this year, diwali came and went and no one had a clue of what happened. when we look back on the last week, we dont see anything beyond a few dinners or card parties or maybe a cracker or two for the sake of the festival. maybe even a mithai here and there and that concludes one of India's biggest and most awaited fests of all time. but what was the whole deal behind this?? did we not have time or did we just not care??
i am not anti any sort of stand that anyone is going to take on such an issue. because i also took a stand this time....i stood on the eco-friendly side, because i believe its complete hypocrisy to study environmental education in school and then come home and do your own little bit of distruction...
i mean, this year, diwali in mumbai was the most stone cold of all festivals....agreed diyas and crackers and rangoli were still selling on streets and people were still stuck in traffic jams but the whole lustre of diwali was lost somewhere in the pollution.... the true essence of diwali is lost somewhere....
now the big million dollar question is this - is our new cosmo and practical culture resposible for this traditional loss?? or are we just focussing on what we think are the good things in life???
one may answer this by either choosing sides, being diplomatic or just by observing silence. but deep down we all do know that we're slowly giving up on those childhood memories of running around with a laddoo in each hand or trying to be too cool by lighting a ground wheel or a rocket. i mean, how many of us did our own rangoli or enthusiastically set up the house and bought new clothes??
though we need to take care of the environment (and we will) but we must not let the festive spirit of diwali die. we may not burst fire crackers but we can still enjoy that one day with our families and friends in the best manner possible.
lets take a stand to protect the environment and protect our true culture for thats what life is all about - maintaining balances and doing the right thing....
=D
Knowing Me...
- Aakriti Anand
- If I say I'm just a teenager leading a life as normal as it can get, I sort of defy what I stand for. Its not all that easy but it has its moments. I like those moments when they come along and they bring with them a significant amount of emotion, which I only began expressing in words at age 7. Since then, its all about the writing. It gets to certain people and some just don't get it! But I think that its important for me to write because that is maybe the only talent that exists in me [not denying the presence of good enough speech to win a few here and there =P] There is little I know and there is much I simply yap about but I make sure that if its really got to be said, it better be said, however in the wrong or right. I feel much. There are lot of things I plainly observe and those are sort of the things that I adore writing about. I'm inspired by minute details and small things that have a huge impact much later on. There is much more to me that most know and many have bothered not about. Not like I want them to. But I'd like to be known. And that's what I think I stand for, being known beyond what is known. =D
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
TILL THE END OF TIME.....
when you're sleeping or awake, eating or working hard, there are always these moments where you wish well for someone and want them to know you care. it hurts when these special people are hurt, because they mean a lot to you and you then want to be their superman. you dont want anyone or anything to bother them because if it does, that person wont see the light of day!
point being, our care at times exceeds certain bonds, relationships and people. care is not synonymous to relationship. care does not need distinctions or levels. i care for my family not because we are related and its our duty to be there for each other, but because i know that i WANT to be there for them till the end of time. we care for tons of people out there and sometimes we even misuse this word. but the point is that our care makes someone day a better one or brings a smile in a terrible crisis. its an honour to know that you're someone's superman and are going to be there for them because you CARE for them.
be it your friends, family, teachers, colleagues or even the dog in the neighbouring lane, if you truly mean it and care for them, there is nothing that can and must stop you from doing so. sometimes even an embrace or a birthday card or even a get well soon wish show that you care, because you're thinking about their well-being.
i'd just like to tell my friends, family and all the people in my life who make it sooooooo special, i will be there till the end of time..............
=D
point being, our care at times exceeds certain bonds, relationships and people. care is not synonymous to relationship. care does not need distinctions or levels. i care for my family not because we are related and its our duty to be there for each other, but because i know that i WANT to be there for them till the end of time. we care for tons of people out there and sometimes we even misuse this word. but the point is that our care makes someone day a better one or brings a smile in a terrible crisis. its an honour to know that you're someone's superman and are going to be there for them because you CARE for them.
be it your friends, family, teachers, colleagues or even the dog in the neighbouring lane, if you truly mean it and care for them, there is nothing that can and must stop you from doing so. sometimes even an embrace or a birthday card or even a get well soon wish show that you care, because you're thinking about their well-being.
i'd just like to tell my friends, family and all the people in my life who make it sooooooo special, i will be there till the end of time..............
=D
Sunday, October 19, 2008
book review - "Tuesdays With Morrie"
“A teacher to the last” - the perfect words to describe him. He was Morrie Schwartz, a college professor who taught the author, Mitch Albom, the subjects of sociology and psychology during his college days. This book was Morrie’s last class which had only one student but many lessons to teach and learn – all this during his last fourteen Tuesdays, which recorded on tape and finally culminated into this one book, that changed millions of lives everywhere.
Mitch forgot the last promise he had made to Morrie on his graduation that he would keep in touch. Sixteen years later, life gave Mitch his last chance to get back what he lost, in the form of an interview on the famous show “Nightline” where he saw his professor once again, but withered. He had fallen prey to ALS (amytrophic lateral sclerosis). Now one could only see Morrie shriveling, losing out on all the little – little things that make one independent. If one could sum up the feelings they had for Morrie when they saw him, it was pity.
