My 1st Century ..!!

Yes!! I have reached my 100th post... achieved my 1st century in this blogging world! This blog has been my personal favorite space. I have mentioned anything and everything that matters in my life. Every single incident that I would like to cherish down the line, resides royally in my blog. I love this space of mine and enjoy every moment with it. It has seen me in my best and worst of moods and have bore my anxiety, fear, tear, smile, feelings, emotions and all that is mine! It took me almost 5 years to score a ton and at the end, I am here all happy and feeling like a winner. I have been able to successfully capture the most beautiful moments in my life in the form of my words. I cannot go back to that particular moment but I can surely go back to its memories through my blog. There are so many sweet-salty memories, many more dedications for some very special people, events happening in my life in a chronological manner and many abstract thoughts.. all beautifully portrayed in this blog.

Thanks once again, dear blog, for being such a powerful influence in my life!! Hope to make another century soon in this world of blogs :)

Home Sweet Home ..!!

Staying away from home is probably the toughest punishment for me and the irony is, I have been away from home from the past 6 years. 6 years!!! I remember the first time I was going out of home to a hostel in Bhubaneswar for some end-moments preparations, my Father was so damn upset! He's emotional but for the first time I saw him crying! Trust me, it's actually heart-shattering to see someone so near to your heart, crying. His heart knew then that now I am out... I will be out of home :( My Mother is a bit stronger as compared to my Father. She would not let her grief come to her face and expressions. My little Sister is more inclined to Papa when emotions are considered. Her red-moist eyes and shaking lips would say everything. But somewhere deep inside, I was wondering that they would soon be used to this. Life would go on. I was also expecting that they won't be sad again when I would be away somewhere pursuing my academic degrees. Time came and I joined my college. Four long years in hostel!! Again, my family came to leave me at my hostel. There I realized, nothing had changed. They were still the same. I still remember that day, I kept all my belongings in my room (which was my home for the next 4 years), met a few friends and then bent down to touch Papa's feet. The moment I stood up... there he was in tears! That was probably the first time I cried that badly. The world around me literally stopped. It was almost a depressing state for me. They all left with heavy hearts but I was left behind with a heavier heart! Time went on... made friends... met people... life was good, but somewhere it was empty. That emptiness would have been filled only if I would have been at home,with my dear ones... people who are mine... people who are always on my side, when the whole world stands on the opposite side! In college, I would always be waiting for the sessions to be over so that I can go home. That had a charm of its own! Again, the same old story would occur... would have fun there n again everyone would be sad when I would leave. But I would still say, things were much better.. since we were just a full-night-distance away.

After college, life became serious. I had to move to Bangalore to make one more move in my career. Leaving home then was different. My whole world was there and I was all alone. My heart still aches when I remember that moment. Papa was coming with me. Ma and Chinki were silent. No one was saying anything. Everyone lost in their own silence, own emotions.. trying not to show others. I could not meet my eyes with Chinki fearing that if I do so, she would break the boundary and would cry. Although I could already sense her teary-moist eyes, I dared not to see her. I just gave her a small-warm hug. While in auto-rickshaw, all I could see was Ma :( I knew, life would be tough without her being around. It was such a moment in my life, I would not like to face that ever again. My heart was crying out loudly but I was silent. I had to be silent for Papa was around.

I reached Bangalore, had the interviews and was done with the joining formalities and all. The next shattering moment was yet to be witnessed. Papa would be leaving. Those moments are still afresh in my mind when Papa was leaving me at Ness with Mitu Apa. He was crying so badly. I would have been lost if Lala Bhai and Bapi Bhai won't have been there. Papa called me when he was leaving for Odisha the next day, I could not talk to him only!

As always, life goes on! All good and bad that happens are a part of life. Now, reaching home is like a dream sometimes considering the work, career and everything but virtually, it's just a call away. I talk to all my family members almost everyday and with each passing day, the urge of going home increases! Even now also, when I go home, life seems all good...  there's fun in everything and happiness everywhere. While coming back, it feels as if, something is left behind... it's not the complete-Me that comes back! Here in Bangalore, cousins are there... many friends too... we meet time-to-time... have fun... cherish old days... have taken a house... stay on my own... but still homeless! Truly said, home is house where each wall and corner knows you, where you live with your loved ones! I surely have a house here but my home is far far away where my loved ones are!


A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams!!

For Zarjish ..!!

