Thursday, December 31, 2009

Love You - Mom n Dad


I hope we don’t need a Mother’s day or a Father’s day either for writing something about our parents. I can say that- spending some time thinking about our loved ones is the most precious way of spending time. Well..!! I felt like writing some words expressing my love for my parents. If you ask me- ‘Why now?’ I don’t know the answer. I can just say it is my Love for them.

Yes, it is my love towards them that made me write this. I have been through many ups and downs in my Life until now. Be it to getting grades during college days or financial problems in my family, I have been tossed up and down. Mom used to say now and then- “God puts us to test now and then”. I would simply shoot out a question at her, “That OK Mom. But why always?” More than me, it is they who suffered a lot mentally. I used to stay away from home, in a hostel. I never had the chance to know clearly what used to happen at home. I used to spend time with them only when I go home for holidays. Yet! They wouldn’t let me know what they are going through. My brothers won’t even give a clue on the circumstances that are prevailing. My father used to say this always- “Son, you study well. Let me know what you want I will get it for you. Everything is fine here. Keep good health.” Later on I came to know. Mom’s health condition was serious. She had suffered from nervous breakdown. They spilled the beans to me, only after things are under control.

I can understand the difficulties that they have gone through. For whatever I am today or whomsoever I am going to be tomorrow, they are the reason for it. It is due to them, that I am in this position. At one stage of my life, my Dad didn’t have Rs.8000/- to pay for my seat in an Engineering college. Yet, I rode against the tide with their support. I am thankful to them for everything. Once in a while, when I sit down thinking all the incidents that happened in the past, recollecting my childhood days and my teenage life- I cry out my heart inconsolably. I recollect those days only to increase the burning attitude within me to fight against the circumstances. Yes, I have to move on. I know that they don’t expect anything from me. But, it is my responsibility to fulfill their wishes. Our parents give us everything when we are young, which are the budding years of our lives.

By the way, I feel that this is the correct platform to share my most heartfelt moment, three and half years back when I entered Corporate life- it is the day when I got my first salary. Mom is busy in kitchen, cooking some snacks as I came home for vacation. I started taking the currency notes out of my pocket.

Mom: Hey Vijay! You are going to love these. I am making your favorite snacks.
Me: That’s okay Mom. I have something for you.
Mom: What is it Kanna?
Me: Mom. This is my first salary. I am getting this money straight from the ATM.
Mom: That’s fine. But, I thought you would give to Tirupati Lord Balaji .
Me: Mom, I don’t know whether God exists or not. But, I see God in front of me. It is you. You are everything for me.

I handed over the currency notes to her. She looked at the money in astonishment. Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She ran her fingers through my hair and kissed on my forehead. “I love you Kanna”, she said as she hugged me.The happiness I saw in my mother’s eyes that day, meant a lot to me. I would say it is one of the best ever moments of my Life. I can do anything for her, to see that happiness.


My Dad is a source of inspiration to me always. Though a bit short tempered person, he is very good at heart. If he has hundred bucks with him, he used to feed the poor for seventy bucks from it. He used to always insist me on helping others in need. He thought me to face problems in Life boldly. I have never seen fear in his eyes. Whatever may be the situations, he stood against the problems bravely.


Life wouldn’t be that interesting if we don’t go through problems. We have to face the hurdles and enjoy the sweetness after getting the good results. If we want to enjoy success, we have to definitely experience tough times.


Thank you Mom and Dad, for what I am today.
I dedicate this post to my loving family members.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Tomorrow Never Dies...!!!

Yes Boss..!! You got it right. A famous blockbuster from the list of James Bond movies. Hold on there.... I am not going to write something related to the movie. I am using only the title of the movie for my post. I wanted to elaborate the essence of the words as they have a lot of meaning into it. So, I am penning down my thoughts on these words.

There are many instances where we postpone things. We just put them aside because of only one thought- I still have time for it. But when we are really free, we don't get reminded of such things. This is a general trend that all of us follow knowingly or unknowingly. We get carried away by our daily schedule and thereby subdue some tasks which are not urgent. Such tasks which are not urgent will be always postponed to tomorrow. And, of course we all know- Tomorrow Never Dies.

A couple of weeks back I got to know the contact number of one of my schoolmates. We were thick friends in school. But, we haven't met after schooling. Recently I came to know that he was working in Canada and got his contact number. As the timings varied, I used to wait until evening to call him. Eventually I'll end up my evening without calling him... :)

Recently in our conversation I mentioned this point. He smiled at me telling- Yes buddy... It happens with me also. The so called postpone syndrome.

