Random Musings

EARTH: INVASION FEASIBILITY REPORT

2010-07-12T14:32:00.025+05:30

This post has been published by me as a team member of Tiger Trails Team for the SUPER 3 round of Bloggers Premier League (BPL) – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at Cafe GingerChai

EARTH: INVASION FEASIBILITY REPORT

by Juntan Mhusaf

Important Details of the excursion indicating observations, strengths and liabilities:

It was dark and quiet when I landed. Nitrometer readings prove that the planet’s atmosphere indeed contains more than 70% nitrogen. I took my nitrogen mask off with trembling forepods. I took a deep breath. It was fresh. I waited a while. Nothing happened. Slowly I was convinced that I was alive and that I could walk around here without my nitrogen mask. Saves a lot of equipment and travelling overhead.

The most developed inhabitants of the planet- the humans- perform an activity they call ‘sleep’ during the sol-insufficiency (aka night). During this activity they remain unaware of outer surroundings. Good time to surround them.

Or so I thought. Turns out humans have a defense mechanism in place. I was intently observing a randomly selected human dwelling when a shrill cacophony made me nearly jump out of my spacesuit. The humans had woken up. I rushed out of the front door in panic. That’s when I was smacked in the face by a thick collection of printed sheets!

The alpha male sits at a table and feeds while the female is in a frenzy doing a hundred different things. She is very agitated. It would be very unwise to attack her at this point in time.

The young ones seem to possess great flexibility. At least eight of them fit into a three-wheeled vehicle that can contain about three adults. This vehicle is a transporter of sorts which takes the young ones to be coached in several areas. The army is trained from infancy.

My decision to follow a young female took me to a place called the railway station. If there are THIS many humans in such a miniscule fraction of area, I would not like to imagine the population of the Earth. We are astronomically outnumbered!

The young female entered a tall structure. Within there were many rooms with labels like Reebok, Levis and Tommy Hilfiger. I think I have stumbled on the marketplace! Humans give high importance to covering their frames. They use temporary fabric instead of permanent metal! It looks very dazzling and attractive. Perhaps we can consider it too.

I saw the very opposite outside the structure though. Young ones and infants in filthy pieces of fabric tailed the other kind. Sometimes they were shouted at and pushed away, sometimes handed a round piece of metal. The look on their faces changed accordingly.

The young girl then led me to a ‘multiplex’. It is much like our war strategy discussion room. It has a very large screen and seats. Initially I didn’t follow their battle plans. The screen showed humans doing pretty much the same things. That’s when the most unexpected thing happened. They broke into song and dance! They wore colourful attire and swayed madly to the tunes. They are really so enjoyable that they make you dance along forget the reason you’re there. Very effective weapon they have here. Causes distraction and induces exhaustion.

My next aim was to find the strengths and weaknesses of their primary resource- water. Three-fourths of the land is covered by this liquid. It could have be a major liability for us. But, it’s not! The liquid is amazing. I see why they cannot live without it. It’s great for us too. Finally a liquid that does not corrode our midpod shields! And owing to its density, we can float in it rather than sink. It feels great!

The day gets over very quickly here. I’m surprised at the success of life at such close proximity to sol. Another great thing about water is its reflecting property. The setting of the sol is mirrored beautifully in the waves of the massive water body. Several humans sprawled on the silica bed sigh at the beauty and make their way back to their dwellings. Possibly to prepare for ‘sleeping’! Before this, they feed for the last time that day. They also seem to catch up on the developments of the day through the smaller screens installed in their dwellings. It was here that I saw the most sinister looking human. It was a female. She had a warty face and a high pitched voice that belted out instructions. Her attire was minimal and unpleasant. Her name flashed across the screen. I was quick enough to read it through my translanguage glasses. It read Rakhi Sawant. A formidable leader to look out for.

The days soon passed into months. I learnt a lot about the humans. It turns out, the thing that smacked me in the face on the first day is the daily news bulletin. It was very informative. A lot was written about this thing called ‘football’. For the first time in months I decided it was time to use the transporter. It took me straight to the arena where it was happening. The minute I stepped out though, my tympanic antennae went reeling! The reason was a continuous and intense high pitched monotone. Clearly the humans want to keep everyone but their own kind out of this event. All the more reason for me to stick around.

I watched the proceedings through the transporter glass. Hugely built humans raced across a vast green enclosure. They were brutal. It seemed like they would do anything to get hold of a checkered sphere. Surely the checkered sphere is very important and powerful.

At this event I realized the diversity of humans. Each one is a different colour ranging from very light to pitch dark! Over the months, even my tiny understanding of emotion could sense the tension between the groups that the dark ones were considered inferior. I personally find the disparity really beautiful. But the prevalent racial unrest will be very useful to us.

