Run Lola Run!!!!

The title, though, is borrowed from a much-acclaimed English movie, it is used here in relation to the Delhi half marathon, which took place yesterday (Sunday, November 9, 2008) in New Delhi, national capital of India. The event was dedicated to the spirit of running, which most of us grown-ups, seem to have abandoned in favour of the more brutal and "sophisticated" rat race in our professiona lives. Nevertheless, thousands of Delhiites ran in the marathon, which was flagged off by a host of celebrities, including film actors, sportspersons, politicians and businessmen. The event received much media coverage as well as public interest, which has encouraged the sponsors to come back with another edition of the marathon soon.
On a personal note, mom reached here on Saturday (Nov 8, 2008) and the last two days have been heavenly. No television was switched on and no books, magazines or newspapers were devoured. There was only mom, my brother and me, talking nine to a dozen and an outing to Connaught Place (I really love the place!!!). I plan to take mom more through Delhi in the coming week.
One more news, my best friend Harshpreet and her husband Arshvinder, celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary yesterday. Here's wishing them all that they wish, hope and pray from their married life and much much more. (I Love you both).
There is election time here in New Delhi and parties are doing their best to take up issues close to their, not the public's, hearts. After all, it is all about winning the coveted chair, ain't it? Who cares for a few million voters?
Things are beginning to get a little serious here, so will take your leave to calm down a bit. Will return with more tomorrow, till then, take care and god bless...

Its cold here! brrrrrrr!!!!!

Well, well, well! the winter has finally set in here in the national capital as the air was more than chilled this morning, when i left home for work. Since I am never able to decide when to start wearing the woolens, there are more than enough occasions on which I am caught unawares by the cold, like today.
As i began my journey to the workplace, in an autorickshaw, which is OPEN!!! on sides, with no cover at all, I felt the first cold pricking in through my face. It is good that I have the weekend off, so i can at least get the woolens out of the hiding and be prepared on Monday.
One more good thing that is going to happen tomorrow, my first weekly off in my new job, is that mom is coming down from my hometown, Jammu (Yes, the Jammu and Kashmir one!!!).
She will be staying for a week or so and I am already thinking of places to take her to. There are so many markets and places of interest around here in Delhi that I will have to think hard to chose a few.
Moreover, next month, one of my friends is also coming down from Pune, to stay with me and I am mighty excited about the whale of a time that we are going to have. She and I were together in our Mass Communication class in Jalandhar, the media capital of Punjab. We have now been together for nine years (God!! how time flies) and have seen each other through exams, heartbreaks (only mine), in short all the ups and downs in the life of an average Indian adult.
She is happily married now (Touchwood!) with a cute little son (whom I simply adore) and i am really looking forward to sitting down with her after a loooooooooong day of shopping and outing, with cups of coffee or tea between us and a lot of silly banter (after all! that is what friends are meant to do, ain't it?)
Well, I think I have really flown off the handle this morning. But kya karein? Jabbering on is the only cure for winter chill if u are not packed in woolens, or so says...... who else?? me yaar!!
That's it for now, c u later in the day...
Till then, Sayonara.....

What Stirs You The Most???

I was just wondering last night that why do books, all shapes, sizes and colours, have so much impact on us. Is it the man or woman, who has written the book, standing on the other end, calling out to us with their mostly life-altering experiences? Or is it the language, smooth-sailing and puzzling at the same time, which forces us to pick up a book and not to put it down till we have drenched it of all it has to offer? Well, I cant be thinking of it alone, ain't it?

So, I am going to pose this question to you guys, out there -

Pick up one book and get back to me with the name and the reason why you think it is life-altering for you.

For me, it keeps changing every few years since I am quite a voracious reader and my taste in books also keeps changing. For now, it is The Golden Age, written by debutante Tahmima Anam and it describes beautifully Bangladesh's freedom struggle through a single family of a mother and two children, a son and a daughter. (I have posted a picture of the book for the visitors' benefit)

Bangladesh, as we in the subcontinent already know and many other might not be aware of, was earlier called East Pakistan and after a short but brutally blood-stained freedom struggle, aided by Indian Army, it gained freedom from Pakistan and declared itself a free nation.

So, hoping to listen from you soon,, till then, good bye and happy reading.

P.S. I am reading My Country, My Life these days, written by senior politician L K Advani.

When will we change?

Hi there,
Been away for long yet again. no use making excuses, so I will come to the point right away.
The winter is setting in with chilled air and welcoming sunlight. America recently voted a black man to the White House and the world rejoiced along with the Americans in their turning point in history. We all followed the presidential campaign earnestly, however we might deny it. It was a campaign, which we could learn a lot from.
Right from Obama's Kenyan descent to his skin colour, from american population's trust in Obama to his rival John McCain's speech after the results were announced. We should also be able to overlook the caste, religion, creed, social status while indulging in a political campaign. However, unfortunately, election campaigns in India are centred around these things only and in their worst forms.
The latest example would be that of MNS chief Raj Thackeray launching a tirade against North Indians in Mumbai, whatever his argument might be!
Well, a lot to learn then and hoping things would only be better in the coming elections....

