I Dream a journey towards freedom from everything

अनन्या और उनके पापा अजीत

2024-07-28T12:35:00.001-04:00

खुशियों की प्यारी छाँव में,

पिता और बेटी का खेल निराला,

सोफे पर लेटे हैं पिता,

बेटी उनके पेट पर बैठी है प्यारी।

पिता का मुस्कान देख,

बेटी की हँसी जगमगाती,

उनके बिना, चेहरा उसका,

मुस्कान की राह तकती।

पिता के होंठों की लकीर,

बन जाती है बेटी की तकदीर,

हर मुस्कान में छुपी है,

उनकी प्यारी दुनिया की तस्वीर।

पिता की गोद में बैठ,

बेटी की हँसी होती अनमोल,

मुस्कान से मुस्कान का ये खेल,

भर देता है दोनों के दिल में हौसला।

पिता और बेटी का ये रिश्ता,

खुशियों का समंदर है,

हर मुस्कान में छुपी है,

प्यार की गहरी गहराई।

Practice & Believe In Yourself

2024-07-24T08:11:00.001-04:00

Skills in activities like public speaking, leadership, and sports improve with practice.

Initial difficulty doesn't mean someone will never be good at it.

People who excel at these activities have developed their skills over time.

We should be mindful of our perceptions and avoid believing that abilities are solely based on natural talent.

Recognize your potential for improvement through consistent effort and practice.

Embrace a mindset of innovation and proactive engagement.

2024-07-21T20:07:00.001-04:00

We will not survive if we remain in the constricted space of doing as we are told, depending solely on cost-arbitrage, and working as reactive problem-solvers.

To truly thrive, we must embrace a mindset of innovation and proactive engagement. This means stepping out of our comfort zones, challenging the status quo, and constantly seeking new ways to add value. By fostering creativity and strategic thinking, we can drive meaningful change and ensure long-term success in an ever-evolving landscape.

My Favorite Movies and Books (2017)

2024-07-21T20:02:00.002-04:00

Favorite Movies

Drama

Whiplash
It's a Wonderful Life
The Secret in Their Eyes
No Country for Old Men
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Fight Club
The Social Network

Action/Adventure

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Gravity

Western

Once Upon a Time in the West

Favorite Books

Self-Help & Personal Development

How to Win Friends and Influence People
The Richest Man in Babylon
The War of Art
As a Man Thinketh
The Way of the Superior Man
Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Awaken the Giant Within
Think and Grow Rich
Eat That Frog

Business & Finance

The Millionaire Fastlane by M.J. DeMarco
The Personal MBA
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Philosophy & Psychology

Moral Letters to Lucilius: Letters from a Stoic
Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nicholas Taleb
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
The Obstacle is the Way

Motivation & Success

Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy (duplicate entry, ensure this is intentional or remove one)

Fiction

The Alchemist

Miscellaneous

The Entreprogrammers Podcast
The Rational Male

Navigating Career Transitions: Making Your Point and Gaining Support

2024-07-21T19:22:00.007-04:00

Introduction

Six years ago, I found myself at a critical juncture in my career. I was eager to transition from my current project to new opportunities within my organization. However, I knew that achieving this goal required a thoughtful and strategic approach. Reflecting on my experience, I want to share some insights on how to effectively communicate your point and gain support for your career aspirations without resorting to conflict.

The Context

I had been working on an insurance billing transactional platform from scratch, a complex application that had become operational and was delivering significant value. Over the past 16 months, I played a pivotal role in this project, interacting with key stakeholders, including senior architects, business SMEs, and even the CIO. Alongside this, I took on parallel consulting assignments, further enriching my experience and skill set.

Building on Prior Experience

One of the key points I wanted to convey was the importance of building on prior work experience. Working closely with customers and stakeholders not only enhances our skills but also builds their confidence in our abilities. This, in turn, opens up more business opportunities and fosters a stronger relationship with clients.

The Case for Transition

At this stage in my career, I felt it was crucial to leverage my experience by moving on to other key applications within the organization. I believed that continuing to work on application enhancements for an established platform wouldn't offer the growth and challenge I was seeking. I was confident that the current lead, with sound application and domain knowledge, could excel with the support of another senior developer.

Long-term Goals and Organizational Benefit

I emphasized my commitment to the organization's long-term goals. By allowing myself to explore new roles and opportunities, I could continue to grow and contribute significantly. My recent contributions demonstrated my potential, and I believed that finding the right opportunity—even outside my current center—was in the best interest of the organization.

A Polite and Constructive Request

Here's how I framed my request:

Subject: Request for Release to Explore New Opportunities

Hi [Supervisor / Center head],

I hope this message finds you well.

I wanted to take a moment to discuss my current role and future aspirations within our organization. Over the past 16 months, I have been a key contributor to the development of our insurance billing transactional platform, which is now fully operational. This project allowed me to interact with key stakeholders, including senior architects, business SMEs, and the CIO, enriching my experience immensely.

As we continue to grow, it's important to build on our prior work experience. Working closely with customers has not only enhanced my skills but also built their confidence in our capabilities, generating more business opportunities.

At this juncture, I believe I can serve our organization better by transitioning to other key applications. Rather than focusing on application enhancements for an established platform, I am eager to take on new challenges. I am confident that the current lead, with additional support from a senior developer, can excel in my current role.

Considering my long-term career goals and the momentum I've shown in recent contributions, I request to explore new billing opportunities within our organization. This move, I believe, will be beneficial for both my career growth and the organization.

I kindly request to be untagged from my current center to avoid any overhead and facilitate this transition, in line with our organizational guidelines.

Thank you for your continuous support and encouragement.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Conclusion

In my experience, making a well-structured and respectful case for career transitions can yield positive results. By focusing on your contributions, long-term goals, and the benefits to the organization, you can effectively communicate your point and gain the necessary support. I hope this article helps others navigate similar situations and achieve their career aspirations.

