Rang De Oscars...

All the Best to RDB team for bringing the Oscars to India...

Happy Engineer's Day !!!

" The Engineer's First problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is " – Sir M Visvesvaraya

Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (September 15, 1860 – April 12, 1962) was called a wizard in engineering. He was also called the precursor of economic planning in India. He took an interest not in engineering alone, but was capable of applying his talent to many allied matters connected with the development of the nation.

He was an eminent Indian engineer and statesman. His learned discourse on economic planning in India entitled 'Planned Economy for India and Reconstructing India' was the first available document on the planning effort of the country and it is still held as the parent source matter for economic planners. He was also knighted by the British for his myriad contributions to the public good.

To commemorate the birthday of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya, the Council of the Institution decided to observe September 15 as the Engineers' Day every year.

Hats off to the Genius...

Happy Engineer's Day !!!

Ganpati Bappa Morya !!!

On Wednesday 6th September 2006, Mumbai bid adieu to it’s favorite God, Ganpati. As the ten day festival came to an end, the idols were taken to the various sea-fronts, mainly Dadar, Girgaum, Juhu and Marve for Visarjan.

This was the first I witnessed this festival in reality, before this I had always seen this on TV and films. Even though I visited only few Ganpati pandals but I was clearly able to see the enthusiasm amongst the Mumbaikars. This is one festival which most of the people celebrate here and that too with full josh.

I saw few Ganpati Visarjan processions too, they were awesome. People were playing with gulal, burning fireworks and dancing in front of the trucks, which were carrying the idols of Ganpati. Not only males but their female counterparts were also seen dancing in huge number. I saw some old ladies dancing with so much energy by which they must have not danced even in their son’s marriage. It was clearly visible that how much they’re enjoying and the degree of respect and love which they have towards Ganpati.

There is one special Ganpati of Mumbai, without whom we can’t finish discussion about the Ganpati festival in Mumbai. It is Navsala Pavnara Lalbaugcha Raja (Ganpati who fulfills vows / wishes). The Lalbaugcha Raja or Raja, as it is commonly known has a history of over 73 years. This is one pandal which received the award for Most Visited Pandal in Mumbai, according to the organizers more than 70 lakh devotees visited the pandal this year. The Visarjan procession of Raja takes more than 15 hours to reach its final destination, before moving through various parts of the city. Generally it is the last idol, to have Visarjan.

Ganpati Visarjan reminded me of all the festivals whether its Holi, Diwali and especially Dusherra. This time I really missed something good but I’ve decided that next year I’ll definitely try to visit more pandals and seek more blessings from Ganpati.

“Ganpati Bappa Morya,
Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya”

No matter, what the odds are.....

A true story about one’s Vision, Determination and Persistence:-

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.


"We told them so."
"Crazy men and their crazy dreams."
"It’s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Morale of the Story: Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

VT Program !!! (Part II)

continued from VT Program !! (Part I) ….

The Artic Wave became part of our lives for next few weeks. Although the furniture setting in the room was similar to that of a class room but it was totally different from the typical classes which we have had at our colleges or schools. The room had inspirational and motivating posters on all the sides. The tables were semi-circle in shape and chairs too were very comfortable.

As we all entered the room, like our habit of being a back bencher; Abhi, Kunal & me went to the second row, leaving the first row empty for others to occupy. Before we would have sat comfortably, Arti told us to join two of the tales to make it a round one. We sat around the table, in the same manner as we were participating in one of those round tables conferences’.

After going through our intros, Arti made it clear to us that she will be our mentor and we are here for four weeks of Voice Training Program. She gave us the plan of action for our training and explained us that how we’ll go about it. She told us that we’ll be soon getting our course materials. Our course material included three books, two audio cassettes and a CD, which we got after few days.

From next day onwards, our day began at 9:30am after reaching the office. We all use to wait for each other at the same cafeteria where we all first met. After having a cup of coffee and a light breakfast, if anyone needed; we used to move to the classroom.

The first day; and the first thing which Arti asked us to do were to discuss traffic problems in Delhi. It was a sort of discussion, but it was an extempore rather than a discussion, we were asked to speak few lines on that topic. After few days, we felt so comfortable in public speaking that we may speak on any given topic, at any moment continuously for minutes.

