Blog to make difference #BlogToFeedAChild

First let me tell you honestly that this is my personal experience and  I was never going to write about this here on blog or on anyother platform. I never felt like penning it down in words....I don't have reason but I didn't want to write this.

But when I saw this feed on BlogAdda , I thought of sharing this incident....not because this incident is so much important for me to share (in fact it's reverse I never wanted it to share here) .....But than I am also feeling that.... if spending 15 minutes makes difference for one child than ...it would be best 15 minutes spent by me.

• I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.

It was not so good day for me and had little bit tiff with friends and I was sitting at open air food joint near by my home. I like the Food of that place and I have made it customize it for me, But that day the boy who generally prepare it for me was not there and someone else has prepared and messed up with taste. So I just gave up eating after taking two bites and got busy in chatting with friends over phone. After few minutes a little boy came up....he has posters and charts in his hand.....he must be selling it on the signal during daytime.... I thought.

The boy asked me if he can take that food plate if I don't want to eat. Then as it was already cold and was there for sometime ... I asked the cafe guy to give him other plate instead of mine ( Don't know why I have done that ...may be because I wasn't happy with day ... and just wanted to cheer up my mood ). The boy has started eating food and I got busy with chatting again.

The thing surprised me was that after completing that fresh plate of food....boy came up and asked me if I can still take that old plate of food with me. I just asked ....if he is still hungry I can order one more plate but the reply I got was shocking.

Boy said... No I am not taking it for me. I want it for my friend who is selling such stuff across other signal. May be food is not so good for you but then it is so much better than what we have daily. He will be happy having it even though it is cold. He collected it and left the place....and I left sitting there dumb struck.

It was the same place where that "Pizza incident" (click there to read) I have came across that gang of "Shoe Polish" guys... who refused to take money. I kept on recalling each and every incidents where I have left food or not ate it with vague reasons. I shared the incident with my friend and one time room mate, he is journalist and working with local news channel.

He told me that there are more than 100 NGOs are listed to work on this  for our city and all are getting huge grants from organizations and wealthy families but issue is not resolved and it's never going to resolve. We have done detailed research as well and found that many of those were fake and just used for converting black money or for saving taxes. Hardly one or two of them were doing some amount of work but no one were there to monitor their work and nothing was transparent in their system.

So we thought instead of giving in some trust or temple and monitor let's just keep it simple. We will make arrangement for food for these two kids. Next day when that boy came ... we took him to near by dining hall and made a deal with Kaka who is owner of that place that provide food to both boy everyday and we will pay for them, Kaka too is generous enough to agreed with that and reduce the charge little bit as well.

See from our point of view it was very simple....we don't have lot's of bucks to splash across. What we are thinking is very much simple.... first we don't have that extra bucks inherited from our elders... second we are not going to cut something from our budget of entertainment. We will just try to save something from our extra expense which we are doing just for our self..... not out of necessity but sheered out of laziness. We have tried it for one month and saving was little less than what we had to pay for food but then adding that little extra is worth spending something from my luxury budget.

What I personally feel is that ... if you are donating something ...don't just do it for sake of doing it. Make sure that you are doing it the right way.

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• P.S. Our BlogAdda team is doing great job with this initiative and I am sure that Akshay Patra will keep on getting good response to continue this work.

Leo/Virgo Cusp: 22nd Aug, Scorpio Moon, Scorpio Rising, Snake Year

I was never been a big fan of the astrology...certainly not till I read this article. It's about the Leo-Virgo cusp (19th Aug to 25th Aug) and being born on 22nd Aug , I fall into it....

Some of the things mentioned below is damn true .... and I have tried to highlight few of them...