The beauty of embracing our minor weaknesses and the richness they bring to our lives

2024-07-21T19:10:00.004-04:00

We all have our little foibles, those minor quirks and eccentricities that make us unique. Instead of viewing them as flaws, let's see them as charming aspects of our character. In relationships and collaborations, it's essential to embrace and tolerate each other's foibles. They add color to our interactions and remind us that perfection isn't necessary for meaningful connections. Just as Suhel Seth suggests valuing genuine relationships, appreciating each other's foibles can strengthen the bonds we share.

Important Learnings from Suhel Seth's Talk on "How to Get to the Top"

2024-07-21T19:05:00.001-04:00

Honesty is Crucial:
- Always be truthful. Honesty builds trust and integrity. Avoid lying, as it complicates life and relationships.
Foundations of Lasting Friendships:
- Genuine friendships are based on mutual respect, honesty, and consistent support. Value a few deep connections over numerous superficial ones.
Effective Argumentation:
- Engage in arguments respectfully and constructively. Focus on well-researched opinions and the art of persuasive communication.
Forming Well-Informed Opinions:
- Cultivate informed opinions through extensive reading and continuous learning. Be confident in expressing and defending your views.
Modern Parenting Critique:
- Modern parenting often relies too much on technology and external caretakers. Active and involved parenting shapes better individuals.
Advertising and Branding Insights:
- Successful advertising hinges on creativity, relevance, and understanding the consumer. Adapt to changing media landscapes without losing core brand values.
Value of Leisure:
- Incorporate leisure into your daily routine. It enhances creativity, reduces stress, and improves overall well-being.
Intellectual Curiosity:
- Maintain a strong passion for learning. Intellectual curiosity drives personal and professional growth, keeping the mind sharp and engaged.
Importance of Humor:
- Humor is a valuable social tool. It fosters connections, diffuses tension, and enhances communication. Modern society's lack of humor is a drawback.
Lessons from Khushwant Singh:
- Cherish the wisdom and experiences shared by mentors and influential figures. Their lessons can profoundly impact your life and career.
Love Over Popularity:
- Strive to be loved rather than just popular. Genuine affection and respect are more enduring and meaningful than transient popularity.
Smart Work Over Hard Work:
- Focus on smart work rather than just hard work. Efficient and effective work practices yield better results and maintain work-life balance.
Adaptability in Marketing:
- In marketing, adapt to the medium and audience. Different platforms require tailored approaches to effectively communicate the brand's message.
Clear Communication:
- Clear articulation reflects a clear mind. Work on your communication skills to convey your ideas effectively and confidently.
Continuous Self-Improvement:
- Invest in self-improvement. Regularly update your skills and knowledge to stay relevant and competitive in your field.

These learnings from Suhel Seth's talk provide valuable insights into personal development, professional success, and maintaining meaningful relationships.

You Tube Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqXmP_AV8Q&t=13s

When I lose the focus - I do this

2024-07-21T18:44:00.002-04:00

Overcommitted?

Tame Anxiety with 'Chunking':

Focus on one task at a time ("mono-tasking") to reduce stress and improve productivity.
Create a "happiness to-do list" to manage small tasks in 5 to 30-minute chunks.
Use reminders and sprinkle small feel-good tasks throughout the day to feel more in control of your time.

Procrastinating?

Spark Action with Temptation:

Pair a difficult task with a reward (known as "temptation bundling").
This technique curbs procrastination by making the task more appealing.
Create a "happiness to-do list" to manage small tasks in 5 to 30-minute chunks.
Start with the most rewarding or enjoyable tasks to gain immediate satisfaction.

Feeling Stuck?

Expand Your Time with Awe:

Focus on meaningful activities to feel a deeper sense of connection.
Ancient Greeks had two types of time: "Chronos" (linear, measurable) and "Kairos" (rich, meaningful moments).
Engaging in activities that inspire awe can make time feel more abundant and meaningful.

Fearing the Future?

Give Your Time Away to Others:

When feeling a scarcity of time, give it away by helping others or volunteering.
This action can alleviate regret and worry, providing a sense of abundance and reducing stress.
Being generous with your time can make you feel "rich" in the most precious treasure of all—time.

Overall Learnings:

Manage anxiety and overwhelm by breaking tasks into smaller chunks and focusing on one thing at a time.
Use rewards to motivate yourself to complete difficult tasks.
Engage in activities that inspire awe to make time feel more meaningful.
Give time to others to reduce stress and feel a sense of abundance.

By incorporating these strategies, you can turn tension into joy and create a more fulfilling and less stressful life.

शब-ए-दूरी की कश्मकश

2024-07-21T18:38:00.002-04:00

शब-ए-दूरी की कश्मकश, न पूछ कैसे बीत रही

कभी इक चिराग जला दिया तो कभी इक चिराग बुझा दिया।

भावार्थ:

दूरी की रातें कैसे बीतती हैं, इसे बताना मुश्किल है। कभी उम्मीद का एक चिराग जला लिया, तो कभी निराशा में उसे बुझा दिया। इस द्वंद्व में, हर पल एक संघर्ष है, जिसमें कभी रोशनी होती है तो कभी अंधेरा।

Explanation:

The turmoil of separation is indescribable. Sometimes, in moments of hope, I light a lamp, and in moments of despair, I extinguish it. This constant struggle is a blend of light and darkness, reflecting the emotional highs and lows experienced during separation.