Extempore was an essential part of our training and so it became a part of our lives too. But some of us had few topics in which they were very comfortable. Lets start from Anurag, whenever he was asked to speak something; he always preferred to tell us the experiences from his affair. In that short span of time, we knew so much about his friend. Even Joy also spoke about his girlfriend, many a times.

Now Kunal’s turn. He always loved to talk about computers. Even though only 40% of us were engineers but he always continued speaking about computer and networking. Ashish, a story writer by hobby and an engineer by profession narrated us his stories few times.

There were few other people like me, who didn’t have any favorite subject to speak on but had some different qualities associated to them. Starting from the ladies, Megha & Laveena both always reacted as they were very nervous in speaking; but once they started; they were so confident like some professional orators. One special quality about Laveena, she never hesitated in taking the initiative. At times, no one was willing to start the discussion and at that time she always took the initiative. Megha had very good intonation in her voice, she sounded so natural and her speeches were always full of expression.

Vargis, one of the best debaters I’ve ever seen. He had a vast knowledge of almost on every subject. While in discussions, he had the ability to prove everyone wrong through his debating and convincing power. Abhishek was the best listener in our batch. He was perfect in catching the mistakes of others. We used to tell him, you will soon get an offer letter from the training institute to become an instructor there.

Vijayendra was known as Arsenal of Words. He was one person, who always used heavy words in his talks (actually those were heavy for us but not for him). The usage of words was perfect. And was always known some or other things which he did, whether his discussions or date, etc. Last but not the least, comes my turn. Even though I spoke very less and also whatever came to my mind but people always believed that I think well before speaking out anything. I know it seems that I’m doing self appraisal here but I didn’t want to miss this: Vijayendra always use to tell me that I’m a thinker.


to be continued…………

F | R | I | E | N | D | S

Friendship is not about leading or following, it is simply being with each other to share each and every single moment of our lives. These simple words contain in themselves the entire beauty of friendship.

Though the Friendship Day is celebrated with great pomp and show in all over the world but not much is known about how this celebration started. However many folk tales and mythological stories reveal the fact that friendship has been valued as a relationship since the commencement of the civilized world. As far as the history of the Friendship day is concerned it is said that in 1935 the first Sunday of August was proclaimed as the Friendship Day. Since then the celebration of the Friendship Day became an annual event in United Sates. Slowly this tradition spread to other countries too and they also started celebrating this day with much excitement.

Winnie – the Pooh was appointed as the Friendship’s world ambassador by the United States in 1997. Friendship Day has been dedicated to those friends who make our lives merrier and give a meaningful direction to the path of our lives. On Friendship Day people try their best to thank all those special angels called friends in their lives from the bottom of their hearts. There are some people who believe that friendship is so strong a relationship that it needs no special day for celebration. But then also it is a tried and tested fact that every relationship, no matter how strong needs some recognition and the Friendship Day enables you to do just the same that is it allows you to give due recognition to the beautiful bond of friendship which you share with your friend.

At times we get so busy with our lives that we just start taking our friends for granted and just start neglecting them. On such occasions this Friendship Day reminds us of the importance of the friends in our lives so that we can never ever ignore the special beings sent on this earth by the supreme power just for us.

When I was born I got lots of relation by God as gift... mother, father, sister, brother.. And many more... But the relation which I made by myself, over the years, is "Friend”. So give the same value as God gifted us. Today I am very happy to see you all in my friend list. You all are my Strength. So Always be with me...

Spirit of Mumbaikars...

“Seven blasts in 11 minutes in Mumbai's jam-packed local trains brought India's financial hub to a standstill on July 11. Suburban trains along the Western Line were targeted and more than 200 people were killed and countless were injured.”

7/11, a day which most of the Mumbaikars will never forget. Serial bomb blasts in first class coaches of the local trains on the Western Line in Mumbai (local trains which are known as “lifeline of Mumbai”). The first blast was near Khar station and then series of six more blasts within few minutes all at different locations. The timing of these blasts was perfect, in respect to the terrorists. Telephone lines were also jammed, creating chaos amongst the citizens.

I was in office that time, when I received a mail stating about the blasts. Soon I saw chaos there too. Everyone was trying phone numbers of their near and dear ones. Even I was trying my Bua’s mobile and residence number’s by two different phones at the same time. We reached home by 8 o’clock and kept swapping between the news channels till 2 am in the morning.