Football led me to the most shocking discovery yet. Earth has something that we’ve been trying to develop since eons and have been unsuccessful. They can predict the future! Surprisingly though, it is not a human that has accomplished this. It is a creature that they refer to as Paul the Octopus.

Conclusion:

Humans are stronger and more developed than expected. Defense seems to be their priority and they are in possession of several unexpected weapons. We do not face any threats from them unless we initiate violence. Without further research, such initiations would definitely be thwarted.

Feasibility for war-waging in Earth year 2010: Not feasible.

Suggested next course of action: Abort battle plans. Earth is a beautiful planet and humans are interesting. More profitable to launch vacation packages to this planet instead.

South Indian Holiday

2010-06-28T14:03:00.026+05:30

This post has been published by me as a team member of Tiger Trails Team for the SUPER 4 round of Bloggers Premier League (BPL) – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at Cafe GingerChai

October 31, 2008

10:00

In a bus

The wife and I are riding a bus from Hospet to Hampi. I’m quite excited. I think choosing Hampi as our travel destination this year is a good choice. After hearing so much about the World Heritage Site from Mr. Das, the tourist in me longed to visit this quaint little town in Karnataka, India. My last visit to this country had me mesmerized and I had promised myself that I would soon return to check out the rest of this amazing country.

The journey thus far has been quite comfortable. Flight to Bengaluru, and a train to Hospet. The travel agency has put us on a tour which includes sightseeing, lunch and the guidance of a local who’s already briefing us on the history of Hampi.

Two local village heads by the name Hakka and Bukka once witnessed a peculiar sight. A hare that was being chased by a hound suddenly turned fearless and dared to chase the hound right back. The surprised chiefs turned to Guru Vidyaranya for an explanation. He tells them that the spot is a very auspicious and special one and advises them to set up their village capital there. This capital soon grew into the large metropolitan of Hampi under the rule of King Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva dynasty.

I found the name ‘Hakka’ particularly amusing as I never imagined someone to be named after a type of noodle! Hehehe. Well that’s the reason I travel the world. Different countries and cultures have always fascinated me.

Looks like we’ve arrived at the first stop for the day, the Virupaksha Temple!

October 31, 2008

14:00

Eating rice

We’ve taken a break to have lunch. The Virupaksha Temple was brilliant indeed! It is the principal temple of Hampi and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is one of the main gods for the Hindus. Legend has it that this temple has been functional since the 7^th century AD! This makes it one of the oldest functional temples in India. The tallest tower (called ‘gopura’) has horn-like structures at the apex.

Entry to all temples requires us to take our footwear off as a mark of respect to the deity. It’s a good thing I was wearing socks. Bare feet on prickly stones is definitely not my thing. How easily the Indian tourists seem to manage!

One of the smaller gopuras has a dark chamber with a narrow slit in the wall. This slit lets in a ray of light which then forms an inverted image of the main gopura, by a scientific phenomenon called ‘The pin hole camera’ effect. An application of physics is the last thing I expected to find in a place of worship. Impressive!

The main entrance to the temple is through a local market called the Hampi Bazaar. The streets are lined with little shops selling fruits, souvenirs, clothes, bags etc. There are also carts selling ice cones (called ‘gola’s) and coconuts! The water of tender coconut seems to be a very common thirst quencher around here! The guy pokes a straw into it and you drink right out of the coconut. It’s very refreshing! My wife couldn’t resist a second one.

Yup, lots of bananas around. No wonder the place is crawling with cows!

Next up was the statue of Sasivekalu Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is also a popular Hindu god who is the giver of knowledge. He is known to be quite a foodie and legend has it that he once ate so much that his stomach was about to burst! He caught a snake and tied it around his tummy to keep it intact.

‘Sasivekalu’ in Kannada (the local language) means mustard seeds. This statue is so called in comparison with a giant statue of Lord Ganesha just a bit north of this one called Kadalekalu Ganesha (‘kadlekalu’ is a type of pulse which is much bigger than mustard seeds.)

The Kadalekalu Ganesha is located in a dark chamber. I went in to take a closer look and was immediately driven out by dozens of bats!

October 31, 2008

23:00

By the bedside lamp

The Hemakuta Temples situated on a hill is a group of temples once again dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a pleasant place which gives a good view of the Sasivekalu Ganesha, Lakshmi Narasimha and The Badavilinga shrines.

The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is the best one I have seen yet. Narasimha means half human and half lion. Narasimha is one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In this form, the deity is depicted seated on the coils of a seven headed cobra, who heads form a hood over the deity. He is seated in a yoga posture with a supporting belt. Goddess Lakshmi, his consort, was originally sitting on his lap. But this part of the statue was destroyed during the plundering of the Vijayanagara Empire.

