Ek Toota Tara

JAB WE MET - Eternal White Papers

2012-02-01T19:21:00.005+05:30

JAB WE MET - On my knees, I asked her will u marry me?...

2012-02-01T19:02:00.004+05:30

Ek bejan mein jaan aa jayegi,

Apne daman se gar de, vo hawa mujhe

Sharm aati hai ikrar karne mein to,

to bas ek pal dekh, muskura de mujhe

madhosh hun mere tere ishq mein,

narm bahon ka kuch de aasra mujhe,

faisla ab uske haathon mein hai,

vo bana de ya mita de mujhe

It was 18th January when she had MTNL exam in Mumbai and this was a nice opportunity for me to propose her. I thought to celebrate her birthday in advance. She was about to turn 23 so I decided to buy 23 unique gifts for her. Oh boy !! It was a tough task...Well Ask any boy, buying a gift other than flowers is how much difficult. We boys are not good in selecting gifts( confession ) but whatever we do, we do whole heartedly. Well I started to make list of what are the gifts I need to buy and started surfing malls and streets of Mumbai. Two of my very good friends, Swati and Chandra helped me a lot in that.

I was about to take the biggest step of my life and wanted God to be my side so I started with Lord Ganesh and then list went on...Finally the day arrived...

She reached and stayed in one of her friend's place who was working in Mumbai. I accompanied Shilpam for the exam and after that we went to her friend's place. Her friend was off to work.I was carrying my bag which had all the gifts..I had everything planned in my mind...I asked her, "You must be stressed after exam.lets play a small stress busting game and if you win you will get gifts." After some hesitation she agreed. I took one paper and made a lot of small holes with Pen. Now I asked her to grab one side of the paper and I grabbed the opposite one. The game was to draw a line with pen on back side of paper and that too quickly. If pen will go in any of the holes then its a loss.

I purposely lost and started gifting...Started with Lord Ganesh, Book, Chocolates, Pendent, Teddy Bear, Perfume, Little Mermaid DVD, Photo Frame and what not. Soon I finished 21 Gifts. She was very much thrilled but still unaware where I was leading. I lost one more game...This Time I gifted her a gorgeous sari which I bought From Dadar( Thanks to Swati)...Swati even made sari fully ready with matching jewelery. I asked Shilpam to wear that Sari..She was awestruck..Totally speechless...Well after about 45 minutes she emerged from heavenly smoke just like an Angel...Oh My My !!! She was looking so gorgeous...so stunning...that I was on cloud 9. First time I was seeing her in Sari..I never realized that she could look so pretty...I can never forget those shy sparkling eyes, that cute click smile, those shiny hairs kissing her cheeks...I was totally mesmerized..lost in some wonderland...I could only utter, "I am so fortunate to have world's most beautiful girl as my girlfriend.You are looking gorgeous !!!"...She gave me that cute click smile...I said, " Game is not yet over."..but after this praising session she was in no mood to play anymore and only wanted to hear about herself..Why Girls do not want to do anything else after hearing their praise? Why they only want to get flattered and wants to keep it pouring?..Well,I somehow convinced her for 1 last round..We played and she won again...This time she asked upfront like a child,"Give me my Gift"...I asked to close her eyes and she followed with the suspicious look. I quickly held those ETERNAL WHITE PAPERS in front of her,which I specially prepared by waking up so many nights. I asked her to open her eyes and. With a curious look and eager smile she started reading one by one and as each paper went by, brightness of those dazzling eyes and blush on her pink cheeks with it's shy best kept on increasing. At last I was on my knees, Diamond ring was on my palm and with tumbling heart my last paper asked that divine diva "Will you marry me?"...My Venus was stunned and surprised.It took Shilpam what seemed like an eternity to realize what actually I was doing on this whole...She hit me right in my chest almost causing my knees to lose balance..She couldn't utter a word but tiny tears from corner of her eyes spelled a mesmerized YES...

nigaho ne chheda hai dil kaa tarana

sunakar kahee naa tum bura man jana

maine kiya hai pyar pahalee bar

She presented her left hand to receive the ring on the finger whose veins leads to her heart.I took that lovely hand in mine and ringed her. Before I could say a single word she hugged me.I didn't know what I had done right. But I didn't care. May be it was very casual for her. May be it wasn't a big deal for her.May be I was just imagining this and this hadn't really happened.May be I should stop dreaming like an idiot...Oops..So many thoughts passed by. I didn't move an inch for five minutes..The sensation of her hug stayed with me for two min. The remaining were spent realising that the hottest girl of ranchi had hugged me. .Oh Man, I was on top of the world. I felt I won the world and I am the Emperor of whole universe and why not... My queen was with me.

