This is my last blog here. I am now moving to a new site http://web.mac.com/aiyappa/ on my .Mac account. More beautiful, more organised and more me :)
This is where the 'more' in the infinity appears.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
A nice little mail I once recieved.....
A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had
some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill
it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the
open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand.
The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents your
life.
"The golf balls are the important things - your God,
family, your children, your health, your friends, and
your favorite passions - things that if everything
else was lost and only they remained, your life would
still be full.
"The pebbles are the other things that matter like
your job, your house, and your car.
"The sand is everything else--the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he
continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the
golf balls.
"The same goes for life.
"If you spend all your time and energy on the small
stuff, you will never have room for the things that
are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness.
Play with your children.
"Take time to get medical checkups.
"Take your partner out to dinner.
"There will always be time to clean the house and fix
the disposal.
"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that
really matter.
"Set your priorities.
"The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.
"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your
life may seem,there's always room for a cup of coffee
with a friend."
some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill
it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the
open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand.
The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents your
life.
"The golf balls are the important things - your God,
family, your children, your health, your friends, and
your favorite passions - things that if everything
else was lost and only they remained, your life would
still be full.
"The pebbles are the other things that matter like
your job, your house, and your car.
"The sand is everything else--the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he
continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the
golf balls.
"The same goes for life.
"If you spend all your time and energy on the small
stuff, you will never have room for the things that
are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness.
Play with your children.
"Take time to get medical checkups.
"Take your partner out to dinner.
"There will always be time to clean the house and fix
the disposal.
"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that
really matter.
"Set your priorities.
"The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.
"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your
life may seem,there's always room for a cup of coffee
with a friend."
Saturday, August 19, 2006
....and this ones' for me.... :))
I kept the right ones out
And let the wrong ones in
Had an angel of mercy
To see me through all my sins
There were times in my life
When I was goin' insane
Tryin' to walk through the pain
And when I lost my grip
And I hit the floor
Yeah, I thought I could leave
But couldn't get out the door
I was so sick n' tired
Of livin' a lie
I was wishing that I would die
It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
It's amazing
That when the moment arrives
You know you'll be alright
It's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight
That one last shot's a Permanent Vacation
And a how high can you fly with broken wings
Life's a journey - not a destination
And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings
You have to learn to crawl
Before you learn to walk
But I just couldn't listen
To all that righteous talk
I was out on the street
Just tryin' to survive
Scratchin' to stay alive
It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
It's amazing
That when the moment arrives
You know you'll be alright
It's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight
"So, from all of us at Aerosmith
to all of you out there, wherever you are.
Remember- the light at the end of the tunnel
may be you. Goodnight!
Amazing
Aerosmith
Get A Grip
And let the wrong ones in
Had an angel of mercy
To see me through all my sins
There were times in my life
When I was goin' insane
Tryin' to walk through the pain
And when I lost my grip
And I hit the floor
Yeah, I thought I could leave
But couldn't get out the door
I was so sick n' tired
Of livin' a lie
I was wishing that I would die
It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
It's amazing
That when the moment arrives
You know you'll be alright
It's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight
That one last shot's a Permanent Vacation
And a how high can you fly with broken wings
Life's a journey - not a destination
And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings
You have to learn to crawl
Before you learn to walk
But I just couldn't listen
To all that righteous talk
I was out on the street
Just tryin' to survive
Scratchin' to stay alive
It's amazing
With the blink of an eye
You finally see the light
It's amazing
That when the moment arrives
You know you'll be alright
It's amazing
And I'm saying a prayer
For the desperate hearts tonight
"So, from all of us at Aerosmith
to all of you out there, wherever you are.
Remember- the light at the end of the tunnel
may be you. Goodnight!
Amazing
Aerosmith
Get A Grip
Thursday, August 17, 2006
A Time Lived ?
There was a time when i believed that i lived.Every breath i took was scented, and every move i made was ochrestated. The dance of life never ending and the song of faith so true. The spring was spring with the winter two seasons away. It would never come, the winter. The cold harsh winds were not for me, and the blankets were destined to their dooms in their closets.
Life has its ways. And the winter will come. The harsh wind will freeze and make the heart so cold that no feelings will dare to fight back. So insesitive that the break will be a tickle. A joke of a jester never to be taken seriously, even by the the most feared of the kings.
