Destiny...

I was tortured !

2006-05-18T05:15:00.001-07:00

On a cue from Jas I have to admit - I was abducted by the ET's and for those in the know by Vogon's themselves and yes i was subjected to the cruelest of all tortures "Vogon Poetry". Let me cry to the whole world ! I AM NOT AFRAID ! AND I HAVE FACED THE WORST ! (Phew ! - Now that was relieving)

For the ones still guessing every year I fall in love with one book - The one I love more than any other and YES ! It found me this time too.Somehow it gravitated towards me or more likely pulled me in its blackhole by it's sheer charisma and managed to slowly revive the old romance.

Just to give you a taste,the lines that had me caught right from the moment i clicked the PDF>

"Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-two million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea."

or my personal favourite

"The Total Perspective Vortex derives its picture of the whole Universe on the principle of extrapolated matter analyses.To explain-since every piece of matter in the Universe is in some way affected by every other piece of matter in the Universe, it is in theory possible toextrapolate the whole of creation-every sun, every planet, their orbits, their composition and their economic and social history from, say, one small piece of fairy cake.The man who invented the Total Perspective Vortex did so basically in order
to annoy his wife."

And yes ! Ladies and Gentleman I am talking about the , none other than
probably the most remarkable book ever to come out of the great publishing houses of Ursa Minor-of which no Earthman had ever heard probably.

Not only is it a wholly remarkable book, it is also a highly successful one.More popular than the Celestial Home Care Omnibus, better selling than Fifty More Things to do in Zero Gravity, and more controversial than Oolon
Colluphid's trilogy of philosophical blockbusters Where God Went Wrong, Some More of God's Greatest Mistakes and Who is this God Person Anyway? In many of the more reaxed civilizations on the Outer Eastern Rim of the Galaxy, the aforementioned book has already supplanted the great Encyclopedia Galactica as the standard repository of all knowledge and wisdom, for though it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate, it scores over the older, more pedestrian work in two important
respects.

First, it is slightly cheaper;
and secondly it has the words DON'T PANIC
inscribed in large friendly letters on its cover.

So my dear dear friends Hitch Hike your way because you have got

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy !

Welcome aboard :)

Nook in sight

2006-05-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

My head throbbing with numbness that comes with letting things get into your head and then they sort of keep bouncing of the skull - it's more like a black hole, everything getting in but nothing getting out.And so it has been and somehow I feel caged in my own cage.

Whatever...

So as usual,it's time I got some adrenaline rush.I need my kicks.I miss my bike and the only way is to get off my butt and get down to something.Something concrete.And I have that figured out in the myriad of my mind."Almost" I hear from the "inner voice".

There is this yearning now to just do whatever but not to hold myself back.No matter what.

And I see where this post is heading.So before it goes any more haywire and in the narrow alleys of mind which are usually hidden from sight, I will refrain myself.The same old streets - almost worn by the weight of feet draging on them ,but a new nook in sight beckoning my existence towards it.

Let's do it !

Happy 33rd Maestro !

2006-04-24T02:45:00.002-07:00

A Million Wishes - For a Million Moments ! Thank you !

Bangalore Auto complaint cell

2006-04-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Now this is not about Patiala or Amritsar or even Mangalore for that matter but the Delhi and Bangalore are a consistent source of trouble,cheating and frustration when it comes to autos.After having suffered myself a couple of times where auto drivers simply refused at point blank the fair predecided and after paying almost astronomical charges I was myself exasperated at the helplessness of the situation.

And there have been instances with friends where autowallahs especially in Bangalore have tried to take advantage of situation especially in case of girls travelling alone.Now from being a nuisance of overcharging and cheating it is taking the form of almost a criminal backdrop where safety of passengers is highly susceptible.

In this regard there has been one breakthrough that is slighlty reassuring.

Authorities in Bangalore have started a new drive to make auto travelling safer. They have set up cells to take complaints and have promised to do something about the complaints.

For complaints against misbehaving auto drivers in Bangalore Contact the following:

Bangalore Centre - Koramangala BDA complex - 25533525
Bangalore West - Rajajinagar Corporation Complex - 23324388
Bangalore East - Indiranagar BDA complex - 25253726
Bangalore North - Yeshwanthpur corporation Complex - 23376039
Bangalore South - Jayanagar Corporation Complex - 26630989

Alternatively you can email the authorities at transcom@kar.nic.in
http://rto.kar.nic.in/help.htm

When you call them / email them mention the auto registration no., Date, time and place where the problem occurred and the problem.

The system was put in place around April 10 after increasing complaints of cheating instances of autodrivers.

Hopefuly it will help to curb the nuisance by instant grievance addressing.

Rest it is only upto the individual if he is able to sort out the situation by being alert and proactive in a situation like this and take full advantage of his assets.In this regard the venerable Karan Baghi has a lesson or two to share.

CAT(an)alysis for the CAT

2006-04-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

I was wondering as CAT results are out and though many of us know the results - Still how about tete a tete with the Gurus from Thapar who made it through !

So the idea is to try and catch hold of the MBA brigade who made it through the meccas of excellence and grill them on their strategies - Right from the preparation of the written test to interviews and their experiences and lessons.

And of course am thinking about the format - Though an interview like format is not a bad option.The topics I wanna explore are right from- Why MBA ?, Preparation methodology,Experiences,Mistakes Made,What clinched it through, specific advice and future plans and every other things that makes the game.Wanna make it a tad organised though don't want to miss on the spontaneity of the interaction too.

I am quite buoyed by the idea and will give it a shot and see how could maximum benefit could be derived from it.

The utility of this exercise is two fold for me-One as MBA is my immediate goal too, it will help me to learn and refine my strategies for the CAT.And secondly which I am more passionate about is that it will help me understand some of the potentially sharpest personalities and their frames of perception,which I have always found to be catalyst in my own associations with reality.

So let's see how it goes.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

ps-As I reread the post it's more like notemaking in my notes diary, except the last line of course.So forgive the aloofness ;)

Another day at Thapar...

2006-04-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well ain't I laughing all the way today ! But wait till i get to that.First some of the raw hand news.

As I went to attend my class with first years today I saw hordes of students standing in corridors - Now this might not be unusual in case of any other college but Thaparians do tend to be "huddled" and bundled easily.Too timid you see.

But for a change today there was a little hustle and activity in this hoarding exercise and figured out that it was an attempt to stage a protest against the OBC reservations.And as well intended as it may be it lacked the sort of organisation to make it a success.So soon it turned out to be a fizzle and students dispersed here and there and without any press coverage the intent mostly went down unnoticed.

In any case at least someone was trying to do something at some level.

Some of the teachers reactions were a little curious though.I had this excuse of a lecturer who actually asked me if the students are motivated by someone external and when explained what the protests were for, he innocently asked, " But aren't the reservations for IIT's only ?"

And I must thank him earnestly for giving me a good laugh.

And not in the least when he returned my checked answer sheets.The thing was that since the last mid sem we weren't tutored much upon the subject the lecturer was supposed to teach while he dilly dallied on total nonsense topics.And not suprisingly the question paper was a complete bolt from the blue.

So as I came out of the hall even I had no idea what the hell was it all about and what I had written.But the best part was when i got the checked answer sheets today.With a score that boasts of being four times the second highest,with the answer sheet being another proof of the ridiculousness of the whole system I am only laughin my heart out !

Totally Nonsense !

Anyways being in such a good mood and being in company of such enlightened fellows do cheer me up a lot, so here's a little of the scooping.

Here's a detailed description of SAT MMVI - courtesy Chaitanya and then a few of the untill now elusive snapshots of the Lifestyle Show Rogue held on the first night of SAT.Enjoy !

The two of the most scintillating stars on the eve of SAT - Our very own ;)

Disclaimer-Highly prejudiced in claim .All views solely author's.
:) :) :) :) :) : ) :) :) :) :) :)

ps-post dedicated to Jolly dear :D

My pyaare papa ji

2006-04-15T02:16:00.000-07:00

Our best wishes -
This day,every day !
Lucky to have a dad like you.

Happy Birthday papa!

ps-Hopefully no tax deductions this time ;)

Done with exams

2006-04-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

Until this semester mid sems were an exciting affair, with so much hoopla surrounding it and all the associated drama and one big FAT pandemonium - people moving at an aggravated pace,unknown faces popping in and out of rooms ,bartering of notes ,crash courses at night canteens, seven heads trying to read from one book and everything else that can be expected in a hosteler's life.

But since the advent of this semester things have changed.It's almost a shy affair now.With hardly any noise permeating the corridors someone might mistake it for a holiday.A long one in that case.And then the exams are over even before they have begun.With just three subjects instead of the usual seven at hand it is only to be expected.

And in that case I am not even complaining.How I wish that all the previous semseters had been like this.Or in any case we never ever bothered about them much.The gang of us (beri,jolly,monjo,T)was never much perturbed with minnies like mid sems - everybody belonged to a "higher intellectual plane".

What I missed most today was our after exams marathons - Age of Mythology and Dungeon Siege duals,Coke and open burgers,A trip down to the phatak and obviously the movies.Okay biting the bullet I am saying it here - I missed you guys.Though at other times somehow the day passes by quickly but on moments like these can't wait for you guys to come back.Can't tell despite everything that has happened in the last three years - they have been the most special.I especially could have been a little wiser but still for all the moments wanna cherish them forever.

Counting the days before the final lap begins and we are gonna have the time of our lives and rock it all the way !!!

Just be there with the cushions ;)

The Asphyxiation of Merit

2006-04-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

So it has happened.Finally the two faces of India locked in a loggerhead.The Mandal II commission has brought forth the slow but sure confrontation of the two India's which are much like Siamese twins -evolving together and dependent on each other but instead of a symbiotic relationship acting as a parasite to each other and depriving both of the growth.

I am sorry.Launched into the tirade directly.But so has been the reaction of everybody who has heard about OBC(Other Backward Classes)quota proposal of 27% for IITs,IIMs,DU and every college of merit in India which effectively means that considering the already prevalent 22.5% reservation for SC's & ST's the total reservation will go up to 49.5 % in all the educational institutes .Which means if implemented a decreae of 210 seats in IIM's ,1130 seats in IIT's and some 13,700 seats in DU !

That is half the students in any of India's leading institutes will not be based upon their merit or competency but solely on the basis of their last name !

Needless to say for once political moves are hitting where it hurts the most.The creme de la creme of performance - The sacred mecca of excellence - The IIT's and IIM's- the only ambition that lakhs of middle class son's and daughters have been preparing for with a complacent tone that whatever happens in this country they will not be affected - so whichever government it is or whatever scams are happening - they at most constitute as subject matter for GD's .The next mock is all we care about.

And all it takes is one twisted politician with his own twisted political motives to shake the very foundation of a future that the best of India had pinned their dreams on.

So even when right from IT czar and director of board of governors for IIMA Narayana Murthy to DU VC are opposing the move vehemently and the former Chief Justice of SC V N Khare himself clarifiies that the constitutional amendment passed this January on which the HRD minister's case of reservation depends itself makes no mention of OBC's and when it is in fact his own political twist to preempt any debate.

And it's one politician with an expression of silent mockness writ large on his actions ,with not a single credit to his own persona and only poitical moves contributing to his power- dictating the future to lakhs of a thousand times more brilliant young men and women of India !

So is this the democracy and political system that was envisioned 55 years ago when instead of trying to do away with the unbiased system of reservations 50 years after , it is only being advocated to be increased further ?

When will the self administrated crutches be left and this nation will learn to walk on its feet for once ?

This mess is of our own making- letting officials like Arjun Singh being elected in the first place-Will we ever wake up from our complacency and for once understand that whatever happens in this country affects us more than anything else -

For God Sake - It is our own very nation !

ps-To Self only

Holi at TIET

2006-04-05T22:57:00.000-07:00

Although belated but while going through my photograph archives of last month I found this one - Too typical to be missed.

So chill out dudes - Let the guys have some fun.

ps-incidentally just after the post ran into this now too familiar story.Still nevertheless always a boon for the ones about to commence their journey.

"Marriages are made in Heaven"

2006-04-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

In a recent discussion with someone who is a guide to me I was pointed out that there is no point cribbing over the world as it is and making your own life miserable in the process.So if we feel something strongly about and it is really worth the effort in the way that it will make a difference and make the world around us a little better place for everyone then we should go all out for it.

But if all we are going to do is to make a huge hue and cry over the whole deal.Call everybody's attention to it and point out how nobody is doing anything about it and how it hurts you so much, then you are not making a difference -Just being another cry baby.

And so I feel is the majority of our media,journalists and even the bloggers where issuing a strong statement is the epitome of creating a difference and then getting pepped up for long seemingly passionate sessions of self obsessed righteousness and straining the vocal chords , in the end settling for a little peace of mind that yes we have done our bit and someone will get up and rise and take care of the details and simply mop away all the problems gnawing at our world.

This self patting reassurance of at least doing something about it - Is consuming away a lot of the chunk of people who could have made a difference.

So talk about it,but only if you are ready to do something about it and have an action plan ready.Otherwise just sip your coffee.

As a positive aspect these days everytime I have seen a problem printed in media I have tried to see if it is just another "proclaiming of public plight" or if there is something actually being done and I could somehow make a contribution that is effective.

And in a couple of weeks I have observed a few things like

In case of something as sensitive as the number of farmer suicides in Punjab in period 1988 to 2005 the government figure was pecked at 2116.And since last five years I have only heard about "the pitable condition of farmers", and "something needs to be done"and "empowering of farmers" and all the intellectual crap in editorials that is dictated by common sense alone.But since then there haven't been many actual endeavors that storm the memory that have been done to try and actually improve upon the scenario.

So the first step in mind is to obviously at least have a clear picture of the scenario.In this aspect a NGO by name of MASR (Movement Against State Repression) has actually done something about it and meticulously surveyed one of the worst affected areas - Andana which is in Sangrur District and comprising just 91 villages and the figures have been shocking.

1,360 suicides in two blocks only.

Here it can be mentioned that Punjab comprises of 138 blocks and a survey like this done for two blocks only is an indicative of the real figure for whole of the Punjab which might run into thousands .This demands for pooling of resources by Punjab Government into a census of Farmer's suicides by a neutral organisation preferrably the NGO which took the steps in the first place, so that the severity of situation could be impressed upon the numb minds of players of power corridor and the next steps could be initiated.

Seems apt when someone said "A single death is a tragedy,a mllion deaths a statistic"

Another case in point was a news that I read in TOI (Chd) yesterday -

"Being married to be marred for life" - Girls from eastern India and Bihar being married to HIV infected persons in Punjab.

Indeed , Marriages are made in Heaven.

So How Good is your Grammer ?

2006-04-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well I don't have any qualms or any misconceptions in this case as the spotlight has been thrown many a times (too many times to recount actually and a bit too harshly - I must mention) and it has always been a learning curve.A little steep in the beginning some ten-twelve years ago, almost flat in the last four years but once again commencing its upward climb to reach that "English mam Happy" level now.

In any case stumbled across some very commonly used sentences but surprisingly tricky and it was lot of fun trying to poke the right answer.

So here are the three of the sample.And if you could crack all three - consider yourself to be at par with the " English mam impressed" level.

Just one rule- Be absolute sure of your answers.No guessing.See it as a make or break test for your grammer aptitude.And only 3/3 gets you THAT !

So Here we Go !

Just pick the right option of the given two !

