AI - Artificial Intelligence

Last week I was reading a book with subject about Science and religion. It touched some questions of where we “HUMANS” came from and where are “WE” heading?  A question, almost all of us would have wondered about in some point of our lives.

As I continued reading, I really got intrigued about the fact that how we are evolving at every step of life. Although we all have read or learnt about Darwins theory of Evolution, we never realize that it is a continuous process. And you and me, yes you and me are also part of this process.

As we are evolving as homo-sapiens, same time there is a new species of beings that are getting evolved in our world. And slowly we are being consumed by these species and we are turning into slaves to these species. It is no brainer that I am talking about Artificial Intelligence as the subject mentions it at subject line of this post. But how is this artificial intelligence taking over? Because technology is in our control.. Right?

I will tell why I wrote about it today…

In morning I was texting to a friend. Yesterday my phone fell and since then my phone has been acting funny. I realized that touch has gone very sensitive and when I touch one word to type, it was selecting 2-3 words surrounding that word. This was making texting difficult, so I started using suggestions shared by the google keyboard.

To my surprise, the words suggested are exactly what I generally use texting as per the person I am sending the message to.

For example, when I typed “I will go on.. “ suggestions were “the / a / Bike”. I was wondering why did it not offer me suggestions “car / bike / cycle”.

It is because I generally write that I go on bike, which is stored in its data as per my communication.

Well then I tried different combination which I generally use, my device suggested exactly what I would have written. However, when I inserted messages which I wrote first time or used word which I generally do not use, it suggested generic words.

It dawned to me that AI is not something which is coming in near future like we read in newspaper. Artificial Intelligence is there in our lives already. It is slowly evolving at every point, looking at us, learning about us and upgrading itself with each moment. World what we see today is believed to be result of millions of years evolution. But with time, even machines are evolving and slowly consuming us, making us crippled without them.

And there will be a day when we will reach a point that AI will be superior and our species will extinct. It will be like how speak about Neanderthals, 50 years down the line the future human machine will talk about us homo sapiens.

Ironic but true!!!

NEW YEAR RESOLU-SHUNSSS!!!!

‘Hey Happy New Year!!!’ my colleague greeted me.

“What new year? Everything is the same, same office, same desk, same YOU!!, What’s so great about today. It’s like every day.” I so much wanted to say that. But again, I have been told that I should be nice to people around me.

“Happy New Year Dude” I replied to him with same enthusiasm which he had shared.

“So what did you do? Drank like a fish. Your most favorite activity?” He enquired

Again, I never wanted to break the bad image I had. My life is personal and people keep assuming things which I don’t deny. I won’t like to tell them that I enjoyed the peace at home watching an English tv series with lots of food and sprite. I mean why anyone should be bothered how I live my life but then human nature is to nose into other people’s life.

“Yeah! You guessed it. Hope you too enjoyed yours.” I replied and sat on my desk to end the conversation and get back to my life.

“Where man, we are not lucky like you, had to sit with my wife and kids”

Who told you to marry? No one had put a gun on your head to do that. And if you have now got married then atleast try to be happy with them. Hipocrat!!

“Ok! A nice family time.” I replied thinking it will be end of a boring conversation.

“So what are your Resolutions for 2017?” he continued

“God it is not easy to end a conversation. Why are interested in my resolution. You take one and break it.” I answered in my thoughts.

“I don’t take resolutions. It’s something not serious but funny.

 “What you don’t make resolutions? Its good thing. What is funny about it?”

“Well I think 99% of resolutions are Resolu-Shuns.. that end by 2^nd week of January.”

“No! it depends on you and your will power. If you want you can do it. Probably you don’t have.”

Oh Man! You take back those words. It is my will power that you have never been slapped by me since you walked into this office.”

Well my will power helped me and I asked calmly “Ok what was your last year resolution?”

I guess he never expected me asking that. :P

“I don’t keep it but I was in general asking.” He replied shyly.

“Well bro! you don’t keep it, I don’t keep it. Let’s keep it that way.”

I turned around and switched on my laptop.

Resolutions are personal goals that one sets. And it is no rule that you should do it only on Jan 1. Anyday you decide to do something, tell yourself that is your resolution and not a January Resolu – Shun!!!

Your Dream is Your Signature

 

Your dream is your signature...

A quote that has always given a rush inside my body. A quote which gives birth to a thousand questions varying from who am i? to what will I leave behind?

In this world where you are one in the ocean what is that you leave back in this world?

Is it the your children? Your properties or something else?

World tells you to follow the path defined by them. You take birth, study hard, grow up, get a job, play safe, get married as you need company, have children and then get old and die.

All follow this and it is not wrong. But I do not want to follow the line. Is it wrong? I do not want to prove it to others but me only.

I do not want money in my bank account for a future I do not know but for now when I can spend it.

I would like to live like a human and enjoy this life gifted to me as a human. And I want at least one person to remember me for the things I did in life and not being the one in this crowd.

And if there is an afterworld, will you be satisfied with what you achieved or are we going to again find life as reasons for not achieving the success

For those who would argue that from doing big if I mean to build some monument or leave a property behind. No I don't want to any of that. I think you don't hav to do anything but live your dream and it could be anything that keeps you alive even when u r gone.