इस शेर में दूरियों के दर्द और उसकी कश्मकश को बेहद खूबसूरती से बयान किया गया है। यह हमारी भावनाओं के उन क्षणों को दर्शाता है जब हम कभी आशा और कभी निराशा के बीच झूलते रहते हैं।

Let us ask and learn

2024-06-02T12:22:00.001-04:00

That distinction between pitching and asking is insightful. Pitching often involves a more rigid approach where the main objective is to guide the conversation toward a predetermined outcome. In contrast, asking implies a genuine openness to understanding and possibly changing one’s perspective based on the interaction. This openness can lead to more meaningful and productive conversations, fostering authentic connections and collaborative problem-solving. It’s a subtle but powerful shift in mindset that can significantly impact the quality of communication and relationships.

Generous Creativity

2024-05-27T11:39:00.002-04:00

Permission and Authority: Creatives often feel they need permission or authority to solve problems or create something new.

Originality: Creators face criticism for being either too original or not original enough, making it hard to find the right balance.

Technical Details: Minor mistakes, such as missing a comma, can overshadow the value of the creative work.

Perception of Value: Creative works may be dismissed as not funny, not the best, or not valuable if they resemble something done before or are unprecedented.

Lack of Guarantees: There are no assurances that creative efforts will be successful or appreciated.

Despite this - Go with Generous Creativity

Adventures in the Heart of India: A Family Road Trip from Varanasi to Khajuraho

2024-04-27T08:20:00.000-04:00

21/4/24SundayLocation: Varanasi

Today marked the beginning of my much-anticipated journey to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is a district in Madhya Pradesh, India, world-famous for its ancient and medieval temples. It is located in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning and got ready for the road trip. My grandmother woke up before me and prepared some chana and puris for us to eat on the road. My mother was sleeping while my grandmother and I were all set to go. Even the driver was waiting. I woke my mother up and she got ready. We were late by 45 minutes because my mother overslept. We kept our bags in the trunk and hit the road. What I didn’t know was that yesterday, my mom and grandmother went shopping for goodies to eat on the road trip. As the trip started, my mother and grandmother dozed off to sleep. Initially, we could only see buildings and shops, but after some time, we could see mountains, plateaus, and fields with crops.

I was getting bored real soon, so I decided to join my mother and grandmother and slept. When I woke up, nobody was in the car. As soon as I peeked outside, I saw that my mother and grandmother were buying sweets for us and for Dhirendra Shastri. We stopped at a gas station to fill up with diesel. My mom had a surprise for me; on the way to Khajuraho, we were going to her Bua’s house. We reached her Bua’s house at 12 pm. It was the first time I met my mother’s Bua and Fufa. We ate lunch and talked. After we talked, we hit the road. The time remaining to reach Khajuraho was at least 2 hours. So I slept the way there. The sun was setting as we reached the hotel. The hotel we were staying in was known as Hotel Ramayana. We kept our bags, changed our clothes, freshened up, and ordered dinner. I got white sauce pasta and my mother and grandmother ordered Palak Paneer and some Roti. After eating, we slept.

22/4/24MondayLocation: Khajuraho

Our plan was to wake up early and go to the Panna Tiger Reserve for a safari, so we woke up at 4:45 and got ready by 5:45. The first round of the safari started at 6, so we sat in the car and drove to Panna Tiger Reserve. The Panna Tiger Reserve is one of the most critical in the North central highlands for protecting the Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris). The other two species of cats that claim this region as their home are the Siyah Gosh (Felis caracal) and the jungle cat (Felis chaus). The reserve’s guide claims that they have totally 80 tigers, including their cubs, but the area open for tourism purposes has approximately 10 tigers with cubs. As we entered the tiger reserve, we saw the jeeps they were taking us in. My mother went into the office to buy tickets while my grandmother and I waited in the jeep. After my mother joined us with the tickets, we were accompanied by two bhaiyas who came with us on the jeep. As the journey started, the road was smooth, but in some seconds, it was pure offroad. Initially, we saw nothing, but after we were in the jungle, we saw a lot of deer, elephants, and chameleons. After some time, our guide received a calling—a calling is an alert that tells us a tiger has been spotted. Now, the driver had to do his best and try to go fast to show us the tiger. After the driver was told that there was a calling in another area, our driver drove the jeep so fast that I almost flew off my seat. Imagine, off-roading at 60 kmph. We reached but the tiger was gone. We went to some man-made ponds to see if any tigers would come to drink water. We didn’t see a tiger, but we sure saw a turtle sunbathing. We saw tons of vultures flying above us. When we were returning, we saw a deer making distress sounds, meaning he knew something was trying to hunt him. The deer was making distress sounds so his mates wouldn’t come near him, or else the animal would hunt both of them. The deer was standing still. The guide told us that a leopard was trying to hunt it. We saw the leopard with our own eyes. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the leopard hunting the deer. We had covered the major places in the safari, so we all decided to return. Because of the Ken river passing through the jungle, it enhances the beauty of the jungle. After the safari, we were hungry, so we went to a restaurant known as Badri Seth Bhojanalay. By the name, you must have thought that it is some dhaba-type restaurant, but no, it was a full AC first-class restaurant. I ordered some green salad, paneer butter masala, and some rice. My mother ordered a Marwari thali, and my grandmother ordered Bati Chokha and Dal. All the food was very tasty. I gave it a 5-star review with a review that can easily convince you to come to this restaurant. After we ate, we went to the hotel and we slept for 3 HOURS STRAIGHT. Our plan was to go to Bageshwar Dham, so we got ready and left for Bageshwar Dham. We arrived in the evening. While we were walking down the street, shopkeepers called us to come to their store to buy something by saying the name of the product and the price like, “tamatar lelo 20 rupay kilo!” “salwar kurta sirf 300 rupay, 300 rupay!” Kids came to us to put tika and didn’t demand any money. We didn’t know where the temple was and what to do before going in. After gathering some information, we got to know the place of the temple and what we had to do before entering. Before entering, we had to take 21 rounds of the temple, but gladly, we didn’t have to do 21 rounds because there was another option to do 3, so we did 3. As we entered the temple, we saw a big crowd. We were confused. After talking to some people, we got to know that Dhirendra Shastri just arrived from Nepal and was going in the temple for darshan. Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar or Maharaj, is a Hindu spiritual guru and the peethadhiswar of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a religious Hindu pilgrimage site in Chhatarpur District in Madhya Pradesh. After he came out, we saw a long line. We thought it would take time, but nope, it came out in 30 minutes. We received Prashad and we headed to Dhirendra Shastri’s Darbar. It was full of people. What I did not like was the stink, flies, and people literally lying down like this is their home while Dhirendra Shastri and his crew were sitting on comfortable sofas. Nobody expected this. My mother wanted to meet Dhirendra Shastri, so she said ‘we will come back tomorrow morning so nobody would be there.’ So, we went to eat food. Nothing was open, so we had to go to another restaurant. I ordered pizza, my mother ordered Dal Khichadi, and my grandmother ordered a sandwich. I didn’t like my pizza, so I ate Dal Khichadi. After we ate, we went to our hotel and slept early.

