Backup Friend ...

Have you ever felt that you should share your good times that you have spent with someone special with somebody else? That someone special could be your best friend in college, best friend in school or may be your Girl friend/Boy friend or could be somebody from your family! You have cherished good moments of your life with them, or may be still ... But, suddenly, you needed a friend with whom you thought you should share, may be, because you got the right meaning of the phrase, "Happiness increases and sadness decreases when those are shared". Well, you do not do that with each and every friend, but to someone you feel you should, "Backup Friend !?"...

Well, the word "Backup" does not sound too good with "Friend", the word that we use for something secondary, something that is needed only in case of non-availability of something that we are looking for; but, here it is a special word along with Friend, that is, "Backup Friend"...

You share everything, you feel happy, they make your life happier and life becomes better to live ... Great feeling and great life...

Friend - a means of life! and Backup Friend - Guess what not!

Have a nice time with your "Backup Friend"/s !!!

The 3 mistakes of my life ...

No, I am not going to tell the 3 mistakes of my life here, I doubt whether I can do so ever here... May be 3 is too less (or, more!) a number for me and at the same time, I do not remember those seriously; I am talking about the novel by Chetan Bhagat. An Indian novelist, all the 3 books of him have some numbers in their titles... Five (5) point someone, One (1) night @ the call center, The 3 mistakes of my life..

Just finished reading the novel the day before... As usual an interesting novel to hang on, but could not create the attachment I have towards the other 2 books by him.

The story revolved around Govind Patel's life with his 2 best friends, Omi and Ishaan. Vidya and Ali were 2 more characters adding sweetness to the plot... Overall, a good story to read... Felt, Chetan could have done better at the end of the story when the reader feels that the title of the book is no more valid... Well, that is life, we do mistakes and we do learn from that. And at the end of the day, we want a better life with family, friends and beloved ones around...

WIN-WIN Negotiation ...

The Win-Win Negotiator is a great book by Ross R. Reck and Brian G. Long. They explain:

There are 4 steps to Win-Win negotiation that almost anyone can perform with ease. These steps include Plans, Relationships, Agreements and Maintenance.

Establishing Win-Win Plans is simple... You need only to:

• Agree on your own goals
• Anticipate the goals of the other party
• Determine areas of probable agreement
• Develop Win-Win solutions to reconcile areas of probable disagreement

Developing a Win-Win Relationship is easy. You need only to:

• Plan activities which allow a positive personal relationship to develop
• Cultivate a sense of mutual trust
• Allow the relationship to fully develop before discussing business in earnest

Forming Win-Win Agreement is easy. You need only to:

• Confirm the other party's goals
• Verify areas of agreement
• Propose and consider Win-Win solutions to reconcile areas of disagreement
• Jointly resolve any remaining differences

Performing Win-Win Maintenance is simple. You need only to:

• Maintain Commitment by: Providing meaningful feedback based on performance and Holding up your end of the agreement
• Maintain the Relationship by: Keeping in contact and Reaffirming trust

Life ...

Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards ...

Gardening...

The Rainy Day ...

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the moldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary...

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Kal ho naa ho ...

Sach hai ke dil to dukha hai
Hamne magar socha hai
Dil ko hai gham kyun
Aankh hai nam kyun
Hona hi tha jo hua hai
Us baat ko jaane hi do
Jiska nishaan kal ho naa ho
Har pal yaha ji bhar jiyo
Jo hai sama kal ho naa ho ...

Life ...

Natural Beauty ...

How Tech. changed us...

Build fire within...

Actions Speak ...

May God give you...

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer...

Journey back from home...

After spending one week at village (Celebrating village festival), it was the time to come back to my work place. Train was sceduled to reach station at 9:10 AM and leave by 9:15 AM.
Hello ... When is Chennai mail train arriving today?
9:50 AM
Is it late ?
Yes.............
That was the response I got when I called railway enquiry... So started bit late from home and reached hy 9:20AM at the station. Was waiting for the announcement of my train... 3 trains passed on that track, still there was no news of my train... Finally at 11:10 AM, it arrived and started by 11:15 AM (So exactly 2 hours late journey it was...)

