Kush Srivastava's Blog, page 45

The Unpredictability of Life

How life can change in a matter of couple of seconds has been demonstrated so often in our movies/TV serials? Yet, we don't really seem to comprehend the meaning behind the same. Although, one would want to argue that everything that's being shown on the celluloid is nothing but an expression of fiction, yet more often than not, these portraits are a reflection of our society/life/incidents that have actually occured and are in all senses of the word "real".

Those who have experienced the same would want to acknowledge the fact that its always better to live life to the fullest, because sometimes our destinies don't give us a second chance. And sometimes, by the time one realizes the importance of not letting their egos take control over one's persona, its too late.

After all ego is but a manifestation of the ultimate, whom we all refer to as God, of course referred via different names in different religions and as is aptly said in Bhagvad Gita, there is nothing that is not controlled by the almighty.

Sometimes, I wonder, whether life is really unpredictable or is it just our naiveness about the same that makes us all believe the unpredictable nature of the very same thing that we live day-in-day-out.

Source for Image: http://noor-ul-ainhanif.blogspot.in/2011/02/life-is-unpredictable.html

A Different World Altogether

To experience a thing is very different from just knowing about it. This realization came to me in the famous Malihadabi baghs of mangoes, where I happened to make a trip yesterday.

It all started like a fairytale, when I, along with a couple of friends, decided to venture out amidst the green and lustrous habitat. And soon I was surrounded by tall trees which were preparing themselves to amaze us all by their sheer elegance and strength.

The pleasure of visiting the baghs soon turned into a delight when I met a person who has given all his life to these mangoes. A person, surprisingly not known to many, even after being awarded the Padma Shree for his contribution, dedication and love for mango and it's cultivation. A person, who is lovingly called baba by the locals. Yes, I am talking about none other than Shree Kaleem Ullah Khan.

After a gripping session of sharing opinions and views, we decided to tread the same route back to where it all started. While returning, the only thing that occupied my mind was that how amazingly different the whole perception of life is from what I, or for that matter, anyother person in cities perceive it to be.

How different life would be if I wasn't born the same way as I am?

Source for Image: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Earth

The Economics of a Marriage

It is very strange for me as a person to label the topic as such, but I couldn't help it, courtesy the prevailing ethos and norms in our society. The word "economics" which is supposed to be associated with the business terminology seems to have derailed its course and is now seen to be used with things that were supposed to be an altogether different category.

Come the time, and the bride's parents are all tensed up as to how they will be able to fulfil the ever increasing demands from the bridegroom's side, let alone the expectations. Sometimes the parents go to the extent of putting their assets at stake in order to give their best.

Sometimes I wonder whether this display of materialistic wealth in order to either please their relatives or to meet the expectations of the bridegroom's family, is really worth it. After all, the marriage was not intended to be such or was it? Why can't the people keep it simple and sober? Why there has to be a DJ every time?

My advice to all youngsters out there would be: its good to celebrate and have fun, but not at the cost of someone's helplessness and misery. We, as youngsters, are the ones who can change the entire dynamics of the ceremony. By the way who's stopping us?

So, let good sense and happiness prevail and let us make this occasion a blessed one rather than a personification of demonstration of wealth.

Source for Image: http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-brazil-pips-uk-as-worlds-sixth-largest-economy/20111227.htm

A Million Dollar Dream

In our country, how many times have we heard kids say: "I want to become a doctor"; "I want to become an engineer"? And on such assertions how many times we have seen parents go gaga over their child's thought. But there is another category of kids who might want to become astronauts or sportsperson or a scientist and how many times we have seen parents discouraging their child for the same.

As a result, those who want to become doctors and engineers gain in confidence as they are well supported by their parents and grandparents. But what about those who end up pursuing a career which they would not have otherwise. And when they fail in the same forced choice that they had to make because of their parents, then it is the parents themselves who resort to every unwanted means of abuse without realizing the real cause behind such failure.