1)The Home minister ------ (Who/Whom) we have invited this evening,has arrived.
2)He drycleaned all his(suit's and paint's or suits and paints)- this is the easy one
3)He divided the money -----(among/between) the three beggars.(loved this one :)

And leave your email, Just in case you want the answers right away.Because else it will be fun to see you all try and will post the correct answers with delay only.

Saturnalia 2006

2006-03-27T01:25:00.000-08:00

As the dust settles and the temporary constructed stage in GS grounds is being dismantled - It marks the end of Saturnalia MMVI.

And so closes the chapter of some of the most active days of student community in my three years of stay in this college,which has been previously restricted to showcasing Mudra and Izahaar only.But whatever the shortcomings be one thing is for sure.

Nothing of this magnitude has happened in TIET campus in three years.Nothing.Although very modest when compared to other more well known tech fests of some other engineering colleges but still a feat in itself. A lifestyleshow-glittering with glamour, with teams participating from as far as NIFD,Professional hosting,The best rock bands all across the India competing for the title and Euphoria of course.Not to miss the number of succesfully conducted tech events,workshops,presentations and seminars which surprisingly witnessed a level of participation hithertho unseen in Thapar.The sheer number of active participants was surprising and it just kept increasing untill last day.

Though personally I will have the qualm not being able to take out a lot of time to see all the events minusculy, still all applause for at least the event being conducted.

Amid the shortcomings - The Euphoria itself was the biggest dampner with rain also playing a spoilsport and the group not getting a chance to sing some of the more well known tunes.

Another was the quarantining of the guys and gals which was only expected after the wild wild Rock nite .Moreover so the way it was done with as usual the guys getting the worse part of deal standing at some hundred feet from the main stage while the gals were seen enjoying their proximity to the stage to the maximum.

Right from the professional compeer Gaurav to the Palash Sen himself the disparity and ridiculity of it was pointed out time and again but as the docility of Thaparians is only legendry when it comes to matter of authority - as easy to herd as a herd of sheeps , the things are likely to stay the same.

The other shortcomings were also more or less the same with exercises of self importance on display in large by wearing blue string I cards with more members than actually required,lack of coordination among event organisers and the high handedness in issuing gate passes to hostel students themselves and a very very lousy editorial team which was hell bent on criticising the college band "LOOP" itself despite of their putting up a good show.

But still inspite of everything kudos for at least making it happen after four years and now let's hope that next year we will get a chance to relive and contribute our bit to the Saturnalia legacy.

ps-Will be posting some snaps shortly and of course we do have the cammy version of the fest recorded in full enthu by Monjo himself.So watch out the space.

#Posted with delay

The Journey Continues...

2006-03-23T01:48:00.000-08:00

Phew ! Finally ! The lifeline has been restored and my connection to the wired world has been restablished which in a post matix world implies - "I Am in" .And for mysterious reasons which can best be enquired from Agent Smith only and that too after extended sessions of extreme torture by methods of making him work in TIET workshop - MANUALLY only ,it can be realised that it was a universe-cum-timewise conspiracy to disconnect the world from the few innocent words of a striving entrepreneur just trying to breathe in his own space.(Short Sentences,Remember-they said !)

In short in the immortal word's of Arnie the old - "I am back"

So the long and short is that since the last post it has actually been one of my most rewarding month here at TIET - with thanks to CAT's preparatory classes at CL,Anand Kapai's highly rewarding Communication Workshops and my project on Small Scale Industries in Punjab and an intrinsic interest in TQM -and some most memorable moments outside the campus ;) , It has been life at its best all the way.

And since the end of the last semester it has been a whirlwind in terms of activities.And thanks to all the changes the rhythm is back.And so is the passion.

And finally I am getting to do the things that I enjoy and relish-Extempores,Presentations,Discussions,Budget sessions,Movie Reviews,Theatre workshops,Seminars,Meeting new people,Learning new things-And learning with a vision and end prespective in mind.Where you know that every second spent in learning is another second well lived.It's presence justified.

And amid all this I missed my blog most.A thousand thoughts,A hundred stories, A handful of lessons to share with the entire world.So on the eve of the curtain raiser of Saturnalia and on the day the bravest of men Shaheed Bhagat Singh,Rajguru and Sukhdev gave the world the lesson of achieving immortality and inspiring generations to come by living to one's convictions and beliefs -We affirm our pledge to make a difference and making our opinion heard.

To those who count.

Salutes.

The Time has come

2006-02-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Spreading my wings,
I am ready to fly,
In my land of fantasy,
The dreams hitherto wishes,
coming to life,
The time has come.

Nokia 6600 as Webcam

2006-02-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

I have been dabbling into gadgets since long and my trusty Black Phoenix(BP) - a Nokia 6600 is one of my dearly loved possessions.And my only way to make a plethora of my requirements possible.It's my digicam,video recorder,movie player,notes jotter,Address book, calender, mp3 player ,ebook reader,photoviewer, email checker,browser,tv remote contol and of course my watch and torch and last but definitely not the least my phone- all rolled into one.And just in case I forget to mention -the only way i can access net , whether on mobile or PC through bluetooth using GPRS.

Needless to say it is the heart of my digital life,one need that is truly my lifeline.And again once in a while looking to expand its capabilties further there comes another killer application,which just makes me adore this nifty-gifty piece of sheer genius even more.

Now at the moment with plenty of phones out there advertising all the same, still with one hassle or the other , it is rarely that all the features mentioned are ever put to test.But in this case the gadgeteer community has always looked to expand the range of functionalities and has kept on pushing the number of functions possible on these handsets, and now already we have reached a point where the cell phone is actually the contoller of all the gadgets and services around.

Now before this post takes the form of a tribute to the progress of Symbian60 platform, let's come to this particular discovery -

How about converting your Nokia 6600 or for that matter any Nokias S60 phone into a fully functional web camera ? What's more you don't even need to hassle with all the cables.And yes it can also be used to keep surveliance.Now isn't that called NEAT !

I have already given it a try and it is as smooth as it gets.It is called 'Mobiola Webcam' and published by Warlex-.You download a trial version from here install it on your PC and the corresponding sis file on your phone.Connect through bluetooth and there you go ! All set to chat away with friends and see them face to face.

Really one of those really really useful applications,though at the moment I couldn't find the crack.So give it a try and if you do happen to find the crack or serial do post a link.

Cheers !

- HD

Birthday Alarm

2006-02-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

Am I a spammer ? Well by definition "A spammer is someone who sends unwanted email (often in bulk)" And if we go strictly by the book then yes I have been guilty of the crime- bombarding each and every email address having the misfortune of ever arriving in my inbox-be the closest pals,friends,acquaintances or even strangers - all have been treated to a combined dose of publicity once in a while. Though the last time was an year ago when the zeal of making every netizen arrive at this blog was at its peak and it was only after some time and a few brickbats later that wisdom dawned and I refrained from sending any more self advertising pamphlets.

Anyways now once again , I came across this neat little handy utility- Birthday Alarm courtesy Manjot which basically just sends a birthday form to every contact in your address book so that you could have the birthdays of all your friends at one place and can access anytime.Now this is one of those little things which I think are simply too ingenious to be missed.

Traditionally I don't forget birthdays and don't actually need a tool but then there are so many new friends that I haven't even gotten down to ever knowing them in real life.And this in a way was a good excuse to at least talk to them on that very special day.(Yes I am one of those Birthday kinds -Just dare to miss my birthday and we will see)

And in any case I like to have a back up of something so important.So people -come on.Don't be fussy.I won't eat all your cake . Just my share :D

Jot it down here .
Or use the link on RHS of page.

And I am already beginning to count my treats !

Goodbye 9872277998

2006-01-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

As much a sentimental type I may be, I usually don't get attached to telephone numbers at least.But in this case this might be the third most special number to me after of course the eternal two numbers-the one of my landline for 10 years which served as the foundation for so many friendships and then of course the other most special one.

And what a pity that now all three of them are gone.Anyways, continuing in this case- long long ago,in a world where lots of things were different and which is hard to imagine now, in cold january of 2004 in my second semester of engineering I landed on a saturday afternoon straight at Lawrence road from Patiala to finally get my corporate connection.

Mind you corporate connection in those days were a royalty.With lowest monthly rentals and unlimited friends forever numbers and discounted minutes and sms they were a must for phone junkies but very hard to procure in those days.And it was only after four months of wilderness with preposterously costly Airtel prepaid numbers I had finally got a saviour in the form of my closest pal Vimmi who was in Amritsar Medical college at that time and after furnishing a duplicate license and other formalities we finally got the connection.

Life did change after that.

First there was the Airtel GPRS - in other words unlimited internet 24 hrs,seven days a week with monthly rental of 100 ! ( yup - again the corporate advantage)One of the very reasons that saw the genesis of this blog.In a way only easy availability of net coutesy GPRS was one of the biggest reason for my consistent blogging, as I know many "wouldbe" bloggers who for want of easy net access are holding back for the moment.

Then the numerous adventures and misadventures that we had on this number, with BMS - Babbar Messaging Service terrorising the hostel mates with bombarding them with infinte sms's that used to block the network of the receiver in the days of free SMS and the various blank calls and call forwarding games we played.

Then it was only this number which saw it all happen.The one that served the link between 'us' and our only meeting ground during all these years and changes.How could I ever thank it enough...

I had almost got used to it's continuing presence in my life and had even paid bills in excess of 5k in order to retain it.

But then as they say.
"Everything that has a beginning,has an end..."

I guess the time has come...

Good Bye 9872277998

ps-the new number is 98-72-47-14-25
9*8=72 + independence year + 14 + My bir = 98-72-47-14-25

26th January

2006-01-28T03:35:00.000-08:00

*posted with delay for want of GPRS*

Back in school days 26th january invariably arrived with an air of anticipation and festivities.

Me and my little sis who were still primary graders back then would rush to school in our starched white uniforms early in the winter fog to join some 1500 other students assembled in school grounds waiting for the celebrations to commence .Some of them used to bear flags,and others would have a little flag pinned on their chest.The joy on their face was unmistakable and seeing them smile so enthusiastically was infectious.

The teachers and principal will line up guided by an invisible authority and then the proceedings will begin with a couple of well rehearsed speeches , orated by school's best speakers and then thankfully without too much delay the princpal sir will unfurl the flag.

Now here I must mention lies my greatest point of anticipation as on the previous two consecutive years,on this particular point of events ,things took a nasty turn and in the middle of the national anthem the flag couldn't sustain itself at the highest point of pole and decided to infuse a bit of humor in the otherwise rather serious proceedings .The result -It sprawled itself atop the pricipal who though clearly not delighted with the proceedings looked in an unsure state of mind whether to move or not while the national anthem was playing.

Somehow with hook or crook the events would culminate finally with some agile kid coming to rescue and climbing the pole bare foot to hoist the flag back and with a general sigh of relief we would rush to grab our share of laddoos and then rush back home to join papa just in time to see the 26 January parade being telecast live from Janpath on DD1.

Amidst all this there was still a heart that sang with pride

"Saare jahaan se achaa, Hindustaan Hamaara"

With time things have changed.Something has been lost forever.A compromise has been made.A bitter truth learnt.

Today the hostel chowkidaar served me a laddoo when I was coming after my breakfast and the celebration meant the hostel warden fluttering the flag on roof with a couple of securitymen and hostel staff present.

The laddoos were still there.But they don't taste as good as back then.

What is the change I wonder ?

Changing the calenders

2006-01-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

As I type this,it's already the time when 'Happy New Year' has gone out of the greetings and even Happy Lohri is passe now.And so many things have gone unaccounted for-too often lost in something so beautiful that its beauty encompasses everything around it and then all that is left is a dazed smile.

Sometimes it happens.That the beauty is so numerous , that with time the intensity dilutes and only its shade is left.And in the process many micro moments are lost forever for they go uncherished,unsung.And only in the slowness of the day when we can pause and stare at all the things happening around us and in their slowness that we realise - the beauty in detail and rhythm.

Anyways life's been great till now.And 2005 was perhaps my most special year - or maybe only the footstep of many great years and events to follow.And still I believe turning here is another chapter of my time - to be cherished in the heart forever now.

Jan has always been a very nostalgic time for me.Just like the arrival of summer.Something about the year gone forever and so many memories and another year accounted for.

'2005'-It looked so far away one day when I started my third diary on 1995- It was my sixth grade and life was simple.The future was distant and all I knew that the final exams were still at a safe distance in March and I can safely go about my chores-strolling the Tibbri Cantt grounds and the cantonement parks completely at leisure,not a worry in world-maybe only that If I would ever grow to be 8 Foot tall.

Tugging my cycle and the assortment of my safety gear-'The Gulail' and my rubber jo-jo ,just breezing though the roads on wintry mornings,waiting eagerly for another episode of 'Jungle Book' and Mowgli and Baa and Baghira and all the fellow thugs.

The new diary,the excitement of finally getting to write a new year on my notebooks,changing the calender on walls- New Year is perhaps always what we all want at the most basic level- change.

So let's see how the days go.For the moment as it is never too often to wish

Happy New year Once Again.

Happy New Year !

2006-01-04T06:55:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a very very Happy New Year and may this year bring more joy,peace and happiness & in times to come leave a trail of memories to cherish forever.

Happy New Year 2006 !!!

Winter's here !

2005-12-16T22:54:00.000-08:00

Kamlo : Pata hai aaj kya hai ?
Motu : (thinking a little bit) Saturday ?
17 Dec ?
Koi anniversary ?
Mom ka birthday ?Holiday ?
(A little too cheerfully) Koi Surprise ?
(getting warmed up now)Tell na ?Tell na !

Kamlo(nonchalantly):aaj THAND hai

Yup-Winter's here( I know that's perfectly as stupid a observation as the PJ,as anyone who happens to be equipped with a working stimuli knows it too well now ,since the chattering of teeth in improper clothing is a little too hard to ignore)but then this is my place na-And I just happen to be in too good a mood right now..And so bear away ... Vaase Last night was just so so beautiful...anyways now's not the time..so here we go on. The rest of the piece was composed in a cosier state of mind so forgive the sudden shift.Hence moving on more mundanely...

And as I was saying before the interruption.Yup-Winter's here.And so are the dews and the beautiful sunshines which I regrettably miss lying in the cosy quilts and the snug blankets.A cup of tea is most welcome on such occasions but again some things are too good to be savoured.Guess I am afraid of being addicted :)

And morning walks in winters have always been one of the best times -used to go to the beautiful GNDU campus with dad or alone sometimes and by the time I returned I was always feeling so light.Could feel the warmth of workout running through my body and little beads of perspiration on my forehead .Seeing the sun rise and bathing in its glorious warmth,watching it's reflection in dew and seeing my breath vaporise in mist...It's too good to be missed...

(note to self- About time now- Get that *ss moving)

And in the night looking at the moon it feels heavenly.It's silvery light bathed in an aura of mysticism- makes you feel loved and touched;with silvery mist arching across the sky and shimmering in every direction like christmas tinsels.I have never seen snow falling and it is one of my strongest desires because I can't even begin to imagine how beautiful it must feel to see little snow rafts wafting and drifting across the sky floating in air like a feather and falling slowly on your nose,caressing and kissing the cheeks and leaving the moisture of their touch and then slowly melt away as you touch them...

Almost like love...

*too cosy*

Have a beautiful time everyone :)

ps-By the way last post was the 150 th one ! And what a better way to commemorate the occasion !