Leo/Virgo Cusp: 22nd Aug, Scorpio Moon, Scorpio Rising, Snake Year

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Individuals born on the cusp of Leo (the fifth Sign of the Zodiac) and Virgo (the sixth Sign of the Zodiac) are ruled by both the Sun and the Planet Mercury. The attributes of these two combined Signs result in a good-natured disposition and natives who are inclined to take life easy, being well-satisfied with both themselves and their station in life. These cuspians make for good neighbors who would never dream of meddling in the affairs of others. Usually highly intelligent, Leo/Virgo subjects are methodical and inclined to be hard-workers. Indeed, this particular cusp combination has produced some exceedingly successful physicians and teachers. 

The Leo/Virgo cusp combination, also known as the Cusp of Exposure, corresponds symbolically to the period of human life at around the age of thirty-five. Here, there is an interesting blend of the introvert and the extrovert...a mix of the practical and earthy qualities afforded by Virgo coupled with the more intuitive and fiery traits of Leo. The end result is often a quietly inspired individual who keeps his or her light within. Some of these cuspians emit a muted or even nondescript first impression which often conceals a far more flamboyant tendency. Others come across as exhibitionists, but are really sensitive and private individuals. There is a tendency here to hide certain personal qualities or facts...possibly for years. Nevertheless, the inner flamboyance is apt to emerge periodically in even the most introverted of these cuspians and during such occasions, they will reveal themselves to the world, totally aware of what they are doing. Many Leo/Virgo natives eventually come to realize that self-concealment is futile since the more they attempt to hide, the more those around them appear to be taking notice of what they are are (or are not) doing. By aiming to be more transparent and allowing others to see what they truly are instead of going into hiding, these cuspians may well be able to even out their swings between introverted and extroverted behavior. 

Leo/Virgo natives born into unremarkable surroundings...or at the bottom of the social ladder...can sometimes be late starters in the struggle to move up in the world. Even when such ascension is initiated, it is only through tremendous tenacity and willpower that they can maintain momentum. Indeed, it is not unusual for these cuspians to succumb to their worst fear...a life of boredom and mediocrity. The belief of Leo/Virgo subjects in themselves is frequently inversely proportionate to the belief of the world in general regarding these individuals. In short, as soon as they begin to gain self-confidence, it seems as though others begin to take less notice of them and while applause is not crucial to these cuspians, they do possess a burning sense of their own worth no matter how quiet or self-contained they may be. It is characteristic of these individuals not to reveal the truth about themselves or make grand displays of their real inner feelings until they attain their goals, whether such goals be social or professional. Indeed, it may well be that this desire to divulge can be the fuel which powers the drive toward a goal, since those who reach the top and have carried lifelong secrets are prone to be found out...and usually through their own statements and behavior. To some, this tendency is perceived as a peculiar blend of narcissism and masochism...a strange mixture of self-indulgence and punishment. In truth, these natives are a rather curious blend of intoverted and extroverted tendencies...modesty coupled with flamboyance, for example...and a capacity to see both the large and small picture in almost every situation. Thus, they are often outstanding observers and judges of character. They know how to watch in silence without drawing attention to themselves. In addition, they frequently excel at recording their impressions in thought or word and then expressing them at a later date after long periods of rethinking. Associates and co-workers are likely to depend upon the judgment, objectivity and brilliant memory of these natives and when they are able to achieve emotional stability, Leo/Virgo subjects can be the most dependable and reliable of friends. 

It should be noted that there is a danger here for Leo/Virgo cuspians to alternately use concealment and revelation as a weapon or ploy to get their own way and they need to realize the childishness and non-productivity of such games. The solution to this often comes when they meet just one person...or a very few...who are willing to accept them exactly as they are. Thus, through acceptance, love and trust, these cuspians can eliminate the need to play "hide-and-seek." Unfortunately, emotional immaturity is apt to plague Leo/Virgo natives until they fully accept the challenges associated with attaining adulthood. Subjects of this cusp combination are never altogether happy or content with less than the very best and finest of furnishing

Source :- http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/virgocusp.html 

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Black is beautiful !!!

Black is always been my favourite colour due to many reason. Be it my black shirt , black shoes or my black Ray Ban goggles. I was just going through my routine reading of random articles from BlogAdda  and came across this competition. I do write blog since long and submit my articles for competition but writing something fresh just for competition is new for me. Most of time I write blogs during travelling and many of time my post are influenced from events took place around me during that time.

