My Food 4 Thoughts

Aotearoa Diaries Two: Wellington -Wild at Heart

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Across the Oceans,
With flying thoughts…
Landed into the winters,
From summers, overnight…
Here I come to see,
How wild you are at Heart – Wellington…..

Having been in moderate temperatures all my life, Wellington was shockingly cold and I cursed myself for carrying just a normal coat on advices received. Too add to this, along with the weather the city also seemed pretty cold and laid back during the drive to my hotel room. All the way along Stewart Drive, I asked myself, Its Sunday afternoon and wherezz everyone in Wellington gone…….Ok, this reaction traces back to my roots of billion plus population, I cannot actually blame myself for this one.

Wellington City, Willis Street , this is the heart of the city where I had to spend my initial days in Hotel with a colleague. Having someone who‘s already been to this new place and know people, helps a newcomer a lot. Thanks to this colleague to asked me to join her with rest of my colleagues to Botanical Garden on the afternoon i arrived. Yes, I would actually meet all my colleagues outside office and would get introduced to all of them there in Botanical Gardens was an icebreaker for me.

As we walked across the lanes of Wellington towards garden all I could notice was few empty supermakets-Open, Cafes-Closed and about to close shops all this around 4 pm on Sunday evening.By the time we reached a narrow lane one of my colleague said we will have to take Cable Car to the botanical garden, this really sounded exciting for me. As we entered the lane we dropped a dollar for the cable car trip and I was like, this is pretty cheap for Cable car ride. To our surprise that day was Wellington Day and city council gave discount on their tickets and donated the ticket money to a charity. Wow, I came into wellington on Wellington Day, now that’s something special and realized this place has something special for me….
Cable Car- For me was always the Cable tied across a Valley to the top of mountain. And a Cabin Car took people to the top of mountain….. Thanks to Yash Chopra and his movies and his version of Switzerland.

We all waited for the Cable car to arrive and what I see was red color train firmly grounded on tracks came on to the platform and there we go…. Wellington versions of Cable car pretty much it looked like a toy train seen around hill stations of India. But the similarities ends, this train looking Cable Car actually goes up the hill in an angle much similar to a cable car rather than curves cutting thru the hill in toy train. Wow, someone’s smart and innovative to name it like Wellington Cable Car.
After spectacular view of Wellington City from 5 mins cable car comes the botanical garden and Cable Car Museum at the end of Cable car…. This is like any other garden in a well-planned city with amazing City view, mountains across the City, Water front; Valleys with houses built on slopes of mountain.

Standing there at the Botanical Garden, on day one of my trip with 10-12 of my colleagues clicking pictures around me, having fun in the midst of this mountain terrain City along the coast of Pacific Ocean, Sun started with its Good Bye’s for the day. That sunset said to me……

Across the Oceans from the much older land…
Here you are to the land of rising sun.
Where your day begins before the world you were in….
Young, Vibrant, land of wonders.
Look around for what I am offering….
A celebration, much more than you could ever imagine.
“Wild at heart”is just beginning…..
Here you see 100 % Pure New Zealand, Kia Ora!!!!!

Prominent Places of Wellington

Botanical Garden- This is must visit place in Wellington with beautiful landscapes, gardens, planetarium etc spread across Wellington City and suburbs (another entrance to the garden not to be missed). Most importantly spectacular views of the city, cable car experience while you walk across Lambton Quay and say hello to Father of Wellington John Plimmer bronzified along with is dog “Fritz”.
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/gardens/botanicgardens/botanicgardens.html
http://www.sculptures.org.nz/tours/lambton/john-plimmer-and-fritz
http://www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz/
Other Places in Wellington:
Te Papa Museum- Biggest Museum in New Zealand and best place to explore the land and its culture.
Wellington Water Front- One place everyone loves it for what it is, and also for its activities like kayaking, swimming, yacht clubs or just sit, walk or jog along this area. Not to forget this place also holds the statue Solace of Wind and Te Papa Museum.

Mount Victoria – Another place for spectacular views of entire the City much better compared to Botanical Garden. Mt Vic also offers trekking and mountain biking opportunities for wellingtonians and tourists.

Oriental Bay (Oriental Parade Walk) - Water front extends into this area, best explored by walk or by bikes along road parallel to the Sea. This came into this blog for being my favorite place!!!!

Zealandia- A place for Bird watchers and for someone who adores nature.

New Zealand Parliament – Just, if a monument interests you and if you want to see where from the New Zealand bureaucracy operates.

Some more Information.......
Frank Kitts Market – It’s the wellington underground market where local artisans set up stalls every weekend to trade off their goods.

Night Life- Happening night life of the city can be witnessed on Friday’s and Saturdays at Courtney Place at Boston Club, Red Hat, Molly Malones, Mish Mosh, HummingBird Café & Bar, Bangalore Polo Club etc. City also hosts some Gentlemen's clubs like the Splash Club, Mermaid, Santa Fe Dream Girls etc... Imp Info -Do not forget to take your Identity/age proof( passport, driving licence ) along, and feel happy about looking younger.

Restaurants and Cafes – You name a cuisine and its there at your dispense. Unimaginable number of Indian and Thai restaurants all across the city. I guess Wellingtonians have got some Indian Taste bud connection. Cafes are open mostly on Weekdays with some exceptions over weekend. However do not forget to pick your last coffee by 5pm, remember everyone has a life beyond work. Café owners are no different from rest.

Transportation- Wellington has very well connected buses across the length and breadth of the city. Information regarding this could be checked in Metlink.co.nz, metlink also provides monthly and daily passes to save on some penny. There are various taxi services like Wellington Combined Cab, Super Shuttle, Green Cabs providing taxi services for maximum of 11 member groups.

Shopping Areas –Wellington City offers different brands in stores across Willis Street, Cuba Street, Lambton Quay. Another best place to find everything under one roof is Queensgate Westfield Mall in Lower Hutt, Metlink buses and trains take you there easily.

Souvenirs - can be brought from different stores across the city on Lambton Quay, Willis Street and also at Te Papa Museum. All you can find will mostly be on Rugby, Kiwis, Sheep, possum wool, and the very own Maori heritage stuffs.
Quick fix Supermarkets and Calling Cards – Countdown, New World, Pak N save are different supermarkets across New Zealand for daily needs of locals and tourist. Most accessible ones in Wellington City are Fix stores to get Sim cards, calling cards and other basic daily needs.

