My Random Rantings

Why Walk When You Can Fly

2011-05-12T09:11:00.000+05:30

Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons from Arabia. They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.
Months passed and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly. He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch. Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, "May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem." So he cried out to his court, "Go and get a farmer."
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, "Bring me the doer of this miracle."
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, "How did you make the falcon fly?
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, " It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting."
We are all made to fly -- to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
So let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.
From the Book "Why Walk When You Can Fly"

The Year Gone By

2011-01-07T23:32:00.001+05:30

The Year Gone By
Broken promises in the year gone by
Promises to myself gone by
Promises kept up in the year gone by
Promises to do something new
Promises to have fun
Promises to live and enjoy each day
Cheers to the New Year Ahead
But I have more promises to keep this year
I have more things to do this year
And I have to learn to live life this year

The Year Gone By
Taught me to be humble
No one is infallible

The Year Gone By
Taught me to do what I was afraid of
Never fear fear

The Year Gone By
Taught me anger and anxiety are not always bad
But they need to be in your control

The Year Gone By
Will not come back
Live each moment, it too will not come back

What Am I?

2010-02-19T17:48:00.005+05:30

I love, but hate too
I care, and despise too
I can see, but still blind
I am a learner and a teacher
I have a dream, but am confused
I am nothing, I am everything
What Am I?
What Do You Care, What Do I Care
I Am What I Want To Be
I Am What I Am

Promising myself to make a new beginning

2010-02-19T09:33:00.002+05:30

It's been a really long time since I last blogged. My Random Rantings had almost disappeared. Is this the effect of moving to Bombay? Maybe I am realizing it too little too late, or maybe better late than never.
I sincerely hope to change this. I am promising myself to blog more often. I am promising myself to to make a new beginning.
More Random Ranting more often are surely on the way Cheers to myself.

Steve Job's Commencement Address (2005)

2007-03-30T16:58:00.001+05:30

Below is an extract from Steve Job's 2005 Commencement Address to the Standford University students.

This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.
I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The full commencement address is available on the Standford site, and here too.

Book Review: In The Pond, Ha Jin

2007-03-29T09:56:00.002+05:30

Book: In The Pond
Author: Ha Jin

The backdrop of the book is the corruption and politics in a plant where Shao Bin, the protagonist of the novel, works. This plant is in a small village where most of the people are uneducated.

A well written book that carries you through Shao's life at work when he is a middle cadre worker. It leads you through the time when he is not alloted better housing than his one room dormatory apartment because he did not bribe his superiors, and his wife critizing him for it; While others, junior to Shao, have larger apartment at the plant housing facilities.

Shao's struggle for recognition of his apptitude for art (calligraphy to be precise), and his eagerly to contribute his skills in this area is nicely intermingled in the struggle for a better life for this family.

In essense, its a nice refreshing change in language and fun to read.

My Quote in DNA Money

2007-03-19T17:44:00.000+05:30

Being quoted once again ... this time in DNA Money today

Fourth-quarter results expected to be robust

MUMBAI: If the weak-kneed markets are looking for support, here's one: Consensus estimates for India Inc's fourth quarter (Q4) results - due in April and May - show that analysts are bullish on most sectors and sector leaders.

....

The consensus is equally bullish on the power sector, which is expected to churn out improved figures for Q4. However, Q4 may not be as good as Q3 for the power sector. Consider: bottomlines of power industry leaders jumped up during Q3 because of tax refunds and that will surely not happen in Q4. Says Emkay Share's power analyst Mehul Mukati: "However, Reliance Energy should report higher profits for Q4 because of other income."

...

Here is the full article.

My Interview on CNBC TV18

2007-01-08T17:01:00.000+05:30

I was interviewed by CNBC TV 18, a leading business channel in India.

Tata Power best pick in sector, Emkay Share

Mehul Mukati of Emkay Share & Stock Brokers believes that the power sector will do well for the next few years on the back of the demand from a power starved country like India.

