Destined to lose

Outplayed and stranded,
I stand,
with no branch to cling on.

Choiceless and frustrated,
I watch;
My destiny snatch out
what I loved the most.

I resist,rebel, shout
but my expressions glued within me,
powerless to come out;
And I put on a face
with smile pasted on my lips;
I heard eyes never lie,
But I prove it otherwise.

With no hopes left,
all dreams deserted,
I hope,
I would never hope for anything,
Coz hope was everything for me,
But now it has spared nothing;
A tranquil, soulless body is all
what I've become.

The master class

Once in a millennium, we get players who change the way a game is played, but only once in a lifetime you get a player who stands as a definition of the game for one billion people. Even long after his retirement , if I am alive , I would proudly say ," I have seen Sachin Tendulkar play"..

Congratulations to the master whose craftsmanship is unrivaled.

The Fifth Horseman

When I knew it was from Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, I knew it would be great, but never expected to be so thrilling. I had read their books on various historic incidents and I have loved them all, their way of narration and style of presentation is something remarkable. It just keeps you glued to their books. So i was sure even in a fictional work , they will be able to sustain their charm, but what I find in "The Fifth Horseman" is just not mere charm, but more power and thrill.

Once you finish reading the book, you would wonder if you read a novel or seen a Hollywood movie or seen a news documentary on a real incident. Its so multifaceted that it would be injustice to term it just another novel. The novel has real life characters Like Mohamed Qaddafi and also alongside fictional characters. The novel was never made into a movie because of the fear that some lunatic organization might try to copy the plot and create havoc. After the novel was published, the French government stopped their nuclear fuel supplies to Libya fearing what was spoken off in the novel would become real. I don't think you would need better examples to know the impact of the novel across the world.

The novel begins with the arrival of a ship to New york port with a nuclear explosive in it. Then its followed by a letter to US president from Libyan chief regarding the nuclear device planted in the New york city and he threatens to annihilate the whole city. The rest of the novel describes how the US government and its investigating agencies find out the nuclear weapon and also its perpetrators. Its not just about finding out the bomb, but the novel explains in detail, the various strategies adopted to find out the menace, the struggle to keep the whole thing as a secret and also sheds light into the diplomacy of the political world and how US consider various political actions in retaliation. The most important aspect of the novel being that it has the ability to thrill you even if you know the whole plot of the novel, thanks to various breathtaking twists and turns that really spices up the reading. For those who love suspense and thrills, this is Bible.

Mumbai Diary part-2

The second morning at Vaashi was pleasant. It was almost 8 am when I got up from the bed. I felt I should no longer linger around with my last night thoughts or else am gonna spoil the whole trip. Certain things happen and you cant do anything, so its better not to sob over it or roll your head over such thoughts, might be some sort of escapism, but that morning, somehow I was feeling clear and good within. We planned to move into the city that day, the vehicle had come by around 9.30am and we started our journey to Mumbai city.

All cities are notorious for traffic blocks, but I couldn't believe it was worse to this extend. Every 100 meters or so , we got stuck in the traffic blocks and finally at around 12, we managed to reach our first destination- The Gateway of India. It was a pleasure to see such a big imposing structure at touching distance.Since some maintenance work had been going on, we were not permitted inside, but we could certainly go around it. I could see the pigeons around the place and some kids were feeding them, some people were posing with the pigeons. On the other side of the road, I could see two famous hotels, Hotel Taj Mahal and Hotel Taj Intercontinental.
The architecture of Hotel Taj Mahal was really wonderful reminding me of some ancient palace. We spent some time there taking some snaps. There was a boat service from there to Elephenta caves, another tourist spot, but unfortunately we couldn't visit the place. I was told it required a whole day to visit Elephenta caves.

Next we moved to the Marine Drive. This place was an inevitable part of many Bollywood movies of 70s. The place was jam packed with tourists and no wonder we had so much trouble finding a parking space. We got out of the vehicle and walked around the drive.The scenic beauty was awesome and the view of Malabar Hills from the Marine Drive was breath taking. It appears the whole Mumbai city and its pride is reflected in that long curved strip of land starting from the Marine Drive. We took a number of snaps. I had heard of Mercedes Benz E class running as taxis in Bangalore, but I couldn't believe when I saw a BMW and a LEXUS running as taxi, unfortunately I couldn't trap them in my camera.Almost after half an hour, we left to our next destination- Malabar Hills.