Sounds vague. For me too but then you come across people and life.

I have a close friend of mine who always talk about her father. I don’t think there would be a day when I have not heard atleast something she learnt from her father or how he was an awesome person.

I have not seen him but I think I know how wonderful that man would be. He not only gave them the best in terms of all materialistic amenities but he filled their souls also with love. He taught his daughter to be a leader. He gave his children a power to dream and follow them.

And I am talking about 15-20 years back when girls were still considered to be a burden on family. This man raised her daughter and son equally. To live head high and survive even in the toughest. I guess that was his dream and he achieved it.

Today he is not in this world but I believe he is alive. He left his signature in this world with his two kids and through them he is still alive. Or else i won't have learnt about such a wonderful human.

 Living this life depends on you. How you PROVE it to YOU and not to the WORLD.

How you leave a mark or live your dream is a question only you can answer.

As Malcolm Forbes rightly said, you cease to live when you stop dreaming. 

KRA For Life

"Arey yaar, fir se KRA ka time aa gya..." my friend cribbed as he closed the email that came from human resources. 

I turned towards him to reply but before i could he started again.

"Sahi hai na..? Every year we are told that you need to this and that will be your parameter to know what you did. How can our work be defined by just 5 points? Plus someone's KRA would be to screw my KRA." He shrugged.

I smiled. Anyone who employed in a private firm would relate to this. What he said was true, KRA or the Key Responsible Areas are 5 major points where your organization wants you to work and then whole year you are made to do work across all other areas. Plus our KRA will be killing someone's else's job role. 

The above thing got me into thinking. Are KRA's necessary? And then it came to me.

KRA do helps you set goals for your profession. You know what is your priority and what you need to do to get those incentives and bonus points. Rest can wait because these 5 points are the points which organization wants from you. 

So we do profits for them but what about us? Yes we do get an increment and if you are continuously performing, you get promotion that means again more work ;-)

But why do we work? to have a better life and then it seems like our life is to work.

If we can set annual goals for our work why can't we show that commitment to our own lives?

When we go a step ahead to achieve what our bosses wants, even if we hate to do that job, then why can't we take a step ahead and do one thing which we have in our heart probably from years? Is money turning more important than happiness. Are we turning into that man from temple run who is just collecting coins and has no idea what to do with it? LOL funny to think like that.  

All these thoughts made me take a pen and jot downs my KRA for life for next 1 year. 4 points which was there for many years. I will do them.

I will.. Can you??

LFS

LFS - Large Format Stores, that is the name of the BU i have joined last month. And i have re-christened it as Life @ Full Speed just because now i do not have time at all. I start at 8 in the morning and stay back at work till 9 or 10. Lately, in my also sleep i am planning about activities for business and the challenges.

But this post is not about my new profile, but about life, which this blog is all about. 2014 started at a low point. Some plans failed, which i believed would be successful. It is like "Dreams in my eyes are my nightmares today". People say failures are part of life, whoever came up with this thought, that guy must be crazy, Hehehe. Its not the failure but the disappointment in life that creates void in your existence itself and you can't just live like that. 

Yesterday as i was preparing half yearly report for my business, i thought what did my own report card says for this year. And i realized that after my failure, "i did not live this life but just existed." And suddenly i felt, Damn you Prasanth Prabhakaran, you may be a failure whole your life, but still you never existed, you lived your life fullest even with those failures. Yes i was a shameless creature who has failed so many times with a smile, lol.... I realised that i wasted so much of it, last week i went to Goa with my friends, and the only thing i did was sit silently and watch my friends playing in sea. Heights was that i slept at the shore while those friends were playing at the beach in candolim. 

But now it seems that there are things to be done. Especially October had always been a special month for me, so i feel to start things afresh. Started it with taking up operations plus sales (yes sales which i avoid taking up) for my BU. Blogging whenever i could get time, (if LFS let me do so) and then clicking whenever possible. Watch movies. Yes, i have to mention it, because i could not believe it that i have not seen a movie since youngistaan. Even when i have all the latest movies on my PC, i have not seen them. Now what can be a more disgrace than that. Dad's birthday is coming in November so have to plan that. Same way many things are pending to be done. 

In the end it seems right to quote

 "One must let go of the life they have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us." 

It’s a Good bye for Now

Hello everyone, it has been long that I have been missing from my blog after my fallout with GOD (missing as if anyone was looking for me… LOL). It should not matter too much for me if someone was looking for my posts or not because I write it for me. I won’t deny the fact that someone really had inspired me to write my blog but then that person also left. Life is like a train journey; people come, stay and then move out. You can’t cry or make fuss about it.

Well today there is nothing specific I want to write, it is just about the things happening and how confused I am in the whole process and what I think I should do. Life is giving me a bag of mixed emotions. It is like life is throwing lemons at me and I think I am going to make lemonade from them.

I am feeling my dream, my passion is still haunting me because the more I am trying to achieve them, more I feel that they going away. It is like a mirage, you feel you can reach them but then they are still away.