This contest is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

So let me list out 5 beautiful black things which I always want to have in my life. It's not that I only need these 5 things but each of this 5 has some incidents attached with it.

1. Black 'RayBan' goggles - I think this liking is inherited in me from my dad. He used have it with him always while riding his bike. I think...I was in 10^th  std. when I have started noticing that swanky black goggles and till I have completed my 12^th I haven't missed any chance of wearing it in front of mirror. I haven't had luxury to afford one during my college time but now I can do that and my all FB profile pics are incomplete without having them on ;) .
2. Black Shirt -  I think...I have started liking black shirts since my college life when I have left my home town and shifted to new location to achieve new goal. If you want to know advantage of having black shirt ... ask a bachelor living away from home with having very few resources. Yeah...exactly during college life where every single bucks gets counted... Having pair of black shirt and blue faded jeans is bliss.[Or it may be possible that my GF told me that I looks good in black shirt blue jeans...you never know :)]. Again just like the goggles now I can afford to wear cool white shirts but I think during those 4 years of college life I started liking them as well. 
3. Black Labrador puppy -  Unlike above two this doesn't have any connection with history but it has something to do with present. Yes... I have that black Labra puppy at my home. After demises of Dad and Marriage of Sister..I used to get busy with my work and staying away from home for weekdays... made life difficult for Mom.  She wasn't big fan of having Pet before that but now that little puppy is getting more luxury than me. 
4. Black I-Phone - It's just my wish and cool to have thing. However , I don't think that I am going to spend 40-50 K bucks for having that black sexy piece from my salary. But it always amuses me when I read news something like "someone from China has donated his Kidney to get the this phone"...how crazy fans this slick black phone does have. I like it but not that crazy about it :) .  
5. Black Car -  I always have so many crazy memories on wheel. Be it my cab or my small car (and not black) where I have lots fun memories with best of my friends. When I have bought my first car few years back from my own bucks ...it was more of necessity than a luxury. At that time I didn't have choice to go with selecting one from my small list. But I am damn sure that the next car I will have will surely be the "black beast".

That's my short list of beautiful black things... which I had...have..or want to have in my life.

Don't go far off !!!!!!

Don't go far off, not even for a day, because --

because -- I don't know how to say it: a day is long

and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station

when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep.

-Pablo Neruda                                    

Short cuts - we all love it at times !!!

"In maths or life short-cut is never short cut until you practise a lot with some failures...."

Again a weird topic to chose for writing. But at the moment it seems interesting to me and in fact that is the only thing going on my mind at the moment.

 

A Short cut .... something we all love and prefer to do in this fast and pacy life. Be it achieving something, driving car , opening software application. We all are addicted to it till some extent.

Apart from short cut of the software application most of the short cuts doesn't ensure you the success. Just for an example of driving.... 

"Direction is more imp than speed...but we more often busy at looking speadoometer than direction "

We take short cuts while driving down the busy roads during rush hour. Sometime we prefer small lanes instead of those crowded huge roads with traffic signals. Even though the lane is too narrow and has the little capacity to accommodate only one lane traffic.Most of time it would be vacant and you will pass through easily but if there is a jam, then there is no way you can get your vehicle out from there before waiting for an hour.

But we still prefer to take those short cuts. It doesn't matter that 5 minutes saved from one day is being compensate by wait of an hour.

"Cell is an integral part of human body.... they say and I agree !!! "

How can I miss it...We use short cuts while typing through cell phone. Your becomes urs , People become ppl. laugh out loud becomes lol and there are many more. Sometimes they call it a SMS lingo.

"Ye corruption kuch le deke khatam nahi ho sakta kya ??"

In this country we use short cuts to get our work done easily or before time. Just pay the peon 50 or 100 odd bucks and your file will be on top and your work would be done two hours earlier and no standing in the long and never ending queue.