23/4/24TuesdayLocation: Khajuraho

Our plan was to go to Bageshwar Dham at 3:30 am, but we woke up at 6 am because my mother mistakenly set the alarm at 3:30 pm. We realized this at 3:30 in the afternoon. My mother thought that we all were in deep sleep. We woke up at six and got ready by 7 am, so we sat in the car, asked the driver to drive fast, or else we would not get the front seat and not get the attention of Mr. Dhirendra Shastri. We arrived at 7:20 am and got the places in the middle. Dhirendra Shastri said he would arrive at 12 am, so we waited. While we waited, my mother bought me breakfast. I ate Poha, Samosa, and sweet Ghujiya. My grandmother was waiting for us in the Darbar. After I was done eating breakfast, we went back to the Darbar. As we entered the Darbar, we saw a large crowd sitting, standing, and some crowd people fighting too. We were shocked because when we went there was no crowd, but now there is one. We were waiting for 4 and a half hours, and still, Dhirendra Shastri didn’t come. I was getting bored, so I asked my mom, “Can I go to my car and do whatever I want? (Play video games, listen to music, sleep, etc.).” My mom said yes, but I had to come whenever my mom called. So I said yes and headed towards the car. When I entered, I turned on the AC and started playing video games. After my console battery was low, I started listening to music, but that didn’t last long because the network was very bad. So I slept for 1 hour. When I woke up, I realized that it was 12 am, the time Dhirendra Shastri would arrive. So I went to the Darbar and saw a much bigger crowd, but I didn’t see Dhirendra Shastri. I went to my mother and asked, “Where is Dhirendra Shastri?” My mother replied, “He is answering questions or problems asked by the people.” I thought that it would take 1 hour or 30 minutes, so I slept. When I woke up, 3 hours had passed and still, Dhirendra Shastri didn’t come, so I asked my mother, “Can we go back to the hotel because Dhirendra Shastri didn’t arrive yet?” My mother replied, “Let’s wait for 15 minutes, if he does not come, we will go.” I said, “Ok,” and continued waiting. Dhirendra Shastri arrived in 5 minutes, but the crowd was so big that nobody could handle it, the aunty in front of me was sitting on everything, or in some time, she would change her position, sometimes she would sit on my mom’s purse, my bag, and even our legs. Nobody could handle this, so we left. Even leaving from the Darbar was a challenge because somebody is sitting in the front, somebody is coming from the front, somebody is pushing, and people were shouting at us just because they can’t see Dhirendra Shastri. The good thing is we left with a 100 people shouting at us. After we left, we decided to go to the hotel first because we all were tired and wanted to freshen up. When we freshened up at the hotel, we went to some ancient monuments, aka The Western group of temples. The Western group of temples houses the most important temples in Khajuraho—Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Devi Jagadamba Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Chitragupta Temple, The Chausath Yogini Temple, etc. These Hindu and Jain temples date back to 950 AD and are inscribed with ornamental carvings, mostly erotic. We didn’t know much about the place, so we got a guide. While exploring the temples, we saw the beautiful sunset, a full moon, and learned a lot of facts about the temples. After exploring the temples, we went to the same restaurant we went to the day before yesterday to eat dinner, yes, the same Badri Seth Bhojanalay. This time I ordered Dal Makhani, Kadhai Paneer, and rice. My mom ordered Bhindi ki Sabzi and roti. My grandmother ordered Dal and rice. After we ate, we went to our hotel and slept. Before sleeping, there was a change in plans. Before going to Chitrakoot, we had to go to Orchha to visit a fortress and a Ram temple. After hearing the change of plans, we decided what time to wake up and we slept.

