A pinch of salt!

Have you ever obeserved the little discrepancies that exist under our benevolent eyes? How an instant coffee is seldom instant or a Maggi never cooked in 2 minutes. As the title suggests, a pinch of salt is next to a trifle. I am not mad tonight, ladies and gentlemen. I am just pursuing my Masters. My rather inactive and sluggish medulla oblongata suffered a roller coaster ride in 5 degrees Fahrenheit today. No, I aint a Biology major neither am I being oversmart about my bio-skills. I searched the net for 15 agonising minutes to find that word. Coming to the point of discrepancies, I met a bald guy called Jim Forest. Now, for god's sake, there has got to be some relation between a man and his denotation. Nature's not far behind in affirming what my ego wants to disapprove of. The existence of a pond in the midst of a desert still astounds my rather feeble imagination.There are countless such rather subtle insinuations that surround us. Let me share the one responsible for this post. I was handed over something yesterday, which in the scientific world is known as a paper. I spent a whopping 7 hours, shared painfully between yesterday and today, devouring it, trying to make some sense out of it, understanding it. After all the efforts, I had just one query. Why is it called a paper? Definitely not in the physical sense, cos I held 4 separate sheets in my hand. I scratched my hair(thinking!), in an attempt to understand what the ink projected against the white backdrop, but in vain. To no one's surprise only a few hair and some....ahem. precious time was lost. So, there it is, one discrepancy that trigerred an investigation. I spent the whole day, thinking about it and trying not to think about it . It was fun though! The good thing is, that I thought!! and even better is that I have a meeting tomorrow with the man who gave it to me......So, I guess long hours of hard work will eventually pay off. Atleast I got one decent question to put forward..what say?

A Passionate Confession!!

I am here. What seemed like a distant dream not so long ago is a starking reality now. I walk out of my modest little bedroom into the Living area, to open the door and what lies in front of me, is what I now believe I was destined for. Everything around me seems alien. The windows, the light slipping through the neatly manufactured blinds, the floor underneath which my feet embrace for the majority of the hours on any given day. Much like an Imax dome screen pulled in front of my eyes while I wait for the reality to seep in from somewhere, anywhere. Its been the longest time in my life so far that I have been subjected to such isolation. I sit and wonder how this will transform me, possiblly forever. At the moment, I am more in a state of phase lag, where in I try to connect more with the past rather than being excited at the prospect of what lies ahead. I am looking forward, indeed but in a state of remorse for I know I can't fight the ineveitable. Change!!!! I hope I am a more complete individual when I graduate after 2 years or so and standing on that podium feel more like an enriched man rather than one who has been transformed by the incessant and the ever present surroundings. I hope I relish my first cup of tea in the morning made with my mom's chai masala as much as I might long for that Starbuck's coffee. I hope the most easily gettable burger does not take precedence over the road-side Vada Pav. The spices that built up my daily nutrition for 22 years suddenly do not seem like they were from Mars and never meant for my English tongue. I hope I walk through holding time, holding Sharad, and people who have known him, loved him, admired him, hated him while I embrace the new man who shall evolve after this self sought journey. I want to crawl not leap for I am scared that it might create a void in my life which is unexplainable to people who matter to me. I want them to understand and be a part of this endeavour, not because I fear surprises, I love surprises but more for the concern of human sensibility that they might not appreciate the reason as to why would I be where I will be eventually. I question the obvious, I question why a new venture has to be at the demise of another. I want my parents to hug their son and feel the same warmth and the grip which despite no words re-assured them that their son would be back, the next time I return. I often sit and think about the correctness of my decision to leave what I value most in search of something more. Worthless, I know. The perspective has to change. I convince myself that every change does not imply that the past was bitter or that one seeks more pleasure or solace in the times to come. I build my future to sustain my past. My life has been beautiful and I attribute the most of it to the people who have been around me. People who have been the reason for me to believe that god exists! I am here to learn more not forget what I have learnt and I hope it stays that way. I hope I fulfill all my promises that I made in the months that prior to my departure, most important one to my crying grandmother that I would meet her the next time I was India. I promise to spend that night out, drinking some good old Indian beer with my friends which I promised to them, I would. I promise my mom that I would attend her silliest of calls, just so she can hear me one more time( with the same tone of annoyance, if you insist!!!). Pardon me people if I step out of the Chatrapati spelling 'zee' for 'z' or talking with an accent as if I had spent the last 3 months in a call centre, catering to the ones oblivious to technology. I was, I am and will always be the same old Sharad Raj who brags about Mussoorie, talks of moral behaviour when he is most drunk, loves to love and as many say, an idealist-one who looks at life through roseate glasses. Love me, hate me, ignore me.........but do think about that guy who looked like someone with whom you might some time in your lives felt like associating with..Love and let love!

