Saturday Musings

Ssssshh!!!!  The kid is there.  Mind your tongue.

Don’t speak whatever comes to your mind. Your child is watching.  Look at your actions. Your child doesn’t listen to what you speak but notice and repeat what you do. And many many more.

Often a person who is liberal and doesn’t mind what others think about them becomes so very cautious about them after a kid is born. They become responsible not only for their actions but also for kids’.

I am also one among many of so called “world-revolves-around-kid” type mom.  But then, recently when I was travelling in metro to my workplace.  I am sorry to say this, but I overheard the conversation (not intentionally) of group of same type of moms.

They were all going to an occasion organized a common friend who has never bothered to attend any of her other friend’s function. I was wondering as what could be the reason to attend such a person’s family function . So now I intentionally started to overhear their conversation. They all needed a reason to go out together.  They chit chatted about their good old days. Their college, the friends, the teachers and how those teachers dressed up, whom they admired the most etc .

As the conversation continued they all started making fun at each other and started living their good old days . They mentioned that “we cannot speak whatever we speak among friends at home as in laws and children would be watching us”. The moment I heard those words I remembered how I have turned out now. I have forgotten who I used to be and now when I think about me I am always reminded that I am a mother and no other identity.

I miss those good old days. I miss the long chats and calls. I miss being in person to whoever was in need of me. I miss being a listener and comforter. I totally miss being me. 

But this is a phase.

My Kid will eventually learn to dress himself.

And sleep in big bed.

He will potty train

And read and write.

He will make friends

And be independent.

But what he won’t do is be with me forever.

And be a child always.

So every mamma out there …. Enjoy the present. The future will happen, I promise.

It is TWO :-)

Hi Friends,

It has been quite sometime but today I wanted to post something in this space. A space where i can write anything i wish. A space where I can be as I am :-)

Yesterday was my Blog's 2 nd Anniversary !!!!!!!!!!! and I am soooooooo happy over this .

On this day I wanted to share a Pic which my friends (also the readers of this blog) gave me for this blog:

Certificate for my blog :-)

Readers sign for certification :-) :-)

I thank all of you for this certificate and your continuous support which is making me to write till date.

This certificate is so close to my heart because this was my Birthday Gift. The best Birthday gift i would say.

In these 2 years many things have changed.

People have changed !

Their perspective and priorities have changed!!

I have learnt a lot because of them and even I have changed. 

After all, Change is the only thing which cannot be changed isn't it ?

However they are, I love them and owe them a big thanks . For, they are the reason for what I am today.

I am glad that I could touch a string of people's life through this blog.I am glad that I started this blog.

Thank God!! I am a blogger :-) 

I thank each one of my readers for bearing with me these 2 years and I wish them all the best to bear me in coming years too :-P.

Happy night folks :-)

Do you choose to be Karna?

We all know Mahabharata is a great epic and even when we do not know each and every incident in it we know the main characters in it. Karna is one among such few. It is indisputable that Karna is one of the most fascinating characters in Mahabharata. I personally admire Karna for his charity, as a great warrior, his loyalty to friendship even when he knew he was against his own brothers. In fact, when I think about the way he was killed in the battle I turn disappointed with Krishna.

Everything happened for a reason. And Mahabharata stands as a great epic even till today.

When I analyse little of Karna’s life I learn that, Karna all through his life was not happy. Not happy even for a moment. It is true everywhere he was insulted for his illegal birth. Whenever Karna rose as a great hero, people used his birth which was his weakest point as a weapon to bring him down.

All Karna wanted all through his life was recognition, name and fame. Karna could have been happy in many ways. Though he did not know who his true mother was, his parents (the chariot and his wife) who brought him up were too caring and loving. As they were childless, they considered Karna as a gift and brought him up with all their love and care to this child. Inspite of this, Karna was not happy. He chose bitterness.

Karna was very much talented than Arjuna and anyone for this matter. Everyone knew that Arjuna cannot win Karna if they stand against each other in war. He was not happy with that.  Dhuryodhana considered Karna as his best friend and even made Karna as a king. Karna was loyal to his friend but not happy. He chose bitterness.

It is learnt that after Karna’s entry, every step which Dhuryodhana took never missed Karna’s suggestion. Whenever Shakuni suggested something, Dhuryodhana would turn to Karna for his approval. Only when Karna seems fine with the idea, Dhuryodhana used to take actions. If at all Karna, had said “No” to Shakuni’s suggestions and made Dhuryodhana understand the truth, there was no need for such a drastic war.

It is not that Karna did not know what he was doing was wrong. He knew. Pretty well, Karna knew he is on the wrong side. But all his life Karna tried to support his friend and show his loyalty to him, but not to correct him and preach him about good things. Karna chose enemity. Karna chose bitterness.

