tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34173376975750446942024-03-05T23:12:53.227+05:30My Thought StudioVasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-52529933701570693282020-05-15T21:06:00.001+05:302020-05-15T21:06:54.920+05:30Book Review | Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mud Vein begins with an abduction. The main protagonist wakes
up to find herself stuck with her ex in a house right in the middle of nowhere and snow.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="HD wallpaper: gray house, photo of cabin in the middle of snow ..." height="360" src="https://c4.wallpaperflare.com/wallpaper/756/671/646/snow-house-trees-night-wallpaper-preview.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Senna Richards, a bestselling author, and Isaac Asterholder,
a surgeon, are left in a house stocked with everything required for survival –
food, clothing, first aid, power, water, heater etc. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They even find knives in
the kitchen, which they plan to use as a possible weapon in case the abductor
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<span style="font-size: large;">But why leave weapons and survival kits if the captor plans
to return? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How long can they survive with their stock of food? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What’s the
motive of this abduction? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What does the kidnapper want? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is this some sort of
twisted game?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saying anything more will be wandering into the spoiler zone, s I'll leave it here. Go read to find out yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 2 stars</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What I liked</span></h2>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Writing</b>: I fell in love with Tarryn Fisher’s writing. She’s an absolute delight. She’s
gifted in stringing together beautiful words to form exotic sentences. I’m
definitely up for her other books</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">***Possible Spoilers Ahead***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Senna</b>: Somebody had to say this! Senna is messed up, big time! Yes, she’s gone through
some tragic stuff, her mother abandoned her, she broke up with her boyfriend,
she was sexually assaulted. But it still doesn’t justify the way she behaves
with Isaac. She could have turned her life around, but she was adamant in
destroying it. I simply couldn’t identify with Senna and had a hard time
understanding her mind.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Plot</b>: I could not, for the life of me, understand what this story was about. Some weird
kind of psychoanalysis? What was it about the carousel room? Why did Senna feel
that there will be something below the table and ends up finding more stocks of
food and medicine? What was the game? What did Senna need to remember so she
can get to leave the house? All these questions are still unanswered even after
finishing the book.</span></li>
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Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-81522986493917318322020-05-12T23:50:00.000+05:302020-05-15T21:10:51.353+05:30Book Review | Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwLzWqGIo7RRZAprseCDb4PV1MNgIFUoTiObv2KKgNVzRSXCe9HvgJLn9_YDfh62ErBLsU5Al-Ln8FWIq-onLEfLDssI9YOF9RmmOasNaJWfXHdP-fzF4170p9T4ZwVbxETKJfzuDWT4/s1600/28965131._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwLzWqGIo7RRZAprseCDb4PV1MNgIFUoTiObv2KKgNVzRSXCe9HvgJLn9_YDfh62ErBLsU5Al-Ln8FWIq-onLEfLDssI9YOF9RmmOasNaJWfXHdP-fzF4170p9T4ZwVbxETKJfzuDWT4/s320/28965131._SY475_.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story revolves around three main characters – Louise,
David and Adele. David and Adele are a beautiful, upper-middle-class couple who
have recently shifted towns. David is a psychiatrist and Adele is a homemaker.
Louise is a single mom who works part-time as a secretary at the clinic that
David has newly joined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By a twisted game of fate, David turns out to be Louise’s
new boss and they are instantly attracted to each other (having already
met a night before at a bar and shared a kiss, not knowing the professional
relationship they are yet to get into). And Adele too strikes up a friendship
with Louise, after having coincidentally bumped into her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Louise gets closer and closer to both David and Adele,
she is torn between what’s right and what’s wrong and the plot
thickens.</span><br />
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Rating: 2.5 Stars</span></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What I liked</span></b></h3>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Writing</b>: The writing is very simple, and you ease
yourself into the story very quickly and the pages simply flow</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mystery</b>: It is established, at the very onset, that
David and Adele’s marriage is not what it seems like and there are quite a few
skeletons in the closet. So this is not going to be one of those perfect
marriage stories where, in the end, it turns out that the husband/wife is the
antagonist who is putting up a façade. But in ‘Behind Her Eyes’ the marriage is not touted as perfect at the beginning
itself, hence we know that there is something more to the story and you kind of
look forward to moving ahead</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Ending</b>: That was one mind-numbing end. Something
that your mind could never conjure up. Isn’t this what we all expect in a good
psychological thriller?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Plot</b>: The entire plot is based on Louise’s actions,
as anticipated by Adele. Had Louise not acted as per Adele’s fantasies, then
the entire story can come tumbling down. So, I found that the plot was a weak one</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Characterization</b>: Louise is one of my least favorite
fictional characters and she is also one of the most idiotic characters to have
ever written. Her irrational behavior and erratic actions seem very immature
and quite risky considering she is a single mom to a 6-year-old.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Drag</b>: The story was a little bit of a drag in the
middle and many paragraphs could have been omitted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Ending</b>: Okay. I know I have repeated the same
point under what I liked and what I did not like. This is not an error. I truly
loved and hated that ending. Why did I hate it? If you are okay reading a
spoiler, then please read further</span></li>
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<b>****Spoilers Ahead***</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ending swayed away from its original plot of a psychological thriller and
delves into paranormal activities. This is not acceptable. You cannot begin a
thriller, where the reader is busy solving the mystery with a psychological
angle and then you end that story with a paranormal climax! Not
acceptable!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-62574254922758737642013-11-12T23:14:00.001+05:302013-11-13T22:09:55.888+05:30My Platinum Day of Love - Forever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt;">I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">look at him wolfing down scoops after scoops of his favorite ice-cream while talking animatedly about his new found career. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>He’s been chosen as one of the 10 engineers to be trained in Cochin for a year in the field of marine engineering, post which he will sail the world as an engineer. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">I smile at him without listening to a thing. </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The ice-cream treat is a token of appreciation for clearing his interview and achieving his dream job. But he </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> know that this is also a parting away celebration – because in my mind </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">I've</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> already decided to end this.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I know this is bizarre – talking about ending relationship when this post is supposed to be about building relationship, growing & nurturing them, all while discovering </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;">your</span> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><b><a href="http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love" target="_blank">Platinum Day of Love</a></b></span></i><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Why did I decide to end this relationship? For that we need to begin from the beginning, precisely one and a half month before the ice-cream party.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>It’s a typical Gujarati pre-wedding Garba night in Navsari, a small town in Gujarat. Attending the wedding of a fellow colleague is a group of Mumbaikars, among them are the main protagonists of this story.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>To discover love at somebody’s wedding is melodramatically Bollywood. But being a Shudh Desi Indian our romances are no less than a Bollywood screenplay and this is how the story begins.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><i>The boy watching the girl dance, the girl scolding the boy for drinking too much, and so on and so forth. One thing led to another and by the end of the night the boy realized that he is irrevocably in love with the girl. He admits the same to the girl who brushes it aside assuming he is drunk, however not before planting the idea in her mind too.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>They both retire to their respective rooms and begin the journey of realizing their hidden emotions. The late office hours, meeting up at the office pantry for steaming cup of coffees during breaks, debating and arguing over petty issues [both work related as well as general]. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><i>Was there always an underlying current or is it something that they learnt only now?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Amidst confusion yet with a clear mind, love blossomed between the hero and his lady. Was this their Platinum Day of Love? Not yet.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Merely a week into their relationship the boy revealed that he is applying at a marine engineering company which will give him the opportunity to be trained on the job in Cochin for a year after which he will be a professional sailor, meaning his job will require him to be away from home for 6 months at a stretch.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>The girl simply nodded and went back to her coffee, thinking this is just a piece of news. Time flew and the day of the interview arrived. Knowing how much this job meant to the boy she helped him prepare for the interview all the while praying silently that he should not get the job.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>This mixed emotion ascended from the fact that an occupation as a sailor would mean a long distance relationship and the girl was not prepared for the same. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>The boy triumphed his interview and was elated above all else. When the girl got the news she was happy for the boy but sad for herself. She decided it was time to end, lest it gave heartbreak later on in their relationship it was better to end in the beginning.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Fast forwarding to the ice-cream parlor, I smiled teary eyed with a walk down the memory lane. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>By now we are out of the parlor and are strolling down a lane. While he kept blabbering about his antics at the interview and other things, my mind kept repeating the lines I had to tell him.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>“Let’s end this!” I whispered.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>He looked at me with confused eyes. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>I repeated myself, “Let’s end our relationship. I don’t think I’m ready for a long distance relationship. I don’t think this will work. Let’s end it!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Silence<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Followed by some more silence <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Then, with a long breath and a deep sigh he turned towards me. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>He took my hand in his, lifted up my chin, made me look into his shiny black eyes and slowly whispered in my ears – “I know this will work. I know we will make it work. I know I will make it work. You are the best thing that happened to me. You came into my life and I got my dream job. You are my lady luck. Even if you want to leave, I will never leave you. Not because you are lucky for me but because I feel lucky to be with you. When I got this job the first person that came to my mind was you. The thought of sharing this news with you doubled my happiness. Please be with me. Let me be selfish this one time and grant me your love. I promise I’ll let you be selfish throughout our relationship.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>Saying this he plucked a twig from a nearby tree and fashioned a ring out of it. Sliding it gently into my fingers he crooned a soft ‘I love you’.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>With tears in my eyes and confidence in my relationship I hugged him dearly. This day and every day of my life hereafter is my ‘Platinum Day of Love’.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>5 years into this relationship and we are still going strong. As for the ring he made from the twig, it is safely nestled amongst the many souvenirs of our love.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">This post is published for the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><a href="http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Platinum Day of Love</b></span></a><span style="color: cyan;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">contest on <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=90" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Indiblogger</span></b></a>.</span></i></div>
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Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-17384120374823682592012-12-27T14:14:00.001+05:302012-12-27T14:14:51.639+05:30Fear not, we are equals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPodFD3dO1dQ8i9WvgsCBgKufTr12eQhNxa64oo_1JdzausSU0AF7GCHRGutVZiPz9KULDtS7v_Q13vuVL0gvQHBrcG2_Hcmh5VhEESJISzTH2Yqguv10jTMWJ9VkoSvMbaXkwbNypLg/s1600/rape-victim-285x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPodFD3dO1dQ8i9WvgsCBgKufTr12eQhNxa64oo_1JdzausSU0AF7GCHRGutVZiPz9KULDtS7v_Q13vuVL0gvQHBrcG2_Hcmh5VhEESJISzTH2Yqguv10jTMWJ9VkoSvMbaXkwbNypLg/s1600/rape-victim-285x300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">As</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a girl I’m advised not to go out late
nights, to wear ‘appropriate clothes’, to arm myself with chili powder and
pepper sprays, to be extra vigilant about who is walking behind me and on and
on and on.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I ask—“But why me?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When mothers can advise this to their daughter, why can’t
