It's been quite a while since I wrote. As usual....not always the most punctual guy around!
But maybe this time i had a valid reason. make it 2 valid reasons...
i became a daddy on 21st july....and tushina and I were blessed with a baby girl. Our angel keeps us quite busy, and it's so much fun being around Manya (ya that's her name).
I'll probably focus more on her in my next post.
What i really wanted to share right now is the launch of www.makaan.com. Makaan is the online real estate / property portal launched by People Group, who also own and operate some of India's leading websites, like shaadi.com, fropper.com, astrolife.com etc.
Makaan.com promises to change the rules of the online real estate market in india. Instead of me writing too much on it, it probably makes more sense for you to visit www.makaan.com, and see for yourself the efforts that have gone into the site. I assure you that the experience will be worthwhile...
Regards,
Puneet Goyal
Brand Manager, Makaan.com
puneet.goyal@peopleinteractive.in
9899220303
Aug 15, 2007
Jun 11, 2007
Dreaming Aloud (Salary version)!!
I once had some dreams
Visions of a life well lived
Far away from all the screams
Enough money, so much at peace
A walk to the bank, debit card in hand
Is when the dreams came crashing down
Looking for substance, in thin air
Eyes wide open, the money was just not there
Washed ashore, just swept aside
Reality does keep us in sight
Bruised and broken, dragging along
Vision blurred, dark IBMs all around
The silver lining, can’t be too far
A glorious life somewhat near
A simple desire, a basic need
Just to see my salary increase…
Visions of a life well lived
Far away from all the screams
Enough money, so much at peace
A walk to the bank, debit card in hand
Is when the dreams came crashing down
Looking for substance, in thin air
Eyes wide open, the money was just not there
Washed ashore, just swept aside
Reality does keep us in sight
Bruised and broken, dragging along
Vision blurred, dark IBMs all around
The silver lining, can’t be too far
A glorious life somewhat near
A simple desire, a basic need
Just to see my salary increase…
Unbridled Love
She fills my heart
With special things
She fills my soul
With so much love
She gave meaning
To my empty world
Wherever I may go
I am not alone
Can love be measured
By the hours in a day?
I know I’ll need her
Till all stars burn away
How much I love you, how much I love you?
I can’t measure it
I can only treasure it
I’m lonely
When you are out of sight
I just can’t live
Without your smile
Come what may,
In a world full of changes
The only thing constant,
Is my love for you.
Forever Yours,
Puneet
With special things
She fills my soul
With so much love
She gave meaning
To my empty world
Wherever I may go
I am not alone
Can love be measured
By the hours in a day?
I know I’ll need her
Till all stars burn away
How much I love you, how much I love you?
I can’t measure it
I can only treasure it
I’m lonely
When you are out of sight
I just can’t live
Without your smile
Come what may,
In a world full of changes
The only thing constant,
Is my love for you.
Forever Yours,
Puneet
Tandoori Puneet Tikka!!
It's been a really really long time I penned something...am actually in the middle of a very exciting role change at my firm...will now don the mantle of a brand manager, for an upcoming real estate website we are close to launching....some very very interesting days ahead!!
Delhi is becoming unbearable with each passing day...everyday for the last 3 days, i have been spending my days sitting inside a tandoor...i even considered changing my name to tandoori puneet tikka, as that's exactly how i felt...reported temperatures of 45 degrees, but when on the street, 50 degrees is more like it...hope the heat wave subsides soon...hope the rains come soon enough....God bless Delhi. Indra dev, pukaar suno is insaan ki!
Delhi is becoming unbearable with each passing day...everyday for the last 3 days, i have been spending my days sitting inside a tandoor...i even considered changing my name to tandoori puneet tikka, as that's exactly how i felt...reported temperatures of 45 degrees, but when on the street, 50 degrees is more like it...hope the heat wave subsides soon...hope the rains come soon enough....God bless Delhi. Indra dev, pukaar suno is insaan ki!
May 21, 2007
Elemental Irony...
Elemental Irony...
Every time it feels like heaven
You're the reason why I live
Leaving me so breathless so often
You're the air I need to live
Making me dance in a sudden downpour
You're the shelter I seek in rain
Igniting a fire somewhere deep within
You're the one who keeps me unscathed
The earth I put my feet firmly upon
You make me fall for you every time we meet
An enigma I never could understand
You're the one I totally love...
Dedicated to my most special friend, and the person I truly love....Tushina Goyal!
Every time it feels like heaven
You're the reason why I live
Leaving me so breathless so often
You're the air I need to live
Making me dance in a sudden downpour
You're the shelter I seek in rain
Igniting a fire somewhere deep within
You're the one who keeps me unscathed
The earth I put my feet firmly upon
You make me fall for you every time we meet
An enigma I never could understand
You're the one I totally love...
Dedicated to my most special friend, and the person I truly love....Tushina Goyal!
Desi Babus, English Mems!
There was once a crappy movie named english babu desi mem....if i take this kinda comparison forward, and talk about desi babus english mems instead, where the 'babus' represent any of the zillions of governmentbodies, and 'mems' represent the internet (!), it throws up some interesting websites!
I recently had the misfortune of visiting the census india website, in search of some elusive information that i sought....the result was actually the funniest website i ever came across...sample this!