"Marriages are made in heaven .....so as the lighting and storms!!!"

Ohhh!! Come on!! How can I forget this one. We do apply short cuts even in Marriages. Duhhh.. not talking about love marriage that's not short cut that's the longer one actually. I am talking about "The Pandits". Priest performs three hour wedding rituals in one hour if you wish; muhurats and horoscopes change too as per convenience.

"The one who kneel down to lord can stand up for anything!!"

I don't write too much on God and I don't visit temples frequently but I have visited it couple of times and heard someone discussing about a fact that temples have separate queue for "common" darshan and VIP darshan . The later one is a faster route to reach God, but from a certain distance. Nevertheless, the time is indeed saved.

Yet, List is too long and I am damn sure that most (including me) are using it and will continue to use short cuts in life. No harm in that, but think once before you use them. Because....sometimes journey is more important then the destination and by taking short cuts you are actuality cutting down the important part. 

By the way, love marriages are a kind of short cut too...avoiding all long procedure and drama of family.

Isn't it!!! In any case I would like to take that one... !!!

Reasons for Marriages in INDIA...!!

1. You are getting old. You should get married.

2. You are going bald/ growing fat/ becoming ugly. You should get married.

3. All your friends are married. You should get married.

4. You are getting bored. You should get married.

5. School done. College done. Job done. What else is to be done? You should get married.

6. Late marriage means late kids. You should get married.

7. But how will younger siblings get married? You should get married.

8. Sharma Uncle, Verma Aunty and all other relatives keep asking all kinds of questions. You should get married.

9. Its our duty and responsibility. You should get married.

10. Its Great Great Grandparents last wish. You should get married.!!

11. You are too happy, you should get married!!

12. Your life is too good to be true,you should  get married!!

13. Happiness is not the only way to learn lessons, you should  get married!!

14. Why should we only suffer.?? You too should get married

P.S. only thing they don't say is that "if you have got your special one....you should get married"

Change - good or bad?

     

  Huhhh... Confused again. Either to be happy or to be sad. Yeah it's 1st May and it's time for appraisal announcements. First I was very happy by seeing numbers but than got bit disappoint. But anyways that's life and it happens not going to discuss about this day. After reaching home I have open the diary to add something and then ended up with reading older notes.

          I have flipped the pages and reached at the date 4/8/2010. It was my first salary day and post goes like this........

Huhhh..It's the day everyone wants to have and love more than anything....

Yuppp...It's the salary day.... Will get first salary today... at the age of 20....But it wasn't easy to survive last month... eating one time and so many fasts to balance the expenses of weekends...

One good thing about this industry is the 5 days work culture.... just like I had during my college days...

Now let me get back with my experience of last one month.....First I know why I have chosen this field....and first time I realize that only starting income doesn't matter.... I am enjoying my life in my own city and ....I am enjoying my work more than a person earn thrice than me.....

Just remember one line dad always told to me..... It's not that how much you earn that makes you happy....But it's how much you have strived for that money when you were not earning makes you happy......

"Always aim that much high...that you cover max distance....Cause it's 45 degree which covers more distance not 90 degree...and 120 degree can take you behind also....."

After reading this I was just shocked. It's only me who have written this almost 3 years ago.

I am changed too much.

Don't know it's good or bad but I can see and feel the difference.

Happiness is Decision!

Nearly end of first quarter of 2014 and I was just evaluating this quarter with respect to happiness I gain in it.

I have got lots of ups in it and few downs. At the end it was way better than I have expected. And may be that was the main reason that I have not expected anything for this and the way things are going right now making me delightful. 

Yes some things touch you, you cannot explain how. But they leave a lasting impact on your heart. And mind. And soul. They might be a trivial thing like a movie, or a huge thing like a heartbreak. But they become a part of you. And they are there to stay. To change you. To make you a better person. Or a worse one. But they keep you going. 

And at the end of everything, that's the only thing that matters. 

