Holi ke din...

It was Saturday. March 26th, 2005. 11-50 A.M. Nishit Desai was sitting in front of computer doing nothing but absolute timepass. He was somehow very enthusiastic about Holi (Dhuleti) this year, but it seemed no one else was. Except his neighbour came in the morning and painted some gulal on his face, holi otherwise had been dull for him. Peeps out of window, some holi enthusiasts are out-of-control by now. Playing holi with mudd and everything that comes in their way. A big sigh!!!! "I wish I could play like that. Hmm...!!! Should do something", he thinks. Logs in to messenger, pings some people around...

madhavpandya : no reply , must be sleeping after a big nightout...

rupmehta1 (a.k.a rupeshkaka) : "got some work to do...", yaa people busy in publishing papers...

vipin_deep : no reply, seemed enthu the other day, no whereabouts today... damn it...

India-Pakistan test going on, but he seems out of it. Sitting ready in "holi-wear", but no one is interested. "Oh! It's 12-55 and mess was supposed to serve lunch till 1-15 only and I am yet to take bath. I should rush now..!!!" Moves to wake up Madhav after getting ready, in case he is still sleeping. Room is open, no signs of Madhav, where is he??? ... and there he is... face painted with gamut of colors, barely identifiable... and soon, he sees a bunch of people following him, and they too see him. Eyes go wide. Ek aur... muhahaha... without any color on face... muhahaha... They rush to him. They won't listen, nor he wanted them to. And in few seconds he was just one of them. And "gheraiyas" continued their quest for more-and-more victims. Some of their willingly "sacrificed" themselves. Others viz Somu, RahulBan had to be pulled out of their hideouts. Junta won't listen till anyone is not colored.

This was not enough... More was yet to come. "Let's move to A-block lawn and play some real holi.", suggests Nishit and crowd starts moving. We are here, now what? hmmm.. pipe must be located and there it is. Muhahaha.. now starts real Holi. water splashing all around... and mudd was all around. "Let's play Kabbadi", someone says and everyone is into it.

Under the captaincy of Rohan Shetty and Gopalraj, teams started playing. People coming in, coming out, getting caught, catching opponents. Points?? Winner?? one word... WHO CARES??!!! They were there for enjoyment and that's what they were doing. Enjoyment continued till all of them were not out of their minds (albeit, Madhav Pandya ran away for some obscure reasons ;-) )... people were going crazy.

Who says you need 'bhang' or liquor to have 'nasha' :-)

Joy of small things...

It's been long time since I've written anything on this blog. Many a times I had many things to write but didn't spare time to write today I am topofying a beautiful poem which is very near to my heart... It's about joy of small things in life. How doing small things in life can make your life full with joy and happiness... do give it a read...

PS:- Thanks to Anshu for such a wonderful poem...
PS/2:- Thanks to poetess Anshu for such a wonderful poem...

kabhi yun karein, ki kuchh na karein,
bina manzil ki khwahish ke, kuchh door chalein,

kuchh yaadon ki teh kholein, pehen ke dekhein,
ya ek puraani album dekhein..aur hasein,
waqt ke beetne ka andaaz lagaaye bina

koi jhootha vaada ya koi meethi shararat karein,
ya bina baat kisi apne se shikwa, shikayat karein

sawal ka jawaab ek sawaal se dein,
ya kisi baat par besaakhta hans dein,
aansoo nikal aane tak.

chupke se kisi ki aankhein dhank dein,
aur na kholein, pehchaan paane tak.

ya kisi ko chhed dein, bura maan jaane tak,
fir manaayein us ko, aankh bhar aane tak

Kabhi yun karein, chaai ka pyaala haath me lein,
baatein karein... aur kuchh na kahein

ek khat ferozi lifafe me bhejein, aur kuchh na likhein,
ya ek fone karein...aur kuchh na kahein

bina izzazat kisi ke khwaabon me chehalkadmi karein,uske kamre se bahar aa kar.
ya neendein chura lein kisi ki aankhon se,apni aankhon me kajal laga kar.