I recently had the misfortune of visiting the census india website, in search of some elusive information that i sought....the result was actually the funniest website i ever came across...sample this!
Of special mention is the most prominent text on the page, written on some archaic representation of writing, complete with an ink holder (which actually looks more like an aladin lamp!), and a feather pen...We also count people in India!!!!!!!!
Yeah right, the babus need to be constantly reminded what their primary purpose of existence is, eh?
And I won't even get into the functionality aspects...none of the links so prominently displayed in jarring color schemes on the left pane work!!
Expected, is it? Guess I can safely say that the desi babus get very highly conscious in the presence of this english mem that has come to rule our lives so completely....
May 15, 2007
India is a land of infinite possibilities. A land of infinite definitions.
The way I feel about India is perhaps best captured by these images I had taken (first 2 in chawri bazar, new delhi, and the third one in Worli, mumbai)....India is a land grappling with modernization, globalization, development....grappling, because while we're taking immense pride in the 8% gdp growth numbers, and the offshoring opportunities, besides n number of development indices, we still struggle to come to terms with basic issues....stealing electricity, lawlessness, uninhibited population, traffic congestion in metros, pitiable roads, corruption....i can go on and on....but the winds, they sure are a changing......its refreshing to be in India at this historical crossroad....a country the world is looking up to, for driving the next round of growth. Amen.
The way I feel about India is perhaps best captured by these images I had taken (first 2 in chawri bazar, new delhi, and the third one in Worli, mumbai)....India is a land grappling with modernization, globalization, development....grappling, because while we're taking immense pride in the 8% gdp growth numbers, and the offshoring opportunities, besides n number of development indices, we still struggle to come to terms with basic issues....stealing electricity, lawlessness, uninhibited population, traffic congestion in metros, pitiable roads, corruption....i can go on and on....but the winds, they sure are a changing......its refreshing to be in India at this historical crossroad....a country the world is looking up to, for driving the next round of growth. Amen.
As life trickles along……..
My ode to the thousands who perished in the Godhra massacre...
As life trickles along……..
Thousands perish, in the daily rush
The rush of a speeding bus,
Or even of an angry mob.
Unaccounted bodies, lying everywhere
Who cares for one in a billion?
The blessings of plenitude,
Now a curse of the multitude.
Where deaths are like fodder now,
That chugs the media along.
Or like meat, the vultures can feed on
Like pegs to hang aspirations on
Even as our life trickles on.
Apathy reaching, life’s many spheres
from driving our vehicles
to the way we treat the poor
losing value, for something called life.
A crying orphan, or a widow in grief,
Who is to ever realize this?
Loss of life? What’s the big deal
Ripples in pond, to the shore they never reach,
Waves at sea, don’t they always recede?
Another tap might have gone dry,
Even as my life still trickles on……..
As life trickles along……..
Thousands perish, in the daily rush
The rush of a speeding bus,
Or even of an angry mob.
Unaccounted bodies, lying everywhere
Who cares for one in a billion?
The blessings of plenitude,
Now a curse of the multitude.
Where deaths are like fodder now,
That chugs the media along.
Or like meat, the vultures can feed on
Like pegs to hang aspirations on
Even as our life trickles on.
Apathy reaching, life’s many spheres
from driving our vehicles
to the way we treat the poor
losing value, for something called life.
A crying orphan, or a widow in grief,
Who is to ever realize this?
Loss of life? What’s the big deal
Ripples in pond, to the shore they never reach,
Waves at sea, don’t they always recede?
Another tap might have gone dry,
Even as my life still trickles on……..
A mirror in sight……
A mirror in sight……
I was wandering around,
While wondering aloud
Or was it the other way round?
I have lost track really
The relations have ceased to exist
Almost like a mind under siege….
Wanderlust has taken its toll
I’m so restless, almost like a barren soul
Nothing might grow on it anymore
Am I happy with the way things are?
Maybe yes, I was tempted to say
Any attempt might have been in vain…
I have had my moments of joy
Like when I said my final bye
To leave for some unknown land
The road to nowhere there in full sight
A path less traveled, still too bright
Just guided by a shining light
Or was it a mirror in sight?
I was wandering around,
While wondering aloud
Or was it the other way round?
I have lost track really
The relations have ceased to exist
Almost like a mind under siege….
Wanderlust has taken its toll
I’m so restless, almost like a barren soul
Nothing might grow on it anymore
Am I happy with the way things are?
Maybe yes, I was tempted to say
Any attempt might have been in vain…
I have had my moments of joy
Like when I said my final bye
To leave for some unknown land
The road to nowhere there in full sight
A path less traveled, still too bright
Just guided by a shining light
Or was it a mirror in sight?