Malabar Hills is one of the very posh areas of Mumbai city, its told even a millionaire would find it very costly to buy a strip of land in this place. We moved into a park the so called- Lover's Park ( I don't remember its actual name). Once, I entered the park, I knew how befitting the name was. Every corner there were atleast a pair of "love birds"( I guess you follow what I mean by that) creating their niche there even with many glaring eyes around them. It was a kind of embarrassment watching them with my parents around me, but again I loved their presence, it was nice to see atleast some people find time for dates in such a busy city, It reminded me of those old romantic movies where these scenes were an inseparable part. By then it was half past one and so we moved to a restaurant for lunch.

Once we finished it ,our next target was Juhu beach. We moved through Worli, Prabhadevi, and Mahalakshmi areas and finally landed at the Juhu beach. It was almost 3 in the evening and thes un was blazing hard and strong, still there were hell lot of people, they must have been celebrating the well awaited weekend. I preferred to take some time playing with the waves, my mom and dad remained as spectators. Soon we moved to our vehicle to Dadar for shopping.

The road to Dadar was chocked with vehicles and we got hung at every traffic junction. I had my digital camera on my hands. At one of the traffic blocks, my eyes came across a small boy, probably around 5 years old. He had a torn shorts and was half clad. It seemed he had worn a cloth of dirt, bathing seems to be an activity he never got engaged in. He was holding a toffee wrapper against his face and it seemed he was peeping though a small hole made on it. When he was just in front of our car, I took a snap of him . He noticed it and soon came close to my window and started thudding it softly. I knew, what he needed, but I didn't have coins at my hand and I wasn't generous enough to hand over the hundred rupee not lying at my pocket.I looked at my mom and she started searching her hand bag for a coin. Finally she got one and she gave it to me, it was a two rupee coin. I just pushed the button and the glass was getting lowered, the eyes of the small kid was glowing with happiness. Suddenly, the lights went green, our car jumped off from stand still,by the time the glass got lowered, our car had moved a considerable distance. Once our car had started moving, I could see the thudding from the kid was becoming harder, he began running, but his legs weren't a match for the vehicle's accelerator, I turned back, I could see him crying, I could see him weeping. The car moved on and my eyes lost him.
I can't recall how I felt,probably I was more a frozen soul out of shock, out of helplessness and out of pain. We moved on , mom and dad went for some shopping, i preferred to remain inert in the car.

Finally we reached the hotel by around 9 pm. I took my dinner. The second day was great except one incident and that spoilt the whole thing. I wasn't worried because I didn't give him any money. I had seen many beggars plead, some of them children and I have turned my face off them without any emotion as if they were some untouchables or crap creatures. What pained me was that I gave him some hope, you don't get anything with a two rupee coin, but may be that two rupee could add to the coins he would have had and get him something to eat. I made him happy and within moments I took him to tears. It was not my fault, but still I ask forgiveness, for I played the negative role in that small painful act of destiny.

Mumbai Diary part-1

Its been a long time now that I had been planning a visit to the commercial capital, but one reason or the other always came in as a stumbling block and I could never make it.But this time there was nothing that could foil our plan except the rains in Mumbai that did create a bit of dilemma. But once I knew it wasn't worth a concern, I packed my bags and set out to Mumbai along with my parents for a week long tour with lots of dreams and happiness.

I had heard a hell lot about Mumbai, had seen marine drive and Chowpathi beach in a number of movies. I had heard about the rush in suburban local trains, slums at Dharawi, and ofcourse the Bollywood. The adrenaline was running high once I landed at the Panvel station at 5 in the morning. The eagerness to explore the place was growing steadily within me. I was happy to see the suburban local waiting to shoot out from the platform, I had seen this train only in television, watching it in front of my eyes was an entirely different experience. My dad's friend came to pick us from the station and we moved to our hotel.

