I was composing a mail to Chaitra, I have never met her, had not clue what to write. I had agreed to be a mentor of Chaitra through the mentor together program. There were some guidelines given so as to break the ice and to start with a topic. An ice breaker session was held on 21st of Nov that I had missed, so I had not clue of how to start off. The guidelines really helped. I wrote a simple mail asking how she was doing and why I was not able to attend the session. As per the guidelines I wrote about my work, what I liked about my work. Why I liked Bangalore and the wrote my views on a book I really liked. It was a mere a mail to an anonymous, an obligation kinds for joining the program.
Couple of days later I got a mail from Chaitra. Reading the mail I genuinely felt happy, for being able to connect to her in someway. She was really eager to meet, she was sad that all her peers had got a mentor but she was not able to meet her mentor. I could really sense a high level of excitement to meet me as a mentor. One thing that really struck me was her new year resolution. She wanted to be good with spellings and help her mother with work. Learn spellings !! it brought a smile on my face. The resolution seemed so naive, however it so genuine when compared to resolutions we make. We make all high fundu resolutions that we (most likely) break in the very first month of the year. Her resolution was simple, do able and completely made sense to her. The way it was written it really felt that she had it in her to fulfil it. Read the mail couple of times, it made me happy, don't know why but yes it made me happy.
Last couple of years I had this thought of doing my bit for the society. Well !! I've taken a tiny step towards it. I hope I can live up to the expectations of Chaitra and try to make a smallestest bit of difference to her. As of now I look forward to meet her and reply to her mail.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Don't Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight - Review
I heard about this Rujuta's book in a post by Rashmi Bansal. I'm for last three years trying to get into mode of slimming. All I've succeeded is to increase my waist line from 32 to 33 inches. All I do about exercises and diets is follow hearsay. I thought reading this book will be help me get real on this topic, rather that follow what people say.
****
I must say, this book turned out to be an eye opener. I realized the extent of abuse my stomach has taken by not feeding it right. The book tries to explains loosing weight by feeding our stomach right based on our daily activities, rather than to starve and loose weight.
First of all the organization of the book is excellent. What I mean is the flow. Rujuta first gives some real life cases and describes them. These cases allow us to understand how badly we abuse our stomach and clears the myths associated with weight loss and diets. Then she goes on explaining the importance of the nutrients (carb, fat, protiens, minerals, vitamins) and their role in body. Once all this is understood she explains the 4 golden rules of healthy eating habits, nothing complicated, its very simple to follow.
She tries to make understand that loosing weight is not all about working-out or starving. Its about eating healthy nutritious food in right quantity at right time, with a bit of work out and this will require some amount of change in our life style.
Quote from the book
There is no magic formula in the book, most of it common sense that we either tend to neglect or oversimplify. The book makes you aware of the cause and effect of eating right and not eating right. So it kind of brings about a difference in the way you think about diet and weight loss.
Quote from the book
I'd say this is a good read for anyone wanting to be fit. If you can follow her advice and become fit, the reading will be worth it. I'm trying hard to make my read worth it :) let see how the result turns out...
I must say, this book turned out to be an eye opener. I realized the extent of abuse my stomach has taken by not feeding it right. The book tries to explains loosing weight by feeding our stomach right based on our daily activities, rather than to starve and loose weight.
First of all the organization of the book is excellent. What I mean is the flow. Rujuta first gives some real life cases and describes them. These cases allow us to understand how badly we abuse our stomach and clears the myths associated with weight loss and diets. Then she goes on explaining the importance of the nutrients (carb, fat, protiens, minerals, vitamins) and their role in body. Once all this is understood she explains the 4 golden rules of healthy eating habits, nothing complicated, its very simple to follow.
She tries to make understand that loosing weight is not all about working-out or starving. Its about eating healthy nutritious food in right quantity at right time, with a bit of work out and this will require some amount of change in our life style.
Quote from the book
"There is no such thing as going 'on or 'off' your diet. Eating correctly is a lifelong commitment, and the diet should be a reflection of this."
There is no magic formula in the book, most of it common sense that we either tend to neglect or oversimplify. The book makes you aware of the cause and effect of eating right and not eating right. So it kind of brings about a difference in the way you think about diet and weight loss.
Quote from the book
"Love and respect your body, Everything is ok in moderation, Think of nutrients, not calories"
I'd say this is a good read for anyone wanting to be fit. If you can follow her advice and become fit, the reading will be worth it. I'm trying hard to make my read worth it :) let see how the result turns out...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What's your Rashee ?