Dreaming Aloud…
Dreaming Aloud…
I once had some dreams
Visions of a life lived well
Far away from all the screams
Lost in myself, so much at peace
A walk in the clouds, hand in hand
Hoping the bliss would never end
Looking for substance, in thin air
Eyes wide open, while moving in dark
Washed ashore, just swept aside
Reality does keep us in sight
Lost the will, lost my way
Life for some, not a sunny day
Bruised and broken, dragging along
Even as dark clouds were all around
Pushing myself to just go on
The silver lining, cant be too far
A simple desire, a basic need
Just to see my dreams as real…
I once had some dreams
Visions of a life lived well
Far away from all the screams
Lost in myself, so much at peace
A walk in the clouds, hand in hand
Hoping the bliss would never end
Looking for substance, in thin air
Eyes wide open, while moving in dark
Washed ashore, just swept aside
Reality does keep us in sight
Lost the will, lost my way
Life for some, not a sunny day
Bruised and broken, dragging along
Even as dark clouds were all around
Pushing myself to just go on
The silver lining, cant be too far
A simple desire, a basic need
Just to see my dreams as real…
In the company of giants…
In the company of giants…
Standing tall, amongst the ruins
Memories of a glorious past
Looking distraught, somewhat weary
Even as I brush the dust off
Inactivity, and the expected decay
Hoping they are things of the past
Driven to glory in one moment
Dethroned in the very next
The vagaries of meeting expectations
An inevitable roller coaster ride
Belief in self as the only power
Driving me back to the road of life
Some critics, still to be disproved
Some peaks, still left unscaled
Head high, in the company of giants
A small dream to be realized
The many mysteries, that life unfolds
A few still remaining unsolved…
Standing tall, amongst the ruins
Memories of a glorious past
Looking distraught, somewhat weary
Even as I brush the dust off
Inactivity, and the expected decay
Hoping they are things of the past
Driven to glory in one moment
Dethroned in the very next
The vagaries of meeting expectations
An inevitable roller coaster ride
Belief in self as the only power
Driving me back to the road of life
Some critics, still to be disproved
Some peaks, still left unscaled
Head high, in the company of giants
A small dream to be realized
The many mysteries, that life unfolds
A few still remaining unsolved…
Restless
Restless….
Jostling for space, just pushing around
Stretching my arms, only meeting a wall
Learning to fly, still close to the ground
I need some help, there’s hardly any around
Restless within, can’t really say why
The mind is elsewhere, maybe none at all…
Hands over me, forcing me to stay
Like an obedient son,
I let them have their way
Hardly understood, or even cared about
The scales are different, its not their fault
The perceptions differ, even love is not the same
Peace for some, is after a violent phase
Facial expressions, hardly hold their way
Laughs for some, another tear drops in vain…
Poisoned since the very birth
All those niceties, in small small vials
The numbing effect desired, has not really come
I am almost on the verge of a burst
Appearances not always the whole
Carefree to some, but yet another restless soul…
Jostling for space, just pushing around
Stretching my arms, only meeting a wall
Learning to fly, still close to the ground
I need some help, there’s hardly any around
Restless within, can’t really say why
The mind is elsewhere, maybe none at all…
Hands over me, forcing me to stay
Like an obedient son,
I let them have their way
Hardly understood, or even cared about
The scales are different, its not their fault
The perceptions differ, even love is not the same
Peace for some, is after a violent phase
Facial expressions, hardly hold their way
Laughs for some, another tear drops in vain…
Poisoned since the very birth
All those niceties, in small small vials
The numbing effect desired, has not really come
I am almost on the verge of a burst
Appearances not always the whole
Carefree to some, but yet another restless soul…
Rising from the ashes
Rising from the ashes
Sitting idle, or lying awake
A thought might have crossed you some day
Forcing you to think
On your journey till today
It may have been rough
At times so unpleasant
You just felt like throwing it all away
Believe me, that would have been the wrong way
Born with an independent mind
Until some forces got to work
And made you think their way
Since you did, at times you were hailed
Those who didn’t, labeled insane
Insanity by choice, not an easy way
But it is a high that stays
We all know what’s wrong with the world
We all know its many ways
Head hung low, still going for it
Can there be greater shame?
Not everyone can take the dreaded plunge
But those who do, show us the way
Courage and belief, their only way
Bouquets and brickbats, they’re all the same
Your mind’s been burning
Your heart’s on fire
But it’s a small price to pay
Rising from the ashes
Probably the only way
To salvage some pride
For a world deranged..
Sitting idle, or lying awake
A thought might have crossed you some day
Forcing you to think
On your journey till today
It may have been rough
At times so unpleasant
You just felt like throwing it all away
Believe me, that would have been the wrong way
Born with an independent mind
Until some forces got to work
And made you think their way
Since you did, at times you were hailed
Those who didn’t, labeled insane
Insanity by choice, not an easy way
But it is a high that stays
We all know what’s wrong with the world
We all know its many ways
Head hung low, still going for it
Can there be greater shame?
Not everyone can take the dreaded plunge
But those who do, show us the way
Courage and belief, their only way
Bouquets and brickbats, they’re all the same
Your mind’s been burning
Your heart’s on fire
But it’s a small price to pay
Rising from the ashes
Probably the only way
To salvage some pride
For a world deranged..
Standing Apart
Standing Apart
Facing the future, or making it?
On-board the river of time
Embracing an unknown horizon
Waiting to be shot, or calling the shots?
Crafting tomorrow, shaping it to my will
Confronting the unexpected twist
The candle like a stub, like my life
Too full of dreams to slumber
Visions to make me restless
Slithering away, the harmless worm
A snake with a conscience
A serpent without fangs
The irretrievable loss
A folly to look back in the past
Facing all those dreaded truths
Standing out, standing apart
Waiting for them to pass
Telling them what they don’t want to hearWilling to face the unknown
Facing the future, or making it?