My current job is going fine, but then there is no energy or kick that would drive me to office. The feel is not right at all to work in that kind of environment but my commitments stop me from quitting.

And the worst part it previously when I used to be in such a phase where I felt low, when the things didn’t look fine, I used to just pick up my phone, dial number of my close ones and just talk random. Sadly today the busy world has taken over everything. Sometimes they are in meetings, sometimes they are with family or sometimes they just don’t realize because the phone is on silent. So other than the above said 2 points this fact kills me more that world has taken over my space in my people’s (I don’t call everyone my people) lives.

I guess the phase is not right for me. Some people say it is all about time, and God will make things right. I don’t feel so because it seems the so called GOD is trying to put me down, trying to bend me with his wits. Well if that is the case then I guess the “WAR is ON”. If I have stood by people in their tough times, I guess I can stand for me when required. Like my childhood days, the years when I spent my time alone in house, all alone, I had been my friend, my philosopher and my guide. I recall those times, when I used to stand outside our society playground where kids of my society used to play cricket and watch them playing. I was never taken in team because they knew the moment my mother reached back from office, I would have to leave the game halfway and go home.

The feel of being alone is not new to me. But since I got some freedom, I had made up a family of my own, of my people, the people I called friends, rakhi sisters or so called brothers from another mother. I have not been alone in recent past so it feels odd a bit now to find no one around. But then no one promised me to be there, and even if they did, they have their own lives.

There are some decisions I have to take to move ahead, to fight with this world, which tries to change you the way they want. I have my dreams to achieve, I have to show this world that I have lived alone and I can live alone again. I still won’t change, you all can look for me, this guy will still be there for you. Not like I will be there but unavailable when needed. I will be there, the way you have always found me.

This will be my last post till I have finished my first script. The thing I want to do for me, and till that time nothing else. There are some more steps I need to take, some decisions which may end some stories or which may make them believe that I left.  My stories never had an ending, I just leave them halfway. I don’t like endings but then I will accept the fact, that end is necessary. And there will be endings in every story of my life someday.

Till the time I am back, its good bye from me. Thanks for being there.

Pilots of the Green Coloured 3 Wheelers

As I wrote in my previous post, I have been travelling a lot for my work. I sometimes feel like, i should not rent a house anymore in Mumbai, because maximum time I am in different cities. And during my travel the people I meet the most is auto walaas. Yes the green coloured Indian 3 wheeler Pilots are the people I interact the most during my travel. Well the funny things is, even though every Pilot is doing the same work, but the style, the attitude and the charges are different. Let me try to explain what i mean -

In Mumbai -

Stopping an auto - You just have to whistle, and for those who can't whistle, just make a sound like "pooch" and any auto guy, driving at any speed will stop for you. Very quick, they will just ask, where and then a nod. You have to be quick and sharp eyed to understand what that nod meant. It may be sit or may be a naah. There is a very thin line of difference in between both the signs, one is a slight turn of neck, right to left directing us to go inside the while a No is also a nod but a very quick movement to both side.

However if its a yes, then you don't have to argue how much money and blah blah. You pay metered charge as per the law.

In Bangalore -

You have to wave a big hand to stop them. No meter is fixed in the autos at all. You have to accept the fact and go with the wind. And these guys seem to only talk in multiple of hundereds. Any destination you say, they will say the charge in multiple of hundreds. You are not allowed inside the auto unless you are totally sure of the location. They want you to be sure where you want to go or else you will be hearing alot of kannada you don't know, if you get confused when you near the destination and you take time in locating the exact drop place.

Another key aspect is that even if you bargain and bring the price in an odd number (i.e. not in multiple of hundereds) you need to have the exact change to pay. Don't expect them to have change, so if you had to pay INR 70/- and you don't 70 with you, you end up paying INR 100/- because they won't be having loose cash. Very strategically they play their cards. ;-)

In Chennai -

Here they stop automatically, if you stand on edge of the road. Sometimes even if you are just standing, 2-3 autos may approach you. But these guys are also not less than their neighbours.   Again similar to Bangalore, they don't use meter fare. Meter is just a decoration in their planes and you have to pay what they want. But still better as they agree in charging in odd numbers also, even if they begin with a hundered. Here you have to be very smart and you need to bargain alot. So if they say 100, you say 50 and then you close the deal by 70.

They are also up to date about the happenings around, so if you bargain alot on fare, they answer you "Yenna Saar, Petrol Embaadu ruwa..."

and when you say "What" with your confused expressions they reply "Petrol eighty rupees saar. This long, only one way, you go round and come." I still don't know, how many one ways chennai have. LOL

Secondly, whatever you do, even if you tell them you don't know Tamil, they will answer you in Tamil only. So brush up a bit of Tamil when you are there.

In Hyderabad -

Well these guys are a little better. They answer you in Hindi and also sometimes in english. You can talk to them while driving as he will update you about the locations around. He may enquire your full history, i.e. where you came from, where you want to go, have you seen hyderabad earlier and many more stuff. But still they are better people. I met a bunch of auto guys with whom I interacted. We spoke about stuff like biryanis, haleem and why foreigners come and click all these photos of autowalas, chaiwalas and beggars.