they advise their sons about respecting a woman and her modesty, about treating
them as equals and not as sex objects.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you lecture this to your daughters, you are actually
making them weak, making them feel guilty of who they are, creating fear in
them and snatching away their basic right to live freely, the right to safety
and the right of belongingness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This country belongs to women as much as it belongs to men. Its
roads, trains, cabs, nightlife, beaches, hotels, restaurants, movie theatres
--- everything equally belongs to them. We do not need to fear to use any of
them, at any time of the day or night or with anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whenever I come home late from office or outside, all my
mother worried about was my health. But one brutal rape shakes the entire
country and boom ---- all mothers are worried about their daughter’s safety.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly counseling begins, advises flow from every person you
know, defense techniques like martial arts are encouraged to be mastered ---
all this for a ‘just-in-case’ situation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don’t wish to learn survival techniques. I don’t wish to
live in a society in survival and fear. I refuse to accept a gender biased
crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am this country’s daughter and I have every right to live
freely as every other citizen. I will not fear and succumb to maniacs. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If anything has to change, then it should be the society and
the mindset of people living in this society. If you blame your actions for women
and their ‘inappropriate clothes’, then what explanation do you have for raping
a 3 year old kid?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Men, you need to change your attitude and accept women for
the way they are. Hold yourself liable for actions you take on account of your
own filth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Change now, for your own mothers, sisters and daughters, for
we are not feared of you and we shall never be.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-82261912528977217462012-11-06T16:15:00.000+05:302012-11-06T16:16:56.588+05:30Monsoon on the beaches of Gokarna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXUY956qozyZfy6y6wPhmsw58iORCU1Pi_k6jZS9ssmBkVY1KZy6KbHzwkt0qvKQMefY77G-8Aw-fvRJ2UNueg6LKUvKbYvk8MWQAOX6xqkqNPStBuAfIJZojhCHpjC8TmFFxEoRj8_o/s1600/DSC_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXUY956qozyZfy6y6wPhmsw58iORCU1Pi_k6jZS9ssmBkVY1KZy6KbHzwkt0qvKQMefY77G-8Aw-fvRJ2UNueg6LKUvKbYvk8MWQAOX6xqkqNPStBuAfIJZojhCHpjC8TmFFxEoRj8_o/s640/DSC_0480.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pouring heavily outside as I’m snuggled up with a copy of my
favorite author Ruskin Bonds’ stories of the hills and mountains.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s a Sunday afternoon. However the sky paints a different
picture of dark grey clouds and patches of colorful rainbows, giving the
afternoon a late evening look. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cool, sweet-smelling air wafts into my room through the open
window as my mind travels and relives the memories of my visit to the beaches
of Gokarna.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About Gokarna:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gokarna, a small town in north Karnataka is a religious as
well as tourist place, with legendary temples and beautiful beaches adorning
it. It is a little ahead of Goa, but relatively less commercialized and less
populated – which made it an instant pick over Goa, for a relaxing experience
on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How to reach:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can take any train which plies between Mumbai and
Mangalore and depending on the train; you can either get down at Gokarna Road
station or at the next station, which is ‘Kumta’. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We boarded the Mangalore Express superfast train from Panvel,
which had no stop at Gokarna, yet luck found us and the train got a signal
exactly at Gokarna station where taking full opportunity of the situation, we jumped
off the train without any platform to land on. It was our first kick start to
the vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From the station you can take a cab or a rick to reach the
town/beach. They charge anywhere between </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Rupee Foradian","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">`</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">400-</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Rupee Foradian","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">`</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">600 for the trip. We took the only cab – an Omni –parked
outside the station and barged in after bargaining it to</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Rupee Foradian","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">`</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">500. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where to stay:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We first wanted to stay at a beach resort. However the
resort we tried turned out to be very congested and had smaller rooms. And also
it was way ahead of the town.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After much contemplation and many trips to different hotels
we took lodging in a humble and peaceful hotel right in the middle of the town
which is about 2 minutes from the temple and 3 minutes from the main beach.
Hotel Savitri was clean, open, spacious and very cheap – exactly what we were
looking for!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What to eat:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The food is simple and you can give your taste buds some
nice authentic South Indian cuisine. There is one restaurant in town called
‘Pai Hotel’ which provides some simple food at relatively low price.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can have beer or coffee and enjoy the breeze sitting in
Namaste Café which is bang opposite the Om Beach. It’s serene and picture
perfect to watch the sea, hear the waves, and enjoy your drink.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The only disappointment for my friends was that they
couldn’t find authentic sea food – fish, prawns et al, which we finally managed
to get hold of on our last day of vacation in Kumta.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sands and Beaches:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gokarna boasts of 3 key beaches --- Main beach or Gokarna
beach, Kudle beach and Om beach. Gokarna beach and Kudle beach lie in the same
stretch and you need to trek a small hill to reach Om beach on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The beaches are clean and less populated. Drizzling rains
and noisy waves made for a beautiful evening on the beach. We built castles,
played in water, jumped high when a wave arrived, shouted and cried when a wave
hit, whined when the waves pulled the sand beneath our feet, posed in different
angles for photographs set against the wild sea, had hot chai and returned back
to our hotel drenched in happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What does the legends at Gokarna say:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jealous of Ravana’s mother’s prayers to Shiva, the Lord of
Heaven – Indra, stole the Shiv Linga and dropped it into the ocean. Seeing his
distraught mother, Ravana promised that he will go to Mount Kailash and bring
the Atma Linga for her worship. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ravana performed severe penance and pleased Lord Shiva, who
in turn bestowed boons upon Ravana. Ravana asked for the Atma Linga. Shiva
pulled out the Atma Linga from his own heart and gave it to Ravana with strict
instructions that it should not be placed on ground till it was sanctified at a
final destination otherwise it would establish itself wherever it is placed on
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Afraid that Ravana with his renewed power and the Atma Linga
might cause problems, various Gods in heaven appealed to Shiva for redress from
this unwanted situation. Shiva pledged that Lord Vishnu would redeem the
situation. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On his way back to Lanka, Ravana stops for his evening
prayers in Gokarna. He saw Ganesha (Lord Ganpati) in the disguise of a shepherd
boy and asked him to hold the Atma Linga until he finished his prayers. Taking
advantage of the opportunity Ganesha put the Atma Linga on ground and vanished.
Ravana tried to chase Ganesha and the cows that he was shepherding. However he
could catch hold of only an ear of the last vanishing cow. Hence this place was
given the name ‘Gokarna’ (in Sanskrit 'Gow' means "cow" and 'karna'
means "ear").<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite several attempts Ravana could not excavate the Linga
and had to accept defeat. Finally Ravana gave the name ‘Mahabaleshwar’ (meaning
all-powerful’) to the Atma Linga and it is now built as a temple. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verdict:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you stay in or around Mumbai, Bangalore or Mangalore and
want a quiet retreat for 3-4 days then Gokarna is the place to be. With its
picturesque beaches minus the crowds, mythical temples, simplistic lifestyle,
and peaceful atmosphere Gokarna should definitely be on your travel list.</span></i></div>
</div>
Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-71532829542971659472012-10-18T16:16:00.000+05:302012-10-18T16:17:15.572+05:30Heart Desires the Forbidden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDZtIlscNh5vuhCTh-yDSjDQXA7K9fMjPbFbpsI1ooxlutLJZh0uIiVv7uMCaVVoyWFbLPh-NZtGFQ0_tEbLi4B3ZKj926cs9UDOSdpnSLiRx4TFA-lC_W0J1K5RCnW1Ywun-F3mEGvM/s1600/services_infidelity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDZtIlscNh5vuhCTh-yDSjDQXA7K9fMjPbFbpsI1ooxlutLJZh0uIiVv7uMCaVVoyWFbLPh-NZtGFQ0_tEbLi4B3ZKj926cs9UDOSdpnSLiRx4TFA-lC_W0J1K5RCnW1Ywun-F3mEGvM/s640/services_infidelity.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tried to concentrate on the pile of work lying on her desk.
It was a Monday morning and with backlogs from the week before, she was
inundated with loads of them. But the last thing she wanted right now was work.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was finding it absolutely difficult to concentrate or
even sit at her office desk with Raghav sitting diagonally opposite to her and
every few seconds their eyes met and a feeling of discomfort sank in.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She tried to ignore and get back to her work, but destiny behaved
in a harsh way with her as she was assigned a project which was to be worked in
collaboration with Raghav. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raghav mailed and let her know that they will start on the
project after lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lunch approached quickly and Divya tried to flush down
morsels of food with huge gulps of water since she had lost appetite for food
or anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saturday night incident appeared in flashes and she had to
fight back her tears, which challenged to drop any moment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why did she get totally drunk in her office party and then
do stuff she was bound to be unhappy and ashamed of? Why didn’t she stop
herself from going forward and strangely, why did she enjoy what she did? Why
were there no regrets or remorse of what happened?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When she failed to answer these questions, she pushed the
rest of the food down her throat and got up for a walk outside the office. All
she needed now was fresh air and some sunshine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She went out in the sunny weather and drenched herself with the
afternoon sun and warm air. She thought about the consequences of her Saturday
night act and the impact it will have on her for the next few days.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She had this nagging feeling that though she is going crazy
with all such thoughts, Raghav seemed to be unfazed by anything. He was as
normal as any day and nothing seemed to affect him at all. This thought made
her even more livid and she vowed herself to stop thinking at all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She returned back to her desk and saw Raghav waiting for
her. It was way past lunch time and it was time she loathed having to spend. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She sat silently and began opening all files and folders
related to the project. While they were discussing work, Raghav got a call. The
screen flashed a name and Divya instantly knew who it was and saw Raghav
shifting uncomfortably on his chair when their eyes met.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She encouraged him to take the call and tried to focus on the
assignment. She could hear him whisper to his girl that he is caught with work
and will return back her call soon. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya felt a pang of jealousy and uneasiness as Raghav spoke
to his girlfriend. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She could hear his voice croaking in her ears as he spoke to
Divya the other day when they were utterly drunk and were quite vulnerable to
each other. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She felt her quivering lips on his and the way their lips
danced around with each other. She felt the warmth that ran through her body
when he undid her shirt buttons and felt her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She felt the hunger in both their bodies as they tried to
grope and fondle each other. She felt a passion, a desire that her body had
yearned for in the past couple of months since Tarun had left the city for his
new job in Bangalore. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tarun – remembering this name her senses returned back and
she found herself sweating profusely. She left abruptly for the washroom and
slapped several gallons of cold water onto her face to get back to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She returned feeling hot and flushed. One look at Raghav
told her that he understood her dilemma. “Oh, can he really understand my
dilemma?” thought Divya. He doesn’t even have a hint of what she had undergone
in the last few hours after the incident. He didn’t even have the courtesy to call
or message and ask if everything was alright. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But no problem”, thought Divya “I’m going to make sure I’m
absolutely all right and be as normal as I can be”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She came around and took her seat and got back to what they
were doing. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Their knees brushed each other under the desk as they were
working, bringing them back to a standstill. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sensing the tension between them, Raghav motioned Divya to
step out of the office for a few minutes since he wanted to discuss certain
things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya was hesitant but went ahead anyway. They moved to the
smoking zone and Raghav lit a cigarette before looking into Divya’s eyes.