Accommodations- There are hotels, motels, service apartments, backpackers to suit every pocket. Some of the popular ones are InterContinental, Amora, and Bolton, if they are beyond budget then Quest on different streets, Quest On Willis/Terrace so on. Another popular and safe option on pockets are backpackers YHA –Youth Hostel Accomodation across New Zealand. Long term accommodation then Trademe.co.nz is d best place to look out for flatmates, service apartments or any kind of home for yourself.

Travel Companies – Some of the easily available travel partner all across city would be STA Travel, Flight Centre etc to help with all the travel needs.

Weather Forecasts –Wellington is known for its warm and welcoming nature, so does its weather but for being highly unpredictable. So plan all you activity consulting the Met Services department.
http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington

Car Rental Companies- All the major car rentals companies are located in the heart of the City , you can find Budget, Hertz, Avis and many local vendors as well.

Beyond all this information Wellington is an experience in itself, have enough space in your hearts to carry the memories back of this Captial of Cool or Coolest little capital in the World!!!!!

After all it’s the 4th Best city in the world to visit, sources Lonely planet's new Guide book.

Ek Ehsaas, Kuch Keh raha hain...

2011-10-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Rang badalthe Mausam mein,
Badle Badle se Khayal hain.
Ek Ehsaas, Kuch Keh raha hain....

Khilthe phoolon mein,
Nayi si Khusboo, Ek nayi Ashaa
lekar, Koi Umang laya hain.....

Pathjad ke saaye se nikla
Basant,Dhoop ki roshni se...
Zindagi Roshan karne aayi hain

Kho jaau main in Rangon mein,
Keh raha hain mann bhavara.
Hain Dosh nahin yeh mann ka...

Ye tho hain dosh,
Iss Rang Badalthe Mausam ka!!!!!

Main, Ke Sivah

2011-08-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

Dur thak bichi koi khamoshi thi...
Main, ke sivah kuch aur na tha
Sard mausam main bhi halki si
Suraj ki roshni, Umeed si de jaati....
Kaale reth pe pad ke aise jagmaga jaati,
Jaise zameen pe sitare bichayi hui si ho....
Reth par chalthe....
Main, ke sivah kuch aur na tha...
Dur thak bichi koi khamoshi thi...

Samandar ki leharein kehti
Zameen se....
Laut jaati hun tere dhar se,
Har baar takra kar.....
Teri bahon mein samaane ki koshish le kar,
Har ek lehar ke ssath ye koshish karthi hun.
Mulaqat pal bhar ka ho,
Saath tere har pal rehthi hun.
Leharo ko cheerthi awaaz main bhi....
Dur thak bichi khamoshi si thi...
Main ke sivah kuch aur na tha....

Reth pe banhe pairo ke nishaan ,
Ek lehar se mit jaati...
Hain Zindagi yahi ye
keh jaati....

Main ke sivah bhi kuch tha, ya hain
Jo nazar nahi aati...
Nazar ke daayre se aage bhi,
Koi dharqt hoga....
Kaano thak pahunch ne ki koshish mein,
Koi awaaz hoga.....
Dur thak bichi khamoshi mein kuch sunne lagi thi...
Main, ke sivah bhi koi aur tha, ya hain
Ye jaan ne lagi thi....

Aotearoa Diaries....One

2011-07-18T03:46:00.000-07:00

Aotearoa!!!!

I dont know how would Maori's pronounce this one, New Zealand is easier for me...

It never crossed my mind that i could ever land up here at New Zealand as my Onsite, forget about first one. Many back home reacted Wooow, thats a great place to be, very beautiful, romantic place on earth etc, some even said, Kiwi's are very Handsome. I now agree to that as well.

If someone asked Where is New Zealand on world map? I would have said near Australia or even it comes before Australia. Only after coming here, I checked for it on World Map!!!!

New Zealand is to the south of Australia and in south Western Pacific Ocean, island country. As name itself suggests it is youngest country on the map where human's habitation started. All this can be googled, i need not say much....

This is one such place I never thought, would land up to, atleast not for work. You think something and destiny plans something much better. After lots of confusion, postponements finally here I was at our very own BIAL( Bangalore International Airport) hiding my nervousness from my parents. Yes, I was nervous and emotional, first international flight, unknown country,people and away from India and all dear ones were all enough to make me nervous at least for sometime. Even though little nervous, there was mixed feeling,#403 had kind of become a home after Hubli..... Chalo, that can be different blog all together.

After all emotional Bye's and see off's, as I entered BIAL and checked in my luggage, which i thought would exceed airline limit, BIAL started seeming big, really big and I stranded all alone there. Then there i is see my collegue, who was suppose to travel with me. Thanks to Travel desk for booking us on to the same flights. With some experienced company along, travelling looked easier. With all the Excitement i boarded the flight to Honkong. BIAL was the largest airport until i actually saw Hongkong airport, where we had to take trains to reach different terminals. BIAL suddenly seemed so small. Hongkong Airport, that is along the sea side and I cursed myself for taking a Isle seat and missing view of the Hongkong.

After small transit time and skipped lunch, I boarded my flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland is the only place in North Island with International Airport and it is not the capital of New Zealand. Capital is where is i am suppose to reach, Wellington. Long, tiring would be the best way to describe my flight to Auckland.
Changing flights from International to domestic with all the feather lite luggage was not easier but the excitement of being in NZ helped it all.

One hour flight from Auckland to Wellington and here I am at the Capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and after almost 26hours long flight with two transits reached the destination. This time i had managed a window seat and guess what, Flight lands at Wellington at the sea shore and the view was no where comparable to the Hongkong landing!!!!!!

From the day my travel was decided, I always wondered what was in store for me at Wellington and here's the answer right at Wellington Airport - "Wild at Heart".

Aotearoa Diaries - New Zealand from my experiences......