Shots in my Arms!!!!!!!!...................I am Superman!

fsdkjfhsfjjgj hjghjdfghdjghdgjl j hg jg gfj hgkgiwur t iotur...GAAONWALON!!!....Well that's my state of mind right now...Is there any other possbile way that a 'civilian' is expected to behave, after he has been shot over and over and over and over again. Yeah, I have been just immunized, or so my Doc says. I have been made immune against MMR, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis-B, Meningitis. To me every shot made me realise my mortality.....Sister after another, came poking at me, and there I was in our modest little dispensary, getting pricked and poked at, from every possible angle and direction. I had to click this pic of mine, to elucidate the measures that I have been advised to take in the post puncture state. No activity for the whole day, as evident from the pic, I have to cover my face to avoid inhalation of any bacteria...Yeah, with so many anti-bodies having a ball inside my body, I am not even supposed to have some fun..am so anti-social right now!!!! I can't help but imagine about the possible on going activities with in my body...Dunno what these four guys with extremely disparate backgrounds must be doing inside me and how this is gonna change my body forever. How I wish for some of the skills like our adorable spiderman. I just hope my day is spent well, I do not fear the pain, but I am more concerned about the possible after-affects. The best part was my mom's reaction, she would not let me have any water for the fear that I would leak..My cousin keeps reminding me of Hrithik's role in Koi Mil Gaya, as one of the possible outcomes.No points for guessing that I am pretty much the butt of all the jokes at my place today. But jokes aside, I am sure tomorrow's dawn will witness a much stronger, safer and better human in me. For all you know, you may spot me in the air...don't be surprised if you do, I am your friendly neighbourhood 'poke'-man.

Bought-free!!!!!

Today was a very unusaul saturday, for once I was not in the mood to step out. I was happy lazying around in my den, munching ruffles and watching some senseless hindi movies, hearing songs rather than listening to them. Just one of those days, I guess! Not that I was in a bad mood, I was elated at the thought of playing soccer, the one activity that I profess to every youngster and try to follow myself, earnestly. It gives me tremendous sense of completion and satisfaction. I am myself in those studs of mine. Attentive, aggresive, sporting, charged-up, chirpy, careless. I feel like a wild horse, who is watched but not observed. I take in my stride a million embarassing moments, which on any given day on the road would be so un-wordly. Anyways, after a game of soccer, I came back home rather tired. Blessed I felt, when I saw to what good use my parents had put this saturday. They had done some grocery shopping.I sat down to unpack the stuff and place it in order. As I removed label after another of household groceries, I could see a general trend developing right then and there. I realised how my parents had been induced in to buying more stuff than we would need in the coming weeks. There was something free with everything. Some combinations were really hilarious. The best one being a free coupon for Cafe Coffe Day worth Rs 40/- with a toothpaste...hahahaha!! I was in splits. It was so evident that the prices had been substantially increased to incorporate the offers. I asked my parents if they realised that aspect. To my amazement, my parents answered in the affirmative. Wow!! Now that's some marketing, guys.....As I emptied plastic after plastic, I relaised how these MNCs had unravelled the psychology of an average Indian buyer. My parents today, like million other Indians who shopped with them on this saturday, the 11th of November, were 'bought in to the idea of free' shopping!!!! I shall not complain though.....I am happy, for two reasons.Firstly, some where with in me, I share a few feelings in sync with my parents, a sense of victory, a kind of feeling of superiority over the seller, for a buyer today has a lot many options, has the say. Secondly, I thoroughly relished my free coffee tonight......Lol!!!!

FUNNY SLICE!!!!!!