koi kissa adhoora chhod dein, aur shuru ek fasana karein,
ek paimaana jaan ke tod dein, aur rukh-e-maikhaana karein

gunguni dhoop se uth kar nam os pe chalein,
mehfil se rukhsat lein, bas apne hi saath rahein

aaine me dekh ke muskuraayein,
baalon ko kholein, fir se sanwaare

dining table par ungliyon se jugalbandi karein,
aur ek ghazal likhein, sofe ke cushion par

Palang par ek nayee chaadar bichhayein,
aur kursi ko khidki ke paas lagayein

thehri hui boondon ko daal jhatak kar girayein,
aur zameen se harsingaar ke phool chunein

kuchh kaam mitayein, rozana ki masrufiyat se,
aur kuchh lafz likhein ret par... hamesha ke liye

kabhi yun karein, ki aankhein moond lein,
aur khwaabon ko bhi aane na dein palkon me,
kuchh haqeeqat dekhein... sote hue

Taakte rahein balcony se sadak ko, jab tak nazar bandhi rahe,
aur na dekhein us pehchaane ko, jisne haath hilaya ho hamaari jaanib

halki bauchhar me ghar se nikalein, aur bheegte rahein,
aur tez baarish me ek ped ke neeche rukein,
yeh soch kar ki bacha lega woh paani se...

jheel me pair daalein aur suraj ko doobta dekhein,
ek diya paani me bahayein, aur roshni ko tairta dekhein
koi kankar paani par fenke, jaltarang sunein
ya gumsum se mandir me ghanta bajayein, uski goonj dil me sunein,

kabhi yun karein ki samet kar gham saara ek nazm likhein,
jiska koi tuk na ho,
ya saari khushiyon ka ek afsaana banayein, aur bayan na karein,

kisi se behas karein aur karte hi chale jaayein,
aur yakayak kahein ki achha wohi sahi hai
aur hansein uski pareshaani par... shararat se

geele baalon ko jhatak dein achanak, boondon ki manzil se bekhabar,
fir ghabraane ki surat banayein, agar kisi par chheente padein to,
man hi man muskuraayein

apne nam baalon me ungliyan firayein, ek lat ka chhalla banayein,
aur khol dein
kalai me pada kangan ghumayein, aur salwatein hatayien saaree se,
ek kai dafa padhi hui kitaab padhte hue

kabhi yun karein ki lawn me rakhe jhoole par baithen, sunehri dhoop me,
sir par dupatta dhak kar, ped se jhaankte hue sooraj ko dekhein,
ungliyon ki ot se

kabhi yun karein ki, kuchh puraane khat, barson baad nikaalein aur padhein
peele kagaz aur feeki roshnaai me mauzood lafzon ki tapish mehsoos karein
woh jaani pehchaani mehek dhoondhe, jo hawa na sahi, saanson me ab bhi hai

==

My dear friend, Puneet Sarda too had to say something after what Anshu said... so here it is...

kabhi yun karein, ki waqt se pehle pahuche
aur intezaar ka mazza le, mehboob ke aane tak

guitar uthaye , kuch taar ched te
koi dhun banakar, kuch shabd jod te
ek geet banjaye

akele baithe kissi kamre mein, koi awaaz na ho
chup chap sune apni saason ko, aur mehsus karein
zindagi ko

bageche mein jaaye, bacho ke saath baithe
bacho se baatein kare, bacho ke khel khele
khud mein chupe baache ko phir se bahar laaye

kitchen mein jakar kabhi apna manpasand khana banaye
aur kissi ko apne paas bitha kar, pyar se apne haathon se
khilaye

godh mein apni leta kar, kissi ko chein ki neend sulaye
khel te rahe uske baalo ke saath jab tak woh ulajh na jaaye
aur phir unhe suljhaye

kabhi yun karein, ki saare kaam chod kar
apne kitab ko shelf se ek dilchasp kitab uthaye
padhe kuch panne uske, aur uske khayalon mein kho jaaye
...subah ho jaane tak

mtech2003 sports meet

Last days life had been boring. Lab to room and room to lab .. just monotonic life, but today indeed it was different... you know, we had intraclass sports meet. today for whole day we kept playing and playing... ok let me tell you in detail... actually day before yesterday 3-4 of us were sitting in great Hall-7 canteen doing timepass and thought of having some sports kind of thing to get rid of monotonous life. and we decided to go for it...and we arranged three events Football, Table Tennis and Cricket (Night Cricket)

But the before event would start we had lot work to do. we thought it would be good idea to include class girls also for the event, but somehow they were reluctant for the same. so I and Madhav went there as representetives of Hall-7 (boys) and after fighting (not physical ofc :) ),shouting, negotiations they agreed to play mixed doubles (TT) and cricket.