A Simple Wish

2005-12-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

Long she has come,
and long she has to go...

And to love
and be loved
by a few friends on the way...

And still she is the one
who is light for those
who were blessed enough to be close...

May she always shine and radiate the way she does,
Touching the many lives like she has,
always...

Her love knows no limits ,
and her heart is of gold,
forthrightly bold,
and still so soft at the core,

she is the one and only,
My Raison d'etre,
the girl and the woman,
friend and fate,

to my Destiny...
a very Happy Birthday

A Little Breather and a "Goblet "

2005-12-10T03:07:00.000-08:00

Life in December is always shrunk up.So many things packed in so little time.And least of them but nevertheless the biggest incovenience are the exams or half yearlys or in their latest avtaars - End Sems.And this is just to rake in all the prayers that I need at the moment to reach the other side of shore safely.Anyways in the meanwhile a lot of things are being lined up for the time to come when I will have a glorious break beginning from December 22nd and then life will be once back to normal...

Doesn't seem so long ago though when on a glorious day,on a wintry foggy morning the eternal fans - the so predictable ones, on an impulse caught the early morning bus to Chandigarh for the noon show of "Goblet Of Fire" at FR.And a lovely day it was indeed,lined with memories, and missing someone so badly, sipping Cafe Frappe's at the Cafe days and thinking of her and revisit to the "Goblet of Fire"-not without it's flaws but still forceful enough to immerse in its magical world for two and half hours where the Hogwarts was back to life and the trio once again exploring its grounds together...

For me the saga of Harry will always go in hand to hand with this time of my life- when I first entered its world wayback in years when life was still raw and fresh and the thoughts juvenile and now when it already seems a long way...And still the warmth and the joy in rediscovering those moments where nothing has changed and everything is still the same, is sort of like finding your old toys.

And you realise,It's not about the toy but your very self.

Happy Winters :)

Happy Blogaversary !

2005-11-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

It was exactly an year ago when on this day the random thoughts got a body and this blog was born.More as a sort of personal journal initially , it soon transformed into a memoir of events,my views and opinions and the things I liked to share with my friends and world.

And more than I consciously tried to shape its evolution, with time it took a natural course , evolving into something of its own with time.Something that is more or less an integral part of my life.Where I go for my solitude or to share my joys.A world where my heart is open and it knows no fear.Something which has a part of me as such.

The words may be misspelt or posts sometimes downright insipid,but for me everyone of them is as special.Because in them I have explored and discovered a part of me time and again.For me each of them in its own term stand more for when they were written than what was written.They are my pointers in time.

Somewhere I can be back when I desire.To walk those old roads and walk my journey again.To relive those moments.To live my life again .

To remember who I am and where I am going and more than the destination it's the "destiny..." - the path chosen by my own conscious or subconscious choices with infinite but definite outcomes.

It's been the voice of my heart and it will continue to do so in one form or other ,sometimes by being ridiculously raucous and sometimes by going mum.Sometimes sharing the mundanest of mundane details or once in a while a little something worthwhile to share.

And together with everyone - Varu,Johal,doc,Deep,"doc2",Suchi,Irem,Jas,Navneet,Vimmi,Neeraj and all my friends who have been here with me , A moment to pause and say thanks for making it eternally memorable- for so many moments that it's worth a lifetime.

Thank you my blog.

The Temple of Light

2005-11-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

"LIGHT and SHINE is what I stand for;
glittering in broad daylight and sparkling at night;

I am Golden Temple...

ZENITH is what I point to,standing on placid waters;

I am Golden Temple...

SOLACE is what I offer you;
showing you the all-powerful 'human-element' within you that you ignore each day;

I am Golden Temple...

I am growth,I am peace,I am love, I am life, I am He, I am She,
I am your soul.

I am Golden Temple...

I am light.I am Golden Temple."

Golden Temple on Diwali Eve

www.flickr.com

Happy Diwali

2005-11-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

Though belated but nevertheless as earnestly, Best wishes from my side to everyone and warmest regards.And I hope most fervently that everyone in their own way had many moments in these past weeks to cherish forever.

Diwali for me this year came with a pang of sadness as it once again made the vacuum felt and the absence of the one loved so much.And I found my peace and solace at the holy parkarima of Golden Temple and let the joy and celebration of devotees immerse me in their happiness and lift the heaviness of my heart.

And still this Diwali will be the most vividly remembered recollection of memories as the days around the occasion were as kaleidoscopic and as beautiful as all the colours that combine together to form one light.For in these days I have experienced the God and soul that my heart had always waited for.

Again the two sides of life - day after night,darkness gives way to light.

Happy Diwali and Best Wishes.

-Harjot Dhaliwal

IIT D Rendezvous 2005 - Part 1

2005-10-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

Before the memories begin to blur and the colors begin to fade and before it's too late let's get down to the gate of the IIT ,Mate.(I think I had enough of the eminem for one lifetime - courtesy Beri and Johal )

So trying to type instead of rapping everything here's the lowdown of the visit to IIT Delhi in relation to Rendezvous 2005 which took around a fortnight ago on 23 and 24 Sep and since then there have been just so many things happening around that I just couldn't get down to what I love most to do.And I have been missing drafting those posts late night.But then there are some things that just take priority over everything else.

So it was around two weeks ago when a team of nine marauders from Thapar left for IIT Delhi to have their first hand experience of the biggest Literary Fiesta of North India - Rendezvous 2005 ( I heard meanwhile that IIT B's the other one not to be missed )

I stayed there for two nights and two days and left for ASR on evening of 24 Sep to be able to spend my special day at home.And still it seems a much longer interval of time considering the number of nuggets of experiences and observations that I had during this period.

Will talk a little more about the visits in coming posts but at the moment here is the first set of snaps.Mostly associated with our reaching IIT Delhi on the night of 23 Sep after leaving from Patiala the previous evening.

IIT D Rendezvous 2005 - The arrival snaps

www.flickr.com

Reality Check

2005-09-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

It's been some time since the words enacted the role they were supposed to play,and instead they kept on transgressing the quantam plane where thoughts and emotions swirl together in a never ending turmoil.

So it's about time to descend to the more practical way of things and take in the illusion once more.So let's get on with the things as they are.Or at least seem to.

So talking about college life in general is good.All the hustle bustle associated with usual college activities is about to reach full throttle with the first mid terms done and dealt with and second aproaching soon.

In between there were some fruitful events like Ankit Fadia's workshop on Computer and Mobile hacking,a couple of debating and extempore competitions where my participation must be taken in a very optimistic manner and then a little trip to IIT Delhi in relation to Rendezvous 2005 and then a few Birthday celebrations including mine :D and the celebration of 143rd post (Why 143rd , I wonder :)) on this blog.

All of which very well deserved a full length post and which I will try to make up for now by being a bit more regular than I have been in past month and resolving not to let such momentous occasions let go undocumented.

But then as someone once said,

"Once in a while,
Right in the middle of
an ordinary life,
Love gives us a fairy tale"

So who cares anyway ;)

Passion

2005-09-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

Passion
Is listening to the beat of your heart.
Is hearing the voice of the child within.

Passion
Allows you to feel that heavenly high.
Allows you to feel every drumming beat of your heart.

Passion
Is to love someone blindly.
Is to share the laughter of your every waking life.

Passion
It is you.
It is me.
I am passion.
We are passion.
Life is passion.

This Is Me

2005-09-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

My eyes open. I delight in my surroundings. I have security and I have love. I wake up each day and my heart is filled with joy. All I know is happiness. I know there is beauty around me and that it will always be there.

My eyes open. I am surrounded by strangeness. There is anger and hatred. There is emptiness inside me that I cannot fill. I am in pain. There is noise everywhere I turn and I am confused. I have become aware of the world.
I am changed.

My eyes open. I seek to understand my surroundings. I have lost innocence. I have fully awakened to what envelops my everyday. I know there is suffering, but I also know that there is pleasure. I look back and yearn for the feeling of being a six year old again. Not a care in the world, untainted. But I have lost all of that.

I am changed.

My eyes open. I cry and I know that I will never be the same person again. I cannot scream out loud and be proud of who I am. Instead I am ashamed, still and as silent as a whisper. I cannot gain back what I have lost. All I know is that I have lost a part of myself.

I am changed.

I am lost.

My eyes open. I have no emotions. I have stopped feeling and emptiness lingers in my heart. I want to be able to feel the bitter and the sweet. But my body has somehow grown cold and I feel nothing. I am stained by a chaotic world. I stand still. I have nowhere to go.

I am changed. I am lost.

My eyes open. I want to be able to feel the comfort of love. But somehow I have deprived myself of that. I am confused about who I’ve become. But I want to change into a better person. I am aware of my emotions. They are weak and simultaneously strong in their own way. I can tell myself that I must allow changes to happen. I have to be able to accept that gains also come with losses. Although acknowledging those losses might be difficult, I must face it.

I am changed.

And I know it.

I will never be a six year old again and I have lost chastity. My eyes open wide. I know that the person I have become to this point will not always be the person that I am. I am like the tree that lost its leaves to the seasons. I will never be a child again but I will always have the memory of being one. Life has given me ultimatums; and the choices I have made are choices I will never regret. It is hard to understand that there can be no sweet without the pain and suffering that we must face in our every day. But I understand that I am not an empty person. In its place is the color of the life that I have and will live. I know that there is only one person I really am.
I am change.

Candles

It flickers with every breath that escapes from my soul
Yet every moment it emits the heat of the desire that lies inside
The Candle that sits before me now
It is who I am

The wax begins to melt just like my heart
The liquid flows like the blood in my veins
The Candle that sits before me
It is who I am

Her Mind

2005-08-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

Sirens ring inside her head
Every minute of pounding
Seems to last forever
She wants to break free of the shangles
On her wrist
Only to find that her body cannot move
And her mind is no longer hers

-Anonymous

Devious Devices

2005-08-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

The heart is a deceptive organ.It pretends to pump blood , while all this time it is actually devoting itself to hideous and devious purposes - it tries to steal and snatch away all your reason and logic and threatens to dominate every action of yours on a whim of its own.And before you realise, you have fallen prey to its devices and lost yourself in a pain that is so sweet that you are addicted to it.

And then you think of her.And the barricade between you and your heart is blown away in an instant, like a paper thin barrier between two insuperable forces of passion - throwing all logic and caution to wind and you want to blow away everything that stands between you in smithereens.

That's where the reality kicks in.And you think almost wistfully to yourself "Let the time come."

LOTR- The Saga Continues

2005-08-21T03:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a long journey (well nothing compared to Wheels of Time as some mavericks might proclaim).But it was worth the road.Because for once the journey was as much mesmerising as the final plot.

I have fallen to the lore of the "Lord of the Rings" and count me one among the trillions of such die hard fans who have witnessed one of the grandest fantasy of all times painted on a canvas so rich and vast that it's scale is truly epic.

The journey itself began a long time ago and I waited for some time before getting on with the adventure.For one it's size is daunting, for other it takes a bit of time to getting used to the the vast world of Middle Earth created with so much richness and detail by JRR Tolkein that once you get started it is almost impossible to deny its existence.

And its legend haunts you all the time even when you are not there.It's been some time since I have seen the magnificent story open so gently and yet it is like an avalanche - gathering incredible momentum as it gushes ahead towards its end.And it is like a slow transformation.In the beginning the whole world and the surrounding is something that you take a little time to get used to.But once you are there you are never out of it.And apart from one very special thought it has been LOTR and its saga that has dominated the fantasy realm of my mind.

The Middle Earth is so vast in its richness and minute in detail that in the beginning it is really daunting.But as you move ahead things begin to take shape and then there is one moment when you have to stand and wonder at the imagination and depth of its creator who had perceived the world like he has actually been there.Now that is what sets the lore master apart - be it Tolkein or Rowling.The belief in his own creation.

So I had my share of Hobbits and The Shire and then the journeys through all the incredible locations and thus came into my knowledge one of the most beautiful creations ever - Rivendell And Lothlorien : House of Elrond and Galadriel's abode respectively.And a great story is never complete without its heroes.So we have our Aragorn son of Arathorn, The grey pilgrim Gandalf who is reminiscent to me of Dumbledore and Frodo of course.And then there are so many others who no less in significance or status never got their due of fame.

So here I will abandon my salutation to the praise of LOTR as now when I get down to read it, it will be the final chapters and then even before its end I have witnessed so much that when the final curtains are drawn I will be the one standing in applause.And then there will be one long long post.In the name of one of the most original and creative story that has ever been told.

So among other things, and others ideas, and a little delay in post I have to grab Johal's MP3 player loaded with LOTR theme music ( which in itself deserves a full post along with another one about the movies) and rush to the Bhakra canal just in time so that the end is synchrounous with the sunset.Now that's one fantasy come to life ;)

- Rivendell

Campus Bulletin August 2005

2005-08-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well this should actually have been named " Campus Bulletin July 2005" as it is a bit late in coming but as they say better late than never.So here'a brief sum up of the little insignificant happenings in this nook of globe.

Sagar Ratna

If someone might remember this is not the first time that those two words have been seen on this blog.It is actually their third appearance (the previous two can be found in some long gone Gurgaon trips and Patiala Heritage Festivals).And what a total delight it has been !
It actually came as a surprise when during our summer training rumours started making rounds that the old dilapidated and highly lacking college canteen was under renovation and was being replaced by Sagar Ratna and Mc Donalds.Seeming too good to be true we reacted to them with casual amusement.

So it was a pure joy when the rumour actually contained half truth and Sagar Ratna was inaugurated in first week of college among large fan fare.

And I am happy to report that it hasn't disppointed.Although a full review of sagar ratna will require a complete post in itself but at the moment I can't stop myself from relishing the joy of crisp Dosas, Paneer Nans and Dahi wadas that now I can enjoy on a very consistent basis at very fair prices.

Just wait on for the complete review.

Counselling Statistics

Last Sunday saw the annual parade where anxious students and even anxier ( if there was ever such a word) parents lined up as usual to get their wards into Thapar Institue of Extreme Torture which has now been accepted as a more appropriate full form of TIET.
Among all the usual hotch potchs ( though Thapar counselling is a remarkably well managed affair) and usual misconceptions and guesses there were some big surprises.

For starters the most coveted and aspired for Electronics and Communication engineering trade took almost AIR 6ooo to be exhausted.Here we are talking about the 33 open seats in Punjab general category.Compare this to our batch where all seats of ECE were occupied by AIR 3900. Now that's a big extension.Guess the punjab lads didn't perform as well this year and consequently got lower AIRs.
Even mechanical was extended by a big diference and was filled around AIR 10000.

Here are the rest of the stats-

Branch From AIR Rank To AIR Rank

Electronics and Communication Engg 0499 5903
Computer Engg 2957 7807
Mechanical Engg 6297 10873
Biotech Engg 12500 16700
Electrical Engg 11493 13748
Instrumentation Engg 6060 12222
Chemical Engg 5147 17711
Civil Engg 12322 16742

I know most of us have lost any interest whatsover in those numbers but still for some they could mean their entire life and career of their dreams.I still regret the fact that I had missed computer engineering by a hair's width and consequently spent two miserable years in classrooms studying things and subjects that i despise. Anyways...

Laptops

Now that is something I have been just drooling at.Like Don Corleone would say in Godfather "An offer that you can't refuse."

The college has made the students of all years an offer through which they are being offered laptops of IBM, Compaq and Dell at higly highly concessional prices.So much so that I really had to check it out for myself and it seems to be true.And for once concessional word retains its meaning.Check this out.