24/4/24TuesdayLocation: Khajuraho

We woke up at 8 am and got ready to go to eat breakfast. I ordered puri bhaji, my mom ordered poha, and my grandmother ordered Aloo Paratha. We ate our breakfast until 10 am and hit the road at 10:30 am. The time taken to reach Orchha was 2 hours and 30 minutes. There was nothing to do on the way to Orchha, so I listened to music for some time and then slept the whole way. The car was so comfortable that you can sleep in exactly 2 minutes. When we reached the temple, we were told the story of how Lord Rama got here. The story goes like this: One day, there lived a king and a queen. The king was a devotee of Lord Krishna. The queen was a devotee of Lord Rama. The king was adamant and asked her to join him. The queen refused. This annoyed the king, and he instructed the queen to return to Orchha only when she had Lord Rama with her. On reaching Ayodhya, the queen started praying to Lord Rama, but Lord Rama did not appear. Eventually, in despair, she jumped into the river Saryu at midnight. Happy with her prayers and devotion, Lord Rama appeared in the lap of the queen in child form. Lord Rama agreed to go forth on three conditions, “I will travel only in Pukh Nakshatra form so that he reaches Orchha with sages. Secondly, when we reach Orchha, I will be the king of Orchha. Thirdly, the first place you seat me will be my last place to stay.” On hearing the news of the queen’s return to Orchha with Lord Rama, the king started building the temple. Returning from her long journey, the queen was tired, and she sat with Lord Rama in her palace and decided to retire to her room for the night. But according to Lord Rama’s conditions, he took the first place where he was seated. Hence, to this day, the queen’s palace is known as Ram Raja Temple. After we explored the temple, we went to the fortress of the queen. It was ginormous. It had 3 floors and more than 100 rooms. After exploring, we went to the restaurant present in the fortress and ordered some snacks such as Lassi, Buttermilk, Sandwich, and Hot chocolate. After we were done eating our snacks, we headed towards Chitrakoot, our final destination. It took us 5 hours to reach Chitrakoot, and the best part is that 80 km of the journey was on an expressway. So it was just a straight way and nothing to see. I charged my console and played with it and listened to some music. We never noticed that we arrived at Chitrakoot 2 hours before our E.T.A. We had booked a resort that didn’t have a swimming pool, but the food and stay were very nice. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was clean. The resort’s name was The River Front Resort. The funny thing is that neither my mama could book it nor my papa. 😂😂😂😂. When we entered the hotel and were confirming our booking, my mom made a mistake; she booked it for next month, but because of the good staff, they gave us a discount and also booked a room for us. The stay was for 1 day. We went to our room, freshened up, and went down for dinner. I ordered some Pasta, but my mom took half of the pasta from me, so I ordered khichadi. My mom ordered chili paneer, roti, and rice, and my grandmother ordered Dal, Kadhai Paneer, and rice. We ate dinner, went to the room, and slept because we had to visit places in Chitrakoot and go home to Varanasi.

25/4/24WednesdayLocation: Chitrakoot

I woke up at 8 am and saw that my grandmother and my mother were already ready and waiting for me, so I got out of bed and got ready for the day. First, we went to Ram Ghat and went on a boat to the temple. We also saw a tree which is half Bargad and half peepal. It is the same tree on which Hanuman told Tulsidas that the person Tulsidas was putting tika on every day was Lord Rama. We returned to the hotel because breakfast was ready. It was a buffet, so I took some idli and sambar, puri and bhaji, and mango juice. I don’t know what my mother and grandmother got, but I remember both of them taking idli and sambar. After eating, we checked out and went to explore Chitrakoot. First, we went to Ram Ghat and went on a boat to the temple. We also saw a tree which is half Bargad and half peepal. It is the same tree on which Hanuman told Tulsidas that the person Tulsidas was putting tika on every day was Lord Rama. We also went to Sphatik Shila, the place where we can see Lord Rama and Mata Sita’s footprints. Legend says in Sphatik Shila, a crow pinched Mata Sita’s foot with his beak, with blood coming out. When Lord Rama saw this, he immediately picked up a stone and threw it at the crow’s eye. After this, the crow kept wandering in all three Lokas asking for forgiveness. The kings of all three Lokas told him to ask forgiveness from Lord Rama. We also went to the Sati Ansuya temple, in which a lot of jhankis were set up. Next, we went to Gupt Godavari. It is a cave. During Lord Rama’s exile, his Darbar used to be here. My mom came here when she was the same age as me. She said there used to be water here up to our hips. There was another cave that has water up to our knees. I went fully into the cave and came back out with my mother. It was very fun. At last, we went to Hanuman Dhara, the place where Hanuman’s heat of burning Lanka got cooled down. Nobody knows where the water in Hanuman Dhara comes from and goes. The temple was on the top of a mountain, so we used a ropeway to get to the top. After we were done exploring Chitrakoot, we headed back to Varanasi. It was 3 pm when we left for Varanasi. The time taken to reach Varanasi was 3 hours and 58 minutes, so we enjoyed the beautiful view and music, and never noticed 1 and a half hours had passed. Everybody was hungry, so we were searching for restaurants to eat, but sadly, no restaurants were good or real. Finally, just before entering the highway, we found a dhaba named Balaji Hotel. I ordered Paneer Butter Masala and rice, my mom ordered Dal, Bhindi, and roti. My grandmother ordered the same as my mother did. The food was very tasty. I wanted to give it a 5-star review on Google Maps, but it was nowhere to be found. So we continued our journey to Varanasi and reached before we expected. In the end, we came back home with good memories.

Based on Original text shared by Panshul.

Panshul’s Diary - Trip

2024-04-27T07:56:00.000-04:00

April 21, 2024SundayLocation: Varanasi

Today we embarked on our eagerly awaited road trip to Khajuraho, a district in Madhya Pradesh renowned for its ancient temples. Our journey began early; I woke at 4:30 AM, prepared by my grandmother who had already made chana and puris for the trip. We faced a slight delay as my mother had overslept, but once ready, we packed our car and set off. Unknown to me, my mother and grandmother had stocked up on snacks the day before, making our drive more enjoyable. As we ventured further from the city, the scenery transitioned from urban structures to mesmerizing landscapes of mountains, plateaus, and fields. Eventually, the monotony of the drive lulled us all to sleep.

A surprise detour took us to my mother’s aunt’s house around noon, where we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed a hearty meal. Refreshed, we resumed our journey to Khajuraho, arriving at our hotel, the Ramayana, by sunset. Dinner was a quiet affair with delicious dishes before we retired for the night.