17 hours long journey it was ... I had 2 things with me for time pass. 1. Novel "Talkative man" by R.K.Narayanan and 2. MP3 player . After sitting idle for sometime, I started with option 1. I took the novel and started from page-21 from where I had left before. Went till 34 page, but did not feel like going more than that... Then opted 2nd option.. Started MP3 player.. Random songs started playing ...

Soothing voices in my ear... What a feeling... Luckily, all my favourite songs (Slow music) came in line, all songs reminding some past moments in my life... For some songs, I remembered my college life, for some my Bangalore Honeywell life, for some my US stay period and for some Chennai KLA-Tencor life... Wow, in one train journey I went through all the experiences of my life through those songs... Thanks to the MP3 player...

Sometimes it feels good to involve oneself in his/her past... Remembering all the happy moments and sad moments and how we passed (or, forgot) those... And the good feeling becomes better, when we are alone and it just comes into mind through some music as it came in my case...

A lonely journey it was ... But I enjoyed being in my past life through those songs...

Two new members ...

Two new members to my family... Ronu and Akhila.

For my village festival, I was in my village and took this photo... My mother holding both the kids...

Ronu - On her right hand side - My elder sister's 2nd son

Akhila - On her left hand side - My younger sister's daughter

Joyous moment to be with them... Playing with them... Those little crying moments of them... And little try to please others by showing new smile on their faces... Really miss all of them..

Best wishes Ronu and Akhila...

Chinmaya ...

Pyar Bhara Geet ...

"Pyar Bhara Geet" is an extremely sweet, endearing and touching song that instantly makes its way to your heart. Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal have done a commendable job in singing this one with right amount of emotions thereby giving it the required tenderness and poignant feel. Apart from this, soft musical arrangements and subtle notes by chorus make this number very special and worth listening more than once ...

Pyaar Bharaa Geet Koi Dekho Piyaa Tumko Gaanaa Hi Hogaa
Hey Hey Samjhaa Karo Mushkil Meri
Chaahoon Na Chaahoon Mujhko Jaanaa Hi Hogaa
Piyaa Mere Tan Man Mere Pyaar Ke Bandhan Do Pal Tumhein Rokte Hain
Koi Jaataa Ho To Pichhe Se Usko Aise Nahin Tokte Hain
Sautan Meri Kyaa Hai Koi Jaldii Hai Kyun Samjhaanaa Hi Hogaa
Aa Aa Aa

Jaanaa Pade Jo
Jaanaa Pade Jo Mujhko Kahin To Aise Na Roothaa Karo
Na Sar Ko Jhatko Na Pair Patko Na Thandi Aahein Bharo
Haan Jaao Tumhe Kyaa Jaise Rahoon Main
Sunte Nahin Ho Jo Bhi Kahoon Main
Jaane Kaa Gham Hai Mujhko Bhi Is Gham Ko Lekin Bahlaanaa Hi Hogaa
Piyaa Mere Tan Man Mere Pyaar Ke Bandhan Do Pal Tumhein Rokte Hain
Koi Jaataa Ho To Pichhe Se Usko Aise Nahin Tokte Hain
Pyaar Bharaa Geet Koi Dekho Piyaa Tumko Gaanaa Hi Hogaa

Khilte Raheinge
Khilte Raheinge Phool Dilon Ke Jab Tak Hai Ye Gulsitaan
Jalne Lagaa Jo Apnaa Chaman To Jaayeinge Ham Tum Kahaan
Ho Lekin Meraa Jo Dil Jal Rahaa Hai Kyun Nahin Tumko Uskaa Pataa Hai
Jo Aag Hai Dil Mein Lagi Kuchh Din To Uspe Qaaboo Paanaa Hi Hogaa
Piyaa Mere Tan Man Mere Pyaar Ke Bandhan Do Pal Tumhein Rokte Hain
Koi Jaataa Ho To Pichhe Se Usko Aise Nahin Tokte Hain
Pyaar Bharaa Geet Koi Dekho Piyaa Tumko Gaanaa Hi Hogaa
Aa Aa Aa