This statue is sometimes called the Ugra Narasimha statue, meaning the fierce or cruel Narasimha.

The Badavilinga Temple has a monolithic structure in its inner shrine called the ‘linga’ which is surrounded by a pool of water.

My wife is commenting that I spend more time writing in this diary than I do actually seeing the sights. What’s the point if we don’t remember the things we saw, I tell her. I definitely cannot remember the names of all these temples and structures. I can’t even pronounce them!

I even learnt two Kannada words today-

How-dhu meaning “yes”

Neeru meaning “water”

Oops she’s asking me to turn off the lights. Seems annoyed. Better oblige!

November 1, 2008

10:30

Sitting on a rock

We’re at the Hazara Rama Temple. On the way here, the bus passed under a crop of rocks called The Sister Rock. Legend has it that the two rocks were actually a pair of sisters who got turned into stone because the made jokes about the place. Boy I’d better start watching what I say!

‘Hazara Rama’ means a thousand Rama. This temple has thousands of carvings on its walls that tell the story of the Ramayana, one of the epics of Hindu mythology. They’re like old-fashioned comic strips!

The guide told us that the Zenena enclosure, the Lotus Mahal and the underground Shiva Temple are a short walk from here. Have to stop writing if I want to keep up!

November 2, 2008

13:30

Window seat in the bus

The Zenena enclosure was the local hang out for royal women. It includes the Queen’s Palace in the center. It is said that it was guarded by eunuch soldiers! The Lotus Mahal is a popular part of the zenena enclosure. Quite guessably, the building is shaped like a half open lotus flower. The elephant stables are nearby too, the parking lot for the royal elephants! It’s a beautiful long building with several low arches.

After lunch we’re going to see the Stone Chariot! Been waiting for this one!

November 2, 2008

19:30

Hotel Room

I’m no longer surprised why the Stone Chariot at the Vittala Temple is the USP of Hampi. It is simply spectacular! The base of the structure is sculpted with scenes of battle. It has four large wheels shaped like lotuses which actually revolve and elephants to draw it. The elephants seem tiny in proportion!

Another attraction of the Vittala Temple is the hall of musical pillars. Tapping these pillars produces musical sounds.

I must admit to an embarrassing incident that happened today. Seeing a number of ‘kalyana mantapa’s or marriage halls in the temples, my wife and I were reminded of our own wedding. I swooped her up and kissed her. Within seconds I heard several gasps and some mutterings (which sounded quite like curses!). Some Indian tourists glared. The tour guide was quick to reproach me, quite loudly to add to my embarrassment. “No Saar, kissing not allowed here. This is temple. Very holy place.”

Both of us turned a bright shade of pink and apologized profusely. It seems odd to me that they took offense to what we did, when there are a large number of what one could call “objectionable images” carved on walls!

Whatever it is, we don’t have the right to insult the people of this country who have been very hospitable to us. It’s a conservative town, and we have to respect that. So I guess our displays of affection have got to be strictly private while here!

November 3, 2008

7:30

Hotel Room

Today’s going to be an entirely different adventure! We’re going rock climbing!

November 3, 2008

14:00

At a café

Phew! That was some feat.

Hampi’s landscape is jam-packed with boulders of all shapes and sizes. The perfect place for rock-climbing and bouldering enthusiasts. But quite a challenge for first timers like us! They made us climb relatively easier rocks as most people in the group had never done this sort of thing before.

The rock was about 40 ft in height. While climbing the rock, there was a possibility of slipping and falling along the way. So a rope was tied to our waist and held tightly by a couple of rock-climbing experts who were positioned on top of the rock.

It was my turn. It had to be done bare foot as we did not expect to be doing this, and didn’t pack the necessary shoes. Thin cracks in the rock with little to grab hold of, some steep portions that required decent strength to traverse and the mid-morning sun burning our backs made the route up the rock challenging. But I made it. I was up there on the top of the rock, perspiring and feeling proud I didn't fall! And then I felt on top of the world!

If rock climbing was up hill, then rappelling was down it. We were strapped into safety gear and given instructions to climb down a 120 foot tall nearly vertical boulder. Shiver me timbers!

The instructor demonstrated it for us. It was to be done backwards! A sturdy rope was fixed from the top to the bottom of the boulder. The rope had a device attached to it that acted as a brake. We had to stand backwards, clutch the device and lower ourselves to the edge. Then we had to slowly release the brake which would enable us to walk down the rock, while facing it. The amount you release the device determines how fast you go (read: slip) down. It was very important to remain perpendicular to the rock at all times, he said. That’s an awful lot to remember when you’re hanging on for your dear life!

It was a terrifying and hair-raising experience. Thrilling at the same time!

November 3, 2008

17:00

At the Elephant Stables

Today is the inaugural day of the grand cultural extravaganza known as the Hampi Utsav (Hampi Festival). The festivities last for three days and it includes performances by renowned musicians, dancers other artistes.

