Shower to Flower

Amidst accusations of cliche I maintain, it is not my choice, but a result of chance!

So here he meets her in a party - this time a sober one, (though last time's one was not un-sober, it couldn't be proved) - and his initial reaction was a bland one. "Don't care!"

Maybe there was mist in his eyes. The more he saw her, the beats got more irregular! Hmmmpppfhfhfhfh! "You fall for everyone and anyone!" his 'wise' friends say.

He still maintains that that is not true. For things to get to heart-beat-irregularizing level, there has to be something.

This time he did things differently though! He didn't speak to her until he found that that was the only option. All through the cake cutting, the snacking, the friendly violence he caught glimpses of specimens of most innocent, angelic smiles! That is his weakness! The sweet smile...

And to top it, the eyes looked intoxicated. He so envied the boldness with which (or the sheer chance because of which) his junior spoke to her. All he did was talk to people he knew. Else they'd think they knew him and start the above mentioned cliche that his 'wise' friends use.

Flower Power!

Rain Shower!

The God for showers toils,

to get Flowers all smiles!

"Here's a toast to our acquaintance O Flower,

and may it blossom into more", says God of Shower!

Nandan of our nation

About 7 to 8 years back it was Dr A P J Abdul Kalam that I wanted to be like. Now it surely has to Nandan Nilekani. There shouldn't be any comparison between the two but a news item I read today has cheered me. It has given me a reason to 'live'.

I was an ambitious man looking up to influential people, as a kid, only to degenerate into just another creature who resigns to the statement, "it is all very easy to say big things, but not easy to do them. We can't do anything in this messed up political garbage!" From someone who wanted to be an Aerospace Engineer I became just another Electronics Engineer.

This too had phases.

1- Ambitous Electronics Engineer who saw many opportunities to do big things.

2- "Ahhh! Economy! Let me get a job first."

Being in the USA at this time gives such less-than-normal attitude to most people. What really lifted my dying spirits with a breath of life is the post about Nandan Nilekani. My survival will develop into living for sure. Here is a man whose knowledge, work and attitude earned political respect from a government I lost hope on. Apart from Dr MS (Our Prime Minister) and former Finance Minister PC, I didn't see more avenues for development and positive strides. Railway Minister and his respect from IIMs drew attention and my awe.

Now with this induction of Nilekani, there is a new wave of hope. Indeed men with bright ideas will be appeciated. Today, it is at the highest level. I pray that tomorrow, the level of an organization where a person can get recognized moves down and so on. When this happens, India will be in another universe. India 2020 won't be far away! And it won't be only in patriotic songs that India sounds great in!

My upward looking eyes are a result of news items I read. To name them are:

A- India exports milk to New Zealand (Dr Kurien's dream comes true)!

B- Nilekani's appointment as the head of (National) Unique ID agency!

C- Mumbai's Worli-Bandra sea link's status and now Worli-Haji Ali's proposals!

D- Vishakhapatnam's development!

E- Andhra Pradesh's e-governance actually being real and not just dummy web pages doing nothing!

F- Dedicated Freight Corridor project (railways)! (More railway projects related news on this wordpress link)

Today I feel my satisfied best because I turned from an apathetic person towards goings-on-around-me to a delighted and proud man looking to do my bit.

For all fellow Indians, let's take a cue from this incident and let us do our bit soon! For a start, it'll be a great thing if everyone decides to hokd back the urge to throw trash on the roads or any place other than the garbage bin. If I were you, I'd keep the empty packet with me till I find a bin. It is not very difficult.

I wish to mention my friend who is already doing his bit while the rest of us friends are still trying to either find excuses like lack of time/energy or some such thing or are still planning for those days when 'we will do something'!

Meet Vinod. He is presently working with Aricent Technologies in Bengaluru. Always the one to dirty his hands, put in the effort, plan and execute things, he has started a Charitable trust with a group of like minded people. Their trust mostly funds poor children's education. Personally I am looking forward to be a part of their trust. I strongly recommend you (reader) to get in touch with him if you want to do your bit.

You could mail him at 4uvinod@gmail.com

Here are other friends who harbor such itch to do something - Viraj Patil, Arun V T and Harsh Mankad. There are other friends in my close circle whom I haven't mentioned because they may not take initiative, but I know they'll participate.

@Vinod - I see a lot of scope for us to dirty our hands now.

A walk in the rain

Mind was clouded;

frustration enshrouded!

Hoped for a clearer mind.

Brightness it should find!

Not happy, was I, with any work.