Here is the link to the video file, and this is the transcript of the interview

AG Krishnamurthy (AGK) and Dhirubhaism

2006-12-15T10:00:00.001+05:30

Here are links to AG Krishnamurthy's articles on his experience of working with Dhirubhai Ambani. This is a four-part series and he has titled them Dhirubhaism.

Dhirubhaism I

Dhirubhaism II

Dhirubhaism III

Dhirubhaism IV

The regular articles of AGK are available on this link.

Quoted in Business Standard on Suzlon Energy

2006-10-29T18:13:00.000+05:30

I have been quoted in Business Standard on 28th October, 2006. Below is the full article as it appeared in the supplement.

I have highlighted my quote in the article.

--------------------------------------------------
Suzlon Energy to go slow on buyouts

Gayatri Ramanathan / Mumbai October 28, 2006

After pulling off one of the largest acquisitions in Indian corporate history in March this year, wind power major Suzlon Energy has ruled out further acquisitions.

“For the next three to four years we are looking at an organic growth for the company while we consolidate the Hansen acquisition,” Tulsi Tanti, chairman, told Business Standard.

Suzlon had acquired Belgian gearbox maker Hansen in March this year for $520 million (Rs 2,600 crore).

The wind power solutions company may, however, put up a turbine manufacturing plant in Portugal and double capacity at its China plant over two to three years.

Tanti said the Portugal plan was contingent on the company winning a Portuguese government tender for wind farms. “Other than this, we have no plans to put up a manufacturing plant anywhere except India as that gives us the maximum margins,” said Tanti.

He said that the Suzlon would also expand the capacity of its China plant to 1200 mw from the current 600 mw by FY 2008-09. “This will help us service the Chinese market, expected to grow to 30,000 mw by 2020, more efficiently,” said Tanti.

Analysts, however, pointed out that the company’s ability to borrow further may be in question given its current debt equity ratio which stands at 1.2: 1. Suzlon’s total debt is pegged at Rs 3,298 crore, of which Rs 2,600 crore was borrowed for the Hansen acquisition.

Mehul Mukati, research analyst at Emkay Securities, said, “Unless they look at an acquisition that does not involve a cash outflow such as a stock swap, there is no way Suzlon is going to raise finances for an acquisition in the next few years. They have enough cash flow to service their existing debt, but it will take them a few years to pay off the principal.”

Quoted in Smart Investor, Business Standard on Reliance Energy

2006-08-30T17:46:00.000+05:30

I have been quoted in Business Standard's Smart Investor Supplement on Tuesday last (29th August, 2006). Below is the full article as it appeared in the supplement.

I have highlighted my quote in the article.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low on energy
POUND WISE
Mitali Wagle / Mumbai August 28, 2006

Reliance Energy's stock price reflects the ambiguity shrouding its ambitious plans to scale up its power generation capacity.

The Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Energy (REL) seems to be losing steam on the bourses. A leading private sector player in the power distribution business, REL announced plans to jack up its power generation capacity from less than 1,000 MW currently to over 13,500 MW by 2011.

Its Dadri project was to kick off in 2009. However, two years after the plans were announced, there is still no clarity on the time line for the projects.

Key issues like land acquisition, gas availability and pricing are still to be sorted out. Besides, the company is bidding for ultra mega power projects, which also will take time to materialise.

Thanks to the uncertainty, investors have shunned the stock. In the past twelve months, the stock has plunged 30 per cent even as the Sensex has gained 51 per cent.

At the current market price of Rs 446.20, the stock trades at a price-to-earnings multiple of 14.57. Based on earnings estimates for FY07 and FY08, REL is trading at 13.3x and 12.2x, respectively, while its competitor Tata Power is trading at higher multiples of 17.4x and 16.4x.

Is REL a value buy at the current levels? Analysts are divided on this. While some believe it is a good play on the future growth opportunities, others feel it may be premature to bet on the stock as revenue visibility for the next couple of years remains hazy.