The top end machines of IBM(R51), HP -Compaq(HP NX6120) and Dell (Latitude 510 and Inspiron 2200 ) with Pentium M processors,256 MB rams,40 GB HDD ,Combo cd drives, WIFI enbaled and whose market price is around RS 55000 are going for Rs 38000 !!!And depending on the number of purchases it might go down even more.

Now it might have something to do with PEC making it compulsory for all its students to purchase laptops at the time of admission, but nevertheless it is a big big step forward.

Such a combination of price and performance is very rare and such high end laptops at such throwaway prices is a killer deal.And it is only the next step in having the campus WIFI enabled.

Till now i can only imagine the posiibilities that such a scenario will present.Continous connectivity, 24 hour internet access all across the campus, streaming videos and music and YES ! MULTIPLAYER GAMING ! Now it will be a sight to see the hostel mates locked into a Quake arena or straighting it out in AOE...Or a neck to neck Need For Speed sprint.

The possibilities are endless...

Weathery Delights...

2005-08-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

These are some of the snaps that I happened to click away in last two days in and around the campus and it has been a total delight.And doesn't the sky just look marvellous ? By the way the second snap in the list happens to be my favourite where the road ahead is blurred by rain drops and yet somehow it seems so magical...

Destiny...

2005-08-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

ONE blessing had I, than the rest
So larger to my eyes
That I stopped gauging, satisfied,
For this enchanted size.

It was the limit of my dream,
The focus of my prayer,—
A perfect, paralyzing bliss
Contented as despair.

I knew no more of want or cold,
Phantasms both become,
For this new value in the soul,
Supremest earthly sum.

The heaven below the heaven above
Obscured with ruddier hue.
Life’s latitude leant over-full;
The judgment perished, too.

Why joys so scantily disburse,
Why Paradise defer,
Why floods are served to us in bowls,—
I speculate no more.

- Emily Dickinson

I Got it ! I Got it ! - "The Dark Phoenix"

2005-07-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

All hail the dark lord - My sleazy sexy dark handsome absolutely devastating Nokia 6600 which I have aptly christened as the "Black Phoenix" (BP) and YEA ! I am more than happy about it. After all it has been a seemingly never ending amaavasya kee raat since the dark moment when my Nokia 3650 said me good bye forever on that fateful day of 24 may 2005 and left me stranded alone in the middle of all my dreams of reaching every corner of blogosphere, of capturing every single moment of the everchanging life and of those sweet talks...

And it was not just a piece of electronics - It was almost like a friend...In fact much more...It was the lobby where the good old friends got together...It was the nostalgia land where sweet memories dwelled ...In fact it was my life line. And it was snapped .

But now...Ahm..It is reborn out of the ashes.The body might have changed but the spirit will always remain the same.And ah...Talk about the looks.It's like Batman marries Halle Berry.Dark, mysterious,dashing ,powerful and yet stylish !

So let the celeberations begin ! And there's a lot to be done...

ps- for record sake here are the dry facts.I got it just today ( can't help being superstitious about Saturday after what I have gone through) from Agrani Switch in Nehru complex, Amritsar with one year warranty and bill at a cost of 11,300 bucks with large inputs from Johal,Navneet and T .Hey thanks a lot buddies ! You are the best !

And special thanks to that one very special companion who made today's bus journey one of the most memorable ever.

Good Times

-HD

pps- ahm..this is for Varu.You can open your eyes now.That was the last one about the cell ;)

The White Tomb

2005-07-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Half Blood Prince SPOILER WARNING

"...to the well organized mind,death is but the next great adventure..."

I wish there was some other way around.Something more rosier.More cosier.Where everyone's happy.Forever.And there are no sorrows.No pains.

Why is this with every story worth its cent ,every game worth its bit that it has to take us through the same path of sorrow and happiness that life leads us to.Perhaps it is the closeness to the reality, proximity to what we all know, to the never ending cycle of life and death that endears them to our heart in the first place.

And sometimes the lines blur.The stories come to life as much as the life went into stories once.And the pain is as real.

May long live the wizard of wizards - the personification of power and modesty with his ever present irresistible subtle humour and his sparkling blue eyes peering over those half moon glasses and for whom no words can do justice but these four-

'nitwit','oddment','blubber' and 'tweak'.

"Nothing like this man had ever been seen on Privet Drive. He was tall,
thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which
were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing long robes,
a purple cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots.
His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon
spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been
broken at least twice. This man's name was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore ."

Devoid of lady luck

2005-07-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

For some time I really have been bugged by the lack of empathy that my lucky fairy has been demonstrating.Every thing that i seem to undertake goes awry.Every little step almost inevitably results in a detour.

It all started when my cell decided once again to go into its ever frequent comas and then somehow it never came out of it.One day,one weekend,one week,one month-the deadline's been extended so many times that it hardly seems a suprise nowadays.

But no i haven't been idle.I have been going around the market to get a new cell and here are a few sumptuous deals that i have come across.A Nokia 3650 for 7000, A 6600 for 9000, Nokia 7610 for 11000 and mother of all deals A SONY ERICSSON P910i for 18,500 (I could hardly resist that one.A P910! it's like out of my dreams!) But.(inevitably there is always a but) here's the catch.All second hand.And seeing the way my luck is going I don't want to risk in a second hand set.So if someone could get me a brand new Nokia 3650,3660 or 6600 for a reasonable price do let me know.I would be most grateful.Ok now moving on to our presnt topic.

Then as we shifted to our new UG hostel which is by the way only recently constructed and thus lacks essentials like water and killis in bathrooms along with other facilities like a mess and all but makes up for it by providing comfortable rooms with scenic views and airy balconies.And some how after various twists we have ended with a room without a balcony and right in the middle of a passage which is a general thoroughfare.And then there are the flies.

You would think that the bats were the worst tormentors.Or the more hideous things like vampires with long fangs and likewise.But never have been I so tormented by anything alse as these flies.They have made it virtually impossible to sleep without slapping your face every other minute.

My Creative Muvo- the credit card sized mp3 player for the unitiated ( which is my life line and my pain killer)-has just gave up on me completely.It might be mentionable that i spent a good part of my savings on it and bought it from the Pantip Plaza in Bangkok to ensure that I am guaranteed to have peace of mind.

Among rest of the matters my transportaion machine ( a handsome HAWK - unkown model year) was out of fuel (read air )once again this morning after spending considerable time and money on its repair yesterday and once again I had to drag it for the repairs.

And yes I have saved the best for the last.There have been certain twists in my academic standings which might have long term um...effects..anyways this is a publc profile and i better refrain from stating such matters.And the direct effect of which has been that after having read The Half Blood Prince almost one third at one go on Monday after purchasing it straight from Biblio at a handsome price of 675 (thus missing my registraion in process and having to pay the late fine as a consequence) and have been unable to continue it among all the shifting and settling in.

But now i hope to go and spend two peaceful hours at Biblio and hope nothing plays spoilsport this time.

*Fingers Crossed*

Now only if she called.

A New Sunrise

2005-07-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

It's early morning and I am travelling on Sachkhand express from Amritsar to Rajpura.And as i look out across the green paddy fields rushing past and the rising morning sun shining like a golden pearl and the grey blue skies - I see a new hope rising in my heart.The hope of a new beginning.And of finding a way out that remained elusive to me untill now.To finally have a purpose of my own instead of the borrowed ambitions of others.

And i want to imprint these feelings in my heart forever and make them my guiding compass and the engine that drives my life.And whenever I am in dark or lost or rudderless I want these to be my anchor.Setting the direction for me and setting me to motion and helping to gain that unstoppable momentum that is driven by a passion unequalled and unparallelled, unaffected by the world that tries to put restrain on anything that aspires to be free from restraints.

I saw the morning today.And it looked more beautiful than ever .The sky shimmered with a golden hue and the sun rose like a phoenix reborn, spreading its wings in full glory, the sky hemmed in a yellow-golden aura its richness haloed by the green fields that blurred away and the dark grey clouds that hovered endlessly above the sun.And that golden patch looked like a window to the heaven itself, reminiscencing all that is beautiful in this world and reminding of those days gone long past in life that now only glimmer as a faraway memory with its warmth comforting the heart.

And it promised a new beginning.A new opportunity to do things your way.A new day to love and live life.

And yet love it is.

- HD

It's Here !!!

2005-07-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

The Show goes on...

2005-07-07T04:20:00.000-07:00

Cyber Centre Woes

2005-07-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I have frequented the cyber centre at college as i always found it to be a frustating experience due to non working mouses and buggy operating systems and all ,but my last visit after a gap of six months hadn't gone too badly and today in the break between the training I thought why not make use of it and make a post.By the way the mechanic has given up and my phone is still not repaired.And due to lack of net I thought maybe.

And when I go there and get the system running and all I find out that net is not working .So I go to the employee incharge and he tells me " A mouse was stolen two weeks back and thus we are keeping all the computers locked.And you better leave the computer room right now or the blame would lie on you." It took me a couple of minutes to understand what he was lamenting about and then I tried uselessly to make him understand that this is not the solution as we are keeping away lakhs of equipment locked for lack of a proper administrative solution.But he refused to budge and kept on pestering me to just vacate the room and come later.

I deliberated about the situation and then I thought maybe I should do better to report or complain this to someone in the upper ring of administrative staff but my previous experience is discouraging me from such a step.So at the moment I am just wondering what proactive solution might exist.Or should I chuck it all.Go hostel , make a nice post about it , borrow good old Nerraj's cell and then let it go.

That's what is probably gonna happen.Anyways.

ps-um...sorry for the innumerable errors and thanks to the unnamed editor for correction.And it's evidence enough how the lack of my net connection is driving me nuts and desperate enough to post an entry without double checking.

Farewell Friends

2005-07-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

Calming down here's the original thought that made me go to the cyber centre in the first place.In the last few days, three of the closest people to my heart have returned to their respective journeys of life.And though I know in this age we are always in touch with each other and distances hardly matter but there is always this suffocating feeling in my heart when they are physically not reachable or when they move far away.I just hate it when I imagine that they are beyond my reach and If i wanted to meet them i can't.

It's a feeling akin to that you get when you move to the stage unprepared.For a moment your mouth gets dry.Your heart sinks and the legs seem to be filled with lead.And I just feel like I have lost a part or something.And then i wonder that when will I see them again.

Speaking of which it was one of the most sinking moments of my life when I missed Varu's train on Sunday.I had gotten up at right time and everything was going fine.I wore my favourite sports shirt and lingered for a moment to decide if it would be too inappropriate if i went there in my shorts.But then saving on time and thinking about comfort I dashed off at 6 am exactly with Goblet of Fire that Varu had asked for and I thought that it was just the perfect time to read it with it's movie around the corner and all.

By the time I reached station it was 6 .10 am and I cursed the BSNL connection of Varu as i couldn't get through her number and had failed to receive any reply to my previous night's SMS enquiring about train name and all.As I frantically searched the platform for any sign of her the train started moving.I wasn't even sure that it was her train.I tried her number again and again while looking all the time for her.And then it connected and her brother Vibhu picked the call and he told me that she had left.

All I could do was stare at the empty track and the at the fading end of train farway.I kicked myself for not even being able to meet the one I call my fairest of friends and the one that is hardest to meet and the one I care for the most.

Weekday Routine

2005-06-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the days just pass in a trance.You wake up, do your chores, get your work done and before you know the day is past you and there's nothing worthwhile accomplished.Just the same vicious circle repeating over and over.

The seven to two workshop routine is really tiring and when I return on afternoons there is no energy left in the body and it even takes an effort to drag the body up to the room.A couple of episodes of friends at this particular juncture are truly god sent.And then a small nap extends well into the evening too and by the time I woke up it's well after eight.A quick dinner in the most tasteless mess that I have been to in Thapar and then a walk around the campus- the day is done.The rest of the evening is spent in catching some movie and my one hour of net later in night that usually extends to 4 in the morning.And it really takes a lot of effort on my part when I drag myself out of bed at 7 am for the workshop to repeat the endless viscious circle of summer training.

So that just sums up the way I am spending my vacation this summer.Though there are a few touches that I wanted to add to but it looks like it will take meticulous planning and strict discipline to achieve those.Let's see.On a brighter note only two weeks more of training are left and then this will all be over.

And for good it will be.

-HD

Swades

2005-06-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

A movie is sometimes a small journey and by the end of it you reach somewhere.And during the course there are ups and downs which sometimes leave us emotionally charged.

And I am no patriot - the one who bellows " Mera Bharat Mahan" at the drop of a hat. But my patriotism is much more akin to the one that I was pleasantly surprised to find in Swades.And many of my ideologies about the love of my country were almost portrayed in a befitting manner.Ashutosh Gowariker has captured the essence of patriotism of this century aptly.And it touches some chord somewhere.

And another byproduct of the movie was that it left me in a hopelessly romantic state of mind and there were a few moments in the movie that just touched you there.And now I just want to close my eyes and continue my version of Swades in my dreams.

And here's a quote from the movie that I would like to sign off with-

"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress."

-Mahatma Gandhi

-HD

Who moved my Blog !

2005-06-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

They say when things go wrong - they all do.I think it was already enough that I have spent the last one month without my indispensable phone cum camera cum modem cum notepad etc etc that suddenly I find that my blog has disappeared from google without a trace. I mean all the results it used to throw up on different keywords have refused to show up stubbornly .And I didn't post about it because I wanted to forget about it.

Anyways now I am in need of some serious research and soon I am gonna find out the culprit behind this horrendous act and then he,she or "it" is gonna be very sorry !

And it seems like my cell will never come to life again.Because everytime I ask the mechanic he makes another of those grave expressions that are usually reserved for medical professionals when they mess up.So I have started looking for a new cell with all the old features of old NOKIA 3650 along with an additional one- That of USB connectivity.I am done with using GPRS through bluetooth .

But there's one silver lining in this dark atmosphere.The last couple of weekends were really fun.This time around it was me and Johal visiting the Amritsar and boy did we had some real serious gaming marathons ! Final fantasy 8, Dino crisis2, Resident Evil 3 and not to miss the life saving , summer beating canal trips.Reminded me of the old school holidays when we really used to have fun nonstop and uninterrupted.

Good Times.

- HD

Alternate Entertainment

2005-06-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

Are you bored with your life ? Are you sick of looking at the same stupid screen be it the TV or computer at home or office all the time? Do you need some real entertainment !

Well once again it's shercheeta to your rescue with his desi nuskhas (remedies).

Well just hop onto the great Indian caravan more commonly known as the Indian Railways.And here you are sure to find something to your interest.And there's everything here.And i mean everything.There's drama.Family's saying good bye.There are thrills.Will the TT catch me or will I beat the system once more.There is action.How dare you sit on my seat ? There is romance.Who's that girl on next berth. And there are episodes.What is the next station.And so on...

In short no matter what, a railway trip is sure to keep you entertained for hours.And come on man.You gotta admit.This is the real thing !Not even reality TV can match up to the thrill of having to fight for your one silly seat.

Seriously everytime I take my standard Shane e Punjab from Amritsar to Rajpura there is one misadventure after other and it would require a full blog in itself to list all that has happened.But in short it is an eye opening experience and my semi laboratory to experiment with different mix up of people under identical conditions.Anyways more on that some other day.Today is not the time.

So did someone like the new "Quote of the day " tag ? As for me , I just loved it.