“We’ll have to get back to being normal as soon as possible, since that’s the
only solution we have right now” went Raghav. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya hung her head low while listening to his ramblings of “it
was not right”, “it was a mistake”, “we have to move on”, and “relax and chill”.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She looked up into eyes and said, “I know everything that
you are saying, yet my heart desires the forbidden, my mind warns me but my
heart is singing a different tune all together”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya bit her lips after uttering these words. “What was I
just rattling off? What has got to me? This is absolutely absurd, absolutely
bizarre”. She looked stunned at herself, at what she had just spoken. All she
could do to avoid embarrassment was to run away from the scene and she did just
that.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walking nervously back to her desk, she continued looking at
the screen, while forming fresh images of her last moments of togetherness with
Raghav. She felt ashamed, embarrassed, ridiculous, hurt and abused, all at the
same time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even though she had the guilt of what she did, Divya liked
what happened and started to nurture a feeling, which can be termed totally
wrong, yet pleasant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She knew she had to come out of this and shift back her
loyalty. Yet an unsaid emotion was growing inside her.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With great difficulty she went back to her work and tried to
finish it before she left for the day. Raghav returned, discussed work and went
back to his seat. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day ended with difficulty and so did the next few days.
Divya started to return back to her normal self but with a bruise which was
fading away slowly yet imprinted with a permanent mark. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raghav and Divya continued to meet, discuss and work
together but it was strictly professional and nothing was discussed beyond
that.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Days flew and Tarun was due to visit Mumbai in a couple of
days. Divya decided to tell him everything. They met at the airport and went
straight to a restaurant to have dinner. Tarun was happily chatting about his
new job and how things are shaping up in his new office.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Divya looked lost but tried to put up an interesting face.
Finally when she could take no more, she blurted out every single aspect of the
story, talking about her professional relationship with Raghav, about the
office party where she got herself heavily drunk and ultimately to her infidelity,
even if it was only for an evening. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tarun listened to her patiently but his face flushed red
with every single description of the story. Divya could see anger ooze out of
his eyes and she could say no more.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tarun walked out of the restaurant after paying the bill and
didn’t stop to see if Divya was still with him. Divya tagged along and was
apologizing profusely, yet Tarun didn’t stop.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finally after reaching a less crowded street, he offered his
anger by mentioning that she has acted like a typical whore and that he doesn’t
want her in his life ever. Divya cried, pleaded, begged, but it had no effect
on Tarun. He left her crying and sobbing on the street and took a cab and left.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While Divya was still crying on the pavement of an unknown
street, Tarun called a number on his cell phone and excitedly gave the news that
the problem has been solved by itself and now nothing can ever keep them apart.
He just broke up with his girlfriend and there’s no stopping from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Wait till I get back to Bangalore Baby!” he purred into the
cell phone. Keeping the phone down, Tarun smiled to himself thinking how very
lucky he is. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He had started to like Aisha from the time he was introduced
to her in his new office. He began dating her shortly after and was thinking of
ways to get rid of Divya. He did get rid of Divya, and how! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Smiling and chuckling he headed towards his home while Divya
was bleeding her heart out on the street cursing herself and praying for
Tarun’s forgiveness.</span></i></div>
</div>
Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-16344465438924210642012-09-05T15:06:00.000+05:302012-09-05T17:55:47.030+05:30Street Delight <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSdjgdwhyf_3DkWAq-7KD5d2Hm33sN6Yf2jc6HxIiCI2N4gt6TV-uuVpQ_gRzWfwFOJCHL4YjtJnc9UjUdcS3SPWPkNogHKAQ7XQbRhUXmwaeh6xqVr0cT3mFadnpGKWJd43H5cBQ_pk/s1600/shopping-is-fun-2011-12-2-4-24-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSdjgdwhyf_3DkWAq-7KD5d2Hm33sN6Yf2jc6HxIiCI2N4gt6TV-uuVpQ_gRzWfwFOJCHL4YjtJnc9UjUdcS3SPWPkNogHKAQ7XQbRhUXmwaeh6xqVr0cT3mFadnpGKWJd43H5cBQ_pk/s1600/shopping-is-fun-2011-12-2-4-24-10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic street shopping</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">“250 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ka? Kya bhaiya
hamesha ka customer ke saath aisa karoge? Reasonable rate kardo, 100 mein de
do!” Sounds familiar? Have you heard yourself speak these words to the street
shop owner with authority and élan and managed to bag a bargain yet again? Then
welcome to a delightful experience of shopping on the streets!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Street shopping gives such an adrenaline
rush which any other adventure fails to match up with.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our generation has thrived shopping on
the streets of Mumbai. The main haunts were Linking Road, Hill Road, Colaba
Causeway and Fashion Street (famously called FS). I remember carrying 1,000
rupees in my pocket during my college days and shopping for the next 6 months
in these streets. Ah! Good times!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAEvWM_zCb0folT2I9z-dAXSmcMLSCYPZLVDclm0kB_5Yld-8LycgFgTKCcaILnwBJlVwPzbwTrWZiKq-dGNSg51xJNjZH5nPJKxAMxLGBCQR9NXVF_D1hhrfEv2nvtaVRfUXmuXAgf8/s1600/4443_2_Inorbit_Mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAEvWM_zCb0folT2I9z-dAXSmcMLSCYPZLVDclm0kB_5Yld-8LycgFgTKCcaILnwBJlVwPzbwTrWZiKq-dGNSg51xJNjZH5nPJKxAMxLGBCQR9NXVF_D1hhrfEv2nvtaVRfUXmuXAgf8/s320/4443_2_Inorbit_Mall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inorbit mall - Vashi</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And then one day big, wonderful
looking, glass paned malls came and voila our attention and loyalties were
diverted instantly. Taken in by the beauty and charm of the malls we spent
almost all of our free time in these malls, until the shops shut down and we
were practically shoved out of the mall.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Picture this. Today, a typical Saturday
or Sunday evening goes like this – go for a movie at the multiplex in one of
these malls, come out having ridiculously priced popcorns & samosas, do a
little window shopping before we reach the right product at the right price and
place (waiting at the never-ending trial room queue and then at the bill
counter), end it with a dinner usually at McDonalds or Dominoes (after a fight
for the table and chair as half the population of Mumbai is jammed in here) and
go back home with a lesser weighing pocket and even lesser satisfaction. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgbDzpJjlTNuE8HFDe8O-EvFDL7tI3YkxodWPdNtAtiN_uuKdyijn5kcB_ao1n_LHbm-9Pq0Ouc6ToSoh9BcdJKrRJs-ubSwsiyjPa_nuFqkG2w4maFmKiZvzEy07-_sPVQOqSHUoq6c/s1600/causeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgbDzpJjlTNuE8HFDe8O-EvFDL7tI3YkxodWPdNtAtiN_uuKdyijn5kcB_ao1n_LHbm-9Pq0Ouc6ToSoh9BcdJKrRJs-ubSwsiyjPa_nuFqkG2w4maFmKiZvzEy07-_sPVQOqSHUoq6c/s320/causeway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colaba Causeway in Mumbai</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gone are the days when we sweated it
out on the streets buying stuff from almost every shop (since every shop had
something unique and priced low), take a break and have a sugarcane juice from
a corner shop, go back to shop some more, break for lunch (which mostly
consisted of sandwiches and dosas from another street vendor), rest, shop,
stroll, shop, drink, shop, and finally go through all the shops once more to
make sure you haven’t missed out anything before taking a train back home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> After
our fight for a window seat we settle down and go through all our purchases
which are haphazardly thrust into plastic bags (it was legal then :-D) and
compare stuff until the entire compartment is clued onto your exhibition.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC19AFmaCZMO1cM6c3m_r9Vq6XfrytsbSEoKnTSVwLXHOPzjxtuChYb2CJZlQ4sRA6dFVfS81PdOEhTsiaF7bU81uOn3-gWqGJLhpwcbGplOVxK1xDoX8tqyeucoQUMQedAnH3siQSpaw/s1600/18+Pincode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC19AFmaCZMO1cM6c3m_r9Vq6XfrytsbSEoKnTSVwLXHOPzjxtuChYb2CJZlQ4sRA6dFVfS81PdOEhTsiaF7bU81uOn3-gWqGJLhpwcbGplOVxK1xDoX8tqyeucoQUMQedAnH3siQSpaw/s320/18+Pincode.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping in groups is fun!</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">These shopping excursions were usually
taken by a group of girls/boys. So it was fun and excitement on the one hand
and it proved to be useful taking in loads of advises before we zero in on any
purchase.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We still recall how a particular girl in
college wore a similar T-shirt we bought from these streets and swearing never
to wear them again, how we regret not buying a bag which was quite cool and we
had extinguished all our cash and had to return without it, how we loaned each
other so that a friend could buy a sandal she was eyeing and longed for, how a
firang or a new-to-street-shopping girl had to shell out 500 bucks for the same
skirt you purchased for a mere 150 rupees.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was total fun and showed the spirit
of shopping together, spending time with friends and made for some memorable
picture to reminisce down the years.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Street shopping, I assume, is one of
the best memories of being in college and it prepared us to be decision makers
early in our life (what with deciding which color of the same T-shirt looks
good or which bag will match your recent purchase of cute mojaris :P).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX7w2gJRddzxNlXV5Sk98GohEgYylxWhL5KKPESDnSDdb2NCquAxBIaawF4RvA_M_4qnkIUu3LKLwGxzQUxykSHOtjCSyPA7TQGqIjOfCqQTaffT9efxgfm8U3LyFoi8Z4SGGMjtaUA8/s1600/shopping-bag-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX7w2gJRddzxNlXV5Sk98GohEgYylxWhL5KKPESDnSDdb2NCquAxBIaawF4RvA_M_4qnkIUu3LKLwGxzQUxykSHOtjCSyPA7TQGqIjOfCqQTaffT9efxgfm8U3LyFoi8Z4SGGMjtaUA8/s200/shopping-bag-icon.jpg" width="146" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hope to continue this legacy of shopping
and to make our road side vendors or ‘bhaiya’s’ (as they are fondly addressed) a
little more rich!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So where will you be </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">this weekend</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">?</span></i></span></div>
