Untitled (Because I lack an imagination)

Chandravilaas

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Chandravilaas is a more than 100 years old restaurant in the Old city near Manek Chowk. A friend told me that his grandfather used to come there everyday to take lunch. Ofcourse now they don't give lunches.
I ate some really fabulous Jalebis of pure ghee which simply melted in my mouth. Also enjoyed some paatras and alu shakh puri. A very nice and heavy breakfast in around Rs. 80 approx and Rs. 40 per head. Not bad at all. :-)

Last days in Ahmedabad...

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Why is it that only when things or people start going away from you that you realize their importance in life ?

The final semester of my engineering is soon going to end and I will be going away soon from Ahmedabad and suddenly I feel as if I want to go to hundreds of places before I leave this city.I look back and wonder how these four years went by without me knowing. I feel as if I didn't even experience 10 percent of what is Ahmedabad. And now I am in a hurry to go to all those places and do all of those things that I never did. I just don't feel like working on that awful final training report which was due a long time back. Screw exams and report and final presentations !

Actually, I made a list sometime ago of places to visit (in and around Ahmedabad) and I have managed to strike off some few places. Working on adding more and striking them off. Will be uploading pictures and other stuff soon.

From the heart of a fellow blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:53:00 +0000

A fellow blogger has written a heartrending story of his leaving the Kashmir valley in his childhood. Please read it and be touched the same way as I was.

http://jhustju.blogspot.com/2008/05/cry-of-valley.html

"A cold winter night has fallen outside and the power cut makes it all the more gloomy inside. Huddled together in the warmth of blankets and a kerosene lamp we just sit silently watching each others expressions. I am too young a kid to understand the full implications of what is happening and my younger sister is busy watching a small bug circling the candle our mother had lit in the gallery just outside the kitchen. My thoughts drift from game of cricket I'd played earlier that day to how bright the snow makes outside look. Among all these childish thoughts is a nagging feeling that I'm just not able to get rid of. I feel I'm never going to be in this house again. Never ever in my life will I play cricket with these friends again. Never ever will mother and father have the careless laughs that I so love. Never ever will the things be same again....."

Of co-incidences and vagrants

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:47:00 +0000

I was just leaving with a friend from near Memnagar fire station at five fifteen pm, when I saw him. He was a vagrant, walking by, without any purpose. He had black, bushy hair and a beard. His face was oily and his clothes were unclean, smeared with mud and dust and other filth. He was walking barefoot in the rain, as if being aimless was his only goal in life. A contrast to all the other people, who were hustling by, in spite of the rain.
I never knew when he came and stood some metres away from me but my instinctive alarm bells soon started ringing. We women always come to know when a male starts staring. He looked at me from head to toe and then started staring lewdly at me with a strange, mysterious smile. I felt irritated at first and then a little scared. I moved some distance away and was glad to see that my friend had started the vehicle. I left the place and I felt relieved, of what, I don't know. That was the end of the story, or so I thought!
Just the next day, I was waiting for a friend who was going to pick me up at the crossroads near Sal Hospital. My friend was late and I was hoping she would come soon. Just then the same vagrant walked by. He saw me and stopped just in front of me. He stared at me and gave that same spooky smile again. I didn't know how to react. I gave him an irritated look but he continued standing there, staring and smiling. I moved away from there and stood behind some rickshaws parked nearby. I hoped he wouldn't follow me. I was cursed my friend for being late.
I heaved a sigh of relief when he crossed the road and walked ahead. Until my friend came there, I kept looking from behind the rickshaw, following his path and hoping I never see him again. My heart was still beating at full speed. It only came to a still when I reached my destination.

I remember his face. And, I think I always will. And his strange, mysterious smile.

Morning and mourning in Ahmedabad

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:07:00 +0000

I had never really liked the Ahmedabad weather. After living in Surat the most of my life, I cursed the mind-freezing cold in the winter, the torturous heat of the summer and this year, I was waiting anxiously for the evasive rain to cool my spirit like the rest of the residents of this city. I hated how the streets would get water logged and the endless stream of traffic on the roads. I constantly criticized how the streets were dug up just before the monsoons. I did not like the constant money minding attitude of the people. I used to argue about which city is better with my Amdavadi friends. My loyalty to Surat would always triumph in the end and I would defend it with all my heart.