April 22, 2024MondayLocation: Khajuraho

We rose before dawn to visit the Panna Tiger Reserve, a sanctuary critical for the protection of the Bengal Tiger among other species. Despite an exciting safari filled with sightings of deer, elephants, and even a leopard, the elusive tigers remained out of sight. Our adventure continued with a satisfying meal at Badri Seth Bhojanalay, a surprisingly upscale restaurant where we refueled before heading to Bageshwar Dham. The evening was eventful, encountering bustling crowds and a brief glimpse of the spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri, which culminated in a mixed dining experience as the night closed.

April 23, 2024TuesdayLocation: Khajuraho

A mix-up with the alarm clock delayed our early start to Bageshwar Dham, but we managed to join the middle of the crowd by mid-morning. After a long and somewhat chaotic wait, we decided to leave the crowded scene without meeting Dhirendra Shastri. The rest of the day was spent exploring Khajuraho’s famed Western Group of Temples, their ancient allure enhanced by the beautiful sunset. We ended our day back at Badri Seth Bhojanalay, enjoying familiar comforts.

April 24, 2024TuesdayLocation: Khajuraho

The day began with a relaxed breakfast before we set out for Orchha to visit the historic Ram Raja Temple and the majestic fortress. After exploring these sites and enjoying light refreshments, we proceeded to Chitrakoot. Despite a smooth expressway drive, our arrival was sooner than expected, and we enjoyed a peaceful night at the River Front Resort.

April 25, 2024WednesdayLocation: Chitrakoot

Our final day was filled with spiritual visits and natural beauty as we explored Chitrakoot’s sacred sites, including Ram Ghat and the mystical tree where Tulsidas met Lord Rama. Each site brought its own story and wonder, leaving us with profound impressions and cherished memories. Our journey back to Varanasi was punctuated by a delightful meal at a local dhaba, wrapping up our road trip on a high note.

This journey was more than just a travel diary; it was a series of unforgettable experiences shared with my family, bringing us closer together and leaving us with memories that will last a lifetime.

21 अप्रैल 2024रविवारस्थान: वाराणसी

आज हमने खजुराहो के लिए अपनी बहुप्रतीक्षित यात्रा शुरू की, जो मध्य प्रदेश में है और अपने प्राचीन मंदिरों के लिए प्रसिद्ध है। हमारी यात्रा सुबह जल्दी शुरू हुई; मैंने 4:30 बजे उठ कर तैयार हो गया, दादी ने चना और पूरियां बनाई थीं यात्रा के लिए। मम्मी सो रही थीं इसलिए हम थोड़ी देर से निकले, लेकिन फिर हमने गाड़ी में सामान रखा और चल पड़े। पता चला कि मम्मी और दादी ने पहले ही यात्रा के लिए खाने का सामान खरीद लिया था। शहर से निकलते ही खूबसूरत पहाड़, पठार और खेत दिखाई देने लगे। आखिर में हम सब सो गए।

दोपहर में हमने मम्मी की बुआ के घर जाने का निर्णय लिया, जहाँ हमने स्वादिष्ट भोजन किया। फिर हमने अपनी यात्रा जारी रखी और सूरज ढलते ही हम खजुराहो पहुंचे और होटल रामायणा में ठहरे। रात का भोजन किया और सो गए।

22 अप्रैल 2024सोमवारस्थान: खजुराहो

हम सुबह जल्दी उठे और पन्ना टाइगर रिजर्व जाने के लिए तैयार हुए। यहां हमने हाथियों, हिरणों और एक तेंदुए को देखा, पर बाघ नहीं दिखा। बाद में हम बद्री सेठ भोजनालय गए जहां हमने खूब पेट भर कर खाना खाया। फिर हम बागेश्वर धाम गए। वहां बहुत भीड़ थी और हमें धीरेंद्र श ास्त्री जी के दर्शन हुए। रात को हमने फिर वहीं खाना खाया और सो गए।

23 अप्रैल 2024मंगलवारस्थान: खजुराहो

सुबह हम थोड़ा देर से उठे क्योंकि अलार्म गलत समय पर सेट हो गया था। हम फिर बागेश्वर धाम गए और वहां काफी देर तक धीरेंद्र शास्त्री जी का इंतजार किया, पर उन्हें देख नहीं पाए। उसके बाद हमने खजुराहो के प्रसिद्ध मंदिरों का भ्रमण किया और बद्री सेठ भोजनालय में फिर से खाना खाया।

24 अप्रैल 2024मंगलवारस्थान: खजुराहो

सुबह हमने आराम से नाश्ता किया और फिर ओरछा के लिए निकले। वहां हमने राम राजा मंदिर और रानी के किले का दर्शन किया। उसके बाद हम चित्रकूट के लिए रवाना हुए। वहां पहुंच कर हमने रिवर फ्रंट रिज़ॉर्ट में ठहरे।

25 अप्रैल 2024बुधवारस्थान: चित्रकूट

सुबह हमने चित्रकूट के पवित्र स्थलों का भ्रमण किया जैसे कि राम घाट, स्फटिक शिला और हनुमान धारा। हर जगह अपनी एक खास कहानी थी। अंत में हम वाराणसी के लिए रवाना हुए और रास्ते में बलाजी होटल में खाना खाया।

यह यात्रा सिर्फ एक सफर नहीं थी; यह मेरे परिवार के साथ बिताए गए अविस्मरणीय क्षणों का संग्रह थी, जिसने हमें और करीब ला दिया और हमेशा के लिए यादें दे दीं।

Understanding the basics of investment

2021-07-03T19:38:00.006-04:00

Security

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/security.asp

Stocks
Options
Bonds

Index

An unmanaged group of securities whose overall performance is used as a benchmark. An index may be broad or focus on one sector or type of security.

https://investor.vanguard.com/investing/taxes/tax-saving-investments

ESG Investing

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.

https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/esg-investing

FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (FTSE stands for the Financial Times Stock Exchange)

Mutual Fund Share Classes

AdmiralTM Shares have higher investment minimums but lower expense ratios.