Here is another very usual scenario- I was discussing with one of my managers Ganesh, about his onsite stay. I got to know a common fact. More than 75% of the population residing in New York hasn't visited the statue of liberty even once in their lifetime. They have one notion regarding that- We are living in New York only and therefore we can visit the statue of liberty some time or the other. The observation is that- only tourists will be found visiting the statue of liberty, thinking that they may not come to that place in the future.

There are few things which we may miss in our Life due to this postpone syndrome. A couple of weeks back, I went to Peraanmai movie with my colleagues. After watching the movie on the way home, I happened to cross one place. My friend LN and I stopped at that place. I have been thinking of visiting this place since a long time. I have been residing in Chennai since three years. Many a times, the thought of visiting this place ran through my mind. Whenever I go to Central Railway Station for travelling to my native, I pass through that way. I told to LN that by any means I have to witness that. It's the auspicious - Sri Ramakrishna Math. A sense of guilt feeling pricked me as I started entering the place. Guilty because- though I have been in Chennai for about three years that was the first time I was visiting that place. It is the similar case with LN also. He is born and brought up in Chennai. Yet, his visits to this auspicious place are just less than five. It's very noisy outside the temple, due to the huge traffic. The moment I started entering the main hall, the silence killed out the huge amount of noise that was outside. Generally we will be deafened by huge noise but that day I had experienced the other extreme- deafening silence. The peace of mind that you find in that place is invaluable. I would say that it is the best of the best places that I have ever visited.

I would end up writing second part and third part similar to my previous posts, if I go on mentioning such instances.

When it comes to our work- this would definitely pose a threat to our deliverables. We should never, ever postpone things when it comes to work. Of course, we will be screwed if we postpone our deliverables. One thing that I observed as a good habit of carrying out tasks is - proper planning before implementation. If we spend at least ten minutes noting down the list of tasks to be accomplished, we would never end up missing any. Our next point of action should be nailing down the tasks one by one as we move forward.

But, whatever happens or whatever matters- Tomorrow Never Dies :smile:

What more can be done to kill tomorrow…??? Can it be?? I am not that experienced for too many suggestions, to let it happen today……. ;) What more can I do, to let it happen the way I like it??

Thursday, October 22, 2009

One night, when he left Office... Part III

Santosh reported to his onsite project manager. He immediately pitched into his new responsibilities. He didn’t have many acquaintances in the beginning. He used to go out for lunch and coffee, lonely. Having more responsibilities, he didn’t have much time for his personal life. His schedule was very hectic. He was the POC for very important deliverables. He enquired his friends in offshore, about Siri. He didn’t get any positive reply from them. They told him that they didn’t see her at all after he left. It was very hard for Santosh to put aside Siri from his memories. He used to dream about meeting Siri and proposing to her…

Three months down the lane, a sudden and strange thing happened in his life. That incident made an indelible mark in his life. As usual, he left for lunch alone and found a table for two which was empty. He started eating and heard someone calling him-

Excuse Me. Would you mind me, sitting here?

He turned his head and saw ‘his’ girl. He was spell bound. He was not able to believe it. He was out of his senses for a while. Yes!!!! It was Siri. All the memories of her when he was in offshore began circling around his mind. He was into his sub-conscious state. Her appearance was like a bolt out the blue. She stood in front of him like an angel. Siri was talking again-

Excuse me Sir. Can I sit here?

Then he replied- Oh… M Sorry… S.S..Sure. You can sit here. He was still in a state of disbelief. His heart was thumping with joy. Sitting in front of his girl; looking in her eyes; talking to her jovially. All the things fell into place for Santosh finally. He was on cloud nine. She initiated the talk.

Siri (Si): Hi… This is Siri. Your good name please?

Santosh: (Sa): Hi.. I am Santosh.

Si: I have seen you when you were in offshore. I was staying at your residence only. Santosh was looking keen into her eyes. He can see the cheerfulness in her face. He can even see the excitement in her, when she was to talking to him.

Sa: Oh… Is it?? M Surprised to know that. Even, I saw you in office when I was in offshore. Cool….. Since, how long have you been here?