- HD

Beat the Heat

2005-06-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are so many things happening simultaneously in one's life that it becomes very difficult to identify something in particular and so it has been since last week.Exams over and amid steel tubs and wooden tables there have been some heartbreaks and heartburns, some very memorable moments and some lovely times and a bit of travelling too.

But what a shame that nothing of it could be blogged due to lack of proper resources-read my cell phone which has just refused to rise from its slumber.Thus there have been no breathtaking photographs of sky blue coloured canals or the holiest of shrines - The Golden Temple.No mention of (mis)adventures with fair skinned and dark eyed beauties and bets of their appropriate age.(I won by the way )And time spent with friends in full leisure without an iota of care about more mundane things like exams and syllabuses.

Meanwhile it also happens to be the week when I have survived my carpentry shop without much damage- only a few bruises and cuts and my wooden stool hasn't come out too bad (what a pity that you can't have a look at the master craftsman's work !).And what made it most memorable was Deep staying with me at Thapar for full week. And boy did we had a bash ! We went to usual haunts of course- Gopal's ,Sahni, South Paradise (where we had a dosa with the DOSA ) and Khansama and a little misadventure at Baradari.And a most memorable walk along the Bhakhra canal.And more than the destination it were the walks that were memorable.

And now I am back at home and a weekend at home after the gruelling routine at workshop is truly a God sent like an oasis in desert.So what if it is marred by seven hour power cuts every day , who gives a damn ? Here's my favourite list to chill out when the juices run out of the electrical cables-

1) Grab a good read and find a cool shade near a canal or pool where one can take a dip whenever mercury starts to pinch.(My personal favourite)
2) Find someone to chat with,old friends to call and faraway relatives to visit.
3) Practice sleeping marathons and aim to double your sleeping time.
4) Find a restauarant or library or cafe or some other public or private establishment where there is alternate power source and hang out untill they physically throw you out.
5) If all else fails - then apply the age old formula - Just chill ! Getting all heated up about the situation is surely ain't gonna help.Here's a quick fix-

Just throw a glass of water or more preferably a bucket of water at the first person you see.And applying Newton's third law he\she is going to respond in a similar way thus bringing down the temperatures considerably.

Statutory warning- Try at your own risk .And don't do this at home.A public place will be much more rewarding and it will sure be fun for the people around at least. ;)

oops.I think the heat has finally caught up with me too.So as i run off to the nearest canal with The Lord of the Rings , I hope all of you are going to do the same and then we might run into each other there.So untill then :)

one more thing.Digging up the archives can be particularly hazardous if you don't take into account when the post was written and sometimes it can transform into very nasty situations as I found out for myself as I had the worst of misunderstandings with my bestest of friends.So take care people.

ps -Here's a good one-(courtesy Kulbir)

A random survey is done in different colleges where different students are enquired that how much time is required to read a 500 page book.Here are the results -
The doctors mostly agreed that they will need 10 days while the advocates mostly consented to a 6 day time period.When the engineer was asked the same question he enquired nonchalantly "Paper Kab Hai ! ?"

Life is Such

2005-06-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

Ah..Life...What a beautiful conception ! And equally beautiful is the conception of holidays.But then that is the problem with universe.Just when things start to get going some x factor kicks in and disturbs the whole equilibrium.

In this particular instance it's the summer vacation, which used to be a wonderful time to lay low ,enjoy everything great about life namely books,movies and games and relish the roohafjas and nimbu paanis served every other hour.It usd to be totally chill out.

Well starting this year hence things have changed a little.And the principal factor has been the introduction of a concept more commonly known as summer training.And if it had been at some other location or even under less inhuman conditions you might have got this post about Bunty and Bubbly but alas !For both of us it isn't so.

So this is how I am having fun these days.Everyday we get up at 6( At least we try to,Today I was late by half an hour).Then we scamper through our daily routine to make way for the workshop timing of 7 am.Then we labour hard for seven hours with a half hour break in between .All this while we are standing and cutting and hammering metal sheets.On a different note if you really like metal music ( and I mean the metal of most hardcore type) you just might like it.The sound of mallet hammer striking against aluminium sheets repeatedly and that shnn shnn reverberation that sounds to me like orchestra of dead-Where thousands of nails are being screeched against some metal.

Anyways I think this summer training - these gruelling six weeks-working non stop every day for seven hours ,five days a week in suffocating heat are reason enough to terrify anyone from mechanical branch and perhaps is the reason alone enough to keep the fairer sex away.( Or the weaker one ?) ;)

This time around we were working in sheet metal shop and our assignment was to make an Aluminium tub from a 6mm thick metal sheet. (Yes you heard me right.The kind of tub we see in marriage functions or old styled bathrooms.Incredibly useful utensil though.I recall catching small frogs when my interests were more varied and I hadn't discovered girls yet and keeping them trapped in a similar tub and used to enjoy see them tryng to jump out of it. :)

Anyways after four days of effort of six hours each we have finally managed to make our very own tub and two very interesting conclusions have resulted out of this effort-

1)- First of all whenever I see some metal tub or bucket or even a simple steel pipe my heart is filled with deep respect for those unsung mechanical engineers and workers who have contributed to laying the backbone and the very foundation of the present technology upon which the rest of humanity have evolved,.

2) The tubs are actually sold of by Thapar.Thus we are actually paying to get ouselves employed for making a tub whereas even a daily wage earner is better placed than us at the moment.At least he receives some money at the end of day for his effort.On other hand all we get is a measely P (present) and sometimes even that is used to hold us off to ransom in case we are fifteen minutes late to workshop.

Anyways this was about tubs and sheets.And to be fair it was almost fun than what we have to face next week.And it's carpentry !

For the moment the next time you see a metal tub or bucket or for that matter anything metallic hold yourself still for a minute and just appreciate that someone has put his life in it to give it the shape it has attained today, and behind that simple utensil there lies hours of pain and labour of someone's life...

20 Years Later

2005-06-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

It was yesterday when me and dad were having our little chat and dad remarked nonchalantly that 20 years ago on this very date he had joined State Bank of Patiala .And suddenly the significance of the date magnified exponentially to me.It was on 5 June 1985 that dad began his tenure as a manager in State Bank of Patiala and how it has changed the course of his life and correspondingly mine.And in the process he found a career that was luckily aligned with his strengths and interests .Hailing from an average Punjabi agricultural family he understood the economic coditions of Punjabi farmers very well and combining this knowledge with his empathy towards people and his understanding of Finances and armed with his Msc Agriculture degree he has charted an impressive career in these twenty years.And no, I am not speaking this in the statistical sense .I am speaking it from the satisfaction point of view.

Never have I seen him in these twenty years ever once complain about his job or pressures or that sort of problems that are haunting most of the people today who are stuck in a line that holds no satisfaction for them.(Including me).On the other hand he has gone from strength to strength ,somehow always managing to satisfy the annual targets assigned to him by a comfortable margin and sometimes even surprising the managment.Where others have failed he has succeeded.Every morning he is an inspiration to others , Buoyant in spirit and ready to take the day and it's challenges head on.He is one guy I have seen who is always eager to do his job.

During these twenty years he has been posted chronologically at Ferozpur,Verka,Nashara Majha Singh,Qadian,Patiala,Golden Temple,Kukraan Wale And now his latest transfer where he is joining next week - "Manna wala" (near Amritsar)

Among his many adventures that I recall once presiding as a chief guest at a school function,Then starring in a Punjabi Movie (!) , Computerising a couple of branches without an iota of knowledge about computers ( When I told him to move the mouse , He complained that it wasn't working.As i turned to look what was wrong I saw him furtively shaking the mouse in mid air !) And the very inauguration of Quadian branch and corresponding media appearences and his snaps in the 7.15 pm news and all of us getting childishly excited about it.

But on other more serious occasions I know when he has gone out of the way to help someone .And many times his actions have been purely on basis of human empathy.And sometimes they have defied complete economic sense.But then he has mostly been succesful with these gambles and came out with something much more valuable- A sincere trust and respect from another human.And in my opinion that is more important or priceless than anything else in this world.

He hasn't gone for high promotions.And money never has been his prime motivating factor.It's the satisaction of a job well done and making a difference that have subconsicously motivated him.The simple man he is , He doesn't like making things too complex. And just likes to keep them to the basic.And still in my entire life he has never denied even sometimes my extravgent demands .And believe it or not but it was he who almost forced me to go to Bangkok when i declined initially and then he is always pestering me to buy a new bike ! That's my dad.

It might sound too true to be real in today's world but then that's life and I can only count myself to be truly blessed.

And at the end of day all that matters is how you sleep.And He snores.And I just love him the way he is !

Thanks dad.For everything.

The Amritsar Diaries 1

2005-06-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

Old Friends

He walks up to him.The same awkwardness in his manner and the same peculiar smell that reminds you of the camels in a stable.But there is honesty in his manner.And a sense of no pretense.No self consiousness.And it's him alright ,you think to yourself and thank God.There are still people like him in this world...

Memory Lanes

They drive and drive and drive.Soaking up old memories of past and living though moments long lost.A few stories about every nook spring up to his mind.And ghosts of past roam about the streets of his memories.And there are so many of them.It was only yesterday when he used to go to that school there,and there is his first college and that is where he met her for the last time.

He sighs.It seems so long ago, and in a past so far away.Why does he end up digging past everytime he gets a chance ? He wonders...

It's Been a While.

2005-06-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

I know.I know.But let me explain first.

I believe many of you must have read "The Alchemist" already but if you haven't I suggest you run off this instant to grab a copy.Because then we will have a clearer idea of where we started from in first place.But no.This is not a book review (Not at the moment,at least).

This is only a peek at the way the things have conspired in the last few days to keep me off my "Destiny..." and if Paulo Coelho is to be believed then I must be nearing my "Treasure".

My cell just wooshes off once more and suffers a final Cardiac arrest on 24 May 2005 when it just refuses to switch on after I have taken an award winning photograph of Johal and as I am caught in End Sems there is no time to get it up and going.Then just before my NA exam i suffer blow after blow,with cell phone gone,my heart broken and the last dream from past shattered.So end of exams and after a rejuvenating party I am back home.Aive and kicking.Somewhat.

And there's a lot that has happened in this past week.But let's break it into small digestable "nuggets".

So welcome back.Everybody.

"Rab Raakha"

2005-05-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

That just sums up "exactly" the way exams have gone.And no it isn't over yet.Two more to go.And it will not be untill Tuesday noon when I could take a deep breath and exhale in relief "It's over." I only hope it's not all over.

The worst is behind me and undoubtedly these were the worst exams I have ever written.And though it was all my fault but still I gave all I had.(well pretty much)Even Blogging ! Can you imagine that ! And what's the reward - Better not ask.

And I thought about long posts in my dreams in third person where a perfectly happy "HE" wanders about the campus humming "Return me to Salvation" ,inoblivious of his surroundings and world and the mass of humanity that rushes past him and he moves around like a zombie in trance.

Anyways Cheero that it's over.I hope it just never happens again.(No not the exams silly.The unmitigated disaster. (A heavily borrowed phrase.)

And the world is still going round and the sun hasn't stopped rising.And I see that everything is pretty much normal.And yes I am blogging again ! So guess tomorrow is another day.And we will make each day count !Yes Sir !

On other note there are a lot of things that are going around my head and i wanna talk about -Varu,Sufu,Neeraj,Kulbir are entering a new phase-completed the graduation and are now charting a new course that's eventually gonna decide where they will be... Sophia is back and I might just sneak up on her...I have to get my novels back ! My second year is complete and soon there will be a few transitions coming like shifting to a new hostel and stuff.And there are gonna be a few priceless moments in the coming week which promises to bring the change I so desperately need.

And yes.My exams will be over on 31 May ie Tuesday and then I am free till Sunday during which I plan to enjoy my time at home in Amritsar and with Deep and everything it's gonna be helluva party ! And from next Monday onwards(6 June) I will be back in college to begin my two month's jail at TIET as a pathetic excuse for summer vacation training.

So keep the prayers coming ;)

Adieu Everbody.

Cho Chang

2005-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Couldn't keep all this great stuff to myself.And the things behind the scenes about Harry Potter are really steaming up and it never looked so good with "Half Blood Prince" lined up for release and the teasers for Goblet of Fire have started trickling in.Check out all the news at HPANA.

And finally we have one good look at Harry's first love interest-Cho Chang.And I think she just looks perfect in this picture for the role.It might be recalled that she had to face a growing stream of fans who hated her for getting Cho's role.But things seem to have settled now.

J K Rowling provides a few pieces to another everlasting puzzle.But go ahead only if you have completed Order Of Phoenix.

And finally here is something straight from the pen of J K Rowling herself-

"Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences."

I will drink to that - Cheers !

Return to me salvation

2005-05-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

Well no more exclamation marks and the joy of observation.Because the party's been busted.And it's not the exam to be blamed on (IM).It's me.I just hate these damn subjects so much !(oops)

And it' the "no-matter-what-happens-i don't care" mode that is really dangerous.Anyways people I have done my deal and the ball is in other court.Now let's be a little religious and start believing in God and pray.Seriously.

ps-Suddenly I have found a profound liking to Evanescence's Tourniquet track (Now I know why do we like a particular kind of music at some particular time).Sadly these few lines fit too well-

I'm dying,
Praying,
Bleeding,
Screaming.
Am I too lost to be saved ?
Am I too lost ?
My God! My Tourniquet,
Return to me salvation.
My God! My Tourniquet,
Return to me salvation.

Return to me salvation.

Exams are Fun !

2005-05-21T03:03:00.000-07:00

No I haven't gone crazy.Not yet.But the thing is that it was my first exam.And it was the easiest one and most of all I enjoyed writing it.Because it is the only subject (Human values and Intellectual property rights) where there is some scope for being "creative".And even if i don't know the answer to some question -No probs bro ! Let the floor rock !

Anyways actually I am just psyching myself up for the real grind that lies just ahead.NA,MD,MST,IM,FM all lined up.But we will see to them one by one.

Till then - Party On !

ps-Can you guess what is the biggest kick in exam times ?If not then just wait for the next post !

Hello Tunes !

2005-05-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Yes.Before you accuse me and put me on a trial I confess- I have fallen prey to the fad.But not without reason.And just give me a minute to present my case.

For those who live on some other planet here's a quick info - Hello Tunes is another superb marketing gimmick by Airtel which has obviously made furtive plans to strip us of all our cash.

It works like this.Normally when someone calls you, he gets to hear the same "Tring Tring" sound."Well why not treat your caller better !".Some marketing stud thought up one day at Airtel and out came "The Hello Tunes."

So now when someone calls you he gets to hear the special customised ringtone that you have set.The procedure is very simple.You dial 678 and just follow the steps and there is a huge variety to choose from including latest Bollywood tunes or Punjabi Pop or even English rock !

Ok now to my story of becoming a part of the fad.Well I have observed for quite some time an augmenting trend in the urban middle class of increasing consumerism.And I have always been against superfluous spending.By superfluous I imply the kind of expenditure which has no real gain.Mostly things which are to impress friends only.Like Swanky clothes,Branded jeans , Or costly shades.If someting could be had in the same quality in a lower price then the common sense dictates the use of lower priced product.But alas.Low self esteems and a need to derive respect from material objects keeps driving people.Anyways this topics asks many posts in itself.