Today, I am not in the mood to criticize, or to berate, or even say one single word against this city. But yes, I am angry, at the people who planned the blasts in the city that has grown over me in the past three years. I am angry at the people who dared to attack my people. These terrorist outfits have threatened both Ahmedabad and Surat, cities I am attached to. I only hope and pray that Surat does not suffer the same fate as Ahmedabad.

Violence is never the solution of any problem. It is time everybody (Both Hindus and Muslims) realized that.

The Reliance Saga continues....

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:30:00 +0000

Here's my whole communication with Reliance 'service assurance' cell. I felt like hitting my head on a wall everytime I saw their reply. I am still confused whether I should laugh or cry...

(I sent the same email to servic assurance cell AND customer care)

----Original Message-----
From: Shaili (****@gmail.com)
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008 04:41 PM
To: contact@relianceada.com (contact@relianceada.com)
Subject: Amount paid but USB datacard not given.

From a Reliance outlet (7, A.P.M. Shopping Mall, Nr. Sun-N-Step Club, Satadhar Cross Road, Ahmedabad, 380061), I paid Rs. 2800 (on 25th April, 2008) for a USB data card (First 2 months unlimited and then postpaid plan). I submitted the required documents also at that time. Since I am a college student living in Ahmedabad, I had submitted address proof documents of my home in Surat. The person at the outlet (A lady called Lopa) said that the USB data card will be given only after activation which would take atleast 1 week. She said she would call me when the process was finished.
When I went to the outlet again since I hadn't been notified, I was told that the franchisee had changed and gave me a phone no to talk to the previous owner. I called the person but he kept promising to send the data card to my place but didn't do so for at least 4-5 days inspite of my calling him everyday. I went to the outlet again and the owner there told me to talk to Mr. Sanjay Thakker at the Ahmedabad head office. I talked to him and he said that something would be done about it and then Mr. Arvind called me and said that he will send me the data card. He also kept on promising me but nothing was done. I finally told him to give me my money back but he refused to give me my money. I went to the the Ahmedabad Head Office and talked to a Mr. Tushar Chaudhari and asked him to give me the money back. He was very rude and unproffesional. He said to contact the Reliance franchisee where I paid the money and that Reliance is not responsible for this. I was highly offended by his manner. I have been calling people from the last 15 days but nothing has been done about this. I do not want a data card now since I am very dissapointed with the kind of service that Reliance has offered to me. I am sorely tempted to not avail of any reliance services in the future. I wish to know why Reliance is giving its names to its franchisees if it does not consider itself responsible for them. I want my money back. Kindly look into the matter before I have to take any extreme steps.
---------
2 Jun 2008 18:22
subject RE:'RIL=002-580-129'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

We tried contacting you on the number provided, but unable to reach you.

With reference your mail received at Service Assurance Cell,please forward the following details to us at the earliest:

* Reliance Data Card number
* Your CAF (Customer Application Form) number (Billing Account No.).

We would require the same to assist you better.

Yours sincerely,

Hetal Shrivastav
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications

--------
"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 2 Jun 2008 11:41
subject Re: 'RIL=002-580-129'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
I haven't been given any data card number. I do not know the form no. I only have the bill. There is no information pertaining to your query on the bill except that I have paid the amount (Rs. 2800/-) and the card is yet to be given.
You can contact me at any time between 10 am to 4 pm. I do not have any alternate phone number. Since other people have managed to reach me at the number that I gave you, I suppose you should just try harder.
I hope some solution will be reached as soon as possible and I will get my money back since I am losing my patience with Reliance.

----------

date 2 Jun 2008 18:22
subject RE:'RIL=002-580-129'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

We tried contacting you on the number provided, but unable to reach you.

With reference your mail received at Service Assurance Cell,please forward the following details to us at the earliest:

* Reliance Data Card number
* Your CAF (Customer Application Form) number (Billing Account No.).

We would require the same to assist you better.

Yours sincerely,

Hetal Shrivastav
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications
-----
"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 3 Jun 2008 16:50
subject Re: 'RIL=002-580-129'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
I am telling you, no data card number has been provided to me. In fact, NO DATA CARD HAS BEEN GIVEN inspite of my paying Rs. 2800. Similarly, no CAF number has been provided. I only have the bill (no. 851)

Try putting +91 instead of 0 in the phone no provided. Hopefully you'll be able to reach me.

Shaili Desai.