Where did i go wrong. Or was i right as always. Had my ego engulfed me in such a blanket of darkness that so blinded me and kept me away from the realities of the frost. Did i lose my veins in vain or madness. Was my defeat a legend to be fortold for generations to come, to make my shame eternal.
As a kid i was confortable, without the knowledge of the ways of the cruel heart. The love for everything so genuine feels so childish. But, maybe, that was the only true love that i may have experienced, that of which will take a lifetime to forget. That, which will make me regret to the end of this life.
The spring shall come like the winter once froze. And the astronomical existence will continue without remorse of the loss of a single soul.
Seasons. Happiness. Remorse. Will stay.
I am just human, with a dream of divinity. Something, only the gods and angels seem to deserve. We are entitled only shame of our actions and the regret of our passions. As we morbidly continue our meaningless lives of achievement, only to be neutralised by our deaths.
Some of us will make it to the books, and some will stay obscure, with a new born baptised with a name so copied.
All rise from the ashes like the mythical phoenix. While they still burn, will a rebirth be so rejoiced. The pain never ending and the flames so engulfing.
Shall i survive or shall i give up as a patriot and call it romantic. Shall i stay and and watch myself burn or be reborn to eternise my rebellion.
Is it the time i lived, or a time i lived to die.
Life has its ways. And the winter will come. The harsh wind will freeze and make the heart so cold that no feelings will dare to fight back. So insesitive that the break will be a tickle. A joke of a jester never to be taken seriously, even by the the most feared of the kings.
Where did i go wrong. Or was i right as always. Had my ego engulfed me in such a blanket of darkness that so blinded me and kept me away from the realities of the frost. Did i lose my veins in vain or madness. Was my defeat a legend to be fortold for generations to come, to make my shame eternal.
As a kid i was confortable, without the knowledge of the ways of the cruel heart. The love for everything so genuine feels so childish. But, maybe, that was the only true love that i may have experienced, that of which will take a lifetime to forget. That, which will make me regret to the end of this life.
The spring shall come like the winter once froze. And the astronomical existence will continue without remorse of the loss of a single soul.
Seasons. Happiness. Remorse. Will stay.
I am just human, with a dream of divinity. Something, only the gods and angels seem to deserve. We are entitled only shame of our actions and the regret of our passions. As we morbidly continue our meaningless lives of achievement, only to be neutralised by our deaths.
Some of us will make it to the books, and some will stay obscure, with a new born baptised with a name so copied.
All rise from the ashes like the mythical phoenix. While they still burn, will a rebirth be so rejoiced. The pain never ending and the flames so engulfing.
Shall i survive or shall i give up as a patriot and call it romantic. Shall i stay and and watch myself burn or be reborn to eternise my rebellion.
Is it the time i lived, or a time i lived to die.
Friday, August 04, 2006
My last ever dedication for M..... :((
The saddest day of my life,.....yet, but wouldnt want it to go without a song.....
From where I stand
I can see through you
From where you're sitting, pretty one
I know it got to you
I see the stars in your eyes
You want the truth, but you need the lies
Like Judy Garland, like Valentino
You give your life for rock n' roll
Uh huh
Stand
We're on a landslide of love
You got everything you want
But what you need
You give away
For primitive love
And a ride on the mystery train
A primitive love
A room at the heart
The heartbreak hotel
A room at the heartbreak
Heartbreak hotel
A room at the heartbreak
Heartbreak hotel
You say it's love, it's not the money
You let them suck your life out like honey
Turning tricks, you're on the street
Selling your kisses so bittersweet
My life / Yeah
Oh, yeah yeah yeah
I wanna love
Did he bed again?
I gotta know
Oh the price
Is too hard to pay
A primitive love
And a ride on the mystery train
A primitive love
A room at the heart
The heartbreak hotel
A Room At The HeartBreak Hotel,
U2
From where I stand
I can see through you
From where you're sitting, pretty one
I know it got to you
I see the stars in your eyes
You want the truth, but you need the lies
Like Judy Garland, like Valentino
You give your life for rock n' roll
Uh huh
Stand
We're on a landslide of love
You got everything you want
But what you need
You give away
For primitive love
And a ride on the mystery train
A primitive love
A room at the heart
The heartbreak hotel
A room at the heartbreak
Heartbreak hotel
A room at the heartbreak
Heartbreak hotel
You say it's love, it's not the money
You let them suck your life out like honey
Turning tricks, you're on the street
Selling your kisses so bittersweet
My life / Yeah
Oh, yeah yeah yeah
I wanna love
Did he bed again?