India!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where do I begin from? I have suddenly discovered a patriot with in me. May be its because of the fact that I pretty much have nothing to do these days. But considering the fact that I am a die-hard optimist, so much so that even an empty glass at times seems to be full, I would love to believe that its genuine love for my nation.On a serious note, I think I have started observing the intricate details that have surrounded me for ever. I believe that, if anything, I was only oblivious to them till very recently. This is a very interesting incident that I think I must share with you all. Just about a few days back, a day before Diwali to be precise, Maha and I decided to get adorned for the upcoming event. So, it began with a visit to a barber. More out of a tradition, we have this custom of eating mouth-watering pani-puris at JHAMAS after a cut. But unfortuately, due to the exceedingly huge demands for sweets, the counter was closed. So there we were, caught in no-man's land, between our age old tradition and our fate. After a few nerve-cracking moments, Maha who undoubtedly is the Rashmi Uday Singh when it comes to the road side food in Mumbai and believe me, his selection and more importantly the knowledge of the precise geographical details of the most novice of the vendors is impeccable. No GPS system can match this guy's innate quality to spot that priceless needle in a stack of hay. Anyways, we spotted a sandwich shop. Very quietly we made our steps to the shop, which was more like a rickety table barely balancing on its 31/2 legs. Everything was spread on this modest little piece of wood. We ordered, to which I must confess that I was very sceptical more for the taste than quality. There went my two slices in the toaster, packed with tomatoes, potatoes, onions...blah blah..it was so stuffed that I vitually felt like the poor vegetables were being squeezed and strangled.......reminded me of VLCC for some reason....so there it was,my sandwich.Hot,crisp and served.What happened next was unbelievable. This guy gets a call on his mobile, which is hardly surprising these days in Mumbai. I have had many embarassing moments, but there's one that I distinctly remember. I bought a Nokia 6600 about 2 yrs ago. Back then, it was kinda new in the market and I like any other guy of my age loved to flaunt it. This ended one day when in a local train I saw a vendor selling the cheapest pen that you would get in Mumbai and talking over the phone parallely. No points for guessing which model it was. That day I gulped in the pride that I carried in flaunting my cell. Coming back to this Sandwichwaala, after talking over the phone he suddenly started packing his stuff and within a matter of seconds he was off and I was left standing there,facing this wall in front of me like an idiot, in the mddle of nowhere with a sandwich in my hand and an enforced smile on my face. After a few moments, the rats slowly came out of their burrows( not that rats stay in burrows, but here they actually did). We asked them in a very surprised tone, quite obviously, the reason for his sudden disappearance. He informed us that he got a call from his brother, who had information that BMC's vehicle was on its way towards them. For the unaware ones, BMC confiscates these guys' entire stalls, as it is illegal to sell on the roads without a prior permission. What impressed me, was the entire organisation skills of this nexus.Can you imagine how efficiently the state of Maharashtra could function if we adapted and excercised similar skills. I was mesmerized by the information network these guys shared. I for one was left there, stunned. I just couldn't help but believe that what a wonderful job of crisis management would a team like this do. As I left the place that very day and the guy prepared to set-up his shop again, I imagined what a mutli- crore market this is. This is the face of Mumbai that is known to the students and innumerable other workers in Mumbai, who thrive on the foods served on these wooden planks. I salute India.......this country never fails to surprise me, be it with its subtle gestures of unbounded love, examples of atrocious actions based on religious beliefs, passion.....the list is endless.

SHUBH DIPAWALI!!!!

Hello everyone......This post is going to be short and sweet...Well, I just spent a whopping 4 hours on the net, and trust me, I still couldn't figure out why....I know there are many more noble men and women out there who quite share the same feeling..... anyways, through this post I would like to wish everyone a very prosperous, colourful and most importantly a safe Diwali. Hope you all have a lot of fun this weekend.

Cheers!!!!!

The Bike Effect!!!!

This post is an ode to all my fellow bikers. I am sure many of you must have had the privilege of riding a bike. I wanna share the following lines with all those who have felt the milestones fly by in an instant, have embraced the curves that the most treacherous of roads have to offer. Believe me guys, biking can be a very stirring experience. I am at my most introspective sitting on my mean machine, hand in hand. Try it, if you have never done it. Watch the markers on the road disappear underneath your wheel. Clouds performing their ever so characteristic erratic dance form. Lights changing their shades without any notice. You are there my friend, right on the centre stage. The wind in your face and the world swishiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing by is a feeling to reckon with.

