Most Awaited Day ..!!

This post is the most awaited one for my blog readers but I would like to dedicate this to my sister... thereby wishing her a very very happy married life, forever..!!


17th February, I left from Bangalore with Lala Bhai, so that we can reach Rourkela on 18th so as to attend the marriage of a very special person in my life... my sister... Putul Apa ..!! Introducing her a bit, she is more than a friend for me and we have shared many wonderful moments together... let it be partying at Brahmani Club/Madhuban/Penguin/Lee Garden or window-shopping at Indera/Nayak Plaza... playing ludo at night during vacations or enjoying at the beach... preparing Maggi at home or having Pizza at the Pizza Hut... all those moments are treasured in our hearts forever. She has always been a great company and I always look forward to be with her. Finally she was getting married..!! I was really very happy for her.


The marriage was done with great pomp and show. She looked great in her bridal attire and Jiju, really smart..!! While she was busy with the rituals, I was having a great time with other cousins of mine... laughing and shouting. I went to the marriage pandal to open the wedding lock (as a part of our customs in marriage) and in return got a nice gift from Jiju. Thanks Jiju... I really liked that..!! The ceremony was finally over and it was time for her to leave for her new home. That, I swear, is the most pathetic moment in every girl's life. Everyone cried and she left us... start her new life. Hey Neets, hope you have all wonderful things coming your way... enjoy life... don't change yourself... and be the same Putul Apa, always. Love you a lot..!!


When you have nothing left but love, then only you can realize that Love is Enough..!!

Inspirations Everywhere ..!!

Who's your inspiration/role model ..?? This may be a very common question having a number of possible answers, yet this proves to be an important one ultimately. The one asking the question can actually form an impression about the person he asked this question, based on his role model only. So many a times, people (mostly students) are found citing the big names as their role model. Now the question is, "Are they really being inspired by them ?" Some answers may be "yes"... some may be "no", while the rest might be still thinking..!! Well, I am not the one to judge or prove here anything, but giving my views personally, I don't think, I am being inspired by such big names. This may shock some but that's the truth. I find my inspirations in and around me, so why to go that far. I don't deny that, I actually respect some great personalities like Dr. Kiran Bedi, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam and many more living legends. I like the way they have made a name of their own... I like the way they pose themselves, calm and composed... I like the way they represent themselves, so down to earth and humble... yet, the lessons which I require to sustain myself... the inspiration which I need to frame myself in this age is not drawn from these eminent personalities. It comes from the people with whom I live daily... my parents, my family, teachers, elders, co-workers and friends ..!! These are the people whom I can always count as and when I need. These are the people whom I can immediately follow, when in trouble. So, how can I think of others (unknown to me) as my inspirations, while they are always with me ..!!

I wonder, how my life would have been if my parents would not have taught me to be responsible, caring, tolerant and practical. Things would have gone out of my control and I would have been in a half-devastating state ..!! I wonder, how my life would have been if my family (my cousins, especially) would not have demonstrated the power of being together and love and care for each other. I would have found myself lost somewhere ..!! I wonder, how my life would have been if my teachers won't have taught me the essence of studying. I might had a life as dark as night ..!! I wonder, how my life would have been if my friends won't have introduced me to the real world and instilled in me the confidence to face it. I would have felt myself left out in every field ..!! How important these people are in my life ..!!

Leave alone them, I have learnt a lot from the nature around me. The vast blue sky has taught me to move up in life, yet always be down-to-earth. The flying birds have taught me to keep moving in life, though halt somewhere but not to quit. The huge mountain has taught me to be determined in all that I do. The chain of ants have taught me to work harder and harder with the hope that the future will be comfortable. The blooming flower has taught me to be selfless and helpful. The waves of the ocean has taught me to keep moving always, you never know you might make a troubled heart, cheered up. The flowing river has taught me to find my own way conquering all the obstacles on the way. Ohh.... there is so much to learn ...!!! If all these wisdom are available in the surroundings only... then why not, stop here, accept them and return them a promise as a token of gratitude... a promise of "not letting them down ever"..!!

Coins always make so much sound but the currency notes are always silent. So when the value increases, keep yourself calm and silent ..!!

Thanks For The Memories ..!!

Last night was quite painful. I could not sleep a bit even. Though I went to bed at around 12:30 AM but I found myself struggling with my i-pod in the next 15-20 minutes. Loads of thoughts passed in my mind. Past memories had a flash back. Then I wondered, how different the way of life is..!! People will come into your life... they will make you laugh and cry... they would give you the real taste of life... and finally, when you will have an attachment with them, when you think them as your world, when they mean a lot to you than anyone else... at that point, they will move away from your life... leaving you on your own for the rest of the life. This way, though sad, is indeed true.