So coming to matter at hand, I have always admired Airtel for providing quality service and have some times tried to convince friends of the difference in quality offered by Airtel and other providers like Spice and BSNL or even Hutch.But some of them never got the point (namely Vimmi) untill the Hello tunes.

She has finally made the transition from Spice to Airtel after two years and countless arguments and Hello Tunes is the culprit.Did someone say loony tunes ? ;)

This evidently made me hate the hello tunes even more and I never got "sucked in".

But as I access Internet on my Cell phone itself through GPRS provided by Airtel, I am unable to receive calls often ,as the lines remain busy.So I divert the calls to my roommates number or someone in proximity and sometimes I forget to cancel the diverts later.

This results in the caller reaching the divert number in my absence and then blaming me for not calling back or picking up the call.Also sometimes this can result in potentially dangerous situations like when my dad kept receiving calls in the middle of night and was really bewildered what caused so many wrong numbers at that unholy time.Luckily when we met at the breakfast he was blissfully unaware of the culprit. :)

And my friends blame me about this by asking that how the hell would they know that the calls were being diverted ?

Well this is what I loved about the idea of Hello Tunes.Now if someone reaches me he will know by the special tone that I have set.And if the call is diverted he will receive the usual "tring tring" or some other tone.

Incidentally I couldn't find a tone that I really liked and then I came across this quacky one.And it took me half a a second to make up my mind.And I like two things about it very much.Firstly that It's bound to be unique.Trust me on this.No one has anything like it.No one would want to in their right mind !( But then who wants to be in their right mind !?) And secondly it fits quite well.Almost too well. :)

Well in case the curiousity has got better of you,why not check out for yourself ?
Here's my number- 9872277998 (India- Punjab).But mind one thing-I am not picking any calls except from home these days .So rest be assured.

Happy "Tring Tring !"

Ps-That almost sounded like an advertisement of Airtel! But what the hell.
Good things should always be appreciated.

Of Attendances and Projectors

2005-05-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

He dragged himself out of bed.Cursing his IM professor he recalled that he hadn't missed a single class in last three months and still he was falling short of attendance.And it was only yesterday when professor announced that his attendance was just 35 out of 47 delivered lectures ,thus making it a grand percentage of 74.5 % falling short of the required 75% criteria and if he missed one more lecture he will be awarded F and will have to repeat the entire course.

This sudden recall of incident motivated him a great deal and he somehow managed to complete his chores and reach class an acceptable 15 minutes late.He managed to find an obscure seat (which is difficult these days as some lucky bastards are well above 80% attendance and are devoting these bunk lectures to mugging up, thus creating vast empty spaces in classroom).

And then he took out his notebook and tried to see what the professor was stressing at.He observed that since last two days the professor had started using the projector extensively and churned out slides after slides about finer nuisances of "Heat treatment of Steels" and so tightly scribbled that it made him wish that he had brought at least a microscope along.

Someone was already dozing two benches across.The classs was mostly motionless and the only noise or motion made was when the professor changed the slide.Everyone stared blank eyed.Many giddy eyed.(Not having gotten an opportunity to visit bathroom
in morning).Mostly having to make an effort to keep their focus clear.And the professor droned on.The slides kept changing.And it took him the better part of a minute to doze off.

Someoone poked him with his elbow and he automatically responded with the shout of "Present Sir".And after the completion of another "rigorous" engineering lecture, he sighed heavily and prepared to get up when the professor spoke for last time-

"There will be an extra lecture today at 5.15 PM, Same Class.All should be present"

I am busy !

2005-05-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

If someone asked me what are the three words that I hate most, then I won't have to think very long.They would be unanimously "I am busy" or " I was Busy" or something of that sort.I mean it has been used as an excuse so many times that even if it's true in some rare case I am unable to shake of a sense of resentment.

Perhaps it stems out of the fact that many times I have felt that if I really want to do something I will always find some time for it.Using the worn out cliche "I am busy" implies that either there is some mismanagement of time or there is a difference of priorities.

As a point in case my life these days is really a bed of thorns with a torture every other hour.If you think I am only bickering and it's perfectly usual ,check this out.

Monday 8 Am- Just managed to drag myself out of bed ,Completed 4 tute sheets in one hour and survived the Numerical Analysis (NA) tute assessment and Viva without much damage.At 11 Am we have have a half hour quiz of Machine Design (MD)and it's my good luck that Johal is sitting right in front of me !
But it runs out at 12 Am when we have yet another assessment and this time it is NA Lab performance.Here I run into some monstrous looking "Gauss Seidel Method" which I have no idea what is about and neither do my neighbours.And after a couple of hours in which I blankly looked at the computer screen hoping for some divine inspiration-I finally give up.
The teacher gives a small chuckle as what i suspect he awards me a ZERO .(sigh )
Well it's not over yet.Broken and down and without breakfast and lunch I go back to Hostel, Bunk another lecture and then have Fluid Mechanics (FM) quiz waiting for me at 5 PM.
Dragging myself across the road I somehow manage to reach Exam centre just in nick of time and as a programmed machine tick the Answers obediently (It's altogether different matter that I am pass the point where I cared about them being Right or wrong ) What the heck ! Just get it over With !

NAh it's not the end ,in case you are relieved.

It's a new day today.Time for another series of performances and vivas and copy checks- But luckily not many hiccups today.CAD performance went very well and the FM viva was almost fun !

Well let's see if it's over yet .(are you kidding !?) CAD quiz to follow and then metrology lab performance and stuff and I don't even care when they are.Just get it over with.

And people just in case you are chuckling to yourselves,"So what !it's exam Time,perfectly usual -Here's a News *FLASH* - Our exams haven't actually started !

It's only the warm up sort of thing.The real Pain in the A** will start when End sems commence from 21 may (yup that's on Sat) and we have classes till Friday !

Not a single preparatory for the end sems.And the 7 exams will be within 10 days with no scope for a breather.

So people Before you say "I am Busy" next time -Just keep this in mind.

Well so much for being in the "Best college of Punjab".

Pray for me.

Dark Times

2005-05-16T07:08:00.001-07:00

As Ali said a few days ago - Leaving home and going back to Thapar after a few days break is one of the most difficult things to do.You know you have to do it but something in you keeps praying that maybe some Godly intervention or another benevolence on part of the Punjab goverment just might keep you at home for just another day.

On other more ordinary days it's only a desire but on days like these when darkness suddenly surrounds you with only difficult times and tortures ahead for innumerable days, not to count the frying heat and the hot air that two highly inadequate fans thrust at you - you can only only think with a longing in heart about cool air and chilled drinks and mom's paranthas and a relief from constant pain that comes from living under such inhuman conditions.

And when it combines with disastrous vivas and not to be remembered lab performances and a threat looming large over your head of repeating a couple of courses again - You can only ask in desperation "Why me God ? Why me ! What did i do..."

And only hope some miracle will save you from the dark depths of doom.

Ps-In otherwise a total bleak state of existence one ray of hope shines and provides that something little to hold to.And behold people -Here's your first look at the Harry potter and Goblet of Fire -The teaser trailer ! By the way doesn't Hermione look absolutely gorgeous !

Gaming Splurge

2005-05-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Avid gamer that I have been since time immemorial I got my hands dirty yesterday with some really cool stuff.I had some cash outstanding at one of my old time gaming shop and as I was passing through I thought it would be a good idea to check out what was in store.

And Lo ! All hail the Grand Gaming Lord !

These are the titles I got my hands at-

1 The Battle Of Middle Earth
2 The Fellowship of the ring
3 War of the ring
4 The Return of the king
5 Titans- Age Of Mythology expansion
6 The chronicles of Riddick-Escape from buthcher bay
7 Sims 2
8 Dark Fall Lights out
9 Dragonballz budokai2
10 Health and fitness club tycoon egames
11 The Shadows of undrentide neverwinter nights
12 Rise Of nations
13 Battle For Troy
14 Need For Speed Underground 2

And though I can write an entry on each of these games individually (which obviously is only a matter of time) but at the moment I can only glee at the bang we will have ,once the end sems are over.Which by the way are just head on starting by 21st May.So pray for me people.

God knows I need them badly.Till then I leave these tablets of ecstasy back at home so that I have no danger of giving in to the temptation ! ;)

ps- "There's heaven on earth-And it's *Right* at home"

Unbelievable Meetings

2005-05-13T03:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things happen so sudden and so randomly that one is left only to one's devices of awe and amazement and long after it has happened a sense of disbelief sets in.

And it has happened to me.And I can only wonder what this may lead to but one thing is for sure.

My belief in miracles has strengthened even more !

Off To Home

2005-05-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Due to some very "serendipitious" reasons I will have to rush home today.But the details will have to remain hidden for some time for obvious reasons.

Among other things the annual college magazine "Avant Garde" (pronounced as "Aawan Gaa" ) has been released and once more it has managed to outdo itself and has come out as avery well polished issue.The cover story done this time is "India:A Nation Betrayed ?" and though some of the work is absolutely brilliant ,most of the contributions are just along par.The culprit lies among us only ,as it is our mental inertia not to do anything that is not directly involved with our curriculam and requires some creative initiative and the general weakness of Thaparians(talking about majority here) of being literary deficient.Still I would like to take a closer look at some of the articles and students involved but let's save that for a later day.

In other unrelated news the hostel B cd is once again in news and suddenly the demand for copies has increased tremendously.Though the reason for sudden increase in interest could be attributed to some small controversial overlooks(like some mischief about someone's name posted under a Dog's snap !),still it is interesting to see that people who weren't even curious about their very own profiles are suddenly all crazy and hyper about something that they found so dull otherwise !

I had my share of controversy and very interesting conclusions came out of the behaviour of people that I had expected and the way they behaved and once again the age old theory of mass of intelligent people carrying out a "Dumb Charade" came true.

Still it's an interesting case study in lessons of advertising ! ;)

Bloglet and Aadisht.

2005-05-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

I know many of my friends have been reading this blog through the Bloglet updates they receive in their mail inboxes, whenever a new entry is posted.

Though a brilliant concept which removes the hassle of checking the website again and again to see if a new entry has been posted it suffers from a severe handicap.Which is that it removes any spaces or paragraphs that I had intended for better readiabilty and lumps everything together and weaves them together into a single long heart stopping monologue.(Especially if it happens to be one of those gigantic entries of mine)

And this could be really horrific for some of my lazy readers who have no choice but to go through my long rigmorales and that too without paragraphs ! And it even acts as a depressant to otherwise dedicated readers.

So from now onwards all of you who have subscribed (or i had made you subscribe..yea whatever) to the bloglet updates will only receive a small update which will be in fact just 150 characters of the real post.So if you really are interested in reading the whole thing (as if you have a choice !) you need to just make a click on the link "Harjot's journal" in the beginning of the post And you will be taken to this very very special place that we call Destiny...

In other matters I really found a gem of a blog yesterday.And though i had came across it often when i googled about Thapar, it was only yesterday when i made a deliberate effort to understand it's layout.And it was well worth the effort.Do check out when you are free, the sarcasm of Aadisht-a former student of TIET and currently at IIMB ! Though he sometimes tend to go over the top but some of the entries are pure treat while a few other strike some parallel chord-like the one about Biblio,and another about 50 days to freedom,and this one is about a tech fest at PU and it is really a treat especially the "retreat"-A must read people !(especially the comments !)

And when cafe day started,and one about ff8 that i am really surprised about.It's too much of a coincidence.

And one about Discpline committees of Thapar,extra curricular activities in Thapar,one about Sheesh Mahal and Baradari,and one of the most enlightening posts about TIET that you will ever have the good fortune to read (though it's a bit over the top)- The dark side of Thapar, and my personal favourite -Cafe day once more !

It's a pity that most of you won't have time to go through all those links but just take my word for it-If you guys like to read and wanna know what Thapar and Patiala is all about those posts are just about as good as it gets.

And I always believe in appreciating good things about life openly and thus have no qualms whatsoever in going ahead and posting all those links.

ps-Just in case your Shaitaan khopdi is thinking about some hidden motive behind all this appreciation and celebration-No I haven't been sponsored by Aadisht or anything.In fact I am only thinking about a good excuse to meet this nutty chap !

Tantalising Encounters 1

2005-05-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

Before I begin my corny musings a little look at the heading of this post will clarify the matters a great deal to the people "in know" and for others here's a hint.

Tantalising-provoke or tease by presenting something as available and then withholding it; expose someone to something inaccessible.

Encounters-chance meeting

Hence the title translates to chance meetings with someone who is inacessible.

Continuing my musings in ambiguity I will only like to state that this world is so beautiful.And the life in general is so amazing that you can't but feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of its beauty.

But sometimes you get those glimpses.It might be a cloud,or a sudden wiff of the wind or a smile so beautiful that the world comes to a standstill ,and everything goes in slow motion and you just wish that this feeling could last an eternity.

And then suddenly you come to your senses and look at your state of helpness and wonder why she commands such a power upon you...

Perhaps it has to do with her eyes.The way you receive a jolt when you look into them.Or perhaps it's the smile again,which just makes your world go round.Or perhaps its that cute little pony tail,which just looks so damn perfect on her cute little face.Or perhaps its herself...

Who knows ?

Thapar Placement Scenario for 2004-05 session

2005-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some random facts about the TIET placement scene for session 2004-05 for all you stat freaks and pay package inquisitors.It may be reminded to everyone that TIET is considered to be the best engineering college of Punjab and it's stats go a long way in reflecting its actual standing among some 34 engineering colleges(and increasing every minute !) in Punjab and other colleges of the northern region.

1.A total of 450 placement offers were made by various companies including TCS,Infosys, ST microelectronics,Eicher,Verizon,NIIT,Maruti,Quark,IBM,Hughes,
Satyam,Trident,Siemens,Essar,Wipro,Hero Honda,LG,Dell,Sonalika,ICICI,Mahindra & Mahindra.

2)A total of 60+ companies visited the campus this session.For comprehensive list check out the- IEE magazine Electriza or mail me.

3)All in all 86 offers were made in Mechanical and Industrial engineering.And incidentally were highest that were made to any one particular discipline.
Mechanchees rule !Like always.

4)Close on heels was Computer Engineering in which a total of 85 offers were made and the Electronics and Communication followed next with 56 offers.

Source-IEE Electriza magazine
(annual technical magazine of college)

{Disclaimer-the above facts are as up to 24 march 05.All the above figures are as quoted in Electriza which by the way is truly a remarkable effort.And hats off to the cover designing team!}

But here's the catch.IF everything is so rosy why isn't everybody ga-ga over it ?
First it has to do with pay packets which aren't really mind boggling or the kind of that people dream of while appearing for entrance exams.

And secondly stats are just stas.Someone said that there are three kinds of lies-
first there are small lies.Then there are bigger lies and then there are stats.

So some of those offers were already made to students with one job placement and some of them were later withdrawn.But still trying to stay on brighter side of things i would say that it is a much cosier position than many of the fellow friends have to bear with.

On a closing and a much delightful note my special congrats to old pals from Amritsar for their job placements-

Jasmine Thind in Freescale Semi
Rishabh Gupta in Cognizant along with a call from IIM L and NITIE !
Varun Kotwal in TCS and Hero Honda

Way to go people ! Cheers !

Of Fungus And Zombies

2005-05-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

I have always been a avid fan of Resident Evil series especially Resident Evil 3-The Nemesis.It was five years ago when I had my first tryst with the game in a gaming parlour (which was actually a side business for usual downstreet karyana stores abundant in densely populated colonies).