You got a life to live, I know...........but if you wanna live a dream, get hold of a few horses, unleash them and feel the passion.
CHUK DE PHATTE!!!!!!

As I close my eyes,
the light seeps in through,
shimmering like an arrow,
brightness at its best true!!!!

The wind slams then,
gently very gently caresses my face,
teasing with its embrace,
it wants its presence felt,

Motion is relative,
slave of the eye,
dropping with the wind,
then running with the eye.

Man you are, indeed.
Riding your dream, riding your luck,
riding what you believe in.
For a change, its not time.

Thank every jerk, kiss every corner,
the tar has been kind.
Appreciate the perfection around. You should.
Only it offers the glimpse of what you are out to find.

What a Week!!!!!

This week has been a rather special one. After a very long time I felt that seven days did not do justice to a week. The feeling that I shared with my brain in its adoloscence, when I often wept in despair, grumbled and questioned the end of a week. This feeling was prompted by the fact that I would have a whole lot of relatives coming down on any given weekend. In a 'childishly' innocent and nobly inquisitive voice, I would often ask my dad about why a good weekend had to ever end. A weekend that promised countless happy hours( and no...I am not talking about the pubs in Mumbai!!!!!!!!!!), one that meant long hours of directionless chats, prolonged 'champi session'. Even tea got a promotion with the end of friday, for it would be served in tall glasses for the coming two days. This week comprised of similar emotions. It began with a happy news. After spending six nervous weeks, I finally got an admit for my MS. I can't explain why, but it gave me a sense of excitement, responsibility, apprehension, happiness, and I loved the feeling that something struck so many strings of emotions with in me. Suddenly, things seemed to fall into the groove. The next thing , I got a call from 'Infosys', which was a pleasant surprise. Not that it is going to change anything, but the confidence that it gave with the fact that there are people who want to stand up, point a finger at you and call a bid. It is a nice feeling to be 'wanted', re-assuring for some reason. Then came the news of my sis getting a job in Canada, which really was a great news. The excitement doubled over the weekend as I had the oppurtuinity to watch Brian Charles Lara play live in front of me at Mumbai. The game turned out to be a Half-day international rather than an ODI, but what the heck......I never bought the ticket. Yeah, I got a freaking Rs.10,000/- complimentary ticket, and no I am neither week at maths here nor do I have a keyboard mal-function.Even though the Carribean flavour din't last long on the pitch, the Srilankan batting was pretty fun to watch. I could not have asked for more next. But this is one of those 'adolo....weekends' that I mentioned. The night was spent in Mumbai's best located falt, 13 A Purnima, Malabar hill. In front of my eyes, I had the Queen's necklace. One could actually count the number of street lights between the Air-India building and the Girgaum Chowpatty.It struck me then and there why a person would ever be willing to pay 30,000 for a square foot. I have no doubts now. So there I was, standing in the balcony, sipping good old kingfisher, six cans of it, and when I felt that I had moved upto the 20th floor, I realised that it was time for me to step back a little awayfrom the balcony. To end this beautiful week, I had my cousin sister, Dolly didi coming down to India, I would get to see my youngest 'bhanja', Kush. It was awesome meeting them today. This Diwali is going to be a lot of fun, with so many of my relatives at home.As ironical as it may sound, through the process of writing this blog, I have realised that there was a part with in me which actually wanted this week to end, for the coming week sounds like even more fun......well what can I say? Some may call me selfish........but I call it................... 'ONLY HUMAN'.

