Re-living the past

It was during my sixth semester when this trip was planned. The motivation came in simulation lab when smruti told me something about sambeet. So, here I was all ready to go for the trip!
The impetus was too strong to resist!

So finally after so many failed plans here was something that seemed to really work out! Everything was planned with great enthusiasm.
One the memorable day, I woke up at 4:30 am and by 5:30, I was ready as it was decided the cab will be at my house @ 6 am. 6 came and went......no signs of any moving vehicle......frantic phone calls followed.......fear of another planned-failed trip gripped me......I was shivering in disgust and anger.........thought of sleeping again.......then the call from muni woke me up!
WE were going!!! Hurray!
Beware Venga Boys! We too like to party!!!

And the rest is now deeply embedded in our hearts..........its a day that I'll not forget for the rest of my lives...........



And now after 1.5 yrs, I happened to visit those places again,,,,,,,,this time happiness was replaced by sorrow........the feeling of missing my gang............

I tried to cry........could not.............ended up shooting photos alone you all to be there as we had shot 1.5 yrs ago....................

Why does time run so FAST?

Why the hell we fall in LOVE?

Everyone seems to be charmed by this notorious word "LOVE" . Every time we find ourselves in an awkward position we say "Anyways we love you". What the hell is this love! It is nothing but a mere mental strain. It is a sure shot way of making yourself aged faster and not an hour richer. Love gives the pain(We always feel the absence of someone or something). Love gives you the pain,the suffering and sleepless nights. Love is a contagious disease which destroys two innocent souls who are disillusioned that they are made for each other. Love wants compromise. You cannot have the best as your love. You are bound to someone even if they are not useful to you anymore.
Love makes you blind. It makes you trust someone more than necessary so that they may betray you. People spend their whole lives searching for love. And then there is a continuous need to express your love other wise your partner may think your love has diminished. Love makes you spend your precious resources for others. Love is a stigma in this world.

I HATE "LOVE".

Baramunda Premier League

T20 cricket World Cup has done it again! It has stirred the sentiments of Indians. And the blessed ones among us have devised a way to make money out of this T20 craze. "CLONE TOURNAMENTS"! Then how can the citizens of Baramunda lie back ? So presenting before you "Baramunda Premier League".

There will be 32 teams and all the matches would be in knock out fashion. The winner will take it all. Prize money is Rs 10,000.

Preparations are in full swing. The pitch is being prepared by local curator (Khuju Bhai) with the help from children who play in the ground. Pratap bhai ( Ward Counsellor, ward no 12) is personally looking after all the preparations.

So, see you soon with BPL updates once matches start.Till then Good Bye. And keep reading eRashmi.

Feelings at a Banquet!

The social animal I am, I have been lucky to have many friends( many of them are real restaurant freaks). Add to this the atmosphere Birthday Season brings! Ho Ho! We are going for a treat! The real zeal of B'Days! So here we arrange bikes (autos for gals) and sped away to the fortunate destination.

Once in the restaurant, the merry din (read the shouts and merry making) fills the vicinity and enchants everyone. The manager smiles ( read devilish smile ) at the prospect of seeing such a large profit. Hardly he knows what the hell we are!!!!

We take our chairs and shouting, grinning,teasing and blushing continues. Here a fight of a different sort ensues: For sitting next to one's gal friend ( survival of the fittest ) . How apt was Darwin !
Never mind after some time the grumbling comes down and weaker ones console themselves by thinking better luck next time. Ah ha! All the best buddies.

Then the waiter comes and he goes into hysteria after getting the order : How come such a large gathering manage with such a merge amount. I suppose this was a banquet! Anyways this is our way of life: Save money boss. See what happened in US for their consumerism. WE all are suffering in this state of economic slump.By the way lets continue : He coaxes us to order more items at least increase the quantity. But all his pleadings go to deaf ears. How determined we are!

The wait for food begins. The taste buds are activated. The saliva starts trickling. The stomach is tuned in to accommodate the maximum capacity. Then the "Think Food" mode is activated and loaded into memory. Finally we are ready.

When the food comes, the animal in me tries to unleash itself. But years of training by the society has taught me to keep my instincts in control. I wait for the food to be served. The waiter works so slowly and serves as if he were a perfectionist.