Even though I’m living in Mumbai only from last 8 months but I’ve heard a lot about the spirits of Mumbaikars… This time I too witnessed it, news channels showed clips where people were distributing drinking water, tea and eatables to passengers who were struck due to this mishap. Common people were first to reach even the blast spots to help the injured passengers. They took out the dead bodies, ferried injured to the hospitals and rescued others.

This was not the end; even the hospitals have to discourage the blood donors after midnight because their stock was full. Mumbai faced some major communal riots in the past but at the time of this type of crisis, common Mumbaikar doesn’t think of his or her religion. And I don’t need to give any illustrations, to prove my point. The situation was improving steadily and slowly around midnight as mobiles started working, there were no jams on the road now and even the slow local trains were started again on the Western Line.

12th July was a new day. The first thing I did in the morning is to watch the news. It said that all school, colleges and offices will remain open. These efforts were made just to make things normal. Outside everything seemed normal, as it was another Wednesday morning with nothing special or abnormal in it. Small kids were going to their schools, people moving towards their respective offices, housewives busy in their daily routine. The only difference was that at the back of everyone’s mind was: what will happen now is it safe to travel today and lot of other questions. There was anger accompanied with terror and panic amongst the people.

I just wanted to ask these Terrorist Organizations’ that whom they were trying to target: The working class men who struggle for an inch of space in local trains? The working women who try to finish some of their daily work in trains on their way back home? Young and dreamy students discussing career, exams and love? The old aged retired people who don’t have any other means of commuting?

If we analyze then this week was not good for India; Sunday – Testing of Agni III failed, Monday – Launch of INSAT failed and Tuesday – Mumbai Bomb Blasts. Last few days were bad for Mumbaikars too… first the rains on Tuesday, then Shiv Sena Drama on Sunday and lastly these deadly blasts again on Tuesday. How long can an ordinary Mumbaikar maintain his or her spirits? But one question which always comes to my mind: Is this the spirit to fight back or the helplessness because we can’t to do anything else except for continuing our lives as before???

Level 1 Completed !!

Yesterday was the last dance class for Level 1. Sorry guys, I forgot to tell you, that I’ve been learning dance (Jive, Salsa & Waltz) from last 8 weeks.

It had been a fantastic experience for a person like me, who doesn’t know even the ‘D’ of Dancing. Although I’ve danced few times before too: But only in marriages, where you don’t need to know, how to dance; it is sufficient enough, if you know how to jump… I never thought of dancing, except for marriages and parties in our hostel. But these classes made me think differently.

Even though I have lot more to learn, then too, now I can say that I know a little bit of dancing too… I’ll always be thankful to my company (who organized these dance classes), the dance academy and the instructors (especially Sagar, Tanvi & Bosky).

After all this, the thought which is revolving in my mind is: When will the classes for next level commence? Looking forward for Level 2

Jashn...

Jashn – A Live Musical Concert by Pankaj Udhas.

Last Friday I went to see this concert @ Nehru Centre, Worli. This was the second time I went for a live concert. The first one was when I was in class 11th and went to see a Daler Mehndi Show (hope you all still remember him).

Pankaj Udhas is my favorite ghazal singer. Rather I should put in this way: I listen only to his ghazals. Thus it was a very good opportunity for me to see him performing live. Two of my friends also agreed to come with me. I booked the tickets and reached the venue on time (which happens rarely). As I have said, till date I have seen only two live concerts. Both were awesome, the only difference being the ticket prices. The first one was for Rs.20 (I know you people won’t believe me, but its true) and for this concert; it was 10 times the first one.

Luckily we got seats at the center of the auditorium. So the view of the stage was absolutely clear. I was very excited to see my favorite artist performing in front of me.

Once he started singing, the whole auditorium seemed to be intoxicated by his melodies. And after 2 ghazals, when he sung a famous Bollywood number, the crowd was unable to control their emotions. Everyone was clapping and some of them were whistling too. His musicians too, were good. They played really well. There was one Jugalbandi performance by the musicians. Everyone was astonished to see such a performance. Finally came the turn of the song, for which almost everyone present in that audi was waiting: “Chithi Aayi Hai.” I even saw a lady sitting there, who started weeping on hearing this song.

We took some photographs, recorded videos and overall, enjoyed a lot. It was totally a paisa vasool show…

What Lies Ahead...