But Picture abhi baaki hai mere Dost...Here comes the Bride n Groom's side...

JAB WE MET - Love Continues

2012-01-17T05:50:00.004+05:30

tera baar baar aana, najron ko yun churana
mujhe maar hi na dale, haye chupkse se muskurana
us rab ne kabhi na socha, ho jaayenge kosh khali
dhartee par hai lutaya, yun husn ka khajana
is pyaar ki fija mein, katil na koi tujh sa
is katil ko banaya, deewano ka deewana
tujhe pane ki just-ju mein, bhale maut jo aaye
markar bhi jiya karega ye pyaar ka fasana

So our express highway love kicked off...She switched to a girl's hostel.We chatted, mailed, talk and visited each other until Pune's weather took toll on her. one day she called and said that she has fever. I rushed immediately to Pune and took her to doctor. Doctor confirmed after taking blood test that she had jaundice. Now it was impossible to leave her alone so I asked her with heavy heart to go to Ranchi and stay with parents until she recovers. It was hard but it was for her well being. I dropped her to Mumbai Airport and after so many years I feel like crying...Anyways she recovered soon but these few days distance provoked a burning desire in me. I realized that I can't be away from her anymore and I decided to propose her for marriage.

JAB WE MET - First Meeting

2012-01-12T06:17:00.001+05:30

Shilpam studied from one of the Nagpur's renowned engineering college from E n C branch and got placed in Tech Mahindra. This was the same time when recession from western world were beating Indian IT market. Her joining date kept on delaying. I asked her to not to sit idle and wait for a joining call rather come to Mumbai or Pune and search for job. She convinced her parents and told me that she was coming to pune but via Mumbai so wanted to meet on Kalyan station. I had butterflies in my stomach after hearing that. How would she be in person, whether she will like me or I will like her, so many questions were scratching my head. Well the day arrived and she reached Kalyan station and I was late for the very first meeting...thanks to Mumbai traffic. First meeting embarrassment gurrrrrrr.

I glanced at her first time. She had perfect features with a hint of pink cheeks. She wore a black T shirt and denim jeans. She looked like Katrina Kaif's smarter cousin, if there is such a possibility. I stared in awe of that beautiful face with curly hairs,rosy cheeks and sparkling black eyes. She noticed me staring,simply smirked & flashed me her cute click smile.I really thought, "Boss Amit!! you hit the jackpot". We exchanged HI and shaked hands. That gentle cold touch was enough to give me goose bumps.Well,I typically behaved like an idiot and went without flowers. Don't know whether she mind it. She had to catch a bus to Pune so she asked me if I could accompany her.I had no such plan but when a beautiful girl with adorable eyes gives you smile and ask in her soothing voice "Will you accompany me please"?..Oh Boy !!! you can't refuse then...

Vo teri meri, pehli mulakat ke pal
Vo kehna tera, mere saath chal
vo najrein churana, najrein milake
vo dheere se muskurana, mano duniya bhula ke
vo natkhat si aankhein ,vo gulaabi se gaal
pehli mulakat hamari,kitnee thee bemisaal

So here I was, sitting with a beautiful cute girl in Bus for a memorable drive. I wasn't aware that this journey will change my life forever. The breeze, coming from the window was radiating my soul as it was first kissing her cheeks before reaching me. Shilpam was very mischievous and jolly natured so do I, so it was an instant click for both of us. We cracked jokes, talked over unnecessary topics, shared laughs, water bottle, kurkure,cold drinks and even panipuri on first stop. First time I realized that sharing is such pleasant and fun. It was about 8 PM when we reached Pune and it was raining heavily. We got down at Parihar Chowk and rushed for a shelter. Rain was being thicker and we were hungry as well. Her cousin was about to come to pick her up but he was late..Thanks to rain, God has granted me more time. Suddenly I spotted one chana-wala nearby and my eyes rolled.I went to that chanwala,bought some chana and offered Shilpam...That too in Shahrukh's style..."Kya aisee bheegtee raaton mein tum mere saath chane khane ke liye chalogi"...Oh My goodness...What I have just said ...She was awestruck for a min but she smiled and said "YES"....yepeeeeeeeee...Doing nonsense make very valid sense if it amuses a pretty girl.

But here comes her villain cousin(what a wrong timing..gurrr)..We greeted each other goodbye and I kept seeing her until she disappeared, leaving a ever lasting mesmerized impression on my heart.This was the first personal meeting which, although caused both of us plenty of anxiety, was not a disappointment to either of us. On the contrary, I really liked her and she seemed to like me.