Si: Over three months. With this client just a week back. I am a new recruit to this account. I was working with another client for about three months. I have recently shifted to this place. Apart from my clients I don’t know anyone here. Today, I saw a familiar face and its you…

Sa: Heyyy.. Same with me yaar. I don’t know anyone here. I have been here for three months. But, I know very few people.

Si: Santosh… When I was in offshore, one day I came in the same cab that you have travelled. That was the first time I saw you. That day, you were completely asleep in the cab. We were the last ones to be dropped. As I was staying near your house, I thought of having a small talk with you. I started approaching you, but you looked back and started running to your house.

Sa: Oh…. That is you? I was asleep. I didn’t notice that someone got down from the cab along with me. I wanted to sleep soon and so didn’t bother my surroundings. Suddenly, I saw someone coming behind me. You know what….I thought it was a ghost. I ran to my house and slammed the door…..

Si: Oh… Santosh… They started laughing aloud. They almost blew the roof.Normally, Santosh finishes lunch within twenty minutes. That day, it took one hour fifteen minutes. Both of them were completely absorbed into the conversation and didn’t notice the time. They exchanged their contact numbers and left for work.

Santosh called his offshore friends and informed about his meeting with Siri. They suggested him to tell her about his love as soon as possible. He told that he still needs time. Now as she was a known person to him, he thought that things would be in his favor. He started meeting her now and then and they both realized their frequencies were matching. He started experiencing new flavor in his life. He enjoyed her company. Their intimacy grew day by day. They became thick friends.

It was winter. All the streets were covered with snow. It was a long weekend. Santosh and Siri met in a coffee shop. They were discussing about various topics. Suddenly Siri told these words:

Si: Santosh. Jokes apart. This is something serious. I feel something is missed out in my daily schedule when I don’t meet you. I feel that I am missing something in my Life when you are not with me. I get a feeling that I am with my family members when I spend time with you. I want to share my Life with you. I am in Love with you. Will you marry me?

Santosh was shell shocked. He was trying to reveal the same to Siri since a long time and finally the odds were in his favor.
The girl whom he had searched for a long time;
The girl whom he wanted to share his Life with;
The girl who was like a catalyst to his experiment of Life;
The girl who added flavor to his Life;
The girl whose memories are carved out in his Diary;
The same girl had proposed to him. Hez the happiest person on this world. He immediately hug her. Tears started rolling down from his eyes. He couldn’t stop crying. That was one of the most emotional moments in his Life. He revealed his Love; How he knew her before; What all he had done to catch a glimpse of her. The fact that Santosh was also loving her, had touched the emotional chords of her heart. Siri also broke down. They both were inconsolable. After getting consent from their family members, they got married.

One day, Santosh is working late night at home. Siri asked him what is pulling him so long. Then he smiled at her and replied- I am writing in my blog, about our love….. We shall gift these memories to our sweet little daughter Mittu, on her fifth birthday.

Disclaimer:The characters presented in these posts are completely imaginary. It is purely coincidental if it matches any ones lives. Thanks for your time here and do give your feedback in the comments…

Sunday, October 18, 2009

One night, when he left Office.... Part II

Santosh looked back and was surprised. He shook his sleepy head and saw a white figure coming towards him. Oh… My….God…!!! Being an introvert, he is also afraid of devils. Though he was agnostic towards ghosts, yet his fear knew no bounds. His nerves were trembling. He can feel the pressure of the adrenaline in his veins. He ran towards his house which is at the end of that lane and shut the front door with a big bang. He didn’t dare to peep through the window. He immediately hit the bed and shut his eyes very tightly. The next day he woke up normally and didn’t dare to share the incident with his office buddies or roomies. He digested that incident within him. He just thought- Enough is enough..!! I won’t discuss this with anyone.


Days seem to pass very fast. Thoughts about Siri became a part and parcel of his daily schedule. One fine day, he got his H1 VISA stamped. Having contributed much to his client he was asked to travel for an onsite work. His offshore leads never had a second thought at him. His travel was confirmed and he needs to travel to US within a week. He informed to his office buddies about his onsite assignment. They cheered him and planned for a treat, before Santosh escapes to US. Two of his friends LN and Mahendra noticed tears in Santosh’s eyes as they were cheering him. They asked him why he was sad.