"Though REL's engineering procurement and construction (EPC) arm and relatively new infrastructure segments are likely to do well, there seems to be no major progress in its power projects. I am not betting on the stock, at least until there is some earnings visibility in the power generation business," says Mehul Mukati, analyst, Emkay Share and Stock Brokers.

Core businessAt present, REL derives a bulk of its revenues from its electrical energy business, which has delivered consistent growth.

In FY06, the segment contributed 79 per cent of the revenues against 70 per cent in the previous fiscal.

The distribution division supplies more than 5,000 MW of power to various areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Orissa. It has also applied to the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission for distribution licences in Meerut, Ghaziabad and Noida.

REL's Dahanu Power Station, one of the top performing coal-based power stations in the country, maintained a good performance despite lower demand because of heavy floods in Mumbai. Its other power stations at Samalkot and Goa are also doing well.

In the next couple of years, earnings growth from the existing energy business is likely to be muted unless state regulatory boards take some major steps to privatise more distribution circles.

The other significant revenue constituent for REL is its EPC division, which chipped in with 21 per cent (Rs 880 crore) to the company's revenues in FY06.

The division takes up contracts for electrification, erection and operation of power plant equipment, grids, substations and transformers. It has bagged a rural electrification contract from the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (Rs 735 crore) and a power project order from Haryana Power Generation Company (Rs 2,097 crore).

Till March 2006, the EPC segment pocketed orders worth Rs 3,358 crore, to which in-house projects contributed 15 per cent. Considering the macro picture, the EPC business should help the company in boosting its growth prospects, believe analysts.

Promising futureAt present, REL's 942 MW power generation business forms a small chunk of its revenues, but as and when the company's proposed gas, coal, wind and hydro-based power generation projects in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal fructify, the picture is likely to change.

The 7,480 MW Dadri (Uttar Pradesh) and the 4,000 MW Shahapur (Maharashtra) gas-based power projects are potential goldmines for REL, but given the present pace of progress it could take a while before they could be factored in the business valuations.

These two projects are likely to commence operations in mid-2009 and 2011 respectively.

REL recently bagged the Urthing Sobla hydropower project (Uttaranchal) and plans to develop the two hydro projects in a joint venture with the Arunachal Pradesh government.

Dadri dramaThe mega gas-based Dadri power project in Ghaziabad will, on completion, be the world's largest power generation plant at a single location. The project was announced in February 2004, but it is yet to attain financial closure.

According to the gas supply agreement signed by the Ambani brothers, post-split, Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) would source gas from Reliance Industries (RIL) and supply it to REL's Dadri project at Rs 2.6 per kwh or $3.18 mmbtu.

However, the petroleum ministry has recently rejected the gas valuation formula citing that the price is significantly lower than the prevailing market price of around $8-10 per mmbtu.

Combined with this, RNRL's intention to pocket marketing margin for the gas procurement is likely to impact the cost of the project that plans to draw heavily on gas procured from RIL, according to analysts.

New avenuesThe company is foraying into the transmission business and will participate in the construction of 300 km transmission line for the Parbati and Koldam hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh.

Realising the potential in the higher margin infrastructure projects, REL is investing Rs 500 crore in two NHAI road development projects and Rs 2,360 crore in MRTS (mass rapid transit system) project in Mumbai, on a BOOT basis.

In FY06, REL's net sales fell a marginal 2.7 per cent to Rs 4,019.07 crore. However, both operating profit and net profit grew 25 per cent to Rs 737.27 crore and Rs 650.34 crore, respectively.

Analysts expect the FY07 and FY08 revenues to be Rs 4,370 crore and Rs 4,820 crore, respectively. Though, purely based on valuations, the stock looks attractive, there is no near-term trigger for it. However, the scrip may be an interesting addition for a long-term investor.

Motilal Oswal Securities recommends a buy at Rs 411 citing that the stock is largely a play on the future growth opportunities rather than on existing assured return businesses.