JAB WE MET - Lehman's Hectic Job and Yahoo Messenger

2011-12-31T18:57:00.002+05:30

seeds of love

jaahir mein koshishein karta hun bahut,
par dard dil ka chupta nahin hai doston,
koi najrein chahe jitnee churaye,
ishq ke aage koi bachta nahin hai doston

So it was back in 2007 when I joined Lehman Brother ( Once a world's 4th largest Investment Bank) in their Mumbai Office. Lehman's work culture was so hectic those days and Since I was new in Mumbai so didn't have much friends there. Most of my college friends were either placed abroad or were in Pune or Bangalore. One fine friday after coming from office I was so pissed off because of too much work and less time for myself.Job was taking a toll on my life. I logged on internet and had no new scrap on Orkut( Yes, FaceBook was not my cup of tea that time) and no new Email. So I decided to pursue one of old college time hobby, CHATTING. I entered in a Hindi chat channel and I posted some Shayri there, No response..gurrr...So I logged off.. Suddenly a popup came, asking ASL? It was she and She wanted to ask the meaning of that Shayri. I didn't know how much she understood the Shayri but certainly this Shayar has made a presence felt in her heart.Somehow she was different from the other girls on the net.We talk,talk and talk a lot and soon it was obvious that we had a lot in common.

We became more and more impressed with each other as the days and weeks went by. We ‘met’ almost on a daily basis on net and it was going well until one day I felt sick. She came on net on our pre-decided time and couldn't find me. This happened for 2 days. She thought I was ignoring her, "Pretty Girls behave best when you ignore them.(Of course, they have to know you are ignoring them, for otherwise, they may not even know you exist)".Well, finally I told her that I was down with fever. She text me and was asking to take care. It often happened that we thought of same thing, felt common tie and realized that we were important to each other.After I got well, I called to thank for her concern. As her voice hit my eardrum, my heart melted as if I was hearing a canary. She sounded too sweet and soothing to be true. And thereafter we started talking continuously.

She had seen my pics but I never had that chance so I persuaded her for the same. It happens once in a lifetime when you don't believe on your senses, and it was the turn of my eyes. She was so beautiful and mesmerizing that I was taken aback. I was so average against her.Anyways I expressed this to her one night and she became so angry and said that Love doesn't happen based on color or races. That day first time I realized something for her in my heart. We talk talk n talk since 9 pm till 6 in morning. Oh Man ! that month's bill was 7K. Love is costly dear but when it happens then you realize the actual value. It's priceless.

Ishq ki chakki chalee or ek dana fans gaya
tum fanse to kya fase Amit,saara jamana fans gaya

JAB WE MET - Foreword

2011-12-29T17:37:00.001+05:30

After a long thought I decided to pen down my love story..I wrote it during creation of my wedding website..This is just a migration...Hope people will like it...

So it all started just Like Chetan Bhagat's Novel...Boy Loves Girl.Girl Loves Boy. Girl's Family has to love boy.Boy's family has to love girl.Girl's family has to love boy's family.Boy's family has to love girl's family.Girl and Boy still love each other. They get married.

So friends here we were.Two unknown people Shilpam and Amit who were from two different states of India deeply in Love and want to get married. Of course,our parents don't agree.So to convert this love to a love marriage Shilpam and Amit both had a tough battle against them. In India, its easy to fight with parents and rebel but much harder to convince them for your choice of life partner. So how did we make it...?

A spark ignited...

2009-11-28T23:59:00.002+05:30

Cry my beloved city Cry. But don’t cry for what has changed, cry for what has not changed. Last year at 26/11 my Mom called me at around 10 PM and asked me where I am? Well, after hectic office hours and rubbish Indian news channel I wanted to get my part of masala time so I was reading some masala novel of Indian Sidney Sheldon Chetan Bhagat. My Mom has asked what was happening in Bombay. Watch my words..She said Bombay….I said shhhhhh Its not Bombay Its Mumbai…After all its all about Name…be it for political gain but this city is Mumbai…Mom asked me to watch TV immediately. I turned on my second hand TV Set and there was some BREAKING and EXCULSIVE news were flashing live…News guys were screaming that there was GANG WAR…I told mom in similar lines of then state home minister of Maharastra, that not to worry as in such big cities such small incidents keeps on happening. So she took a sigh of relief and I wished her good night. I also went back to my Masala novel.

But At around 1 AM I got a call from my office colleague to not to come to office next day as Mumbai has been hit by terror attack and asked me to watch TV. I sat, and saw; helplessly my city was being raped. This is why rape is such a heinous crime – It’s an intense violation of one’s identity, personal sanctity and dignity. Leaving the victim helpless, angry, and yet completely resigned because our brains tells us that there is nothing we can do against the attackers, except spontaneous and futile gestures like wearing white shirts or black band and marching with lightened candles.