We refreshed ourselves, took our breakfasts and were prepared to start our endeavor. Since we were just in after an 18 hour long journey, we preferred to stick ourselves to the shopping areas in and around Vaashi. We moved out to one of the shopping malls that was near to our hotel. The big 4 storeyed structure had an imposing look and it reflected the suburban culture. I entered the mall and it seemed like a very big Colosseum. But I have to admit shopping malls have never fascinated me. Even this one, I felt as another "Forum" or "Spencer's", some pizza huts, posh shopping hubs and a multiplex at the top floor. You can't blame anyone for the high prices for things at the mall, it isn't easy to get a shop for rent in such malls at a cheap rate and also the branded materials are costly( "Costly" being a relative term, what appears costly to me might be cheap to you depending on the financial circumstances). We got into an electronics shop and bought a digital camera. Then we just strolled across the mall; Even though it was a working day, there were enough people in the mall, many beautiful faces, many jankos, wired and coloured hairs.

We had lunch from a neighboring restaurant and then moved to our rooms for an afternoon nap. In the evening, we got out to explore Vaashi and came across some more gigantic shopping malls. We got into "Palm beach Galleria" (I hope I spelled it right). The weekend was just beginning and a large crowd had already built up in the mall. There wasn't a corner at the place that wasn't illuminated, it was all lights and chandeliers. I wonder if the luxury I saw at the mall had been decremented atleast by a pinch and if all malls around do the same , then the city could have easily cut down the 5 hour powercut. But I know, everyone knows, a small number of people can never even think of cutting down their luxuries for the sake of a vast majority. People remain divided physically and mentally.

Finally we returned back to the hotel. My first day was good, but not great. I felt some kind of gloominess growing within me. As I already told, shopping malls never fascinated me. I got out of my room and moved to the terrace.Even though it was night, the city lights shattered the tranquility of darkness.. The palm beach road with its lights appeared as a golden necklace. Not far away, I could see a small tent and a small light, probably a kerosene lamp or a similar crude source of light. I could see a lady with a small baby in her hand and I guess there wer many more people in the tent. I think they were workers who were staying near by. I wonder how they manage to live among these luxuries and posh life. Its not just about fighting to survive, but its about fighting the ego within them, curbing the dreams within them, its about convincing themselves that they would never know what a shopping mall is, what a digicam is, what a plantain fried cake is . They have no other way but to keep struggling for their lives and dream that they would have a better meal tomorrow, nothing more. I moved back to my bed, turned off my lights and closed my eyes, I was making a vague attempt to sleep. This was the day I saw the two extremes of life. At one place, I could see a child yelling at her mom as he was being forced to feed on a piece of some cake; at the other end, at one of the traffic blocks were we were trapped, I could see a small baby lying on the hands of a hardly thirteen year old girl crying for some water or food. I had seen such scenes in television, but this wasn't an emotional drama, thiswas real, witnessing it in front of my eyes is an entirely different experience, a painful one.

Deception Point

It was almost after a long period of nine years that I finally opened a book on fiction. Infact, it was my cousin who compelled me to read a novel and I have to say, I made an excellent start with this awesome book. Deception Point (2001) is a scientific thriller written by Dan Brown, the author whose book 'The Davinci Code' had been a sensation. But when I started reading the book, I had no idea about the author's fame or his writing style or presentation, I never considered it worth to keep myself abreast of the hot and happening in the fiction world ( I repent now).

Talking about the book , its nothing less than a Hollywood suspense thriller with every frame detailed explicitly well, had this been made into a movie. The book just keeps you glued to it and no wonder, I finished those 546 pages in a matter of two days. The novel begins with the campaign heat for the Presidential election in the United States. The characters of the two candidates are presented in a very detailed manner. Their attitudes are very well portrayed in every word they speak and every thought they undergo. The story moves on explaining the relationship between the protagonist Rachael Sexton and her father and how she becomes a part of one of the greatest discoveries made by NASA. As the story proceeds, she and her friends come to know that what appears to be fine at the surface is something appalling underneath. That very knowledge could even threaten her survival and that is what channels the flow of the story from that point-the Deception point. Then we have wonderful set of twists and turns perfectly placed and their isn't a nerve that is not shaken.

The novel very well depicts the diplomatic rapports between various people and positions in US and portrays the cold blooded nature of certain people for whom their ambition and greed lies above any values or ethics. It also depicts how pride can be used to justify murders. Anyway it was a great 48 hours of pure pleasure and entertainment. What I liked the most was the pain the author took in explaining each and every technical aspect or method used in the novel with surgical dexterity You wouldn't believe me when I say the whole novel is a collection of events that took place within just 3 days, but that stirred a whole nation. I would recommend this book a must read for those who love scientific thrillers.