On-board the river of time
Embracing an unknown horizon
Waiting to be shot, or calling the shots?
Crafting tomorrow, shaping it to my will
Confronting the unexpected twist
The candle like a stub, like my life
Too full of dreams to slumber
Visions to make me restless
Slithering away, the harmless worm
A snake with a conscience
A serpent without fangs
The irretrievable loss
A folly to look back in the past
Facing all those dreaded truths
Standing out, standing apart
Waiting for them to pass
Telling them what they don’t want to hearWilling to face the unknown
Vile Awhile
Vile awhile
It’s so amusing
What I am assuming
To be a fact
I feel I’m lonely
No one to hold me
There’re so many around
I felt shattered
But it didn’t matter
To those who cared
Life is a mystery
My thoughts are history
I’ve to start from scratch
Walking with a swagger
Looking like a beggar
Does it really matter?
Feeding on bright dreams
Almost bursting at seams
Care to stitch me pal?
A meaningless existence
Saying this with pertinence
No one to note it down
Feeling so down
However hard I shout
Hoping to be heard
I’ve made it look so bad
Almost feels so sad
But is it really the truth?
I can live the way u want
Probably I won’t
Will it be any good?
Sounding so confused
I can see you bemused
Was there another choice?
Try and take no pain
There won’t be a gain
Just a tear down the drain…
It’s so amusing
What I am assuming
To be a fact
I feel I’m lonely
No one to hold me
There’re so many around
I felt shattered
But it didn’t matter
To those who cared
Life is a mystery
My thoughts are history
I’ve to start from scratch
Walking with a swagger
Looking like a beggar
Does it really matter?
Feeding on bright dreams
Almost bursting at seams
Care to stitch me pal?
A meaningless existence
Saying this with pertinence
No one to note it down
Feeling so down
However hard I shout
Hoping to be heard
I’ve made it look so bad
Almost feels so sad
But is it really the truth?
I can live the way u want
Probably I won’t
Will it be any good?
Sounding so confused
I can see you bemused
Was there another choice?
Try and take no pain
There won’t be a gain
Just a tear down the drain…
Life in a Metro is fairly interesting
Bollywood claims to produce maximum number of movies per year than anywhere else. Most of them are crap, but thankfully, at times, some delightful movies get made. And Life in a Metro is a very well made movie.
Where I am coming from, is, that through some weird coincidence, the last 3 hindi movies i have seen happen to be salaam e ishq, honeymoon travels and metro....the first 2 were BAD. Metro is very different from anything I've seen in the recent past. Its bold, its mature, its funny, it makes u laugh with the characters, and it makes you punch them in the face. It takes sex and extra marital affairs as the central theme, and manages not to make you squirm in your seats, when with a family...
Just on a side note, it is perhaps not appropriate for kids. It hardly has any skin show, but the topics under discussion, are not appropriate for the kids to discover....hence uncles and aunties, take a note!
Kay Kay menon is my favorite actors in the contemporary generation. He outshines everyone else. And he has done it here too. You will absolutely hate the way this BPO boss manipulates our hero sharmaan, abuses his wife, shilpa, and use and throw his lover, kangana. i will not go further without mentioning that kangana raut is looking absolutely stunning in the movie. Watch out for this actress...she is destined for bigger things....and watch out for the scene when konkana sen slaps sharmaan...eeeeeeee!
Shilpa Shetty has done a pretty good job. Shiney Ahuja, though, has not been too lucky with not enough dialogues...but they both make a nice couple....very restrained, and very effective....almost as beautiful to watch as dharmendra and nafisa. Mr Dhamendra, you need to come more often to the screen. Your charisma may just manage to eclipse a certain monopolistic Mr Bachhan.
Sharmaan is the usual cute boy next door role. Though his track and his flat have been put to an exaggerated use...but maybe thats for the funny elements....Konkana is okay, plays her part well....nothing special really...
I'm yet to mention about my favorite character in the movie. Perhaps the only character in this generation who can outshine kay kay menon (i am not exaggerating abt kay kay menon..watch sarkar if you havent..he's easily the best, even though amitabh and abhishek are present)...is Irrfan Khan. Irrfan absolutely rocks. Irrfan lights up the screen each time he comes on. He oozes that super confidence aura about him, and has played his role brilliantly. If only best conedy actors can be given on basis of laughs-per-second, instead of laughs-per-hour by the steamed filmfare wallahs!
Maybe you should watch this movie that deals with extramarital affairs, virginity, sex, gays, prostitutes...ok writing this perhaps portrays a wrong image....but this movie has been made brilliantly, with some wonderful performances, and deserves to be seen..
Where I am coming from, is, that through some weird coincidence, the last 3 hindi movies i have seen happen to be salaam e ishq, honeymoon travels and metro....the first 2 were BAD. Metro is very different from anything I've seen in the recent past. Its bold, its mature, its funny, it makes u laugh with the characters, and it makes you punch them in the face. It takes sex and extra marital affairs as the central theme, and manages not to make you squirm in your seats, when with a family...