Frens: Hey Santosh! Come on yar. Why you are dull? You have been waiting for your H1 since a long time. Finally you hit it. Now, suddenly whatz wrong with you?
Santosh:
Guyz, its all about Siri. You all know that I love her. I will be going to US and I won’t find a chance to look her from now on.
Frens:
Easy buddy. We understand your concern. But if you really love her, express it. Talk to her. Just sort it out. You can’t stay like this looking at her daily and comeon dude… you are the most eligible person to her. She will definitely like you.
Santosh:
I don’t want to spill the beans at this point of time. I can’t bear the pain, if she rejects me. I need to some time to make up my mind.
Frens: Its’s all over now Santosh. You have to talk to her before you go to US and tell her about your Love.



Two more days to go for the onsite travel. Santosh hasn’t yet talked to Siri. Working in second shift, he is not able to catch her before she left office. He didn’t see her in office that day. Even his friends had no clue regarding her.

The last day in office before the onsite travel, he talked to all his leads and friends. He waited for her to come along the way he used to see her daily. He spent almost the whole day waiting to see her. To his disappointment, she didn’t come to office even that day also. Having gathered all his courage to propose to Siri, Santosh felt very depressed. His friends consoled him that he will meet her some day or the other. He partied with his friends in one of the lavish pubs in Chennai, packed up his baggage. He checked into the airport and was waiting for his flight’s arrival. The thoughts about Siri were ringing in his mind- What happened to Siri? Why did she stop coming to office all of a sudden? Did she get released/ transferred? Did she resign from the job? Oh my God! Please find her for me….. Plzzz


To be continued….

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

One night, when he left Office.... Part I

Santosh is a very hard working person. He is the topper of his training batch. Committed to work during most part of the day, he is working with one of the most reputed software companies. He is working for a client based out of Middletown, located in Connecticut an eastern state of US. He is a bit introvert. He didn't hang out with freinds whenever possible. Hmmm, its quite rare to find such persons now a days. Neverthless there are a few near our bay, in office.

He works in second shift according to the client requirement to support until 12noon EST. He daily goes to office by two in the afternoon. He would return home at around eleven in the night. He can reach home early, if he catches the first cab which is at 10:30PM. Being an introvert he is not having much friends in office. He always moves around with Anil, Rajesh and Raju who are his close freinds. One day the fabulous four are having a discussion regarding salary hike during their coffee break. Suddenly as there are talking, Santosh's eyes caught the image of a girl who is damn good. He is spellbound, while the others are still buried in the discussion. Immediately Anil noticed Santosh and shook him. Santosh told them that he wanted to marry such a girl and showed her. He pleaded his friends to find out her whereabouts. His friends, pulled his legs singing- Love at first sight...!!

He started looking at her daily in office. He came to know that she is a lateral entrant. His friends reported that she is a nice person and doesn't hang around often. The final testament is that she is not having a boy friend. Listening to his freinds, Santosh's heart is thumping with joy. Her name is Siri. From then on when the fab four met, their topic of discussion is one and only Siri. Santosh's thoughts from then on, are always attached to Siri. Ofcourse he is in love with her. He wants to talk to her but, he is so shy. He is afraid that if she rejects him he will loose his soul mate. He didn't want to spoil the party by spilling the beans very early. Whereas Anil and Rajesh are always pressurising him. They tell him all the well known proverbs- Its now or never and inturn santosh replies to them- Better late than never. This is how the battle continued between him and his freinds. He collected all her details- family, education, her nature, project and what not. To say colloquially, he got to know A to Z regarding her. He tuned his mind that he is going to share his life with her. Days rolled by. Santosh is progressing well in his job life. He received many appreciations from his client. He even received the coveted- Best Performer of the Year award. But, there is always someone bothering him. Yes, its Siri.

One night he had lot of deliverables to be submitted and thereby he got into 11:30PM cab. There are hardly any folks waiting for the cabs. Many people might have left early that day, as it is Friday. Finally the cab co-ordinator allocated a Travera and it started from the office within five minutes. There are five members in the cab. Santosh hardly saw their faces. His eye lids are forcing him to close his eyes. So, he is just managing a nap. He is not bothering about other members in the cab. Three members have got down after some time. Its 12 midnight, when he just managed to give a look at his watch. He is so much tired that he didn't even notice the other person who got down along with him from the cab. The cab driver dropped them on the main road, since their street is very narrow for the cab to fit in.

To be continued....

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Happy Birthday Chinnu !!!