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Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-40799719425294671762012-07-30T14:43:00.000+05:302012-07-30T14:44:20.951+05:30Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lNBUv4GnHNIc6sFQd2jqaUF69c9_2vgBx2lGK7nltXxeTu43MC9CXTvqTojdxbywhcPBixaB7KarJ-yKSS00Il_HrN4J0YtgF8x_V_BRksfvem26WRcbHS2WkYfTtBbrVLcpZdjwTUo/s1600/reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lNBUv4GnHNIc6sFQd2jqaUF69c9_2vgBx2lGK7nltXxeTu43MC9CXTvqTojdxbywhcPBixaB7KarJ-yKSS00Il_HrN4J0YtgF8x_V_BRksfvem26WRcbHS2WkYfTtBbrVLcpZdjwTUo/s640/reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">look at her.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She is quiet and still.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I approach her hesitantly. With trembling hands I lift her
chin up.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her eyes bore into mine yet they seem distant and aloof, as
if searching something far behind mine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She does not move. She is still.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I smile and she makes a futile attempt at the same.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her eyes well up instantly and I feel the wetness on my
cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I encourage her and she spoke through her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I push along and she pulled back, afraid to cross the line.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She became quiet again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With quivering lips she muttered something.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I thought I heard my name.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I looked at her and she vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She vanished, leaving me to my reflection and my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-48072820128239684252012-06-13T14:28:00.001+05:302012-06-13T14:28:53.553+05:30Dasvidaniya - Until we meet again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;">Dasvidaniya </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">or ‘Goodbye’ is not just a word but a very sincere emotion,
an emotion which you feel when one fine day a very close and dear friend leaves
you and moves on with life and you are left with nothing but precious memories
and empty promises to meet again. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">However, what will truly remain is the fact that we met; the
fact that we shared a beautiful chapter of our life with that wonderful person.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Ishika, a person whom I met 5 years ago, contributed to that
special chapter in my life and will always remain a part of it. She was truly
unique and exclusive in many ways, and I’m sure people who’ve interacted with
her will approve and agree with me. I’ve often commented that she is a
single-piece manufacture and nobody else can be like her.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I’ve argued, debated, laughed and sobbed with her. I’ve
shared dirty jokes, personal problems and several fleeting emotions with her.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">She is an epitome of liveliness and full-on energy. <br />Nobody
can beat her in window shopping ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">She used to grumble and whine about Mumbai since her
relocation from Calcutta, and most of the time we ended up arguing which city
is the best.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">She often lured us to come to her hometown for all the
special places, shopping sprees, roadside eateries and Durga Puja. Though she
stayed in Mumbai, her heart lay in Calcutta. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Now that she is leaving Mumbai I know that somewhere she
would miss this city and would definitely praise Mumbai with all her heart to
fellow Calcuttians. Somewhere surely a part of her heart would continue to live
in Mumbai.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">So when Ishika decided to leave Mumbai and move back to
Calcutta, it’s only fair that we give her a royal farewell. After much
deliberation, we fixed a date for the surprise party. I called up past friends
and team members and asked them to be a part of this surprise party:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">And then what, cake was cut:</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQb-pxKmZd56hU96fBCKX3rbkQ804ENPoOOkJN34YUqLHcWOgc_cRBY2BXuQ-wqBUZ-IEwK4kwVEhF-aWMqONXElTpTfLtPosN0IvaPmLpdDupd9B3t9mC0RYal2jQx8j9tM80x9pchg/s1600/DSC03802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQb-pxKmZd56hU96fBCKX3rbkQ804ENPoOOkJN34YUqLHcWOgc_cRBY2BXuQ-wqBUZ-IEwK4kwVEhF-aWMqONXElTpTfLtPosN0IvaPmLpdDupd9B3t9mC0RYal2jQx8j9tM80x9pchg/s640/DSC03802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Food was served:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ahe11y2hzuBDMZ9BFCCXnkRWdhM-wdJBDtvmDxogK17cBVCa-HL6MFjFYQqhn3y19D4Zg3hiix0Zz2my1zf-nQfJOkr7sM_04jbfQ0XcBR5UaYzoez4lSm-Dt_KADfcNB4M_X_8WSh4/s1600/DSC03810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ahe11y2hzuBDMZ9BFCCXnkRWdhM-wdJBDtvmDxogK17cBVCa-HL6MFjFYQqhn3y19D4Zg3hiix0Zz2my1zf-nQfJOkr7sM_04jbfQ0XcBR5UaYzoez4lSm-Dt_KADfcNB4M_X_8WSh4/s640/DSC03810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Liquor flowed:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHCe6JgW0O6nr2-Pn8gW9CrZT6XgBTpQOxh_9rSPLX6-AuamrsxAB6ByaIw23B9rSIhFZwK13pSifBuU-PDmSBhRytb6WMFBL19yATFfmdhL0X6M578Dcm8pPt6Fp2eL70uYDLvL0UaA/s1600/DSC03825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHCe6JgW0O6nr2-Pn8gW9CrZT6XgBTpQOxh_9rSPLX6-AuamrsxAB6ByaIw23B9rSIhFZwK13pSifBuU-PDmSBhRytb6WMFBL19yATFfmdhL0X6M578Dcm8pPt6Fp2eL70uYDLvL0UaA/s640/DSC03825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">And everybody made for a perfect picture, eating, drinking
and chatting.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYkD-HWneb8_bK9C-m7FfKHAhhiCi7oYgn62GYsEFss2tWWyC0CBpvcbaYBNpsuwW4D8AFRrHw-sFT1TT1XHrOYC_6Tr9ZY_PW25LIuMtYgv8jfg9feRXmP57zUV-m6fMRM3xIZ880pU/s1600/DSC03780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYkD-HWneb8_bK9C-m7FfKHAhhiCi7oYgn62GYsEFss2tWWyC0CBpvcbaYBNpsuwW4D8AFRrHw-sFT1TT1XHrOYC_6Tr9ZY_PW25LIuMtYgv8jfg9feRXmP57zUV-m6fMRM3xIZ880pU/s640/DSC03780.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-8784565735209989202012-05-14T11:48:00.001+05:302012-05-14T11:48:42.072+05:30Satyameva Jayate – May Truth Prevail!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jf7FSjMYezOquSPJh8NiEVy1zAt9wedTafipdR8lJYpE9BPca28n0W-VhUz5n9SOh0q-CPhCjTytVcpWznAVE6HiKihnf06w8rC5vOyz90I7ezxB7N3YR6xzeP_MwWWrL67OCQBB6qU/s1600/groffr-satyameva-jayate-aamir-khan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jf7FSjMYezOquSPJh8NiEVy1zAt9wedTafipdR8lJYpE9BPca28n0W-VhUz5n9SOh0q-CPhCjTytVcpWznAVE6HiKihnf06w8rC5vOyz90I7ezxB7N3YR6xzeP_MwWWrL67OCQBB6qU/s640/groffr-satyameva-jayate-aamir-khan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aamir Khan on the promo ad for 'Satyameva Jayate'. Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satyameva Jayate! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The name itself is enough to offer
goose bumps to true patriots. And so a show with this name can never go wrong
for a true Indian to whom the truth is served in a platter with a hard-hitting tagline
‘Jab dil pe lagegi, tab hi baat banegi’</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The national motto of India (which is inscribed in
Devanagari script at the base of the national emblem) has been adopted as the
title name of Aamir Khan’s venture in television, a show that talks about a
number of social issues faced in (a not so) shining India.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After a lot of speculations and marketing efforts, the show
was finally aired last Sunday (6<sup>th</sup> May, 2012). To be frank, I
did not remember to watch it. On a lazy Sunday morning while flicking through
channels (a ritual and favorite pastime), I landed just in time to catch the
show begin on Star Plus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aamir – the perfectionist that he is, made sure that the
introduction to the show was as classy and impeccable as the star himself.
However, the hero of the show was not the star, but the cause, the content and
the contestants. This is a thoroughly researched (by team), well produced (by
production house) and superbly communicated (by Aamir) show which kept me
hooked onto it till the very end.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People who failed to watch the show asked me whether it was
melodramatic, since all reality shows and social issue based shows are bound to
be dramatic. I would say it was a well-balanced and well controlled show, not
letting any emotion to be prolonging or too boring.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Though Aamir did shed a tear or two (along with the
audience), but then who's complaining, after all we are Indians and we exhibit emotions regardless
of anything, and he is an actor!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The format of the show was interestingly strung together
with contestants and their stories, facts and statistics, Aamir’s ease with the
audience and some light moments.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All said and done, I’m only hoping that this show doesn’t
fizzle by the end of its season and lives up to its expectations. Also, don’t want
this show to be just another show where issues are highlighted and then left
hanging. Courage to face the issues and initiatives to correct them should be
the final outcome of this show.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aamir Khan can only bring the issues to the forefront, how
we as audience and as Indians react to it is something to be looked forward to.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satyameva Jayate – May Truth Prevail!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-10214177663673706202012-05-07T18:04:00.000+05:302012-05-07T18:10:11.862+05:30A visit to the hills - Travelogue I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 26pt;">They </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">say the preparation to a vacation is much
more enjoyable than the vacation itself. And I truly believe in this adage, now
that I’m experiencing it :-)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">It’s the month of May and May brings freshness in the form
of a holiday for many. So how can I be left behind? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I’ll be off to my summer vacations very soon with my friends
(Neha, Nikhil (Nair), Nikhil & myself), to the quaint hills of the north.
To be precise it’s gonna be a tour to Darjeeling, Gangtok and North Sikkim.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8cIGIOCuzeaiioaxVKUKsrjH_vpaRALEwHyTuFueo1yINZsy26Hd3PPHj_adLB-sWr5ddUp7EFmudQpZk3ozE-TgeDpcC1Qlw7DraeUBaH-3-8I2bVAgPwZNNS4NHCrHc5Xv_nq_Kuk/s1600/Darjeeling2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8cIGIOCuzeaiioaxVKUKsrjH_vpaRALEwHyTuFueo1yINZsy26Hd3PPHj_adLB-sWr5ddUp7EFmudQpZk3ozE-TgeDpcC1Qlw7DraeUBaH-3-8I2bVAgPwZNNS4NHCrHc5Xv_nq_Kuk/s640/Darjeeling2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darjeeling Tea Estate, West Bengal (Source: Internet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Even though the trip is to be commenced on 24<sup>th</sup>
May, the experience through which I’m going through right now is unexplainable.