The very next week reaction was well predictable. Shock, then anger then the need to find someone to blame and then the grief, stoicism, denial all are classic symptoms of any trauma or mourning period. The maximum city, as it is being named in International media is famous for its resilience. I am sick of it. I am tired of it. The actual fact is, more than halves the people can’t afford to not to go to work even if they die. Reason is half population of Mumbai is depending on their daily wages to get the next meal (Vada Pav).

Everyone asked what Govt is doing? What out politicians are doing? Can we recall that it was us who got the chance to elect them but we didn’t care as we got a holiday on Election Day and we were enjoying time with partying with family and friends? That is why we always have this low voter turnout. Well, after initial burst of feelings, everyone got back to page 3, cubicle or squalid lives.

My dear channel reporters were saying next day that Mumbai has lost its innocence. With due respect I would like to say that not only Mumbai but also rest of the India lost its multicultural status in 92, After that Babri Masjid episode, When we realized, for the first time after 1947 that Some people are Hindus and some are Muslims. Even they further have categories that some is Marathi and some is Gair (Non) Marathi. We acquired our fatalism after 93’s blasts, as we first face the nameless, faceless enemy that is touted as Global Terrorist; way before the rest of the world discovered a war on terror. We realized you risk your life every time you step out, so what the hell. We learnt to live with – shrug off- train bombs, regular riots and more. And to be brutally frank, though all this was before the days of the 24/7 news channels, the same celebrities, politicians, our outstanding citizens made the same kind of outraged statements every single time, where these justifiably outraged leading lights have said “someone must do something”. Who? If not you?

Is it any wonder that Kasab and his other colleagues up the brutality stake if we, as people shrug off scores of deaths just because it happened elsewhere and think that none of our dear one is affected so it doesn’t affect us? Who are us? Oh come on people! Waiting for any politician to come and do anything is like –well, pointless.

Congress party, in a clearly desperate attempt, put P Chidambaram at Home Ministry to appease the International and Domestic business circles. It’s a sad fact, but less face it, there has been far less footage of VT where lots of less ‘important’ lives were lost than at the Taj and Oberoi. Can Indian Media channels please get some voice training for their anchors and reporters? You don’t have to shout boss, I can hear you. I can see the fire and gunfights behind you. You need not to yell at top of your voice of get hysterical. These things only add to the trauma.

After months of this we were chasing the identity of terrorists. Does it matter whether they come from

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Bangladesh

? A terrorist doesn’t belong to any country, family, faith, society or person. He or she has no identity, no affiliations and no beliefs except one of blind, universal hate. Beware terrorists also reads same psychology books as we. So better we are not divided. I often say VT than CST. I often say Bombay than Mumbai. Change the name, who cares, they are still mine. I am an Indian and I have freedom to speak and go and live in any part of this country without any H1 Visa because it’s in my blood and bones..

Well, How many more Indian, American, Israeli, Palestinian, Chinese, British, Iraqi or Pakistani must die before I accept that these captures can only be defeated if we, the common men will wake up and fight back.

The day I was born in this country, the country was also born in me.
I can feel it running through my guts when I am angry and throbbing through my veins when I am glad.
I will not point fingers at anyone any more; those fingers will be pointed at me.
I am the system that does not work. I am the pothole on the road that does not get filled. I am the FIR that does not get filed. I am the bridge that does not get built.
Everything that is wrong with this country starts with me. And will soon end with me. I am

India

is me...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1051202/lead_india/

I want you to speak in Marathi.

2009-11-09T23:42:00.002+05:30

It’s nothing new. They have done it in the past and they are just doing their routine task again. It’s only us who has not been actually able to digest such “creative” actions of our beloved politicians in all these years. It’s not some eyes wide open material. Earlier they were throwing mud on each other publicly and this time they are doing it inside the assembly. At least mud should not be wasted in well built cemented streets of Mumbai so they planned to do it in the assembly this time. It’s a safe bet as your party fund will not be wasted in “collecting crowd for votes”. Billions of people are already seeing this on our 24 * 7 BREAKING news channels. So you are becoming famous (or infamous, both words have the same meaning in Indian Politics), earning votes by means of television. It’s a win-win situation for everybody. Oh, so do you doubt me? Let me clarify.