"Haso..Jiyo...Muskurao...Kya pata... Kal Ho na ho"

PS: Ignore typos. I'm sitting in a cafe, writing this on my phone.

Life - a jigsaw puzzle

Life - a jigsaw puzzle.... Thought came up to my mind when I was playing with my little nephew. I have gifted him quite a few jigsaw puzzles recently. We have started with the puzzle with 10 pieces and than we have reached till puzzle with 500 pieces.

Last weekend i went at cousin's place and was playing with around and he brought this largest puzzle and we had started setting up pieces to create complete picture. We had photo of complete picture in my cell. We looked at the complete picture in my cell (clicked from the one given on the box) from time to time and keep it in our mind. Just to visualize the picture and then searched for the missing pieces. During this if we got stuck somewhere....we abandoned that part of the picture and focused on the other part which seems easy and at that moment. We tried to fit a piece in various places. It was fun to see that spoiled brat so much engrossed in the activity. Sometimes, he would just stare at the picture from so closed range, trying real hard to find out where the piece in hand would find its place. In meantime We also came back again on the earlier abandoned part of the puzzle and sorted it out with an ease. During this activity We rejoiced when a piece found its place and we got frustrated too, if a part remained elusive for long.However, with patience, determination, focus, we finally completed the picture and it was an Aha! moment. Happiness was flowing from his face and he did dance steps of his favourite song to express the happiness.

This activity took long two hours and after completing i was thinking that isn't life is the same, just like a jigsaw puzzle. We visualize the complete picture of perfect life and then start looking for the matching pieces to complete that picture. Meantime when we rejoiced when we find perfect piece and also get frustrated when we don't get one for long time. But what is important is to abandon the complex part for sometime and try to focus on the other part which can be completed with an ease. It might possible that during that process you find the missing part of that abandoned work and can resume fixing that part too. 

Keep on moving is the lesson. If you just keep on holding the same piece of puzzle for long time it will not take you further and you will get frustrated. Keep on exploring the options. Really....Life is just like a jigsaw puzzle....We have to see the whole picture.... then put it together piece by piece...and also should not hold on to one piece for longer duration.

Straightforwardness - a better option than buttering up someone

Just like my rest of the posts this also came up during some causal discussing during my daily travelling from office to home. We were discussing something related to culture we have adopted of not approaching senior or boss by 'Sir' and just go with the name. Despite of having this culture few people still uses the word 'Sir' instead of name. 

Some of them are just college freshers and not used to of such environments so that's natural for them. However some of them are way senior and still they call them 'Sir' on their face just to buttering them up. What they think is that buttering them up will make their life easier.

I am not completely agree with that, and actually it's ridiculous when someone with that designation do that. Though i have not gain that much exposure to this profession what i have learnt is that Straightforwardness is better than buttering up someone. 

Again Straightforwardness , that word has many different meanings and people define as they want to define it. Some consider their rudeness and impoliteness as their Straightforwardness but that is not.

When i say "Straightforwardness is better than buttering up someone" , that means something as i have tried to discuss below.....

As i have read in some novel that ...

"Straightforwardness is a quality appreciated by many, followed by a few, and understood by even fewer."

A very Well said...! Actually that was authors perception back up by my thoughts and yours might be different from mine. And actually i am fine with that fact as i know that i am not perfect and i am not straight forward as well.

Actually we all, or say most of us wants to be straightforward in life. It means no lies...no bending of facts...no diplomacy. I mean everything ideal and perfect. I mean...if the situation doesn't force , who wants to do all this? So this 

We hope to be straightforward in life. No lie, no bending of facts and no diplomacy. I mean, if the situation doesn't force, then who will desire to do all that? As per the great Chanakya's... 

“A man must not be too straightforward because the trees standing straight in forest are chopped out first”

 Agreed , But again when i say practically we can't be straight forward every time that doesn't mean that we look forward to buttering up some one. 

What should we do than?

The thumb rule is that you can only act straightforward when you are in driving position and things are under your control (in other words, in situation when you know that you are the best person to do the job you are doing).