Omkara, Om...om....om....om, Omkara!!!!!!!!!

wow!!!! no points for guessing what this blog is going to be about. .......The Bhardwaj beauty, has to be. So here it goes; after a lot of efforts and persuasion, I finally made up my mind to go and watch 'Omkara'. I shall confess here, it was not my original plan though. Come Tuesday, and i had the maps laid for a quick getaway to 'Alibaug'. For all the non-mumbaiites, it is a quiet beach about 100 kms from mumbai which offers breathtaking views, is serene......now don’t tell me you bought that. Well, that's how a travel book would describe it. In simple words, for college guys and a lot many more adults, it is the closest place where you can be farthest from your parents and in close proximity to some fermenting sugar-cane juice. Get it? Anyways, it did not materialise and there I was staring into 'The Times', not for a job, but for a ‘time-filler’. My eyes scampered through the 'kaale akshar bhais baraabar' and finally I spotted my target. Cinemax, Sion......12:30. The movie was on guys. Before I knew it, I was sitting there, in a modest little theatre with a capacity of about 40 people. Like every other guy, I was hoping that the seat next to me would be taken by some one like..ahem...well u know, how it is...don’t you? This feeling prevailed most prominently when the national anthem was played, for obvious reasons. But believe me guys, from the moment 'Langda Tyagi' dominated the canvas, there was no way i was going to have my mind swaying or my hands working meticulously like a popcorn feeding machine. I was there physically, transcended mentally to this Village in Madhyapradesh. There were moments when I felt uncomfortable in my apparel, times when I felt like sitting with my legs crossed, or with my one foot firmly planted on the seat just ahead of me. That is the effect that ‘Omkara’ has on you. You expect to get a ‘Taangaa’ or a ‘Vikram’, and not a cab back home, once u step out of the hall. The direction is fantastic, not for a blink does the director sway from his script. The cinematography is spell-bounding too. Not for a second can one doubt the existence of the Village eventhough there is no mention in particular about its geographical details and the Socio-political scene, which one can relate to real life. The casting has to have a special mention. It almost seems perfect, but for Bipasha (I am sorry Bips, if you are reading this; I am not your ardent fan). Now coming to the man whole stole the show. Any guesses? SAIF-ALLLLLLLI-KHAN. He has literally acted out of his skin. The best compliment that I can give him would be, that I came out of the hall hating the character and loving Saif. I will be honest with you all; I had not heard the music of the film much. I only got hold of it recently and have been hooked on to it ever since. Whether its ‘beedi’ or the title track, it has got a whiff of difference and the lyrics, well they are by Gulzar. That says it all. Amongst all the songs, there is one particular one which just gave me a stroke. The lyrics of that song are a part of this post. Read them as you listen to the song, I am sure the connoisseurs of the actual Indian vocal chords would have a few strands on their hands pointing skywards. To sum it up, go watch Omkara, not just because the matinee show is cheap….just kidding. But for a simple reason that it is a power pack of some great performances, great music and good direction.


P.S. for the paparazzi, I had no hot babe sitting next to me for the 3 hrs that I was in there. So better watch out for what you write in our next edition.
CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lyrics of 'Naina'- Omkara


nainon ki mat maaniyo re
nainon ki mat suniyo
nainon ki mat maaniyo re
nainon ki mat suniyo
nainon ki mat suniyo re
naina thag lenge - 2 thag lenge naina thag lenge
naina thag lenge thag lenge naina thag lenge
jagte jaadu phukenge re jagte jagte jaadu
jagte jaadu phukenge re neenden banjar kar denge
naina thag lenge - 2 thag lenge naina thag lenge
naina thag lenge thag lenge naina thag lenge
nainon ki mat maaniyo re


bhala manda dekhe na paraya na saga re
nainon ko toh dasne ka chaska laga re
bhala manda dekhe na paraya na saga re
nainon ko toh dasne ka chaska laga re
nainon ka zehar nasheela re - 4
baadalon mein satrangiyan bonve
bhor talak barsaave
baadalon mein satrangiyan bonve
naina baanvra kar denge
naina thag lenge - 2 thag lenge naina thag lenge
naina thag lenge thag lenge naina thag lenge -2


naina raat ko chalte chalte swargan mein le jaave
megh malhaar ke sapne dije hariyali dikhlave
naina raat ko chalte chalte swargan mein le jaave
megh malhaar ke sapne dije hariyali dikhlave
nainon ki zubaan pe bharosa nahi aata
likhad parakh na rasid na khaata
nainon ki zubaan pe bharosa nahi aata
likhad parakh na rasid na khaata saari baat hamari - 2
bin baadal barsaaye saawan saawan bin barsaata
bin baadal barsaaye saawan naina baanwara kar denge
naina thag lenge - 2 thag lenge naina thag lenge
nainon ki mat maaniyo re
nainon ki mat suniyo
nainon ki mat suniyo re
naina thag lenge
jagte jaadu phukenge re jagte jagte jaadu
jagte jaadu phukenge re neenden banjar kar denge
naina thag lenge - 2 thag lenge naina thag lenge
naina thag lenge thag lenge naina thag lenge -2
naina