The only thing you have to do is to persue them to use the meter. The meter is fixed in the auto, but still when you ask for fare, they give you a number. Then you have to point your finger on the meter and then he might say, "Same hai saab." (It is same sir)

But if you insist again, they will put on the meter.

Another thing is, Hyderabadi auto guys keep their autos sophisticated. High backrest seats, good speakers, disco lightings inside. I travelled in one of them and while talking, I requested him to show me the speakers effect. And he played a telugu song of Allu Arjun sung by Adnan Sami.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFN9CzipgZ4

But one thing is common in every autowala across the states of India. That they work hard, driving around the lanes in scorching sun, heavy rain or in bad health to earn for their family, carrying us, the stuff of ours and still in the end they have a smiling face most of the time.

Keep in mind about the attitudes when you are in these cities. Hope you guys may find it useful.

Be The Change or Don't Complain

It has been long time now, I posted something about my Mumbai Chronicles. I am sorry because of the lame excuse I will be giving, i.e. was busy with work. But it is actually true, because I have been travelling around for my office work and even though there are moments, when a whole post is cooked in my mind, I am too lazy to serve it. 

However, this one incident I would like to share, and I am not expecting everyone to agree to it but still this is what I feel about the whole incident. As I told, I have been travelling a lot and during my travels I meet many people. On my way to Hyderabad from Chennai - 

"This country is doomed. No one can make it better."

I took my eyes of the book I was reading and looked up. A middle aged person, black hair with some shades of grey, the wrinkle around his eyes showed his age, may be late forties, a pencil type mustache, a coffee brown colored polo neck t-shirt, and black trousers, sat in corner seat of my opposite berth. 

"See, how dirty this place is?"

"That is how it is?" answered a person sitting opposite to him. A young man, 6 feet, the look told he works for an IT firm, specky, headsets placed, carrying 2 phones, one an I Phone and one some Sony device

I went back to reading, ignoring the stupid complaint, but it didn't stop there.

. 

"They will remain like this. Even though they take so much taxes. now they increased the service charges on rail tickets. Where is all this money going? To pay medical bills of some Italian lady... Huh! (referring to the recent claim of a politician that INR 1880/- crores were paid by Indian Govt. for the ruling parties presidents medical visits to foreign countries).

"And we pay for everything." He continued. "See countries like Thailand, Singapore, China, Malaysia, They are getting better day by day and here we are stuck with corruption."

"Ticket to USA is 30K and If i go to Delhi from Chennai, it is also almost 30 K. What a logical pricing." old guy continued while the IT guy nodding in support.

"This country is good for nothing. We just pay and pay. And our politicians enjoy the bribes and taxes we give."

 That was it, when I could not take it more. "Sir are you moving out of India soon?"  I asked the person

"Sorry!!! I didn't get you." the old guy asked, giving me a Who The Hell are you look...

"I asked, are you moving out of India to another country?"  I answered loudly.

 "No!! Why??" 

"You should move out, if you have so much grunt with this country." I answered.

"What do you mean? Who are you to say that? You are telling me to get out of my country?"

"Sir, I didn't tell you to get out. I just said, if you have so many problems with this system, Please feel free to leave. World is too big. You have USA, Thailand, Malaysia and many more. I am just saying what you feel."

"Young man, mind your business. I pay taxes and I do have rights to ask questions."

"Sir asking questions is different. If you want to ask questions, use your right to information and ask where you get an answer. Not in public, disgracing your own country. I don't deny about issues we have, but I bet, all the countries you named have issues. Please don't judge the book by its cover. USA, you named, is running in crisis, the locals are complaining about taxes, their presidential elections have become a mockery. "

"You named Thailand, a government, which have made it a fun destination point, to be precise a place for drugs, booz and sex. Other countries you named are also struggling with drug addiction issues, human trafficking and financial crisis. From distance everything looks good."

"Next time, when you are on International tour, please try to visit the back-lanes to find the ugly truth. No country is perfect, everyone has to make it perfect."

"You are telling that we should sit back and agree to all injustice."  the man argued. 

"Please stand up against injustice, but then set examples. You just complained that the place is dirty, just half an hour back when the train began its journey, you finished a bottle of water and threw it on track. You could have dropped it in the compartment dustbin."

"So you say, I made this place dirty."  the guy got all red and annoyed.

"No Sir, you didn't, we all made it dirty. Please don't get angry. I felt bad, when you said bad about my country. Jaisa bhi hai, ye mera desh hai, (It is my country, whatever the condition it is in) and I will try to make it a better place with my small efforts and hope to spread the message to everyone."

"Leave it Sir, he seems to be quite emotional about India. Its already 11, let us all sleep."  the IT guy intervened and our uncomfortable conversation ended like that. 

The old man was still gave me angry looks, but something other was going in my mind. To at least begin somewhere. So thought to request you all to be part of a change. Lets change ourselves to be a part of a better country. 

Try to be right, do right things and stand against injustice. Charity begins at home, so lets improve ourselves.

Don't spit and throw garbage on roads or open areas.

Please try to follow the rules.

Try to help the people. Don't pay bribes.

Don't promote begging by giving money to beggars. If we could help, try to get them in touch with some organization.

