tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40571709632978790322024-02-08T12:08:12.090+00:00NDKWelcome to my blog, which is all about awareness and learning. Learning is a continuous process across all areas of life.. physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The best way to learn is from our own experiences and sharing those with others.. and make this world a better place.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-43158913917898926002017-07-16T13:57:00.003+01:002017-07-16T13:57:52.796+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">July 16 - Sunday morning.. best
time to be up, think, pray, make resolutions..and reflect on what we want to
be.. peaceful, compassionate, loving, happy, striving for excellence. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">If these
are indeed our goals then our thoughts need to always be in alignment with what
we want. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">However many of us do exactly the opposite.. we keep reading things in
media first thing in the morning, get influenced by polarising and divisive
vested interests, take sides and then the rest of the day spend debating with
anyone and everyone and especially with our friends on what is right and what
is wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">We feel these are victories when our point is strongly made.. however
exactly the opposite happens, we alienate our friends, we keep fighting on a
platform created not by us, but by divisive forces, who have an agenda in
bringing news which divide people and keep them blind from what they really
want in life. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I decided earlier this year, to break this pattern.. which
creates emotional upheaval. To not enter into a single debate with anyone in
life on whatsapp or facebook. Yes I still have an opinion, but I have no interest in anyone accepting
it. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Cause my only interest is universal happiness.. that everyone in this world
has better health, better thoughts, has prosperity, that the Supreme being
protects everyone and provides happiness. And therefore sangat is important..
Spend time with like minded people, read a book written by a great soul, watch
beautiful positive thought videos.. and only spread message of peace, joy and
force. To always understand that we are all atmas connected with each other and
the paramatma. Only if every moment in life is positive, then the entire life will be beautiful. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-28690801412757860692015-01-19T18:11:00.001+00:002015-01-19T18:11:47.313+00:00Excerpts from Insights into the Bhagavad Gita<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When one wants to overcome life's challenges, one would need to be able to see life in a different perspective. This is my endevour to devote sometime daily in reading, assimilating, introspecting and actioning some of the insights shared by Vimala Thakar from her lectures on the Bhagvad Gita. And I hope those who ever read it also share that thirst for knowledge, to go beyond the mundane, to seek the higher truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There is nothing in life to be discarded, there is nothing to be rejected and nothing to be acquired. There is everything to be seen, understood, related to and everything to enjoy in the movement of living."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bhagvad Gita came after the Vedas, the Upanishads and the 6 Systems of Indian Philosophy: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samkhya" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" title="Samkhya">Samkhya</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, the enumeration school</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. </span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Yoga" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Raja Yoga">Yoga</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, the school of Patanjali (which provisionally asserts the metaphysics of Samkhya)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyaya" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Nyaya">Nyaya</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, the school of logic</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisheshika" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Vaisheshika">Vaisheshika</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, the atomist school</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white;">5. </span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purva_Mimamsa" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Purva Mimamsa">Purva Mimamsa</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">(or simply Mimamsa), the tradition of Vedic exegesis, with emphasis on Vedic ritual,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="background-color: white;">6. </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedanta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Vedanta">Vedanta</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">(also called Uttara Mimamsa), the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishad" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Upanishad">Upanishadic</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">tradition, with emphasis on Vedic philosophy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yukta - to connect, to unite. It has a nuance of reunion of that which was separated by an illusion. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yoga itself has 4 different paths - Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga and Sankhya Yoga are also described, however it needs to be noted that Hatha Yoga is part of the 8 step Raja Yoga which includes Asanas. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All these paths are meant to enable a person to arrive at the inner essence of Yoga, reunion with reality, with absolute truth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The purpose of the Gita, the epitome of Vedic Philosophy, is to enable a person to get acquainted with the outer and appreciate the inner, to create the awareness of the necessity of growing into the state of yoga, the state of consciousness of yoga. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next will be Chapter 1 - The Despondency of Arjuna. </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-18237857660342177272014-06-30T06:47:00.002+01:002014-06-30T06:57:25.978+01:0029th June 2014 Letter to PM on Education<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Shri Modiji,<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Swami Vivekananda once said, the primary purpose of
education is 'building character'. However what we see today in schools and
even higher education, is a senseless 'rote' learning, with no space for
creativity or application. If we want Bharat of the future vastly different
from what we see today, then young children need to be provided a different
perspective on their own self, life and its purpose. Example, the 4th Std
students are taught History of Shivaji and then in the exam are asked which
year a specific event happened. That is testing memory not what the child has
learnt from this Great Maratha Warrior. Instead why not take them to see a fort
and explain how he fought the invading Mughal armies or ask to write a thought
paper on how Shivaji would have changed today's Bharat based on which of his key principles. The moment application
of thought and learning gains precedence, our universities would start their march into global
top 100.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-88497684503612929082014-06-27T04:46:00.000+01:002014-06-27T04:46:16.749+01:00Salute <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I salute a person every day. And its not Modi. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Let me go back to an
incident last year. The new security person in my office building one day stopped
me from entering the building as I was not carrying my I-card on my way back
from a run on Infy ground. Many of us would feel offended .. our ego doesn’t allow
us to be ordered by people we perceive as ‘lowly’ than us. I however smiled and
apologized and said it wont happen again as I am myself a stickler for rules
and regulations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From the next day he started smiling back. And one day I
stopped to speak to him and he turned out to be an ex Army jawan from Rashtriya
Rifles who has spent more than a decade fighting insurgents in our border areas.