Is It Really Communal???

The weeks-old turmoil in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir was finally, and hopefully, laid to rest yesterday with the protestors and the government agreeing to some solution. However, the outcome of these protests is far-reaching as new loyalties have been formed and old ties forsaken. Being a resident of Jammu and Kashmir and born and brought up in Jammu region, I feel more of a Jammuite than a Kashmiri, although by birth I am a Kashmiri Pandit (somehow, I really dont have any faith in any particular religion or community, humanity should suffice for all the religions of the world, I think!!).
However, during the 60 days of curfew, killings, strikes, civil disobedience movement and public protests, I was forced to think as to where do I really belong?
Do I belong to Kashmir or Jammu? I know the question would be troubling a lot of other KP men and women just like me, because, if truth be told, there is no land that we can really call our own, as of now. So, where do we really belong to?
The question is unsettling but, the answer is still nowhere close by. It might take time for the answers to arrive, so meanwhile, I go by the city that has made me what I am and that is Jammu.
Speaking on behalf of people of Jammu, I can vouch for the fact that they are an unpretentious lot, who believe in working hard and earning their due from life.
In the peak years of militancy in Kashmir, I was studying in high school during those days, there were many instances wherein militants tried to foment trouble in Jammu and its adjoining regions as well. But the peace and tranquility of the city remained safe in the hands of the peace-loving Jammuites.
When more than four lakh KPs migrated from their ancestral land, most of them, (at least for the initial years) found refuge in Jammu and its outskirts. There were a few skirmishes regarding the clashes between the KP migrants and local population here and there, but the overall scenario remained peaceful and KPs found a favourable environment to thrive in in Jammu region.
During the following years (between 1990 and 2000), the KPs became a part and parcel of the public life in Jammu, so much so that in the company of KP kids, who were known for their inclination towards studies, the Jammuites also found their benchmark in education and started setting new targets for themselves. The economy also received a boost as there were more people to purchase goods in the markets, more people building homes for themselves and more marriages taking place.
Moreover, even with Kashmir continuing to burn for the next decade, Jammu continued to go about its business peacefully. However, that changed in June 2008, with the government revoking the land transfer order, earlier passed in favour of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
The Jammuites, who had, during all these years since partition, kept the flag of nationalism fluttering despite all storms raging around them, were forced to come out on streets and make their anguish known throughout the country.
I ask you, the readers, were they not justified in raising their voice against 60 years of discrimination against the politicians, who kept exploiting them at the drop of hat? How justified is Article 370 which prevents other Indians from entering the state of Jammu and Kashmir and buying land or other property there while the Jammu and Kashmir people can do so at will in rest of the country?
These are a few questions which might bring the answer to the present turmoil, which is far from over, though, it might have receded for time being.....

Just like that!!!!!!!!1

Hi folk!
Been away for quite long, reasons are many but I don't want to waste blogspace by counting them. Thanks Soumendra for your encouraging words. I hope I can do justice to the exercise. "Old Lady Lincoln", it was my pleasure to visit your blog and the slide that you had put on for your anniversary was awesome. Anu, thanks for your comments on the photograph. As already explained, the bus runs on one of the routes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and there are many such vehicles, moving around there. By the way, the song is "Kitna Pyaara Vaada Hai In Matwaali Aankhon Ka..." it is one of my favourite old Bollywood songs and shot very interestingly.
Life has been throwing up too much to do right now that sometimes i feel overwhelmed. But there are days that I realise that how lucky it would be to do something in this world and make it a better place than it already is. Well, I guess I am not being much clear in thoughts but never mind.
I saw English movie "If Only" the other day and loved Paul Nicholls in it. He plays "Ian" in the movie, a Britisher, in love with the American character "Samantha", played by Jennifer Love Hewitt. The movie is about how we never treasure what we already have and, instead, run after something, which may never be ours. I guess, we all have something to learn from this thought.
Instead of running after what's not ours, we should cherish and preserve what we already have in our hands.
The thought is profound but we are not able to realise it until it is too late, at least for most of us, just like Ian from "If Only."

A Whiff Of Fresh Air........

Hi folks!! sorry, i am not being a regular in this space, primarily because i am still overwhelmed with the amount of information and interactions available in the blogging world and am trying to come to terms with the same before i start contributing on a regular pace. Anyways, life was quite hectic in the past few weeks, both at home and at office. had a birthday party last Saturday, mainly for colleagues and friends. enjoyed to the hilt (talking of myself) and seemed that the guests were also having a good time. however, the best part of the evening was the last, when all of us went to the Central Park at Connaught Place. the time spent there (although, we couldnt stay for long as it was already late) was marvellous. didnt do much except for the usual leg-pulling and gender discussions, but just sitting there, in the open air, with everyone visibly relaxed, really set me thinking as to human spirit being crushed in the strict confines of daily life in a metro like Delhi. This was my first trip to the central park in CP but i was told that the place is getting more visitors every day and night in comparison to other places of interest in the vicinity, like the multiplexes or restaurants. This proves one thing that people still crave for open spaces and fresh air, even though, they have every other facility at their disposal. Hmmm..... nice food for thought, isnt it?