---------

The lady finally managed to call me after this and asked for the same things again. She was talking as if she had learned by heart what she was going to speak in English. When I asked whether she had actually read my mail, she answered using wrong english. When I told her that I hadn't been given any data card number/customer application number and it also hadn't been provided on the bill of receipt, she asked for the receipt number (which I gave) and the phone number written on the bill. I gave the number of the franchisee owner since that was the only phone number on the bill.
Now they have confused my complaint. It seems that I am a 'proud' owner of a reliance mobile and I am wishing to terminate it rather than go after my quest for still-not-received-data card. Phew!

4 Jun 2008 17:24
subject 'RIL=002-593-060'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

This is in reference to your mail received at Service Assurance Cell, please note that your request is logged as service request ID #######. We are working on the same and will respond to you in next four business working days.

Yours sincerely,

Hetal Shrivastav
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications

(The same email repeating itself for the next few times with different complaint ids)
---------
12 Jun 2008 20:06
subject RE:'RIL=002-580-129' Reference to your Service Request ID 69672578
Dear Customer,

With reference to your Service Request logged with us, as per confirmation received from relevant department that the issue has been farwarded to Tushar Chaudhari and will resolve shortly and will keep in touch with you.

Yours sincerely,

Haresh Kaka
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications
------
"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 16 Jun 2008 11:37
subject Re: 'RIL=002-580-129' Reference to your Service Request ID 69672578
mailed-by gmail.com
I had already talked to Mr. Tushar Chaudhari. He was not helpful at all. He talked very rudely with me and insisted on my submitting documents again. With all my experience with how reliance employees like him talk to customers like me, I do not wish to associate myself with reliance again. I do not want a data card. I only want my money back.

Shaili Desai
------

19 Jun 2008 09:36
subject 'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

With reference to your mail regarding your Reliance Mobile number 937500####, please note that your request is logged as Service Request ID 704#####. We have escalated the same to the concerned department and will respond to you in next four business working days.

Further regarding your complaint against problems faced with Reliance Executive, please note that we have already taken your feedback and same would be reviewed by our management team.

Yours sincerely,

Sachin Thakkar
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications

---------

"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 20 Jun 2008 21:11
subject Re: 'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
The Reliance mobile number 937500#### is NOT my no. I did not apply for any reliance mobile. I applied for a data card and not a mobile. Do you even read the mails sent to you ? I am amazed at the ineptitude shown by the people at reliance. A person called Hetal Shrivastava called me and asked for the phone no written on the receipt of payment that I have. I wish you would teach your colleagues to be more articulate about what they are asking. I got a similar mail from her before that something would be done within 'four business working days' and so far, NOTHING has been done. Why don't you just refund my money back instead of 'escalating' to the 'concerned' department. So far, none of the reliance employees have shown any 'concern' for me.

Shaili Desai
--------

21 Jun 2008 11:56
subject RE:'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

With reference to your mail received at Service Assurance Cell regarding your Reliance Data Card number 937500####, as informed to you please note that your request is logged as Service Request ID 704#####. We have escalated the same to the concerned department and will respond to you in next two business working days.

Yours sincerely,

Hetal Shrivastav
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications

-------

"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 21 Jun 2008 15:59
subject Re: 'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
That number is NOT my data card no. I haven't been given any data card no. as mentioned before a hundred times. Its the phone no of the franchisee owner. I don't know why this issue is being treated so lightly. I am tired of hounding after you people. Why do you get salaries if you can't solve this small problem ? Nothing happens in your 'next four business working days'. Do not call yourself the service assurance cell because till now I haven't received any service. I haven't received the data card that I paid for and not even returning my money back. If I do not get my money back, then be sure that I'll be going to the consumer court and file a complaint against reliance. Do something rather than procrastinating.

-----------

22 Jun 2008 09:54
subject RE:'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

This is in reference to your mail received at Service Assurance Cell, please note that your request is logged as Service Request ID 706#####. We are working on the same and will respond to you in next four business working days.

Yours sincerely,

Hetal Shrivastav
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications
--------

"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 25 Jun 2008 15:03
subject Re: 'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
Please give me your contact number. Communicating by email is not serving any purpose. I do not think you are understanding my problem.

Shaili Desai.

------

28 Jun 2008 11:05
subject RE:'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
Dear Customer,

With reference to your mail regarding termination of services for Reliance Mobile number 9375009393, we would request you to visit the nearest Reliance World Location and fill the termination form.