And many more things that you think can improve our country, us and give peace to our souls.

Mumbai Chronicles

It’s been so long that I visited here, No Mumbai Chronicles for long now. Yeah, but what to do, Laziness rocks. Hahahaha... Lately, I have been procrastinating and I am still not feeling guilty about it. But I was not totally wasting my time and have been following Indian Media very closely. Have you ever noticed that it is really fun to watch Indian news channel. Well let me tell you from what I have understood, there is no news on the news channel anymore, but it’s all speculations. Yeah, you are reading it right, first I said fun and now I said it’s no news but only speculations. If you go by definition, NEWS is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet or word of mouth to mass audience.

When I was growing up, I used to run away whenever someone used to switch to a news channel. It used to be so boring with some people telling you about what is happening, . But now for past couple of weeks, I was following news (to be true, not by consent) and I noticed it was funny. To sum up there were only one news that was being shown in different ways that was –

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT INDIAN PRESIDENT?

It all started with the speculation that who will be our next president. This is where our news guys start their work. Initially they suggested names of probable candidates.

Our parties will be giving out the names. Please wait but no, they can’t. And they propose their best candidates. I ask who cares what you suggest.

Anyways to our bad luck or good luck of News people, our own DIDI from Bengal Mamta Banerjee comes to Delhi. And again they all began with news - Mamta meets Sonia, 6 PM meeting with PM to discuss about the candidates. After so much of noise, Mamta comes out and says she will discuss with Mr. Mulayam Singh and then announce.

Another round of speculation, what would have Sonia and Mamta discussed? Why the meeting with PM was cancelled? Is Mamta going to support Pranab Mukherjee, most probable nomination by Congress (as per their sources) being a Bengali? And this was going to happen whole day when Mamta di and Mulayalam met and then came out with googly. They proposed our PM’s name for presidential candidate.

And now our channels got worried, they wanted to know who will be the PM if our PM becomes President? LOL, they just proposed a name, they have not declared him as President. Moreover you people are only saying, UPA will discuss and give their final nominations. Similarly, NDA the opposition party will also have to announce their proposal. Anyways they kept on going discussing who will be our next prime minister? LOL

Next day when UPA went for meeting, our media kept on discussing, what will be the outcome? Guys please wait, its matter of an hour or so, they will come out and tell you whose name they are proposing.

Finally a name came up was Pranab Mukherjee, our Finance minister was nominated for president by UPA, the ruling party of our country. Well I thought that will be the end, but then Pranab Puran began, it’s Pranab all over. His constituency, his house, his wife, his daughter, his school and what all they can show about him. On the same time, DIDI and mulayalm also agreed to support Pranab. Another round of speculation starts, if UPA promised DIDI and Mulayam something. Hats off to our Indian Media, who is working hard to keep us updated with the NEWS today. Well I have now gone back to basics and immediately switch to an entertainment channel. :-P 

Mumbai Chronicle 5 June 2012

Finally our thikana (a place to stay) is now confirmed because this Tuesday, we got it registered. Our house owner came down from Pune and both of us signed up a contract for next 11 months. SO from 15^th June 2012 till 14^th May 2013, anyone can come to Mumbai without worrying about accommodation. We will adjust you on the floor or with Ramlal during your visit. ;-)

Mumbai Chronicles 4 June 2012

I do not know how some people can stay in home whole day and not feel suffocated. This Monday, I had nothing much to do, because the appointments I had planned didn’t work out which lead me to stay indoors whole day. In the evening, when I had consumed all the oxygen inside the house, I decided to take a walk.

Well walk generally means that you take a stroll around in a garden nearby or just a simple walk. But that is for general people, the normal humans, the mango people, but there are always some special humans, who start walking in some direction and then they suddenly realise that they have reached the nearest railway station. Then instead of turning around and walking back they get into the next train going anywhere and then get down at the last station. Now at last station, they think, Ok the joy ride is over and now they should go back. But how can they do that, because that is what the normal people do. As per them, if you came up to this place, you should at least check if there is something interesting to go around this place. And they find something which is like 2.7 Kms away, and because they are on walk, they think lets walk up to that place.

The Sand Art

Gola Wala Shops

My MilkShake Ready :)

This is how I ended up at Juhu Chaupati on a Monday and believe me, it never looked like a working day with so much of crowd. You can see only 3 things on Chaupati, lots and lots of people, sand arts and N number of shops serving paav bhai and Ice gola. So I had a milk shake from one of those shops at chaupati (see ice golas and paav bhaji are for general people again) and finally decided to end my walk and returned back home

Mumbai Chronicle A.K.A Pune Bhraman 2/3 June 2012

The 2 days at Pune can be summarized by like this, Good times with cousins, a wrong choice, Gaming on X-Box and a ride which squeezed out every ounce of energy from us.

To begin with, the best thing that happened was to meet my kid sister after long long time. And it was good time pass to watch the cat and mouse game, the relationship which Sujith Bhai and she shares. The love is so much that they just keep on calling names to each other and pulling each other’s leg. And your job is to just add some fuel to the game and then you can have a full on entertainment packed hour ahead.