I used to return by 7;30pm from my office. After all the work pressure I want some masala so what is the best option? Obviously our exclusive news channels have the answers. My personal favorites are “India TV” and “AajTak”. They are simply superb. They always have some insider information and I bet their reporters are much better than Bud Fox of Wall Street (1987) or Galleon Hedge fund’s bosses. So the reporters got their exclusive reports, the channel got advertisements and TRPs, the advertisers got publicity of their products, the ad maker got their earnings, the politicians earned publicity and name and I, the common man, from the land of billion sparks got my masala. Hope this answers the question.

So am I impressed because my dear MNS workers didn’t allow Abu Azmi to take oath in Hindi or am I depressed that nobody has thrown slippers at him? Someone tried with a banner but that was a bad attempt. I will advise my MNS workers to stop taking coaching classes from Indian Cricket team. More than 250 electorates were there but nobody hit the RIGHT SPOT.

How could Mr. Azmi take oath in Hindi? How dare he? He eats in Marathi; He drinks in Marathi so he has to speak in Marathi. If he will not speak in Marathi then how will he be able to serve Mumbai? After all if you have to survive in Mumbai then you have to know this Holy language. It’s in the constitution of Mumbai. He has to respect the truth that he can serve Mumbai by not developing infrastructure or creating employment for millions of hungry dwellers of the golden roads of Mumbai but by speaking Marathi. He has to respect the fact that I, the common man am very eager to listen to his oath speech and that too in Marathi as it’s a treat to watch and I am glued to my second-hand Onida TV to just see his oath ceremony without a break.

Mr. Abu Azmi, May Sarkar-RAJ give you some sense(tochan) so you do not hurt my feelings. I am deeply disappointed as you spoke in Hindi. It doesn’t matter if street lights are not working, it doesn’t matter if roads and drainage systems are ready to battle the mighty Indra Dev, it doesn’t matter if BEST buses are running at 45 degree angle with double capacity, it doesn’t matter if the local trains are being travelled in without helmets to survive the water pipe bouncer, it doesn’t matter if the one-person-one-car policy is increasing the traffic, it doesn’t matter if vada Pav is not being the official snack of the Indian Hockey team,

the thing which matter is that I want you to speak in Marathi.

Ek Toota Tara

FACE OFF THE UNFORGETTABLE

2008-10-06T16:25:00.000+05:30

Waqt aane de bata denge tujhe E aasman
Hum abhi se kya batayein kya hamare dil mein hai....
Ram Prasad Bismil said several years ago...Sach hi to tha...
And Lehman is back !!! Back with a bang...Back with a new Flag named Nomura...
Someone yelled, "With lehman is dying and a soul will be covered in a new body named Nomura, Will the soul be safe. Will Soul get new clothes..oh better say rich clothes"? A humble eye threaded guy has adjusted his glasses and bent down 30 degrees and got up with a metallic charm on face and said, "Soul will never die." WOWWWW!!!!! Its time to Look backwards with gratitude, upwards with confidence and forwards with hope. When God leads You to the Edge of the Cliff, Trust Him fully and Let Go, Only One of Two Things will happen, Either He'll Catch You When You Fall, Or He'll teach You How to Fly!"
Many of my colleagues might have felt same during these 3 hefty weeks. I'm not gonna lie, Let me confess. The past 3 weeks have been a veritable shitstorm. And while the shitstorm largely continues, in metaphoric terms that have the potential to delve entirely too far into descriptions of fecal matter, "The show must go on" spirit inside all lehman India employees are damn well going to go on.
Girte hain shahsawar hi,
Maidan-e-jung mein.
Vo tifl kya giren,
Jo ghutno ke bal chale.
My CEO had a heroic stint with his superb intellectuality and Well commanding Management Team to FACE OFF this Unforgettable.I salute you, Sir.
Hawaon se keh do apni aukaat mein rahein
hum paron se nahin, Hauslon se uda karte hain
-Ek Toota Tara

Dying Hours!!!

2008-10-02T20:07:00.000+05:30

Ah ! What it takes to work for a company which ranked 37 in fortune 500 list just 2 and half weeks ago...People will give an eye brow at you..Ohh so you Lehman....Shut up you ...am Ex-Lehman...

Just 2 weeks ago my colleague DK called up from London office 2.17 AM IST...I was sleeping in my friend Godg's house in Pune.Dk said, "we have gone bankrupt and our jobs are gone"....gossh...I Felt dejected..Angry...cheated...I returned from Pune with very heavy heart...The lonely roads of Express Highway was tough to cover. In That 3.5 hrs journey, I visualized each and every memorable moment I had in Lehman be it late office hours, be it superb facilities and employee care, be it 1000s of mails..Litteraly I felt pretty bad. Well I reached office pretty late. It was a sunny day and sun was merciless at 11 itself.