Just on a side note, it is perhaps not appropriate for kids. It hardly has any skin show, but the topics under discussion, are not appropriate for the kids to discover....hence uncles and aunties, take a note!
Kay Kay menon is my favorite actors in the contemporary generation. He outshines everyone else. And he has done it here too. You will absolutely hate the way this BPO boss manipulates our hero sharmaan, abuses his wife, shilpa, and use and throw his lover, kangana. i will not go further without mentioning that kangana raut is looking absolutely stunning in the movie. Watch out for this actress...she is destined for bigger things....and watch out for the scene when konkana sen slaps sharmaan...eeeeeeee!
Shilpa Shetty has done a pretty good job. Shiney Ahuja, though, has not been too lucky with not enough dialogues...but they both make a nice couple....very restrained, and very effective....almost as beautiful to watch as dharmendra and nafisa. Mr Dhamendra, you need to come more often to the screen. Your charisma may just manage to eclipse a certain monopolistic Mr Bachhan.
Sharmaan is the usual cute boy next door role. Though his track and his flat have been put to an exaggerated use...but maybe thats for the funny elements....Konkana is okay, plays her part well....nothing special really...
I'm yet to mention about my favorite character in the movie. Perhaps the only character in this generation who can outshine kay kay menon (i am not exaggerating abt kay kay menon..watch sarkar if you havent..he's easily the best, even though amitabh and abhishek are present)...is Irrfan Khan. Irrfan absolutely rocks. Irrfan lights up the screen each time he comes on. He oozes that super confidence aura about him, and has played his role brilliantly. If only best conedy actors can be given on basis of laughs-per-second, instead of laughs-per-hour by the steamed filmfare wallahs!
Maybe you should watch this movie that deals with extramarital affairs, virginity, sex, gays, prostitutes...ok writing this perhaps portrays a wrong image....but this movie has been made brilliantly, with some wonderful performances, and deserves to be seen..
May 12, 2007
The writing's on the wall...
I used to write earlier....haven't done so last few years though...thought my blog may be a nice place to reproduce some of my favorite stuff....so here goes the first bunch!
Angel
a smile so innocent, you get so lost
gleaming eyes, a universe beyond
sleepless nights, speechless times
at every instance, wanting to know more
every step taken, saddled with care
afraid to touch, it might just hurt
a soul so pretty, feels like heaven
so awe-struck by this creation
start believing in His existence
uncertain if it would ever count
you look at her, a reverent stare
mesmerized at times, wondering why
maybe it isn't easy to describe
that's when you know for sure
an angel has walked into your life
Distant love…
I had convinced myself
I had seen them all
Until you came along.
Living buried in a hole
For all these years
And then the burst of fresh air
You made me express
You made me reach out
If only I wasn't so far
Happy in my solitude
And in singing the unworded tune
If only I could pen it down
I had always assumed
I would be an unknown fool
Until you saw it all
Those lovely eyes
Those piercing thoughts
How do you stay apart?
I really don't care
So long as you are there
For a reason to explain
All the worldly matters
And all that material gain
Now seems so mundane
I had a reason to live
It was such a marked shift
Something I still can't believe
In love with those thoughts
In love with all the pain
Hoping you reciprocate…
Echoes
Digging deep into distant memory
Pulling all the thoughts together
Reasons for this extended struggle
Living in mystery, year after year
Questions pounding my mind and heart
At times they hurt, ever so slight
For every loss, there is a reason
For every gain, questions galore
Slipping into a mellow mood
Tears so easy to come by
Desperately trying, to salvage a memory
Hoping it would last a lifetime
Trying to emerge from the shell I was in
Wanting to make the appearance count
The echoes from those days, still haunt
As I remain alive to every little sound
I had once thought maybe these could be made into rock songs! Inputs, anyone?
Angel
a smile so innocent, you get so lost
gleaming eyes, a universe beyond
sleepless nights, speechless times
at every instance, wanting to know more
every step taken, saddled with care
afraid to touch, it might just hurt
a soul so pretty, feels like heaven
so awe-struck by this creation
start believing in His existence
uncertain if it would ever count
you look at her, a reverent stare
mesmerized at times, wondering why
maybe it isn't easy to describe
that's when you know for sure
an angel has walked into your life
Distant love…
I had convinced myself
I had seen them all
Until you came along.
Living buried in a hole
For all these years
And then the burst of fresh air
You made me express
You made me reach out
If only I wasn't so far
Happy in my solitude
And in singing the unworded tune
If only I could pen it down
I had always assumed
I would be an unknown fool
Until you saw it all
Those lovely eyes
Those piercing thoughts
How do you stay apart?
I really don't care
So long as you are there
For a reason to explain
All the worldly matters
And all that material gain
Now seems so mundane
I had a reason to live
It was such a marked shift
Something I still can't believe
In love with those thoughts
In love with all the pain
Hoping you reciprocate…
Echoes
Digging deep into distant memory
Pulling all the thoughts together
Reasons for this extended struggle
Living in mystery, year after year
Questions pounding my mind and heart
At times they hurt, ever so slight
For every loss, there is a reason
For every gain, questions galore
Slipping into a mellow mood
Tears so easy to come by
Desperately trying, to salvage a memory
Hoping it would last a lifetime
Trying to emerge from the shell I was in
Wanting to make the appearance count
The echoes from those days, still haunt
As I remain alive to every little sound
I had once thought maybe these could be made into rock songs! Inputs, anyone?