I gotta know
Oh the price
Is too hard to pay
A primitive love
And a ride on the mystery train
A primitive love
A room at the heart
The heartbreak hotel
A Room At The HeartBreak Hotel,
U2
Monday, May 01, 2006
Of morality and more....
The pay commision is down upon us and all our salaries are going higher. The economy of our country couldnt have been beeter. On second glance, it is still getting better.
But a better pay package and a god economy, does it make an advancement in the betterment of a country?
A higher pay package would definately encourage those employees in the lower rungs to work more responsibly. They would now, not resort to easier "sources of income", just because they were "paid too less". The quality of life might definately improve. Morality must improve. People will work harder, which inturn would improve the economy of the country, and so forth.
Do economically strong countries, like The Americas and Britain, face problems like bribery and corruption? Atleat from what we get to see from T.V., their police force is really good. Most of their officers have their own patrol cars, and they are in the crime scene in a matter of seconds. But then again it is the economy of their country.
Reality may not be economy based after all. Reality may be the basic psyche of an individual towards his personal morality. Is it connected with nationality and hence the economy?
But the stains of human evils will remain. The want for more will forever debate with morality. Economy, self's and the nation's, has got nothing to do with it.
But a better pay package and a god economy, does it make an advancement in the betterment of a country?
A higher pay package would definately encourage those employees in the lower rungs to work more responsibly. They would now, not resort to easier "sources of income", just because they were "paid too less". The quality of life might definately improve. Morality must improve. People will work harder, which inturn would improve the economy of the country, and so forth.
Do economically strong countries, like The Americas and Britain, face problems like bribery and corruption? Atleat from what we get to see from T.V., their police force is really good. Most of their officers have their own patrol cars, and they are in the crime scene in a matter of seconds. But then again it is the economy of their country.
Reality may not be economy based after all. Reality may be the basic psyche of an individual towards his personal morality. Is it connected with nationality and hence the economy?
But the stains of human evils will remain. The want for more will forever debate with morality. Economy, self's and the nation's, has got nothing to do with it.
Misguided
The death of Dr Rajkumar was mourned by everyone. Everyone? Who is he? An actor of the yesteryears who potrayed the common man and enacted their dreams and fantasies. But really, who is he?
No one outside the good state of Karnataka seems to know him. He was an icon, an inspiration to the misguided youth and a say to anything. Is it?
Many may know what he has done for his "people", in his lifetime. And many will come to revere him for this. But fo the rest of us, really, who is he?
All I know is, he is the guy who brought Bangalore City to a halt. His death triggered a mindless violence in which many were harmed. They beat up a cop to death, during the ensuing violence. Was the poor soul insulting the dead icon in any manner? Was he a bachelor? Was he living alone? Did he have a family to feed, a sister to marry, children to educate? Was he a fan?
He might not have been and he might have been. But what was definately true that he was doing his job and he died on the call of duty. The 'people' forgot this. They forgot that apart from their own misguided, miserable lives, they have a family to look back to, someone at home looking forward for them. And yet they yield their power of being in a mob in taking another's life, with so much intensity and passion tha speaks of no remorse or mourning.
I pray for the dead policeman and his broken family, and I pray that I wont die a useless death.
No one outside the good state of Karnataka seems to know him. He was an icon, an inspiration to the misguided youth and a say to anything. Is it?
Many may know what he has done for his "people", in his lifetime. And many will come to revere him for this. But fo the rest of us, really, who is he?
All I know is, he is the guy who brought Bangalore City to a halt. His death triggered a mindless violence in which many were harmed. They beat up a cop to death, during the ensuing violence. Was the poor soul insulting the dead icon in any manner? Was he a bachelor? Was he living alone? Did he have a family to feed, a sister to marry, children to educate? Was he a fan?
He might not have been and he might have been. But what was definately true that he was doing his job and he died on the call of duty. The 'people' forgot this. They forgot that apart from their own misguided, miserable lives, they have a family to look back to, someone at home looking forward for them. And yet they yield their power of being in a mob in taking another's life, with so much intensity and passion tha speaks of no remorse or mourning.