I don't know why and how I started writing this post but it came to me all of a sudden that I must do it. This is a very special post dedicated to someone special on his special day. A person who is there with me in all my odds and evens in life, who makes me happy when I am upset and makes me upset when I am happy, who can bear me in all my moods, listens to all my blabbers and makes me listen his stupid stories, with whom my mental frequency matches and before whom I vent out my heart, with whom the time just flies away and in the end we realize that we have not talked much... for others, he would be Zarjish or ZBB or anything they call him but I would consider that someone as "my best friend" in life. It's his birthday today and that's why this post is dedicated to him. I don't think, I would have got any better gift for him!  (Hope he likes it too ;))

How we got to know each other is a different story... but we got along really well due to the various similarities in our nature and interests! Literature and creativity is something which strengthened our bond of friendship. I really cherish the moments we spent together working for the literary events organized for the fests. That was the time when we talked a lot and such a personality he has.... one would never get bored talking to him. He won't let that awkwardness come to your way either. The same trick worked for me as well and I guess it was easy for him as I possess the same traits too! We would discuss quite a lot on topics ranging from books to movies to writings to music to actors to many more! And most of the time, we would conclude that our choices do match!

But, it's not about the similarities always.... there are n numbers of differences as well. The major difference lies in our perception! He would be angry at very stupid things (which I do laugh at sometimes) while I would be calm and composed most of the times. He never thinks before taking any decision, he immediately does what he wants (for which he has to repeat the same thing a number of times) but he won't pay any attention to what I say for his good only. He is not as great fan of SRK as I am (truly speaking, he just hates SRK) but he is the only actor about him this guy would talk a lot. Not only talk, he would watch all his movies and reality talks and would narrate the whole story before me! Now once started, there would be number of instances... so I believe I should not go that way as it's a never ending way ;) There are many reasons and situations where we easily go against each other and I won't have to think twice before saying that he acquires the topmost position in my hit-list of enemies!!! Such is our enmity that it reflects in our profession as well... am into software development while he is a tester (the main reason of our stupid quarrels) :P

Jokes apart, no matter how big an idiot and stupid he is, he is just sweet in his own ways! Once you know him, you would love to be touch with him forever. You would enjoy the talks, the chats, the fights as well. Such a charming person he is, you won't ever feel alone when he is around! I know I have earned a wonderful friend of lifetime... for he is there for me always! I guess, he is one of those very few people whom I can always count on! Thanks dear, for being so good to me.... for knowing me and still being my friend.... and for everything! I know, I may not be as good a friend as you are but you can always count on me whenever you want... and I promise, I would be there for you! That's all I can gift you on your birthday!

It's your birthday and I can't be there
But I'll send you a special birthday wish and a little prayer
Have a happy birthday
I hope that all of your birthday wishes come true
May you have a great time today and find happiness in everything you do. 

Happy Birthday!

 

Second Milestone ..!!

2 years back, life was different for me. I was in the last stages of my student life and initial stages of my professional life. There was a mix of fear, anxiety, excitement and astonishment in my emotions. Once in a while, one has to make some tough choices in life which changes quite a lot of things. For me, my life revolves around my family and leaving them was the toughest challenge before me. But I had to... to make a career, to make a stand for myself and to be stable enough to fulfill the long cherished dreams. The journey for this started and today I completed 2 years in my venture... 2 years in corporate!

These two years were crucial for me. Learning, unlearning, trying, testing, experimenting, researching, failing, losing and what not! Life's been hard and I hardly had any time for anything. But then, achieving something needs dedication. Every achievement has a story beneath it and I totally accept whatever it takes. The way may be distorted but the destination is clear and all that you gain is experience! Coming to experience, I believe I have earned it in every way... personally and professionally. I have better understanding of how the business is done. I can better interpret the tasks given. My technical knowledge has improved as well. I know how to deal with people in certain situations which I believe is utmost important. Personally, I have understood my limitations and obstructions and taken every chance to overcome those. With experience and knowledge, I have stepped up one more level in maturity. I now know how to handle tough situations and how to take major decisions. One particular thing I am very happy of is, I am very clear of my ambitions. I don't want to be just any other software professional... my dreams go much beyond that. They are tough... hard to achieve... but then dreams should be like that... as beautiful as ever!