Now even more formality ensues. We need to wait till our neighbors start eating and this wait creates a vicious circle. Huh! At last some one starts eating and then the ball starts rolling. The meat is teared apart and the paneer is gulped at a go.

Time for the bill. Everyone waits for it more anxiously than the host(after all they would be the host after some days).

This whole process is repeated every time some one is born every year. Who ever said history repeats itself said it rightly!

Anyways ! Did I forget to say Happy Birthday?



HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

99% Gals are Beautiful, Rest are in my College!!!!

When a boy joins a college (especially if it is an engineering college), he has a vision of freedom. With the teenage spirit going strong, he wants to revolt against everybody. But then, there is a softer corner. He has many expectations from his college life : masti, a cool gang, music and of course "Beautiful Gals". I too had such expectations! But then, they were smashed in the very first few days of my college life. How come such "head turners" (beautiful gals) are studying in the near by college and none in mine. I cannot express the trauma. All my hopes of making a girl friend were smashed to the ground. "Why did on earth did I take admission in this college". To add to the suffering, it was not just the quality but the quantity that I found wanting. And I searched for the prettiest gal among them (it was like searching for the least rotten apple among a rotten lot). Hiding my disappointment , I approached her to talk with her and the kind of attitude that she showed made me remember the fable of "The Frog in the Well". There is an excellent classification
of gals in the movie " Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai". It goes like this : There are three types of gals : A class : They are head turners . They make you stare at them for long long long hours. Class B : They are the ones from whom the beauty parlours make business. Class C : They are not gals from any angle. I think the gals in my college fall in lower class B and class C. Still the attitude!!!
Anyways! I made the mistake of not visiting the college before taking admission and paid heavily for it. You people be smarter. Choose before you select. After all it really pains spending 4 long years without any girl friend.
Huh! Its easier said then done! But be a little choosy in selecting your Girl Friends. After all you want to make a style statement.

With lots of wishes.
-A Frustoo




(P.S. :
Disclaimer: All the above facts are fictional. It has no resemblance with anyone living or dead. If any such resemblance is found, it is purely coincidental.)

Life with DKS

I joined my engineering college in 2005. The first day was really memorable and is special to my heart. About a week passed till I met the boy who was about to play a crucial role over the next 4 years. Lets call him DKS. I really do not remember when I met him first,but I remember that we had our tiffins together sitting on a wall in the lap of nature. You know, DKS is a kind of boy who always listens and I always babble. So we formed a deep bond. At a later stage ,BPR and DG, also joined our tiffin session. You know DKS is one of the few boys who scored much higher in +2 than in 10th and the same trend continued in B.TECH also. We had C in 1st sem.And DKS was a champ in that. During our walk to the wall we discussed the programs and on the wall the discussions were personal. We studied there . Un lamhon ka bhool pana aab possible nahi hai..........Thanks DKS.......
We also listened to the conversation of a grandpa and his grandson while we sat on the wall. DKS said "thik thik" and it created a laughter. One thing , DKS was not particularly social in the first half of B.Tech. Even after 2 years he knew only 20 students and around 50 knew him.

One special moment was when he sang " Kaho naa Pyar hai".......DKS had started to evolve.

Naughty comments, intoxicating smile, unfailing sincerity and a boy who always keeps himself in check. Didn't talk with gals until 6th sem.............................

Going to TCS.........TCS are lucky .......they are going to get a damn good programmer.......and techno geek...............


I share a special relationship with DKS...........

DKS is jara hatke............

Anyways, now that official days at college are over we would never get a chance to sit together on the same bench or can have tiffin together nor after exams khatti ...................


Thanks DKS for giving me a reason to smile in the last four years............

I hope you bring the same smile on many others and I am sure you would !!!!!

And SORRY................................................................................


And Thank YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
You Rock because you are
Simple
Robust
Portable
Reliable
Virus Free
Portable
Memory Saver



P.S.
This is only a small memorabilia of my life with DKS. Details lie engraved on my heart.

Lanes of Baramunda-2

Continuing our wanderings on the Lanes of Baramunda from where we left (Lanes of Baramunda-1) we come to a place called "Ruchika Market".