Football was arranged in 0600 hrs in the morning and to our surprise most of us came by 0615 hrs, because many of them were late-awakers. so the match started and till the end inspite of my wonderful efforts (thank you thank you :) ) and scoring one miraculous goal we lost match by 3-1 :-( never mind such is life... then at 1100 hrs we started playing TT.. not good luck in that either... see I participated in three events in TT. first I played was ``singles'', in which I could clear first round, but not second... second, I played doubles. In that I defeated one of the best player of our class.. how? because he was partner of mine..LOL... I played too bad and we couldn't clear even first round (that guy went upto semifinals in singles and also scored two back-to-back goals in football and that's why we lost by 3-1 :(( ) and then came mixed doubles... If I had put as much efforts as we put in convinving them for playing then I would have won, but there also I got out in first round.. then we played Night cricket (night phatta as we call it) We faced some problems in location etc. for the cricket but eventually we could play it. Although I made contribution of 1 run (out of total 20) and doing a very high catch... alas!!! result was the same. our team LOST...that marked the end of the day... so that was all about today's tiring but very enjoying day.

Animated Movies rock...!!!!

Now tradition seems changing... Animation is not just matter for children. It's a big business now in Hollywood and world over. Shrek 2 earning over 350 M$ in just 4 weeks of release and still going strong. With three animated movies (Shrek 2, Finding Nemo, Lion King) in Top-15 for all-time box office at US animation movies are making their place. Don't get surprised if you see Pixar Animation Studios and such companies on the list of leading companies of the world. Have a look at my blog for Animated Movies.

Not just animation, the screenplay of all these movies are indeed great e.g. Talk about Ugly but Good-at-heart Ogre (Shrek), talk about "living" the life fishes (Nemo and his father) they made great story.. didn't they??? I am eagerly waiting for sequel of Finding Nemo and a much-talked Shark Tale, Will Smith, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellwegger "voicing" for animated characters.

All-in-all.. Animated Movies Rock...!!!!

God's human form : Mother

Quite old quote, but rightly said, "When God couldn't reach everywhere , He created mother." Really... just know your mother and you will know what God is. Always giving and never expecting, just like God. you were infant, ignorant and totally careless when you came over here. It was she that not just teach you how to survive, but also how to live and how to grow. Here is a snippet from what I had written on last Women's day which I would like to share with you.

[snip]
"....Recalling my childhood, I would say that my mother is the best, and I am sure, everyone reading this will say the same about her mom. When we say "my mom is the best", we don't ignore others' , but this is the place she has captured in our heart that can't be filled by anyone else on this earth. My every single incident in the day I would tell to my mom. Wether it may be funny or idiot or anything, she would hear it patiently and appreciate me If I had been right, Preach me If I had been wrong, kiss me If I had loved her. In every form she would accept me, because she's my mom...."

All she wants is love. You always express your love for your girl friend, wife or child. Have you expressed your love to your mother. You know and she also knows that you love her very much, but doesn't expressing yourself matter sometimes??? Today on auspicious day of Mother's Day (9th May) wherever you are give a hug to your mom, if not give a phone call and just wish her. She will feel as if all her dreams are fulfilled. She will feel that she is happiest mother on the earth. What else could you ask for? For you too, that will be one of the greatest moment of your life. cherish it.

At the end, I would like to attach a poem, which I read long back about mother. Go through it, I am sure you will like and you will feel it.