With the passage of time and my graduation to latest in gaming I have only come to realize that "legitimate" games like these are few and far between.The genre known as Survival Horror will always stand out in my favourites because it came up with games like Resident Evil 3,Dino Crisis 2 and unforgettable Silent Hill.

But as we are talking about Resident Evil 3 here let me take you to a small visit of Raccoon city.Due to Umbrella corporation's bio experiments a deadly virus has spread across the city transforming people into zombies.The outbreak has been so severe that entire city has come to a standstill and now is a roaming ground for zombies.Most of the population has been killed or transformed into zombies with very few survivors left.

And here we meet Jill.Who refuses to give up against seemingly impossible situation.And through Jill we explore the city bit by bit managing survival by mixing gunpowders,using medical herbs and picking locks and blowing a few zombies along the road.

But what sets the game apart is its ability to immerse us in its environment.You can sense the desperation in Jill's effort.The way you have to tackle your way through streets filled by Zombies with minimun ammo and a sense of desperation and horror of survival that such a situation triggers!

And apart from the stunning graphics (which might not be upto today's standards but still are dazzling enough) and a superb gameplay and a most addictive Mini game (which gets unlocked if you have finished the game once)-It is the experience itself that have to be experienced to know what actual gaming is all about.

The power of gaming to take you to a virtual world and make absurd seem believable.And there are no limits here.

What triggered the old passions was the movie based on the game that I caught at hostel TV room last night with the name as "Resident Evil-The Genesis" which I am disppointed to say was totally lacking in the elements that really made the game stand out.

True enough there were zombies aplenty,and dazzling effects especially a laser sequence which stands out and a beautiful Jill with those taunting blue eyes portrayed by Milla Jovovich (which happened to be the saving grace for the movie as I managed to sit through only by ogling at her !Truly a guy movie ;))
And though I hate to say but the movie on whole was downright insipid.

Speaking of even "insipider" things (if there is such a word) I have been tortured by Fungus and it was yesterday that it was time to call in the professionals.As a result me and Johal got down to hunting a suitable doctor and after finally locating his abode he wrote me down a long list of supplies to counter the menace along with a special soap that I happened to forget at the medical counter itself.

Time to go now.But a little PJ Before i go.

Boss-u have to do 5 crores sales for this month.
MBA grad(as new sales manager)-I will do ten crore.
Boss:majak kyon karte ho ?
MBA grad:shuru kisne kiya tha !

Adieu everybody !

Identity Crisis

2005-05-04T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have been asked this question numerous times by completely different people,sometimes by old Bajurgs,sometimes at Gurdwara and mostly by perfect strangers "If you are a Sikh why do you have a haircut ?"

And everytime it has baffled me.Because it has always been my belief that it's not how you look that matters but how you feel from within that is important.Still as one of my blog friends yesterday raised the topic once more and completely out of blue, I think I will make my stand clear to avoid any ambiguity.

I have grown up in a family background which has profound religious beliefs.And I have grown up in a city and state that is known as the epicentre of Sikhism.And I have grown up among people who have unquestionable faith in their religion.

But here i beg to differ.I have also been taught to observe,question and introspect.And this is something that is analogous to my existence.

And never have I felt a stronger repungance from anything than I have felt from the hard cored religion.

The partition,Hindustan,Pakistan,1984 riots,Operation Blue Star,Godhra,Gujarat,Kashmir,Nazis,Jews,World War 2,Siaas shunnis,Babri Masjid- The biggest plauge effecting the world is not AIDS or cancer it is -Religion.

The very religion that most of us rever now.Never have been so many people killed by so many equally righteous persons in their minds in the name of holy cause than by the name of religion and faith.

And i won't repeat everything that our conscience knows very well and that has been numerously repeated .There is one supreme lord and all religions and people are created equal.

If only people had stopped for a moment and used their own minds before blindly following the leaders who have long learned to harness the power of religion to control the masses.If only they had the ability to logic for themselves.To make their own beliefs and values by their sense of logic instead of following the codes laid to them by others with vested interests in mind.

I agree with Karl Marx when he said "Religion is the opiate of the masses ."

I question you what do you mean exactly when you say you are religious.Does that mean that you go to Gurdwara every time on "Shangrand" and listen to Gurbani without really understanding and assuming listening to it is divine in itself ? Or you agree with oxford "a member of a religious order who is bound by rules and obedience and having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity"

Because for me religion is a collection of beliefs concerning the origin of man and the universe and a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny.

Those powers may be God and may not be God and then they might be just randomness or abberation of things we don't even comprehend.But it doesn't matter.That's what we all exist for after all ,don't we ? To find the answers to the question of our unique existence and probably one day of our community as a whole.

And the quest to these answers is salvation for me.

And in this bigger scheme of things I as an individual choose to be a Sikh on my own terms.And without any rules and traditions and middlemen between me and my creator.

And he and me are one in self and identity.

Life as Usual

2005-05-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

As I went through my day today I couldn't shake of the feeling of unrest that kept on uncoiling in my stomach.Everythig was just fine.But I felt like that it was just the lull before a big storm.And like there was "something wicked comes this way".

No need to get worried though.It is only that end sems are appoaching and along with the usual downpour of quizzes and vivas and practicals.And I only hope that I get through fine this time.There already have been too many casualities already ! I know it's not gonna be a smooth ride but we are gonna try our best to reach the other side safely with all our bearings intact.

So between lectures and tutes and missed lectures and cafeteria outings and cafe day visits and career counselling on MIT (courtsey Samana) the day passed pleasantly.Just like a fine day is supposed to be.

But life is not perfect and there was a major blemish that disturbed me deeply.And more than anything else it has to do with increasing insensitiviy in people about someone else's woes.

The Hostel Magazine has been released and although it's not really a landmark ,still it is worth a round of applause as it involves the hard work of so many people.Only if someone had not been so stingy on the budget and just a little more focus on quality would have gone a long way in making it a much better publication.

Nevertheless any attempt in Thapar to do anyting apart from academics should be appreciated fully because it takes certain persisitence and self motivation to come up with.But if the motivation stems from a need of certificates and flashy titles then it is a completely different matter.

Now for the SMS of the day-

" Theory s wen u knw sumthin,bt it dsnt work;
practice i wen sumthin wrks,but u dont knw why;
Engineers combine theory n practice;
Nothing works and they don't know why !"
-courtesy Manjot

Happy Engineering !

Engineering Side Effects

2005-05-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Though I am never in favour of posting or referring from someone else's post directly ,I will make an exception here.Because here is a true heart wrenching description of an engineer and a Mechanchi in particular and what goes in making what he really is,especially when it comes to the matter of fairer sex.Straight from the pen( ahm..keyboard) of an IIMA grad who knows what it takes to be the "one" .

Quoted as directly from Sidin's Blog (http://sidin.blogspot.com/)

" Indeed it is unfortunate that people do not appreciate the great computing power of the engineer. Many are the IT behemoths that run on the Indian engineer's intellect. Infosys, Wipro, Nasa and Desibaba just to name a few. Without him and his complete dedication to his work and his employer where would they be today. These and many other multinationals owe everything to him and his utter lack of social life.

But how can one have social skills if one is told from birth that one has to become an engineer and protect the family from endless ridicule and shame. One spends all his time between tuition centers and school and coaching classes that very soon society is but a sweaty mass to be avoided on local transport. When he goes to a book fair he is bought IIT guides and question banks. When he sees a movie he notices even Rajnikanth in "Padayappa" is a mechanical engineer. (Which reminds me of this good friend who had never read a normal book in his entire life until his dad bought him a classic by mistake. It took him two days before he noticed there were no formulae or questions at the end of each chapter. His dad was not happy to learn that he had got the title wrong and it was not "The Unbearable Lightness of B.E.-ing".)

Then there are those who accuse the poor engineer of promiscuity. Look, they say, all they do is watch porn. All they do is talk kinky. Have a heart people. Only a person who has gone through four years of mechanical engineering and such allied sciences knows what it means to be deprived. No this is not the deprivation of the non-vegetarian stuck in a Saravana Bhavan for life. No this is infinitely worse. Anything remotely comparable is the plight of the Thakur in Sholay who lost his wife and both arms. Indeed much mirth and celebration happened on the days when women were seen in and around the Mechanical Department. Entire academic proceedings once came to a standstill when a new textbook on fliud dynamics had a pretty lass on the cover. Oh yes we were quite active in trying to handle our deprivation. I distinctly remember the scoring sheet when paper contests were held in our department back then.

Technical Content: 10%
Presentation: 10%
Primary research: 10%
Sex of author: 70% + 40 million bonus points

It wasn't an easy life by any means. And after all the rat race was over we got recruited into multinational companies who offered us high career growth jobs. HR told us that we were lucky to join a firm that did so much to ensure our jobs were designed to fit our individual strengths and weakness and from the day we joined we would receive personal mentorship. This was told during our orientation programme which took place in a stadium so as to hold all the new recruits. It was a tough life. Employee of the month one day, laid off the other. And still no sign of a cance to propagate the species. Of course some of us decided enough was enough was enough and wrote GRE. For some even that did not work. A very close mate was rushing on his bike to his GRE centre in Chennai, almost out of time when a busfull of Ethiraj College women passed by. The poor fellow had not a chance.

And then there is B school with all the women. And boy was it a cultural shock.

"THEY study here?"
"Exchange women actually come here????"
"THEY WON'T EXPEL IF YOU GO TO THE GIRLS DORMS???"
"ALL THAT STUFF IS SHARED???.... YOU CAN COPY IT???..."

Blame culture shock I plead you. not the innocent ignorant technologist. In fact next time you spy an innocent engineer being lambasted for anti-social behaviour spare a thought for his past that has made him the substance abusing, hormone driven animal he is today. It just isnt his fault. It was all society fault. But also remember this. The earth will finally be inherited by the engineer. The man of science will indeed triumph over arts, commerce and such majors. (Except maybe physical education. Those guys are huge sometimes. So they're cool.) The brave technologist will indeed rewrite our future as we know it. (No seriously he will. All the novels you have read about the future isn't called chartered-accountancy-fiction is it?) Then the world will be a better place where people are happy, content, and have a lot of free porn"

Three cheers for the Engineer !

Coming of Age

2005-05-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Well in a curious turn of events a fortnight ago I was almost going to quit blogging.But here I am today.And with each day my conviction to carry on is just getting stronger.

Firstly I was grossly mistaken when I thought my friends were too busy to care.It was only later when i realised that they used to drop by often and just didn't make it apparent.My apologies to them especially Deep and Varu.

Secondly I have started coming across the kind of people that I always wanted to be in touch with.Like my anonymous Dr Nostalgia or the mysterious fashion designer from Delhi.And with each day comes the hope of meeting someone special.And though we come across so many people in our daily lives,but I have always believed that words hold a very unique key to insights in one's personality.A person can lie but the words can't.You can see through them.And thus a person's inner most self is translated in words when he writes from heart.

And it is the honesty,trust and sincerity that are foundation of a strong relationship more than anything else.And thanks to this wonderful medium of blogging i get a chance everyday to interact with new and old friends alike on things we love and share.

Thirdly I have at last decided to start my own blogroll.For those uninitiated to blogging ,a blogroll is a list of links of blogs that the author finds to his interest or taste or is badgered into submission by threat or plea.
In short it is a list of blogs that I frequent often.You could see the blog roll in RHS of this column.Here you will find a list of four blogs that I have no hesitation in opening to my readers as I have myself enjoyed and benefitted from their content in last six months.And with time I will continue to add more.

And finally it is the pleasure I am deriving from this simple pursuit as each day when I am going to retire I have an anticipation of what I will write today.And every word that I type and every single keystroke is simply pure ecstacy !

Well we are here,Finally.

Saturday Nights

2005-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's really weird.And it has been a long time since i last felt like this.Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it's been a long time since I have been alone at hostel as both Neeraj and Johal are away for this weekend.

I tried to study and do a bit of organizing but a strange kind of drowsiness just overcame me and spent the rest of the afternoon lying on bed having a weird dream.The dream was the most dumbest and most irritating that I must ever had because it broke all previous parameters on basis of sheer stupidity alone.

It was like that I was clicking on a html link and after infinite delay the "this page can't be displayed" message flashed in my brain.Again i would go back and the same loop will repeat again and again infinitely.I was so sick of it that I felt totally irritated when I woke up.

And I knew staying in the room won't help either so i just went for a walk around the campus with my Muvo.

It turned out to be just the tonic I needed.

The weather was pleasent with a cool breeze blowing across and the timing just perfect.It was that time of the day when the sun had just set but it's still not dark.It is as if the sunlight is reluctant to go and is hanging by last threads in a fragile balance or is like the proverbial last ray of hope. And as I walked across the campus and watched the leaves slowly float in air as if suspended by magic, I was suddenly filled with gratitude for all i have got.And I really love my life here, no matter what I say on more odd moments...

I would always cherish these days...And small moments like these and it's my earnest wish that I may never loose the sense of appreciation of seemingly small things.

Rest of the evening was spent in doing some reading and then the trio of me,Antar and Manjot caught yet another Meg Ryan movie and this time it was "Sleepless in Seattle" and if anyone of you haven't yet figured out what destiny is all about it might leave a clue...

For rest I will always wait for her.

lone walk

2005-04-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

lone walk, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Lonely walks in the dark...

Movie Masti

2005-04-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Well it's Movie time !

And I began my weekend with two very entertaining movies.The excuse came my way when Manjot came up with the proposal of watching a movie or two at his pc after dinner.And after a little visit to www.mrqe.com I found out that the movie with Manjot "Addicted to Love" was a high rated romantic comedy featuring Meg Ryan.I needed no further prompting.So we settled down for a combo movie session.

The first one to come our way as I have already mentioned is "Addicted to Love".Though it contained essentially the same stuff that is abundant in romantic comedies but i just can't seem to have enough of these as evidently i found the movie pleasent and tickling though a bit silly.Also Meg Ryan was fabulous in her portrayal of revenge-bent-exgirlfriend and her screen presence was simply energetic to say the least.Must see if you are in a mood for a beautiful evening especially if you are feeling particularly romantic in a silly way !

My next extravagance was "The Time Machine". Though loosely based on the novel by H.G. Wells (which by the way is highly highly recommended read even if you don't read much otherwise.I have an ecopy of the novel and just let me know if you want to see what the father of science fiction was all about.)

"These days, it's about as likely for Hollywood to turn out a faithful adaptation of a classic novel as for Disney to do a porno film. The best thing I can say about the newest cinematic version of the H.G. Wells classic is that reading the book won't spoil the film, because the two have little in common. To say that The Time Machine is "based on the novel by H.G. Wells" borders on false advertising" to quote the words of my favourite reviewer James Berardinelli.

The movie was ok with some nice scenery chewing and some awesome graphics and the background score was superb.Only the movie lacked a story and a proper ending.But still a worthwhile experience if you want some old style non stop adventure along with a heady mix of science fiction and time travel.Though my most favourite recommend would be Back to the Future of course.

Among other things I am at hostel this weekend and it would be probably be next week when I will be visiting Amritsar.The hostel CD is trapped in some red tape and official Babudum and will definitely be ready for release by Monday.And yes,the hostel CAT is pregnant once more !

Just in case you didn't know ;)

Function Glorified

2005-04-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

mams at function, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Ravi Kiran mam and Gurvinder Kaur mam at the hostel function-My two favourite teachers at Thapar and their snap together at our hostel function calls for a space in this blog.
And thanks to Ravi Kiran mam for allowing this honour.