“Ananth Nilaya” – A Houshold after 26/11 Attack

2010-11-26T05:35:00.000-08:00

It was just any other morning at “Ananth Nilaya”, this is the home which Srinivas & Vidya dreamt all their life and built it with lots of hopes. Ananth Nilaya is in midst of silence located in the extension area of the city. Srinivas is a Professor at the University of Karnataka in Scientific Research Dept and his wife Vidya is professor at Sociology Deparment. Being the household of professors there is mostly silence all over only exception to this would be when Shreyas is at home. Shrey as they call him, is a recent graduate and is at home as of now until he joins MyProsoft Corporation for work where he got selected through campus placements.

Prof Srinivas Ananth is deeply engrossed in his new paper without even bothered about the door bell. Vidya comes out of kitchen telling “what did I see in this man, who doesn’t seem to see beyond his newpaper”.

She opens the door angrily “Shreyas!!!!!, how dare you step into this house, don’t you have little courtesy to inform your parents that you will not be coming home. You know how worried we were all night”.

“Sorry Ma, I slept off at Rajeev’s place yesterday after movie” explains Shreyas.

“One phone call, Shrey or even a message would suffice” Vidya goes on,Shreyas dares stops her (on registering ‘Shrey’ which is only used at normal circumstances and at extreme ones it is ‘SHREYAS’) “Last time ma, one last time, I am really Sorry”.

Vidya(Orders) :“Ok, go and get ready now, we all are going to Prachi Akka’s wedding today”

Shreyas :“No Ma, Please I don’t want to go to any weddings, Please!!Please Please”

Vidya :“No Shrey, you are coming with us, everyone will ask about you there and its good occasion to meet everyone before you leave for Bombay( Common people take time to shift to- Mumbai) next week”

Srinivas : “Where were you all night, where was your mobile”

Shreyas: “At Rajeev’s place, and there was no battery in my mobile”

Srinivas: “ Why did not you inform us, we called all you friends and then we called to Shekar, who told us you are at their place”

Shreyas: “Shekar Uncle told you na, then what’s the worrying for”

Srinivas : “This boy will never understand us, Good he is going to Bombay, hopefully he will learn to manage himself alone there, I don’t know what kind of graduation he did”

Shreyas (sheepishly): “ Paa, It a Bachelor of Technology from IIT, Madras, you both were there at the convocation, weren’t you?”

Srinivas: “Stupid fellow, you always talk non sense, Vidya he is coming for Prachi’s marriage right?”

Vidya: “Yes, he is (warning shreyas), Shrey wear that Blue Shirt we got for your office”

Shreyas: “No way, I am not wearing those formal shirts, I will come in jeans itself”

Srinivas : “Jeans!!!! All your jeans are in such a good shape that even that Muncipality Venkatappa refused to take them once”

Shreyas: ” What does that Venktappa know about style & jeans, he only know to clean those roads, that to ineffieciently…….” (smiling )

Vidya now pitches in to take control between the duo….

Vidya: “You are grown up boy now( sounded like the mother of Complan Boy) don’t make me scold you always and Sri ( pointing towards Srinivas) even you get ready, he will come in formals only”

Shreyas: “Ok, One more week then it is only me, I can do what ever is want to, Oh God!!!!Thanks for giving me the joining location as Mumbai, Thanks a lot MyproSoft Corporation”

At the wedding every one enquires about Shreyas relocating to Bombay (Everyone need Time to shift) and gives different opinions about the place

“Vidya, he is your only son, How are you letting him go to Mumbai, send him to Bangalore , There good IT companies there”

“ Its too crowded, he will have to travel in those local trains”

“Very big city, all hindi Filmstars stay there, probably he will see few of them too”

“Houses are very expensive there, Hope he is getting good Salary to save some”

“Once these boys go out to Mumbai , they never come back”( as synonym to America in India)

Next one week at Ananth Nilaya passed on arranging things for Shreyas and packing his luggage. On the day Shreyas had to leave, almost nobody spoke at home.

Vidya only managed to say “ Take Care Shreyas, don’t roam around in Mumbai as you do here, have your meals at right time and please call me everyday”

Srinivas added to it “I would have also come with you and got you admitted to a hostel or PG there but, You never listen to me. Do as you want but don’t forget to keep us informed, Take Care”

Shreyas” I am 23 year old paa and can manage myself, please don’t treat me like a kid and I promise(turns to Vidya) Maa, I will call you everyday”

Rajeev:” Don’t worry Aunty, we will all stay together only, once we get to Mumbai many of our college friends will also be there at the company accommodation hotel”

After Goodbyes, Shreyas and Rajeev leave to Mumbai.

@Mumbai -23rd November 2008
City of dreams, many people come here with so many dreams, Shreyas and Rajeev where no different to anyone there at CST station dragging their bags out of crowd to the nearest taxi stand to get a taxi to their company accommodation Hotel near Apollo Bunder, Colaba.

Today its 26th November 2010 , With all the 26/11 pictures on the Main page of all newspapers of the country.

And the same ‘Ananth Nilaya’s early mornings............................... But there is something which is not as it was 2 years ago…….

Professor Srinivas finds the main door open and newspapers on their doorsteps with pictures of 26/11 attack while Vidya is still asleep. He then ruhes to Shreyas’s room and does not find him anywhere.
Srinivas wakes up Vidya tells her about missing Shreyas which was enough for Vidya to crash down…….

Srinivas is restlessly shuttling between hallway and the door with newspapers in his hand and Vidya trying regain her control but is still unable to get up. Then the door bell rings!!!!!

Srinivas bangs the newspaper onto the floor and rushes towards the door angrily and exclaims “ Shreyas!!! Where were you all night?? We were so worried”

Shreyas does not respond at all. This is not new these days at Ananth Nilaya, Shreyas seems to have forgotten to talk completely.

Srinivas with tears in his eyes tries to ask him again “Where did you go Shrey”. On hearing Srinivas, Vidya manages into the hall and is so happy to see Shreyas that she hugs and cuddles her 25 years old son like a kid herself.

“How are you, are you alright?” Vidya asks Shreyas.

“ Amma, I found him sitting on the bench at the bus stop near my home and got him to you” Venkatappa comes in explaining.

“You found him near your house, how did he reach that far” asks Srinivas curiously.