Chinnu,



Days have rolled by and months have passed by, since day one when I met you;


Destiny has made our relationship remain as fresh as a budding flower;



A flower in its budding stage, fights for strength from the rays of the Sun;


A student in learning stage thrives for knowledge from teachers;


Similarly our friendship is picking up strength day by day;



May this day bring you more joy into your Life;


A joy that redefines your personality;


A joy that strengthens your relations with your well wishers;


A joy that unites all your positiveness within you to thrash away your weakness;




I wish you the best results in your future endeavors;


I wish you to be the best at your health in the years to come;


I wish you all the happiness that you have been waiting for;


I wish and pray to God for the utmost strength in your tough times;


I pray to God that all your wishes get fulfilled in the days to come;



You are there to comfort me when I am sad;


You are there for me to share my happy moments;


You shared with me your sad moments;


You have been and you are an inspiration to me;


You are a friend, a philosopher and a guide to me;


You are the one of the persons who grabbed some important portion of my 'Diary' of Life;



It's an orthodox way to just wish you with a hand shake and load your mouth with a piece of cake;


I wanted to spend some time thinking about you and write few lines that can make an attempt to touch your heart;


Few lines that fill in some encouragement on this auspicious day;


Few lines that brings a smile on your face;


Few lines that increase the flow of your adrenaline;


Few lines that adds value to our friendship;


Few lines that would add flavor to our relationship;




Yours Ever- Very Jovial >> VJ <<


NB: I have been waiting to publish this post since three weeks, for this auspicious day. I am thankful to God for gifting me such a friend who opened my mind to bring out this post. As mentioned, I thought of giving this pleasant surprise to Chinnu on this day (19th Sep).


Disclaimer: Readers! Please write down your wishes (in the comments) to Chinnu, irrespective of the day you read this post. Thanks in advance Readers...!!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The pain of Separation

There are some people in our lives who are part of our day to day activities. It may be office spouse; our boss; friends; parents; lover etc... We converse with them daily and in a way they influence our lives. We may not feel their importance when we are with them daily. We begin to feel the pinch when we don't interact with them for at least one day. We miss them very badly. They are in away absorbed into our diary and definitely occupy some part of it.

When a soldier leaves his family on duty, it’s very hard for his family to digest the fact that he is going to stay away from them. They know that he is going to fight with danger, yet it is his responsibility. Their feeling of separation is subdued by the thought, that he is putting his life at stake for the sake of our country.

When two lovers are separated from each other, the pain they experience is inexplicable. Though they are separated, they always think about each other. Their hearts are tied with the bond of Love. You can never eliminate each other from their thoughts. They leave an indelible mark in each other lives.

When a child goes for higher education to a distant place, its hard for the mother to bear the pain of separation. Though they are separated temporarily, each others company can never be replaced. A mother is the best company for a child and vice-verse. Knowing that her child is going for a better future, the mother digests the feeling of separation.


I have been acquainted with two persons who are a part and parcel of my daily life. I converse with them daily before going to office. Later, when I come back from my office they are there for me to shed away my office burden by sharing some light moments. Yes, they are my roomies- Sandy and Chaitu. I started realizing their importance first, when Sandy told me suddenly that he got transferred to Hyderabad. Later after some point of time Chaitu informed me that he is also going to get transferred to Hyd. Oh my God! What is this? Why is it happening all of a sudden? I felt sick, realising the fact that after few days they won’t be there to share some light moments. The feeling of separation, started pinching me.

Couple of months back when I was released from my project, I had a conversation with my on- site business counterpart- Cindy.

Cindy: Vijay! Its hard for me to digest the fact that you are released from our domain. I am very sad.

Me: I am also sad to leave you Cindy.... Anyways, they would appoint someone to replace me.

Cindy: Persons may come and go Vijay. But, its hard to build relationship. You have been doing good until now. I never know whoz gonna come but I am gonna miss you.

I had memorable time with these friends. Those dinners in restaurants; mid night B’day celebrations; playing on the seashore ; shouting in the room while watching cricket matches; hanging around in shopping malls and movie theatres... blah..... blah.... We have been together for about two years. All of a sudden, its happening for me. All those wonderful moments are going to be stolen from my dairy. To reiterate Cindy’s words; though I may be acquainted with new persons, no one can replace these two friends.

Sandy and Chaitu- You are like my two eyes. I remember telling you these words. I am very sad that our memories going to be thrown to the warehouse. I am going to miss you a lot. I wish you all the best on your next assignments.

I dedicate this post to you folks...!!!