I pray for the dead policeman and his broken family, and I pray that I wont die a useless death.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Thursday, December 15, 2005
I...
Here I am sitting, having a cup of coffee, thinking of the existence i enjoy. All the metaphysical 'seasons' I go through. Spring,rain, storms. Does that make me a 'weathered' man?
I have climbed mountains, swam across oceans, lied on my back in the grass and lazed around. I am a traveller.
I have fought for my thoughts, my individuality, people's indifference, defended against their anarchy, kept double standards of the mind at bay. I am a soldier.
I have laughed trouble away, smiled at failure and been cheerful with my advesaries. I have laughed at the world. I am a clown.
I have loved my friends, love a woman, had nothing against my enemies, appreciated the music of traffic, hummed my favourite song in the freezing cold and lived a simple life. I am a poet.
I have been wet in the rain, in the sweat of hardwork, by the tears of pain and also happiness. I like the wet look. Wet after a bath, wet with imagination, wet with accomplishment, wet on victory. i like wet. I am a fish.
I am ferocious in my thoughts, my beliefs, my rights, my interests, my loyalty, my integrity, my faith, my honour, my self respect. I am an animal.
I hope to make it on my own, live my life the way i define it and fight throgh it all. I am me. I am a survivor.
I have climbed mountains, swam across oceans, lied on my back in the grass and lazed around. I am a traveller.
I have fought for my thoughts, my individuality, people's indifference, defended against their anarchy, kept double standards of the mind at bay. I am a soldier.
I have laughed trouble away, smiled at failure and been cheerful with my advesaries. I have laughed at the world. I am a clown.
I have loved my friends, love a woman, had nothing against my enemies, appreciated the music of traffic, hummed my favourite song in the freezing cold and lived a simple life. I am a poet.
I have been wet in the rain, in the sweat of hardwork, by the tears of pain and also happiness. I like the wet look. Wet after a bath, wet with imagination, wet with accomplishment, wet on victory. i like wet. I am a fish.
I am ferocious in my thoughts, my beliefs, my rights, my interests, my loyalty, my integrity, my faith, my honour, my self respect. I am an animal.
I hope to make it on my own, live my life the way i define it and fight throgh it all. I am me. I am a survivor.
Monday, December 05, 2005
When You Will Be Gone
The freshness in the air and the sunlight at dawn, after a hard cold night.
The colours of flowers and the cent of the new rain. The blue skies and the clear, green meadows.
The chirp of the sparrows in the willow along the bubbling brook. The smell of coffeee and the newness of the morning.
The wakeful nights and the dreams of tomorrow, the ripples of uneasiness and the doubts of actions.
Hopes, dreams, aspirations.
What I may miss and what I will lose.
Will it be the same or will life go on, when you are gone.
The colours of flowers and the cent of the new rain. The blue skies and the clear, green meadows.
The chirp of the sparrows in the willow along the bubbling brook. The smell of coffeee and the newness of the morning.
The wakeful nights and the dreams of tomorrow, the ripples of uneasiness and the doubts of actions.
Hopes, dreams, aspirations.
What I may miss and what I will lose.
Will it be the same or will life go on, when you are gone.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
My Private Tutor...
I was having a tough time in mathematics class. I request the lecturer to help me out. He is hesitant in the beginning and finally helps me out with the statement that, these were the basics and I should have learnt it in the Eleventh standard. I finished my Eleventh in 1995, after that one year of Twelth, three years of college, one year as a designer and then finally 6 years of active service in the Armed Forces, and somehow he expected me to know all the basics of Integration, which he had just started teaching, a good ten years later for me!
This has not been the first time. Most of our teachers in our esteemed educational institutions take their jobs, well, just like a job. Their aim mainly has been to complete teaching what they have to for that period – Teach less and complete as much of the portions as possible. The end result? Failure of the learning process.
Now we must wonder what does the student do? He takes tuitions, most probably from a 'professional' institute, which are nothing less than mini colleges by themselves, or from the college lecturer himself – with the ruse that he will pass him. This.... is a vicious cycle. Ridiculous.