I could not realise the importance of people around me while being at school because that was a different period of time and we had our own ways... the 'emotional bonding' term was not in the picture then. But as we moved forward in the life, got to know the importance of various bondings, got to know the importance of people around us... our concepts changed. We started pushing our wishes to sideways and gave value to the wishes of our loved ones. We start loving them so much that we don't keep a little amount of love and care for ourselves. We know very well that we are going to depart from each other some day, yet we don't agree to the fact. And in the end, we find ourselves with broken hearts, all alone, all depressed..!! All these feelings became quite heavy on me last night and the whole night I was lost in remembering the way some special persons came and changed my life and while leaving them, how my life has changed again..!!

To begin with, the very first person entering into my life was Reshma... my dearest friend, who knows me quite well, even more than myself and whom I trust more than anyone else. She was always there with me in all good and bad times, even if not openly but atleast mutually (as per the situation). My life had a great turning point due to her only and I am really blessed to have a friend like her. While leaving college, though I cried like anything while departing from her, yet I have got her for lifetime. Reshma, thanks for all the love, care, affection, support, advises. You are a real strength of mine and I swear myself to be your friend till the last breath of my life..!!

While I was starting a new life at college, my most beloved senior Linu Didi left the college... that was the first blow I received. She has a been a good company and a great source of inspiration always. I am proud to say that, I was the first junior (from my batch) in the college to become so close to her. That has been my pleasure entirely. She taught me the way of leading a life in college and thank God, I still have her support as and when I need. I remember how we used to dance on the terrace in the moonlight, how we used to talk in the college lawns (blessed days). Thanks Di, for all your care and concern. Wish to have you in my life forever..!!

As my days advanced, my friendship with Amit bloomed. I always wanted to be his friend but I never knew that our friendship would be so special. I remember, he is the guy whom I can always count on in my bad times. I have bothered him a lot with my problems but he was always there, as usual cool and patient. He has solved my problems many a times, which I am sure, noone could have done. I am glad to have a friend like him. I won't ever forget the chat we used to have... starting from A to Z. The day before leaving the college, while he was there to meet me, I don't know how I controlled myself. I had a sudden feeling that, whom shall I look upon for any advice or suggestions..?? I am happy that he is still with me, as always. Thanks Amit, you are really cool..!!

In the meantime, Anurag came into my life. What to say about him?? He is actually a cartoon and a true friend forever. He is the first person to realise the special bond which Pragyan-Suprangya (Su-Pragyan, for him) share and I am really glad about it. I remember, he used to be a perfect sink for me (reciprocal too). Whatever I used to say, he used to give a good ear. I can't really forget the time, when Me n Reshma talked with him for nearly 2 hours and that too over phone, trying to take him out of confusion ;-) All the same, he's a great friend and I really liked the way he gave us a warm and touchy farewell, all special in its way. Thanks Anurag, for all that you did and particularly for that farewell..!!

Forgetting not, one important person whom I met in my lifetime at college was Sitesh Bhai. He may not be a very familiar name for many people in the college but he was a person I look with much admiration. Linu Didi was instrumental in introducing us and I am glad she did that. I got a brother for lifetime. I could never forget the way he took my care while I was admitted in hospital. He actually took the place of my elder brother there. I still remember, how he spent the entire night without sleeping..!! He really made me cry that day. Whatever he may be for anyone but for me, he would always be my brother. Thanks Sitesh Bhai for all your love and care. I really miss those now..!!

Time took me to another phase where I got a really sweet brother... Pragyan..!! This 'all-time-singing' chap was instrumental in healing all my tensions and depressions. His voice has some kind of miracle which always worked. I never had any younger brother but he came into my life as one. I had spent really good times with him, let it be over chatting or in his music sessions or his birthday celebrations or parties..!! Each of those moments have left me with loads of memories, I could cherish ever. Forgetting not the last moment, I could see his eyes full of tears, while bidding me farewell. Though I somehow controlled myself, but I was quite pained at heart. I could still feel the tremble he had while shaking hands with me for the last time. Oh God, how I miss those beautiful moments. While writing this also, I can feel my eyes being wet. Thanks dear, for all your wonderful memories and comic punches :)

Riyaz aka 'Vroom' and Shiv aka 'Babu' are the two persons whom I always give the same level of importance in my life. Both are cool in their ways and were pivotal in making our college days enjoyable. Had there not been Vroom, singing always seeing the mountains and clouds, classes would have been quite monotonous. Had there not been Babu, I guess, we would have been dumb in the class..!! I remember, how we (Me and Lisha) used to ask Babu various questions and used to tease him. Even Reshma was there with me while teasing Babu with 24 and Vroom with his 'Sapno ki Rani'. It was always a fun being with these two or chatting with these two. Babu, hope you don't forget our chat punches..... 'Hi'...'Hi', 'Ki haal hai?'...'Badhiya, apna batao'... 'Apna bhi sab thik' ..!! And Vroom, don't you forget that, I only gave you this name... 'Vroom-vrooom-vrrrrooooom'..!! Really miss you guys, thanks for all those cherishing moments..!!