Ruchika Market , alias "haata" , comes to life only thrice a week.But far from being a glamorous show , what strikes most is its simplicity and professionalism. Of course, hearts are not bought and sold here,but vegetables are , and for that matter ,in large quantities.

Various characters have taken center stage with their cries of new offers.
"Cabbage niyantu,Rs 2 save karantu"."Buy 1 kg and get 100gm free"."Isse sasta auur kahin nahi"."Pura Desi ".

And believe me,some salesman with their innovative advertising skills will give many Ad Agencies a chase for their money.

But sometimes things turn nasty when a bargain goes out of hand and both the parties are not in a mood to surrender.

Animals have also a ready liking for this place as it provides them much needed vitamins and minerals as they pilfer vegetables under the noses of salesman.And when caught they pretend innocence.

And as we have reached the end of this session ,I am off for yet another break .
But I would be back pretty soon with yet another place in the same space "Lanes of Baramunda".
Till Then Ta Ta..............................................
(To Be Continued........)

"SWADESH - d ignited spirit of PATRIOTISM"

YEH JO DESH HE MERA
SWADESH HE MERA
WAIT GUYZZZZZ - coming soon with some off d record classical tale

View-Preview (Part 1: Koi Mil Gaya)

As I sit down to write this blog, I am already in the process of diversification.So here I start with "View-Preview".
I prefer to start with Koi Mil Gaya.It is a movie which has everything of the Indian Movie Massala stuff that spices it up greatly: Natural emotions,Iconic dhisum-dhisum , lovely songs that enthrall you in all moods.In short it id a complete package. But there is something in the movie that sets it apart from other "MEGA HITS" . Oh No! I am not talking about critics or public rating.(I still remember the crowd out side the movie theatre when it was released).I am talking about the element of love and innocence that has been beautifully portraited in the movie.Love seems to take various endless forms in this movie......Rohit's(Hero) love for Jadoo(Alien),his heroine and his friends,Rohit's mother's love for Rohit,Rohit's Father's love in communicating with the ETs,Bitoo's love for eating .......the list is pretty long(Huh!).
But the message is LOUD AND CLEAR:Kabhi kissi ko chota naa samjho(Never Underestimate Anyone)
And all creatures understand only one language:Language of LOVE.
So even though it was released way back in 2003 but it is still fresh in my minds and I'll not be surprises if you find many of my species.
After all its KOI MIL GAYA which gave me yet another reason to look up in the sky........................................

All in a story:Part 1(Tribute)

To whom it may concern: Tribute is a short story written by Dash,Benhur. I am only expressing my views.



Cutting It Short:The story starts with Babuli getting a letter from his elder brother . A feud had occurred in the household and the paternal property was going to be partitioned.It comes as a shock to Babuli.But his wife reacts as if she were waiting for it.She had grandiose plans.Babuli remembers how before marriage he had great attachment with his village,his family.But over the years he had neglected his family.On the eve of the fateful day,Babuli goes to the village.His elder brother meets him with the same love and compassion.On the day of partition Babuli remembers the sacrifices of his elder brother. Even though his middle brother offers him money for his share of land ,Babuli gives his share of land to his elder brother as a tribute.



Expressions: Benhur Dash has successfully recreated the family scenario that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's world,its better to say that we donot have the feeling of FAMILY any more.Family which includes Grandpa,Grandma,Uncle,Aunt,Cousins etc.World is becoming smaller and so has been our definition of family and mind set.As a silver lining,the author finishes the story with Babuli realising what family means,what is gratitude,his duty towards his family and elder brother.So still there is hope.The present is not so bleak.Hope future is bright.

"B" for Berhampur

Time:12:30 pm
Place:Bhubaneswar Bus Stand
It was way long back , in 2002,when I boarded OSRTC bus which was heading for Berhampur.It was August and Independence Day was only a couple of days away.We (Me and my friends) were in an upbeat mood.We were on a Mission:To Win The KV Regional Meet.Last couple of months had been spent in practice after classes.It was a real fun:It provided much needed break from the mundane schedule and from Cricket,which I had been playing for last ten years.So I was filled with great expectations as we zoomed to Berhampur.

Time:3:30 pm
Place:Chilika

On our way we found a great companion:The Coastline of Chilika.It was a real beauty.It was as if romance was in the air.The Beauty that I saw that day, still lingers in my memory.