Backstabbers! Every corner they lurk.

"I have no achievement!"

To myself I lament.

No opportunity to prove myself.

No earnings to stock my shelf.

All, around me, in their strides, have spring.

Alas! I'm tied down; depression the string!

For others' sake, I go out of my way.

For their hassles, soul and spirit I lay!

To up my mood, no one cares!

A friendly time no one spares...

In mind, I want to get rid of darkness.

Outside, I don't mind the cloudy mess.

"Oh bring some peace! Bring some calm!"

I begged! Begged with outstretched palm.

On my way back home, raining it was!

My regular way would be by bus.

But today I chose to ease my pain.

So I walked. Like a kid I walked in rain!

*Dedicated to all those souls who are going through tough times! Hope that brought a smile...

Rasam powder's importance

What is the value of Rasam in Varun's life?

Zilch.

Ok, that's a very rude thing to say about Rasam because it is great to have it and some people love it. Most people live because of it. Every Tamilian survives on it. Teluguites have a bit of it on most days as appetizers and call it "Chaaru". Kannadigas and Malayalees have it too with their own variations. The rest of India would not much know the difference between a Sambaar and Rasam but do like it when they have it.

Rasam, with its ingredients, can not only be an appetizer but also give relief from cold and flu. "It makes you want to live another day..." says my dad, when he gives his pro-Rasam talk.

I never eat it with rice. For me it is a mere nutrition-less food. I'd rather have as much as my appetite normally permits than increase my appetite and find that Rasam anyway filled that newly increased appetite.

Let's refine the question a bit.

What's the value of Rasam in Varun's life in India? Zilch.

What's the value of Rasam in Varun's life in USA? Increasing...

Mr Innovator (one of my faces) made Rasam flavored Pasta. I'll call it "Rasamy Pasta". I'll take suggestions for a better name. I was tired of eating outside. I wanted to make something and realized that we were out of rice. "Ummmm!!! Varun, what do we do now?"

"Ummmm!!! How about making pasta?"

"Yeah! Will save money for tonight and I'll get to make it to suit my taste buds..."

So I religiously start cleaning 2 utensils, boil pasta and sautee vegetables. I'm not your emergency cook but a Chef-i-have-time-give-me-something-new-yet-tasty cook! I realized it and people did praise me for my food. The only flaw so far has been that potatoes in my dishes often aren't completely cooked. So let's say I am a Honest-chef-I-have-time!-Give-me-something-new-yet-tasty cook. I wanted my taste buds to get a tingle of red chilly powder. I have been having really bland food for long without whining.

Indians need spices and chilly powder in particular. More so, people from Andhra Pradesh. We are people who just make a pickle of everything. Most them vary in degrees of spice - (with '!' symbol to be read as the spice level)

Most spicy, !!!!! + !

Moster spicy, !!!!! + !!

Mostest Spicy and !!!!! + !!!

Call-the-fire-brigade spicy !!!!! + !!!!!

Now as I finish this post, I can't say anything more than, "Call me home, and let me dish out a Varun special, anytime when you're at leisure!"

For now, Chef Varun (CV) signs off, having satisfied his belly and taste buds.

I'm just wondering if it should have read: Honest-Chef-I-have-time!-Give-me-something-new-yet-tasty!-Remind-me-of-my-mom cook!

Play!!!

"Time to play gentlemen!" I didn't hear that actually but I finally played cricket. Raingod was merciful towards Raingod and others in the team. A long drive (3 hours) from Chicago to Springfield was made more sullen when we realized that the umpire decided to toss the coin without us because we were late. Our captain, Amer Khan, wasn't very happy because we had, as a visiting team, some grace time.

It didn't matter. After first two overs going very economical, our bowler Ali struck. It was a difficult catch because it was taken running backwards (a la Kapil Dev). That the ground was uneven and damp made this catch even more difficult. If I were the fielder I'd have dropped it or not reached it. As it is I was always a close in fielder, who'd do extremely well in ground fielding and inner circle catching. Never was an outfielder.

Soon it was 3 and then 5 wickets down. The batting team didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I was wondering if it indeed was possible to get a team out within 100 runs in a 40-over game. As it happened, we bowled a tight line and held our catches. Most of them were at 1st slip. 2 of them were by Moatsim Bajwa (Moshi bhai). He held one by his right hand - a quick reflex catch and the other was held low, just above the ground. He later completed a fine spell of bowling though he missed taking a hat-trick. Just for the hat-trick ball we all stood close by.

Moshi bhai looks like Waqar Younis. I said that to him. "Did anyone tell you look like Waqar?"