Some parents that I have had the pleasure to talk to come up with reasons saying that children are very naive at such a tenderly age and they just say it without giving it much  thought. True to some extent, but isn't it the responsibility of parents to give their child some kind of exposure to the field that they tend to like without looking into the payoffs of the same. Trust me; it is the confidence you instil in the child as a parent and the faith that you are there for the child can do wonders for the child and his/her career.

It is the duty and responsibility of every parent to help their child find a career which would ultimately make the child happy, not just because of the compensation, but also because of the kind of work that he/she will be doing. Of course, not everyone can become a Sachin Tendulkar or a Lata Mangeshkar, but at least we, as parents, can try to do the best we can for the child's love for the field in which he/she might dream to pursue a career.

One of the problems with letting the child go his/her way is that parents are marred by this insecurity arising from fear of failure and it arises due to the lack of exposure on part of the parents themselves. How wonderful it would be if there was someone out there who could help the parents get rid of their insecurity by preparing a complete, logical, and easy to understand plan for the development of the child, one who could help the parents look into the future, one who could show the potential their child has and the one who could help their child realize his/her potential.

At the end it's all about fulfilling that goal/aim, a dream that parents see for their child, a dream that a child sees for himself/herself and how wonderful it would be if the two can be made to converge.

I know a guy who does just the above. He is no ordinary guy. A graduate from IIT Delhi and a richly experienced professional with loads of experience in India and US, a very nice and down to earth person to interact with and on top of all, a parent who is concerned about the future of his own kids like any other parent, he is all too aware of what goes on in a parent's mind. So, all parents out there, how about giving this guy a chance, a chance that will shape your kids' destinies, a chance which will help mould your kids' careers and most important of all will make your kids really happy.

It is my pleasure to introduce this guy to you. His name is Mr. Umesh Gurnani (http://leagstar.com/). I would like to wish him all the best for the wonderful initiative that he has taken.

Source for Image: http://www.eso-garden.com/index.php?/weblog/C37/

The Road Trip Ends

It was only after traveling for a good 2500 km that this road trip came to its final destination at 7 a.m. this very morning. Tired like hell, I decided to throw myself on the bed and it was only after sleeping for nearly 8 hours, I realized that what happened in the last couple of days was something very different and special.

The experience can never be replicated and it was in all senses of the word a life-time experience. Ranging from skiing my way through the ocean of snow to driving on the incredible snow-covered roads, coupled with the night walks in the beautiful valleys and having some really good fun with my friends, this trip was indeed a wonderful way to discover the magic of the amazing terrains that our country has been bestowed with.

It was not that we didn't have some close shaves or didn't encounter problems. Once our car got stuck in the snow and stopped listening to the whims of our driver. What followed was a panic on his part, but with some help from the locals, we could manage to come out clear of the situation.

But isn't it a part of life to have some good days and some bad? In the end what matters is how you would want to think about the scenario as a whole. And with the kind of positive frame of mind that we all were in, allz seemed well .

As I conclude my trip and move on, I would ever cherish this trip as one of the best experiences that I have ever had. It was truly an amazing self discovering journey.

Source for Image: http://derek4messiah.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/trevin-waxs-ephesians-road-expanded/

The Road Trip Continues

I expected it to be great but didn't have the slightest of cues that it would turn out to be awesome. The road trip which began 52 hours earlier culminated in this mesmerizing scene which I can very well describe as jannat.

We found ourselves in the midst of mountains and trees all covered in snow and trust me we couldn't resist ourselves from taking a plunge in the ocean of snow in the pristine evironment provided to us by our very own Solang Valley, some 12 km from Manali main market.

What followed was a child like display of fun and excitement while floating on this ocean with the help of skiing equipment. As if the skiing session was enough, we had to engage ourselves in some snow sports.

I have just come back to my hotel room and am just wonderig whether what I did and saw today was a reality. On second thoughts, I need to stop wondering and step out again on the streets of Manali where the winter carnival is waiting for me to rock the city .