Further, we wish to inform you that you need to clear your outstanding due of Rs.1242.4/-.

The list of Reliance World Location in your area is attached for your reference.

Also, to your mail regarding contact details, please note that we are unable to process your request regarding the same. However, if you still face any issue we request you call Reliance Customer Care by dialling *333 or 3033 3333 from your Reliance Mobile or by dialling 022-3033 3333 from any other phone.

Yours sincerely,

Mihir Desai
Service Assurance Cell
Reliance Communications

----------

"serviceassurancecell@relianceada.com"
date 2 Jul 2008 11:05
subject Re: 'RIL=002-646-271'Reference your mail
mailed-by gmail.com
I am not understanding why you people are not able to understand such a small thing. I do not own any reliance phone number. I paid for a reliance data card which I haven't yet received. I am sick of the stupidity shown by every Reliance employee in handling my problem. I don't have any other option but to go to the CONSUMER COURTS. To hell with you.

11 Commandments for Anil Ambani

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:29:00 +0000

I am seriously considering a career move. I think there’s more of a future in management consultancy than civil engineering. If my experience with Reliance managers is any indication, then Reliance is tottering on the brink of a huge battle against disgruntled and dissatisfied customers like me. HR in Reliance seems to be an alien concept. I’ll introduce it and teach some manners to its employees and Anil Ambani will pay me millions for revolutionizing HR practices in his stinking company. Then I can write a book about it, which will earn more millions for me (Since it will be heavily priced, good advice doesn’t come free, you know!). My book will probably become a ‘Must-Read’ for wannabe HR Managers! Whoa, my life is set!

My Eleven Commandments for Anil Ambani

Thou will concentrate more on increasing quality of products rather than negotiating expensive deals will foreign companies.
Thou will not give any more false promises.
Thou will teach employees how to count.
Thou will teach employees some basic manners and not take customers for granted.
Thou will not allow employees to take very long lunch breaks and keep customers waiting.
Thou will be responsible for its franchisees and make rules to keep a detailed record.
Thou will fire the employee who was rude and unprofessional to this author.
Thou will not hire robots for replying to mails sent to customer care (or the 'service assurance' cell for that matter).
Thou will pay a million dollars for this advice.
Thou will give this author’s money back.
Thou will insist on providing free unlimited internet access for the next five years for this author who has been wronged.

Well, if any one of you has had bad experiences with Reliance, then do tell me. We’ll sit together on weekends and crib over Reliance and make an Orkut community ‘I HATE RELIANCE’.

P.S. Free autographed copies of my book ‘How I made Reliance reliable’ (A Soon-to-be Best seller) to the person who comes up with an excellent four letter word for Reliance! :-)

Relying on Reliance- A reflection of the state of things in India

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:21:00 +0000

I suppose it was my mistake. I should never have paid the money. People tend to forget things when money comes into their hands even if it is a sum of Rs. 2800(Small for a crorepati but definitely big for a middle class college student like me). I paid the money for a USB data card, which I am yet to receive, even after a month has passed.
I have been calling people everyday, from the last few weeks, nagging them to death but my complaint keeps getting shunted from one Reliance employee to another, each one of them promising to send the data card today. I have heard so many excuses too. ‘Sorry ma’m, I had to go to the hospital today, so I couldn’t send it.’ Now, my 2800 bucks are paying for his hospital bills! I am still waiting for my beloved data card. I am tired of calling up people everybody. I just want my money back. When I asked for my money back, I was tersely refused. ‘Hun paisa paccha nahi aapu.’ That’s what I heard from the last ‘reliable’ person from Reliance.
You know, I can’t help but correlate this with the state of Indian politics. Our politicians keep on giving false promises to the citizens of the country and we believe them. Why does it take so long for development projects to get completed? Why is it that work on roads starts just before monsoons? The verdict is delivered years after a crime has been committed. Why does it take so long to get things done in this country? Why does the government spend days meditating on one small thing to be done?
Of course, the fault lies in us voters too. We are the ones who get these people elected. But do we have any other choice? Either buy a data card from a very ‘reliable’ reliance (Well, he did promise me two months of unlimited internet access) or from a comparatively more expensive Tata Indicomm (which has a reputation of lousy customer service). So I chose Reliance and look what happened? Anil Ambani enjoys a salary which is probably more than what I will earn in my entire life, with my money (Yes, my 2800 bucks)!
This is how things are in the country. You either choose between BJP with Narendra Modi at its forefront, championing the cause of Hinduism and protecting people against ‘terrorists’ like Sohrabuddin or the Congress with its policies for more reservation, caring only about getting votes from the minorities and forgetting about the so-called majority. Well, at least Modi promises development! You vote for BJP and you get Narendra Modi who makes tall claims and challenges terrorists to have the temerity to attack Gujarat, inviting people to stone you when you are sitting in a house made of glass. Meanwhile, dormant terrorists abound in the state, silently, bidding their time. Yes Mr. Modi, you were instrumental in increasing foreign investment in Gujarat but how about doing something to decrease the crime rate and taking fast action in sexual harassment cases which seem to be increasing like global oil prices. Whoever you vote for, the result is still the same. Poverty still exists. Rapists still get away free. Developmental projects start but never get completed. Corruption still abounds and the honest tax payer’s money goes towards taking care of the security of politicians.