Aayenge Phir Se
Aayeinge Phir Se Din Ye Milan Ke Phir Aayegaa Ye Samaa
Chhaayeinge Baadal Ham Premi Paagal Yun Hi Mileinge Yahaan
Vaadaa Kiyaa Hai Dekho Na Bhoole Aake Jhulaanaa Saavan Ke Jhoole
Baat Aisi Hai Tumne Kahi Saavan Mein To Mujhko Aanaa Hi Hogaa
Piyaa Mere Tan Man Mere Pyaar Ke Bandhan Do Pal Tumhein Rokte Hain
Koi Jaataa Ho To Pichhe Se Usko Aise Nahin Tokte Hain
Pyaar Bharaa Geet Koi Dekho Piyaa Tumko Gaanaa Hi Hogaa

Humility ...

"There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Hindu Proverb

"A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday." - Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

"He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals." - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

A certain amount of humility is helpful in moving on through the stages of life. It gives us a realistic approach to interacting with other people in our lives.

Sometimes competing with others or stressing ourselves to prove that we are better, can be a lot of fun and provide enjoyment and rewards. Friendly competition with friends, when all are participating with goodwill, is entertaining. There is a downside in trying to win or achieve more just for the sake of feeling superior to another person. The result can be a loss of much needed self-esteem in the long run.

Accepting that we made a mistake puts it behind us, and we can then quit pretending or wishing that it hadn't happened. We should realize that we make mistakes just as others do, and we will make more in the future. So there's no need to be embarrassed or worried.

By not acting better or more important than other people we will receive respect and friendship that is so worthwhile. Over-confidence can get us into trouble as we will appear conceited, and prospective friends will be wary. But have respect for yourself and take pride in doing good things.

How you made them feel?

Sometimes in Life, We come across people whom we can't forget till the end of our Life!!!
Whenever we look back the days spent with them, memories taste sweeter every day...
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, will never forget how you made them feel...

My Village Festival...

A village in Ganjam district of Orissa goes by name "Kukudakhandi"... Every 5 years, there is a custom of celebrating village Goddess here in this village... It is being celebrated very pompously and largely... Lot of people come to see this festival... Relatives, Friends, Near and dears are of no exception... All get some time from their busy schdule and never miss to be in village for this grand occasion...

2008 came after 5 years of last celebration in 2003. Same spirit among village people, same enthu to do the festival and what not... All assembled in village without fail... Each street were lighted heavily, glorified with a big stage of spiritual plot, tremendous art work and light settings... Looked like all the families in the village were having Marriage celebrations in their houses... Houses were colored with new look, lit by brightest color lights and decorated well inviting their relatives and friends... What an atmosphere it was...

I am sure, the spectators would have wished the next festival to come in next year, not after 5 long years ....

Friendship ...

"The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words." - Buddha (BC)

"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief." - Marcus Cicero (BC)

"The only way to have a friend is to be one. . . A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Interacting amiably with family and friends is a super stress reducer. Instead of the mind working overtime on worries and problems, it is occupied with thoughts of other things and other people. There is less mental capacity left for anxieties and self-doubt.

Good friendship is healthy but it isn't easy for everyone. Getting people to like you is the starting point, and that should be fairly easy to do. People have a basic need to be liked themselves. Show interest, appreciation, and kindness. Smile. Praise given out sincerely is a great act of friendship. Be a good listener and try to see the good, not the bad qualities in people. These actions will usually be returned to you, sooner or later...

Love ...

... is the silent song between two souls.