My second year in corporate has been so fulfilling so far but it won't have been without proper support and inspiration! The greatest support I received was from my family. My Father, who always stands as an inspiration.. was always there to keep me going. My Mother was always there motivating me with her caring ways. They kept instilling in me the fact that, nothing comes easy and you don't actually live a life, if you have not struggled for it. My sweet little sister was always there with her sweet little ways of love and care which would take me out of all my problems and tensions. My cousins, whom I always look up to as my role-models.. were there to cheer me up when I am down, guide me when am lost, teach me when I am unaware and inspire me when I am gone. I really don't know if I could ever thank Lala Bhai for all that he's been for me. My journey would have been something else if he won't have been there for me. He's there in my every ups and downs, all good and bad phases... equally motivating me. With him, I am just what I am. He's a consistent guiding force for me... who always inspires me. His success story itself is an inspiration for all of us (particularly Me). I don't know if I could really get there but I am sure, if he's there with me... I won't be lost!

Besides family, there are some friends without whom my journey won't have been this enriching. To name a few.. Reshma, Amit, Anurag, Shiv, Apu, Ajit, Yuvraj, Zarjish, Rinku and many more. This professional journey won't have been a wonderful one without some really wonderful people around. A heart-felt thanks to Deb and Nivedita for helping me trust my potential. The next person whom I really look upon is Tapan. He's always been a consistent guide for me from whom I have always learned. With him around, confidence comes on its own. I can say these same words for another really wonderful person, Roopesh. It would not be fair if I don't thank Satya, Keerthi, Vivek, Rino, Siddharth and Sreemayee for being there. I know, sometimes I just eat up their brains and they are just so nice to bear me still. Work gets easy when such people are around. My technical knowledge has improved.. a major chunk of credit for this goes to Viv. I would always be thankful to Sneha for all her mentoring. She truly made me realize my potential and helped me in overcoming my difficulties. Besides, I would also like to thank Ganesan, Jitender, Neelima and Thejas. Work can never be interesting if fun is not around. All thanks to my "Mad Group" of Shirish, Ashish, Vipin, Mouli, Arathi, Jahnavi, Anjana and Sanjeev. Some more additions to this same group with Gopi, Venkat, Sandesh, Shridhar, Vij, Shruti, Shipra, Sunaina, Sarat, Lekhya, Shweta, Shobhit, Sambit, and Sarthak. A cheerful thanks to the Fun-Committee team (Kamesh, Ashish, Punit, Neha, Jitendra, Shobhit, Vivek) for keeping the spirits on and making the work-place a lively one! A last thanks to God for giving me every strength to move on and blessing me with such a wonderful time of life with wonderful people.

The only thing coming to my mind is, "I know I have promises to keep... And miles to go before I sleep"!


People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing..!!

A Special Visit To Home ..!!

Even if it's been a long time that I am out of my home yet I eagerly keep waiting for the day when I can go home. The charm it has cannot be matched with anything else in the world. I planned for a 15 days vacation from 1st of July till 15th of July. Though it was the time of Rath Yatra but my sole purpose of visiting home was different. It was the 25th marriage anniversary of my parents. A very special day for Me n Chuku indeed! Also, it was God's will that I got a chance to go during the Rath Yatra... a bonus for my journey!

I reached the day before the Rath Yatra. My holiday began with a get-together at my aunty's place. It was nice to see all my aunties, uncles and cousins after a long time. I also made a short tour to Puri for the festival and had a wonderful 'darshan'. Meeting friends and relatives is always a pleasure. Had a great time with Reshma and Shiv. Met Pramod and Chinmay too. You always feel blessed when you see your old friends with you even if you did not say a word to each other in the past years!

And finally, the D day arrived. Everything was planned earlier only. Half of my relatives already knew that I would come to Odisha for the celebration. Only official invitation was left! I invited all those whom i really wanted to be there. I was also glad of the fact that I could get some gifts for them on behalf of both Me n Chinki :) We had a wonderful lunch and a memorable get-together. It's nice to have such "all within the family" occasions. It feels great! Even though, I could not implement what all Chuku planned... yet it was all better!

It's always great to cherish the time spent with family and when it comes to some celebration for parents, it's precious. My trip to home was a success.. we could do a bit of what we wanted. Our parents were happy. We being the reason of their happiness, made us happier! May God bless them with all that they desire and fill their lives with peace, content and happiness! Amen!

Dear Bapa & Ma,

We just want to let you know that we love you very much! Whatever we have done or whosoever we are now, it's all because of you. We promise to carry your values to whatever height we may go and that we won't ever let you down. We would try our best for not being the reason of your unhappiness. Bless us so that we can always move ahead and fulfill all your dreams and please be with us, always! 

Loads of Love!

Yours Ever,
Tinku & Chinki

Happy 25th Anniversary!!