No wonder, we are a cynical lot.

Talking to the Waves

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:33:00 +0000

‘I wish I were a star. In life, I would sparkle as best as a star can in a purple night but when my end is near, I shall travel throughout the universe, one last time and then drop down to the earth as a shooting star. At least some other girl would get a chance to make a wish on me and find that her wish came true. At least someone will want me then.’

The moon wondered why the girl came often to this beach on lonely nights like these. It was really puzzling, the way she talks to the waves. But then, the moon knew from experience what loneliness meant. All the stars sparkled in clusters but he was the only one alone. Somehow he understood the girl.

‘Sometimes I just want to break free, ‘she said, ‘of all bondages and live as I want to, live life my way. But in the end, I feel so helpless, so trapped. The same routine everyday. I just can’t seem to get out of it!’

It was ironic, thought the waves. Fancy talking about freedom to them who themselves couldn’t break free. Even when they reach the shore, they have to go back to the sea. How could they sympathise with her?
The girl sighed as if she seemed to understand what the waves felt.

‘I feel so lonely and sad-so empty inside. It’s as if life is an endless search….a search for reasons to find happiness. When you really want something, you never get it.’

The wind smiled as he listened to the girl. Indeed, life is an endless search…he had been searching for the horizon since ages but still the search continued.

‘I come here and I somehow feel glad. That, after all, there is a purpose behind life. You can never stick to the shore but still continue to sing your song. You find happiness in just trying to do so. Your friend, the moon, seems so lonely up there in the sky, but he finds happiness in the purple glow of the night and shines still. The wind still hasn’t found the horizon but he finds happiness in all the places he gets to see during his journey. One has to find happiness in small things rather than being miserable over a big thing which you cannot have. That seems to be the purpose of life. To teach you to look for happiness in yourself and wait for better things to come.’

The girl started walking away from the waves, towards the road. She had to go back to her life now, away from this tranquillity. It was getting late. She turned back to look at the moon one last time but in the moonlight, she noticed someone standing there. He must have heard every word she said, she thought. He was staring intently at her and had a dreamy look in his eyes which seemed to give her the knowledge that they were two of a kind and she blushed under his gaze.

The wind kept on his search. The moon still shined and the waves kept on trying to stick to the shore. The wind was oblivious to the fact that his search for the horizon has ended. The waves hadn’t realised that they had reached the shore and the moon had no idea that the pole star was keeping him company.

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:15:00 +0000

The bully looked menacing and frightening to the scrawny, eight year old. He started scrambling backwards, away from the large boy with a large chest and big knuckles. He stumbled in the process and fell down on his back. Tears flew out of his eyes as he imagined himself being clobbered and beaten black and blue. The bully bent down and lifted him up with the collar of his shirt. The small boy whimpered and the bully laughed cruelly, his big face bloating up so that it seemed difficult to distinguish his cheeks from the rest of his face. Suddenly, his laugh dissolved as he realized that someone was shouting and calling him names.

‘You imbecile, you disgusting piece of shit, you dog, pick on someone your own size!’

He took some time to process what was being said but when he finally realized that he was being insulted, the big, bad bully saw red. He turned to face the person who had the gall to be cheeky and slight his great, god-sent self. He saw a boy with thick glasses shouting at him and before he took a step forward, the boy charged and started beating him on his chest. Or at least tried to for he was failing miserably. The bully raised one hand and it took just one blow to fell the spectacled boy, so different from him in terms of size, character and temperament.