"Yeah some have..."

"Why don't you bowl like him too? (I was hinting at speed because he is a super bowler. Difficult to get away and has slow in-swing.)

He is a chirpy and a fun man. Just being around him gives an extremely comforting feeling.

So we got the team all down for 54 runs, the last wicket having fallen when they were attempting a second run of a brilliant fielder! (me) ;) I am really struggling with my right shoulder and I promised to take a doctor's appointment. My throws are just not as sharp and well-directed.

The batting order was decided. The openers were to play and complete the game for us. I was to go 5 down. As the batsmen were playing, I got restless. I needed to bat. I asked Moshi bhai if it would be doing too much to tolerate if I wanted to play in the nets for a bit. He said, "Suuuuuurre!" I am yet to see him discourage me for anything like this.

Kamran bowled gentle offspinners. I was lost for the 1st 4 balls. I started picking up. Ali, who looked sceptical of the idea of my going to bat in the nets, showed up and bowled a few at me. He gave me tips when I edged a few. It was nice. I was feeling very confident. Ali sledged me whenever I hit a confident stroke off him. It was fun, though he wasn't easy to handle in the nets too.

My confidence was a positive wave. I was being observed. I went back to join my team and asked Moshi bhai for feedback on my batting. "My feedback is that your batting in the nets made Amer decide that you'll go 1 wicket down if at all..."

"Thanks but I was seriously asking your feedback."

"Serious bhai! We were discussing when you were confidently playing your strokes. Launda confident lag raha hain. Isko bhejte hain!" (Guy is confident. Let's send him next.)

And so when the 1st wicket fell at 52, I had to be there to finish the game. I joined our wicket-keeper and opener, Vajid. Amer bhai asked me to be wary of the owler. He was supposed to be really deceptively good.

So I take guard, minus chest guard and thigh guard. That was supposed to worry me. I recently had injuries because of lack of protective gear. But the confidence I was in, I was looking to finish in the next few minutes.

1st ball!!! Here it was. Went forward to a left arm over, medium bowler. I got a genuine edge which was missed by the slip. I went through for the 1st run in my rekindled career. Vajid finished off the match with 2 singles (1 of the last ball and off the 1st ball of the next over). He felt bad for denying me the chance to hit the winning run. All is well. He more than made up by gifting me his chest guard.

An early finish saw us back home by 6pm. Looking forward to my next game on saturday (June 20th) at Washington Park, Chicago.

License to conquer

What is it about a Driving License that makes you feel strong; makes you feel confident?
Is it that you have been certified to drive alone? But why don't you feel the same about any other official document which gives you an identity. How about a college ID, even a reputed one, for that matter?
Perhaps the photo identity, age proof and address proof - all in one - give it the ultimate-document-to-posses status. Very bland? Not so convincing? What difference does having all these proofs in one or in 3 different documents make?
Perhaps it is license itself - license to drive - that gives one the confidence, pride and satisfaction. At subconscious level you know that you are free. Free to take on the world. Free to roam the world (or at least as far as the roads can take you). Free to feel free.
It tells you at the inner level that people have faith in you, your abilities and your reliability. It tells you (Funny that IT has to tell you):
1 - You're not suicidal.
2 - You're not a criminal or murderer who gleefully visualizes human bodies being trampled by car tires.
3 - You won't refer to your restlessness, frustrations or thoughts triggering these emotions.
4 - You're mature as your age suggests (Assuming mental age is at least close to the physical age).
4 - VERY IMPORTANTLY, even if the others in/on the vehicle sleep, you'll not prioritze your sleep over your driving!
So, in all, it is my pick as the sole document that can reform your attitude towards life. Something that even a passport can't do, to that extent!

Needle in a haystack

The following is an imaginary conversation between my friend and I...

"You seem so geed up.

You seem to be on top.

What's up? What's up?

Of joy, you're a dollop!"

"There is a joy in learning.

Ecstacy in meeting a loved one.

A pride in your earning.

Satisfaction in a great job done."

"What is this answer?

I asked a question.

Your answer filled with vigor,

has what relation?"

"A difficult needle I found,

in a dark, big haystack.

Thus, I feel joy all around.

Hope this find sits atop my prize rack."

"By golly! I get some idea.

I do see more clarity.

Tell me who! Santa Maria!!!

Do bring in some sanity!"

"Go back to my blog dated 31 May.

Of approval, I wish, I get a nod.

This find of mine gives a hope's ray.

The find being Worship, I am Raingod!"