The last hours, minutes really, of one the world's largest investment banks make for a pretty unusual spectacle. I was standing outside the Winchester building in Hiranandani business park. There were grin and distraught faces all around. Some were in suits, others in casual clothes, are filing out with all they can carry as time runs out. Scores of nearby companies employees gawked, unaware of the storm, were thinking that It was Lehman's day out.

I paid to Rickshaw wala. My Rickshaw wala asked,"Bhaiya koi shooting ho rahee hai kya...kon si picture hai...hero heroine kon hai?" - poor guy not knowing what's going on...A big built security person issues the standard "Don't stop here" to those rickshaw guys who stop to gaze. He tells, "jaldi badha rickshaw. There is no one famous coming out. You are looking at a whole bunch of people who just lost their jobs."

I reached to 11th floor where I used to sit. I had to sit at a new place after restacking but here my company itself was restacked. Well, 90% people were on cell phones. Either they were tensed or calm...better say pretending to be calm. Few parting employees were in mood to talk - either they're still adhering to my company's tight-lipped, 'We're all in this together' policy or they're just exhausted and in major pain."

No comment," is the standard line. A journalist tries in vain to get interviews. I managed to ask one guy how he felt: "Look at all of us with boxes," he said with a grimace. "What do you think?"

When a company sinks then its not just an employee who suffers, but his family, his confidence, his emotions all looses. In less than 2 weeks, a lot of interview calls. Companies are in mood to head hunt.

"Ohh lehman guys are overpaid. I can not offer you this much. You have to compromise. We can take you on 15% pay cut", One big Company's HR told me. I said furiously," Are you trying to benefit from the situation". She had no answer. She just said, "answer in yes or no". Hey com'on... I never compromise on my ego n dignity. "Fuck off" was my answer.

I asked my friends to help with some of my colleagues CV. they were fresher and we all know what it takes to get a job in turmoil conditions. This is not the time to Laugh at us. We are not desperate for anything be it job but if you can favor few of my colleague then nothing will go wrong with you. And what I got in reply when I forwarded 2 of my friend's CV. "Abe apna bhi CV bhej de yaar Lehman to gayee :)". Why you are laughing man. Whatever has happened to 28000 people was not their fault.It is some big collapse due to someone's ego clashes and dirty politics.In India its very easy to say, that Indian Crickters are useless and they are afraid of Short Pitch delivery. Boss...Go in ground and face it first...Shoeb Akhtar ko khelne tumhara baap nahin aata.

We are not afraid. Well Things will cool off slowly I know. This is not end of life and I have seen the more worst conditions before this so ...

"Himmat-e-marda to madad-e-khuda".

Lehraon ko shaant dekh kar,

ye mat samjho ki samandar mein rawani nahin hai.

Jab bhi uthenge,tufan bankar chahyenge,

bas uthne ki abhi thani nahin hai

-Ek Toota Tara

The queen of hearts

2008-08-22T21:51:00.000+05:30

Click on image to enlarge it. Have put 2 plus hours to draw it. Poster Ref : Singh is Kinng

Ek Toota Tara

2008-08-20T20:31:00.000+05:30

Hi Frds,

Saw this pic in a forwarded Email and couldn't stop my self to draw it. Please click on the image to zoom the image.

Meri aankho se jo beh nikla vo lahoo na tha

Na jaane kis bedard ne use lal rang de diya.
(Thing fallen from eyes were not blood, Don't know give it red color)

Keep the spark alive !!!

2008-07-29T12:18:00.000+05:30

Chetan Bhagat's Inaugural Speech for the new batch at the Symbiosis BBA program, Pune - 23rd June, 2008

Good Morning everyone and thank you for giving me this chance to speak to you. This day is about you. You, who have come to this college, leaving the comfort of your homes (or in some cases discomfort), to become something in your life. I am sure you are excited. There are few days in human life when one is truly elated. The first day in college is one of them. When you were getting ready today, you felt a tingling in your stomach. What would the auditorium be like, what would the teachers be like, who are my new classmates - there is so much to be curious about. I call this excitement, the spark within you that makes you feel truly alive today. Today I am going to talk about keeping the spark shining. Or to put it another way, how to be happy most, if not all the time.

Where do these sparks start? I think we are born with them. My 3-year old twin boys have a million sparks. A little Spiderman toy can make them jump on the bed. They get thrills from creaky swings in the park. A story from daddy gets them excited. They do a daily countdown for birthday party – several months in advance – just for the day they will cut their own birthday cake.