There are a hundred emotions running through my mind and random thoughts which
crop up every now and then. This is truly what they call pre-vacation pleasure
and I felt the need to jot down this experience, lest it be elapsed in the traffic
of my thoughts.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Presenting to you, my experiences of pre-vacation excitement
and the subsequent day-dreaming about the same:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Vacation means shopping – both before and during – and so I
think of the number of shopping excursions I need to undertake so as to spend
my 10 day vacation in style and comfort. Not to forget the luggage which will
accommodate my brand new purchase along with my toiletries, accessories, books
and other wanted and unwanted things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the night before my trip, when I check and double
check all my packed items against the checklist of items to carry.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the sleepless night before the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the wonderful day when I get to leave office at 2pm,
as against the usual 7 or 8, to take my train from Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
to Howrah. This is just the beginning (*grin*)!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think about the hurried and hasty drive to the station
(since I stop in between to shop some more) while thinking about my friends
curses and abuses about my penchant for punctuality (the lack of it, that is)
and I reach just in time to catch the train.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think about the chaos in the train before everyone settles
down. I think about the last minute remembrance to get a bottle of water or a
pack of chips, to attend goodbye calls from family and friends and
lecture/advise calls from mom, I think about winning the fight for window seat
after I deposit the luggage, I hear the announcement blaring on the intercom signaling
the train’s departure and catch a glimpse of the station before it blurs off, silently
praying to the Almighty for a safe journey.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the co-passengers with whom we will be sharing
the compartment, who will either entertain us or bore us to the end.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the food served on the Duronto (we will be taking
the CST-Howrah Duronto) and immediately the taste of the chicken curry, the slurping
sound made by Nair while finishing off his soup, flicking off a salad from
Neha’s plate, the request for a second helping of desert from Nikhil, comes to
my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think about the games we plan to play in our journey
(cards and UNO for our entertainment and antakshari and dumb charades to
entertain and frustrate others), and when we are bored of annoying each other (and
others), we will silently return to the world of books.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">I think of the
scenery unfolding before my eyes through the tinted glass window and snuggle up
with a cup of chai to relish the moment.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcyBAIXDzglzTSsBfVk887nDx8FPAaNtdkSPIsqaVrRlTBr5G8NOGkQUmhhAgXeg0LR3pDQ2v9PLA8mhAi1sN8yuojdlVsgeihhwd8NcIOBf1WUTct7apKCDp8ShzmrTGiWdPEZwmSjI/s1600/Gurudongmar_lake-State_of_Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcyBAIXDzglzTSsBfVk887nDx8FPAaNtdkSPIsqaVrRlTBr5G8NOGkQUmhhAgXeg0LR3pDQ2v9PLA8mhAi1sN8yuojdlVsgeihhwd8NcIOBf1WUTct7apKCDp8ShzmrTGiWdPEZwmSjI/s640/Gurudongmar_lake-State_of_Sikkim.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim (Source: Internet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br />I think of all these and many more, however, some of these
experiences I want to cherish and write when I’m actually visiting them. Watch
out this space for more on my travel-o-experience and some scintillating
photographs.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Adios!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-11228723862739959302012-04-11T18:00:00.001+05:302012-04-11T18:06:10.416+05:30Appraisals kab hai, kab hai appraisals?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 26pt;">It’s </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">April – and it’s that time of the year which a Corporate Employee recognizes as an important milestone in one’s career. Yes, its Appraisal Time!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> Appraisals – the one word which creates more suspense than an entire series of Sherlock Holmes books put together or garners more attention than any IPL season or Bollywood blockbuster release.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">So here we are, all set to receive the news of a pay hike either through an envelope indicating that extra money you have slogged for or awaiting the month end for your salary account to disclose the same.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Having no high hopes of my own increment, I was wondering about the type of people we encounter in this phase of ‘high-undue-tension’.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzIEUQBsbYPTv7TM5JwpUQKOCQ_e46DGhtaWEly0pbt55ecPCWMVXW9n3U9wc5p1bL_AgrNFc_ir-IheDcEheZd2EKYCSnMnoBJqlaGO7TSdIUzuMP9Scj5rDlNyPOpLP8H7Z1wKoljE/s1600/Chintamani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzIEUQBsbYPTv7TM5JwpUQKOCQ_e46DGhtaWEly0pbt55ecPCWMVXW9n3U9wc5p1bL_AgrNFc_ir-IheDcEheZd2EKYCSnMnoBJqlaGO7TSdIUzuMP9Scj5rDlNyPOpLP8H7Z1wKoljE/s200/Chintamani.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Chintamani (always the bothered and worried):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">No matter what, Mr. Chintamani is out looking for chinta (tension), even if it’s not due in his account. He is the one who will initiate the ‘appraisal’ conversation right from November and will go on asking people what they think about the pay hike this year and the market condition for the same. He will crib and cry till the last day of his knowledge about the salary raise and then keep mum after he is appraised. And mind you, no one ever comes to know how much increment he gets!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uehZvP2uSnEz3otLeDC7mr8AxxWFbe1hNSJZ_Cg_RIypG2WVyaUFz4AsGbuEk19cPKIwBciDx_iOfAzXJTyG6B_mDCkUgaT6fJo2arM0GZyiuLmu90TA3NJoVNdKwXIwyVclFM40Xz0/s1600/cool_dude.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uehZvP2uSnEz3otLeDC7mr8AxxWFbe1hNSJZ_Cg_RIypG2WVyaUFz4AsGbuEk19cPKIwBciDx_iOfAzXJTyG6B_mDCkUgaT6fJo2arM0GZyiuLmu90TA3NJoVNdKwXIwyVclFM40Xz0/s200/cool_dude.gif" width="80" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Chillpill (always the cool and may appear a fool):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">He’s the cool dude of the gang and is not worried about boring things like salary hikes. He is unfazed about the company’s decision to rate him and is content with everything. If at all corporates thought that he is the right person for their organization, since he is not bothered about money matters, then they need to rethink. Mr. Chillpill is usually the one who job-hops and makes attrition rates in a company to soar.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbxctPqSV24CSjd79ZXxadFvVHiZWjPXFFVNcJiKNsjn_u-Cevc9u-OG9wziOam7JBgKyPaNnKqeHB1Fnt8DU1hUYmIu-FYjiLCnDrB3fXaskpQyXU6eBxDM_8MuAhyqS6hUoVcQNPSE/s1600/CCTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbxctPqSV24CSjd79ZXxadFvVHiZWjPXFFVNcJiKNsjn_u-Cevc9u-OG9wziOam7JBgKyPaNnKqeHB1Fnt8DU1hUYmIu-FYjiLCnDrB3fXaskpQyXU6eBxDM_8MuAhyqS6hUoVcQNPSE/s200/CCTV.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. CCTV (always on red alert):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">The name suggests it all. He is the watchdog of the boss and the company in general, who is majorly appointed for his skills in accumulating and giving up-to-date news about other employees and what business they are up to. So even if you’ve had a manicure or plucked out your eyebrow, or you take numerous trips to the loo (yeah, seriously – someone keeps a tab on it as well) to the hours you spend on phone calls, it’s sure to appear on his list of ‘to be informed’. Be wary about him, since he can make peanuts more appealing than your salary if you mess with him. And as far as his own appraisals are concerned – by the way who is concerned about him!<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZGt7uo3HgsY26oyfAB0uHJydZ12WJJbfyvKP9w9D3meBX5-JcZqO6ofQi4URpgGx2XJ6jhyVrGmkyrtI1zXy0SJjtyUvggGO_oKfVXAeoovhe9rQ_S2cFZ8CAdIZuWSwtCaZVYK9nk/s1600/Chaatu.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZGt7uo3HgsY26oyfAB0uHJydZ12WJJbfyvKP9w9D3meBX5-JcZqO6ofQi4URpgGx2XJ6jhyVrGmkyrtI1zXy0SJjtyUvggGO_oKfVXAeoovhe9rQ_S2cFZ8CAdIZuWSwtCaZVYK9nk/s200/Chaatu.gif" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Chaato-till-your-tongues-are-parched (born with a silver spoon for all that chamchagiri):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">He needs no introduction. He exists in every organization, in every department and in every team. God! Does he ever feel thirsty with parchment due to the continuous ‘chatofying’ and ‘lal-tapkofying’? He is the one who will notice your boss’ silly haircut and compliment it no matter what. He laughs at the boss’ PJ and will also contribute to it. However he is less dangerous than Mr. CCTV, since he is concerned more about his own business and does all this for pure self – interest.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hbcEPJdKYuAGxFgswKC-gucof3e-48aWHoGA0XmWJsLoXx8i_lfTVXO-xmvDCRxDNFmJ1tgsIP0bezbSyg5ISTHknGqIsYxkyUvmx31ge9xlTfmEDMOg08FzWXoo0GXnP1ujYRbFcEM/s1600/chupa+rustam.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hbcEPJdKYuAGxFgswKC-gucof3e-48aWHoGA0XmWJsLoXx8i_lfTVXO-xmvDCRxDNFmJ1tgsIP0bezbSyg5ISTHknGqIsYxkyUvmx31ge9xlTfmEDMOg08FzWXoo0GXnP1ujYRbFcEM/s200/chupa+rustam.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Chupa Rustam (the guy who no one knows):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Yeah, he’s the same guy who neither shows his anxiety about assessments nor his happiness on getting a good one. He pretends to be Mr. Chillpill but he is similar to Mr. Chintamani. You will not even know if he’s married, has children, is a gay or simply not interested in anything. But he is the most clever and cunning out of the lot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfLyx23330ktqahRPw2-tFOIEQNJAYfIImeeBE3KXyyrENIPuhuroaIvtXnYuFDcKFCDZExqr-iDI_WGbPI1WCEuTlW5JlDWvnbvZgoBOwc_nuezxmB2cS0Cby1a7IMZ8BsLw3rps0iI/s1600/angry-man-clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfLyx23330ktqahRPw2-tFOIEQNJAYfIImeeBE3KXyyrENIPuhuroaIvtXnYuFDcKFCDZExqr-iDI_WGbPI1WCEuTlW5JlDWvnbvZgoBOwc_nuezxmB2cS0Cby1a7IMZ8BsLw3rps0iI/s200/angry-man-clipart.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Dhamkau (always the warning bell ringer):</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">‘If I’m not appraised well enough, I’ll resign’, ‘If I’m not given a bonus, I’ll quit’, ‘If I’m not given a comfortable chair, I’ll put down my papers’. You got it right. He’s the one who is ready to resign at the drop of a hat if things don’t go as he wishes. And he’s the one who will be with the company to collect his gratuity. Whether his demands got fulfilled or not, nobody ever knows, but all we know is that he will not quit till your 2<sup>nd</sup> generation joins the company.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">There would still be more characters to the list but I’d like to end it here, so as to not hurt any more sentiments.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Now go look out for characters similar to these in your company and have fun at their expense and stop worrying about appraisals, since I believe what is due to you will always be due to you! So why worry!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">As far as what my character resembles – I’m not dumb enough to put that down on a blog :-D<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Adios!!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">(PS: About why all characters is a ‘he’ – what else can you expect from a female writer :-P)</span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-22246306427091630962012-03-29T14:17:00.000+05:302012-03-29T14:17:23.826+05:30The person I’d miss the most!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ83cMX6BjxV4emwIw81xhZP0e-F_JFs3ZMDOFgXD6DaNChiIod8bxpGQUWXAnFCmuhU-MUnLO_52EgVQ14GiwN4xZFZ4EQZwq0CRcUvdT47Y9QwqbqMVXadFTZxhsjl0UEDFEyN1VTI/s1600/A+young+hand+holding+an+elderly+hand+665+x+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ83cMX6BjxV4emwIw81xhZP0e-F_JFs3ZMDOFgXD6DaNChiIod8bxpGQUWXAnFCmuhU-MUnLO_52EgVQ14GiwN4xZFZ4EQZwq0CRcUvdT47Y9QwqbqMVXadFTZxhsjl0UEDFEyN1VTI/s400/A+young+hand+holding+an+elderly+hand+665+x+400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">I</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">barely remember the time when you occupied
the place of a mentor, inspiration and motivation. All I know is that you were
something I looked up to even though I never admitted it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Without your presence I wouldn’t have known what it feels to
have a head in the family. You were there to guide us through tribulations and
to bring that extra zest to any occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was it not yesterday that you told me how much you love me –
your first grandchild – and that I bring a certain joy and pride to you? Why is
it then that I do not find you anymore to share the joy?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How can I forget the numerous trips that you took me to
various temples in the south, giving me a sense of our culture and heritage?