Rakesh aka 'Raks' and Vikram aka 'Vicky', two of my very good friends, both half-mad, yet I always look forward for their company. I have some very nice moments with these idiots. I still remember, both of you, how you made fun of me... while going to Vizag..!! I was planning not to forgive you two, then I realised, I won't ever get such cartoon pieces ever in my life. I have plenty of moments with you two... but I particularly like the chat sessions over net and phone and yesss... our campus trips..!! You guys are really great... as friends ;)

Nivedita and Rajni are the two sweet kids, I would like to have forever with me. They were my tension healers. I used to count on them, when I am sad. They really made me laugh like anything. I miss their funny behaviour and cute smile :( I still remember the last night, I had with Rajni... found her sensible for the first time, I made her cry..!! Next morning while she was leaving, I was there to see her off but I literally could not made my eyes meet hers. There was Amit with her... another blow for me. Miss you, smiley... keep smiling always..!! Nivedita was a real fun. Always tensed over silly matters which used to make me laugh. Had tons of memories, let it be birthdays or parties or phone calls. These were the kids, who were actually worried over my love life... and all the same, quite dear to me forever..!!

Zarjish, another junior-cum-friend from my college, is one whom I would like to have as a friend for life-time. I was actually late in meeting him, but he has become quite a good friend of mine. I had very nice chat sessions with him. Working with him was also a fun. I remember, how I used to make him work while working together (advantage of being senior :)) and he was there with a 'yes-to-everything' attitude. Even his eyes were blurred with water, while bidding me farewell but I am glad to have him as a good friend forever. I have many unforgettable moments with him, which I would like to have with me always. Thanks for all your help and concern..!!

The last person I would like to mention here is Aditya aka 'Aadi'. I actually have spent quite a few but quality time with him and he has always been special in one way or other..!! Each moment we had together has left me with loads and loads of memories which I would like to cherish forever... till the end of my life..!! Starting from knowing him to being his friend to departing from him... was like a dream. Some of the special moments with him were mid-night calls during exam seasons, which used to keep me afrain from sleep. He has been a real booster of mine, always there inspiring me to move on. I have bothered him quite a lot but he was there as usual... calm and composed. His support was a pillar for me during exams and projects. I have always liked his confidence and his beliefs. Another special moment I had with him was the last time I talked with him over phone in the college, the day before I was leaving..!! Those moments are still afresh in my mind and will be with me forever. I wish, I had some way of going back to my past..!! Thanks Aadi, for being there for me always and for all those wonderful memories I treasure in my heart..!!

This blog (which became quite long by chance ;)), which came out of my last night's sleep-deprived experience and directly from heart, is in tribute to all my dearest friends. Thanks a lot for making my life worthwhile, thanks for sharing your friendship with me and thanks for all those sweet-salty memories I have with me. You guys will always remain special for me... no matter, wherever I go..!!


Some people come into your life to teach you how to live alone without them..!!

The Nation Sings ..!!

26th January, 1950 saw a change in India. India emerged as a Republic Country, its constitution was framed and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of India. Hence onwards, this red-lettered day is celebrated every year on the 26th day of January as the Republic Day of India.

As a kid, I have known this day as one on which the national flag "Tirangaa" is hoisted... sweets are distributed and patriotic movies are telecasted on television. But as the mind matured, I started learning the deepend thoughts behind these celebrations. One thing that could not change is the effect of the patriotic songs telecasted before... Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, being one of them. This legendary video was telecasted for the first time in Doordarshan (India's number 1 channel then) on 15th of August in the year 1988. It has some kind of mesmerized effect which lasts till date. It fills one's mind with the sense of oneness and makes one feel proud for being a part of the great culture of a great Nation. The song featuring the wide diversity and mixed cultures of India is composed of 14 languages namely- Hindi, Odia, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam and Urdu. Then finally it ends by fading into the final notes of the Indian National Anthem. The video consists of various famous personalities of India from various fields like movies, sports, art, culture, etc. Some of the notable faces in the legendary anthem are of Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty,Tanvir Ashai, Kamal Hasan, K.R.Vijaya, Revathi, Jeetendra, Waheeda Rehman, Hema Malini, Tanuja, Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi, Deepa Sahi, Om Puri, Dina Pathak, Meenakshi Seshadri (Actors: Film and T.V.) Mallika Sarabhai (Dancer), Mario Miranda (Cartoonist), Mrinal Sen (Filmmaker), Sunil Gangopadhyay, Annadashankar Ray (Authors) Bhimsen Joshi, M Balamuralikrishna, Lata Mangeshkar, Suchitra Mitra (Singers) Narendra Hirwani, S Venkataraghavan, Prakash Padukone, Ramanathan Krishnan, Arun Lal, PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Syed Kirmani, Leslie Claudius, Gurbux Singh (Sportsmen),etc.