-----

When you came into the world, she held you in her arms
You thanked her by wailing like a banshee.
When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you.
You thanked her by crying all night long.
When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk.
You thanked her by running away when she called.
When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love.
You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.
When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons.
You thanked her by coloring the dining room table.
When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays.
You thanked her by plopping into the nearest pile of mud.
When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school.
You thanked her by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING!"
When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball.
You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbor's window.
When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream.
You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.
When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons.
You thanked her by never even bothering to practice.
When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day, from soccer to gymnastics to one birthday party after another.
You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.
When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the movies.
You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows.
You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.
When you were 13, she suggested some clothes that was becoming.
You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.
When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp.
You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.
When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug.
You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.
When you were 16, she taught you how to driver her car.
You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.
When you were 17, she was expecting an important call.
You thanked her by being on the phone all night.
When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation.
You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.
When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus, carried your bags.
You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.
When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone.
You thanked her by saying, "It's none of your business."
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future.
You thanked her by saying, "I don't want to be like you."
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation.
You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment.
You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
When you were 24, she met your fiancé and asked about your plans for the future.
You thanked her by glaring and growling, "Muuhh-ther, please!"
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you.
You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby.
You thanked her by telling her, "Things are different now."
When you were 40, she called to remind you of an relative's birthday.
You thanked her by saying you were "really busy right now."
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her.
You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.

And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder. "Rock me baby, rock me all night long." "The hand who rocks the cradle...may rock the world".

Let us take a moment of the time just to pay tribute/show appreciation to the person called MOM though some may not say it openly to their mother. There's no substitute for her. Cherished every single moment. Though at times she may not be the best of friends, may not agree to our thoughts, she is still your mother!!! She will be there for you...to listen to your woes, your bragging, your frustrations, etc. Ask yourself.....have you put aside enough time for her, to listen to her "blues" of working in the kitchen, her tiredness??? Be tactful, loving and still show her due respect though you may have a different view from hers. Once gone, only fond memories of the past and also regrets will be left.

On Women's Day

One Day God created the earth and then took the rest, After a while He created man , but He felt incompleteness and finally He created woman.... may be a story, but how fact it is!!!! World is certainly incomplete without women. On this auspicious day I would like to pay tribute to all women in the world.

Yes, I would call it an auspicious day, because it's celebration of importance,power and completeness of women. Every role a woman plays is vital in the world. Ranging from Mother, Sister.... to wife, a woman is someone who can fill you with frangrance of love.It's said that "When God couldn't reach to everyone, He created mother". How true! Isn't it? Recalling my childhood, I would say that my mother is the best, and I am sure, everyone reading this will say the same about her mom. When we say "my mom is the best", we don't ignore others' , but this is the place she has captured in our heart that can't be filled by anyone else on this earth. My every single incident in the day I would tell to my mom. Wether it may be funny or idiot or anything, she would hear it patiently and appreciate me If I had been right, Preach me If I had been wrong, kiss me If I had loved her. In every form she would accept me, because she's my mom.

I don't have sister as such, but there wasn't any "Rakshabandhan" where my hand was empty without Rakhi. My sister in my neighbourhood would always come smiling on this day and would tie me Rakhi. In early days, for me it was just a formality that had to be completed on a day, but now it's love that I would cherish for lifetime. In first year, when I came to college far from my home, I thought I wouldn't get a Rakhi, but God is great, He bestowed me with my chat-friend-cum-sister who sent me Rakhi on that day. After losing one of my sister, I understand what a sister is. A relation that will always strengthen you, always support you and will always understand you.

I used to thought a wife is called "Ardhangini"(Half part of the body) of the Husband, but there is no such word for husband. Why???? Because I think, whatever role a woman may be playing, she is always fully engrossed in it. She merges herself into his Husband, otherwise tell me how many of men would agree to change his name after being married. A name you are carrying since your birth , A name by the whole world knows you. Is it so easy to change it? At least not for me. But a woman easily does so, because she is a woman. After marriage she herself merges herself in the family then what's the question of a mere name!!!! There is a famous idiom in Gujarati, "If a boy is good, he will make one family(his own) proud, but if a girl is good, he will make two families(her own and her husband's) proud." Very true...

On this day, I would like to salute all women in the world. Women, who are base of this world. A strong base, which can't be seen from the top, but building wouldn't exist without it. That's the role women play in this world. Everyone reading this mail has a reason to smile because she is a woman. I would thank Pond's for making me aware of this day some years back. I would like to end this mail by the words of Pond's itself :

EK SALAAM....
NARI KI SAMPURNATA KE NAAM...

(A SALUTE TO WOMEN'S COMPLETENESS)

About Me

Myself, Nishit Desai, currently pursuing M.Tech (Computer Science) at IIT Kanpur, premier institute of India and Asia