From that day, whenever I see him at our reception, I salute him. This guy
genuinely deserves my respect more than even most of the people up the hierarchy.
And it makes me think, someone who serves us deserves more respect cause they
make our life much more easier at such a meagre pay. So next time don’t forget
to say a simple thank-you to the person who cleans your table at a restaurant
or the guard at your apartment who opens the gate for your car. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-71876182807359421772014-06-23T14:55:00.005+01:002014-06-23T14:56:57.946+01:00Security Concerns - Letter to PM on 18th June 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Dear Shri Modiji, The increasing crimes against
the vulnerable (Women, Children, Mentally challenged, Sr Citizens) in most
cities and even villages is indeed appalling. I read about Shri Rajnath Singh
wanting to expedite the Nirbhaya project. It will be indeed good to have the
necessary infrastructure and sensitivity of the police force and allied
emergency services to react within minutes of a crime or possibility of crime.
However prevention is better than cure. It reminds me of Ex-Police Commissioner
of Mumbai Mr Julio Rodrigues interaction with my late father in 1980s, that
Mumbai is safe cause the Mumbai police know each and every goon in a locality
and have a vast informer network. Today over the last 2 decades, the crime
graph has gone up as police force have become another revenue generating
department for their political masters. When you get promotions and other
benefits by meeting ‘revenue’ targets especially in collaboration with local
criminals, why would a policeman work hard to instill confidence in law-abiding
citizens and fear in criminals. GOI needs to take measures to see that the
police force is effective in preventing crime and people regain their trust in
the police force. The increasing police patrols and police-public interaction
itself will, in my humble opinion, reduce the crime rate by half. Jai Hind. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-57069005751742437282014-06-14T04:40:00.001+01:002014-06-14T04:41:07.710+01:00Letter to PM on 14th June 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Sir, </div>
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This is with reference to road safety.
After we all lost a senior leader Mr Munde, there needs be a realisation that
Indian roads are a death trap, where accidents are waiting to happen. After
living in UK, I can clearly see where we are lacking and I propose following
solutions: 1. Getting an Indian license is child's play, one goes through a
driving school which bribes the RTO and everyone clears the exam. Make it
stricter with theory and practical exams. Everyone holding a license needs to
reappear and clear this exam. 2. Speed cameras to capture speeding cars
especially in the cities and heavy fines and repeat offences losing license. 3.
Equip police cars with number plate scanners to find rogue drivers driving
without insurance. </div>
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Rgds.. Nandan<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-1564413659870185362013-03-14T08:08:00.000+00:002013-03-14T08:15:50.360+00:00Machinations of Mancini<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find it incredulous that it is the 'machinations of Mancini' that the 2 Italian marines are not returning to India to face trial for killing 2 Indian fishermen. If they had to abscond they would have done it the first time they went home for Christmas in Dec.. but we tend to forget that what changed later was the news of the AgustaWestland chooper scam. Now seemingly to divert the attention of the public and the main opposition, they are sent to Italy to vote (come on give me a break anyone having lived in Europe knows any citizen, leave aside on duty soldiers, can vote through postal ballot), then the drama of not returning and then our usually reticent PM uncharacteristically uses strong language of facing consequences. Am surprised when it comes to Pakistan killing 1000s of innocent citizens through bomb blasts or beheading Indian soldiers.. I never heard him or any GoI official saying 'you will face the consequences of your actions'. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-28505739971759114932013-03-13T18:14:00.000+00:002015-01-19T18:13:13.204+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Patanjali's yoga sutras speak of yama and niyama as part of the 8 fold path.. yama refers to the five abstentions: how we relate to the external world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First and foremost ahimsa (non-violence), but what you see on the road, people driving rashly causing accidents and killing innocent lives 200K per year, much more than the 100s of terrorist attacks executed from our friendly neighbourhood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2nd - Satya (truth) its only remained in Satyameva Jayate.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3rd Asteya or non-stealing, well in 2012 India was ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index and every 3-6 months has seen scams of humongous proportions, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4th - Brahmacharya or abstinence, Delhi is considered the rape capital of the world.. and as per GoI, a woman is now raped in India every 20 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5th Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).. our politicians are the epitome of how they can possess others property/ land. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So though India gave Yoga to the world.. unfortunately the country of its origin is seeing quite the opposite .. leading to depravity in day to day life and worst we are getting used to it. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-1257623345066407722012-01-02T09:05:00.000+00:002012-01-02T09:05:26.395+00:00New year .. new thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Been a long while since I wrote on my blog.. shows how 2011 has been for me.. a blur. A challenging year with its ups and downs (unfortunately more of those). But everything has a purpose and am a firm believer that every challenge sows a seed for something better in the future. And when I look at some of the worst things which have happened in this world.. the Japan earthquake where people have lost everything and most importantly their families.. then all my trials and tribulations seem so trivial. Great tragedies are indeed humbling for those who experience first hand. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today I am not writing of the past though, as its a new year and a new start. Sitting at my desk to set new goals, new resolutions and a framework for a transformed life. Nearing 40 indeed makes you sit up and take stock of ones life and what you want to achieve or rather see yourself doing for the next half. But as I sat down at 7 am at my desk.. I suddenly heard a bird cooing in my backyard. And on a spur of the moment, dropped everything and went for a walk. It was wonderful to hear the birds chirping away in the trees.. today being a bank holiday in UK, there was no one on the roads, except me and the birds up in the trees.. they were as if welcoming the morning and me to a wonderful experience. How many years since I did that. Looking forward to doing this much more often in 2012. Breaking away from mundane.. and just living. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This brings me to the topic of personal transformation, a way to look at oneself, understand what one is best at and then decide the future course of action.. this is something which schools must teach students early in life but seldom do. Thats another topic though. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For a transformation to happen, there needs to be a framework. A framework which shows us what is most important in our lives to achieve and whether on every single day, are we working towards those goals which we set out. We have many concepts here - Goals, objectives, resolutions, vision, mission, priorities, etc. How are they interrelated. This is my endeavor to work out such a framework and having read many articles, I failed to get one which could be my blueprint. So sat down to evolve one for myself and readers of this blog are more than welcome to provide their thoughts and more importantly experiences. No gyan please.. we are not preachers, but friends who are open to share their experiences for a common good. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Organisations do come up with mission and vision statements and I feel it applies to individuals too. The first step of the framework is therefore to create this personal mission statement.. writing down maybe in a day or over a week, what is the core purpose of life. This in marathi is called Jeevanacha uddesh and to realise it is - shakshatkar. For example Sachin Tendulkar realised it quite early in his childhood that his purpose was to play cricket for India.. or Amir Khan to make meaningful cinema. When this purpose is very clear, such an enlightened individual is not after records or awards (you never see Amir at award ceremonies) or position in life. The only desire is to fulfill the mission in life. Every activity before it is undertaken is then questioned whether it is in line with this mission or a waste of time. But the personal mission needs to touch every 5 aspects of life.. physical (fitness), mental (career), heart (relationships - family and friends), spiritual (being one with God) and societal (ones contribution to immediate neighbourhood/ society). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next comes the visioning part which defines the future state.. and for this one must be able to sit alone, away from daily busyness of life. Best time is early morning.. what in India is called the 1st prahar or 3.30 to 6.30 in the morning. This was shown very nicely in the movie Iqbal, where the deaf and mute boy dreams of playing for India.. he goes in his small hut, which has only photos of his heroes and closes his eyes and visualises bowling in front of the crowds. One thing which is very important to note here is.. this visualisation is of what one would love to do.. its not about what one would like to become. Theres a big difference. Many people keep thinking of becoming VP, CEO, Director or getting a specific salary or making x amount of money and bank balance. But such an endeavor is self-defeating as it leads to comparison with those who seem to be achieving these standards. This path is not the path of excellence.. the path which I am describing here is more of passion. To envision a life full of passion and doing something which creates joy.. another movie 'Zindagi Na milegi dubara' as well as 'Rock On' - singing and playing music in front of a mad screaming crowd. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To define a future state, one indeed needs to start at the present state of affairs.. example ones own skillset and what it should be in the future state. This provides one an opportunity to do gap analysis and forces one to think of what needs to be done to bridge that gap. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The 3rd step is to then decide on goals in life.. 10 things which you would love to accomplish before you die. Dasvedaniya.. These can be 5 year, 2 year or yearly goals. Example would be to run a 10 K in 50 min in 2012. Great the yearly goal in one aspect of life - physical fitness is now decided. It can now be broken up into short term objectives to make them tangible. Jan objective is to be able to run continuously for 15 min or run a mile in 10 mins and so on. This is the planning bit and being able to almost draw out a plan in excel or projects.. to achieve the ultimate goal in each aspect of life. You may ask, how can we plan when it comes to relationships - family and friends. The way I like to think is.. envisioning what my kid should be 5 years down the line.. in specific area/ domain.. lets say a sport - she reaches level 10 in swimming by 2017. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next comes the weekly priorities and schedule. Taking the above example of my kid achieving excellence in her chosen field, I would need to be there with her when she is doing that.. and I mean completely. That needs to sit in my weekly schedule - on a Saturday and Sunday morning. Or if its to run the marathon.. 1 hour of running 4 times in the week. But during this time with the family or oneself.. one needs to be 'present'.. that is literally being in the 'present', being and experiencing completely. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But what about resolutions.. where do they sit. This brings me to 7 Habits.. Resolutions are behavioral changes one wants to see in oneself, which will drive change and achieve this years and lifetime goals, fulfill ones mission in life and realise that grand vision. Resolution starts with the statement.. I resolve to .. this is a promise to oneself to make that change. If we keep doing things in the same way as last year.. we will see the same results. But for a transformation to happen, one needs to resolve to do a particular activity in a different way. Sometimes a resolution may not achieve any stated goal.. example 'I resolve to spend most of my evenings playing with my kids' or 'I resolve to pray with devotion morning and evening'. But such resolutions indeed have an effect on breaking our samskaras or habits. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This brings me to the last but not the least.. Yoga. For a transformational change, its very important to have sthir buddhi and clarity of thought. To eliminate old samskaras which are the root cause of our misery, in my honest and humble opinion, there is no other way but the way of Yoga. For example to create the 100% focus and be in the present.. pranayama is the best technique to concentrate on the breathe and cleanse the body. Ultimately your focus decides your destiny. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So whats your Vision 2020? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I again welcome thoughts from my friends. Looking with renewed hope an eventful, challenging and fulfilling 2012. </span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-39402271532207812812010-12-13T18:03:00.001+00:002010-12-14T18:02:50.541+00:00India story at risk<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;">An interesting interview of Deepak Parekh: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;"><a href="http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/walk-the-talk/walk-the-talk-with-deepak-parekh/181208">India story at risk</a></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">This is the other side of the India story.. compare that with the ease of setting up and running business in Sweden or Singapore. With so many scams happening, it will not be long when the world looks at better avenues for investment/ outsourcing. And when a guy of Deepak's stature speaks in such a way, its time people introspect and act. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Recently I was hosting a client dinner in London, and somehow the topic of terrorism came up as it was just after the anniversary of 26/11. And the client mentioned the fact that the Unilever board was caught in the Taj.. and I responded thats what our neighbour wants -- to stop western world investing in India out of fear. And he quickly responded.. "but see we are still outsourcing our Application support to you". </span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I was happy to hear that.. but I am not sure where the conversation will head, if its about the various scams. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Its probably easier to fight an enemy from outside.. but what about this enemy within. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-79672330847112754192010-02-11T20:28:00.002+00:002010-02-11T20:28:14.940+00:00Virtual Satsang<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message">World is made of so many different people, but if you can see the world in dimensions.. there is one dimension - 0.1% of people out there who have similar tastes as yours.. eventually you meet them as you do sitting together in a Sawai Gandharva .. or over the Internet discussing some abhangs.. not wanting anything fro<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">m each other but to share the love of music.. is that not satsang!!</span></span></h3>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-75816296639292130862010-02-11T11:29:00.000+00:002010-02-11T11:29:49.644+00:00<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Organisations and individuals have one big thing in common. There are always bigger organisations which are wanting to acquire niche players, who are best in a specific industry/ product/ solution. Organisations are always wanting to fulfil a gap in their own offerings and are ready to pay a good price, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knowing well the ROI on that acquisition. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: MR; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So every day one needs to ask oneself.. am I doing something unique, developing niche skills.. for which someone is ready to pay much more for the skills & experience 2-5 years down the line. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-46801465611563058402010-01-26T21:43:00.000+00:002010-01-26T21:43:25.896+00:00Emergency services<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7 am in the morning, I was outside Tottenham Court Road Underground.. making my way to the Belgium Visa centre in Soho square. Felt quite hungry due to freezing temperature.. and made a detour to the welcoming McDonald. Standing in the queque.. saw mostly workmen in their overhauls waiting to order their breakfasts. Suddenly a gentleman collapsed in front of me, he seemed to be having a fit.. and was shaking head to toe. My natural instinct was to offer help, a sip of water maybe. But one of the employees immediately called the manager who in turned called emergency services.. and while he attended to the customer, rest of us were told to resume ordering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By the time I had finished my order.. and thats quick in McDonald, ambulance had already arrived and 2 paramedics took control of the situation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had heard of the excellent response time of emergency services here.. and many a times I have given way to an emergency vehicle as is the rule here. But todays first hand experience really was impressive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I thought, wish we had such good emergency services in India.. that would save so many precious lives. Many a times I have seen on Indian roads, that the ambulance keeps sounding the alarm and drivers on the road either ignore.. or reluctantly give way. There are some enterprising ones.. who stick to the emergency vehicle as a tail.. to go faster. Ridiculous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Its time we realise it can be anyone of our near and dear ones who could be in an emergency and the vehicle has its right of way.. even more than the PM's or CM's cavalcade. Hope on India's republic day we take this resolution to try and save as many lives around us.. and not be mere bystanders like the Tamil Nadu ministers who let the poor policeman bleed to death. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jai Hind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-68627944565091098552010-01-06T10:12:00.000+00:002010-01-06T10:12:06.228+00:00Special Saturday afternoon with DRK<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was thinking of some new resolutions for year 2010.. and while doing so Roma came running to share something...she had created a story book.. and I did not want to be disturbed as I wanted to focus on the job at hand. But suddenly I stopped and when I gave her my unwavering attention.. she was very happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I suddenly realised.. that the most important things which I remember of my father.. was not him buying my first bike.. but the time he shared with me. We had a different kind of relationship.. we shared some common passions.. like listening to BBC radio and Iraq war late in the night.. radio had its own charm. And I and Baba used to try and tune in to the frequency.. and in my study (gallery as we used to call it) I would stick wires to make the signal stronger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are many more things like... I would never allow him to get the 'dalan' or wheat flour from the mill.. and if he went to get it while I was playing with my friends.. I would run to take it from his hand and take it up the 2 storeys. It gave me immense pleasure to see that smile on his face.. that he had a son he could depend upon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our relationship was so special (and is even special today) that when I wanted to first take a drag of cigarette, I actually spoke to him and requested him whether I could try and he said yes. My mother when she knew of this.. was very angry. But she never understood that Baba had in his own way told me.. "Son I know what your real character is. So go ahead try it once.. I am happy you asked me rather than hiding it from me". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But the most important aspect of our relationship was his keeping Saturday afternoons free to be with me. When I was studying in I.E.S. School in Dadar.. Baba used to come to pick me up from school after Saturday half day and we both used to go to Sterling or Regal cinema in town to see some English movie. He was then working as the Head of Industrial Relations and Factory manager for Sandoz India (now Novartis) and as such had weekends off. I remember the innumerable films which we saw together.. Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Shaolin temple.. he knew I liked war films and martial arts. He wanted me to join the army and fulfill his dream.. but fate had another role for me to play. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So coming back from my childhood.. if these are the things which I remember most of my father.. I would like Roma to remember similar things about me.. the special relationship which we have. I would not like her to grow up and ask where were you when I was growing up.. earning money, my promotions are all worthless for her.. The other day when I wore my suit to go for a meeting.. she immediately remarked 'Pappa you look so handsome and cool' and ran to kiss me. That was a special moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Therefore all new year resolutions aside... the one which I made as a promise to myself.. is to spend more of my non-working hours with my kid..quality time as Roops likes to call it.. to take her to some movie .. to spend the one hour watching her learn Bharatnatyam on Sunday morning.. and to go for my run some other time.. to tell her stories at bedtime and read book together, to know each of her friends and be part of her secrets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think when your child is really close to you is when he or she can whisper something in your ear and say its 'OUR' secret. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-15534950152041278292010-01-03T14:33:00.000+00:002010-01-03T14:33:14.641+00:00Song no. 11<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Mangal; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">This one is my favourite (sung originally by another Kamat) which I like to sing for Rupali. Going forward I hope to list one song, and its special meaning to me, its lyrics and other details. </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">प्रथम तुज पाहता</span><br />
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</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">जीव वेडावला</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">उचलुनी घेतले</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">नीज रथी मी तुला</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
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</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">स्पर्ष होता तुझा</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">विसरलो भान मी</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">,<br />
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">धुंद श्वासातला</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">प्राशिला गंध मी</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">,<br />
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">नयन का देहही</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">मिटूनी तू घेतला</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
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</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">जाग धुंदीतूनी</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">मजसी ये जेधवा</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">कवळूनी तुजसी मी</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">चुंबीले तेधवा</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">,<br />
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">धावता रथ पथी</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HI;">पळभरी थांबला</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.65pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZ_9XD1njY&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZ_9XD1njY&feature=related</a><br />
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<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 7.0%;" width="7%"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HI;">गीत</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;">-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><a href="http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Lyrics%20Details/Ga%20Di%20Madgulkar.htm"><span lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ग</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span dir="RTL"></span>. </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">दि</span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">. </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">माडगूळकर</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 7.0%;" width="7%"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HI;">संगीत</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;">-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><a href="http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Composer%20Details/Sudhir%20Phadake.htm"><span lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">सुधीर फडके</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 7.0%;" width="7%"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HI;">स्वर</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;">-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><a href="http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Singer%20Details/Ramdas%20Kamat.htm"><span lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">रामदास कामत</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 7.0%;" width="7%"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HI;">चित्रपट</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;">-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><a href="http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Movie%20Details/Mumbaicha%20Javai.htm"><span lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">मुंबईचा जावई </span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span dir="RTL"></span>(</span><span dir="RTL" lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">१९७०</span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr style="height: 18.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 7.0%;" width="7%"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="HI" style="color: black; font-family: Mangal; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HI;">राग</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;">-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> <td style="height: 18.75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><a href="http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Raga%20Details/Kalavati.htm"><span lang="HI" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">कलावती</span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-32114106460026579282009-12-18T18:57:00.000+00:002009-12-18T18:57:03.173+00:00Nike GunghariyaOne of my favourite raagas has been Bilaskhani Todi.. I first fell in love with this raaga when I heard Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande sing this raaga in the song 'Jhoote Naina' along with Asha Bhosale in the film Lekin, composed by Pt. Hridayanath Mangeshkar. <br />
<br />
Then one day I heard late Pt D V Paluskar singing 'Nike Ghunghariya' in the same raaga... this recording is of 1959. I found so much similarity in the gayaki of both Pt Paluskar and Pt Deshpande. Pt. D V Paluskar is one of the gems of India.. albeit hidden from the current generation. <br />
<br />
Pt. Deshpande took this raaga to another plane in his album Kahen - 'Tanat Na Dhim'. His heavenly voice makes me just close my eyes and drift along the path of perfection, of nirvana.. where there is nothing but me and 'the voice'.. in the shunya... . <br />
<br />