We came early to grab good seats to view the sound and lights show glorifying the beautiful state of Karnataka.

November 4, 2008

11:45

Watching my wife try on folkish jewels

We started off the day taking part in the Heritage Walk that began at the Virupaksha Temple. We were drained out of energy within a couple of hours and treated ourselves to our now hot favourite ‘yell neeru’ (local term for coconut water!). Later we let ourselves get distracted by the plethora of fascinating traditional items being sold and exhibited.

Hey what’s that over there. Elephant rides! Magnificently decorated elephants with a large ornate seat attached to its back. We went on a camel ride the last time we were in India. This time it’s going to be an elephant ride!

Absolutely loving the carnival so far!

November 4, 2008

19:00

Watching a procession

Our last evening in this mythological town. We’re completely enchanted by the colourful procession of men dressed as kings, elephants, soldiers, scenes from mythology and the like!

November 4, 2008

23:00

Back at the hotel

The parade was followed up by a beautiful classical dance performance. The costumes, the colours and the music were all something we had never witnessed before. India is truly a country with such cultural diversity that it’s amazing!

Dozens of local and national musicians and singers belted out all kinds of music. Slow and classical melodies to upbeat folk music. It was brilliant! The musical instruments they used (the veena, the tabla, the violin, the mandolin, the flute) were out of this world. The wonderful sounds were so soothing that it makes heavy metal that I normally listen to seem like noise!

The reviving of visual senses was not far behind. Next in the programme was dramatic performances recounting fables of mythology and emperors. The extreme costumes, expressions and moves were beautifully executed!

It’s been a fantastic and immensely tiring day. Too bad we have to leave tomorrow and miss the grand finale of the Utsav. Better get some sleep.

November 5, 2008

12.00

Watching rushes of countryside

We’re travelling by train to the city of Mumbai, the last leg of our itinerary. The bright and colourful images of the festival interspersed with images of majestic ruins of a royal kingdom are running through my mind as we leave the exotic capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

This is part of 'THE SUNDAY ROAR', a magazine brought out by Tiger Trails. To read all articles, please click the respective links:-

Debosmita's in-depth article on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
http://debosmita.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/cover-story/

Sudhakar's racy account of 'The Domestic Olympics'
http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-domestic-olympics/

Sudhakar's intriguing thriller (crime fiction)
http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-garage-door/

Neha's unique limerick on Indian politics,
http://www.nehasilam.com/2010/06/future-not-so-bright.html

Pallavi's quick comic/55-er on power of media
http://writerzblock.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/breaking-news-again/

Saurabh's hilarious interview.. one of its own kind
http://stuffilearnttoday.blogspot.com/2010/06/mere-pass-maa-ka-interview-hai.html

Kanagu's analysis of Print Versus Electronic media
http://kanaguonline.wordpress.com/

Words are all I have

2010-05-31T09:35:00.002+05:30

This post has been published by me as a team member of Tiger Trails Team for the SUPER 6 round of Bloggers Premier League (BPL) – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at Cafe GingerChai

Dear Saritha,

You’re probably wondering why on earth I’m writing you a letter. I have some news for you. As soon as I found out, I immediately grabbed the phone to tell you. But several thoughts flooded my mind all at once by the time I pressed the call button...
Four years ago, my first day at VPS Public School I saw a room full of activity. It was the first day of the new academic year and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. You were part of the group, chatting away animatedly before the morning bell could silence everyone. That day, I never thought that I would be best friends with Yogi, Garima and you! You guys have always been there for me. You in particular have always understood me, and patiently listened when I wanted to vent and have often tolerated me when I took my anger out on you. And now, I can’t imagine a life without you. I think by now you have a fair idea where this letter is going and I don’t know how you feel about that especially considering we’re in school together, but please just hear me out.

I didn’t know you so well till the practice sessions for the school’s adaptation of “A midsummer night’s dream”. Shakespeare. I don’t know what you see in his work. I’m just thankful he wrote this play because that’s how we became friends! After that we were quite inseparable I think. We’ve had great fun swearing at Principal Khadoos and laughing at Yogi’s biology jokes. We’ve been with each other during hard times as well. I will never forget the time you consoled me when all the term exam papers had gone very badly. I had seriously begun to doubt my abilities. You made me realise it’s a difficult subject and not to lose heart and to keep at it. You were so right.

I’ve always enjoyed your company Saritha. You’re intelligent, funny and always know the right things to say to people to cheer them up! No wonder you’re so popular. I love to see the smile on your face when you receive a number of birthday cards and flowers. I know you read every single message in the cards and carefully keep them with you. It’s these little things about you that I love. I had never really given much importance to punctuality, until I met you. I didn’t realise when I started coming early to school every day so that I could talk to you before the day’s classes began.

