Selfie Suicides ...

Recently, a lot of news highlight idiots who either died or returned from a NDE (Near Death Experience) while trying to click a 'selfie' of themselves at some risky place - generally a water body in monsoon. If they returned, it was for the selfless act some hero, who saved them at the risk of their own lives.I am writing about this today because a news yesterday perturbed me when I heard of a selfless hero, losing his life over saving someone who was drowning in an attempt to click a selfie of themselves at some river bank already flowing over the safety mark. The death of the savior is what forced me to write about this issue.
On one hand I am absolutely for hailing the selfless heroes, but on the other I wonder if these heroes should have risked their own lives to save such idiots in the first place?
In fact, selfie accidents should be classified as suicides by insurance companies and denied any insurance claims to deter this kind of behavior.

Battle of 2 wolves in Life

An old wise monk was teaching his disciple about life. "A fight is going on inside me".
"It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil - our fear, anger, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - our satisfaction, courage, joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."
The wise man continued to clarify "The same fight goes on inside every one."
Despite his best attempt the confused disciple questioned to assert his understanding, "Which wolf wins the battle?"
The monk replied calmly and thoughtfully, "The one you feed more."

चालु नितीश, जनता को NO उल्लू बनाविंग ...

१. बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नितीश कुमार ने हार की "नैतिक" जिम्मेदारी लेते हुए इस्तीफा तो दिया, पर जनादेश का सन्मान करते हुए विधान सभा भंग करने की मांग नहीं की - कथनी और करनी का फर्क यह जनता समझती है
२. अपने नेताओं (चमचों) से कहकर शक्ति प्रदर्शन करवाया की नितीश ही सबसे बढ़िया मुख्यमंत्री
३. जिस लालू यादव की खिलाफत में सत्ता ली थी, उससे "हाथ मिलाने" की भी संभावना जताई जा रही है
४. ऊपर से कहेंगे की "साम्प्रदायिकता" को बचाने के लिए लालू से हाथ मिलाएंगे, सत्ता के लिए नहीं - यानी ये गठबंधन सैद्धांतिक है, अवसरवाद नहीं …

Ma(NaMo)han, म(नमो)हन

Mitron, samjha karo Ma(‪#‎NaMo‬)han andar se kisko support kar rahe hai - Kyunki Abki Baar Modi Sarkaar!

 म(नमो)हन  - एक गुप्त प्रशंसक

Anagram of MaNaMohan = NaMo Mahan!

Tsunami named Modi

Every leader opposing Modi is saying Tsunami is destructive. What they are not understanding is that if the Tsunami is Modi , it is an epic wave of constructive development. This is the change that NaMo & BJP have been talking about. Modi ke raaj mein to Tsunami bhi khushali laayegaa, Mitron!
Jis Tsunami se aam janta ko lagti nahi maar, wohi to hai #AbkiBaarModiSarkaar! Yehi hai bharat ki Janta ka pyaar!

Case of Missing names and Election Commission Office in Maharashtra

Story of a student appearing for a critical examination.

Student goes for board examination.
Student enters the examination center with hall ticket.
Exam facilitator to Student: Your name is not on the list. Your hall ticket is no good.
Exam facilitator: You cannot appear for the exam.
Student: Sir, can I show you my other documents?
Exam facilitator: No, You cannot appear for the exam.
Student: Sir, why is my name missing from the list?
Exam facilitator: No, I don't know why. Only thing I know is if your name is not on our list, you cannot appear.
Student: Sir, who can tell me why is my name missing from the list?
Exam facilitator: No, I don't know who can help. Only thing I know is if your name is not on our list, you cannot appear.
Student: Sir, do you have a documented reason to take my name off the list?
Exam facilitator: No, It is not my responsibility. Only thing I know is if your name is not on our list, you cannot appear.
Student: Sir, how can I get my name on the list?
Exam facilitator: No, I have no idea. Only thing I know is if your name is not on our list, you cannot appear.
Student: Sir, can I appear later?
Exam facilitator: Not this time. You can try again next time i.e. after 5 years.
Student: Sir, but till then my colleagues will have graduated. Who is responsible for this?
Exam facilitator : Why are you making noise over a few missing names?
Student: Sir, it is my right as well as responsibility. Your responsibility is fair and proper facilitation. And it is not a few missing names, it is about so many names missing. More importantly, even if it is just one missing name, is it not your responsibility?
Exam facilitator : Give me evidence of the large number of missing names, but I do not promise any action.
Student: Sir, Ideally it is your responsibility but because we are at loss here and we believe in the system despite examples like you, we will do that.
Exam facilitator : All that is fine, but I am not committing to re-exam or another alternative.