Well my elder brother (cousin whom we actually visited and stayed with) and me love to click and were planning for a drive to some caves, a couple of hours away from Pune. Well on Saturday we thought we will rest till lunch, and then we can drive out. But then a devilish idea struck our brains. We read review about one Hindi movie released on Friday and thought to watch it in the night. We checked online and booked the tickets for 9.30 PM. By the time we finished our lunch, it was almost 3.30, so my cousin suggested that we leave tomorrow early morning for the caves, because if we leave now we can’t be back by movie and we postponed our drive and decided to roam in mall, have dinner and go for the movie. That was one bad decision because the movie sucked and we cursed every actor who worked and promoted that movie. The worst part is that the movie has been declared a hit and has earned 48.5 Crore of Indian Rupees in first 3 days of screening. Well I would like to forget it as a nightmare.

Next day began with me waking up early and preparing tea for everyone. I was looking forward for the drive when my sister cutely came to me and said “Bhaiya my ankles are paining with all the walking we did yesterday in mall. We will go but I will stay in car while you trek up to the caves.” And there went our plan to drive up to the caves. So what should we do whole day? And then we had ourselves entertained with Xbox and it was fun. And we never realized that it was time for our train.

Train journey was something which I say, can only happen in our country. 

We had our seats reserved and when me and Sujith Bhai identified our train and neared our compartment, we got confused. It looked like an unreserved compartment with no space even to step in. Well we fought our way into the cabin, and then had argument with the guys sitting on our seats before finally sitting. It looked as if there is a chair with you sitting on it and there is wall around you with no space. You cannot move your feet, because the space between the seats, people have stuffed bags or themselves sitting on floor. Those 3 hours were the worst part of our visit and I was thinking about God, that how he maintains the Balance sheets. He flew us to Pune like Kings and squeezed us on our way back. Hehehe...

All in all, it was fun to visit Pune and there goes one more city to my list of places I visited. 

The caves we couldn't visit

Mumbai Chronicles 29/30/31-May 2012

To begin with, I would like to clarify that I am actually not on vacation, even though it seems like one. But last 3 days of May made me also feel if I am on vacation or what because what I did was to eat, sleep and watch movies. And the bug didn’t leave sujith bhai and my di too because they accompanied me wasting time. To summarize in 3 days we saw 10 movies, on an average 3 per day, many episodes of CID & Crime Patrol. Ab people can’t resist to get inspired from me, LOL.

Well the last 3 days were silent, so nothing much to share. Oh in between we went out and had Dhai Poori, my first snack in Mumbai gullies. Let me tease you with the pics, LOL... 

Sujith Bhai - Khush to bahut hain aaj

Bhelpuri Centre - Antop Hill

My Plate

Mumbai Chronicles - 25 May 2012

Well people who know me very well, actually know that there is a crazy me who can go to any extent of craziness. And It seems that Mumbai city is giving me kick in taking more crazy decisions.  Well before I wrote more, I would like to quote an old hindi superhit song

Do deewane shehar mein, Raat Din Dopahar mein

Aaboodana Dhoondhte hain, Ek aashiana dhoondte hain

Well Please don’t misunderstand the deewane literally because here when I say deewane, I wanted to specify two crazy people roaming in Mumbai looking out for a place to live and not lovers. I am straight and I would make it clear on behalf of me and Sujith bhai. And we both crazy guys were roaming around Mumbai looking for rented accommodation.

The rule in Mumbai says first you find a job and then locate yourself near to that place. But what to do, because we have the habit of breaking the norms set by the so called smart world. I consider myself as an uncelebrated idiot, who is considered crazy but no one ever says it on face. Because in the smart world, no one leaves a well paid job in abroad and fly back to India just to have a feel of being in one’s own country.  Now the new norm that we broke is to rent an accommodation before even getting a job.

My belief is that if you have a place of your own, your mind starts working automatically. The idea of being in the new location was to be independent, work out the ideas the way we want and the total

The place where you live should be nice and should give you positive vibes and henceforth I made Sujith Bhai roam around places and check out 5-6 houses. Finally we ended up at doors of a real estate agent in Borivilli (W) who took us to few apartments. Finally we found a good society, surrounded by societies and roads where you could see some lovely chicks. 

So now on the 5th day of my mumbai stay, I have a postal Address in Mumbai and yeah we will be available by 5^th June at our own adda.

God saves Borivilli and the people there. :-P

Mumbai Chronicle - 24 May 2012

I have heard that local trains are the lifeline of Mumbai, and it is one thing you can rely on when you need to travel across Mumbai. But I had never heard that what to do when the lifeline stops suddenly. Well if you ask any Mumbaikar that if he or she ever got stranded because of breakdown, they might have experienced it but on the very first week of your entry to the city. Very few lucky people like me and Sujith Bhai are entitled for the privilege. :-P

On our way back to our current residence, at Mahim Station, the local stopped as usual to drop and pick its passengers. We both got up from our seats to go near to the door as next stop was ours and you need to make your way out to get down on a station where few people drop off. Otherwise generally if it is a major stop you don’t have to make an effort as crowd pushes you out by own.