I didn’t realise it was love then.

I didn’t realise it during the numerous lunch breaks we spent together, laughing and sharing food with Yogi and Garima. (Oh food reminds me, I love your mother’s cooking! Why don’t you learn too? Ha-ha just kidding, I know how much you hate it!).

I didn’t realise it during sports days when we cheered and encouraged the players together.

Not even during all the time spent in school picnics and practice sessions for cultural days.

I should’ve realized that my dislike for Ajay Rathod was out of pure jealousy. Guess he’s not so bad after all.

It hit me just some time ago when I realised I won’t be coming back to school next year. Yes, that’s the news I wanted to share.

I got another job offer at Greenfield High. Better pay, higher post and closer to my house. It’ll be a very different experience. I’ve decided to take it. I was initially very excited until I suddenly realized with a pang that I won’t be able to see you every day! I love everything about you! Your beautiful eyes, your contagious smile, your genuine concern for students, the way your forehead crinkles when you’re worried, your sensibility, the way you hum your songs softly under your breath, the way you tell off auto drivers who demand extra fare... the list is endless. I’ve fallen madly in love with you! I’m falling more in love with you with every line I write! Thinking about you makes me go high!

You know me in and out Saritha! And I’m pretty sure I can say the same thing about you. The both of us are so similar, and at the same time so different! I don’t know how that’s even possible, but it just is. We both have our shortcomings, and we accept each other for who we are. No one has ever understood me the way you have. I think that makes us perfect for each other. I sure as hell hope you feel the same way! I actually feel quite positive about it, that’s how I mustered up the courage to write this. Otherwise I would never have jeopardized our friendship.
You’re an amazing person and you deserve an equally amazing guy. I will do everything to be worthy of your affections. I’ll always keep you happy and smiling. Because that will make me happy.

Saritha Bhushan I love you!

Yours forever,
Jag

Midnight Madness!

2009-10-25T19:31:00.002+05:30

It started off like any other usual sleep-over night. This time my friends Swathi and Shruthi were coming over to my place. They turned up at around half past nine, armed with a bag of junk food and a hard-disk full of movies. This was one of the rare sleep-overs we were having where none of us needed to wake up early the next morning to attend lab, internals or a debate! So we were taking things slow and chilling out. We lazed around in my room for a couple of hours looking at some of my old photo-albums and slam books while we waited for my parents to turn in. Shruthi lazed around a little too much and almost fell asleep!

The layout of rooms in my house needs to be understood before I continue this tale. Opposite to the front door is 'Room1' which has the computer, a table, an old bed and various articles- both big and small- that have no place of their own in other rooms. To the right of the main door is the entrance to the living room. The first right from here leads to my room, and the second, my parents'. Mine is an old house (re-painted very recently) and still has double doors at the entrance to every room. It isn't very sound proof.

At around 11.15 pm we came toRoom1, shut the door and switched on the computer. My dad had gone to bed. We picked out a movie to watch ('I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry', which sucks). Just as we settled down to watch it, we remembered we hadn't made popcorn. So we got up and I pulled the door handle. It didn't open! Because the door had been painted recently, it fit rather too snugly in the door-frame. The second door couldn't be opened until this one was. We pulled and tugged and yanked in vain! The top part of the door was literally stuck to the frame while we could see a small gap in the bottom part.

The sudden realization that we were actually stuck there without food or water (that we'd conveniently forgotten in my room!) sent us into peals of laughter!

"S*** we're actually stuck here without food or water!" I said. "Or beds and pillows!"

"Forget the bed and pillows, we're stuck here without a bathroom Rashmi!" shouted Shruthi.

"Oh ya! Well I'm going to be fine. I went already!"

(More laughter)

"There's a window in case you really can't hold it in" said Swathi.

(Uncontrollable laughter following a joke about windows and urination that cannot be mentioned here!)

Once we regained compusure, we went back to the problem at hand. All of us tried in turns. We couldn't stand in front of the handle and pull it, as the door would smack right at our faces if it opened! Considering the very TV-show-like situation we were in, that seemed quite likely! And the handle coming right off the door was possible as well! Meanwhile, the ordeal was creating a lot of noise and I worried my parents would wake up.

"That might actually be a good thing, considering we're stuck" said Shruthi.

She was right. I decided I'd better give my dad a call and wake him up myself. Rather now than later I thought. Funny how we forgot food and water, but had our cell phones with us! Just as I was about to call, when we heard sounds from outside the door. We realised its my dad and pounded on it. He pushed it open from outside. (Pushing the door open from outside is easier than pulling it from the inside as the handle is not involved!)