The question is who is at fault? The student? Who doesn't seem to understand in class but seems to really do well with tuitions, or is it the teacher, who is not giving his best in a college class but is an excellent tuition teacher?
Our culture is based on ancient texts like the Bhagavad-Gita, which is an offshoot of the epic Mahabharata. The same epic where the royal guru Acharya Drona and Arjuna live on for eternity. A teacher who refused and maimed a master archman Eklavya so that his student Arjuna would forever remain the best and unbeaten. The same Eklavya who made Drona's idol out of mud and took the same as his teacher and became comparable to Arjuna.
There is a lesson to be learnt here., not only for teachers and instructors of any kind, but for students too, that no matter what you do, only hardwork, dedication and steadfastness will pull anyone through. It would have been unimaginable if Arjun or Eklavya took tuitions.
The above text is only a generalisation. It is my personal experience with some of these teachers that prompted me to write this. All teachers are not bad. I do have my favorites, those who have molded me as an educated and morally right person. Taking tuitions is not bad too. I have taken tuitions myself. Sometimes you do need extra coaching to understand a subject better, like say literature and mathematics, in which case, the more practice you get, the better off you are. A teacher - student relationship, what i consider, is of an exchange of ideas, for the benefit of learning and should be as interactive as possible. But there are those who have turned this relationship to a money making scheme. My grouse is against those business minded instructors as well as those foolhardy students who encourage this failure of morals.
This has not been the first time. Most of our teachers in our esteemed educational institutions take their jobs, well, just like a job. Their aim mainly has been to complete teaching what they have to for that period – Teach less and complete as much of the portions as possible. The end result? Failure of the learning process.
Now we must wonder what does the student do? He takes tuitions, most probably from a 'professional' institute, which are nothing less than mini colleges by themselves, or from the college lecturer himself – with the ruse that he will pass him. This.... is a vicious cycle. Ridiculous.
The question is who is at fault? The student? Who doesn't seem to understand in class but seems to really do well with tuitions, or is it the teacher, who is not giving his best in a college class but is an excellent tuition teacher?
Our culture is based on ancient texts like the Bhagavad-Gita, which is an offshoot of the epic Mahabharata. The same epic where the royal guru Acharya Drona and Arjuna live on for eternity. A teacher who refused and maimed a master archman Eklavya so that his student Arjuna would forever remain the best and unbeaten. The same Eklavya who made Drona's idol out of mud and took the same as his teacher and became comparable to Arjuna.
There is a lesson to be learnt here., not only for teachers and instructors of any kind, but for students too, that no matter what you do, only hardwork, dedication and steadfastness will pull anyone through. It would have been unimaginable if Arjun or Eklavya took tuitions.
The above text is only a generalisation. It is my personal experience with some of these teachers that prompted me to write this. All teachers are not bad. I do have my favorites, those who have molded me as an educated and morally right person. Taking tuitions is not bad too. I have taken tuitions myself. Sometimes you do need extra coaching to understand a subject better, like say literature and mathematics, in which case, the more practice you get, the better off you are. A teacher - student relationship, what i consider, is of an exchange of ideas, for the benefit of learning and should be as interactive as possible. But there are those who have turned this relationship to a money making scheme. My grouse is against those business minded instructors as well as those foolhardy students who encourage this failure of morals.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Shine On You Crazy Diamond........
Remember when you were young,
You shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
You cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Pink Floyd
You shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
You cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Pink Floyd
Monday, August 29, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Quote...
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." – T. E. Lawrence
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
A Nice App
Copy this link in IE and do not maximize the
window...keep the window SMALL and see the 'magic'...
http://s94009834.onlinehome.us/xyz/move.html
window...keep the window SMALL and see the 'magic'...
http://s94009834.onlinehome.us/xyz/move.html
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
What We Miss Out.....
From the saffron of the sunrise to the blood stained skies of the dusk. The breath of the morning dew to the scent of the new rain. The joyful colours in the neighbor’s garden and the tint of whites of the scattered clouds. The dusty pathway to a lonesome village and the merry chirp of a hundred sparrows at the roadside broken pipeline. The rise of the full moon and the cool breeze of midnight. The heady scent of the night queen and the songs of the never asleep cricket or is it the grasshopper. The sight of a moonless, theatrical, diamond studded night sky and the wish fulfilling streak of a shooting star.
