No wonder why India falters in every Olympics. The 34th National Games is currently going on in Jharkhand. Sportsmen from all over the country are competing in 36 different disciplines of sports and yet there are no news in the air about them. Its quite ironic that people keep track of the New Zealand v/s Kenya 's World cup result but not many are aware that Richa Sharma has just bagged 11 Gold medals in swimming. Or for that matter, a tiny north-eastern state of Manipur is currently in the 2nd position just below the Services. I bet these athletes put the same hard-work if not more as that of our esteemed cricketers. Yet, they struggle to get attention even after hauling Gold medals after another. Is the worth of these medals lesser than that of the 'six' that the cricketers hit? I doubt.

Currently reading "The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga". I loved the way the book is being written - raw and sharp.

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Of the end of 2010

Ten years from today , I remember looking at the dark sky above on the same winter night - eve of a new year. It was the start of 2001. It has been a very long journey since then. Sometimes you don't make path, you happen to follow it. Back then, I didn't knew what I wanted to become. And even today, I don't. Never even in my wildest of dreams, I would have thought that I would be writing a computer program on the eve of another new year. But then, stranger things have happened in these years. Of all the things that happened, I took pride in having made not many friends but few chosen ones with whom I can share everything. Ten years is indeed a long period. Things get changed from the way you look to things you want. Let us welcome 2011 as a year to cherish and fulfill all those dreams and things that you have always desired. I wish you a very happy new year.

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Of Roald Dahl and the short stories

I had this wrong notion that Roald Dahl wrote only for the children until I picked " The Collected Short stories" from the Landmark few weeks ago. He is too good to be predictable. Thats the pecularity of his stories. Moreover, the stories are based on simple themes and human facets. Each story is written with finnesse that makes the reader think hours after reading it. Pinch of dark humour with the sharp endings makes Roald Dahl's stories addictive.

PS:-
I was wondering what made Shashi Tharoor to poke his nose in theIPL mud. A person with his qualifications and caliber could have proved much worthy if he would have concentrated on many issues that the nation is facing rather than supporting for an IPL team for Kerela. Anyway, I believe its a lesson for all the politicians to make their priorities right.

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Your ego hurts when a tender looking damsel with a non-gear bike whizzes past your 5 geared 180 CC beast. And it further adds fire that it happened on the road that you have been riding for the past three and a half years. Changed to the top gear so that he could give that killer smile when he would pass her.It all ended with a fine of Rs 100 for speeding and jumping the traffic signal!

For all those who love the Indian Ocean. Here is their Radio Channel[link].

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Amidst ruins, miseries and cries, "miracles" like this[link] can only bring a vision of hope to this saddened country. Not always the human spirit is being challenged like this.

No Pakistani player being picked for this year's IPL ? If I remember, they are reigning champ of the Pyjama[Twenty20] Cricket. Not very fairly treated I would say. Cricket should have left alone. Ugly things do happen which could have been easily avoided.

PS:
You have to say "no" sometimes just because saying a "yes" every time becomes a weak trait. People tend to take you for granted and end up doing things without credit.

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Good-bye 2009

Felt good to see smiles again on these faces hoping for good things in the coming year. As if trying to forget every bad things that have happened in this year. Its been a tiring year with little ups and many downs in this beautiful valley.The challenges are numerous with little or no hope of improvement to the current situation.

In a nutshell, 2009 has been a happening year for me. It gave me the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world - Europe. Had been to the place where Santa Claus belongs. On the other side, I missed my sister's wedding. Still felt bad about it. Its been a year when I parted with most of my friends in Chennai - Some left to pursue their dreams and some due to the recession.On a bright spot, this year taught me about taking responsibilities and saving money for future. All through the year, I have been working more than 10 hrs a day. Friends say - I have become workaholic but then it has been rewarding -my works has been appreciated but without any hike in pay (thanks to the recession again). At the same period, I have gained a lot of weight. I am no longer considered lean. Been to Goa for a re-union with college friends.Got acquainted with the six strings.Watched a lot of movies - many good ones. It all ended with a brief stay at home with my family - a perfect ending to the year. But then again, one of my best friends lost his father and one broke up with his GF.

With the echoes of Crackers and Carols all around, may 2010 be the year which will bring some change to this place. Let's hope for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. Adieu 2009 !

PS:-
Today's headline on a local newspaper in Manipur says that around 444 people had died this year due to injury caused by bullets. It clearly shows the intensity of the situation in this state with a population of merely 2 million.

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Of Democracy - my toe

Just 11 days of KCR's fast resulted to the talks for creation of another "state" ? How about the 10 years of Irom Sharmila's fast for the demand of withdrawal of (Armed Forces Special Power Act) AFSPA from Manipur[link]. And they say this is Democracy.

Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,

Pretending he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,

The answer is blowin' in the wind.

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When the mouse bell the CAT

The mouse has finally replaced the pen and paper, CAT goes computerised. But it was really surprising to see the kind of confusions and pain it has given to those numerous aspirants [link] who could not write the exam on the D-day. Luckily, I wrote(read clicked) the exam but not without enduring those woes. At the first place, there was a lot of confusion going around at the test centre. Unnecessary checks were performed. The students were not even allowed to carry anything with them in the test centre. Even purse,keys and watches were not allowed. The routine checked-in process for boarding a flight seemed less tedious. In addition to that,the exam did not not start at the correct time as mentioned in the admit card. Going digital is a good move but then there should have been proper preparation from the organiser. It was well below the IIMs' standard that they boast of. Lets hope it is not repeated for the other days of the exam. Lets see how the organisers manage things before they could teach lessons in management.

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3 yrs completed in Chennai

Honestly, I never thought I would be staying this long in Chennai. When I moved in , I thought I would hardly stay for a year. But then things are unpredictable and they just happen and its been 3 years of stay here in Chennai.
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Watched the movie "Into the wild". Its altogether a different movie. Its based on a real life story of Christopher McCandless. Its about leaving everything behind and going to the nature's arm. Some quotes are really touching especially this one "I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong. " Still thinking if it is really possible to leave everything behind and trying to live in the wild on your own. But then another quote "The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences" just leave me wondering.
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PS:-
Its not that it happened the first time, its just that it happened to Shah Rukh Khan. It just happen that the Immigrant Officer didn't knew Shah Rukh Khan. It just happen that his name is Khan.

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Fundas from the heated brain

After every bad things there comes good things and it is expected that the cycle would continue. But sometimes the sequence can be something like this- bad -bad -bad - bad - bad ........ once in a while -GOOD- bad- bad -bad - very bad- ..................... and so on.
But then we have to learn to be happy and to face the odds.It is always darkest before the dawn. And we have to have the patience for the sunrise. Although the night might have seem to be longer, sunrise is inevitable - no one can stop.

Enough of these fundas - some good newz : My friend D.S finally cracked the final frontier for his MBA. For him the sun has arise and I hope he would become a good manager someday:)

PS: The Chennai heat is killing. And thnks to not having an AC in my apartments, I m spending most of my time in the office to avoid the heat.BTW, I m also doing my work :)

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things that disturb this world

Its really an ugly incident. Sri Lankan team being attacked by terrorists in Pakistan. Even cricket is not spared.

PS: watched Motorcycle Diaries ; felt good after watching. Its like celebrating the human spirit without boundaries.

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