Venaktappa tells “ I saw him sitting there Sir, and asked him so much why he came here and all, but he did not respond at all, then I understood what your maid Gowramma was telling, ‘Shreyas Anna is shocked after that Bombay shooting and is going to mental hospital doctor also’”

Srinivas (shouts) :”He is not mental, he just in shock and Dr. Ketkar is a psychiatric not mental doctor”

Venaktappa (Now Guilty): “I know Sir, Shreyas is very smart boy, he got first rank always and is Engineer but that Gowramma does not know anything”

By then Vidya notices that Shrey’s feet has scars and is also bleeding and Srinivas gets it, that explaining anyone will not help.

Vidya then nurses Shreyas and takes him to his room and puts him to sleep using some sedatives(sleeping pills).

Meanwhile Professor Srinivas Ananth gets ready to go to University and tells Vidya “I am keeping the car at the gate , Don’t forget to take Shreyas to Dr.Ketkar, will join you there. I will take the bus to University”

Vidya just nods her head lifelessly.

Today, Vidya has resigned from her almost 3 decade long teaching job which always kept her going. Professor Srinivas still teaches at the University to make their ends meet, however is not interested in it anymore. Now 25 year Shreyas is undergoing treatment with Dr.Ketkar the renowned psychiatric in the town….

Wondering What happened to Shreyas?????

Shreyas and Rajeev were one among those many Mumbaikar who witnessed the dreadful incident in which 10 young boys took the city on their stride and did something even a worst Nightmare would be scared of……….

Shreyas then young energytic boy with full of life and dreams to make it big also witnessed this, and death of his close friend Rajeev. Rajeev who succumbed to death spending his last few seconds there, smiling next to injured Shreyas, who was all aware of the happening but could not help his best friend because of the bullet which hit his leg.

It took more than 6 months for all the physical wounds of Shreyas to heal. And only his physical wounds were healed rest of them will probably remain with him always………..

Vidya and Srinivas were happy to have their son back but are still longing for his reaction to their words.This was with one, Ananth Nilaya but there are many and many more household still under the nightmare…….

Imagining Rajeev’s Ananth Nilaya is beyond my abilities to pen down…………..

All the above characters are fictitious but I am sure this will have some resemblance to what the Victims of 26/11 witnessed. There would be more than one Ananth Nilaya’s which are still trying regain their dreams and life just to be able to pretend to lead life normally………. Yes!! Only to pretend to Lead Life normally after 26/11 Mumbai attacks .

26/11 does not need a year(2008) along with it, every time it comes it will surely get these dark memories of 78 hours of havoc back, which are etched deeply in all our minds.
This is my small tribute to our soldiers who put their life second to fight 26/11 and to all those who lost their lives or loved ones in the mishap.

I am one among the many INDIANS who are still waiting to Kasab to be punished and are still waiting for justice against every individual who was involved in this incident in anyway…………

Jai Hind!!!!!!!

Expressions- On the Submerged Island!!!!!

2010-07-29T03:55:00.000-07:00

Nice rainy chilled out noon, actually only the weather outside was nice. Inside my office it was a weird situation cannot call this tensed, but yes a weird one for sure. It was the last working day for a bunch of colleagues and as per unspoken rule, the person quitting treated others. Funny!!!! Treating when you are quitting, oh… I think this is one of the happiest moments in their life…. “Quitting an Organization”

Are Employers listening???? Resigning makes people treat other who hold on rather are forced to hold on...….. Oh No!! I am not writing about our IT culture- QUIT to GROW and all, everyone knows it and probably very well. It is very something different from this……

Imagine, a Stormy night you and your co-workers are trapped in an island and sea is eating up the island. This island, almost submerged in waters would be discovered again someday after millions of years.
SIREN……”Last Ship of the day”, calls captain from the ship, storm completely blows out the sound coming out of the loud speakers, almost muting it. In such situations, people need not be told what to do, it comes out involuntarily...…. However while every co-worker of yours is leaving the island, you are forced to hold on & stay on the island as if you are committed to live with it all your life, or it could be that your legs are buried deeply into the abyss of the island to the CURSE, uprooting yourself would be disastrous to human hood. Everyone sympathizes with you and gives you expressions like, poor fellow is so badly trapped and would also die in this trap. Some of them even dare and call your name in the storm and ask you to join them. Helplessly you refuse all such offers and mention to them about your curse. Somewhere deep inside you know that there is someone who can free you of this CURSE, no it’s neither a Frog nor a Prince and it’s neither the Whale keeping Sea scene in mind. “Let out this one secret and you can’t get out of it” would be the closing words of the curse…… Everyone around you is leaving; you will be left all alone, no one other then the Sea, whose company you hate to the core….. All the trees, bushes, homes are slowly disappearing in the Sea. Sea, rushing towards you with all its speed and power, you are half into it and waiting for other half to be eaten soon….. Far across the sea the Last Ship and your co-workers are still visible to you, every expression on each face is 100 times more dreadful then this Sea troubled by Storm . Everyone you know has something to tell you, to get you on to the ship…. But (Stubborn you – What others felt of you), you are really helpless, cannot accompany them in this journey of life and chose to die on this island. Island, who’s only proof of existence, is your face and head, still visible in the stormy night waiting to be eaten by the SEA….

OH MY GOD!!!, this not the way I feel when my colleagues Quit and I am still stuck at same place, to be honest I think would have…. But the situation here is completely different…..
This was how I was treated, when a colleague treating everyone on the floor on his last day, forgot to invite me for the lunch party ……

Disclaimers- All the Characters above are fictitious with no resemblance to anyone dead or alive. It is exaggerated only to entertain human mind with no hard feeling toward any species on this earth or in the submerged island or on the Last Ship leaving the island.

Just a Thought

2009-12-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

As the name goes, its just a thought that fluttered inside my mind after inspirational reading of This One. Could not bind it with any titles........... So its just a thought.......

Ek UMRR Guzar jaati hain

Zindagi Ki Talaash Mein.......

Yeh WAQT Guzar jaata hain

Manzil ki Talaash mein........

Manzil, Muqaddar Ya Talaash...

Nahin hain AKS Zindagi ke........

Par Har Kisi ka Muqaddar tho,

Yahan ek Anjaam Hain....

Uss Manzil-E-Anjaam se bekhabar,

Talaash Rahe hain Chalave ko...........