Later that day, SOME News channels: "We have had very poor turnout of students this year. Students are not interested in Education any more."

Jai Ho, Mera Bharat Mahan ...

Constant Surprise ...: The AAP Infatuation

Constant Surprise ...: The AAP Infatuation: A country affected with an epidemic of scams, unhealthy governance and lack of political will in the form of corruption, poverty and unempl...

The AAP Infatuation

A country affected with an epidemic of scams, unhealthy governance and lack of political will in the form of corruption, poverty and unemployment is desperately awaiting a leader that will deliver the Promised Land. Like every teenager, getting introduced to the idea of romance the first crush is very important. Most of us would have experienced such crushes in our youth, being attracted to someone for just their physique or charm or intelligence or something else. More often than seldom, we mature to understanding that true love being able to look beyond these initial attractors.
Infatuation is when we love the idea of falling in love, misunderstanding our attraction (liking) as love.
The idea of a corrupt free nation is not only romantic but also very inspiring. For a youth that has exposure to international affairs, the national stage is very discouraging and contrary to its dream of its ideal nation. The very moment somebody starts talking about fighting corruption, we are all ears for it. We are listening attentively and secretly praying for such a miracle. To top that when somebody gives us ready made sentences to vent out our anger towards the system, it is an obvious relief which plays cupid.
It is only maturity to be able to ask the right question, if the person is a critic or a change maker. Once we understand the differentiators between the critic, who can find a lot of faults in the creator but fails miserably when awarded the same opportunity to create. I know, it sound like differentiating between the boys and the men for young women. The boys just want to talk all lovely things and even give some pleasure but the very moment a responsibility shows up, they boys disappear leaving behind mature men, who may not be as handsome and attractive. It is this very moment where the girls matures into a young woman, shedding off her stupid idea of romance to embrace a more stable and evolved idea for the man of her dream.
Of course, this man will be a little less romantic, will share his time amongst his other responsibilities so that he can stand by everyone around.
The only appeal I have to the youth is to hold on with their romantic idea of a corruption free, thriving economy with ample opportunities stemming from able administration and good governance facilitated by a strong decision maker who takes the right decision without caring for its popularity.
Also remember that no system is perfect. A new shoe always seems cleaner than a used one but only after the new shoe biting, we realize the importance of the old one. Also it is not that only one party is aiming for a corruption free India. The means may be different, the ends are not.

Good reading: AAP - Lost chance in 2014?

About the so called 'Modi'festo ...

1. How does publishing the manifesto today insult the citizens of India? What part of the Code of Conduct does it violate?
2. Is it a copy of manifesto of other parties or BJP's own? Please decide first. If it is a copy, other parties are equally responsible for the controversial statements.
If BJP is repeating most issues since 2004, is it not their commitment to resolving these issues? In that case, how is this a copy of the manifesto of other parties?
3. Every party needs to address or clarify their stance on basic issues like Infrastructure, Housing, Food, Power, Water, Education, Health, Economic reforms. How can it be termed a copy? In fact, if someone has not addressed some of these, their manifesto is incomplete or limited to some areas only.
4. If the BJP is promising things that INC has also promised, why has INC not implemented those things while they were in power for last decade?
5. We are a cricketing nation - does every team member need to act as wicket keeper or is 1 player enough? Why does every BJP leader need to answer questions related to the manifesto? Why is One point of contact (Murli Manohar Joshi) not enough?
6. Interestingly, taking a stance for "constitutionally resolving Ram Mandir" is communal and Shahi Imam requesting support is secular.
7. Why did other parties not address Section 370, Uniform Civil code, River Integration project, Bullet trains network, etc? How many of these have a successfully working model to support their promises?