But does the mind, worldly desires.. allow onself to break the chains.. go on a path of the heart.. which has nothing for me, no money, no fame, but pure bliss.. singing for communion with the Lord. Conversations are so futile.. compared with a Classical song.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-61087272128625878892009-10-02T11:05:00.010+01:002009-10-02T14:56:49.749+01:00आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 55px;"></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">सर्व आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">नको खेद करू कोणत्या गोष्टीचा</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">पती लक्ष्मीचा जाण तसे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">जाण तसे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">|</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">सकळ जीवांचा तू करीतो सांभाळ</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">तुज मोकळील ऐसे नाही</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family: Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;color:black">ऐसे नाही</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">|<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">जैसी स्थिति आहे तैसा परी राहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">कौतुकु तू पाहे संचिताचे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family: Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;color:black">संचिताचे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">|<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">एका जनार्धनी भोग प्रारब्धाचा</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">हरीकृपे त्याचा नाश आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family: Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;color:black">नाश आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:Mangal;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; color:black">सर्व आहे</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;color:black">||</span></span></p></span></span><p></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">Shri Eknaath wrote this abhang more than 400 years ago.. but the deep meaning of this is sometimes understood when I feel depressed seeing the state of today's society. It has been one of my favourites abhangs and I am trying to find it online... in vain. Somehow started singing this since morning.. dont know why </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-5800821982863794162009-07-26T21:22:00.005+01:002009-07-27T14:56:54.411+01:00Ye Dil Mange MoreThese words said by Capt Vikram Batra, honoured with Param Vir Chakra (posthumously), in his last few days in the Kargil war, have inspired thousands of us.. and even today on the 10th anniversary, it speaks volumes of the bravery of our jawans, our real heroes. <div><br /></div><div>When I see the likes of young men - Capt Batra, Manoj Pandey, Lt Saurabh Kalia and many more who laid down their lives to safeguard our nation, I become tearful and even sad thinking how their parents are coping up with the loss of their children. Only a parent knows how much trouble we take to raise our children, how much love we shower, how much we take pride in their first steps, their achievements... and one fine day the body comes back wrapped in the 'Tiranga'.</div><div><br /></div><div>But while we salute our heroes.. I feel a sense of anger.. for whom did they lay down their lives? Just a few days ago Mulayam and Laloo in theatrical fashion raised concerns about their lives if NSG commandos are removed from their security. Who is going to try and attack them, they are the enemy inside, they are the people behind communal riots, corruption, atrocities towards the comman man.. with their demands, they show how insecure they are.. or how brazenly they want to protect their status. This same Mulayam when he was defence minister, used IAF plane 100 times to fly from Delhi to Lucknow.. not a single day did he visit the forward posts and check how the soldiers live in immense harships on the borders. But people have short memories.. these politicians (I cant call them leaders) get elected year after year.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Lucknow, Mayawati is busy unveiling her statues in such a hurry as if there is a target to erect 1000 in the next 1 year, spending 100s of crores of taxpayers money, while in the same breath shamelessly going to central govt asking for assistance for the drought in UP. In Patna, police and people shamelessly enjoy watching a young woman being stripped in broad daylight... there are many such disgusting events happening across the country. </div><div><br /></div><div>The corrupt goondas turned politicians dont deserve being protected by the elite NSG commandos, while aam admi gets slaughtered on the streets of Mumbai on 26/11 or thousands being blown to bits in the hundreds of bomb blasts which have rocked all major cities of India. And I know of a few who were in the Mumbai locals when these blasts happened.. one lost her face and the other could never reach home to treat his daughter to a party. </div><div><br /></div><div>You get the government you deserve.. so true, with so many rapes of minor girls, brazen attacks on women in Mangalore.. the citizens are no worse. People have no value for others lives, the way they drive crazily on the roads. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the question is why should our soldiers die for this nation which is falling in the abyss of corruption and disrespect of civil society. Its no wonder that the Indian army is facing a shortage of 12000+ officers. Its high time politicians understand that they cant keep playing with only money, power and people's lives. India's 4 wars with Pakistan happened because of the self-centered politicians not having time to think strategically, so engrossed they are in raising petty issues. Kargil happened because Indian politicians never had the same courage of Captain Batra to retort to Pakistan's policies of fostering terrorism. When the first bomb went off in Kashmir in 80s, the Indian response should have been ferocious.. so that the enemy thinks 100 times before they plan any other attack. Today US is not siding India.. because suddenly India has become a super power.. after 9/11, when they felt the same brunt of terrorism, its now in their interest to confine the terrorists to Pakistan, Afghanistan.. and India acts as a good counter balance. I remember in the 90s, Indian politicians/ diplomats used phrases like our neighbours should desist from creating trouble.. fearing to take name of Pakistan and Bangladesh. And even today when the ground reality hasnt changed, they are ready to start dialogue. But is that in our interest, it will be almost an year since 26/11 and we still keep making requests.. to get the perpetrators of the heinous crime, while these terrorists roam freely in Pakistan. Who are they fooling..</div><div>While we are proud of the ultimate sacrifices of our soldiers, I doubt whether the majority of us would be really proud of India. India's politicians, babus in government, police force, also sing the same mantra 'Ye Dil mange more'.. albeit for wine, women and wealth. </div><div> </div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-14555557553514347622009-07-19T18:49:00.010+01:002009-07-20T15:12:31.379+01:00My favourite marathi songs.. the first 10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XAoxx9JVm7E/SmR6qBAft4I/AAAAAAAACvU/X2YpBe5qCwU/s1600-h/Pt_Jitendra_Abhisheki.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XAoxx9JVm7E/SmR6qBAft4I/AAAAAAAACvU/X2YpBe5qCwU/s320/Pt_Jitendra_Abhisheki.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360544318721341314" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After a hectic week and even more busy weekend.. after hazaar chores, the most beautiful time spent on a Sunday evening is sitting at my desk reading and listening to age old favourite Marathi songs. It takes me to a culture which flourished in the sixties to nineties.. Abhang, Natya sangeet.. a legacy left behind by the likes of Pula, Pt Vasantrao Deshpande, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki, Ramdas Kamat, Lata and many more.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here I would like to share some of the songs which i have liked.. and somewhere I am sure it connects me to some of you at a deeper level. I always felt that I was connected to the total stranger sitting whole nights next to me during Sawai Gandharva.. the love of Hindustani Classical music and Marathi culture creates that unseen bond. Here I go..