May 11, 2007
Whts this sudden craze for raunchy undie ads??
got a real shocker last week, when i came across the amul macho men's undies. It was perhaps the raunchiest commercial i had seen on prime time, and was left wondering what happened to ogilvy's advice to admen: do not make it if you do not want your family to watch it....
And in case you're wondering if it's the only such ad, also search for something called lux cozi and Gen X briefs....real crap!
And in case you're wondering if it's the only such ad, also search for something called lux cozi and Gen X briefs....real crap!
Indyeah?
There are some things I like about the US of A. Perhaps 10% of all things that make up USA in my mind. I hate US for the rest of the 90%....
Let me try and relate what i hate about India, and what I like about US...
1) I hate the grousy attitude of most Indians. There is forever a scorn on most faces you see around you. Most people do not appear to be too pleased by things around them, and hence the permanent scorn. In US, for e.g., smiling comes naturally. Strangers we dont care about, sweepers cleaning the rooms, taxiwallahs...be it anyone, people there tend to greet them all with a smile, and acknowledge their presence. It may be fake, and perhaps all entities involved know they're faking it, but what the heck, it feels good!
2) I hate the "chalta hai" attitude in India. Maybe we can blame it on Indira Gandhi, and her weird ideas. Maybe our experiments with socialism are to be blamed...whateva..fact is, that we, as a nation, have got too used to ignoring any wrong happening around us. We don't care if files with babus are stuck for ages, we don't care if judiciary takes years to give verdicts, we don't care if electricity is being stolen around us. We don't care if a car breaks the traffic rules and jumps the light. We just follow it.
Chalta hai na yaar!
3) We love breaking rules. We see it all the time. Jumping lights, giving bribes to get an illegal document signed, Spitting on the roads, smoking in public places....its an endless list.
The problem is that babus love making rules. They love forming committees and formulating policies, and their work is done. There is no acocuntability in the system about implementation. They get their sackfull of the green blue and pink gandhis, and then they hope that perhaps the supreme court will interfere and instruct for the rules to be followed.
The question still remains...why do we love breaking rules? Why do we stop spitting as soon as we leave India? Why do we wait for the lights to turn green before we move an inch on phirang roads? Why do we act like perfect gentlemen and gentleladies like they do in Karan Johar Yash Chopra insanities? I guess the only reason I can think of is that the fines are exorbitant. And there is a fear of the police. In India we can get away as we can always put a 100 ka patta in the constable's mouth. Saala saara ka saara system hi kharab hai!
4) We lack in basic human intelligence. India is widely known as a nation with very intelligent people. True. Medicine, Science, Technology, Education...agreed. How about basic common sense? I find it extremely rare in India. How many people you know who willingly help someone in genuine need? How many people do you know who don't mind reaching the destination 5 mins late, if it means driving less rashly?
I'll try to narrate this particular incident i had seen in US (Great Neck, NY):
I was standing on the bus stop waiting. Before I realized, a tortoise started crossing the road, when (thankfully), traffic had stopped on the lights on either side of the bus stop. THis poor thing managed to reach the middle of the road before cars started coming. And guess what? Everyone stopped. EVERYONE. Not a single car moved on either side of the road. Someone in a car called up the police. A lady whose car was closest to the tortoise got down, lifted the animal, and placed it back on the pavement. All cars continued waiting, and within 2 minutes, the cop arrived and parked the car directly in front of the tortoise, so it does not try to go for the road again. That's whan the traffic moved. And the cop stayed there till as long as my bus didn't come...
That's the day I felt this place has respect for people. And animals. I can never imagine this happening in India. Ever.
to be continued...
Let me try and relate what i hate about India, and what I like about US...
1) I hate the grousy attitude of most Indians. There is forever a scorn on most faces you see around you. Most people do not appear to be too pleased by things around them, and hence the permanent scorn. In US, for e.g., smiling comes naturally. Strangers we dont care about, sweepers cleaning the rooms, taxiwallahs...be it anyone, people there tend to greet them all with a smile, and acknowledge their presence. It may be fake, and perhaps all entities involved know they're faking it, but what the heck, it feels good!
2) I hate the "chalta hai" attitude in India. Maybe we can blame it on Indira Gandhi, and her weird ideas. Maybe our experiments with socialism are to be blamed...whateva..fact is, that we, as a nation, have got too used to ignoring any wrong happening around us. We don't care if files with babus are stuck for ages, we don't care if judiciary takes years to give verdicts, we don't care if electricity is being stolen around us. We don't care if a car breaks the traffic rules and jumps the light. We just follow it.
Chalta hai na yaar!
3) We love breaking rules. We see it all the time. Jumping lights, giving bribes to get an illegal document signed, Spitting on the roads, smoking in public places....its an endless list.
The problem is that babus love making rules. They love forming committees and formulating policies, and their work is done. There is no acocuntability in the system about implementation. They get their sackfull of the green blue and pink gandhis, and then they hope that perhaps the supreme court will interfere and instruct for the rules to be followed.