Source for Image: http://www.sunrisevilla.in/psnowfall.htm

Road Trip Begins Tomorrow

I have never done it in India before this and I am bound to get excited about it. Yes, it all begins today. A road trip that I had always dreamt about is finally becoming a reality. With a couple of friends I will be out there on the highways trying to rediscover myself.

What I will do, what I want to do, where all we will stay, how much time we would spend at a place? Nothing is known, but one thing is for sure, it is gonna be a life changing experience.

I would want to go on writing about it as I am too excited about this wonderful journey. But, hey! It's time to leave . Bon Journee .

Source for Image: http://deinha1974.deviantart.com/art/Road-to-Heaven-79138169

The Writers Dilemma

Yesterday, I happened to meet one of the writers in town and was surprised to know the plight of writers when it comes to earning their living. Not everyone is able to become a Chetan Bhagat who's novels are sold like a Shahrukh Khan first day first show movie tickets.

Most of the writers end up writing a couple of articles in newspapers here and there and they have to work hard for their living by surely taking up a job in some company or the other. As a result they tend to spend lesser and lesser time on the thing they would like to do and are best at i.e. to write and this in turn takes a toll on the quality of writing and creativity.

And that might be the reason why not many writers from India are able to get into the list of literary greats on a World stage. Why is it that the situation is so bad in India and not in western countries? Is this because of the kind of policies pursued by our government? or Is it just because that writers are not given their due and not treated and recognized in a just manner by our industry?

Whatever might be the reason, things surely need to improve and a writer's dilemma between earning a living and producing good literary work needs to be resolved. Is the government and the industry listening?

Source for Image: http://www.online-letter-writer.com/

A Different Era

Yesterday night, I decided to embark upon a journey unheard off and unseen by at least the present generation. And trust me, I wasn't disappointed.

If you are wondering as to hows this possible and how I could manage to do so, then I will relieve you of your curiosity. It was the sheer artistic display of creativity that enthralled me all through while I was watching this night show of this movie called Sherlock Holmes.

Indeed, a very witty and clever portrait of this character, the movie had enough twists and turns to make my friend wonder as to how this could happen. It is not that he didn't have the wits to comprehend the same, but he was a bit sleepy and I can give him the benefit of doubt for not being able to discover the magic .

Having said that, I was wide awake to witness the detective demonstrate his intelligence in as apt a manner as possible, finding clues that we, as ordinary people wouldnt be able to. All in all a very fast paced and interesting watch.

When I see such movies, I cant help but wonder about the prospects of me born in such an era. The life would have been totally different.

Have you ever felt the same? Have you ever wondered how life would be like if it was not what is today and was, say, 200 years back in some place in Western Europe? Would we be more happy during that era or has happiness nothing to do with the timeline?

At the end of the day, it is all about making the present count so that the future could blossom. What do you think?

Source for Image: http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2011/09/adjusting-your-job-search-strategy-time-to-make-a-change.html

The Usual

Its amazing how soon things come back to the normal and once again Monday mornings are asking us to move our butts towards our offices, especially now when we are still trying to get over our party mode and the hangover which was but a consequence of the same.

The first thought that comes in mind is, can we take another day off? And then our bosses' image appears in front of our closed eyes and we have no option but to leave the cosy enclosures of our bed.

Slowly, we leave our beds and if we happen to live in the Northern or even Central part of India, then we would hate the thought of taking a shower in this extreme cold weather. But do we really have an option? Of course not, we have some beautiful divas waiting for us in the place we all called as office. How can we disappoint them? or can we?

And here we are all set to take our baby steps towards the arena representing our professional World. On second thoughts, its not so bad.

At the end of the day, thats what life is all about. You work, you earn, you have fun and then you return back to working. Its a complete cycle. Isn't it?

Source for Image: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/MP900438383.aspx