But did Morrie feel pity for himself? Morrie never chose to believe that death was a bad thing and he accepted it with open arms. The best example of this acceptance was when Morrie had a mock-funeral in his house and people sang and said nice things about him, which he feared he would not hear through his grave. He met countless people who came to spend time with him – college professors, students, singers, the “Nightline” show crew, friends and family – and these were those who made Morrie’s time more precious for him. Morrie felt lucky that he was dying this way because of the amount of time he had. It was these few lessons of life that he wished to get across to all the people in the world who had succumbed to the money – hungry “culture” of today.
Morrie and Mitch spoke about self – pity, regrets, death, family, emotions, fears of aging, money, love, marriage, culture, forgiveness, a perfect day, and the world at large. And just as the fourteenth Tuesday approached, Morrie and Mitch said their good-byes. Morrie died four days hence.
Not surprisingly, Morrie and Mitch still meet every Tuesday at Morrie’s tombstone. Mitch speaks, Morrie listens and life goes on. This book makes one laugh and cry at various instances and makes one want to finish it in one go. After reading this book, millions have narrated their stories of how it changed their lives for the good. The author has also written “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” which also won similar widespread acclaim.
It is this book about “a young man, an old man, and life’s greatest lesson” that introduced us to Morrie, a teacher everyone would love to have. We all need a teacher in life to guide and support us. I would like to sincerely thank the author for giving me Morrie and possibly the best philosophy each one of us must live by – “love each other or perish.”
Mitch forgot the last promise he had made to Morrie on his graduation that he would keep in touch. Sixteen years later, life gave Mitch his last chance to get back what he lost, in the form of an interview on the famous show “Nightline” where he saw his professor once again, but withered. He had fallen prey to ALS (amytrophic lateral sclerosis). Now one could only see Morrie shriveling, losing out on all the little – little things that make one independent. If one could sum up the feelings they had for Morrie when they saw him, it was pity.
But did Morrie feel pity for himself? Morrie never chose to believe that death was a bad thing and he accepted it with open arms. The best example of this acceptance was when Morrie had a mock-funeral in his house and people sang and said nice things about him, which he feared he would not hear through his grave. He met countless people who came to spend time with him – college professors, students, singers, the “Nightline” show crew, friends and family – and these were those who made Morrie’s time more precious for him. Morrie felt lucky that he was dying this way because of the amount of time he had. It was these few lessons of life that he wished to get across to all the people in the world who had succumbed to the money – hungry “culture” of today.
Morrie and Mitch spoke about self – pity, regrets, death, family, emotions, fears of aging, money, love, marriage, culture, forgiveness, a perfect day, and the world at large. And just as the fourteenth Tuesday approached, Morrie and Mitch said their good-byes. Morrie died four days hence.
Not surprisingly, Morrie and Mitch still meet every Tuesday at Morrie’s tombstone. Mitch speaks, Morrie listens and life goes on. This book makes one laugh and cry at various instances and makes one want to finish it in one go. After reading this book, millions have narrated their stories of how it changed their lives for the good. The author has also written “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” which also won similar widespread acclaim.
It is this book about “a young man, an old man, and life’s greatest lesson” that introduced us to Morrie, a teacher everyone would love to have. We all need a teacher in life to guide and support us. I would like to sincerely thank the author for giving me Morrie and possibly the best philosophy each one of us must live by – “love each other or perish.”
Saturday, October 18, 2008
its a dog eat dog world
today for the first time i actually saw what the phrase dog-eat-dog stands for in a corporate circuit. its the worse thing anyone can do to you when they pull you down just for selfish entertainment at your cost or because of insecurity because at certain times when it just gets plain dirty, you have no other option but to retort, which makes you the bad guy in front of practically everyone.
i was doing a presentation based on Nokia in terms of recruitment opportunities and career options. it was actually the first time i had laid eyes on that presentation and i was to do the entire thing so, here goes nothing. my flow (however smooth, suprisingly) was constantly broken by certain colleagues who either wanted to live off my ruin or had questions completely irrelevant to what i was saying. i had to really be ignorant, rude and even loud at times to avoid these constant speedbreakers on my highway to success. but then came the bursting point. i was being asked the same question again and again and it became more pointless after a while because what i was speaking didnt get to anyone and i just became a source of quality entertainment. but there was a voice within me that spoke, in a comforting tone to me and a sarcastic one to the others. another person took over me and i became a very vampish creature who got back at people who asked tactless queries. though i felt pretty thrilled about these retorts as i walked back, amid applause, to my place, while getting home in the rickshaw i felt terrible about it (not apologetic but pathetic) and would have definately done things better if i could.
in the end all i gained from all of this was the fact that everyone is here to pull you down. and if you're fussing about the fact that you have no support system, know that you're the only one who can bring yourself up. after today,i sincerely hope that my career will not lie in such a field where people just need a reason to malign each other.
