Happy Republic Day

61 years ago, on this day, our Constitution came into being. 26^th January was chosen to honour the “Declaration of Independence” in 1930. I am watching the Republic Day celebrations Live on Doordarshan, like every year. The flag hoisting, the parade, the bravery awards, all gives me goose bumps in my stomach. I wonder what I will feel when I am there in person. The bravery awards remind me that there is still hope for our country. “Hope” takes me back to an incident that happened a few days back. My sister had to buy naariyal paani and she didn’t have change. The vendor gave it to her saying that she can pay for it later. Even after repeated denials by her and telling him that she won’t be coming by this route again, he still gave it to her. It really touched me. The man probably knew that he may not get money for it, yet didn’t think twice before handing the coconut. I accompanied her and we went all the way to his stall to return his money. And I know people who have lakhs and crores of rupees with them and they can’t even think of parting with their money. What an irony it is! Rightly said that lesser the money, lesser the needs and lesser the needs, higher is the happiness quotient. People like them assure me that this world is still a beautiful place to live in.

On that note, I wish you all a Happy Republic Day. Be proud to be an Indian and lets pledge today that we will do our bit, no matter how small it may be, to make our nation a “developed” county from a “developing” country!

JAI HIND!!

This is my favorite patriotic song. Simply amazing lyrics:

sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam

shasyashyamalam maataram, vande

sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam

shasyashyaamalam maataram, vande maataram !!

vande maataram (8)

Ehsaas thoda to jagaye apne dilon mein hum

kya naam hai apna jaha mein khade hai kaha pe hum

hai humme jana kaha chale hai kahape hum

humse pooche hai yeh mamle watan

sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam

shasyashyamalam maataram, vande

Jana hai taron se age abna rukenge hum

ek nayi subah jagaye sare jahanse hum

himmat kare age bade ab naye rasto pe hum

sari duniya apni warde watan

maa tujhe salam..ooo..mmaaaa...tujhe salam

hoooo ma...tujhe salam..ooooo maaaaa...tujhe pranam

maaa..tujhe salam..oo ma tujhe salam...

Ehsaas thoda to jagaye apne dilon mein hum

kya naam hai apna jaha mein

ek nayi subah jagaye

are intezaar hai jahanko..

Those Small Lil Things in life and love

I was attracted to this book because I loved the cover (serious). I then saw that it is a national bestseller which all the more compelled me to buy it. I enjoy reading the young Indian authors as most of their books are very light and entertaining and this one was no different. Also, the locations, the situations, the names, the songs mentioned in these books are something which I can relate to. Not that I don’t relate to the things mentioned by foreign authors, they take me a world of dreams and imagination and making me promise myself that I would visit those places someday.

Anyways, coming back to the topic, this book by Rahul Saini is about Raj and his love (mostly infatuation) life. Raj is a young architect who lives in Gurgaon and is a huge movie buff and can relate the happenings of his life with some movie. It’s a story connecting all those little incidents in one’s life that one never forgets. It’s about falling in and out of love. It’s about the one whom you love not loving you back. It’s about friends. It’s about childhood, school, college and professional life.

Raj’s love story started when he was in kindergarten and continues through the different phases of his life, in school, high school, college and professional life with different girls in a very filmy style. He elaborates his story about 8 different girls whom he loved/liked at some point of time in his life and who made an impact on him. It moves to and fro from present to past. Currently he has a nasty boss and he almost hates his job, he has a nice set of colleagues and friends though, who makes his life bearable.

Just like in the Movies – this is a book you can finish in a single sit. I took 1.5 days by the way.

(Finished it in the long weekend of Uttrayan/ Sankranti, where I had nothing much to do here, in Bangalore). The writing is simple and easy to understand. It can be used as a starting book for those who don’t like to read. It will make you stick to your seat until you finish it. There is a feel good factor about the book.

The one thing I didn’t like is the ending. The author has left it to the readers to decide the climax which makes you wonder what would have had happened. Being an ever optimist, I ended it on a happy note J, I just wish that the author had done that too!

All in all, a good read on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

My Rating : 4/5

Check it out!

I was doing mindless surfing when I came across the winners of National Wildlife's annual photo contest.

The snaps are just breath taking. Don't miss any of them! A special mention of Orangutan wrapping fingers (2nd place in Mammals category)

Bidding Adieu to 2010

2010 was a memorable year for me in many ways. It started with a high and also ended with one (and everything in between was also on a high J )

With 2010, I welcomed J* into my life. We got to know each other in and out during this time. When I moved to Bangalore, the first task was to set up a home. Setting up a home was fun and exhausting at the same time. We lovingly converted a house to our home. During all this, we had our share of differences, fights, ruthna-manana and all.. but it goes without saying that there was a lot of love too (I think fights between couples are a must J ) But even with all these differences J* is perfect for me (J*, in case you are reading this, I am just too good for you, okay ;-) ).

2010 has a lot of family time as well. During the year, I was grabbing all the attention at my in-laws’ place as a “nayi bahu”.(Even after an year, I am still treated as a newly wed there and people are coming to meet me and I love it!).  All the year either we were travelling home or folks were coming to visit us. We went to J*’s native thrice and to my place once, the other time I went alone when J* went onsite for around 15-20 days. That was the only time during the year when we were apart. Then, my in laws visited us, my parents and brother came. My didi has now come to permanently settle here. As they are staying with us for a while, we had a blast during Christmas and New Year as well with them. With so much time spent in the company of family members, time just flied and before I realized the year was over.

I also travelled abroad for the first time this year. J* had an onsite and I tagged along :P We were there for around 2 months and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely love to be there again. We booked our two-wheeler and four-wheeler this year (None of them have arrived yet, but are expected soon). We also celebrated our first anniversary this December.

Overall, the year has been extremely good. I don’t think that it could have been any better than this, but then all I want is everything J So here’s hoping for an even better and successful 2011. Have a beautiful 2011!!

(PS – I just realized that I have written J* and about J* ‘n’ number of times in this post. Well that is because, he has been the highlight of the year for me J )