The fables and legends about various temples, Gods and Goddess’, history and
myth that you would tell me on these journeys still resonate in my ears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your generosity and love, independency and dignity, ethics
and morals are something which is sculpted within me and will always remain
there.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The struggle that you endured all your life is a lesson for
the weak and downtrodden. It’s an inspiration to me in my times of difficulties.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your valor and perseverance taught me that we take charge of
our own lives and not the other way around.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet you chose to leave this beautiful life and took a place
up above the sky, twinkling amongst one of the stars. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Would you still remember me? Would you still know that I love
you and miss you above all other things?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How I wish you were there when I bore my children to teach them
about love and life and be a part of their childhood as you were a part of mine!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How I wish things went back to those days when life was with
you!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You would truly be missed but remembered in every walk of
our lives. You were a benefactor on earth, now you are an angel in heaven. Hope
to continue my life with the sweet memories I shared with you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you Nani!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-11015296446212472952012-03-13T14:11:00.000+05:302012-03-15T09:21:33.195+05:30My Sunglasses, My Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbYGGT0M-JPJahviBAiMCyo1ND-d3_s7cLZSrKR6FxaMkU3ukVE86Apf0mESJ9W5fklVLGS5Is6IaYYoW6l3lUM2fN6qON2dCDX3b_80Z4M74QHvaoFgPfYLq8gTLHOPKrIZX6BQj8A/s1600/girl-with-sunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbYGGT0M-JPJahviBAiMCyo1ND-d3_s7cLZSrKR6FxaMkU3ukVE86Apf0mESJ9W5fklVLGS5Is6IaYYoW6l3lUM2fN6qON2dCDX3b_80Z4M74QHvaoFgPfYLq8gTLHOPKrIZX6BQj8A/s640/girl-with-sunglasses.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;">“Amma, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">what do we gift Appa for his birthday this year?” I shrieked from the upper floor of our compact little row house. My mom, busy in her kitchen, yelled back “why don’t we gift him yet another ‘his-all-time-favorite’ sunglass?” </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">That sounded like a good idea. Not a novel one, but definitely a good one, since my dad is known for his love and obsession for eyewear that makes him go ‘Ohh La La’.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I’m like my dad in more than one way. My love for reading and writing, my ability to lose temper at the drop of a pin, my likeness for food etc. are all a boon that I inherited from my dear dad. And one of these boons includes my fetish for sunglasses.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Two pieces of glasses framed accurately for my big, bright eyes, perched on the slender bridge of my nose and the rims supporting the glasses flowing to the back of my ears – the thought of them makes me go crazy and leaves me gasping for more (*pun unintended*). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It can’t be denied that, as an accessory, it’s a must on everyone’s closet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I’m proud to be the owner of 5 exclusive sunglasses which I use on different occasions. But it was not until I started working four years back, that I could possess my own eyepiece. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Even though dad offered to gift me on several occasions, I denied accepting it since I firmly believed that certain things in life (which are truly dear to you) need to be earned and not simply get it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(In that case, you may ask as to why I chose to enter this competition where you get to win a sunglass for free. I would again repeat that I am here to earn it and not simply get it </span></i><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Coming back to the subject of this blog, GKB Optical is truly a one-stop shop for sunglasses, since it’s loaded with brands, types, varieties, price range and unique options.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Their website even offers a ‘virtual trial room’ by way of their tool – Try-It-On, which gives you the liberty to try the sunglasses either on one of your pictures or on one of the available ones, sorted according to face types. This is a better bargain, since I believe that sunglasses need to suit your face, for it to bring out the personality in you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The two most favorite sunglasses which I chose from GKB Optical website and why they take this position can be explained below:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5r_QkTBi6vKOEPPQmummC_w5x3I27xhYDifSku4lX09Shp_pBEk9xUViRpkrM4n_Niv7OGnuXQCxPmLEFATOxTjY4uLywgS4lJ_lK7ihAISlwpdoMfjo775GW_d_OOL1XtPrTduVAbw/s1600/RAY-BAN+RB+3025.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5r_QkTBi6vKOEPPQmummC_w5x3I27xhYDifSku4lX09Shp_pBEk9xUViRpkrM4n_Niv7OGnuXQCxPmLEFATOxTjY4uLywgS4lJ_lK7ihAISlwpdoMfjo775GW_d_OOL1XtPrTduVAbw/s320/RAY-BAN+RB+3025.bmp" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: GKB Optical</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My first choice is the all-time-favorite Classic Aviators! <span style="color: #e69138;">(Brand: Ray Ban. Model no. RAY-BAN RB 3025)</span> I loved the shades of this piece and I’m sure it will frame my face beautifully with a touch of elegance and chic. This classic eyewear will be accentuated with my choice of another classic combination of white tucked-in shirt over blue jeans.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Just as a wardrobe is incomplete without a pair of blue jeans and crisp white shirt, a sunglass collection will be imperfect if it does have the aviators (again, one of my many beliefs!).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">With this combination of apparel and sunglass I’d like to make my fashion statement as classy, stylish, and smart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXFnEt_guo5M2u0hcOJnaylmbUBwFU67HBfkC0fSFZw3wbEtO4SagYMeQhlYekge7gap8DfdaP-2A-9wpSHu90Z2MJU1s-MOzh3YdMV5nAV3BRmqzsFwIT7-UO8rm3cz7O2nsV1s994U/s1600/RAY-BAN+RB+2132+901.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXFnEt_guo5M2u0hcOJnaylmbUBwFU67HBfkC0fSFZw3wbEtO4SagYMeQhlYekge7gap8DfdaP-2A-9wpSHu90Z2MJU1s-MOzh3YdMV5nAV3BRmqzsFwIT7-UO8rm3cz7O2nsV1s994U/s320/RAY-BAN+RB+2132+901.bmp" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: GKB Optical</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My second choice is the sporty Ray Ban piece <span style="color: #e69138;">(Brand: Ray Ban. Model No. RAY-BAN RB 2132)</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Why this choice? Well I’m an outdoor person who loves to explore and travel. Trekking and adventure kicks my adrenaline rush.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Since I go out often for various treks, this sunglass is sure to add that extra zing to my personality and the activity. I would pair it with a simple tee and jeans, the rest will be taken care by the glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Also pairing this sunglass with a saree or a kurti will provide a different dimension to the Indo-Western avatar and will make you look a class-apart.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTKhyphenhyphenYnzbr-jLG80JvPDQIBsotGUGSh7TiJBHEcdQmner1P5qzp7Jb6PmKDtROxKoBCdJbSnRDzTvqNqBKrB8pdCpzRTE8hCOe6C03s9Vek0cQg5h4vNAzgI3jiWL2keEfBK7Zr-Vh24/s1600/28448_117001568321870_100000360813771_190525_151986_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTKhyphenhyphenYnzbr-jLG80JvPDQIBsotGUGSh7TiJBHEcdQmner1P5qzp7Jb6PmKDtROxKoBCdJbSnRDzTvqNqBKrB8pdCpzRTE8hCOe6C03s9Vek0cQg5h4vNAzgI3jiWL2keEfBK7Zr-Vh24/s200/28448_117001568321870_100000360813771_190525_151986_n.jpeg" width="184" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">As to how I would use both the glasses as an accessory – I like the classic way of resting it on my head, which sweeps back my free flowing hair and serves the dual purpose of a hairband as well.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">These are my choices and my style! And I have yet again proved that I’m a Ray Ban loyalist!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Over to you Mr. Judge!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">This entry is a part of the contest at <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/" target="_blank" title="The Largest and the most active community of Indian Bloggers">BlogAdda.com</a> brought to you by GKB Optical <a href="http://www.gkboptical.com/sunglasses" target="_blank" title="Buy Sunglasses at India's largest online eyewear store">Sunglasses</a></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p><br />
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<br /></div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-71596230714881228582012-03-02T17:48:00.000+05:302012-03-02T17:48:09.965+05:30His eyes said it all…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZYEht3I_2w-FY9YsIktncuNivw2CKLWSZC_uWWXQOOaNo3Dbyt2EnzPyYN6H88wEjDWsBvs4DFLsbAaBu0TxMSgR5CbKH9E7YG70bN6IY7819pYTHHfQhWWooE-D75vCzfTCNJI3bDQ/s1600/indian+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZYEht3I_2w-FY9YsIktncuNivw2CKLWSZC_uWWXQOOaNo3Dbyt2EnzPyYN6H88wEjDWsBvs4DFLsbAaBu0TxMSgR5CbKH9E7YG70bN6IY7819pYTHHfQhWWooE-D75vCzfTCNJI3bDQ/s400/indian+wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Picture Credit: Internet</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">room
was in total silence as Deepa carried a tray of specially brewed filter coffee
for the guests who were waiting eagerly to devour the hot beverage as well as Deepa
herself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
trembling hands she delivered the coffee to every guest seated on their freshly
prepared sofa (keeping the event in mind). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Clad
in a crisp peacock green Kanjeevaram saree with braided hair and jasmine
flowers to adorn them, Deepa marched into the room like a goddess. Only that
she didn’t feel like a goddess and was nervous to the hilt.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
providing the performance of the day she was made to sit next to the woman who
seemed to be the family matriarch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
was strictly instructed by the elders in the family to be seated with heads
bowed down and not to look up or in the eyes of anybody who might ask her
questions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until
now she was nervously installed in her bedroom as the guests chattered about
the ‘boy’, about how well-mannered and well cultured he is, his education, his
job, his income and on and on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
hanged on with baited breath for the house to call upon her and the moment
arrived too quickly with Deepa handling the tray of coffee and her aunt
carrying the evening snacks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
sandwiched between the mother and the sister of the prospective bridegroom she
awaited the impending storm.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amma
was waiting in the room nearby, with her ears completely focused on the
happenings in the living room. She was advised by the same ‘elders’ to stay put
at the adjoining room and to not come out of the room. What else do you expect
a widow to be doing on such an auspicious occasion!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa’s
uncles and grandparents, who had taken charge of her future on account of her Appa’s
absence, occupied a minuscule area of the room, with most space occupied by the
boys’ side, who had come out on a rally. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
was yet to look at the boy who was sitting opposite her and who she felt was
equally nervous, what with the sound of his feet thumping the marble floor
continuously. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
were other activities happening in the room. The women were discussing the saree
design and color and the amount of gold the girl had on her, the men were
ogling at her perfect figure and beautiful structure, the elders were trying to
munch on the snack with difficulty without their dentures and the kids were
running around the room.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Everybody
seemed to be lost in their own musings, when suddenly an elderly voice awoke
them abruptly and brought them back to the room.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“…
So child, you completed your graduation and currently working with an accounts
firm?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
nodded to approve their knowledge, with her head still bowed down.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
