (ability) of one to really predict the future can prove to be really fantastic if it can be controlled and nurtured. Many catastrophes can be predicted and the destruction of billions can be avoided. Although this seems to be a giant step today. But we should accept that the human mind is a very strong entity and capable to produce results which even cannot be imagined. The only thing is to control our mind and then do things which people call "MAGIC".

Monday, September 1, 2008

Pseudo-intellectualism

Before starting, let me tell you the meaning of "Intellect". According to the Oxford Reference Dictionary, it means "the power of reasoning and understanding objectively". So, an intellectual is a person who has this quality. Therefore, a pseudo-intellectual is the one who fakes to have this quality. The trend set up by these people is now often stated as pseudo-intellectualism.

First up, the most common places to find these people: the next seat in the bus, the next berth in the train, a bunch of lads standing near a tea shop, teenagers sitting infront of a TV and many such places where people normally go for killing time. Yes, basically the motive of these pseudo-intellectuals is to kill time and at the same time impress some people (often of opposite sex) who don't seem to know much about the topic. They feel really thrilled to win some conversation with guys who are not smart enough. Interestingly, our "heros" generally back off to avoid humiliation and embarrassment if they sense that the listener is smarter than themselves.

The technique they generally practice is to make up facts and figures of their own. Normally, humans are obsessed with numbers, and if they are fed up with the right amount at the right time, they easily believe the shit. This property of the "Homo Sapiens" is very well exploited by our heros. Another thing they use are the stunning punch lines and self-made quotes, which they make the listeners believe, are from famous personalities, and try to mesmerize them. The most interesting part of all this is that if somebody from the audiences ever demand for the proof of what they are referring, these filthy people don't have one. But such incidences are really rare.

The hot topics, such people in India choose are Bollywood, Cricket, Music (preferably English), Girls, Sex, latest Technolgy, Medecine, Religion, Terrorism and everyday Politics. Once they start with a topic, believe me, they can extend their debate to any level possible and when that discussion finally ends, audiences don't know why and about what they actually began. Such is the "Charisma" of our heros.

So, next time you feel somebody is proving to be the pain in the a**, just try to vacate the place
immediately or else be prepared to loose your precious time.

If you think otherwise about anything mentioned, comments are invited.