The question still remains...why do we love breaking rules? Why do we stop spitting as soon as we leave India? Why do we wait for the lights to turn green before we move an inch on phirang roads? Why do we act like perfect gentlemen and gentleladies like they do in Karan Johar Yash Chopra insanities? I guess the only reason I can think of is that the fines are exorbitant. And there is a fear of the police. In India we can get away as we can always put a 100 ka patta in the constable's mouth. Saala saara ka saara system hi kharab hai!
4) We lack in basic human intelligence. India is widely known as a nation with very intelligent people. True. Medicine, Science, Technology, Education...agreed. How about basic common sense? I find it extremely rare in India. How many people you know who willingly help someone in genuine need? How many people do you know who don't mind reaching the destination 5 mins late, if it means driving less rashly?
I'll try to narrate this particular incident i had seen in US (Great Neck, NY):
I was standing on the bus stop waiting. Before I realized, a tortoise started crossing the road, when (thankfully), traffic had stopped on the lights on either side of the bus stop. THis poor thing managed to reach the middle of the road before cars started coming. And guess what? Everyone stopped. EVERYONE. Not a single car moved on either side of the road. Someone in a car called up the police. A lady whose car was closest to the tortoise got down, lifted the animal, and placed it back on the pavement. All cars continued waiting, and within 2 minutes, the cop arrived and parked the car directly in front of the tortoise, so it does not try to go for the road again. That's whan the traffic moved. And the cop stayed there till as long as my bus didn't come...
That's the day I felt this place has respect for people. And animals. I can never imagine this happening in India. Ever.
to be continued...
May 10, 2007
An ode to a unique Indian concept!
Ever wondered how:
1) Pizza Hut survived, while KFC almost died, in India?
2) The common man gets illegal extensions done to their homes, without being caught?
3) 'Locked' mobile phones from US work in India?
4) Reliance managed to become so big?
..
....
......
There's a common link that unites India. Globally.
There's a common thread which lets people in India survive. And Live.
There's a common technique which you can find, wherever you go in India....
Perhaps a picture can say a thousand words here.....
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Jugaaaaaaaad. This is perhaps the One thing that makes India what it is. This is perhaps the reason why established business models of the west have gone for a toss, when in India. To survive here, one of the basic rules is to understand the infinite possibilities of Jugaad. And then, you're ready to rock!
Welcome to Indyeah! :-)
P.S: This snap was taken when on my way from Agra to Delhi. The tractor was fully loaded, with the produce almost touching the road. Impossible for the driver to see what's at the back, and just the right conditions to make the cyclewallah "rope in" for an easy ride home!
1) Pizza Hut survived, while KFC almost died, in India?
2) The common man gets illegal extensions done to their homes, without being caught?
3) 'Locked' mobile phones from US work in India?
4) Reliance managed to become so big?
..
....
......
There's a common link that unites India. Globally.
There's a common thread which lets people in India survive. And Live.
There's a common technique which you can find, wherever you go in India....
Perhaps a picture can say a thousand words here.....
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Jugaaaaaaaad. This is perhaps the One thing that makes India what it is. This is perhaps the reason why established business models of the west have gone for a toss, when in India. To survive here, one of the basic rules is to understand the infinite possibilities of Jugaad. And then, you're ready to rock!
Welcome to Indyeah! :-)
P.S: This snap was taken when on my way from Agra to Delhi. The tractor was fully loaded, with the produce almost touching the road. Impossible for the driver to see what's at the back, and just the right conditions to make the cyclewallah "rope in" for an easy ride home!
May 9, 2007
India: An intolerant nation?
There have been numerous uproars in the recent past, with self-proclaimed nationalists donning the moral policing mask..and the courts have been guilty of going for the masala, instead of clearing their century-old pending cases...MF hussain is the latest victim, his depiction of hindu gods getting an unfair treatment...
Here's an image taken in the US, in my hotel room....try imagining what would have happened to the company which wrote mandir on a pot?
I am not saying it is good or bad to write church on the pots. it is not appropriate for sure. but why is india so intolerant when it comes to religion? why do we hate to provide space to everyone, and let them do their thing??
Indianisms!
There are some amusing vernacular stuff u come up against, at odd times...god bless the camera phones which allow you to capture these!
How abt this one..taken at the vishal megamart store in rajouri garden, delhi..
And here's another one i took while driving in chennai on east coast road...
How about some cross-selling now...here's the link to my flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/passingthoughts
enjoy maadi!