What's your Rashee ? is so much unlike a typical Ashutosh Gowariker movie. Its not a historical epic, it has nothing thought provoking. Its is a simple romantic "mindless" comedy.
Its very light-hearted movie. The story is about Yogesh Patel, a MBA Grad from Chicago. Circumstances force Yogesh to get married in less than 2 weeks time. Yogesh is now faced with a tough job of finding a bride for himself. He comes up with this crazy idea of meeting one lady of every sun sign and to select one of them to be his bride. In this way he ends up meeting 12 Priyanka Chopra(s).
Every character of Priyanka exhibits certain personality traits of a particular sun-sign. Priyanka as always looks great but her roles are so so. The movie does not provide any chance for a great performances. Harman's does a decent job. However you need to keep reminding yourself that you are watching Harman and not some Hrithik Roshan duplicate. However Jitu Bhai's portrayal is awesome.
This is a good time pass movie. Certainly value for money I feel. Go watch it, its worth one watch.
PS: This is a 3.5 hrs movie after cutting 2 songs. There are songs every 15 mins.
Its very light-hearted movie. The story is about Yogesh Patel, a MBA Grad from Chicago. Circumstances force Yogesh to get married in less than 2 weeks time. Yogesh is now faced with a tough job of finding a bride for himself. He comes up with this crazy idea of meeting one lady of every sun sign and to select one of them to be his bride. In this way he ends up meeting 12 Priyanka Chopra(s).
Every character of Priyanka exhibits certain personality traits of a particular sun-sign. Priyanka as always looks great but her roles are so so. The movie does not provide any chance for a great performances. Harman's does a decent job. However you need to keep reminding yourself that you are watching Harman and not some Hrithik Roshan duplicate. However Jitu Bhai's portrayal is awesome.
This is a good time pass movie. Certainly value for money I feel. Go watch it, its worth one watch.
PS: This is a 3.5 hrs movie after cutting 2 songs. There are songs every 15 mins.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Thousand Splendid Suns : Review
A Thousand Splendid Suns is Khaled Hosseini's second book. His first book Kite Runner is a classic. I regard him to be one of the best storytellers I've read. Kite Runner is a must read, for any book lover.
I do not regard A Thousand Splendid Suns to be as good as Kite Runner, but it certainly does not disappoint. Like Kite Runner the story is set in Afghanistan, the story has similar shades of betrayal, suffering and vindication. Here Khaled Hosseini tries to explain the plight of Afghan women, their relationships, the stress they have to go through.
I do not regard A Thousand Splendid Suns to be as good as Kite Runner, but it certainly does not disappoint. Like Kite Runner the story is set in Afghanistan, the story has similar shades of betrayal, suffering and vindication. Here Khaled Hosseini tries to explain the plight of Afghan women, their relationships, the stress they have to go through.
The story is about Mariam, a illicit daughter of a wealthy business man Jalil Khan in Herat. Mariam's life goes upside down when on her 15th birthday she plans to visit her father. She faces betrayal from her father, her mother commits suicide. At a very young age she is made to marry an old man Rasheed. Rasheed is already married thrice. Mariam moves to Kabul with Rasheed, slowly her life turns into a living hell.
In the second part a young, lively, pretty girl from Kabul Laila is introduced. She is deeply in love with her childhood sweetheart Tariq. Laila's life falls apart when her house gets bombarded and she looses her mother and father. She has already lost her brothers in the fight against Russians. Tariq and his family moves to Pakistan, Laila is left alone.
The story of two ladies converges when Rasheed marries Laila. Then the story progresses in an interesting direction.
Khaled Hosseini's narration is really extra-ordinary. You really feel as if its happening in-front of you. You to sympathize with the fates of the two ladies and numerous Afghanis who have seen their country battered incessantly by Russians, the local war lords, the Taliban and then the US. The Trauma Afghanis have gone through, loosing their kith and kin, their wealth, property and culture to war mongers hungry for power. You really feel thankful to be far away from such insanity.
I certainly would recommend this book, its a great read. It gives one a vivid idea how Afghanistan has transformed from being a peace loving country in early 1980s to an insane state of terror post 2000.
In the second part a young, lively, pretty girl from Kabul Laila is introduced. She is deeply in love with her childhood sweetheart Tariq. Laila's life falls apart when her house gets bombarded and she looses her mother and father. She has already lost her brothers in the fight against Russians. Tariq and his family moves to Pakistan, Laila is left alone.
The story of two ladies converges when Rasheed marries Laila. Then the story progresses in an interesting direction.