You MUST see this

I have been unhappy or infact irritated sitting home all the time. No work to do since my course is over and again weeks left before I get into my job. Its all about eating sleeping and chatting and the eventless routine just continues every day But never again, I will complain for this, I feel I am lucky; I HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT, A PLACE TO SLEEP.
If you have ever complained about anything in your life, LOOK AT THE PICTURES BELOW AND YOU WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN.








There was one more photograph in my email, but I really don't have the guts even to look at it. Its so horrific, I hope no human being ever would have to face such a brutal reality .
Courtesy: email from Jyotsna P Kadayaprath

Impressive Interview Questions and Answers

Question 1:
You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night,
it's raining heavily,
When, suddenly you pass by a bus stop,
And You see three people waiting for a bus:

An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
An old friend who once saved your life.
The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to,
Knowing very well that there could only be One passenger in your car?
This is a moral/ethical dilemma
That was once actually used as part of a job application.

* You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first;
* Or You could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to! Pay him back.
* However, You may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
Guess what was his answer?

He simply answered:
'I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital.
I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.'

Sometimes,
We gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.
Never forget to 'Think Outside of the Box.'



Question 2:
What will you do if I run away with your sister?'

The candidate who was selected answered,
'I will not get a better match for my sister than you, sir'



Question 3:
Interviewer (to a student girl candidate)
- What if one morning you woke up & found that you were pregnant.

Girl:
- I will be very excited and take an off,
To celebrate with my husband.
Normally an unmarried girl will be shocked to hear this, but she managed it well.
Why I should think it in the wrong way,
She said later when asked



Question 4:
Interviewer: He ordered a cup of coffee for the candidate.
Coffee arrived kept before the candidate,
Then, he asked what is before you?

Candidate:
Instantly replied 'Tea'.
He got selected.
You know how and why did he say 'TEA' when he knows very well that coffee was kept before.

(Answer: The question was 'What is before you (U - alphabet)
Reply was 'TEA' ( T - alphabet)
Alphabet 'T' was before Alphabet 'U'



Question 5:
The interviewer asked to the candidate,
'This is your last question of the interview. Please tell me the exact position of the centre of this table where you have kept your files.'

Candidate confidently put one of his finger at some point at the table and told that this was the central point at the table.
Interviewer asked how did you get to know that this being the central point of this table. Then, he answers quickly,
Sir, you are not likely to ask any more question,
As it was the last question that you promised to ask.....
And hence, he was selected
As because of his quick-wittedness.

This is What Interviewer expects from the Interviewee.

The Dark Knight

When a fantasy concept offers more than just what it is meant to be, that is when a good movie is born. When the same concept portrays a reality, you call it a fine movie. The Dark Knight happens to be in the next level, the one which requires a definition. Its a superb treat to the eye, not because of the technical acrobatics or flashy costumes, but because of the stupendous performances from everyone in the crew. You don't see too many movies where a villain stands above a hero not only in power, but in performance too.

Christian Bale is known as one of the greatest performers of this generation, but Heath Ledger surpasses him this time. The Joker is just not a joke, but it makes a joke of the hypocrite side of our society. He doesn't have any special powers, but he exploits the evilness of the society and at times become far more powerful than the hero. This is where the movie scores its points. The movie clearly denotes that a superhero who can fly, hit or do any gimmicks cannot save a society unless and otherwise the society itself wants it to be saved. Finally the movie ends with a clear message to the people on how we bury the evil side of the society and put in a bright mask that speaks only of goodness and creates a feeling that everything is fine underneath. Unquestionably, the best movie of this year and it stands as one among the best in its genre.

Something useful

There are almost ten million blogs across the globe. There is not a single field or domain on which there is no blog. But the problem is a blog that might be useful to you might be very few out of these millions and its very hard to surf and find one of that kind, a blog which is in someway useful to us. But I can say I am lucky to find one, I am talking about working online, This blog's name itself tells its purpose,"Something useful". It gives you tips on various online schemes and mind you the blog is just not confined to that. He also talks about various scams sites and also how to deal with scams. Also he mentions about various games. The blog has another category that mentions about various sites worth joining. Also the look of the site is worth mentioning. The ads are well arranged and so it looks neat. It has simple design and the navigation in the site is also very easy. So just have a look at the site and your visit will not be wasted