Anyways coming back to what I was saying, after the train stopped at Mahim Station, it never moved forward. We were bit surprised as it was a first time experience for us. We stood inside the train for some minutes and then we got down at the station following what the crowd was doing. There was a lot of confusion, that what was happening and then some announcement was made on the loudspeaker. Well it sounded like someone is jumbling rocks in a steel box in front of a mike and I bet if the person who did announcement also came and listened, he/she won’t have understood a single word.

Anyways, we thought to ask suggestion from an experienced traveller.

“Bhaisaab, humne King’s Circle jaana hai. Ye train kab chalegi? (We have to King’s Cirlce. When will this train leave?)

“Wo to agla stop hai, issi track pe chalte raho 10 minute tak pahunch jaoge. Ye to abhi yard jayegi aur iske baad doosri train aayegi.. Wo kab pata nahi” (That is next stop. Do one thing keep walking on this track and you may reach in 10 minutes because this train will go to yard and another train will come and at what time no one knows.)

We sighed and looked at each other asking each other what to do. It was stupidity to walk in that afternoon sun on a railway tracks so we waited another 10 minutes and then thought that we will go out and hire a cab. So after deciding to hire a cab, we took the foot over bridge to go to next platform. On the way outside, Sujith bhai told that lets have Lime juice, and we stopped at small outlet at the platform itself. As we were drinking lime juice, we saw our train moving on the other side. On enquiring from the lime juice stall owner, he told that the announcement was made that this train has gone to yard and next train is coming in 5 minutes. I looked at the guy and asked pointing at speaker, the announcement on this. He chuckled and said I daily stand here so i can understand them.

Well finally we crossed the tracks and went to our previous platform as the new train arrived for our destination. Well what I learnt was that you need to be patient as Western railways will not allow lifeline of Mumbai to stop like this. 

Mumbai Chronicle - 23 May 2012

On the second day of our stay in Mumbai, we were introduced to the Don of the building where currently we are staying. Ramlal as I christened him, because no one seems to call him by any name, may be because they all consider it waste of time to enquire and name of living beings staying around.

However I enquired and as per reliable sources, Ramlal came to this building probably a couple of years back and has been staying here and restored peace and calmness in the area from the various stray goons like him. As soon as you enter the building, you will find him resting peacefully on the stairs undisturbed by the movement of the residents. He rests at his favourite spots ignoring all the worldly matters that are happening and people also make sure not to disturb Ramlal while they pass by him. One funny incident that my elder sister (it’s her house where we are staying) shared that one day while she was getting down the stairs, busy searching something in her bag, she accidently steeped on Ramlal who was resting on the stairs. Since that day, Ramlal makes sure that he gets up from his rest and gives way to my sister.

With my keen interest in Ramlal my bada bhai, Sujith Bhai has warned me that

“he may be quiet but if he changes the mind I can be in trouble and be visiting doctors”. However i feel that he cool enough because when I requested him for a click for which he posed without showing any tantrums.

Mumbai Chronicles - 22 May 2012

As Nethravathi Express chugged in at snail pace into Panvel Railway Station, finally my journey that began more than a month back came to an end.  Now don’t assume that I was travelling on foot to take more than a month to reach Mumbai from Qatar. Well it was a holiday which squeezed every ounce of energy from me back home.  Travelling around Kerala, visiting Bangalore, driving minimum 50 KM daily or at least alternate days and the summer in Kerala was little more than what I had expected this vacation. But all in all I enjoyed every bit of it as I was in India... J

As of now in my Mumbai journey I have company of my cousin brother, Sujith as we both are looking forward to do something in here. Well to say what we are going to do, we both have no idea but yes something will happen in our lives that we expect and look forward for. As far as I am concerned, I am one step closer than yesterday to the dream I have for me in Mumbai.

It seems Mumbai was generous in welcoming us because when I went along with Sujith Bhai to get a new mobile connection, we were expecting N number of formalities like requirement of local address proof or reference of any local addressee, which was based on my previous experience when I went to get my Vodafone connection. But what happened was something which we never expected and ended up having 4 sim cards instead of one.  How??

We: Hi, we would like to get one Airtel connection. What are the charges and formalities?

Sales Girl: Sir, we have an offer on Airtel and for Inr 100/- we will give you 4 sim cards.

W: 4? What will we do with that? We just need one.

SG: Sir one also will cost you 100 bucks after all recharge and all. Here we are giving you 4 Sims with 31 bucks of talk time and 500 MB of data free in each sim card.

W:  We But what we will do with 4 Sims and what are the documents required? We don’t have local address so it may be a problem.
SG: No Sir, we just need one photograph and a Photo ID with Indian address. That’s it. No other documents required to get a new connection.

We looked at each other, and I said let’s take them.

Bhai: Why? Do you need to have separate numbers for separate girlfriend?

Me: Nahi Bhai, it has talk time and data, which I can also use for my net.

Finally we decided to get the sim cards. And instead of one we are having now 4 Mumbai numbers which we still have no idea what we will do with it. I have heard that Mumbai is an unusual city and you can expect anything from here. Looking forward to more of unusual activities, well I end my first Mumbai chronicle here

Recalling 2011...