I see students like you, and I still see some sparks. But when I see older people, the spark is difficult to find. That means as we age, the spark fades. People whose spark has faded too much are dull, dejected, aimless and bitter. Remember Kareena in the first half of Jab We Met vs. the second half? That is what happens when the spark is lost. So how to save the spark?

Imagine the spark to be a lamp's flame. The first aspect is nurturing - to give your spark the fuel, continuously. The second is to guard against storms.

To nurture, always have goals. It is human nature to strive, improve and achieve full potential. In fact, that is success. It is what is possible for you. It isn't any external measure - a certain cost to company pay package, a particular car or house.

Most of us are from middle class families. To us, having material landmarks is success and rightly so. When you have grown up where money constraints force everyday choices, financial freedom is a big achievement. But it isn't the purpose of life. If that was the case, Mr. Ambani would not show up for work. Shah Rukh Khan would stay at home and not dance anymore. Steve Jobs won't be working hard to make a better iPhone, as he sold Pixar for billions of dollars already. Why do they do it? What makes them come to work everyday? They do it because it makes them happy. They do it because it makes them feel alive. Just getting better from current levels feels good. If you study hard, you can improve your rank. If you make an effort to interact with people, you will do better in interviews. If you practice, your cricket will get better. You may also know that you cannot become Tendulkar, yet. But you can get to the next level. Striving for that next level is important.

Nature designed with a random set of genes and circumstances in which we were born... To be happy, we have to accept it and make the most of nature's design. Are you? Goals will help you do that.

I must add, don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order.

There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

You must have read some quotes - Life is a tough race, it is a marathon or whatever. No, from what I have seen so far, life is one of those races in nursery school, where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same with life, where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.

One last thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. One of my yoga teachers used to make students laugh during classes. One student asked him if these jokes would take away something from the yoga practice. The teacher said - don't be serious, be sincere. This quote has defined my work ever since. Whether it's my writing, my job, my relationships or any of my goals. I get thousands of opinions on my writing everyday. There is heaps of praise, there is intense criticism. If I take it all seriously, how will I write? Or rather, how will I live? Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It's ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.

I've told you three things - reasonable goals, balance and not taking it too seriously that will nurture the spark. However, there are four storms in life that will threaten to completely put out the flame. These must be guarded against. These are disappointment, frustration, unfairness and loneliness of purpose..

Disappointment will come when your effort does not give you the expected return. If things don't go as planned or if you face failure. Failure is extremely difficult to handle, but those that do come out stronger. What did this failure teach me? Is the question you will need to ask? You will feel miserable. You will want to quit, like I wanted to when nine publishers rejected my first book. Some IITians kill themselves over low grades – how silly is that? But that is how much failure can hurt you. But it's life. If challenges could always be overcome, they would cease to be a challenge. And remember - if you are failing at something, that means you are at your limit or potential. And that's where you want to be.

Disappointment's cousin is frustration, the second storm. Have you ever been frustrated? It happens when things are stuck. This is especially relevant in India. From traffic jams to getting that job you deserve, sometimes things take so long that you don't know if you chose the right goal. After books, I set the goal of writing for Bollywood, as I thought they needed writers. I am called extremely lucky, but it took me five years to get close to a release. Frustration saps excitement, and turns your initial energy into something negative, making you a bitter person. How did I deal with it? A realistic assessment of the time involved – movies take a long time to make even though they are watched quickly, seeking a certain enjoyment in the process rather than the end result – at least I was learning how to write scripts, having a side plan – I had my third book to write and even something as simple as pleasurable distractions in your life - friends, food, travel can help you overcome it. Remember, nothing is to be taken seriously. Frustration is a sign somewhere, you took it too seriously.

Unfairness - this is hardest to deal with, but unfortunately that is how our country works. People with connections, rich dads, beautiful faces, pedigree find it easier to make it – not just in Bollywood, but everywhere. And sometimes it is just plain luck. There are so few opportunities in India, so many stars need to be aligned for you to make it happen. Merit and hard work is not always linked to achievement in the short term, but the long term correlation is high, and ultimately things do work out. But realize, there will be some people luckier than you. In fact, to have an opportunity to go to college and understand this speech in English means you are pretty damm lucky by Indian standards. Let's be grateful for what we have and get the strength to accept what we don't. I have so much love from my readers that other writers cannot even imagine it. However, I don't get literary praise. It's ok. I don't look like Aishwarya Rai, but I have two boys who I think are more beautiful than her. It's ok. Don't let unfairness kill your spark.