will be your height beti?” chirped in another voice who was awaiting a chance
to talk.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hmm,
5.2”, no I think 5.3”” said Deepa meekly.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh,
you don’t know your height” chuckled the voice finding a reason to laugh and be
heard of.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why
don’t you stand, so we can have a better look at you?” volunteered an uncle,
anticipating a better view of her sculpted body.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
went red in the face, but that was not to be seen, since she was bowed down and
in any case they didn’t care about it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
stood up tensely, clutching the hem of her saree. All eyes were fixed on her
and roved nonchalantly, as if examining an item on sale.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Just
walk around the room in your beautiful saree like a model, won’t you beti?” pat
came a voice urging the girl to walk around the room so they are confirmed of
her ‘way of walking’ and to scrutinize if there was any problem with her gait.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
did as she was ordered. She came back and stood next to her allotted place in
the room, between the mother and sister. She waited to be told to sit down. But
the moving eyes had not yet stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seeing
the situation, one of her uncle came to rescue and asked her to sit down in a
polite way, not wanting to affect their sentiments.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
soon as she was seated, a string of questions followed soon, some answered by
Deepa, some by her relatives. The guests tried to access information about the
quantity of gold to be given, wedding preparation expense, property details in
name of Deepa, and many other materialistic topics. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
all these chaos, nobody gave a thought to Deepa and her opinion, whether she
wants to marry Sudhir, whether she is happy with the alliance etc.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
as if as an answer to all these questions, Sudhir cleared his throat loud
enough for people in the room to shut-up and listen. He stood up, walked across
the room, came in front of Deepa, went on his knees, took her shivering hands
in his own, lifted her chin up, made her look at him and whispered softly – “I’d
like to marry you. Do you want to marry me?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
room had gone dead silent.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sudhir’s
mother opened her mouth to protest, but he simply silenced her with a wave of
his hand, without taking off his eyes from Deepa.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
forgot her anxiety and worry when she looked into Sudhir’s eyes. Is this what
they call as ‘love at first sight’?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
15 rejections in the last 2 years, here is someone who not only approved her
but also wanted to be approved by her. Nobody in her family ever cared to ask
her if she liked a particular boy. It was always the boy’s preference which was
considered.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
these were not the only reasons for her decision. The warmth of his touch, the
serenity that engulfed her in his presence and the love that she saw in his
eyes played a major part in this saga.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deepa
lowered her eyes, this time blushing and not as her elders had commanded, and moaned
a soft ‘yes’ to Sudhir, who savored the moment before breaking into a blissful
smile. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love
Happens! And his eyes said it all!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And yes, They Lived Happily Ever After!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MbLNej4HBzka1ZkBV45qIpOUZhrtd1lYLq10FPXJAqJHDpIshNCVnMUul6E2KcSS_C1fvJiSIfh3e_P0XPsNQ0Q4ppahfbfexNWUEngY7W6ORnxN90TSBdyOXgWInjw0hsnbkj26xkY/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MbLNej4HBzka1ZkBV45qIpOUZhrtd1lYLq10FPXJAqJHDpIshNCVnMUul6E2KcSS_C1fvJiSIfh3e_P0XPsNQ0Q4ppahfbfexNWUEngY7W6ORnxN90TSBdyOXgWInjw0hsnbkj26xkY/s1600/Image1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Picture Credit: Internet</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-8775228927921354922012-02-24T17:00:00.002+05:302012-07-30T14:49:03.085+05:30Ek Shaam Doston ke Naam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://adda.at/Spicy96" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYW_MTSu6NTKbLOB68b8dEqmc9tE_yV6YkYw7vIgYOOnDM4e8besOtyJIKDSh3z9gOzplCqajJ1IbZXZMC-VhqxQRJTmDtIXYWTbLrX-A6oUbotRrLQ7-9FwVxeVhHSda6ByVO9UINak/s1600/ssp.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMdhrtmnzPi8a-XP5O1p6vDczvWJLMLEMEaKImyfwClXKPLs4kEZaJhKT7lbqtRBjFmCdqD894B6QVtAmqT3aA4E-qdi63b0V5CIyiPfMOAgmCHK8Pj5iRdKnDUBUvyO70GzTnEtH3Mk/s1600/friends_group-prv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMdhrtmnzPi8a-XP5O1p6vDczvWJLMLEMEaKImyfwClXKPLs4kEZaJhKT7lbqtRBjFmCdqD894B6QVtAmqT3aA4E-qdi63b0V5CIyiPfMOAgmCHK8Pj5iRdKnDUBUvyO70GzTnEtH3Mk/s640/friends_group-prv.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Internet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 29px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 29px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">I </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">sit at my usual
place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember a long forgotten joke and
laugh but hear no sound other than the birds chirping and vehicles honking.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember with pain, the days when we
fought and cried, hugged and forgot.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember days spent in college
canteen for food and time pass. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember the college library which we visited
for things other than studying. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember the college verandahs and compounds,
where the chatter and the laughs, the fights and the tears still reverberate.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember the days spent inside classroom
walls, chatting behind the books and awaiting the lecture to end.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember college term exams and our
anxieties to pass them. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember our last minute notes and trips to the
photocopy centers. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember teaching accounts and learning economics. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I
remember early morning calls on exam day to wake up each other for studying. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I
remember the first question we asked before the exam “Kitna padha?” and the
first question after exams “Kitna likha?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember college projects and
presentations done collectively at your house, where snacks and coffee breaks
occupied an upper hand.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember our gatherings, lunches and
dinners. I remember our picnics and vacations, movies and outings. I remember
our night-outs and parties.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember trying our first booze
together and the taste of the first smoke still lingers in my mind.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember our link-ups and break-ups
and how we blushed and cried for each occasion.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember sharing our first job news
and the impending party which we are yet to give each other.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember losing track after we got
busy with our career and jobs. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I remember everything, but forgot how
we drifted apart, forgot how other things occupied our time and space, forgot
the beginning of separation, of long lost relationship!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">sit at my usual
place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I feel like a loner in a
strangers land. I’m lost in this alien world. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>And my heart yearns for the
people I used to know and call ‘Friends’!<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This is what Blogadda had to say about my post, on selecting it as one of the 'Spicy Saturday Picks' on Feb 25th, 2012:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Who:</span> Vasumathi Rajamani<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">What:</span> Ek Shaam Dosti Ke Naam<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Spicy:</span> I sit at my usual place at our regular ‘adda’ but see no familiar face. Vasumathi writes a poem, remembering the college days, which most of us can identify with. We loved this line: I remember the first question we asked before the exam “Kitna padha?” and the first question after exams “Kitna likha?” Read on.</span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-64414142427872551762012-02-14T17:40:00.000+05:302012-02-20T10:58:53.468+05:30It’s Valentine’s Day! So what?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(*This is purely for fun. It does not
resemble any entity--living or dead. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">All statements and incidents are purely
coincidental and not aimed to hurt anybody)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">“So,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
what you doing today?” begins the trademark question on every special occasion.
Be it a birthday, anniversary or a festival. And today is no different. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Today
is Valentine’s Day! And here is the evident question:</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">“So,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
what you doing today?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEZGbnwGBhTkSqNbDsJbuYXCXwQCuu6W-4y2ECHYNSj4BTqLvcw-fJhsHdg2FtfrkYR6qV68KwrP4hss8l9cYRM-yyOR-3PTMiMbkRunnvYYSA_IWRR1s8NturSLWr1goD-G8QTzM-WI/s1600/19009-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Desperate-Man-In-Need-Of-Love-Holding-A-Chick-Magnet-Out-To-Attract-A-Beautiful-Woman-In-A-Red-Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEZGbnwGBhTkSqNbDsJbuYXCXwQCuu6W-4y2ECHYNSj4BTqLvcw-fJhsHdg2FtfrkYR6qV68KwrP4hss8l9cYRM-yyOR-3PTMiMbkRunnvYYSA_IWRR1s8NturSLWr1goD-G8QTzM-WI/s320/19009-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Desperate-Man-In-Need-Of-Love-Holding-A-Chick-Magnet-Out-To-Attract-A-Beautiful-Woman-In-A-Red-Dress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Mr.
single-desperately-wanting-to-mingle-but-never-got-a-chance looks on angrily.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Adjusting
his spectacles on his rather crooked nose he rattles on – If you are in a
relationship, people don’t agree when you say you are doing nothing on this
day, and if you are single they don’t believe if you say you are doing
something.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So
my question is, why ask a question, when you are about to refute whatever I’m
going to say!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">To
me Valentine Day is nothing but an overly commercialized event. Valentine Day
is featured with roses, chocolates, teddies, gifts and nonsense. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">And
even before the D-day arrives, the week preceding it is celebrated as ‘Rose
Day’, ‘Propose Day’, ‘Chocolate Day’, ‘Hug Day’, ‘Kiss Day’ and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Can
we ever have a ‘Regular Day’?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">And
what’s with the name fetish that couples refer to each other on this day? ‘Sweetheart,
darling, chickoo, jaanu, bachchoo, shona, mona and on and on…’ I’m pretty sure
you don’t even know the real name of the person you are with.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I’d
rather die, than fall in love and do such crazy stuff!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One
year later….<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">“So,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
what you doing today?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj067F8WB2dHAEcax4tV1xDLEttjhj6jH2yMuJvFhHOiXd9DNk6Zkph4Y6FS5337FUWJC5CenehzlxA-O7TdBzpzVCMb1XM1QJzdSXXpMYk7IFOMA7gCjmnp5_Bn_4KNx2-BeLSJ8krZrU/s1600/28736-clipart-illustration-of-a-smitten-caucasian-man-with-a-love-struck-look-on-his-face-floating-and-shot-many-times-with-cupids-heart-arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj067F8WB2dHAEcax4tV1xDLEttjhj6jH2yMuJvFhHOiXd9DNk6Zkph4Y6FS5337FUWJC5CenehzlxA-O7TdBzpzVCMb1XM1QJzdSXXpMYk7IFOMA7gCjmnp5_Bn_4KNx2-BeLSJ8krZrU/s320/28736-clipart-illustration-of-a-smitten-caucasian-man-with-a-love-struck-look-on-his-face-floating-and-shot-many-times-with-cupids-heart-arrows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Mr.