Talaash Rahe hain Chalave ko, Jab

Bhikre hue hain,

Khushiyon ke moti raha mein, Bus

Samet ne ki dher hain......

Phir bhi nikal pade hain,

Ek Bewafa-E-Aashiyaane ki talaash mein.....

Aise hee beeth jaathi hain UMRR,

Aur jaate hue kehe jaati hain......

Zindagi tho SAFAR ka naam hain,

Talaash se na koi naata, Muqaddar se na koi rishta hain iska

Jo Samaj gaya iss ko, ye Manzil nahi HUMSAFAR hain uska......

Surprising Surprise!!!!

2009-10-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Read this at your leisure. The author cannot write short stories.

Surprising Surprise????? ,
If this is what you are thinking then you are right!!! I was actually Surprised on knowing that some one planned a surprise for my birthday ( Hey hold on, read further, I am not that bad, that i do not deserve one!!).

About my birthday celebrations, almost all of my birthday’s during schooling went on in mid year exams and giving sweets to only those few in school who remembered it in spite of exams. Hey there was an exception, my last year in the school (10th Std) . That year, I had all my classmates singing Happy Birthday song for me!!! for me, who always sang for others all this while. Thanks to Politicians (probably) because of whom the exams got postponed to a week.

After that day, all of my birthdays have been almost normal even the latest one!!!!!! To make it even worst many people who wished me all this year forgot to wish me this year!!! They had to be reminded about my birthday by other friends of mine. For some great ones, I had to remind them, that to after taking about weather for hour more than 2 hours. Actually they thought I was blessed to this world on the next day!!!!

Then how did this surprise come up???? This came up almost a week after my birthday to prove that birthday's are sweet memories to be cherished no matter what happens on that day.

Thanks to MM and CC (not Crazy Curly), who had same spirits even days after my birthday to put up an eventful Birthday Surprise for me on Gandhi Jayanti!!! With the help of our friends cum neighbors.

I had some plans until afternoon of Gandhi Jayanti, as this day is National Holiday (Hopefully its stays the same in coming years in spite of Tharoor’s twittering debate) I had some pre planned meeting, without any hint of things happening behind me I returned home in the afternoon. Here I was greeted by my roommates who left home with a “Tit- for Tat” leaving me alone at home as I reached.

Thinking back I feel so dumb for not evening thinking why these people left me alone at home for almost 4 hours giving funny reason of which I otherwise could have easily become suspicious. May be if it was my birthday I could have, but I had already convinced myself that these people will make me Cut the cake when I treat them, even if that treat be a month after my birthday. Ridiculous na…….. I know , I really think bad sometimes……

MM & CC left the place on my bike, about which they always cribbed!!!! MM and CC had some shopping and other plans for their long upcoming official trip; you can say that is what they said to me…. J

When they came back home, CC voluntarily asked, “Aren’t you ready for the evening walk, we supposed to go right?” I did not even doubt this unusual behavior of CC. Normally she would have bluntly refused to come for a walk at 7 pm, after day long shopping.

After a long walk combined with Grocery shopping, we returned home, CC even managed to buy Candles for my birthday cake, easy to cheat me you see…. !!!

I rang the doorbell of the house, and the lights went OFF (that is what I thought, w/o even noticing there are light on at neighbor’s place….). MM opened the door for us and
Yipeeeeeeeeeee!!!! There was my neighbor along with MM and there was cake at the center of the hall with CANDLES on it…….. How did candles go there??? CC arranged for the store fellow to delivery the grocery home before we reached……..

This was a surprise I did not expect at all……Wait this is not the only one…

Anyways with the cake there was a box and a note next to it which was more tempting then the cake itself and made me more curious…….. After cutting the cake I quickly opened the box for my gift like a small kid, and found WHAT? ……………..A Comb (Birthday Gift?????).
A NOTE next to it was still waiting for my attention and half of which read “There is something for you………..” TREASURE HUNT, ha ha ha…….GIFT HUNT!!!!!!
Hurray thatzzz Fun……

I Cut a Cake and opened my gift, I found a comb with a note that said,
“There is something for you… Barack Obama will take you there”
I dug the shelf for “Dreams of my Father”, which seems to be lost…..
Thanks to next note and a gift which fell down, which a wanted at any cost……
Looking at me, it said to me…”You are best at it”….
I am best at what? kept thinking, first best thing no that’s not there….
But second one was The Kitchen were 3rd clue waited in the kitchen cupboard …
It said to me… “You are so obsessed with this place that you won’t let anyone stay in it for long”
I did not have to think at all on this….. I read it half and there I was with my 4th clue and a gift……
This one was also nice to me and said “You make _______ in it”
CAKE!!!!!! Microwave instead of a cake, gave my gift and next clue……
“You love spending most of your time there”, don’t think non sense here…..
It’s the idiot box at the corner there….
Idiot box gave clue by playing the notes on the String of the “Guitar”
Guitar- The pride of my store room, none of the guitar gave me any clue……
People kept telling think out of the blue…….
Store Room having guitar is the clue…..
The clue in the Store room screams at me, “It’s too cold for you to get in”
I answered UTILITY, but how cold could it get? We are not in Finland yet!!!
It has to Refrigerator, I bet………..
A chilling clue warmly said “You end your day on it”,
My Homeopathic Pills, I don’t end my day ON it….
Oh!!! My bed held a gift and a note towards me!!!!! And smiled…
“YEP!!!!!!!!..........!!!!!!! END OF YOUR JOURNEY.”

I unpacked the gift in a fast forward mode, and found some BANGLES… Before I could say or react, MM said this is your gift. I did not want to show my disappointment of not finding any treasure at the end of hunt!!! There was a hope that said this not all of it, there is another Gift (not hair band, hair clips, ear rings, nail enamels etc which came along with the clues). I sat with all my sweet clue gifts thinking what next???

Then CC told me to wash my hair which had eaten more Cake than I could have!!!! This time finally my battery started!!!!! There is gift along with my towel in the cupboard. I tried not to show my curiosity of knowing my gift, but I gave up and Gift was worth it!!!!!!