The palette of life never satisfying enough, the search for beauty, if a search, never a wasted effort. The rainbow in the heart created by the sunshine of love and over-brimming happiness is not difficult. All you got to do is fall in love…..with life.
The palette of life never satisfying enough, the search for beauty, if a search, never a wasted effort. The rainbow in the heart created by the sunshine of love and over-brimming happiness is not difficult. All you got to do is fall in love…..with life.
The coffee shop in the Fort of Mehrangarh. Thats me, Kunal, Jayan, Charu and Naveen with the servers in the back ground.
Friday, April 22, 2005
The Land Of The Kings.
Rajasthan. The land of the Kings. My stay here for last three months were quite eventful. The vast expanses of the waste lands, and miles of sand is a visual treat. For me this clocks over 7000 kms of traveling over the last 6 months.
Living in the desert as a villager is totally different than the kind of life that we are so used to in the fertile regions of our country. The villages are small with 10 to 20 houses and large families. Water is scarce and the villagers most usually depend on the rains. They actually have a unique style of water storage and filtration. They dig sumps of about 20 ft with a dia of about 5 ft. lined with loose cement, they take about 6-7 hours to dig at the rate of Rs 300-400 per hour. The beat the earth around the sump to settle the sand. The sump then collects whatever rainfall it can. The sump reaches its peak efficiency only after a couple of rains. The water is stored in about 10 to 20 sumps per village. The water stored for over a year turns brackish and develops a layer of algae over it. The villagers, when require water, take the water and filter it in their homes and drink it. They prefer it to the salty ground water in most places.
There is practically no mobile coverage. Each village have atleast one PCO. Usually the only telephone for miles. Electricity is in cycles of 7 hours. There is power at 7 hour stretches. The timing is so that you have power for 7 hours in the day for a week then for 7 hours in the night for a week. Ofcourse I am talking about the villages. In the cities it is slightly better. All the villages are well connected by road with vehicular traffic of atleast one bus per day. Its really amusing when you are driving for hours and suddenly a village pops out from nowhere.
They tell me that Rajasthan is a lot greener from what it was about 10 years back, all thanks to the Indira Gandhi Canal. You actually see a lot of greenery next to the canal. Its actually like that of a dense jungle. There was one thing that I found strange about the vegetation along the canal. The trees along the cannal is green, then there is a band of dead trees for about 25 mtrs all along the canal. The greenery then begins again. This is true for most of the vegetation along the canal. Nobody has a logical enough explanation for this.
We did a lot of traveling to all the forts and tourist areas we could get time to explore. One place that is noteworthy of mention is the Mehramgarh Fort in Jodhpur. It is a medium sized fort looming majestically over the town of Jodhpur. The fort was totally self sufficient when it was populated. The water supply system in the fort is interesting. Water is pulled up from tanks below the fort along the high walls. It is then poured over the turrets which have channels for the water, which inturn carry the water to the rest of the fort. There are many windows in the fort and the view from each window goes far and wide. The guns are still there pointing towards the vast expanse to protect the fort from its enemies. Though most of the range of the gun has been taken over by the population of the town. The fort boasts of a small museum within, with many an interesting artifact. There is a small coffee shop within the fort too, though the rates are exhoribant. A bottle of cheap wine for 1100 bucks. I have had better for cheaper. But then again it was agreat experience.
The people of Rajasthan, especially the villagers, are the most friendly that I have met. The children were particularly exited whenever they saw us Faujis. But something that really hit us was the prevalent caste system. One of my colleagues stopped by and chatted with a kid of about 10 years. The first thing that Naveen was asked was what his jaath was. One more time me and Naveen were sitting in our makeshift mess when this old villager walks by. We invite him to share our lunch with us. When the server gave him a plate he asks him what his caste is. That got us really irritated. We gave the old man a choice, take the food silently or take a kick. So much for our charity. But the people are really friendly. They allowed us to use their wells wherever we set up our camps. The have deep respect for the armed forces, something that is rare to come by. Civilians in the cities everywhere else look at you as if you are from a different planet altogether.
Some trivia that we came across during our stay in the wild wild west.
The erstwhile kings sometimes had 20-22 queens.
The temperatures are close to 50 in the day and around 10 in the nights.