Rangoli Competition & Indian Politics

A beautiful and huge Rangoli was drawn in the main square of a city, available for the public to see. Every passerby appreciated the grandeur of this crafty colorful carpet, that was a visual treat for the eyes & the mind. The intricate designs embedded with the vivid color combinations could immediately entice anyone and everyone at first sight.
A display sign was put up next to it, requesting feedback for the artist. It also further requested the citizens providing the feedback to visit the square the next day.
A lot of enthusiasts (critics) promptly filled in the pages of the feedback book, proudly signing with their contact details. Some commented on some small line not being right, some spelt out different color combinations, some even suggested they had seen much better Rangoli designs - Very few plainly appreciated the beautiful Rangoli and its effort realizing that it was a Herculean task. Anyways, word of this grand Rangoli's colors spread like wildfire across the town and everyone was excited to witness it, critics and fans equally. Some made it the same day, some planned for the next and many had to be content with just the description (or pictures on FB/WhatsApp). Media had found its bread and butter for more than a day. Lavish appraisals, Raging debates, Brutal criticisms, Pointless speculations and a lot more discussions started making the rounds. The artists were quietly absorbing the feedback and planning for the next day.
The second day the Rangoli was a lot better, but still not the best. A lot of the mistakes were corrected but not all. Again the same request was made and a lot more people signed up to provide feedback. Many more mistakes were pointed out, hue & cry over unfixed error, disappointments over unchanged color combinations and a lot more noise ended the day.
Everyone was hopeful that the Rangoli will be flawless on the next (third) day. Everyone, returned to see the third attempt.
This time the Rangoli was missing. Instead people found a picture of the second day Rangoli. Next to the picture were names of all the feedback contributors, requesting them to do the needful so that the Rangoli will be as perfect as possible.

At this point in time, I will leave it up to your experience/ imagination - to connect the dots, complete the picture and color the Rangoli. We all have seen the Rangoli from each state and the state of each Rangoli. I leave it to your prudence to differentiate between the artist & the critic(s) to choose the best Rangoli maker for India, this election.

Choose any color you wish, just make sure to contribute your "Dot" without fail and color this Indian Rangoli to its best.

Make sure to exercise your duty and your right with one simple act of voting. Details are available at the site of the Election Commission - http://eci.nic.in/eci/eci.html

On one side the Indian govt. Claims Pakistan is aiding terrorism, on the other they are aiding access to funds and money transfer with the same?

भारत-पाकिस्तानचे आता बॅंकिंग संबंध http://newshunt.com/share/26537417 Source:Sakal

Toll of Politics or Politics of Toll?

टोल मागाल, तर आता टोलाच http://newshunt.com/share/26537416 Source:Sakal

List of FM Channels in Mumbai

91.1    Radio City
92.7    Big 92.7 FM
93.5    Red FM
94.3    Radio One (formerly Go 92.5)
94.6    Win 94.6
98.3    Radio Mirchi
104     Fever 104 FM (HT Media Ltd / Virgin)
105.6  Gyan Vani
100.7  All India Radio (AIR FM Gold / Akashvani)
107.1  All India Radio (AIR FM Rainbow / Akashvani)

List of FM Channels in Pune

90.4    Radio FTII (Film & Television Instiute of India)
90.8    Vidyavani (University of Pune)
91.1    Radio City
94.3    Radio One
98.3    Radio Mirchi
101     All India Radio (AIR / Akashvani / Vividh Bharati)

My quotes

“Nothing’s wrong with building castles in the air, as long as we can provide strong foundations below them …”

Love quotes

“The only thing we never get enough of, is love; and the only thing we never give enough of, is love.” - Henry Miller

“Love is what makes you smile when you are tired.”