This was not all of it!!!! I even found another note and a gift in my handbag (which I carry everyday) couple of days after the Surprising Surprise!!!!!! Which said “You Carry it with you everyday”.
So sweet of MM & Neighbor who kept the note in the bag that it should have led me too!!!! I can never forget this one

Thanks MM, CC and crew………

MM- Mobile Maniac (Thanks to CC for this name).
CC- Candid Curly (Thanks to CC again for this name and the blog name- I could not find the better name myself)

Music of Your Soul

2009-10-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

I walk across the unknown lane and stop for something familar...

Along the these lanes, I have a company of something known...

There is silence everywhere, but something not letting me calm down.....

Is it from the stranger or from within my very own....?

Everything seems known but the decision, unknown....

Find it hard to defend or rather say to oppose...

Feeling of belongingness to seems to exists as long as it persists.....

"In lonliness and in a group, in known or unknown, You are are not alone"

Said to me something, something which is very known....

Listen to me, Listen to your Soul.....

Because I am your very own..........

Nostalgia!!! - In Episodes

2009-10-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

After a very long time, call it Season 2 Blogging!!!!! Thanks people who asked to Keep Bloggin!!!!

Here I am with my very own full length blog!!!! , in episodes ( just to keep myself out of lazy bags and keep Blogging Regularly !!!!!!!!!)

Disclaimer : This not a travel blog or the place where you could get information about the place I have mentioned below. This is just the memories of the 13-14 year old girl of what makes her nostalgic even after 10 to 11 years!!!!!!.

PART ONE!!!!- Jab We Met!!!!

As school kid we all loved travelling!!! but travelling thousands of miles for 3 to 4 days in a train had purpose for three of us ( For all who don't know the three of us is my mom, lil sister and my self) . This was to meet my Pappa, as I call him, who worked in these places were we travelled to during our school summer and winter vacation.

Our tickets would get booked months before our mid term and yearly exams got over. To make it even great we mostly travelled the evening after our exams or the very next day. Thanks to Indian Railways, which was trying to upgrade itself from narrow gauge to broad gauge , due to which we travelled more than necessary.

I don't know in which phase of broad gauge did Hubli ( where we lived) come into but we had to travel to Miraj in M'rashtra for about 7-8 hours and then board the train there to North India.

The first time I travelled this long to meet pappa was when i was in 5th standard, I guess so. I only remember where and when all we travelled but not the classes studying ;). Hey, don't take it as, I met my dad when I was in 5th standard, it was then he moved out of Hubli leaving family there, just not to disturb our schooling. As it was first time we travelled my grandpa,( I call him Ajja) planned his Delhi trip on the same time to help us reach our dad safely. Ajja is particular about time when he travels and my Mom ( mummy) looked totally against him that day.

My grand mom ( Amma) goes to any extent to make you eat good food even in worst times. Amma along with my aunts, prepared for all our meals for next 3-4 days at home and packed it for us. Mummy in all her excitement packed to carry entire house with her!!!! This too is again totally against my Ajja fatua " Always travel with very minimum luggage". T o add to all this we had my paternal cousin in early twenties travelling with us, who had her set of bags to dress her self perfectly, each day of our stay with Pappa.

With a van full of bags we left to bus stand and for my mummy's bad luck for some reason we missed the afternoon bus to Miraj. I still remember the look my Ajja gave to my mom that day, which clearly told , "Oh God!!! what should do with this daughter of mine", poor Ajja.

Ajja who travelled in public transport mostly in spite of facilities he got from his job, had to get his office driver to drop us to Miraj as we could not delay anymore as sun was also ready to tell GoodNight to this part of the world and our train would depart as soon as he sun said GooD Morning!!!!!. Along with driver Ajja asked my uncle( Maama) to accompany us , you see my grandpa is this cautious when he travels!!!! But I don't think do even this much of planning will also help when thing were going to get worst :).

"Ah!!! All well that ends well" , was the expression mummy had on her face. Poor mom she still had to get more of Ajja that day. Any Guesses here!!!!!

Most of the jeep journey I kept sleeping, only to add my mom's burdens I woke up when the jeep was not moving any more!!! I asked Ajja, " Miraj Banntthuuu?" , (Did Miral Come?). And again Ajja gave same look to my Mom who was sitting in one corner of he Jeep with all her luggage at her foot.

Actually the office jeep got punctured on the Highway approx after 30 Kilometres from the nearest city , those days travelling 30 kms was not as quicker as today, Thanks to roads. This happened at probably 1-2 am in the night. Thanks to Ajja who asked Maama to accompany us, who went with driver to refill the Tyre, as the driver did not carry spare on with him.

Ajja stayed back in jeep with us. My sister and myself again slept back, only to be woken up by my mom, when we were in the narrow lanes of a city, this time with my usual habit of reading the boards of Shops, I realized we were in Miraj and it was nice pleasant morning and I said "Aiyeee , Miraj Bannthhu!!!!! , a ? was replaced with ! this time. But still Ajja gave same look to my mom.

We had missed boarding our Nizamuddin Express which already had departed an hour ago. Can You beat this one!!!!!

Poor Ajja did not even take us to hotel, took us straight to Railway Station got the tickets Cancelled and then booked unreserved Sleeper class ticket for next day and then took us to the lodge very next to Miraj Railway Station so the we can be on time next day.

The Next Day , we finally got into the train, with 10-11 Bags + 2 kids ( my sister and myself who are no better than those huge bags), Mummy, Cousin and Ajja in his early 70's. We girls could only carry the water can and Ajja's small brief case which carried even for 15 days trip. Every other bag was beyond our capabilities and the older ones had to manage them.

In Train, we had to adjust with other reserved seat passengers until the TC's comes and then allocates us the seat of passenger who missed their train on this day!!!!

Probably if Jab we Met had been there then , we would have said, "Babaji!!! Ab Aur koi excitement nahi chahiye , Boring Bana do ji iss journey ko".

However it was not that boring , as Mom met her childhood friend (who was also travelling with her daughter to meet her husband who was in Indian Army) for her relief she can at least talk to her. As much as I know my Mom, she would not have spoken to Ajja entire train trip directly without having us as mediators, and may me wondered what conclusion my paternal cousin would have come to with the entire drama!!!