Bhangra Bash

2005-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

blog hostel b snap, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Masti Unlimited !

The Hostel Annual Function

2005-04-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

Traditionally I have always found annual functions to be quite depressing.I don't now whether it is the realisation that time is passing so quickly or whether it is the nostalgia that overcomes me.

But this time I really had a ball.First I didn't had any organising repsonsibilities.Hence i was totally free to enjoy my time with friends.Secondly I was happy beacuse the magazine cd had come out so well and I was more than pleased to be part of such an effort.And the DJ was passable.At least the music was loud enough so that it got you in the groove.
And the best part was despite a lot of small minor irritants ,I just couldn't stop being happy,surrounded by so many people I loved.My Ambarsari tabbar,Antar,Monjo,Neeraj and of course Johal...
So what transpired was non stop masti and bhangra cum disco at the Hostel B lawns probably for the last time.And despite my awareness about my total lack of dancing skills ,I let myslf loose and danced to my hearts content.

Among other things I got a certificate for my work in Hostel Magazine and we got a lot of appreciation fron the Director TIET himself untill later when we hit a big roadblock.But more on that later.
We made a super funky bhangra video of the function and it really captued the essence, especially in one dance on "lamhe" theme where i just danced and "cammed" my way through the dancing pandemonium.

And on a closing note Gurvinder mam and Kiran mam really made the evening glitter with their charming looks.And never had our hostel lawns received more beautiful guests !

Good Times.

And this is for Varu - It's that time once more.The time to say god byes and final words to our college life and memories -Probably the best time we ever had.Just take your while.

It's done finally (phew !)

2005-04-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy weekend and after three days of sleepless nights i feel particularly blessed to be able to retire to my bed early today at 3 am (comparetively speaking).

If you haven't guessed already then it has been on account of Hostel B Magazine CD and my crazy idea of comprehensive directory. The last few nights were non existent for me as i spent the better part of the last two days running around grabbing hold of people and making them pose for snaps whether they liked it or not and the nights entering and editing the info collected with the help of Neeraj.

And today I am delighted to announce that we have reached our targeted 200 profiles and have even gone ahead with a final database of 225+ profiles out of a total strength of 258 students !

The directory has officially closed now as I have submitted the completed profiles to Antar and as I type now,the design team (CD,Kochar,Pinky,Motta,Monjo and Antar)are hell bent on work and having a ball ,with dead line fast approaching at 5 am as they plan to publish the first cd by then.

Though I would have loved to prolong my involvement with the project as long as possible, I have to consider the shortage of my attendance ,especially in FM,whose tute is at 8 am this morning. :)

Still it's been fun and I am looking as eagerly to receiving the cd as anyone else.
And by the looks of it,we have a winner hands down !

Incredible effort.

It's a Special Day

2005-04-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

24th of April is always a very special day for me.Because the day brings along memories of two completely different yet very very special persons to me who happen to have one thing in common.Their Birthdays.

One of them you know very well.Along with a billion other people.People call him Sachin Tendulkar.I like to call him Sachin ji.

Flashback April 1998,7 years ago.Everybody used to say Sachin is good but then so is Lara and Waugh and who not.And then came Sharjah Coca Cola cup.And Sachin ji braved a sandstorm and Australian pace battery and a required rate of 6 per over and India managed to squeeze past the New Zealand into finals.
The battle lines were drawn once again.Australia had won all their leauge matches.And looked unbeatable.Except for one man.Who had something different in his mind.And then the master revealed all- only once in his career he has struck back to back centuries.And this time on his 25th Birthday he settled all accounts for once and all and achieved heights that others called "Bradmanesque".

Though i have left watching cricket after the last World cup final mainly to contribute my time to more rewarding pursuits but still i can't sometimes help following the news.And it amused me a lot when people started blaming Sachin ji on a star news program when India lost to Pakistan 2-4.
It served me as a good reminder that why a democracy designed "for" the people and "by" the people had gone so wrong .Because as a mass we loose our intelligence and our ability to think.And we react like animals.No reminiscence of past and no vision of future.Just a spoon fed present.

But the silver lining for me is that in Sachin we have an ordinary Indian middle class based guy who rose to such dizzing heights and stayed there with his unique blend of talent and humility.And it is more than something can ask for in an era which boasts of role models such as actors and rock stars.

Before i drift too much i want to make a mention of that second very special person.And it's to her that I owe a lot.Because if it hadn't been for her,I might had grown very different and it was she who made me see friendship the way i do. It's like those Robert Frost lines

"Two roads diverged in the wood,
and i took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference"

But in her case it was the road that chose me.And I am glad.Thanks Kanwal.And many many happy returns of the day.

Destiny as they say.

Hostel B Directory

2005-04-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have always loved my life as a hostelier.Though for some time I have deliberately isolated myself from some of the hostel activities out of some convictions that i hold.

So after last year i have usually stayed away from the usual "committies".But this time an opportunity came that just left my mouth watering.Due to someone's superb idea we are going to release a cd with this year's hostel magazine and when Antar discussed about the lack of content for the cd ,i saw a golden chance to do something that i wanted to do for a long time.

So the idea of "Hostel B directory" originated.The concept is simple.We will collect some basics about each resident of Hostel B like name,email,DOB,branch,hometown and make a sort of profile along with the person's snap !

So off we were.And we went room to room asking people to fill in the performas and pose for snaps at the drop of a hat and as i type now, we have collected around 120 profiles and 80 snaps of the residents and we hope to reach 200 by tomorrow.So if any of my fellow residents haven't supplied their proforma yet, they are requested to do so tomorrow positively as the magazine is to be sent for publication by Saturday.

Rest i hope to catch some sleep now.So..z....zzzzzzzzz......zzzzz

Nighty Night !

Techno Blues

2005-04-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well among other things it has been a completely restless week.The worst thing was that some kind of Black "Voodo" magic was at work to keep me away from my gadgets.My cammy was untraceable, My trusty Nokia 3650 suddenly duped me again and suffered another memory attack and lost it's ability to boot and my HT went hyper once more.
Anyways things are back to normal now with the cammy found hidden under "stuff",HT working at it's hyper pace and at last my cell was given another transplant and i am happy to report that till latest news it was alive and kicking and allowed me to finally log into my virtual life after never before gap of FOUR days !
So dear ones if you happened to message or call me since last four days, I am sorry for being untraceable.But everything is up and running now.

In other things,exams are over and "Post Exam Laziness Syndrome (POLS) has kicked in with full gutso.The week was spent in total vehlagiri and oh yes ! Celebrated dad's fifty first birthday on 15 april ! and wow the stamina he has got !Hats off to dad !
He is one superhero that I have seen in real life up and close and I know in my hearts of heart that i am the luckiest person to have a super dad like that.
Always cheerful,full of enthusiasm and spirit,never say die attitude,patience of a saint,real vigour,kindness,selfless and an ability to inspire and lead others,helpful and sometimes too sentimental-These are the qualities that epitomize my dad and that's why I just love him.

Happy Birthday Dad !

Two Words

2005-04-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Thank You.

Way to go Dad !

2005-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

papa1, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Way to go Dad !

Friends and Blogging

2005-04-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

When i began to blog and later when i almost gave up ,there were two reasons that i carried on.One of them was that i considered it an excellent tool to stay in touch with my old pals who were no longer part of my daily routine but always kept on popping in my thoughts on a very regular basis than they would imagine.
So the moment the idea of blogging consolidated in my mind i sent a mail inviting and poking each of my best friends to start their own blog so that it is much easier to stay updated on each other's lives and i knew they wouldn't share the same enthusiasm but still i had some hope.

As it turned out no one really bothered with the trouble.I mean no one.I kept pestering them .Looked for ways to make them at least come to my place regularly.Searched for subscriptions.Things like Bloglet that were a God sent that
automatically informed them when i had made update and sent the entry right into their inboxes.
Within the space of last one week i have almost come across all of them one way or the other(mostly on Yahoo messenger).And something has really disturbed me.Here are the replies i received.

Deep(IIIT Allahabad): Sorry yaar.Didn't check no mail in last two weeks.It has been some time you know.

Kulbir(Moga):He he.HSDBSKLC All your blog updates go straight to my bulk folder.Sorry pal.Just didn't have time

Sandeep(NIT Surat):Would love to.But see my exams are just two week away.No time left.

Ravinder(Infosys Banglore):Lapata..

Varuna(DAV Jalandhar):At least let me.......

Sophia(IIT Kharagpur):Vehla kaam...

Neeraj(TIET Patiala):I promise buddy.As soon as i could spare some time i would do visit.I want to read it when i am totally relaxed.

So seriously the time has come to question the validity of my reason for blogging.Because if this is what it is all about then i am sorry.It is too clear now.

So thank you everyone else who ever thronged this lane (it was ironically only yesterday that this page received it's 2000th visitor since it's inception six months ago )and i will always be privileged for the sweet moments and support all of you gave me especially Ruchi,Prateek,Beth,Aditi,T,Aseem,Dibjot,Mohit,Johal, and wanderer and everybody else that i came across this small journey.

This leaves me with only one reason courtesy Ayn Rand.But it is enough for me.At least i have no illusions now.

Ps-If you still haven't got the hint then you are in deep trouble-All three of you (Kulbir,Deep and Sandeep).Thanks Varu for everything.And Sufu you are in the crime too.Not good with PR eh ?Now we will see why companies spend so much on it.

Now I chill.

Let the Magic Begin !

2005-04-09T02:41:00.000-07:00

It's that magical time again and as I type this there are less than 100 days (98 days 12 hours and 50 minutes to be exact) in the arrival of "The Half Blood Prince" (Harry potter 6 for the muggles).

And what an occasion it would be.I recall the day when it all started as i brought the first book "The Philospher's stone" to gift my sis on her birthday as i liked the idea of a magical school.And i just skimmed a few pages to see what it was all about.And by the time I put it down,it was finished and I knew it was something magical.And i just loved it.

And i gobbled up the "Chamber of Secrets" and "Prisoner of Azkaban" by the weekend.And when the Goblet of Fire was released.Man was that an occassion.It was one of the biggest treats ever!

But the best part was when "Order of Phoenix" arrived.Suddenly i was introduced to a phenomenon that i hadn't witnessed earlier.I could see fans everywhere,easily identifiable by that large yellow volume with a picture of Phoenix on cover that they proudly carried around.

And it resulted in many interesting conversations and many remarkable rendezvous with perfect strangers but with a bond that bound us together for a passion that we had in common.And the secret world we shared.The world of Hogwarts.

Among many i particularly remember two instances.It was July 2003 when the fifth book Order of Phoenix was just released and it coincided with the beginning of a new stage in my life-I had just joined college and it was my first day at Thapar.And there were parents and kids and everybody else and it was total pandemonium because of all the formalities involved.And i saw this little fragile looking girl ,barely 12,with her short hair falling over her eyes, indifferent to her surroundings , sitting alone in a corner and absorbed in a universe of her own- reading Order Of Phoenix..And i just couldn't help noticing the look of pure joy on her face.And suddenly i knew that there was magic in real world too.And it was much more scintillating.

Of the second occassion I remember seeing a beautiful girl crossing the road near Jalandhar and i saw her carrying the Order of Phoenix as she noticed the one in my hand too, and suddenly in that moment of instant recognition a grin broke across our faces and it was as magical as the book itself.Suddenly seeing someone whom you have never met all your life and probably will never meet again but an acknowledgement that you will always have a bond in common that is untouchable.The appreciation of something so magnificent that it defines life.

It has started already.

ps-Some tid bits

1)The Half Blood Prince is gonna be released on 16 july 2005.The book is available for preorder at indiatimes shopping at a price of Rs899 though the actual MRP is Rs 809.

2)This one is for the muggles.
" The publication of the sixth book in JK Rowling's ever-popular "Harry Potter" series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," will be the all-time highest initial print run in history, U.S. publisher Scholastic announced Tuesday. At 10.8 million, that's four million more than the then-record-breaking initial print run for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2003. "

3)A cool looking desktop countdown timer and Harry potter news aggregator is available for free download at

http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/funstuff/countdown/index.htm

4)Last but hardly the least.
Recommendation of the week- 'Finding Neverland".
A beautiful movie about the warmth of human realtionships and the power of
imagination.Already my favourite.

Have fun !

Life is Beautiful !

2005-04-06T03:28:00.000-07:00

Yes Sir ! And make no mistake about it.And i am not the first to proclaim it and i know very well that I am not the last one either.But during our lives sometime or other ,everyone of us had doubts.Doubts about what exactly life is,why do we exist,what is it that we finally want to accomplish,in short what is the point ?
I have always pondered on these questions and the answers have come to me either in times of great tragedy or happiness.But those were my answers.Unique to me.But then i found a common denominator in them.Something that unified all the answers together.
Try to recall what were the happiest moments of your life.When you were truly happy.Was it really getting the merit in board or clearing the IIT mains for that matter or was it the look on the face of your parents and the delight they felt.On the other end when was it that you felt saddest.Was it when you flunked a test or was it when you lost someone close forever.I am deliberately making the comparison.
Because in the rush of things we really loose touch of our deepest emotions.We really forget what made us happy.What is truly beautiful.

And sometimes when we rediscover those emotions ,everything fits in.The peace is there.No more restless nights.And sometimes all it takes is one person.And one emotion.Some call it love.I prefer to call it something else.I call it destiny...

Life is Beautiful.

Peat

2005-04-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

0480 3-28-2005, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Meet Peat- Our guide for the complete trip.He really made the trip much more worthwhile by his expert tips,meticulous planning and by just being there.Among his numerous skills was his abiity to generate hindi phrases spontaneously in that unique "thai" accent that i have heard no where else.He adored Hindi movies and used to hum Bollywood tracks often...
We talked for long on various topics and i learnt a lot of things from him.Thanks Pete.By the way he is 34 and is proud father of two kids !

My Goddess

2005-04-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

0351 3-28-2005, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

The only Goddess I pray to-The Goddess of sea -And i mean it in more than one way

My Spot

2005-04-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

0313 3-28-2005, originally uploaded by shercheeta.

Save me a seat

My reading heaven

2005-04-02T23:58:00.000-08:00

Where's my "Atlas Shrugged ?"- Just Perfect !
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Babes and Beaches

2005-04-02T23:57:00.000-08:00

Babes and beaches-I love anupraas alankar
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Banana Ride

2005-04-02T23:55:00.000-08:00

Banana Boat-Five guys, one ride and in the end that one twist and everything turns upside down.Did you say the water is salty ? don't look at me,i warned you already ;)
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

The waves are waiting ...

2005-04-02T23:53:00.000-08:00

Ready Steady Go !
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Paradise Defined

2005-04-02T23:52:00.000-08:00

Pristine Sand and Turqoise water
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

The Blue Lagoon

2005-04-02T23:51:00.000-08:00

The Blue Lagoon
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

My oh My !

2005-04-02T23:50:00.000-08:00

The chef prepares a special menu for your delight,oh my;

tonight you fly so high up in the vanilla sky;
unbearable or great;
you gotta love every hour you must appreciate;

This is your time;
this is your day;
you have got it all;
Don't blow it away...

-Paul McCartney(Vanilla Sky)

http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

In the Vanilla Sky

2005-04-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

I love Vanilla Sky...
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Today I Fly So High !

2005-04-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

Oh I fly so high !
http://harjotdhaliwal.blogspot.com