Tuesday, April 24, 2007

YsDay It Rained in Hyderabad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time : 12 :35
Place : My office Cubicle
Atmosphere : chilly, sleepy as usual
Work Status : Slipped one day on Delivery





I’m not in a mood to write anything serious or anything interesting. But have to write something to get out of the current mood. We lost our cricket match that took place two days back. Courtesy to the mallu batsman, who slapped me with three sixes on my opening over and started the big land slide for our team, which struggled to defend a low total of 52, in six over. But we had real fun playing that game. Have to give full praise to my team captain T to give me opportunity to bowl that important over, which changed the course of the match and our team. The opponent reached their target with 9 balls and one wicket to spare. I had bad dreams of that batsman when I went to sleep yesterday. This morning I got up listening to a big thunder. Yes a heavy rain slash with thunder and lighting in the early morning in the middle of Hyderabad summer. My jogging sprits dried out looking at the overcast condition. I went back to my bug infected bed after having a look at the dark shaded clouds waiting for me to get out. I had my dream gal with a cute face close to Vidya balan with all homely features. But again the bug on my bed attacked me, which I left alive yesturday becoz I had reached a killing score of 50 . He broke the dream!!! Still I had a heavy heart to get out bed. The climate, sound of rain, thunder and a great dream to catch up, against all odds I came out. Even when I got dressed up and was looking for my umbrella, I was cursing the bug in my bed to ruin my dream.

I got a share auto, with no one to share as there was heavy rain. I waited 10 to 15 minutes hoping any cute looking gal will come to give me company on such a wonderful rainy morning. Two gals came but they were not happy with me or the auto driver, they went to the next auto. I had to come all alone in that auto paying full money. But the trip was enjoyable, way better than managing my fellow roomies’ bike with no (Brakes, light, horn) on a chilly rainy day. Imagine pushing along a bike in the heavy rain, on a chilly morning to sitting inside a dry auto and feeling pity for people who already drenched in rain. Later is better I guess!But as usual the rain god changed his gear the moment I reached office. The clouds vanished in a flash and clear blue sky appeared. Last week also rain god played his game on me.
Last thursday, the weather was over cast, I took my breakless-hornless-lightless vehicle to leave early to home. As I drove along to maximum 40 km (the engine will cease due to over heat if I go over 40kmphr) on a plain straight road under cloudy sky, g-walkers gazed at me in disbelief. Big vehicle and two wheelers were humming pass me, trying to make home before the showers begin. Even if I was helpless, I changed my face expression to GUY-WHO-ENJOY-RAIN. With in seconds the rain started. But it was a soothing rain on a very hot afternoon and the road was empty. When I crossed the busy Y junction with no one in the road, I felt I’m in the middle of Sahara desert on a dusty desert wind. But the heavy crowd in the bus stop under the shelter and the people in front of all the shops proved me otherwise.
Every one had one expression written over their face, is this guy Nuts? I wanted to tell them several points about my bike (Roomie's bike)
1. I’m not sure if this thing will start again if I stop here in this rain
2. It is already dark and my bike does not have anything close to a candle as head light
3. As a rule, after a heavy rain, it will be a big traffic jam
4. my bike does not have horns either.

Am I nuts?

Some how I managed to reach my room not leaving even a single inch in my body dry.As it was too early for corporate timing, none of my fellow roomies are in. So I had to take my entire wet things myself.
A comprehensive list

1. A fully wet valet with credit/ debit cards (good that plastic cards were invented)
2. A water dripping Nokia mobile (It works, I have tested it dipping in hot Sambar also)
3. couple of keys
4. A wet spongy looking leather shoes which will solve half the water problem of tamil nadu, each time I keep a step.
5. Two nasty smelling soax ( I wash it weeekly).
6. Wet ID card
7. Then you know what else could be wet.



I changed my wet attire, settled into a dry pajama with a hot black coffee with Hyderabad times on my right hand and opened my balcony under a breezing wind with small amount of fresh rain. (Feels like heaven, but my pajama is not even close to Raymond’s suiting’s and no pretty gal like the one we see in raymond advertisement (Aaj Kal Tere mere ......)

Monday, April 09, 2007

A Matter of Choice!!!