Enam Securities has put a "sector outperformer" rating at Rs 437 with a target of Rs 525. They believe earnings growth from the existing generation and distribution business would be muted. Clarity on the Dadri and Shahpur projects and success for its bids on ultra mega power projects would be the key triggers for the stock going ahead.

The Blasts that Rocked Bombay

2006-07-12T10:55:00.000+05:30

The 7 blasts that rocked the Bombay LifeLine last evening led to total mayhem and chaos across the city. People traveling in the local trains were terrified. The first thoughts were of similar events in the past and of helping others in trouble.

Injured and hurt, people still helped others. Such is the fighting spirit.

The sites all around were gory, to say the least. But it was really touching to see kids, adults and even aged people out on the streets. They were distributing water, biscuits and sandwiches to people stuck in trapped in tariff jams. So much so for the rudest city in the world!

The next morning, 12 hours after the blasts, the city was up and running. The local trains running again, people back to work; Mumbai fighting back - once again.

Paradoxes of Life

2006-06-20T12:20:00.000+05:30

The Paradoxes of Life
are Long and Short
Long Life, for Short Memories;
Broad Visions, and Narrow Actions;
True Friendship, but False Hopes;
Hatred Abound, with Love Lost;

We claim to have a lot of friends, but do we even know their favourite colour, or their first love, or the songs that they like? ... Isn't that the long and short of our friendships

We claim to wanting to do a lot of things in our lives, both personal and professional, we have broad and big vision; but do we back it up with equally broad and big actions? ... Don't we have inaction, or narrow actions at best?

We claim true friendship, but are we really there when our friends need us? Don't we have excuses just when they need our help? Are we not giving our true friends, false hopes?

We have so much hatred within us that we have lost the meaning of loving ... Loving our family, our friends, and loving ourselves ...

I Love You Because

2006-06-14T14:39:00.000+05:30

I LOVE YOU because ...

you showed me my dreams,
you pushed me to achieve more,
you encouraged me when I doubted myself,
you held my hand when I was lost,
you trusted me when no one else did,
you taught me to separate the right and the wrong,
you cared for me when I was alone;
and
because
you lived your life as if it were mine;
I Love You because
there is no reason not to ...

Love

2006-06-14T14:36:00.000+05:30

Love is

knowing each others' likes & dislikes;
sharing dreams & passions;
growing together;
agruing over petty stuff,
but agreeing over everything else;
fulfilling wishes before they are said;
enjoying one another;
pampering children together;
a friendship for a lifetime;
a bond forever.

Thank you my dear wife
for loving me this much
and even more.

On Friendship - Part II

2006-06-13T12:48:00.000+05:30

Life always give us many opportunities
to make friends, to do things we wanted, to love and to be loved;
Some knock on your door,
Others come in through the window,
like gentle wind, or like a thunderstorm;
Don't fret over what is lost,
Think about what you lose
when you live in the past;
Hold them, feel them, keep them,
Each is different,
Each is unique.

On Friendship - Part I

2006-06-13T11:30:00.000+05:30

Walking down the path of life
We make many friends
Each special in a different way
Each special in the way the touch our souls
All friends move on
And so do we
Still we do not want to let go
But we have to ...
So that each of us can touch more lives
And make more friends

Time to Get Nostalgic

2006-06-04T11:22:00.000+05:30

It's time to get nostalgic ... once again.