signing off with the hope to remain sane
=D
i was doing a presentation based on Nokia in terms of recruitment opportunities and career options. it was actually the first time i had laid eyes on that presentation and i was to do the entire thing so, here goes nothing. my flow (however smooth, suprisingly) was constantly broken by certain colleagues who either wanted to live off my ruin or had questions completely irrelevant to what i was saying. i had to really be ignorant, rude and even loud at times to avoid these constant speedbreakers on my highway to success. but then came the bursting point. i was being asked the same question again and again and it became more pointless after a while because what i was speaking didnt get to anyone and i just became a source of quality entertainment. but there was a voice within me that spoke, in a comforting tone to me and a sarcastic one to the others. another person took over me and i became a very vampish creature who got back at people who asked tactless queries. though i felt pretty thrilled about these retorts as i walked back, amid applause, to my place, while getting home in the rickshaw i felt terrible about it (not apologetic but pathetic) and would have definately done things better if i could.
in the end all i gained from all of this was the fact that everyone is here to pull you down. and if you're fussing about the fact that you have no support system, know that you're the only one who can bring yourself up. after today,i sincerely hope that my career will not lie in such a field where people just need a reason to malign each other.
signing off with the hope to remain sane
=D
Thursday, October 16, 2008
i'll be alright...
ipod - check
headphones - check
new songs - check
mood - double check
i was just about to listen to a recently released song from the movie Dostana. its called Jaane Kyun and i actually wanted to give it a shot seeing the hype around the film and stuff (hope it works).
and the part that got to me the most from the entire song was the chorus which is this:
"jaane kyun,
dil jaanta hai,
tu hai to i'll be alright"......
this made me think....did i really know who this was for?? did i know atleast one friend who i could firmly say that "tu hai to i'll be alright" ??
recently i went through a very pathetic phase and i really needed to talk to someone....i was pretty sick of people telling me the conventional way - "its gonna be fine, you'll be better of.." etc etc.. but i didnt somehow think i needed that. i needed a different sort of approach. a voice which was consoling yet funny, stupid but making great sense. i did find such a person. wont name but i know that that person knows that they're the one here....
but see, the point is that no matter where they are and what they do and whatever nonsense they're going through, they're going to be there for us even though they need someone far more than we do...and you know why that is?? people realise that when they're needed by someone, they're the only ones who can make something better. they are our guardian angels and they'll always be there for us even if they're miles and miles away..
so cheers to all those friends out there for because of you there is someone who is alright in their troubles....
jaane kyun...
headphones - check
new songs - check
mood - double check
i was just about to listen to a recently released song from the movie Dostana. its called Jaane Kyun and i actually wanted to give it a shot seeing the hype around the film and stuff (hope it works).
and the part that got to me the most from the entire song was the chorus which is this:
"jaane kyun,
dil jaanta hai,
tu hai to i'll be alright"......
this made me think....did i really know who this was for?? did i know atleast one friend who i could firmly say that "tu hai to i'll be alright" ??
recently i went through a very pathetic phase and i really needed to talk to someone....i was pretty sick of people telling me the conventional way - "its gonna be fine, you'll be better of.." etc etc.. but i didnt somehow think i needed that. i needed a different sort of approach. a voice which was consoling yet funny, stupid but making great sense. i did find such a person. wont name but i know that that person knows that they're the one here....
but see, the point is that no matter where they are and what they do and whatever nonsense they're going through, they're going to be there for us even though they need someone far more than we do...and you know why that is?? people realise that when they're needed by someone, they're the only ones who can make something better. they are our guardian angels and they'll always be there for us even if they're miles and miles away..
so cheers to all those friends out there for because of you there is someone who is alright in their troubles....
jaane kyun...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
oct 9th, 2008
day 1: thursday, october 9th
i sit here on my table wondering what to write about as my first blog. i've erased around 3 different types of starts and have finally got my foothold. the poem below is not purely a description of me as a person or a voice in my mind, its a description of every single human being, in some way or the other, for we can all identify with one soul. here no social boundaries matter, what matters is the search for a truth behind ourselves....
Me
i cannot who i am,
because i flow in these words of mine
i'm the driving force for my imagination
i'm the consolation in my sorrow.
i'm the hope for every victory of mine
i'm my only assurance for tomorrow.
i'm not the rain, not the sun
i'm not the moonlight in the sky
i'm just a simple but unique girl,
for if i'm not myself, then who am i?
i sit here on my table wondering what to write about as my first blog. i've erased around 3 different types of starts and have finally got my foothold. the poem below is not purely a description of me as a person or a voice in my mind, its a description of every single human being, in some way or the other, for we can all identify with one soul. here no social boundaries matter, what matters is the search for a truth behind ourselves....
Me
i cannot who i am,
because i flow in these words of mine
i'm the driving force for my imagination
i'm the consolation in my sorrow.
i'm the hope for every victory of mine
i'm my only assurance for tomorrow.
i'm not the rain, not the sun
i'm not the moonlight in the sky
i'm just a simple but unique girl,
for if i'm not myself, then who am i?
- Aakriti Anand
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