This was what all Happened " Jab We Met " our Dad. And In My Mom's perspective Jab She Met her husband in the Great city with one of the seven wonders of the world, which an emperor built for his beloved, Taj Mahal, Agra.

The END- Part One

Happy and Safe trip to Hyderabad !!!!

2008-08-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

Calling this blog this way has a reason............ :)

Hyderabad!!!!
For all those who thought Hyderabad has something to do with Hyder Ali(Tipu Sultan's Father), then you all will be dissapointed like me. Hyderabad was called Bhagyanagar( named after mallika Bhagyamati) earlier, later when the queen was rechristened as Hydermahal the city also got rechristened to Hyderabad.

Hyderabad is very well connected from Bangalore via roadways, railways and airways. It is always good to start your trip with to and fro reservation ( that to early reservation). The challenge we had was, to reach Yeshwantpur Railway Station on time. For this, one has to do a lot many thing, leave early from office, have everything packed in advance even the dinner and go through short time taking road to station( this may not be the shortest distance).

The train Samparkh Kranthi from bangalore to hyderabad, had people from different walks of life, various party workers, to local of hyderabad and bangalore, tourists and students. Any way , I only get postive vibes from train. As the train started from Bangalore towards Hyderabad, we were all excited about the fun and excitement that was in store for us in Hyderabad that too with no place to stay( I mean no prior hotel reservation).

As the train entered the city, the first station of Hyderabad we saw was Falaknuma( Name itself gives a royal thought), then when the train stopped at Kachiguda Railway Station we wondering where we will stay. Then our travel agent came as hope to us, who had booked us a Car, had also booked rooms at Nand International near to Railway Station itself.
There are many hotels Tank Bund, Lakdi-Ka Pool as in Hotel Venkateshwara, Dwarka Palace, Amrutha Castle and so on........ for all of these to accomodate you, prior booking is a must. Other wise you must be really lucky to have rooms vacant even in rainy season. The Tariffs range from 600 to 1800 depending on the beds. Amrutha Castle is a little expensive ,as it is a Star hotel.

Staying near to Tank Bund can save a lot of time as this place itself has lot of places of interests, as in Hussain Sagar Lake( Eat Street Along the lake), Snow world, Birla Mandir, Charminar, Neck Lace Road, NTR Park etc. For Shopping also Koti( Sultan Bazaar, Abids, Laad Bazaar( Near Charminar) are easily accessible.

For Travelling in Hyderabad there are Autos, these are no better then the ones in Bangalore, charging you 3 times more then the actual. So better polish your bargaining skills to save your pockets. Another best way is to rent a car ( Not taxi). A car for rental would cost 800 to 900 for Non AC and 900-1000 (for AC). This tariff is for 8hrs or 80 kms (which ever gets over first), after 8hrs its per hr Rs.50 and after 80Kms its Rs5.5 per Km. In case of both 80Kms and 8hrs expired then cummulative of both the overtime get applied. This is the tariff what we got as of August 2008. Keeping this in your mind either book you Car with Car rental company like Agarwal Travels or talk to your Travel Agent about the rent. More importantly the rental tariff does not include parking charges ( Rs 10- 20 at every place) or night duty charges of Driver( Rs 50 -100 per hour after 9 pm).

The places of Interest which we visited in Hyderabad are:

Snow World: Artificially created Snow ( you would love it if you have never been in snow capped region). Entry Fee: Rs.250 per ticket, open from 11 am to 10:30pm all the days of the week.

Golkonda Fort: Fort built by the Kings who ruled Hyderabad. Entry fee Rs.10, hiring a guide wont be a loss, he would charge you Rs.250 for all the historical information about Hyderabad. There is Sound and Light show at Golkonda Fort in the evenings. This show is in English, Hindi and telagu. visit this link for more details: http://www.tourisminap.com/soundlightshowsathyderabad.htm.

Qutub Shahi Tombs: This is approximately 1km from Golkonda. These are the tombs of the king who built Golkonda fort.

Dhola-Ri- Dhani: This is the best place to experience Rajasthan in Hyderabad near Kompally. "Aathithi Devobhava" is well pictured here even though you pay the entry fee you still feel you are the honoured royal guest. This is the resorts depicting Rajasthani ambience with entry fee of Rs:350 (Including dinner+ Taxes) . One can go on Camel Ride and royal Shikara. Dance to the tune of Rajasthani music and many more....

Charminar: This is the most famous monument which all of us know. This place is closed on Friday. This place can be accomodated on the day you are planning for shopping as it it is near to local shopping areas( Not malls).

Macca: This a Masjid near Charminar where womens are not allowed. So no updates on this from me.

Hussain Sagar Lake: This is the lake located at the heart of the city. Locals feels this lake stinks but it was not so when I went there. The boat ride can keep you thrilled as well as give you meditational experience with motor boat and slow boat rides respectively. Along Hussain Sagar there is Eat Street( dont go on it's name, it is street with KFC and other big brands in it). you can even get your nails crafted and get yourself tattoed here. The boat ride is for Rs45 per person.

NTR Gardens and Lumbini Park: These are the Gardens which will refresh you with its musical fountain and Laser show.This is near Hussain Sagar Lake. No more updates on this friends, I missed them both.

Ramoji Film City: This is very well connected by buses, I feel this way coz i got bus very easily. One can get buses to Ramoji from Secundrabad and Koti. If you reach Koti Circle and walk a lil , you can find a bus stop( not the Bus stand at Koti Circle) and Bus numbers 205 and 206 will take you to Ramoji in 10 bucks. It is a long journey in city ( Not for bangaloreans ;) ) via Dilchuknagar. Entry Fee at Ramoji is Rs.300, worth the money you pay...... The most important thing to remember at ramoji is...... it opens by 9:30am and its better to be there at this time for its every day opening show. It is the fun place one cannot afford to miss if you want to know the trick of film making and enjoy the throughout the day activities. Stunt Show and Free Fall from Ramoji towers are the best.

Birla Mandir: This is the temple across the hussain Sagar Lake on the small hill giving good view of lake. This is nice white stone temple which leaves you calm.