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Starting with some of the songs from my favourite singer Pt Jitendra Abhisheki</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. दिव्य स्वातंत्र्य रवि</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. घेई छंद मकरंद</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. हे बंध रेशमाचे</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. कैवल्याचा चांदण्याला</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Mangal;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:13px;">This song has been one of my favourites.. it wells up tears, the last stanza Pandurang Pandurang.. crys to the self to leave the worldly things and get lost in the Lords bhakti. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. काटा रुते कुणाला</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%; font-family:Mangal, serif;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. सर्वातामाका सर्वेश्वरा</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Mangal;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:13px;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:Arial;font-size:14px;">सागरा प्राण तळमळला</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">Never has this song failed to make me weep.. weep at the sacrifice of leaders like Swatantrya Veer Sawarkar.. sad that the freedom fighters went through so much hardships, torture, sacrifice for the Matra bhoomi which is today. How will we ever pay back their sacrifice.. I feel their तळमळ to see that our land is free .. not from any foreign rulers.. but from the enemy within.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">8. घनश्याम सुंदरा</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">I would love to wake up with this Bhoopali.. it takes me to villages of Maharashtra.. myself walking bare foot on the red mud, seeing birds fly away in the clear sky, villagers herding their cattle.. walking towards their fields. </span></span></p></div><div>9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:Arial;font-size:14px;">शूर आम्ही सरदार </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">Proud to be part of the land of the Greatest Warrior of all, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">10. गगन सदन तेजोमय</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">Amazing the way Lataji has sung this.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:14px;">To be continued.. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-71530640539739731792009-07-11T14:44:00.000+01:002009-07-11T15:04:39.827+01:00Proud of Nandan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well I am not referring to self.. but the other Nandan, Nandan Nilekani. At the height of his career as the head of Infosys, India's second largest IT company, this gentleman leaves it all to give back to India and its people. I was never happy about Congress policies.. but hearing Dr Singh wanting more intellectuals like Nandan to join the government and bring about change.. it made me change my views. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Can NN make the difference and create India's equivalent of a SSN (US) or NI number (UK). will he be able to cut through the hazaar red-tape and corrupt officials to get the task done professionally and transperantly. Its a big risk more by the Congress govt than NN. Yes, you can say NN has by quitting Infosys and joining govt as a Cabinet minister actually raised Infy brand value. And knowing the high moral values advocated by Infosys, he would not be biased in awarding the multi-million contract to the organisation he founded. But if he is unable to progress on a massive IT and logistics project of creating a card for every Indian citizen..it will expose the inadequacies of the corrupt babudom that plagues govt administration. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I would go even one step further, link all bank accounts, credit cards, mobile phones to ISN (Indian Security number) or unique identifier.. in that way you get to know all financial transactions of film personalities, politicians, businessmen, cricketers, etc. Havala transactions can be then made extremely difficult.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Will the ISN as I call it.. weed out the lacs of Bangladeshis living in the country illegally.. or will it be as easy as getting the ration card by greasing a few palms. But the beginning itself is exciting and I wish to remain positive that a 'Few good men' maybe finally able to change India's destiny. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-87646182061313628062009-07-11T13:47:00.000+01:002009-07-11T14:44:11.229+01:00Planes, Trains and Automobiles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saw this movie first time when I was doing my graduation.. saw it again a few weeks ago.. but did not find it as hilarious as the first time. Is life getting too serious.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Talking of automobiles.. it takes me back to India where there are too many autos on the road.. with too many people packed as sardines (once I counted 12 in Hyderabad while going to Hitech city in Hyderabad). And too many accidents starting with the one in which I and my father were involved travelling on my first day of 10th Std board exam. Fortunately we both escaped with minor injuries and I could give my exam. Or the one in which my father was caught under the overturned auto and spent the next 6 months limping. But there are few who are not so lucky on the Indian roads.. where no one can guess where someone will come in front or from the side. Too many accidents, chaotic traffic conditions, indisciplined drivers, even driving on the wrong side on National highways.. I just thought thats the way and if you have to survive, you need to anticipate others mistakes. But its not surprising to know the reason behind this.. I go back 10 years to 1999 when I first got my car license in Ghatkopar driving test centre. It was a rainy day in July and the fat inspector was so lazy, he just asked the driving school staff to bring all the applicants and asked their name and gave away the licenses. He and his superiors had already pocketed their share through the well oiled system. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So the first thing which struck me in UK was the disciplined traffic, where everyone drives in their own lane and change lanes/ direction only after indicating. I was amazed at the way everyone drove with similar discipline. I thought its because of being a first world country, people being educated, therefore everyone is considerate to the other driver, or cyclist and people crossing the road. It was not long before I realised that though these may be some of the reasons, the main one is the way driving tests are conducted in UK. There is first of all no scope for corruption, due to total transperancy in the way the test is conducted. Each driver is allowed 16 minor faults before he is failed, but even one serious or dangerous fault means failure. Considering my driving experience of 10 years, I was sure to pass the test the first time. I must have taken more than 2 months to go through 1000+ Q & A to pass the theory test, and even took 5 lessons for the practical. And the result, FAIL. I was shocked.. the inspector had given 3 minor and 1 serious fault as I indicated at the very last moment before exiting from a roundabout. I knew I had to unlearn my Indian way of driving.