Khaled Hosseini's narration is really extra-ordinary. You really feel as if its happening in-front of you. You to sympathize with the fates of the two ladies and numerous Afghanis who have seen their country battered incessantly by Russians, the local war lords, the Taliban and then the US. The Trauma Afghanis have gone through, loosing their kith and kin, their wealth, property and culture to war mongers hungry for power. You really feel thankful to be far away from such insanity.
I certainly would recommend this book, its a great read. It gives one a vivid idea how Afghanistan has transformed from being a peace loving country in early 1980s to an insane state of terror post 2000.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Packing : Trip to Foster City
1st of Aug 2009 :
The next day ( i.e. early morning 2:20 A.M.) I was supposed to fly from BIAL to Foster City California via, Hong Kong.
It was 9 AM, I had not yet started packing. I still had to buy few things, meet few people and most importantly activate my travelers card. I got home by 1 O'clock done with shopping and visiting relatives.
Nothing packed yet. First, checked if all my documents are in place. Then the packing began, I had made a list of things to carry over previous two days, so it was just a matter of stuffing the items inside the bag. Packing was done in some 45 mins. Thanks to Salmaan he helped me pack while Hodjeev and Shetty were fooling around. Then verified the checklist double verified the list, all done. Got some insights from Hodjeev and Salmaan on immigration and the etiquette to be followed in the US of A.
At 3 PM we had lunch on Infantry road in a crap restaurant called Aangan, food was bad. Then had to search for an Axis bank ATM verify if my travellers card was activated. Had to make few calls to Axis customer care to get the nearest ATM location (all this because RT Nagar, Axis Bank ATM, was not working). Hodjeev's call to just dial helped. We checked the status of the card in the ATM at Jayamahal extension, it was activated.
On getting back home, I verified my check list again, found I needed to buy couple of things more (medicines and bar soap). At around 9 PM we started from home for dinner. Shetty agreed to drop me in his car, Hodjeev and Salmaan agreed to accompany. Before having dinner we bought the missing items. Dinner was done at 10 PM, then we started to BIAL. At BIAL a CRPF officer stopped our car and checked our baggage, we did not show him our tickets while we crossed the check point, what we should have done. He made a routine check and allowed us in. At around 11:20 they bid me adieu.
Was soon done with my security checks and emigration. Then had to wait for couple of hours for my flight.
The next day ( i.e. early morning 2:20 A.M.) I was supposed to fly from BIAL to Foster City California via, Hong Kong.
It was 9 AM, I had not yet started packing. I still had to buy few things, meet few people and most importantly activate my travelers card. I got home by 1 O'clock done with shopping and visiting relatives.
Nothing packed yet. First, checked if all my documents are in place. Then the packing began, I had made a list of things to carry over previous two days, so it was just a matter of stuffing the items inside the bag. Packing was done in some 45 mins. Thanks to Salmaan he helped me pack while Hodjeev and Shetty were fooling around. Then verified the checklist double verified the list, all done. Got some insights from Hodjeev and Salmaan on immigration and the etiquette to be followed in the US of A.
At 3 PM we had lunch on Infantry road in a crap restaurant called Aangan, food was bad. Then had to search for an Axis bank ATM verify if my travellers card was activated. Had to make few calls to Axis customer care to get the nearest ATM location (all this because RT Nagar, Axis Bank ATM, was not working). Hodjeev's call to just dial helped. We checked the status of the card in the ATM at Jayamahal extension, it was activated.
On getting back home, I verified my check list again, found I needed to buy couple of things more (medicines and bar soap). At around 9 PM we started from home for dinner. Shetty agreed to drop me in his car, Hodjeev and Salmaan agreed to accompany. Before having dinner we bought the missing items. Dinner was done at 10 PM, then we started to BIAL. At BIAL a CRPF officer stopped our car and checked our baggage, we did not show him our tickets while we crossed the check point, what we should have done. He made a routine check and allowed us in. At around 11:20 they bid me adieu.
Was soon done with my security checks and emigration. Then had to wait for couple of hours for my flight.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
My Friend Sancho
I've always liked Amit Varma's wacky humor. He is no stranger to netizens, his blog India uncut is very popular in the blogophere. This is Amit Varma's first book. Its a wholesome entertainer. This is the kind of book that one can start with a cup on tea on a lazy Sunday morning and finish it by lunch-time. The story is fast paced and funny. Story feels genuine, and one can relate to the characters in it.