So what to do when situation is opposite and you are at receiving end ?

If the situation is opposite.... speak with lots of sweetness on your tongue ;) . That sounds wicked ??, may be....but in fact is the simple truth of life....and you have to Accept it! However when i say sweetness in tongue that doesn't mean buttering up someone , which i have called RIDICULOUS in beginning.

Just to make my thoughts more clear.....consider below bullet points... 

• Point 1 :- Straightforwardness has actually nothing to do with rudeness... impoliteness.... anger... or frustration. 

• Point 2 :- Straightforwardness has definitely to do so much with the clarity - clarity of what you think and what you speak. 

• Point 3 :-Always, think about the consequences and the outcome before being straightforward...I mean... it’s certainly not a good idea to invite trouble....just for the sake of looking bold in front of others. ;) 

So the people in favor of me will appreciate this post (and also me for being a straightforward man). On the other hand the people who are not in support this will criticize this post and me for doing this. However i am fine with both.

Arrogance - result of higher confidence

This is weird topic to choose to write your first blog post in new year. But unlike all my other ramblings this doesn't come naturally during travelling. I was analyzing my last year on the 31st eve with having glass of vodka mixed feelings in my hand and sitting on the parapet of my terrace on the 11th floor. It has been certainly good year for me, lot's of high and achievements with few lows. 

It's amazing that how we live in phases... a little achievement make us happy when the time is right and friends are there beside us... and biggest achievement don't even affect us when there is no one to share it with. It always amazes me that why do we do things for others? To see a smile on their face? Or because that smile makes us feel good. At the end of the day, we look for our comfort zone, and while doing that, we end up making others happy. Or sad. Depending upon the kind of phase they are in at that time. So yes in a way you can say that i am selfish if i make you happy or sad that's i am doing for me. 

It's kinda weird that how our priorities or preferences changed with the age. 

When i was kid... i start loving person just because my best friend loves him or her , no other reasons required. Now I grown up ...and i start hating person just because my best friend loves him/her....again no other reason required. 

It shows that i am feeling more unsecured about my friends now then i was doing when i was kid. 

Huhhh...I feel as if I think in some alien language these days. Yes I have noticed changes in me and someone has informed me too. And they have been drastic. I can sense that I have become more confident now. I was always a very confident person, but I have stepped a level above now. And it's a dangerous position. It almost makes you arrogant. It definitely makes you more narcissist and ultimately hyper active. I became more hyper when something does not go with a way i wanted it. It surely increases the number of your haters. But it also makes you less vulnerable, smarter and cold. You are so cautious about everything that you may prefer losing them than harming your confidence, or emotions - whatever sounds good to your ears. 

Actually human nature is to exaggerate...and i think we exaggerate almost everything. From our position to power, knowledge to foolishness, stupidity to virginity - everything. And as per the most abused area when it comes to exaggeration is our EMOTIONS. Starting from the childhood...We blackmailed our parents when we were kids, we faked tears, threw tantrums, faked smiles to look strong, faked love to not lose something or someone special, faked work pressure and illness - exaggeration kind of became a habit. Many of us are expert in exaggerating things. At times it helps...and...at times it backfires. 

And here goes one more post with ramblings of my over worked mind...actually I think it's a more of habit now .... I talk about vague things on this blog. Way too many things clutter your mind without any reason. And after a point, you feel nothing about anything. It's like being emotionally dead. It maybe a temporary phase or a permanent state. But somehow these things have to be brought out of your system. It depends on you how you prefer to do it. I need to talk. I talk with people, close friends, strangers - whoever I can connect with. And I blog. 

P.S. In other news, unlike the last year i have missed the perfect ending of the year but in the very first week i have compensate it with a bang. It started with Sunday we won a cricket match and on Monday celebration went grand with the movie after office hours.

They say...."Its always better to be with No one than to be with Wrong One " ....I say ...."Actually it's better to be with wrong one ....rather than being with no one..."