The boy fell to the ground and he whimpered in pain as he found blood coming out of his nose. He could feel a throbbing pain in his head. The bully laughed and jeered at him.

‘That should teach you not to mess with me, you weak puppy!’

The boy lay on the ground. His eyes searched for his friend who had been the original victim but in vain. He had fled, taking advantage of the sudden interruption. He lay there for some time, upset and disillusioned. When he finally went home, his mother further broke his spirit by scolding him for interfering in other people’s matters. ‘No need to play the hero for anyone in the future, do you understand? It’s none of your business.’

That day, he learnt an important lesson. He grew up to be a strong and resilient man. He got a good job, made lots of money, married a nice girl and had two kids. One day, when he was going to his work place, he witnessed two bullies harassing a girl. He sped fast from there without any guilty feeling. The next day, he read in the newspaper about a girl being raped at the same place. He read the whole newspaper, page by page. He had breakfast, kissed his wife goodbye and took out his car to go to work. He drove past the same place that he had from the past some years and passed the same corner where the rape had taken place. He didn’t feel any remorse, any shame. He didn’t even think than he could have prevented it or saved some poor girl’s life. He did not think about the condition of the girl’s family or the fact that her life was ruined.
You see, it wasn’t any of his business!

Walk The Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:17:00 +0000

I wrote this for Graffiti Times (A wall magazine that we have in my deptt at college) and all my friends liked it so I felt that I should probably post it here. I hope that it will leave an impression on you and inspire you to do something about things. If it does then please do leave a comment. I'll be really glad to know what you have to say.

WALK THE TALK

Newspapers and television programs speak out about a myriad of issues. People across the globe, in your own country, your own town or locality, are suffering or have been a victim of some or the other social evil, whether it is female infanticide, poverty, communalism, sexual harassment, unemployment, corruption or anything else. We feel strongly about a lot of issues but when have we ever expressed our opinions so that the whole world could hear about it? It’s a sad world in which we live where passersby ignore the atrocities happening in front of them on the streets.

Yeah right, we are all busy people. We do not have the time to devote for something that could change things in the society. Why not just be selfish and think about ways to spend time in something which will make us earn more money? Why should you spend your time on something which will not benefit you and only you? We have a million excuses about why we don’t have the resources to do something instead of just talking about it. But isn’t it amazing how we can always manage to find time to see a movie every weekend, go on a holiday every six months and dance the night away at a party?

Today, take a moment in introspecting yourself and make a choice. What do you want to do? Do you want to keep on being satisfied with the wrongs that happen in YOUR country or do something about it?

Take advantage of the freedom that is the result of the sacrifice of hundreds of people who died to secure independence for us. You have the right to question and do something positive. Just for today, try to do something meaningful. Doing well does not mean donating thousands of rupees to some organization. Sometimes we can initiate a change through small things. Just for today, teach your maid the alphabet. Help that old lady cross the street. Stop your friend from ogling at a girl and making vulgar comments at her. Discourage another from smoking dozens of cigarettes a day. Raise your voice against something unfair. Speak about things that matter by writing to newspapers and express your opinion instead of remaining quiet. Just for this day, don’t throw the chocolate wrapper on the road. Switch off the lights whenever you leave the laboratory or classroom. Wear the helmet and snap on the seat belts. Demand to know why the shopkeeper is selling something at a price higher than the MRP. Register a complaint if you find something unfair is happening instead of keeping quiet about it.

For once, try to picture yourself in the place of that street urchin who’s trying to salvage some food from the Municipality dustbin. Think about the small boy who is selling tea in the train and wants desperately to go to college like you too. Imagine yourself to be the father whose daughter was burnt alive because she didn’t bring enough money in her dowry. Place yourself in the shoes of the beggar who never had an education and cannot earn. Think about the birds which will end up wounded or worse, dead on Sankranti, when you play with kites. Feel the pain that a tigress feels when her mate is hunted down by poachers for its skin to make fashionable rugs and coats. Try to feel the ache of social ostracism and personal violation that a victim of rape feels after the dirty deed is done. Place yourself in the heart of the mother who had to abort the tiny infant in her womb because it was a girl. Think about the child who has problems in learning things due to dyslexia and no one understands him. Imagine that a family member was murdered and the police didn’t do anything to convict the murderer because he happened to be the son of a high profile politician.