Finally, the last point that can kill your spark is isolation. As you grow older you will realize you are unique. When you are little, all kids want Ice cream and Spiderman. As you grow older to college, you still are a lot like your friends. But ten years later and you realize you are unique. What you want, what you believe in, what makes you feel, may be different from even the people closest to you. This can create conflict as your goals may not match with others. . And you may drop some of them. Basketball captains in college invariably stop playing basketball by the time they have their second child. They give up something that meant so much to them. They do it for their family. But in doing that, the spark dies. Never, ever make that compromise. Love yourself first, and then others.

There you go. I've told you the four thunderstorms - disappointment, frustration, unfairness and isolation. You cannot avoid them, as like the monsoon they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die.

I welcome you again to the most wonderful years of your life. If someone gave me the choice to go back in time, I will surely choose college. But I also hope that ten years later as well, your eyes will shine the same way as they do today... That you will Keep the Spark alive, not only through college, but through the next 2,500 weekends. And I hope not just you, but my whole country will keep that spark alive, as we really need it now more than any moment in history. And there is something cool about saying - I come from the land of a billion sparks.

Tasweer badal do apni

2008-03-15T13:52:00.000+05:30

Vo kehte hain ki tasweer badal do apni,
is tasweer se nahin hai pehchaan teri
are yahan to rooh bhi meri pardanasheen hai
Ankhon ki juban jo vo na samjh sake, to mere haathon ke lal rang ko dekh lein
ye kisi rang se lipte nahin, bas mere asqon ki jameen hai

mere ashar ko mahoob samjh ke chhoomte the jo
kho gaye hain woh log ab un kee justzoo hai

gujar gaye wo kaarwaan jinmein tehzib mehfooj thee
bhatke hue kaafile pairon ki nishani dhoondhte hain

besahara dil ki dhadkanein yahan kaun sunega e dost
ajnabi logon mein koi surat pehchani dhoondhte hain

Ek Toota Tara

Last day of 2007

2007-12-31T19:02:00.000+05:30

Kya gujri hai subah...subhan allah.... Purane Doston ko dhoka dekar aaj maine naya saal kuch naye doston ke saath manaya...

Tujh mein agar pyaas hai,Baarish ka ghar bhi pass hai
Roke tujhe koi kyon bhala,Sang sang tere aakash hai.....

Vo chote chote kadam, vo nanhin hatheliyan...unko aaj sketching sikhayee.... Super Commando Dhruv ki Comic books baanti...Thodi choclates bhi thee... maine bhi kuch chura ke khaayee...
Haan Doston...Aaj mein Aakansha gaya tha...its a children care organization...u can say it as NGO... Hum kuch dost jo ki Paritran naam ki ek political party se bhi belong karte hain...humne socha ki naya saal ki shruaat kuch diff honi chahiye...ye soch hi rahe the ki Taare Zameen par dekhi.... or phir kya tha ....ek bahana mil gaya..humne 7 sava 7 hajar rs each mila ke kuch 50000 rs jode or kaam ban gaya

I may not have gone where i have intended to go but i think i have ended where i intended to be...
Dua karta hun ki meri tarah kuch or dost naya saal celebrate karein taaki hum apna aane wala hindostan majboot kar sakein...

Tum chalo to hindostaan chale,
Amit.

Oh kyun is kadar hairaan tu
Mausam ka hai mehmaan tu
Roshan hui saari zameen
Jagmag hua saara jahaan
Oh udne ko tu aazad hai
bandhan koi ab hai kahan
Tu dhoop hain jham se bikhar
Tu hai nadee o bekhabar
Beh chal kahin ud chal kahin
Dil khush jahan teri toh manzil hai wahin

I am India, India is me

2007-12-28T11:20:00.000+05:30

I recently saw Times of India ,a leading news paper's initiative...Though i am not happy with they way they are doing but few things are really cool....Read below

The day I was born in this country, the country was also born in me.
I can feel it running through my guts when I am angry and throbbing through my veins when I am glad.
I will not point fingers at anyone any more, those fingrs will be pointed at me.
I am the system that does not work. I am the pothole on the road that does not get filled. I am the FIR that does not get filed. I am the bridge that does not get built.
Everything that is wrong with this country starts with me. And will soon end with me. I am India India is me...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1051202/lead_india/

Have you ever seen such a beautiful night

2007-10-05T14:08:00.000+05:30

Just saw The Lizzy Mcguire Movie... An Awesome lyrics one of the Song has

Have you ever seen such a beautiful night
I could almost kiss the stars for shining so bright.
When I see you smile and I go oh oh oh
I would never want to miss this
Cause In my hart I know what this is
This is what dreams are made of...

Nice lyrics and soothy voice...Hilary Duff was awesome in movie...