Today is the time to reflect on the memories of my life, the friends that I have made, the friends that I have not kept in touch with, but still cherish. The friends whom I miss, and who are a part of me, because each one has changed me in one way or the other.
From them, I have learnt to enjoy each day in our short life, to be positive; and that the way you rise after a fall is more important that anything else. They have shown me that love and friendship can make a person surmount any obstacle. Still other friends have taught me that:

Every Rose Has Its Thorn, but its still beautiful;
So does every person have a fault, but is still a friend

I was in a boarding school in Panchgani, the one and only, The Billimoria High School. In my first 3 years there I didn't like it at all. I missed my parents, I missed being home, I seemed to like everything but being there. But the 4th and last year there was so wonderful, I really enjoyed myself. I collected more memories in this one year than in the other 3 put together. I can recollect the last day in my boarding school as if it were yesterday. We hardly slept the night earlier, and the next morning we had a bus ready to take us back to Bombay. All of us piled in, sang, danced and made merry on the 8-9 hour journey. We all promised each other to be in touch. But that's one thing that I haven't done as much as I would like to. Sorry my dear friends.

College in Bombay was another wonderful phase in my life. That's where I met my wonderful wife. That is the place where I made my some friends who are very close to me even today. They are the ones who were there by me when I needed them the most, unquestioning, fully trusting and supporting me. Thanks a lot my dear friends.

But today, I feel a different kind of emotion. I am excited about the future, about the new opportunity that has come my way. But I am feeling the pain of moving away from some friends that I have made in the last few years here in Hyderabad, both at work as well as in other social circles. The last time I felt this kind of happiness and pain, was when I moved from Ahmedabad to Hyderabad . I had to leave behind a wonderful bunch of friends and co-workers. They were always helpful and willing to accommodate me for all kinds of things at work. They were willing to give me time to teach me, push me to achieve more, listen to my weird thoughts and ideas.

At a more personal level, so many of them bonded so well with me. We could spend hours at a stretch, talking of ambitions, achievements, failures, what we had learnt, and what we wanted to learn and do in life.

It's time for me to move on, just as the last time. I'm now moving from Hyderabad to Bombay; and here too I leave behind the same kind of friends. In the last 3 and half years I have been through these same feelings and bonding with another set of fabulous friends. Here too we would spend hours contemplating our future, our dreams, our ambitions and our families.

I know I shall miss them, just as I still do miss the friends I have made along the way earlier.

I know that just as I move on, others too will move on ... no one knows where we'll be in a few years; and we have only hope, faith and friends to help reach our destinations ...

An Eventful Weekend

2006-05-22T10:27:00.000+05:30

Last weekend was eventful. It started off with a wee-little-bit of house cleaning, then getting a list of movers & packers to help us move our stuff back to good ole mumbai, and then afternoon siesta. Nothing eventful till now, right? ...

The fun now begins ... the evening was spent loitering at the airport waiting for my MIL (mom-in-law for the uninitiated). The flight arrives an hour late. A neighbour is co-incidently on the same flight, and so we manage to fit in one more person and her luggage into my car. Home, here we come.

Soon after reaching home, we realise that the luggage my mil picked up wasn't hers!!! The suitcase was exactly the same, size, colour, dimensions, et al. Talk of co-incidences...

So off we were to the airport once again. Luckily my mil's baggage was just there with the airline authorities. After a sign of relief, and thanking the airlines, I hoped that I was done for the day. But that was not to be.

Next destination ... the jewellers. These jewellers seem to have become a family jeweler for us. Anyone uttering the word 'pearl' and they were promptly taken there. I get to feel good because this jeweller offers a 50% discount to us. But that's besides the point, we were there to exchange some jewellery, and my dear wife spots a really beautiful necklace set.

The next day was even better. We drove 575 kms in a day.

We were up early in the morning, 4:00 AM to be precise, got started soon after. Reached Nagarjuna Sagar Lake by 9:30 AM. It looked so beautiful.

From there we started off for the Srisailam Dam. On the way there was a deer park. My daughter was shown the first few deers of her life [she's just 1 and half years old].

This place also has a Hydro-electric plant. It looked awesome.

After driving round the Srisailam Dam, literally!, we reached the Mallika-Arjun Temple. This place is one of the 12 most holy places for Hindus, as it has one of the 12 jyotirlings [incarnations of Lord Shiva].

Here's one of my favourite pictures of the trip ... my daughter and me in the car ...