We were relieved at being 'set free' and started explaining what happened. We were still laughing when my dad said he'll show us what to do in case it happened again.

"NO! Don't shut the... "

SLAM!

"... door"

Too late. He had closed the door again to show us how to open it! He realised very soon though, that the reason we were stuck was not because we were too weak to open it, but because it couldn't be opened from inside! Now were all stuck. AGAIN! We burst into laughter yet again, this time joined by my dad!

Finally, my dad used a screw-driver he found in the sewing machine toolbox and somehow managed to wrench the door open. We got out and decided to leave that door open at all times!

The door turned out to be the star entertainer that night! Not only did we have a lot of laughs, but we also figured out what wakes up a very sleepy Shruthi!

Misadventures on Avenue Road

2009-09-05T17:08:00.002+05:30

Almost month had passed since the new semester started, and I hadn’t purchased text books yet. Plans of going to Avenue Road to buy them had so far been thwarted for some reason or the other. For those who come in late, Avenue Road is a market that engineering students throng to sell their old text books and buy new ones. The place offers the best discounts on new as well as second hand books. From the street sellers to bookshop owners, each man tries to convince you that he offers the best deals around. And these largely uneducated folk seem to have great knowledge about the subjects in each branch, the different text books available, local and foreign authors, which are the best books etc!

So one fine day, I decided I just HAD to get my hands on the books (Purchasing text books gives me some kind of satisfaction. Studying them is a different story entirely!) .
It was already around 4.30 in the evening. I convinced my friends Swathi and Shruthi that it’s not going to be a problem even if it’s late and that we should go. So we met up around 5.30 and took an auto to Avenue Road. We’d just about gotten off and paid the guy, when it started to drizzle!

“You wore THE pants!!” shouted Swathi. I’d forgotten that the pants I was wearing that day are cursed. It ALWAYS rains when I wear them.

“Its ok, it’s just a drizzle”, I said. And sure enough, it started pouring that very moment. And yes, one of us was wearing white!

We started making our way through the crowd. There was a bus stop, and people everywhere! Not to mention fruit sellers with their fruits spread all over the place. It wasn’t that easy lugging around a huge bag of books in the whole mess. We were walking the rain looking for shelter and I was yakking away to glory all along. I barely noticed the huge cow coming towards us. Now here’s the thing about cows. They’re thick skinned and they don’t really care about objects smaller than them. If perhaps a dog or some other animal finds a hurdle in its path, it goes around it. But cows? Nooo. They simply walk into it! I had my back slightly turned and was busy talking to Shruthi. She warned me, but it was too late. The cow bumped into me from behind and continued walking as though I don’t exist! It was hilarious! I stood there in the rain and laughed my guts out. So did my friends and the shopkeepers who saw it happen. But I was too busy laughing to feel embarrassed!

We soon found a shelter and stood under it for sometime. The intensity of the rain reduced after some time and it was starting to get dark too. We decided it was really time to get a move on. The auto driver had brought us in a different route and we were at the opposite end of avenue road. Our task now was to find ‘Vishwa Book House’, a small and insignificant shop. Only two of us had seen the shop before and it was pretty dark already. We figured we would find it up the road and started walking swiftly.

Most of the buildings there have long pipes jutting out of the roof to pour out rain water. Quite a stupid idea really, for the dirty water falls straight on your head if you’re walking under it! We walked along avoiding the water, vehicles that insisted on trying to kill us and creepy looking people; jumping across pot holes, mud and slush and loose drain covers. Monsoon trekking right here in the city!

We finally found the place and unloaded our books, some of which were now wet. We sold off what we could and got new ones. We laughed about everything that happened on the ride back.

Now that I think of it, I’ve always ended up having fun on the days I’ve worn my cursed pants!

Unreasonable

2009-04-05T23:54:00.009+05:30

An incident that happened recently got me thinking about how students have no rights in some colleges. Sometimes students are wrongly accused of things, and sometimes it is possible that an incident is not entirely the student's fault (I admit that the chances of such an event happening are low, but it isn't nil either). Yet it is the student who has to bear the consequences.
The student is not given a chance to explain himself. Even if all the students unite and decide to voice their opinion that what happened to their classmate was unfair, it might bear no consequence. On the other hand, it might simply invite the wrath of other authorities as well. If they are angry enough they might even unjustly reduce the scores of the student in exams, or take other actions having similar effects. It is not certain to happen, but a possibility that the students cannot rule out as it would affect their future. The higher authorities give no assurance to the students that they will discuss any problems the students may face impartially. Thus the students are helpless and end up having to endure what they feel is unjust. There could be several problems that students might be facing, but cannot approach a lecturer or authority because there is no assurance that the problem will not worsen.

I find myself asking

1. Isn’t it unfair that students are helpless?

A rhetorical question, as I believe that it is.