“You know you’re in love
when you can’t fall asleep
because reality is finally
better than your dreams.”
- Dr. Seuss

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure” – Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

“Love, after all, is a hard concept for a thinking person to believe in.”

“I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything.”

“Those who really love, love in silence, with deeds and not with words.”

“The 2 Most Important Days in your Life:

Are the Day you are born,

And the day you find out Why?”

- Mark Twain

“Every moment is a poem, if you hold it right!”
“When I saw you
I fell in love, and
you smiled
because you knew.”
- William Shakespeare

Prayer & Love

Akbar the great Mughal emperor was very particular about his daily prayers. During one of his trip, he found himself at a village at his prayer time. He stopped there to offer his last prayer of the day. While kneeling on the ground to pray, a young girl dashed into him but in her haste he did not get time to respond to this act of her. She vanished in the darknesso of the dusk leaving the angry emperor wondering who could this be girl to not have noticed him. He asked for her to be searched and brought before him. When she was caught and presented before the emperor he questioned her action, of bumping into him while he was in his prayers.
She did not seem to recollect the incident at all, so Akbar reminded her of the happenings. REalising her mistake of dashing into a praying man, especially the emporer she got apologetic of her act but also confidently explained the context. Her lover was returning after a long period of separation due to his work. The news of his arrival forced her to run towards him to greet and meet him at the earliest possible. She attributed the mistake to the haste of her love. She clarified that this justifaction was not for sympathy and forgiveness but for empathy towards her situation, while she was ready to face the due punishment.
But she also asked a candid question to the great emperor, “Although you were in prayer you got disturbed by my push while I did not feel you at all. The disturbance should have been mutual. I honestly do not remember anything hence I am wondering if my love for my beloved is more engrossing than your prayer of the Almighty?"
Akbar mentions in his autobiography, ‘AkbarNama’ that he had to ask forgiveness from that village girl. She had helped him understand love and prayer with one simple question.
I share this story not only for its moral but with respect for Akbar - a great emperor, who had the courage to accept his mistake and ask for forgiveness of a young village girl. Most importantly, it shows that we may not be born with greatness inside us but our willingness to embrace a virtue makes us great.

Self Appraisal

A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could  reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits.

The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation: The boy asked, "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?

"The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."

"Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied the boy.

The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.

The little boy found more perseverance and offered, "Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of North Palm Beach, Florida."

Again the woman answered in the negative. With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver.

The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy and said, "Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."

The little boy replied, "No thanks, I was just checking my performance and the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!"

A lovely line from the movie 'Dor'

सोचता था भगवान ने तुझे बनाया क्यूँ कर, अब तो बस शुक्रिया अदा करता रहता हूँ उसका

What camera do you use?

This one is dedicated to all my photographer friends ...

A photographer was displaying his pictures to his friends when a lady friend asked him "What camera do you use?". The photographer said, call me for dinner and I'll let you in on my secret. The curious friend immediately agreed to the deal, considering the small price for his curiosity and the photographer' secret. On the agreed date the photographer went over for the meal. He generously appreciated the food to be very tasty and delicious. Then he followed-up with a question to this lady "What cooker do you use?". Thus he answered with a witty question back to the curious fan.

It's like asking Federer or Nadal about the make and model of their tennis racquets OR asking Beckham about the shoes he wears ...

I know we all are tempted by such stupid ice-breakers but it is such a cliche. I should confess here, I am guilty too of this very crime. Inquiring people's intent of visiting a restaurant or a hospital when we meet them all of a sudden, despite the very obvious answer mocking in our faces. Anyways, some of them can be forgiven - the rest become a good joke for others ... ;-)

I hope this will leave a smile or a smirk on your face, the next time you hear this question. :D