The song was re-recorded and telecasted again on January 26, 2010. The lyrics were same but the order of the appearance of languages changed. The song features Indian musicians, singers, sportspersons and film personalities from the current generation. The current version (little over 16 minutes) runs longer than the older version (little over 5 minutes) and has been directed by Kailash Surendranath who had directed the original Mile Sur Mera Tumhara as well. The new version also retains music composer/arranger Louis Banks who had co-composed/arranged the original Mile Sur Mera Tumhara as well. Though some eminent personalities like Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam and Sachin Tendulkar are missing in this version, yet this is also loaded with stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, A R Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Prasenjit Chatterjee, Baichung Bhutia, Mahesh Babu, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Shaan, Bhupen Hazarika, Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Dr. L Subramaniam, Anoushka Shankar, Mammootty, Shivkumar Sharma, Rahul Sharma (musician), Gurdas Mann, Juhi Chawla, Ustad Zakir Hussain (musician), Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram, Vikram, Surya, Abhinav Bindra, Sudarshan Patnaik, Shilpa Shetty, Abhinav Bindra, Vijender Singh, Sushil Kumar, Karan Johar, K J Yesudas, Shiamak Davar, Shobana Chandrakumar, Shreya Ghosal, Rohit Bal, Priyanka Chopra, Louis Banks, Rituparna Sen Gupta, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan, Ayaan Ali Khan and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Although the new version came into being, yet it could not deteriorate the effect the originl score had. But I would say, it's a very good attempt indeed. Though I spent the whole day watching the premieres of the new one, yet it could not energize me the way the previous one had. But all the same, the whole idea is conveyed... our nation is one, despite all its lacunae and differences... we stand united, despite all the conflicts and barriers... singing the anthem "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.... Toh Sur Bane Hamara"..!!

A Brief Intro ..!!

Many a times, I keep mentioning about my friends at Ness which has confused quite a good number of readers now. So I thought, I would write a few lines about each so as to increase the readability of my users :-) Now, thinking this is quite easier than its implementation... because here also I have got a big group..!! Let me start with those, with whom I work under the same ceiling in the same floor... have my breakfast, lunch and snacks even. Now, there's one more challenge before me, about whom to write first and then next... because all three are equally good, though different in nature and ways. To resolve this conflict, I thought of beginning alphabetically (easy way of sorting indeed) :-)

ASHISH :- I saw this kind of person for the first time in my life. Very talented... but doesn't look one (he he..). Always hates coming in the forefront, yet his behaviour is not that easy to be hidden from others. A good player... a lover of cricket... a great drinker of tea. Has the ability to take 3-4 cups of tea in a break of just 5 mins... though we restrict it for 2 only. A very helpful guy with a lot of ambitions. He has also the capability to reach the height of his ambitions and I am sure, he will make it someday..!! One who get to knows him more can never ever keep himself/herself refrain from his friendship. I tease him a lot.. but he has always been good. I would like to treasure a friend forever..!!

SHIRISH :- Another sample here :-) A very good friend of mine since the training days. I really admire his sense of humor... it's just so perfect..!! He can give comic punches in such a serious way that the other party couldn't help laughing. A silent worker. A hardworking and intelligent guy, whom I really admire. Quite helpful in nature and surely deserves good things in life, always. Enough of good points... now the thing which I don't like about him is... he always escapes to his home during holidays ;-) Jokes apart, this guy is really nice and a good friend indeed..!!

VIPIN :- The one mentioned before is no doubt good humored but God must also be having a fun time while creating this creature. Quite funny... always lost in his world... forgets everything. Can speak songs (one of the best talents he has got... God gifted:-)). Cool attitude but gets serious sometimes, while working especially. Intelligent, helpful and hard working enough. Dumps me daily at my place (he he..). Half mad.. but this kind of friends are also necessary in life..!! Can irritate you easily by his philosophies :-) A great company to be with.. though has a little brain but a good energy. Always active and a bit ambitious even. This post, I guess, is special for him as it's his birthday today. Happy Birthday, Vipin..!!