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I did many practice runs on roundabouts before the second test, which I cleared eventually. Thats when I realised how the test system puts everyone through the grind. And now when I take the car out everyday, its become second nature to give way when entering a main road, or MSM (Mirror-signal-manoeuvre)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">routine before changing lanes or entering motorway. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The best part of driving in UK is the country roads. I used to take 45 min to an hour driving every morning to my office from Wakad to Pune station, a distance of 16 km.. while here I travel through the A/B roads, the same distance in 20 min or take the motorway and travel at 70 mph to reach office without my blood boiling. The other day while returning home.. on the M4, I was listening to Sanjeev Abhyankar, passing an Edie Stobart long haul truck.. and suddenly it struck me.. that though in a foreign country my heart still belonged to what is good about India and secondly if only I could drive so hassle-free in India, lost in Raga Bhairav instead of cursing the nth driver cutting lanes, or trying to save the car from being dented by some auto..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dr Manmohan Singh wants to invest heavily in infrastructure.. but wider roads dont mean lesser accidents. First the system has to change to educate people the essence of driving.. that you are not alone on the road and every life is precious. Hope to see that day when we Indians 'give way' to others on the road to safety (and probably prosperity). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-22394743319929572812009-03-12T13:14:00.001+00:002009-03-12T14:42:46.791+00:00The first 4 mile run<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sunday's weekly run started from Chestnut Avenue and down the woods towards Bearwood Road. The initial stretch goes past some playgrounds and tennis courts, but as I progressed further the trail became narrow and surrounded by dense foliage. Scary if there were animals around so I quickened my pace to reach Bearwood road. But reaching it made me realise I was on to a state road with 50 mph restriction and no pathway. with cars wheezing past, evening time, with no reflector vest, I realised my mistake immediately. Being a single carriageway some of the cars had to stop to let cars coming from opposite to cross. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Relief now that I was on Sandy lane and again that seemed to end abruptly in another trail, but a family coming back from a playground directed me ahead to Barkham road. By now I had done 1.5 miles. Went slight downhill and back to tar road and onto Barkham road. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Barkham road had lot of traffic and due to repair work, even dusty. By the time I took left onto Woosehill lane, I had completed 2.5 miles and was going on a song. the first 1-2 miles are always the difficult. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But the next part up Meadow and Murray Road was a climb and slowed me down. My aim to complete in 36 min at 9 min pace was looking to be difficult. Reached Oxford road and now it was a smooth run onto Reading road, I was overtaking 15-20 cars standstill all waiting to get onto Reading road. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Once on Reading road, I looked at my watch and I had already crossed 30 min and legs were hurting due to running on the uneven pavement, kept pushing as I had to reach Morrisons on Woosehill. Met an old man on the way, who smiled in an appreciating manner and gave way on the narrow footpath. Made me rush to complete my first breaking the 4-mile barrier, time 37.18. Phew.. the sense of achievement is nothing compared to the loneliness of the long-distance runner. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My coach from Reading Roadrunners just finished two races, the Portland Bill coastal path half marathon in 2:56 and Bramley 20 mile in 3:18, all at the age of 70 plus.. it put my effort in perspective though. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057170963297879032.post-26951383907021123092009-03-12T11:44:00.001+00:002014-06-30T06:53:17.688+01:00Punha ekda Konkanachi vaat dharu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: verdana;">The thought of writing a blog been there for last 1 year.. but today thanks to a friend I finally ventured to write one and kickstart writing on issues which are closest to my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The first one I chose was on Konkan, maybhoomi. And the man who took me 1000s of km from my current location in UK to my native place in Konkan is none other than the famous Pu La Deshpande. It was late after dinner that self and wife sat down to listen to Pu La's Antu Barva and thats when Konkan flashed in front of our eyes and brought back memories... of some of my childhood days spent in my village, Aros, which is near Sawantwadi. One of the summer vacations I stayed there for a week and understood the way of the village man. Taking buffaloes to the river for their bath (and ablutions) was quite a task.. but enjoyable. Sitting at the family shop in the Aros bazaar, I came in close contact with the village folk.. I was introduced as the cousin from Mumbai. Some of them fondly recalled that I was son of 'Anna' Kamat as my father was known in the village which he left in the 1950s to settle in Mumbai. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is an Antu Barva in many of these villagers.. who are quite poor, but have an opinion on anything and everything. When railway finally came to Konkan, Goa.. this man still remained away from it. It was constructed probably by Telugu labour force which moves around with their families. While our Antu sat down with his bidi (udhar chi) in the cool shade in the bazaar talking of what some person in Sawantwadi or Vengurla making money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But the lack of industry has its own way of keeping Konkan beautiful. My bath used to be a wonderful experience.. standing under a coconut tree, taking hot water from the 'hundi' sitting on a fire.. to going and getting the cold water from the well nearby. Later half of the mornings was spend in constructing the 'gotha' for the buffaloes.. that time the house flooring was of 'shena' or cow dung. But it used to be so cool in the afternoon to sleep on such a floor. I still lament the fact that today tiles have replaced the 'shena'. there used to be a verandah with a stone seat.. i could sleep there and read my novels.. while the house dog would stay below always hungry for some tit bits from me. Or ready to go with me on a walk to the 'tali' or pond which was 300-400 m away up in the fields. Once I even went and had a bath there.. and I still remember the scent in the air and the cold water flowing down my body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Konkan is because of its people who are satisfied in what they get rather than join the rat race of big cities like Mumbai. Today if one of my uncles would not have made a choice to remain back in the village I would never have had such beautiful memories.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So next time I go, it will not be a flying visit but to stay for a week and let my daughter also experience Konkan as it needs to be experienced.. 'nivant' and preserve beautiful memories of the Kamat household and be called the grand-daughter of Anna Kamat. </span><br />
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