Rhythm of Life

Birthday Party 2009 It was 00 hrs on 3rd Oct, I was reading the novel, Life of Pi, when Vinita came in the room and wished me Happy Birthday. I was pleasantly surprised to find a decorated yummy vegan chocolate double fudge ganache cake surrounded by candles. I was not yet out of the surprise when Vinita asked me to dress up properly because Aparna and her parents were about to come for the celebration. This refreshed the memories from last year when she surprised me similarly by getting a tasty vegan cake in Austin. I clapped on my birthday song and carried out the rituals. You can find the happy surprise on my unshaved face in the pics as well. While we were talking, Aparna asked me a question about the party next day. Yet another surprise, but this time I realized it. Vinita had called about a 15 people for the birthday party at our home today evening. Happily we slept and woke up pretty late the next morning, amid the online freshly baked wishes from people on skype, gmail an

Today I got a thought while returning from school and I feel that it is worth noting down for the benefit of all. So the thought is as under.. What is 'my' life? What is 'mine' in this life? Is this life really 'mine'? It is given to me by God and it can be taken from me anytime. So is 'my' important in 'my life'? I think no. But yes 'life' is important. Because after all that is it why I am here. Now, that means, I am like an element, whom God has filled in with life, for a certain period on this earth as a human being. So, what is so much important in this life to be concerned about? Should it be my work, my career, my every like and dislike, my dress, my food, my time, what? Does any of these matter after my life? I think then, all this won't matter a bit to me once this life is taken from me. That means nothing in this world can be more true than the fact that you have to live..till God wants you to. Next question is, what sho

Ever wondered where all the stuff in your house comes from, and where it all goes after you are done with it? I just saw this amazing " Story of Stuff " . In words of my ex-teacher, Mrs. Lalita Aseri, "Its really impressive....it may sound funny but yeah..its very motivating for me." Watch the story yourself and find out! Now if you too find yourself motivated, Here is the link for 10 recommendations on what we can do to address the problems identified in the film on storyofstuff : http://www.storyofstuff.com/ anotherway.html Specifically, http://www.cosmeticsdatabase. com tells about the toxic contents in various cosmetic products that we inadvertently buy. Similarly, there are lots of carcinogenic products in most ready to eat foods and snacks that we do not even know about and buy. Like now I never buy a product that lists "Monosodium Glutamate" because I know its carcinogenic. And after remembering its name, I came across the products containing it

I am following the Time's Lead India '09 initiative where they regularly publish a column called Vignettes of Leadership , that brings out the views on leadership directly by leaders in various fields. Here I will be summarizing some of those articles specially noting down the interesting things to take from each leader. Lee Iacocca , the former CEO of Chrysler, has Nine C's that make a leader stand out from the crowd: 1. Curiosity : Listen to people outside the ‘Yes, sir’ crowd and read voraciously, because the world is a complicated place. 2. Creative : Go out on a limb, be willing to try something different. 3. Change : Manage change effectively, whether you’re leading a company or leading a country. Things change, and you get to adapt. 4. Communicate : Facing reality and telling the truth. Communication has to start with telling the truth, even when it may be painful. 5. Character : knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the rig

We, the citizens of India, want certain actions (not just promises but actions) from our leaders, once they reach up to form the government. The Times of India's Lead India '09 is asking the people of India to create a manifesto of what we need from whichever government comes next top power. You can choose 3 issues most important to you, to help evolve such a manifesto. Times will present this Peoples’ Manifesto to the new parliament. These are my 3 most important manifestos for the elected leaders: 1.) Safe drinking water for all, clean rivers, and environment and make it livable. 2.) Zero tolerance to religious extremism, and terrorism. 3.) No corruption at any level in government offices, and full transparency and accountability of government officers. Please feel free to comment and put forward your 3 issues at http://www.lead.timesofindia.com/Wada_naa_todo.aspx Lets create a safe and just India that we all want.

Everybody is trying to curb terrorism, or atleast showing and talking like that. The root cause of terrorism is poverty, illiteracy and social injustice. In India, rigid and cruel caste system, and corrupt government have made the situations worse. We have almost forgotten the rural face and now that keeps coming in front of us in forms of Naxalites in Bihar, Maoists in North Eastern states, separatists in J&K and other insurgents. Over this, the selfish political leaders of different parties keep capitalizing on the emotions of each community. The governments keep coming and going with citizens watching them with wistful eyes. Its enough now, and we citizens will have to do something for the betterment of society. When everyone in society would sleep peacefully after the nights meal, no body would come out to commit the sins of killing.

Out of the popular demand, here is a list of the good movies that I watched. Will keep updating the list as I watch more of the good movies. Enjoy! 1.Fifty First Dates 2.Cast Away (2000) 3.Life Is Beautiful (2000) 4.The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) 5.Last Holiday (2006) 6.Little Manhattan (2005) 7.Amelie (2001) -French (English Title) 8.The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 9.The Godfather (1972) 10.The Godfather: Part II (1974) 11.Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966) 12.Pulp Fiction (1994) 13.Schindler's List (1993) 14.Casablanca (1942) 15.The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) 16.Goodfellas (1990) 17.The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) 18.The Usual Suspects (1994) 19.Fight Club (1999) 20.Memento (2000) 21.The Matrix (1999) 22.The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) 23.Slumdog Millionaire (2008) 24.American Beauty (1999) 25.Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 26.American History X (1998) 27.Forrest Gump (1994) 28.The Departed (2006) 29.The Pianist (2002)

Here are some of the books recommended by one of my friend Kalyan, who recently took exam for IAS. Some others are those which I / Vinita have read and liked. Finally, some are recommended by a couple of other friends. If possible read their reviews on the web and then figure out if the subject matter stimulate your interest. And yes, send me your recommendations. By the way, these are not in any particular order. It seems though, that I should try to get them in some order, so that the reading makes more sense. But as of now, I don't know when I'll do that. So till then, enjoy! The Magic of Thinking Big - David Schwartz How to Click with Everyone Every time What I Talk About when I Talk About Running India's Struggle for Freedom - Bipin Chandra India After Independence The Argumentative Indian Holiday in Hell My Experiments with Truth - mahatma Gandhi Administrative Thinkers - Prasad and Prasad Caste System in India - MN Srinivasan Introduction to Consitution of India - DD