Time:6 pm
Place:Berhampur

Finally we reached our destination:The Silk City.
But as we saw what was before us our jaws dropped.We were at a place where our sole companions were paddy fields.The feeling of happiness had evaporated,anger and disappointment had taken its place.
(To Be Continued.................)

The Art of Crying

Someone asked" What are eyes for?".And pat came the reply,"To Cry".How apt was it!

Whenever I think of this,I also come to the same conclusion.Many people might differ from me but this is my blog and I am going to write what I feel.Every now and then we all seem to enter what we call the the "lean patch" or "rough course".Yes,you are right when you say that has to happen according to the law of averages.So, what do you do in such a situation?Now donot tell me that you are very patient and try your best and all that.Be honest!
You know sometimes its better to shed the load than to carry on with them.You may think solitude is going to hurt your image as a happy go lucky chap or as someone who is very COOL,but you know what! We all become sad,and seek asylum in the laps of solitute.Hasn't it be so , there would not have been so many poems and songs in solitude.
I have giving my viewpoint,Its time you take a break and give it a thought.
But I pray you do not go into crying a lot too often.
After all its an Art which is special.

Regards,
Rashmi

Life On The Lanes of Baramunda:Part 1

Bhubaneswar is the capital of Orissa.It is home to many people of various faiths and ethics.At one end of it lies a colony called Baramunda.What was basically a far flung a decade ago , has come out of age to become one of the nerve centers of Bhubaneswar.

And this is the tale of Life On Baramunda's Lanes.

Their day begins with people from municipality cleaning them.That is their official morning,but even before that during night mankind had set foot on them.During night, people who are desperate "Flower Searchers" ,crawl every nook and corner to find and rip apart any flower . That is not all.The lanes provide employment avenues to many people like Hari Bhai(Gup Chup),Mausa(Fish),Krusna Uncle(Vegetables) and many unheralded sales person who are yet to create a brand of them.

(To be Continued...................)

My Heart is in the Mountains:Part 1

All say "home is there ,heart is where".And I am no exception.My heart lies in my village.

"My village" still tops the chart as the favourite topic for school essays.

I had taken my village as granted.All its belongings appeared natural.But with repeated essays on "My village" , I began to think more passionately about my village.

The temple at outskirts of village,the stream ,the hills nearby ,wild animals in nearby jungles all appeared in a new perspective.

(To be Continued.........)

Can WE be who we ARE?

It is a well known fact that our personality is more or less matured by the time we reach seven.Yet time compels us to act in different ways,even contradicting ways.Time is the master who controls us all......we are nothing but mere mortals.Yes,its true that we can have our tryst with destiny....but it is the genius who can dare to be who they really are!

Childhood is characterized by spontaneity of thoughts and action.Childhood reflects purity,innocence,yet the big question is :Are they still what they really are?
I am afraid but the answer is no!
A child responds to his/her surroundings.........Once irate friend becomes best friend for a while for a ice cream or chocolate.
Teenage with it brings the vagaries of mood swing.......we jump from one mental state to other in an unpredictable manner........
Then is born the working person........who if not of conscience of steel ,breaks down when time demands before seniors................
This is what Life is all about....
Life is not a bed of roses.
So,it is really hard to remain what u are all the while.
Still we all can give being the same a shot.
Yes ,its possible........but is trying.
Hope u try to be what u are!
Always be who you are, if ever u change then change for the better.
Thanks,
Rashmi

Inequality is within us

We always speak of equality in all spheres of life.
But is it possible?Basically we are all engineered to be unequal.We always say "Why we all can't be same?".
But this never happens...................
Take for example when you cut a cake on your birthday........and pass on a piece to your friend.......
Have u ever taken a second to analyse this from someone else's perspective?
While giving the first share of the cake you search for the most intimate person to you.
Your Papa,Mummy or your best pal.
But have you ever thought what someone who wished the first bite,but could not ...................
Never mind that's not the point,the point is that what ever we do we are bound to be unequal.
Take another example, how ever happy go lucky you are,you are bound to be choosy in selecting friends.
Just give it a thought............that is all.
Thanks,
Rashmi