Lower expense ratio is advised.

Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions

Dividends are payments of income from companies in which you own stock. If you own stocks through mutual funds or ETFs (exchange-traded funds), the company will pay the dividend to the fund, and it will then be passed on to you through a fund dividend.

Capital gains distributions are payments to mutual fund or ETF shareholders of gains realized during the year on securities that the fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.

H1 B Visa Holder - Invest in 529 Plan / Roth IRA / 401K Plan / HSA - Moving to India Scenario

https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=322084

https://moneymattersforglobetrotters.com/what-should-i-do-with-my-us-investment-accounts-when-i-move-overseas/

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-8-ben

https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/can-i-withdraw-contributions-from-a-529-plan-without-penalty

https://www.bostonstandardwealth.com/hsa-retirement-planning-tool/

You can open a Roth IRA (if you are eligible) and fund it with the money you are planning to invest in 529 plan and let it grow. If you move back home, you can withdraw the Roth IRA contributions without any penalty ( but the earnings will be taxed) after 5 years. I think this is the best case for you.
One potential sweet-spot to consider: use 529 accounts but if you decide to move to India then move in Q1 of the year. Empty out the 529 so that you pay the taxes in the USA on it and then there is no tax for 529 earnings in India. You will be in a very low tax bracket in the USA for that year and you will pay zero or very little tax and only 10% fine which will be like 5k if the earnings are 50k. I think this is still pretty good because you would likely have paid 20% tax anyway on the earnings in a brokerage account.
Instead, we can take advantage of other investments like Roth IRA and do direct contributions, backdoor Roth IRA and mega backdoor roth IRA and invest. you can create a roth conversion ladder and withdraw for the purpose of kids education and invest in taxable brokerage account.
For HSA, you should know that you can use HSA in India. You can use debit card given by HSA bank in India for your health related expenses. There are two things you have to make sure. One is the foreign transaction fee your HSA Bank charge. And second is, any expense must be a valid qualified medical expense in the U.S and must be legal in both countries and must be covered under your plan. And HSA has investment options like mutual fund, bonds etc. They grow tax free and no fee on withdrawal. So I believe it is great investment.
Withdraw 401 K - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/NRI-back-in-India-Heres-what-to-do-with-your-401k/articleshow/11633158.cms

Green book - a sweet film

2021-01-03T19:40:00.001-05:00

It is a good, realistic, sweet and emotional film. It is set up as a road-trip which you enjoy as you fall in love with its characters.

It helped me understand an era that I had not experienced. It is funny despite the seriousness of the material. The best part - it beautifully avoids the trap of preaching.

Please watch it once. 9/10.

1941 - Citizen Kane by Orson Welles

2020-12-30T09:34:00.001-05:00

1941 - Citizen Kane by Orson Welles

I watched Citizen Kane in 2020 which is the movie hailed by The American Film Institute as the greatest of all time.

The takeaway for me was learning about the word 'Transference' - Below is the meaning of this word. It appeared in one of the article (given further below) - where the actor / director was describing about the 'Rosebud' - the mystical word mentioned in the film.

Transference occurs when a person redirects some of their feelings or desires for another person to an entirely different person. One example of transference is when you observe characteristics of your father in a new boss. You attribute fatherly feelings to this new boss. They can be good or bad feelings.

Below is what Orson explained about the word Rosebud.

He said: "My character had never made what is known as 'transference' from his mother. Hence his failure with his wives. In making this clear during the course of the picture, it was my attempt to lead the thoughts of my audience closer and closer to the solution of the enigma of his dying words.

"Rosebud is the trade name of a cheap little sled on which Kane was playing on the day he was taken away from his home and his mother. In his subconscious it represented the simplicity, the comfort, above all the lack of responsibility in his home, and also it stood for his mother's love, which Kane never lost."

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/527gjFsdyNDDQvJsgmdc53x/seven-things-you-might-be-surprised-to-learn-about-citizen-kane

The Eyes of Orson Welles is on BBC Four at 21:00 on Sunday 13 January, and then available on BBC iPlayer.

"Here lie the broken bones of L. B. Jefferies." - the rear window

2020-12-21T07:33:00.001-05:00

Few notes from the movie.

1. "Here lie the broken bones of L. B. Jefferies." - The first scene itself was enough to capture my attention.

2. 1954 classic watched in the end of 2020. Luckily saw it on the big screen at home on projector.

3. “I don’t care what you do for living” - the romance. https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=122s&v=-e3HqC2rbQc

Highly recommend the dialogues between the two main protagonists. Very down to earth.

She was portrayed as the perfect woman that every man desires.

4. Thelma Ritter calls humans "a race of peeping toms," she plays nurse and it was her dialogues in the beginning that hooked me up into the scene. Every time Thelma place on screen you just can’t take your eyes off of her. She is so natural and has a huge commanding presence.

https://youtu.be/wf_HiritSB8

Path - The journey

2020-06-21T08:55:00.002-04:00

T2- Grade 3 (April 2024)

Path truly has so many wonderful and creative ideas whether it be in science or writing. He has a wonderful personality and his sense of humor makes me smile. In math he continues to progress in his problem solving skills. With teacher support he is showing an understanding of the math concepts taught. Path continues to develop his reading fluency. He is working in small groups to reinforce phonics concepts taught, especially those missed while he’s been away. Path is such a valued member in our classroom and we miss him when he is not in school! He is flexible during learning times and such a polite student who is a joy to teach

Pre-School (June 2020)

Prior to school closure, Path was an exuberant friend and hard working student. Path was attentive during circle, able to complete academic tasks, transition between activities and complete routines independently. Academically, Path scored proficient in the MyIGDI's early learning assessment of both math and literacy. In class, Path is able to retell stories, tell stories with detail and organization as well as illustrate his stories. Path is an inquisitive learner and has strong language skills to share ideas and ask questions to learn. During school closure, Path completed the remote learning activities with attention to detail and understanding of concepts. He actively participated in all Zoom meetings and accessed all See Saw lessons. Over the summer Path should continue to read, retell, and illustrate his stories. I have loved being Path's teacher! Have a safe and happy summer! Good luck in Kindergarten!