last-year-single-now-newly-in-love blushes and grins. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Going
gooey and utterly mushy flashes a set of freshly brushed teeth and opines – I
have loads of surprises planned for my sweetheart, my darling, the love of my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Firstly,
I’ll wish my babboo valentine’s day with a beautiful red rose.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> A box of chocolates and teddies will follow
soon after.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I
have already celebrated ‘Rose Day’, ‘Hug Day’, ‘Kiss Day’ and all other days with
her and the finale will also be a grand affair.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My
darling girlfriend will be adorned with gifts and wishes. Valentine’s Day is
the most sacred day for lovers and it should be treated with reverence and
respect. It’s a day to make your girl feel special.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I’d
rather die, than live without love!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Two
years later….<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">“So,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
what you doing today?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQvjGPWfaie9xDz3peP1sFj0m888owyMXVmLW_yPsVjyZaggFRT3LxfP-xJygoklGJFL8Sz_q6C-MT2spJcZuC_0Gzt0GhpboCZU1RwRNUuI4wyXoRGMTPHbZ86OYfTgsc-AXRtzS2Dk/s1600/istockphoto_10001334-desperate-girl-in-love-grabs-unwilling-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQvjGPWfaie9xDz3peP1sFj0m888owyMXVmLW_yPsVjyZaggFRT3LxfP-xJygoklGJFL8Sz_q6C-MT2spJcZuC_0Gzt0GhpboCZU1RwRNUuI4wyXoRGMTPHbZ86OYfTgsc-AXRtzS2Dk/s320/istockphoto_10001334-desperate-girl-in-love-grabs-unwilling-man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Mr.
last-year- newly-in-love-now-frustrated-in-love looks on frustrated yet tired –
It’s the middle of the month and I’m completely broke. I have no money to spend
on my food, yet had to borrow money to buy the good-for-nothing (his
girlfriend) a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I
couldn’t take leave from office last week when I was ill because I had to take holidays
this week for all the crazy days that she expects me to celebrate. What’s with
the ‘Rose Day’, ‘Chocolate Day’, ‘Hug Day’ craze? Can’t I have a Holiday for
self?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It’s
just another wasted day in my life. I would have preferred to sleep the whole
day and enjoy a late night beer party with my room-mates, than go out mall
hopping with this manic shopaholic. I really wonder what enjoyment you get by
looking at hundreds of items and choose nothing at all in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Such
days should be completely banned and I support political parties who wish to do
the same.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I
will definitely die if I continue to be in love!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">“So, what are you doing this Valentine?”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0Mumbai, Maharashtra, India19.0759837 72.877655918.835877699999998 72.5617989 19.3160897 73.193512899999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-51503005163981669022012-02-07T18:05:00.000+05:302012-02-21T17:20:21.344+05:30A Promise to Keep<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24pt;">She</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> stared into her deep blue eyes,
mesmerized. It held innocence and purity and exhibited an ocean full
of happiness and eagerness to live life.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She held the tiny fingers in her hands counting
them and smoothening out the lines as she did. The bright pink nails stood out
against her pale skin. She kissed them one by one. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lovingly she caressed her forehead, pulling back strands
of hair which came in-between her beautiful face. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, beautiful is the precise word. She was
outstandingly beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a spiritual and peaceful experience watching
her sleep on her lap. She held pride in her existence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She felt the world melt away at the slightest smile
her lips created or became devastative at the slightest hint of tear her eyes
formed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was her world. Her body, mind and soul.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was her daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A moment of pride and honor that only a child like
her could give.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She heard her mother-in-law grumble in the
background about not delivering a boy child, about what will happen to the
family legacy, about family reputation and respect and on and on. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzHcUyFnQ3KsEAP6awVeXhFFksZV-tH9T334Q7ljNsa8MHoWX6QER7Rgk9gGCgvdDG1_cN2X8TEGkiyOHQVdCErcfbVZmWiMFxJLV3ioL36gtkiBFnizQrVoqDH-O84lbcEwcltp_hzY/s1600/mother-_-baby-1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzHcUyFnQ3KsEAP6awVeXhFFksZV-tH9T334Q7ljNsa8MHoWX6QER7Rgk9gGCgvdDG1_cN2X8TEGkiyOHQVdCErcfbVZmWiMFxJLV3ioL36gtkiBFnizQrVoqDH-O84lbcEwcltp_hzY/s320/mother-_-baby-1_1.jpg" width="308" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She ignored her ramblings and put the little bundle
of joy to her chest and hugged it affectionately. She cared about nothing in
the world right now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She relished the moment alone with her daughter
when the nurse ushered the visitors outside the room and particularly her
grumpy mother-in-law who was creating a nuisance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the noise dying down, she put her lips to the
tiny ears and whispered a vow to her daughter, that come what may, undeterred
by the current situation, she will bring her up with utmost love and care. And
that the world will look up to her with respect and dignity. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With glistening tears of satisfaction, she
carefully put the baby into a cradle between her folded arms. She sang a
lullaby and set her baby to sleep, silently preparing her for the world
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-58072919912508049752012-01-06T19:26:00.000+05:302012-01-06T19:26:57.509+05:30The Genius That He Is<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 22pt;">He </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">was nine, when an accidentally played
tune on a piano, during his father's recording, was later developed into a
complete song for a film. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His debut composition led him to receive the Rajat
Kamal (Silver Lotus) award for Best Music Director at the National Film Awards,
a record win for a first-time film composer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He has since been awarded the Silver Lotus three
more times, the most ever by any composer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He started Panchathan Record Inn, a music recording
and mixing studio, which is the most advanced recording studio in </span></i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">India</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and possibly
one of </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Asia</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’s most sophisticated and high-tech
studios.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is a four-time National Film Award winner and
recipient of six </span></i><st1:place><st1:placename><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tamil</span></i></st1:placename><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i><st1:placename><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nadu</span></i></st1:placename><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i><st1:placetype><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">State</span></i></st1:placetype></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Film
Awards, fourteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South for his
music and scores. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is none other than the musical maestro – AR
Rahman.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allah Rakha Rahman – the man who redefined
contemporary Indian music and is the pride of the entire nation, a man who gave
music a new meaning and class and is unarguably the world’s most outstanding and
prolific music icon alive, celebrates his birthday today, i.e. 6<sup>th</sup>
January. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And what better way to wish the genius on this day
but by posting about his too-humble-to-believe simple life and the grandiose status
that he has achieved. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been an ardent Rahman fan since his first
known film rendition for ‘Roja’ in Tamil. I never knew he would grow up to be
someone he is today, but I’ve always maintained that his kind of music is
something which will never die or go out of fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A humble beginning as a keyboard player in Illaiyaraja's
(another musical ace) troupe at the age of 11, Rahman defied all norms of
traditional Indian music. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet his music is completely deep rooted in age old
traditions. Testimony to this, are his skills and usage of Carnatic music,
Western classical, Hindustani music, Sufi music and the Qawwali style of music.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contradicting his present occupation as a music
composer, Rahman actually wanted to grow up to be an electronic or computer
engineer. He has mentioned in one of his interviews-“I was not crazy after
music. I was more interested in technology".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This may be the reason for his love for electronic
sounds and technology.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a perfect blend of Indian conventional
instruments with Western electronic sounds and technology, Rahman dishes out a
unique platter of music which transcends all barriers and is appealing to all
genres.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He not only broke barriers between </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">South
India</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">North India</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, but also
between </span></i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">India</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and the
World at large.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The awards and recognition, conferred upon this
genius, speaks volumes of his immense talent and sheer hard work. Even as honors
and awards keep flowing in from every corner of the world, his humble, modest,
and down-to-earth personality remains unchanged all through the years. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time and again, he proves himself as the ace of
music, without taking any effort in doing so, through his meaningful and distinctive
musical performances.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a summation all I want to say about this musical
legend is that, his soulful music bridged several gaps and brings a divine
experience to those who listen to his melody. I take pride in his Indian origin
and as he salutes mother </span></i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">India</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, I salute
this larger-than-life personality with a ‘Jai Ho’ and ‘Rahman Tujhe Salaam’.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long live the Maestro and Long live his Music and
Melody!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PS: Below is a sneak peak into the star’s world-class
studio in Chennai and his life in pictures. Hope you enjoy it!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417337697575044694.post-90301405536126611662012-01-05T17:38:00.000+05:302012-01-05T17:38:52.543+05:30New Year - New Resolutions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20pt;">2012</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">gazed at me, as the morning sun filtered through my bedside windowpane,
embracing me into the New Year. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">It’s simply not sinking in yet
that 2011 is now an affair of the past.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">But as they say, we must always
look forward to the future and not get stuck in the past. So here I am, looking
forward to a liberating and refreshing year ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">However, just before walking into
a promising future, let’s bask in the glory of the year that just passed. Like
every year, 2011 too had its share of highs and lows. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">There were moments of ecstasy like
India winning the World Cup for cricket (Sachin hoisted on Team India’s
shoulders as they took a round of the ground was a treat to watch) and Anna
Hazare’s anti-corruption movement which brought together millions of Indians in
a never-before-seen attitude (happy to have witnessed and be a part of the
Anna-era).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">There were moments of gloom with
the demise of several beloved personalities like Dev Anand, Steve Jobs, Shammi
Kapoor, Amy Whinehouse, Jagjit Singh, Sathya Sai Baba to name a few. Some
heart-breaking incidents like the devastating tsunami that rocked </span></i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Japan</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;"> and many other natural disasters that shook the world apart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">And then there were moments which I
fail to classify into a category like the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Muammar
Gaddafi, the unwanted and over-hyped media coverage for Beti-B, the media-born
daughter of Aishwarya & Abhishek Bachchan, the Kolaveri-rage and its
effects on social media etc.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">That was 2011 in a nutshell. It
was a rollercoaster ride, indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Now 2012 is here!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">With a New Year comes New
Resolutions. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Many are against this funda of
resolutions. They either don’t make a resolution or make a resolution just to
break it in a couple of days. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">I am no different in this manner.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">However, bringing a ‘Change’ in my
outlook this year, I just wondered if I should make a ‘Resolution’ and stick to
it! And pop came the answer – Yes you should!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">And the very first idea which came
to my mind was to begin posting on my blog ‘Thought Studio’.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">This blog was created almost 3
years ago, however I never found the time and occasion to start filling it. The
desire was always there, but the motivation was zilch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<st1:stockticker><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></i></st1:stockticker></div>
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<st1:stockticker><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">NOW</span></i></st1:stockticker><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;"> is the time, I felt – New Year and its very New Resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">I promised myself to write one
post at least every month, this New Year. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">So here I am, rolling out my first post </span></i><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13pt;">J</span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">‘Thought Studio’ was born out of
my brains to simply paint the canvas of this blog with my thoughts and views. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Hope I accomplish my newly made resolution
and my year long aspiration to fill this ‘Studio’ with my ‘Thoughts’ and yet
make it relevant to people out there.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">I would like to keep my first post
short and crisp, and so am ending it here with a promise to self to come back
again with yet another post.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Till then wishing everyone a
beautiful and a bountiful New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13pt;">Keep reading and keep writing!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>Vasumathi Rajamanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818301460417023626noreply@blogger.com0