The story is about a wisecracking tabloid journalist, Abir Ganguly. How he lands up in a unusual situation, while covering a story for crime beat. How Sancho gets into his life, and changes his life. There are many funny anecdotes and one-liners from Abir and his imagination is hilarious. It will make you laugh, I had few good laughs. Its thoroughly entertaining, if you liked five point some one, one night at call center, then you will devour this. [read chapter 1 of the book]
I will not be surprised if a bollywood producer picks up the story and plans to make a movie out of it. It has everything humor, melodrama, rona dhona, rantings on the functioning of the government, police force, the underworld, it has a small religion angle also and like all bollywood movies a happy ending, they lived happily ever after kinds.
@Amit Varma if you are reading this, do consider writing a sequel to this. I feel there is a lot in Abir's character, than can be exploited. Anyways it was pleasure reading the book. Cheers.
I will not be surprised if a bollywood producer picks up the story and plans to make a movie out of it. It has everything humor, melodrama, rona dhona, rantings on the functioning of the government, police force, the underworld, it has a small religion angle also and like all bollywood movies a happy ending, they lived happily ever after kinds.
@Amit Varma if you are reading this, do consider writing a sequel to this. I feel there is a lot in Abir's character, than can be exploited. Anyways it was pleasure reading the book. Cheers.
Cross-Blogged here
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Potbelly Woes
It was a friday evening, on my way back to home from office, on Castle Street, 200 meters from Fuga (a popular discotech). I could smell fragrances of expensive perfumes. The perfumes give an excellent prelude to the chicas waiting outside Fuga. The traffic got more denser, and it was moving at a very slow pace. Closer I got to the Fuga slower the traffic moved. There were hot chicks with svelte figure, dressed in maroons, blacks laden with embellishments. While I was checking out these chicas, I could feel something pricking my belly.
I realized it is almost time I get out of the denial mode, and do something about it. I had to cover up for God almighty's costly omit. Yes the God almighty. He created us, human beings, almost perfect, all the complex neural systems, working in syncronization for our healthy living. However we see this problem everywhere, most of us face this sometime or the other in our life time. Due to the lack of greivance addressal system looks like god has not yet got a word on it.
I'm talking about pot bellies. It was my belt priking my protruding belly, distracting me from checking out chicas. With all the systems God has provided if he could have also provided an "excess fat burning" system. It would have solved problems of so many people. Hell !! so many people. There wouldn't have been the diseases relating to cholestrol and obesity. Everyone would have had flat tummy, everyone looking great. Females would have had the greatest worry off their lives.
But no God missed it. May be he was working on a very tight deadline and decided that it was not a P1 requirement. Or may be it failed to clear the UAT (user acceptance test). Whatever it is he missed it.
As in many cases humans are smart. They always find a work-around to get things done. Yes humans have found a work around, to burn excess fat. That is by exercising our body. We really do not like doing it, but there is no go.
I joined gym 3 times in last 3 years just to show that I've not yet lost hope. Hope prevailed and still prevails, the gym attendance did not last 2 weeks. Now again its time to fuel some hope, this time its not gym (waste of money you see). Morning walk and Jog is the choice this time around.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Well !! my dear potbelly I'm coming hard at you this time. Don't tell me later that you were not informed.
I realized it is almost time I get out of the denial mode, and do something about it. I had to cover up for God almighty's costly omit. Yes the God almighty. He created us, human beings, almost perfect, all the complex neural systems, working in syncronization for our healthy living. However we see this problem everywhere, most of us face this sometime or the other in our life time. Due to the lack of greivance addressal system looks like god has not yet got a word on it.
I'm talking about pot bellies. It was my belt priking my protruding belly, distracting me from checking out chicas. With all the systems God has provided if he could have also provided an "excess fat burning" system. It would have solved problems of so many people. Hell !! so many people. There wouldn't have been the diseases relating to cholestrol and obesity. Everyone would have had flat tummy, everyone looking great. Females would have had the greatest worry off their lives.But no God missed it. May be he was working on a very tight deadline and decided that it was not a P1 requirement. Or may be it failed to clear the UAT (user acceptance test). Whatever it is he missed it.
As in many cases humans are smart. They always find a work-around to get things done. Yes humans have found a work around, to burn excess fat. That is by exercising our body. We really do not like doing it, but there is no go.
I joined gym 3 times in last 3 years just to show that I've not yet lost hope. Hope prevailed and still prevails, the gym attendance did not last 2 weeks. Now again its time to fuel some hope, this time its not gym (waste of money you see). Morning walk and Jog is the choice this time around.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Well !! my dear potbelly I'm coming hard at you this time. Don't tell me later that you were not informed.
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