As we sow, so we reap. From the beginning till the end, Karna opted for bitterness. He always wanted name and fame but not happiness. He wanted to prove him as a great warrior not as a happy man. As he wished, he always stands as a great warrior and inspire every individual with his tremendous loyalty to friend, and his outstands every other character in Mahabharata with his charity.

But Karna was never happy. From his birth till death, he carried bitterness. He did not choose to be happy. As I always say, how others see you are not important, how you see yourself is what makes your life. Every man wishes for name and fame. No one denies it. People crave for recognition. In this pursuit, they fail to recognise the happiness which lies with them.

No matter what, be determined to be happy.

Spread happiness around you. Give a drop of it to each one you meet every day. Its speciality is - its quantity never comes down by giving it. Rather, it increases more. By giving happiness you feel happier than before.

Decide right now, and never turn back. Do you choose to be Karna?

Spread smiles. Make a difference with your smile. Make world a better place to live in.

Note: I know I have taken a critical character here. There are many fans of Karna who would oppose me for what I‘ve told about him. Am myself a great fan of Karna and that is the reason which made me keen in knowing his life and analyse his life more than anyone else in Mahabharat. I pity him for he didn’t choose to be happy throughout his life.

          

What Do I Write ?

When I tell people that I write blogs the first question I receive is “About what?”

In the beginning I used to pause for few seconds to answer this question. But now, I know what I write. I write about many things. Intentionally I avoid few topics like studies ,  negative topics & God.

 First thing I avoid is studies/profession . The reason for me starting this blog is to be out of Profession and I don’t want to bore people with such topic as they would be speaking about that throughout their life.

Second thing I avoid is Negative Topics. I want to be Optimist. Even if I fail to bring a smile in the reader’s face, I make it a point not to bring tears or to feel disconcerting. So almost all my posts have a positive note and few will be pointless (i.e. just for timepass).

The third is God. Well, you know the reason.

What Am I writing after eliminating all these?

I write about nature, society, people, relationships, friends, trust, cheer, fun, teasing, laughter and mainly Life.

I write, if people are not letting an ambulance its way

 I write, if a stranger treats me well.

 I write how to make people love you.

I write, if I am happy throughout the day.

 I write, if friends want me to post something on a day.

I write thanking everyone.

I write about every tiny gift of life.

I write about my childhood.

I write humour & harmony.

Friends! If I have left out something about which I write, please mention it in comment.

So hereafter if people ask me What do I write about. I’ll direct them to this post J

Have a Great Day Ahead J   

100 Random Questions

Hi Friends,

Just for a change, answered 100 random questions . Its nice to think about unusual things. Few questions are boring and 100 is too many to answer :-P

Still just tried it out. You can also try if you do not have any better work to do :-D

1.     Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4- Handwriting Analysis- “even than that of a convicted killer” are the words in 4^th line

2.     Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch? I can tough my friend- Meena.

3.     Before you started this survey, what were you doing? Was working on a Service Tax Return

4.     What is the last thing you watched on TV? The serial at 10.30 last night(That is the only option I have to watch).

5.     Without looking, guess what time it is-  Its 19.00

6.     Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 18.58!!

7.     With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The sound from a AC and few people speaking in office

8.     When did you last step outside? What were you doing? I stepped outside 2 hours back. For having tea.

9.     Did you dream last night? Nope... These days am not dreaming in nights :-P

10. Do you remember your dreams? No for most of the times

11. When did you last laugh? Few minutes back. When I was speaking with my friend.

12. Do you remember why / at what? I have 100 reasons to laugh when I am speaking with my friends. Today laughed at a blunder made by my friend.Will write that in another post.

13. What is on the walls of the room you are in? A clean room. And white boards. Actually I am in office.

14. Seen anything weird lately? No

15. What do you think of this quiz? Nice. Its letting me think about unusual things.

16. What is the last film you saw? Singam 2

17. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? In my home J

18. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? A Car for my Brother.

19. Tell me something about you that most people don't know. I am moody and often worry at unwanted things.

20. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? Would ensure good sanitation and good health to poor.

21. Do you like to dance? Yes. But I don’t dance well.

22. Would you ever consider living abroad? Yes.(Australia / US )

23. Does your name make any interesting anagrams? -Whats he

24. Who made the last incoming call on your phone? My Brother

25. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Service Tax

26. Last time you swam in a pool? Not Swan ecactly- Went to river rafting on 18^th J

27. Type of music you like most? Melody

28. Type of music you dislike most? Music which sounds like bringing heart attack when suddenly tune up the volume.

29. Are you listening to music right now?No.

30. What color is your bedroom carpet? It has no carpet.

31. If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do? Would buy a good home theatre and sound system.

32. What was the last thing you bought? Rakhis

33. Have you ever ridden on a motorbike? Yes.

34. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?to sky diving

35. Do you have a garden? Not in Bangalore, But in Trichy we have.

36. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? Yes.

37. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Office L

38. If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be? Dr. Abdul Kalam.

39. Who sent the last text message you received? My friend Divya.

40. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Gift stores.

41. What time is bed time? Its 12.00 a.m

42. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?No

43. How many tattoos do you have? I hate them Yuck.

44. If you don't have any, have you ever thought of getting one? Never

45. What did you do for your last birthday? Was not celebrated as my grandfather passed in the same month.

46. Do you carry a donor card? No

47. Who was the last person you ate dinner with? My aunty & grandma.

48. Is the glass half empty or half full? Ha ha

49. What's the farthest-away place you've been? Hyderabad

50. When's the last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Never

51. Have you ever won a trophy? Few( In karatae, and other sports also in proficiency)

52. Are you a good cook? Not a bad cook

53. Do you know how to pump your own gas? Heloooo :-D

54. If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be? Mother Teresa

55. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school? Throughout Schooling.

56. Do you touch-type? Yeah

57. What's under your bed? Nothing

58. Do you believe in love at first sight? No

59. Think fast, what do you like right now? A grand salwar

60. Where were you on Valentine's day? Office

61. What time do you get up? 8 J

62. What was the name of your first pet?  Ju Ju

63. Who is the second to last person to call you? My Friend Vakee

64. Is there anything going on this weekend? Yes. My sister’s marriage J

65. How are you feeling right now? Wanted to post something in my blog.So rigorously filling this.

66. What do you think about the most? It varies upon time and each day.

67. What time do you get up in the morning?Already answered. Can’t answer the same question again ... as I am getting up late L

68. If you had A Big Win in the Lottery, how long would you wait to tell people? Not even a minute

69. Who would you tell first? My friend Vakee

70. What is the last movie that you saw at the cinema? Singam 2

71. Do you sing in the shower? Yeah sometime.

72. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?Again same question :-@

73. What do you do most when you are bored? Will play temple run

74. What do you do for a living? Am a Chartered Accountant.

75. Do you love your job? These days I do not love -little bored.

76. What did you want to be when you grew up? Journalist/ Pschycologist

77. If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be? My Own Practice as CA.

78. Which came first the chicken or the egg? It is the least thing I am bothered.

79. How many keys on your key ring?Single.

80. Where would you retire to? Trichy/ Bangalore

81. What kind of car do you drive?I don’t know to drive cars.

82. What are your best physical features?My eyes- People say so.

83. What are your best characteristics? Caring.

84. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? Anywhere with my friends.

85. What kind of books do you like to read? Fiction

86. Where would you want to retire to? Uh.. same again

87. What is your favorite time of the day? Riding my 2 wheeler

88. Where did you grow up? Trichy

89. How far away from your birthplace do you live now?  Around 350Kms.

90. What are you reading now? Currently reading a book of Handwriting analysis.

91. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night Owl.

92. Can you touch your nose with your tongue? No

93. Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?Yes

94. Do you have pets? No.

95. How many rings before you answer the phone? 6 to 7 rings .

96. What is your best childhood memory? Many. Listed already in blog.

97. What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life? Nothing Much- only in accounting profession.

98. Any new and exciting things that you would like to share? If you go to Madikeri- Go to River Rafting. Don’t miss it!

99. What is most important in life? People.

100.                    What Inspires You? Many.

If you have time. Try answering these to yourselves.

Happy night :-)

Raksha Bandhan

“The construction of a house in neighbourhood was going on last year too. I made a bungalow out of the sand used there and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea together.”

Brothers are special gift of God. Especially if you are a girl, having a Brother means having a lifetime gift. From my childhood, I have been sharing so many childhood memories with my Brothers. If you are regular reader of my blog you would have known this by now.

My brothers are sweet and always ready to fight. We have fought with each other so much. My brother has even shown me the tip of the death. (Risk ellam enakku rusku saapudra madhiri:-P). With those fights comes the bonding. The bonding of love & Care.

My brothers are everything to me. They play the role of my friends, my father & mother (in some instances) , my competitor , my teacher, my companion, and also body guards J . Am so much indebted to all the love they shower on me.

When I meet new people I tend to call them as “Anna” –Brother. I feel it as a word of warmth. Not everyone knows the power / meaning of that word. Many don’t deserve that word. As I grew up I realised this , and from then I don’t call new people with that word. Only when I really feel the affection they give I use the word “Anna” to call them. Today I can say that everyone whom I call so shares a special bonding with me.