2. Would it work if an impartial body is set up in colleges that can address students’ problems and also decide on suitable punishment based on the gravity of the mistake and previous records of the student?

3. How many people believe that corporal punishment is the right thing to do (be it at any age)?

Flashback>>>

2007-10-27T18:26:00.000+05:30

I have so many fond memories of my school days. The one I’m recounting here is just one of the many that happened on the bleachers opposite the swimming pool.

Once Anusha and I were bored and decided to pick on somebody for time pass (don’t get me wrong, it was all in jest!). We had a free period and most of our classmates were hanging around in the field. Anusha and I went up to Amulya and told her we had something to talk to her about in private. Then we drew out our ‘knives’ which were actually the paper cutters that came with the nail cutter! (Why we had nail cutters? Because we had ‘no time’ to cut our nails at home!). The following conversation went something like this

Anusha (in a mock rowdy voice): Ay, come with us! We’re kidnapping you!

(I bite my lips to keep from laughing!)

Amulya (in utter disbelief): What?!

(A giggle escapes Anusha’s lips)

Me: Don’t think we’re joking ok. We mean business!

Amulya (smiles): I know you people don’t mean it.

Anusha: Don’t make us hurt you!

(I brandish my ‘knife’!)

Then we couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer and burst out. Amulya gave us another strange look and went away. We both spent the rest of the period laughing. Amulya didn’t believe us for a second, but the look on her face was just priceless! (Amulya, if you ever happen to read this and remember the incident, I’m sure you’ll agree that it was real funny!)

It seems very silly right now, but those were the kind of things we used to pull on others to keep ourselves and everyone else amused!

Tryst With Destiny

2007-10-03T20:09:00.000+05:30

Yesterday was Gandhi Jayanti. I usually just treat it like any other holiday, but this time I thought I should at least refresh my knowledge about our country’s freedom struggle. Nothing in detail, but just the main stuff which every other Indian but I probably remembers. (I unfortunately tend to forget every fact that I think is worth remembering [:(] ).

The British East India Company first came to India in the mid 1700s to trade. But very soon the Battle of Plassey followed and they set up their own tax rules in Eastern India. Their next victory was the defeat of Tippu Sultan in South India, who was killed on the battlefield after a brave fight. This gave them control over the whole Deccan plateau region.

Almost a 100 years later in 1857, the Indians decided to fight back for the first time. But unfortunately the Sepoy Mutiny was thwarted by the British.

Moreover, the Sepoy Mutiny probably made the British realize that Hindus and Muslims were united in their struggle for freedom. So they launched their famous ‘Divide and Rule Policy’ and once again ensured that they had complete control in the country.

Fresh attempts were made in the late 1800s to free our nation which continued till we got independence. The Indian National Congress and the Home Rule League were formed. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bhagat Singh, Dadabhai Naoroji, Annie Besant, Ram Prasad Bismil, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and scores of other Indians were instrumental in making the almost impossible task happen.

It was a historic event when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was initiated into the freedom struggle. He was a strong believer of non-violence and truth and his Satyagraha movement, Civil Disobedience movement and the Dandi Salt March achieved their goals with no violence involved. It is easy to shoot and kill people, but to adamantly tolerate suffering silently can only be done by the bravest people is what he said, and very rightly so. And it compelled the British to sit up and take notice too.

Gandhi also tried to bring about social reforms in the country. He was strongly against the practice of untouchability and also believed in equality of the sexes and all religions. He included women in all his discourses and movements and condemned child marriage and sati.

The one thing that is said against Gandhi is that his mild nature resulted in the Partition of the country in 1947. After the Quit India Movement in 1942, the British finally conceded in 1947 to leave the country. The Muslim League, led by Mohhammad Ali Jinnah however, demanded a separate country for the Muslims and it was granted. Many blame Gandhi of being too lenient when talks for the creation of Pakistan were being held. Some people were so strongly against him for this reason that a young man Nathuram Godse went to the extent of assassinating him in 1948.

People still have diverse opinions on Gandhi. As for my own, I don’t think I know enough about him as yet to form an opinion.

Passing Thoughts

2007-09-11T16:09:00.000+05:30

Tuesday, September 11, 2007. My clock reads 3:47 pm. This one is definitely not an entertaining blog. I don’t even know why I’m writing it. Oh well, nobody reads my blog anyway! It’s been a week since college started. I was supposed to start studying today, having finally run out of reasons not to. Well actually I still have a cold and a slight head ache, but if that’s not stopping me from sitting in front of the computer, it’s definitely not stopping me from studying! Yup. This is when I stop kidding myself. Everyone says that it’s just these 4 years that we have to study and then we’ll be free. Hell, they’ve been saying this since the past 10 years! But this time, I’ve got to do it for myself. Aiyo I’m going to stop lecturing myself, I hear it from enough people to be hearing it from myself now!