Today, think about the issues which you care about and have touched some strings in your heart. Decide what matters to you. Do what you always wanted to do TODAY for now, there is no past. There is only the PRESENT and the FUTURE. Just see the difference that you can make. Yes, YOU really can kick off a chain of events that could trigger a revolution of change that the country desperately needs. So have you decided? Are you going to continue to be a coward and ignore what is happening around you? Or are you ready to step forward to make a difference?

Power to vote

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:17:00 +0000

Everyone in India has a view and every one of them will express it irrespective of the time, place, and occasion and whether anyone is actually listening to them (Of course, I wouldn't be a true Indian if I didn't express my views on my blog even if no one will read). People will tell you that you should pursue your masters in the US because it’s the land of opportunities, never mind the fact that India’s economy is growing by leaps and bounds. They will also tell you to apply for a government job rather than going in the private sector just because their son happens to be working there. They will tell you that taking risks is, well, risky. Politicians are only in the race for more power and they do not work for the greater good. You’ll only burn yourself if you enter politics, that’s what they say. Don’t try to change anything because you can’t help it. What difference will one vote make?

Hello? One vote DOES make a lot of difference. The right to vote means that you have the power to change and that power is as priceless as the right to freedom and liberty. Young people are normally very passionate about what they think and feel abut different things. And so am I. I do not like it when people blame the government/politicians for everything that happens. Especially if they are themselves responsible for bringing in the same politician to power or worse, if they hadn't voted in the first place. And so, I wanted to vote too. But I found out a couple of days ago that my name hadn't been included in the list of voters when I went to get an Electoral Identity Card. Looks like I wouldn’t be voting in these Elections after all.

I went with my Mom to the polling booth because unlike me, she was perfectly able to cast her vote. There was a long line of people waiting to exercise their right to vote. The crowd consisted of an assortment of people belonging to different sections of the society. Some of them belonged to the lower class and probably didn’t enjoy some of the comforts that we all take for granted. Today, I felt envious of them because they could vote and I couldn’t. I felt ashamed that I never thought of the ways I could change the society instead of complaining about it. Somehow, it was never important to me whether I vote or not. I never cared about who’s going to win the elections. But it suddenly, it really matters. Because I care about what happens in the country. I want society to be a better place to live in, for everybody and not just me. I want REAL development to take place.

I just hope Narendra Modi doesn’t mind. He missed my vote.

Seven Habits Of Highly Annoying Small Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:22:00 +0000

When I was a little girl, I used to pray to God to give me a brother or sister. At that same time, God happened to have a spare baby and so gifted her to me. Its been 12 years since she came into this world and my life's turned upside down. What is it with smaller sisters and their habits which make you SCREAM !

Seven Habits Of Highly Annoying Smaller Sisters

1. They always have to turn on the air-conditioner even when they know it makes you sneeze continuously for fifteen minutes.

2. They steal your clothes which mysteriously never seem to fit you afterwards.

3. They would die if they didn't completely read your diary .

4. They spill its contents in front of the girl you hate most.

5. They always have to listen to loud music when you're talking on the phone and shout at you when you listen to loud music.

6. They keep ringing the doorbell till you open the door.

7. They add you on Orkut so that they can read all your scraps.

An adult but yet on-the-brink-of-entering-adulthood

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:50:00 +0000

Yeah, so officially I am an adult. I am 19 years old. I can vote. I can marry. I can watch adult movies (ahem...)

Let me look at myself in the mirror. It is kinda hard to think of myself as an adult when I haven't exactly done any adult stuff in my entire life. For me, I am still a teenager. I do not take life seriously. I think education (read my engineering education) is a joke. I like eating junk food, watching movies, listening to rock and hanging out with friends. I have an Orkut and a Facebook profile with a 'Friend' list. Thats what a typical teenager has and does (apart from the occasional studying thingie).
But wait....I have started thinking about issues that matter to me. I care about what happens in my country. I really really WANT to vote, take part in the process to shape my country. I have started caring about environmental issues. I reprimand my friends when they throw chocolate wrappers on the ground instead of taking a few steps and throwing it in a dustbin. I now know what I want and how to get it. I do not want to live my life with regrets.

DOES THAT MEAN I AM GROWING UP ?

Hello :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Randomness) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:30:00 +0000

Ok, so I am new to this blogging thing. I am actually tired of being an ignoramus. Infact about everything. Everyone says there's more to life than enjoying it. So I have decided to expand my horizons and well, BLOG....