They encourage me so much. They support me in everything I do. They stood by me in all my difficult times. They understand me better than my Parents.

Brotherhood is something which everyone cannot get. I am indeed lucky to have so many brothers in my life. Each one has a special place for me in their hearts and I do have special place to each one of them. To all my brothers, Happy Rakshabandhan !!  I wish them to have all the joys of the world.

My First Love and First Hero

Every Son's  first hero is his Father and every Daughter's first love is her Father.

Most of the People whom you have in your life is purely your choice. You can choose whom to have and whom not to have. But that is not the case with Father and Mother. It is purely God's will.If at all I am given a chance to choose my Parents I will choose to deny the chance given to me.
I've heard people saying that my father distributed sweets to the entire street where we lived. I've heard my aunties saying that my Father celebrated every minuscule movement of mine. He ecstatically recorded my alarming talks.. where my voice was too far from decency and very much close to horror movie :-P
He cherished my scrawling and doodles as an work of art.
He is a reason for what i am today. Words fall short when i try to explain my Father's love towards me.But My Father didn't tell me how to live ; but his living teaches me how to live.

I dedicate these lines to all the Fathers in the world...  

A dad is someone who

wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again. 

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt. 

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail...
 
Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Women's Day

It has been days since I've come here. Today being Women’s day I wished to share something with you.

Women are often described using the words like flowers, soft, breeze and moon. Not always but most often. It sounds good. But in today’s society are they handled in the way they are described? We cannot hide the crying shames like Delhi gang rape and many more abuses against girls. In ‘The Capital’ city if such a crime can happen imagine the other cities in our country.

In this day I would love to write about few women who live with exemplary courage in the society.

Indira Gandhi , Kiran Bedi, Jhansi rani and many more set examples for courage. Here are 3 more I love to add to the list.

Neeraja Bhanot – the brave 23 year –old air hostess is the first women in my list.

In September 1986 this brave women has risked her own life to save the passengers in a hijacked flight – PAN AM. She was seriously injured by the hijackers’ bullets while shielding 3 children.

Our Government awarded Neerja with Ashok Chakra posthumously.

An award has been named after her called the Neeraja Banot Award and it is given to women who have shown exemplary courage in their personal lives.

One of the Neerja Bhanot award winner for the year 2000 is Alice Garg  from Jaipur.

She has been engaged in a constant battle against injustice.I’ve learnt that watching Alice Garg talk is like watching a dormant volcano swell up with lava. She seems to hide a tempest behind her calm exterior. One cannot but help wonder how the frail 61-year-old woman could have waged a war against well-connected criminals. Alice is credited with exposing many infamous cases of sexual exploitation against women in Rajasthan, including the Bhanwari Devi gangrape case which hit the headlines a few years ago and the J.C. Bose case, which sends shivers down the spine.

Another winner of the award is Ashamma from Andhra Pradesh.

At 35 years of age, Ashamma has nothing to share with the world expect tears. She belongs to Karni village in Mehbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, where women belonging to the lower caste are considered objects of entertainment. Ashamma was made to undergo the jogini ritual when she was seven years old. As per this custom, she was married off to the village deity.

From the day she was married to village deity she lost her dignity. All the men who inhabited that village asked her for sexual favors and as a jogini she was expected to please them. Her trauma began even when she had not attained puberty. At the age of 11 when she attained puberty the news spread like a fire and men hounded her all the more. She was forced to sleep with countless people, some of whom were much older than her. Still in her teens, Ashamma delivered a girl child. She bore the child from the man she loved, but he did not marry her. Later, she escaped from the village. But all the time she was reminded that she was a jogini and should not act like a pativrata. During those days the Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samatha Society was running sanghams in villages. These forums voiced the concerns of sexually exploited women. When Ashamma heard the views of its leaders, she was impressed. She swore to fight against the baseless custom of jogini. In 1997, Ashamma became the head of the sangham which operated in Karni. As the leader of the forum, she discouraged the practice of jogini. Her mission revolved around thwarting the attempts of villagers to initiate young girls into this evil practice. She fought hard and saved a nine-year-old girl in her village from becoming a jogini. The police had refused to help her and no one in the village was prepared to cooperate with her. But Ashamma sat in protest until she succeeded in preventing the initiation ceremony.

As Oprah Winfrey says

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you always.”

Gender, custom and locality are no more served as excuses. Begin the change with you today. Whole world will be changed accordingly one day. 

BE THE CHANGE WHAT YOU WISH TO SEE IN OTHERS.HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY!!!

Reference: scribd.com