One of my teachers said something interesting today. He said when we listen to a lecture, often we listen a little too much … as in, we just assume things that may not really be true. It’s like after a while, you stop listening to the teacher and start listening to your own brain! And based on these assumptions you feel you’ve completely understood the concept, that’s when we misunderstand things. Now if you weren’t listening in the first place, you wouldn’t have that problem would you?! Well, that was the only thing that I heard him say in the entire class. That’s because he was teaching basic stuff like ohm’s law and I’m too fed up to listen to it. I wonder if that’s being over-confident. But I just can’t help it. It was too boring.

But my attention span today was much better than the past couple of days. We had 2 classes of math, which generally doesn’t put me to sleep; 1 hour of physics which I quite like; and 1 hour of basic electrical engineering, BEE which was when my mind decided to go on holiday.

Well, its 4:09 pm now. 1 hour left for guitar class. I suppose I can still get something done. Depends on how many messages I’ve got.

Of love triangles and generation leaps

2007-07-25T15:33:00.000+05:30

Sounds like I’m writing about the ‘Queen of Soaps’ Ekta Kapoor doesn’t it? On the contrary this is actually about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the latest installment in the Harry Potter series. It’s not really a book review but a mention of the one thing that I disliked about the book. Watch out because it contains spoilers.

I must say that I’m a huge fan of the series and have longed to know the ending for a long time. Many theories that my friends and I came up with turned out to be true so it wasn’t as big a surprise as it should have been I suppose. For instance, we had predicted that Snape was in love with Lily Potter, Harry would be one of the horcruxes, the story would fast forward to 20 years later etc. But we dismissed these theories, especially the last one because we thought having grown up on a regular diet of Bollywood and glimpses of the omnipresent K-soaps had influenced our thinking. But imagine our surprise when we saw that the last chapter was actually called ‘Nineteen years later’ and spoke of all the principle characters being married with several children! It sounded straight out of an Ekta soap to me. I was honestly disappointed with the epilogue. I have, in a way grown up with the Potter books. I remember when I was in the tenth standard the fifth Potter book had released and the characters were preparing for their OWLS while very similarly, I too was preparing for my board exams. In many other ways as well, I identified with Harry, Ron and Hermione all through the books. Perhaps that is why I’m finding it hard to digest that suddenly they’re all 36 years old and responsible parents. I also find it weird that Harry’s children are named after his parents and mentors. Its common a thing to do in other parts of the world I suppose, but I can’t imagine calling your kids by your parents’ names. In particular, I found the name ‘Albus Severus Potter’ both hilarious and weird.

I would have preferred a comic ending, where we know about what vocation the characters take up and perhaps funny situations where Harry tries to ask Ginny’s parents for her hand and more silly squabbles between Ron and Hermione. I greatly missed Fred and George’s antics in the epilogue too. But seeing as she killed off Fred, that wasn’t even likely. At least we still had Ron to keep up the humor. Thank god JK didn’t decide to do away with him as well! He’s my favourite character in the book.

Now I have to say that I simply loved the rest of the book. It was a brilliant way of destroying Voldemort and think it is an excellent end to the tale. Way to go, JK!

One-Shot

2007-06-30T14:52:00.001+05:30

Greetings from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. If you’re wondering why I live here, it’s because I’m the Abominable Snowman. Quite harmless really. The reason I started blogging is because I have nothing to do except watch my finger-nails grow. And this is my blog page so I get to post whatever rubbish I feel like.

Right now I’m in one of the most important decision-making periods of my life. Future studies and college admissions. (Unfortunately, academic pressures don’t spare even mythical creatures.) And belonging to the species of very-dark skin type doesn’t provide me reservation benefits either. Oh well.

So while I ponder what my fate for the next four years will be, other things are going on in my life. A visit to the Lugsum Samdupling Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe prompted my mother to joke once more that I should have been a citizen of China. I, for some strange reason have very small eyes, quite like the Chinese. I’m not easily repelled by reptilian species (of course, I would NEVER think of them as my source of proteins) and I handled chop-sticks pretty well for a first-timer. Well, better than my parents at least.

The Buddhist Golden Temple there is simply spectacular and rightly named so. The walls are covered with strange paintings which are quite fascinating. I wish I knew their significance because there were some paintings that showed scenes of violence, which I found a little strange as Buddhism is known for peace and non-violence. I cannot say much about it though; my knowledge on the subject is quite poor. The three magnificent statues of Buddha are superb too. They were all Lord Buddha in different forms. I really wish I remembered what they were called. Damn.

Oh well, its time for lunch now. I suppose this is the vaguest blog ever written. If I find out anything more about the place and if I decide to blog again I guess I’ll post it!