Salarjung Museum: A must visit place to know about the life of royal houses and history of Hyderabad. No more comments on this as i missed this too....................... :(
For Shopping:
I can only tell some of the local shopping stuff:

Near Charminar...............
Madeena: For clothes at reasonable price. Again do not hesitate on Bargaining.
Laad Bazaar: Well known as Chudi Bazaar. Better where your Sunglasses here, i dont know about sunny day but the glitters of the bangles along this street is worth watching. Again..... Do Not Forget Bargaining. You will also get the most famous Hyderabad Pearls here.

Koti ( Sultan Bazaar): We missed this but they say this is also good for shopping.

Abids: I still do not know how to pronounce this abid's or A-bids.

Karachi Bakery at Koti: You get most famous Karachi Biscuits here. And if you miss this..... then get ready to face all your folks at home who know about this place.

Paradise Biryani: This is at Secundrabad and most famous biriyani center in hyderabad, initially started in small room. For those non-vegetarians your trip is a complete waste if you miss this place. My mouth still waters thinking of Veg Biriyani I ate here....... I am a vegeterian and I loved it.........

Irani Chai: I missed it ...... hope you get taste it at hyderabad. You get this chai almost every where..........

Pulareddy Sweets: A good place for exotic sweets... I missed it people........ hope you get to visit this place

The Most important thing about Hyderabad...... Do not be ignorant about the climatic conditions as we did.......... We almost spent our half of 2nd day and entire 3rd day in heavy rains. The otherside of the story was we were prepared for sunny hyderabad with all our sun glasses, caps and sunscreens.

Thanks to the umbrellas we brought near birla mandir for Rs.75. At the end of the trip when we looked back at our umbrellas we realised how worthy Rs.75 is and how useful the umbrellas is...... For those last two day in Hyderabad we saw rain for continous 30hrs non stop. So I just want to share, a rains in Hyderabad can aslo turn unpredictable.
For all those who dont know ,Hyderabad is actually known for its hot and humid nature throughtout the year except for rainy season(with less rains).

This was not true for us and we missed out all our shopping plans............. Thanks to rain.
Actually our experience of Hyderabad contradicts with most of others.......Who would get to experience the rainy and chilled Hyderabad in their first visit?...... Its only lucky ones like us......... :)

Summary of Tips:
--Plan all your days in Hyderabad in advance so that you don't end up wasting your time.
-- Book your Hotel in advance.
-- Hire a Car for convinence
--Carry your Sunscreen, Sunglasses and caps.
--Umbrellas- you never know how useful it might turn up.
--Polish on Bargaining Skills( this is must if you want to save your pockets) .
-- A 5 days trip to Hyderabad would leave you completely satisfied.
--Do Not Forget Pulareddy sweets, Karachi Biscuits and Paradise Biriyani
--Tickets to Snow World, Dhola-Ri Dhani can be brought from any travel Agents across the city.
--For any telephone numbers of travel agents, Car rental, hotels etc..... Just Dial Number 040-69999999 can be kept handy.

For the shorter trip as we did one can use this:

Day 1: Snow World--- Golkonda Fort with Qutub Shahi Tombs--- Dhola- Ri-Dhani(Good for evening till night, reach here by 5 pm and ends with dinner at 8pm)

Day2: Salarjung Museum--- Charminar-Shopping at Koti(Sultan Bazaar, and Karachi Bakery), Abids, Laad Bazaar, Madeena, Hussain sagar Lake in the early evenings(for Boat ride), Eat Street. Drive to Secundrabad for Paradise Biriyani and Necklace road walk(If no rain)

Day 3: Birla Mandir at 8 am and head towards Ramoji for full day entertainment and fun.

Thats all from me....... So have a Happy and Safe trip to Hyderabad......... All you guys won't be dissapointed and I am sure of this.............

Finally, I am tunning myself into work after two back to back trips( sounds a lil like FM RJ's dialogue). Now Hyderabad is not two trips back to back......... another one is Madekeri trip...... Hope I get out of my lazy bags to share information on Madekeri..........

Once Again Happy and Safe Trip to Hyderabad.................... :) :)

Thodi si Zindagi.................

2008-07-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

Har Baar yahin khayal aata hai
Hain Sab paas, Par.....
Kyon "par" pe khatam har sur hota hai
Aisa Kyon lagta hai, jee tho rahi hun par Thodi Si Zindagi Chahiye

Sab kuch hai aaj par, khatam nahi ho rahi ye talaash
Tabi zindagi ne kaha chal milvadu kisise... mat ho niraash

Zindagi ne milaya un nannhe farishto se.....
Aur kahan mujhe ishare se.....Hain sab tere paas..........
Par tujhe Thodi si Zindagi chahiye....
Hain kuch nahi inke paas...
Phir bhi nahi ye udaas...

Hain to bas ek umeed, ek aasha....
Mila hain jo thoda...
Chalo usi mein jee le...
Thodi si zindagi......

Kuch nahin tha unke haath...
Te woh sab mere saath.....
Haatho ki dhundli lakeere bhi mita na saki...
Aankhon tak pahunchthi muskurahat unke chehere ki....

Thi Umeed Ankhon mein, rahegi na zindagi aaduri......
Kabhi to hoga har sapna pura
Hai yahin aas... iss zindagi ka har pannha hoga rango se pura....
Tab laga.. Itefaq nahi tha un farishto se milna.....
Ishare se chahthi thi Zindagi Kuch Sikana.....

Waise to guzarta Waqt hain zindagi...
Samjho to, bas ek hi mouka hain Zindagi……..
Woh Mouka, jo dobara nahi milega....
Woh mouka,jis mein jee bhar ke jeena hain.....
ke peeche mudke dekho to har guzra lamha ek yaad banega
Aur har yaad se chehere pe ek muskurahat khilegi......

Deti hai zindagi Isshare....
Bas samjh ne ki dher hain....
Na samjho to guzartha waqt hain zindagi....
Aur Samjh lo to ek umeed hain Zindagi.....

Har lamha ek ishara hain....
har ishare mein ek umeed hain...
Umeed pe duniya kayam hain.....
Aur hum pe hi... har umeed kayam hain...................

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

"Thodi si Zindagi" is all about my experience with Aashayein Foundation (an NGO) , where i got the privilege to interact with children who taught me there is only
one life to live, one chance to be happy so should have hope and be happy always.........