May 8, 2007
what abt naive internet users?
| Citi - Accounts Management |
| show details | 1:43 am (7 minutes ago) |
Images are not displayed. Display images below - Always display images from accounting@citibank |
Dear CitiBank member, This email was sent by the Citibank server to verify your e-mail address. You must complete this process by clicking on the link below and entering your account information . This is done for your protection , becaurse some of our members no longer have access to their online access and we must verify it. To verify your e-mail address and access your bank account, click on the link below. https://web.da-us.citibank.com Thank you
I was quite shocked by this mail which i found in my gmail account...God save us all from internet misuse... |
www.irctc.co.in and its various moods
It was quite a surprise to learn that an indian government website is the No.1 ecommerce site in the country...guess that comes free with having the largest rail network in the world! And god bless the babus who finally gave Indians an option to book their rail tickets conveniently.... If only the site worked, i.e....
irctc is an amazing site. no seriously, if banner ads and skyscrapers and other numerous ads are any indication of the popularity of a site, nothing beats irctc. I remember once there was also an ad of airdeccan on the home page! That's where I am getting at...it's a good way to make money. darned good way. 25 bucks per booking, additional commission from the banks who provide their payment gateways, and a homepage jazzed up by advts of all hues and shapes...they make money, agreed, but why make love to us in the process?? How reliable is the site? If they have seen the site load increase many folds in the recent past, can't some upgradation be done to tackle this traffic increase? why should i remain sceptical each minute if the next page will be shown or not? why should there be a server error 3 times out of 10 when i go to the site? why should the error occur after i have given my bank/credit card details??
My humble submission is, please do not call the 25 bucks that you charge as convenience charge. Your site, Mr. Minister, is as inconvenient to us denizens as can be possible.
Damn! I should have thought of this before...it's an indian government entity, isn't it? :-)
irctc is an amazing site. no seriously, if banner ads and skyscrapers and other numerous ads are any indication of the popularity of a site, nothing beats irctc. I remember once there was also an ad of airdeccan on the home page! That's where I am getting at...it's a good way to make money. darned good way. 25 bucks per booking, additional commission from the banks who provide their payment gateways, and a homepage jazzed up by advts of all hues and shapes...they make money, agreed, but why make love to us in the process?? How reliable is the site? If they have seen the site load increase many folds in the recent past, can't some upgradation be done to tackle this traffic increase? why should i remain sceptical each minute if the next page will be shown or not? why should there be a server error 3 times out of 10 when i go to the site? why should the error occur after i have given my bank/credit card details??
My humble submission is, please do not call the 25 bucks that you charge as convenience charge. Your site, Mr. Minister, is as inconvenient to us denizens as can be possible.
Damn! I should have thought of this before...it's an indian government entity, isn't it? :-)
Of car sites...and some missing info!
One of my recent experiences with internet has been about searching for car reviews...Here's the deal...
I test drove the Swift Diesel the day it was launched in showrooms, and pretty much fell in love with it. Just to be sure, I thought about checking the numerous car sites that we have, to get some dope on this baby...surprise surprise... there was no info. zilch. We have a autocarindia.com, a bsmotoring.com, a http://www2.blogger.com/www.overdrive.in, the car and bike show section on ndtv...but no one had put anything online about the car, even though the experts had test driven it ages back, and NDTV Profit and AajTak were airing their reviews on TV!!
I believe there is some fairly huge potential for creating a complete automobile site in india...we do have some pretty good car sale sites like carvale.com, indiaautomobile.com (which incidentally, is being run by a close friend, Nimish Adani, as part of the BharatMatrimony group), but there is still no site which is purely online focused site for providing complete and latest info and scoops on indian car market....hope someone listens!
And if you're wondering what I finally did...I did the next best thing..googled for swift+diesel+review.......abracadabra, i found a HUGE number of european/UK sites which presented thorough review of Swift Diesel. Thankfully, the car launched in india was the same as in Europe, and the reviews being very positive, my decision was made. I guess whatcar.co.uk had most comprehensive reviews..Now that I think about it, I bought my dream car by browsing through a few european sites, and made the booking the next day. Now that's the real power of the Internet. God Bless us all.
P.S: Anyone thinking of buying the perfect city car for indian roads...go for the swift diesel. A mileage upwards of 20 km/l, a fraction of the noise we have come to associate with the indicas and indigos of the world, amazingly responsive and fun to drive, and a stunner to look at....I love It!
I test drove the Swift Diesel the day it was launched in showrooms, and pretty much fell in love with it. Just to be sure, I thought about checking the numerous car sites that we have, to get some dope on this baby...surprise surprise... there was no info. zilch. We have a autocarindia.com, a bsmotoring.com, a http://www2.blogger.com/www.overdrive.in, the car and bike show section on ndtv...but no one had put anything online about the car, even though the experts had test driven it ages back, and NDTV Profit and AajTak were airing their reviews on TV!!
I believe there is some fairly huge potential for creating a complete automobile site in india...we do have some pretty good car sale sites like carvale.com, indiaautomobile.com (which incidentally, is being run by a close friend, Nimish Adani, as part of the BharatMatrimony group), but there is still no site which is purely online focused site for providing complete and latest info and scoops on indian car market....hope someone listens!
And if you're wondering what I finally did...I did the next best thing..googled for swift+diesel+review.......abracadabra, i found a HUGE number of european/UK sites which presented thorough review of Swift Diesel. Thankfully, the car launched in india was the same as in Europe, and the reviews being very positive, my decision was made. I guess whatcar.co.uk had most comprehensive reviews..Now that I think about it, I bought my dream car by browsing through a few european sites, and made the booking the next day. Now that's the real power of the Internet. God Bless us all.
P.S: Anyone thinking of buying the perfect city car for indian roads...go for the swift diesel. A mileage upwards of 20 km/l, a fraction of the noise we have come to associate with the indicas and indigos of the world, amazingly responsive and fun to drive, and a stunner to look at....I love It!
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