Obituary - Irrfan khan

2020-04-29T11:24:00.002-04:00

"Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect," he said.

He sought treatment for his condition in London and posted a poem to his followers on Instagram suggesting his religion was playing an important role in coming to terms with the disease.

"God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night."
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-india-43476602

इरफ़ान खान के निधन का शोक समाचार अभी न्यूज़ में पढ़े। आप सभी के साथ अपना दुःख share करना चाहता हूँ।

इनको मैंने पहली दफ़ा दूरदर्शन की ओर से प्रसारित ९० के समय के चन्द्रकांता धारावाहिक में बदरी ऐय्यार के रूप में पहली बार देखा था। तभी से इनके अभिनय को मैंने लगभग हर देखे हुए सिनमा में मैंने सराहा है। ये मेरे उन चुनिंदा ऐक्टर में से थे जिनकी सिनमा मैं इनके सिर्फ़ होने मात्र से देख लेता था।

आज ये हमारे बीच से बहुत जल्दी चले गए। अगर आज ये कैन्सर से रिकवर होके कुछ और समय हमको दे पाते तो शायद बहुत से लोगों को अपनी इस बीमारी से लड़ाई की कहानी से लोगों का उत्साह बढ़ाते दिखते।

हम उनके अभिनय को प्रणाम करते हैं और दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति की प्रार्थना करते हैं।

Being held well is necessary

2020-04-24T08:21:00.001-04:00

He observed that being held well was necessary for healthy growth in children. Parents who were available but not demanding, reassuring but not intrusive, responsive but not reactive, present even if not perfect, Winnicott observed, provided a “holding environment” that made children comfortable and curious. Holding made space for them to learn how to make sense of, and manage, their inner and social worlds—and to develop a robust sense of self. That is, a self with a healthy regard for its abilities and limitations, a self that can learn, play, work, face hardships, and sustain hope through it all.
Source:https://hbr.org/2020/04/the-psychology-behind-effective-crisis-leadership?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Good%20Leaders%20Need%20More%20Than%20Vision&utm_campaign=Enews%20BOTW%204/24/2020

Know purpose of your life

2020-02-22T06:06:00.001-05:00

Spend time with yourself. So when you wake up in the morning take a shower go to a quiet place in your house sit down and ask yourself questions about you what do you want to like what’s my purpose in life why am I here what do I love what am I passionate about

how many people can generally answer this is might say this is my purpose in life very very few people

once you’re clear with your purpose you know what to concentrate on and you know what to direct a finite amount of energy to it

Practice Concentration

2020-02-22T06:04:00.000-05:00

I look at my average day and I ask myself what’s a reoccurring event in my life every day I speak with my spouse every time I speak with my spouse I gave her my undivided attention I keep my windows on her trips away I bring it back address away I’ll bring it back I keep my windows on her I give her my undivided attention

now every day also speak to my clients I speak with my friends family every time I speak with somebody I give them my undivided attention

if I’m on the phone I get the person on the phone my undivided attention I practice doing one thing at a time by the end of the day

I talked about maybe 6 to 8 hours of practice and concentration six months later I become really good at concentration 12 months later they come in really good the concentration the best way to become good at something is to take a tool and insert it into a reoccurring event in your life best way to become good at something rather than create another practice in your life.

Valentine day card at preschool

2020-02-14T07:57:00.002-05:00

giving every kid in the class a valentine’s day card. Some say that it cheapens the sentiment because it’s not about selection, it’s about inclusion. I think we’ve got plenty of selection already.

I enjoyed buying card for the pre schooler at home. Felt connection and inclusiveness.

Temple Visit in the start of the year

2016-01-03T18:33:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year 2016. It was the second temple visit of the year. The first one was on Jan 1 - Sai temple. The last time we had visited the sai temple and had received a ticket ($65). Do not park within 50 m of STOP sign. Something of this sort must happen - that way you remember the rules.

We were planning to go to this Swaminaraya temple at Robbinsville for a long time due to some great reviews from colleagues and friends. Finally, it was Jan 3 - Sunday and we finally visited the temple. Thanks to the company of Alok and family and their initiative otherwise who knows when the time would have come!!

I was not able to locate the temple in my GPS. The new Garmin GPS doesn't seem to have the search by Zip code option. And the postal code is different and it doesn't mention the Robbinsville.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
P.O. Box 10
Windsor NJ 08561-0010

It was 12 in the noon just before the temple darshan close time, we entered the prangan. Had a nice time. Wonderful structure and superb carvings. Lots of hardwork. But, the hidden gem is its canteen. We spent more time in canteen than in the temple building. Before going there, I had read a review on Google from Roli Jain who had posted it a week ago - she had written 80% about the refreshment in the entire review. Below are the excerpts.

"The snack shop has fresh vegeterian - no onion and no garlic food on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. It is made in the kitchen on campus. Simple delicious meals to buy for under 5 dollars a box. There are more than 6 varities to pick from. In freezer they have dairy products, and on shelf there are dry sweets, namkins and more than 50 plus edible items."

God bless the reviewer!!

टूटी हुई बिखरी हुई: पुरानी दोस्ती, नया सन्दर्भ

2015-11-01T19:31:00.001-05:00

टूटी हुई बिखरी हुई: पुरानी दोस्ती, नया सन्दर्भ

गज़ब की आवाज़ में प्यारा गीत गाया है. मस्त है भाई.