Land is costly. The rates in Jaipur are about Rs 17000 per sq yd, the cheapest being Rs 7000 per sq yd
People are very colourful in their clothing. Their traditional linen is something called ‘bandhni’, hand dyed block printed clothing.
Things you should have if you plan to visit. An SUV, lots of water, lots of money for all the curiosities you will want to buy, warm clothing definitely if you visit during the winters… the best times being Oct-Nov or Feb-March and a world space receiver --- there is no FM.
Living in the desert as a villager is totally different than the kind of life that we are so used to in the fertile regions of our country. The villages are small with 10 to 20 houses and large families. Water is scarce and the villagers most usually depend on the rains. They actually have a unique style of water storage and filtration. They dig sumps of about 20 ft with a dia of about 5 ft. lined with loose cement, they take about 6-7 hours to dig at the rate of Rs 300-400 per hour. The beat the earth around the sump to settle the sand. The sump then collects whatever rainfall it can. The sump reaches its peak efficiency only after a couple of rains. The water is stored in about 10 to 20 sumps per village. The water stored for over a year turns brackish and develops a layer of algae over it. The villagers, when require water, take the water and filter it in their homes and drink it. They prefer it to the salty ground water in most places.
There is practically no mobile coverage. Each village have atleast one PCO. Usually the only telephone for miles. Electricity is in cycles of 7 hours. There is power at 7 hour stretches. The timing is so that you have power for 7 hours in the day for a week then for 7 hours in the night for a week. Ofcourse I am talking about the villages. In the cities it is slightly better. All the villages are well connected by road with vehicular traffic of atleast one bus per day. Its really amusing when you are driving for hours and suddenly a village pops out from nowhere.
They tell me that Rajasthan is a lot greener from what it was about 10 years back, all thanks to the Indira Gandhi Canal. You actually see a lot of greenery next to the canal. Its actually like that of a dense jungle. There was one thing that I found strange about the vegetation along the canal. The trees along the cannal is green, then there is a band of dead trees for about 25 mtrs all along the canal. The greenery then begins again. This is true for most of the vegetation along the canal. Nobody has a logical enough explanation for this.
We did a lot of traveling to all the forts and tourist areas we could get time to explore. One place that is noteworthy of mention is the Mehramgarh Fort in Jodhpur. It is a medium sized fort looming majestically over the town of Jodhpur. The fort was totally self sufficient when it was populated. The water supply system in the fort is interesting. Water is pulled up from tanks below the fort along the high walls. It is then poured over the turrets which have channels for the water, which inturn carry the water to the rest of the fort. There are many windows in the fort and the view from each window goes far and wide. The guns are still there pointing towards the vast expanse to protect the fort from its enemies. Though most of the range of the gun has been taken over by the population of the town. The fort boasts of a small museum within, with many an interesting artifact. There is a small coffee shop within the fort too, though the rates are exhoribant. A bottle of cheap wine for 1100 bucks. I have had better for cheaper. But then again it was agreat experience.
The people of Rajasthan, especially the villagers, are the most friendly that I have met. The children were particularly exited whenever they saw us Faujis. But something that really hit us was the prevalent caste system. One of my colleagues stopped by and chatted with a kid of about 10 years. The first thing that Naveen was asked was what his jaath was. One more time me and Naveen were sitting in our makeshift mess when this old villager walks by. We invite him to share our lunch with us. When the server gave him a plate he asks him what his caste is. That got us really irritated. We gave the old man a choice, take the food silently or take a kick. So much for our charity. But the people are really friendly. They allowed us to use their wells wherever we set up our camps. The have deep respect for the armed forces, something that is rare to come by. Civilians in the cities everywhere else look at you as if you are from a different planet altogether.
Some trivia that we came across during our stay in the wild wild west.
The erstwhile kings sometimes had 20-22 queens.
The temperatures are close to 50 in the day and around 10 in the nights.
Land is costly. The rates in Jaipur are about Rs 17000 per sq yd, the cheapest being Rs 7000 per sq yd
People are very colourful in their clothing. Their traditional linen is something called ‘bandhni’, hand dyed block printed clothing.
Things you should have if you plan to visit. An SUV, lots of water, lots of money for all the curiosities you will want to buy, warm clothing definitely if you visit during the winters… the best times being Oct-Nov or Feb-March and a world space receiver --- there is no FM.
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