changing orbits!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all. This post comes after a long sabbatical, which I must confess, was self imposed. I hope in the weeks that flew by, there were a few prospective readers who clicked on my blog space…..in hope at least. Well at least I would like to presume so, for that sure is a motivation. Anyways, the last few days have been what I would like to describe as a “Bhelpuri” experience. I had the opportunity to set my foot or rather attempt to do so on Mumbai’s most priced possession-the Local Train. Ironical as it may seem, amidst the blaring decibel levels and the commotion, I found a hell of a lot of time for doing what I do best-‘Abstract Thinking’. I don’t know why, but I felt the sanest one around, for I kept quiet when someone stole from me, what should have been my seat or when I got pushed and swirled around seamlessly, not just about the three geometrical axes, but about a lot many imaginary ones. I couldn’t help but look at things around me in slow motion. Quite like the Indian hero with the camera in his face, observant, quiet and elated too at the same time, for I knew that the seed had been sown. I had got the subject for my brain to ponder over and I knew that I was assured of a joy ride. It is like the game of roulette, u never know when and where the ball would to a halt. This time around, I couldn’t help but think about the similarity in a human and the functioning of the universe. I started thinking about both the happy and the sad group of people that I had come across in my life. Have you ever tried thinking about what separates or defines the boundaries of someone being happy and the other not? I know it is not as simple, but then again, mind rarely thinks about the things which are simple to decipher. A simple concept which according to my limited experience and understanding is common between the two is the presence of a nucleus or a sun. I observed in the lot of people that I had in my mind, that the happy ones had a nucleus or something so cherished, that their life revolved around it. On the whole, it was a system, of things revolving around each other, quite like our solar system or a simple atom. After this self realization or so I thought, I stepped out of the train and had to scamper out. Days passed and I was back to thinking about what guys do best….bikes, cars, food, girls. But then, fate had its own dice to throw. I was watching this show on discovery, which discussed about the origin of life and related topics. That was it. Have you ever had that feeling, when the words that are being spoken would have seemed to sound the best had it been your voice? Do some introspection if you have had not…lol….just kidding…as for me, I so felt like I was a part of the panel of experts. They discussed about the same concept, but in detail ofcourse….That’s why they rare on T.V.
They talked about how this assumption could help answer a lot many questions about the universe. The talk revolved around the need for a sense of purpose and how it could be achieved. The most positive part about the conversation was the 'assumption about the search for a nucleus being a temporary phase'. Instead of traveling in light years, how a simple thing could resolve such a complex issue. The answer is ‘Introspection’. What lies common to the working of the universe and life itself could help in application of what’s true for humans on to the understanding of the universe. I know some of you might be bored by now; some lucky ones might not have come so far and a few who could understand what I was trying to put across would like to share their comments. This post may seem to lack a sense of completion, but then so is the very question. I am still thinking about the whole concept and would love to share my thoughts about the same as and when I have something interesting ……I would love to hear any comments or suggestions about the content as well as the style of writing .After all, I am here to learn……………………...cheers!!!!!!


P.S Hearty congratulations to my dearest friend Arun for cracking his gre….he did a brilliant job of scoring a massive 1370…start bloggin, that’s all I got to say Mr T.P.S!!!!

Finally!!!!

Hello everybody!!!

Let me introduce myself first. My name is Sharad Raj, which by now, you must have guessed. I hail down from the beautifull hills of Mussoorie, so you will often find me bragging about the undiscovered beauty and also find me a little austentatious at times about the same. I am here for several reasons, not that i suddenly discovered a impending drive to write with in me, but primarily because i was running out of dated diaries. My biggest motivation to write here apart from just penning down my thoughts and expressions is to overcome my laziness. I ain't a fluent writer, but thats partly because my thought process and my writing skills are generally out of phase. So, here I am, raising a toast to my very own blog. Hope this new found endeavour proves to be a decisive tool to hone a few skills along with a good medium for providing some entertainment.........cheers !!!!!