I got this as a forwarded mail but couldn't resist myself posting it. I know it's lengthy but worth reading

Date: 1st June, 2020

Sun is rising as usual in the east. I’m standing here outside the school waiting for my 10 yr kid. He studies is class 2. Only this year he could get admission into the school. For the last 3 yrs admissions were closed for the general category students. School bell rings. I can see a lot of happy children coming out of the gate, I waited for half an hour and my kid came at last after other children. General students are not allowed to cross the gate unless other OBC/SC/ST students have crossed the gates. OBC/SC/ST fathers drive away their children in classy cars. But I have to walk back home with my kid a 5 km stretch. I lost my car some years back when Govt. came with a rule that general people have to deposit a tax equal to cost of their cars. Failing which, I had to sell the car. As far as buses are concerned, the seats in buses are reserved for OBC/SC/ST. So no place there also. After walking some 5 km in scorching heat I finally reached home. It was Wednesday... shit, no electricity. Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is power cut in the houses of General category population. So that SC/ST/OBC can be uplifted by providing them with every opportunity and in that consideration electricity is an important factor.

Its 10:00 pm in night, no electricity at home. It’s very hot inside the four walls of home. So I dare to step out in park with my wife and kid. I seated myself with my family on a secluded bench in garden. It was hardly 5 min, when a guard came to us strolling in the park. He asked me what caste you belong to. I said with some hesitation; G..General. He asked me to pay a fine of Rs.200 and get out of the park. My Fault... The bench I was sitting on was meant for again the SC/ST/OBC, for their upliftment peace of mind is on essential things. So govt came with this decision, to reserve benches for them. Kudos to them...
Its early in the morning... the newspaper wala just knocked the door. I took the newspaper and started reading.., it’s Independence Day. I never used to forget this day some 20 yrs back. My kid hardly knows wat 15th August is, because I never told him any stories of greatness of our country or anything realted to country. I don't feel like telling him the failures after freedom.

On front page of newspaper, in a corner their is a news about a OBC member getting 6 months impriosonment in "BAL SUDHAR GRAHA" from a juvenile court for murdering and raping a six year old girl. Yes the rules have been amended, since the last 5 years. The Culprit was a 20 year old OBC so age relaxation was provided for trial of crime. So he was taken to juvenile court, since there is an age relaxation for OBC/SC/ST.
About 11 am some one gave me the BAD news about demise of one of my neighbour and friend Mr.Mehta. I went to his house for condolence next day, his body was lying there still rotting in the heat. I asked his son about the Cremation. His son told me "Many reserved category have died yesterday so we are not getting entry to creamtion ground." This rule is the latest from Govt. where the seats in creamtion ground will be reserved for SC/ST/OBC for their upliftment. Finally next day Mehta ji was cremated. I could see sun seeting through the Flames burning a libarated Body, liberated from casre n creed. I was surprised sun still sets in the west?

It was about 9 pm, I was about to sleep in my bed my son came to me with innocence in his eyes, inquisitively he asked me the question, what is reservation? I asked him where you listened that. He suddenly burst in tears. I asked him to keep quiet. But I could listen through his sobs "mujhe bhi reservation chahiye (I too want reservation)". How can I convince him that it’s no other toy in the market, which I can get for him? He kept crying that night, claiming many of "his classmates have got reservation". To make him quiet I said ok, I’ll buy you reservation at your next B'day.

Bye Bye INDIA !!!

Barsaat ke mausam mein...

Rains always remind me these lines, written by Rossiter Johnson:

How it pours, pours, pours, In a never-ending sheet! How it drives beneath the doors!

How it soaks the passer's feet! How it rattles on the shutter! How it rumples up the lawn! How 'twill sigh, and moan, and mutter, From darkness until dawn.
(Source: Rhyme of the Rain)


Yesterday, first time I witnessed the rains in Mumbai. The rains brought both joy n reliefs from the scorching heat of summer but along with this, it also brought panic n feeling of fear in the minds of the people.

As soon as the rain started, my mailbox was flooded by the mails, warning about the future dates on which there is the possibility of heavy rainfall. But this was not all, then came a warning SMS came from my mobile service provider. People here in Mumbai, really fear rains now, atleast after last year’s 26/7.

Panicked Mumbaikars believe that this was only the trailer, as it rained only for few hours. The rains led to water-logging at many places between my office and home. Addition to this was heavy traffics jams on the road, as everyone was in a rush to reach their homes.

Finally, I managed to reach my place, bare-footed, with shoes in my hands and singing the song “Barsaat ke mausam mein…”