Its 2012 now, a year which as per some people will be the last year of this world. I don't know if it is true or not, but when it comes to me, i look forward to it positivly without expecting what will happen. Expectations when kept at lowest always brings peace and happiness when you do more than that.

2011 was something in which things happened for me first time in life. 2011 was filled with weddings, birthdays, events and some good byes. There were bad moments, which i don't recall much because i was told by someone that its the Happy Moments that stays and rest all vanishes with time. So i am letting the bad moments go away and just holding the sweet moments I had. Some of them which i am going to share here as a note for me to read and relive those moments.

WELCOME 2011...

2011 started on a very fun note, as it was first time after me moving to Qatar, i had people around me to celeberate New Year Eve. Avinash was also in country, and we had 3 senior people from our office with us at our place. It was a long night resulting to late punch-in at office. So year began with masti.

My Birthday...

People across the globe are confused about my date of birth due to different DOB's i have on my passport, certificates & Birth certificate. And i also don't help them by telling different dates to different people. LOLZ... As a result people start calling from 21st and calls continue till 23rd of March every year. Since 2 years Avi was watching it and this time he planned to teach me a lesson. I ended up cutting 4 cakes in 3 different parties. Who does that...?? But it was fun and made me feel good about me.

Avi's Wedding & Chandigarh Trip...

Finally the day came, when Avinash decided to settle down. It is always good to see friends getting serious about life and looking ahead. My Delhi visit to attend his wedding followed by my Chandigarh Visit was a total fun plan. 2 days of delhi, where met new people, made some good friends and top of it, was part of my buddy's happy moments. God Bless the couple with all the happiness.

Rahul Bhai's Wedding...

It was a long wait but finally it happened. My big brother found a perfect match and decided to tie a knot. His wedding gave me a very sweet bhabhi (more kinda sister now) who now gives me company in planning my mess while i am in Qatar. Someone with whom i share all my crazy ideas and she supports me with them. Hahahaa.... and moreover it was fun to fly down to kerala, meet family and also be a part of wedding, where you are busy with the activities. Moreover, i was the official DJ in the wedding.. LOLZ... that was fun as i killed people with boring music.

The count increased...

It started on a business note when i had hired a bunch of youngsters for a Nokia Event. Well didn't realise but these people became close pals for whom only prayers come out. One kid reminded me of my cuzin sis back in india, and when i told her, i realised i just made a bonding with her. Not related by any means, but still i found a sister in Qatar. And found couple of friends who are too cool and sweet at same time to hangout with me... They are another chapter of my life which i will remember.

Buying My Canon Cam...

The dream of owning a DSLR camera was there in heart for long time now but situation was never compatible for me to buy it. Finally a day came, when i finally had the money and a situation to use that money for my purchase. One of the very rare occassion when i spend money on what i want. A feel of satisfaction and then the fun of clicking, its priceless.

Dream finally achieved...

When i started my career at the age of 19, i had 2 goals in mind. To get my parents retired and to build a house for them in their place. First one was achieved 5 years back and the second was the difficult one. It took me a long time, but finally the day came when we finally moved into our new house. For me its a house of dreams, where i see my parents settled and relaxed, my nieces and nephews coming and njoiin their vacations, a place where i could go and spend my weeklong holidays. The feeling of fulfilling that task really makes me feel lighter and happier.

It also was a year when some people moved out Qatar leaving me alone for the time, but again i am not alone, because i have someone with me always. God has always taken care that even through tough times i stand and try to smile. 2011 taught me to be positive, believe in me and my dreams and to think from heart. Taking those points i move ahead for a better 2012 where i am going to take some risks. Hoping for only good, even in bad, praying for good for everyone, i continue my journey called Life.

Day 1 - 1st Jan 2012

They say what you do in first day of year, keeps on repeating daily... Keeping that in mind I decided that i will avoid spending money on first day of the year. But my system forgot that i shudn't share that idea with everyone. I will tell you why

My colleague, who purchased a car on 30th Dec'2012, came to me and said "Dude! i will bring lunch today, Its my party."

"Cool Yaar!! You are one hell of a person. I can't imagine spending cash on first day of year, That also to treat people... "

And that party never happened... Well his light bulb lit and he acted...

So first day of year after losing a chance to get free food, i learnt -
 
Be smart but not share your smartness with everyone.. ;-)

Dude... When R U getting Married....

By the time you turn 26, you will find that whole world is now busy to find you a spouse and get you settled.

Now i seriously don't understand that why is this world so interested in getting me married...? Is it like if i don't get married, an asteroid will hit the earth and everything will get destroyed. If that's the case, i will love to get married. Then i will be the saviour of this world. I hope i need not wear underwear over pants. (Lolz)

I am not a commitment phobic but Man... give me a break. There are people who are in early thirties and still single. Get them married first... :P

Marriage is a responsibility and next step in life where you decide to live with the person your whole life ahead. Secondly, when the girl is coming with you, she is leaving all her past behind and has faith on you that you will be there with her everytime. There is love, faith, respect and so much of stuff... So where am i wrong if i say i am not ready.

So guys, lemme be single till i find a girl or meet a girl who can handle me and my craziness. :P