I salute his Bravery, dedication and selflessness. He was my neighbor, my cricket mate and a hero in all sense. The family lost a beloved son, the nation a hero, the army a leader and I lost my friend. He was the school captain when he came out of Sainik School, a great sportsman and a dear friend.

An alumnus of the Sainik School, Kazhakootam and National Defence Academy, Capt Harshan R volunteered for the Special Forces and was commissioned into 2 PARA (SF). Para Commandos are an elite Special Forces unit of the Indian Army. Nicknamed as The Red Devils, the Para Commandos are considered to be among the best elite special force in the world. They topped first among the best in a recent united operation.
All Indian paratroopers are volunteers; some enter the regiments direct from civilian life, while others transfer in from regular army units. There is a probationary period of three months when trainees undergo various physical and mental tests, during which many are rejected.
This three month probationary period, is when an individual is tested physically, mentally and psychologically. The Bali-Dan (Sacrifice) badge is conferred after a stint of one year with the Para (SF), or a six month stint with the battalion if it is involved in active operations.
Being from civilian background of highly qualified parents and brothers, Harshan could have chosen an easy and comfortable life but he chose to serve the nation in the most direct and daring way he thought he could. Toughness and tenacity of Capt Harshan was reflected in the operations conducted by the Officer as he relentlessly conducted operations with success in the harsh confines of North Kashmir.
Only two weeks back at Sogam (Kupwara),the Officer was single handedly responsible for eliminating the top leadership of Harkat-Ul-Mujahideen (HuM) in an operation in North Kashmir by killing2 hardcore leaders of HuM. On 20th March Captain Harshan received specific inputs regarding presence of a group of hard core terrorists in Chhoti Margi area of Kupwara. Without wasting a movement and in spite of inclement weather, continuous snowfall and pitch dark night, he rushed to the area with his troops and laid cordon of the house in the early hours of morning. At 0350 hrs terrorists attempted to break cordon taking advantage of darkness and poor visibility.
Four terrorists rushed out firing and virtually came face to face with Capt Harshan. Despite being outnumbered Capt Harshan killed one terrorist on the spot, however received a gun shot wound in his thigh. Unmindful of the injury Capt Harshan killed another terrorist. However, in the process the Officer received a fatal gun shot wound on his neck. After eliminating 2 hardcore terrorists Captain Harshan succumbed to injuries but not before his valor and supreme courage encouraged the others to eliminate 2 more terrorists in the same operation.
A grateful nation salutes the brave and determined officer who in the highest traditions of the Indian Army and "THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT" put service before self and gave the supreme sacrifice.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Cricket, An out of proportion game in India!!!!




The nature has some universal rule by which it thrives. One among them is to terminate anything that grows out of proportion. It is only my understanding and many won’t agree with that!!!
I think Cricket in the subcontinents have fallen into the same genre. Here the game is considered more as a religion and the cricketers as gods. But this happens only in the subcontinent. There is cricket and other sport stars all over the world but only in the subcontinent this godly image exists. This image is created by the television media and the advertising we all see everyday. Any brand which has a cricketing personality as the brand ambassador is going to be a super hit. I was really surprised to see a ‘Dhoni kite ‘flying by on last kite festival.
Its big time to forget about the world cup fever (it was close to a typhoid, if you are an Indian fan). The out of proportion took care of itself and all the cricketing personality where grounded. Dhoni trimmed his hair, Ms Mandira stated to where some cloths over her shoulder, Mr Sidhu took a break from commentary. These folks where flying high forgetting what they were and what they can be.
Now when the old passion is dim and no one talks about cricket. India had a marvelous victory over South Africa with six wickets to spare that too two times in a row and it just went as news, not as s sensation. Now I guess cricket is back to where it belongs.
I followed the whole two matches and looking at the misfields South Africa managed to do give me good number of questions about the authenticity of the match. We all know that the cricket stars are master when it comes to act! I felt that some thing was wrong and they were playing to well written script to loose the match on a edge slipping scores. But what ever it was I enjoyed the match, cheers to Yuvraj on his acting abilities and his determination (still to prove that Indians are good at acting ;)) I guess this will again grow out of proportion and will be dusted one after that …..