And yet another one ... this is one that I have taken by extending mywhile driving the car on the way back home ...

The 90 / 10 Principle

2006-04-20T05:44:00.000+05:30

Below is a nice write up on how we can control our lives. I don't know the source of this article; but is really interesting!!!

10% if Life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of Life is decided by How You React. What does this mean?

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane may be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. YOU determine the other 90%! How? By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you. You can control how you react!

Let's use an example. You're eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the coffee cup over. She breaks down in teears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse & criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the tbale. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs & chonge your shirt. Back downstairs you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast & get ready for school.
She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediatelyfor work. You rush to the car & drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15 minute delay & throwing $60 (trafiic fine) away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs to the building without saying good-bye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase.

Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive home you find a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse & daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

Did the cause cause it?

Did your daughter cause it?
Did the policeman cause it?
Did you cause it?

The answer is #4!!!
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt & your briefcase. You come back down in time to look through the window & see your child getting on the bus. She turns & waves. You & your spouse kss before both go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early & cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good of day you are having.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended differently. Why? Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% is determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 secret. If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you loose you temper? Pound the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket?

Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the blue car ruin your drive.

Remember the 90/10 principle, & do not worry about it!

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep or get irritated? It will work out. Use your 'worrying' energy & time into finding anouther job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, to get to know the other passengers, etc. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

You now know the 90/10 secret. Apply it & you will be amazed at the results.

To My Dearest Wife

2006-01-18T00:00:00.000+05:30

My Dearest Monu,

It's been 6 years that we are married, over 10 that we have been together; and there can't be a better time than today to tell you how much you mean to me.

You have always supported me in more ways than one, and I really do value it; so much so that I have started taking it for granted.

Your thoughtfullness for each and every small thing that I do is something that I overlook. I'm sorry my dear, I really am.

Thank you for everything; your patience with me, your loving ways, your caring touch, and most of all for spreading so much love and happiness all around.

And most of all, thank you for making each day so wonderful with your beautiful smile.

To All My CrackPot Friends !!!

2005-07-11T09:09:00.000+05:30

I don't know the source of this story; but it's so very true. How we look at only the flaws of our near and dear ones, and choose to focus on them, without learning to appreciate that what is a flaw can also be a BIG advantage.

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 yrs of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Thank You, All My CrackPot Friends :-)

Que Sera Sera

2005-07-08T08:47:00.000+05:30

Que Sera Sera ..... What Will Be, Will Be !!!

And how true this is .... this is one of the best song lyrics you'll ever hear. The best part is
que sera sera, what will be will, the future's not ours
to see, que sera sera, what will be will be

The original song written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans goes is from the 1956 re-make of the 1934 movie 'The Man Who Knew Too Much'

Que Sera, Sera
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother
What will I be
Will I be pretty
Will I be rich
Here's what she said to me

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart
What lies ahead
Will we have rainbows
Day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

Now I have Children of my own
They ask their mother
What will I be
Will I be handsome
Will I be rich
I tell them tenderly

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que Sera, Sera

Old Poem

2005-06-09T10:43:00.000+05:30

Here's a poem I had written some eons ago (when I was 13 or so).
I still don't know whether I write well or not, but does it really matter?

This one's titled Courage.

Even if you know the art of fighting,
Fighting with anything, just anything;
You've got to have one more thing.
You need it even if you have skill.
You need it even if you have power.
You need it even with the best
Weapons of fighting a war.
You need it even when you want
The world's best things.
Well, you need courage.

I haven't edited this since it was published in a Children's magazine in August 1988. Nor do I intend to edit it now.

But a few after-thoughts are always welcome, isn't it.

As of now, I'm really not sure whether courage is more important or lack of fear or both (or none).

Do let me know your thoughts.

Ryze Jazzes

2005-05-02T18:11:00.000+05:30

An awesome live jazz performance at the Under Deck (Taj Banjara) last night. Freaked out on live music after ages - and boy it was really refreshing.