Hi all...
A string of Questions and thoughts when I had a minute to spare.
Which I though I Should share!!
I call it
'Graduated Thoughts!!'
Am I craving for fun!?
Or is it just an illusion?
A mirage caused by the dry run?
A wanting to set right all confusion?
Is it what the heart really wants?
A walk by the beach or a trek up a hill?
'Yes-No-Yes-No' fills my head as the heart chants
Is it trickery or something to fulfill?
I'd ask again on another day, to do or not to do
But I doubt the reply I'd give myself to be really true
But do I really care? I don't think so!
I'm like time, so steady, so constant! So flush these thoughts into the loo!
A posting after aeons! Hope it keeps coming!
Later,
Aswath Prabhakar
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
SHOTS OF THE FREELANCER
i've been wantin to post these pics earlier, but got time jus now.
FROM MY TERRACE
AT AN ANGLE
YET ANOTHER SHOT!!!
PICTURE PERFECT!!!
THE HIDING SUN
THE EVENIN SKIES
NO PHOTOSHOP INVOLVED!!!
LOOK AT THE HUES!!!
FROM MY TERRACE
AT AN ANGLE
YET ANOTHER SHOT!!!
PICTURE PERFECT!!!
THE HIDING SUN
THE EVENIN SKIES
NO PHOTOSHOP INVOLVED!!!
LOOK AT THE HUES!!!
THE TRIP TO THE HOLY HILL
Hello ppl.. good to be bloggin after such a long time… I blame my laziness for this delay (or rather this long break). Well, exams are over. Am into my final yr of engineering. Campus recruitment wil be here soon. Big stage of life (some say so!!) 
As am listenin to 4mins of Madonna-Justin timberland (gr8 song-u ppl shud hear it too!!) am gonna write bout my trip to Thiruvannamalai for girivalam. I don recognize myself as a highly devout person, of course I believe in god but the prime reason I went on this trip was a sense of adventure it would offer.
This plan was initiated by Kaarthic Vadivel- my friend. This wasn’t his 1st. this wasn’t my 1st either. I had gone for girivalam bout a decade back I think (must hav been 9yrs old then). But tat was wit family. This was to be wit my friends- Kaarthic Vadivel, Ashwin Venkatachalam, Vijay, Nellai a.k.a Hari.
Am including the timing details cuz I took pains in notin them down!!
The ride inside the city was bad as usual. Too much of traffic, honkin of loud horns, a couple of accidents!!!
THE TEMPLE GOPURAM-SHOT AT NIGHT WIT MY
It was a 16km path. On an average of 4km per hour, I assumed tat it’ll be over in 4hrs time. We visited each of the 8 lingams(worship forms of Lord Shiva) on the way. It was chitraa pournami. So, doin girivalam on tat day was spl, I was told. The moon was too brilliant at tat time. The pathway was well lighted. We were never alone even for a second. There would either be other people who came for the girivalam or the shopkeepers who formed the border of the road.
One sad fact was tat there were too many shops. They were playin songs( many were spiritual n some were film nos). the shops were mostly relatin to food- tender coconut, cool drinks, fruits n others, or cassette shops. There was clear degradation of the envt. Plastic cups n plates strewn almost everywhere, coconut shells n straws were in heaps. If only the govt could do something to prevent these ppl from pollutin the place.
THE HOLY HILL-THIRUVANNAMALAI
Me n ash started walkin home from there. Nellai n vijay went to catch a bus to t nagar.
Monday, June 25, 2007
qWIk tHOuGHT
JUDAS-THE BEST KNOWN (TO ME)EXAMPLE FOR A TRAITOR.
SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH-LOYALITE TILL THE END(HIS END)
BOTH TREACHERY AND LOYALTY LEAD TO DEATH.
IT MIGHT SOUND AS A SIMILARITY BUT THE FINE LINE BETWEEN THEM IS, TREACHERY MAKES YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER PERSON'S LIFE WHILE LOYALTY MAKES YOU GIVE YOUR'S UP....
Saturday, June 23, 2007
JAI JAWAN
The India Gate in
Hi friends. Waking up on Sunday morning (24th
Ever thought about what a dying man thinks? And what will it be if the man was a soldier? Well, I just imagined a bit and concluded that he thinks the way I wrote.
Presenting to you,
The Words of a Fallen Soldier
Written: 24.06.07
Day: Sunday
Began writing:
Finished writing:
I can feel the wind, I can feel the sun
I seek not to remember the deeds I’ve done.
I was brave in many battles fought,
But in the end I’ve killed a lot.
I run through my life from the day I was born
Till today where my body lays, torn
With minutes left and pulses down
I smile at my destiny with a little frown.
I lived away from family and friends
To make a country keep pace with trends
Keeping the border safe from foes
I weep to God for my never ending woes.
The final battle looms, so large
I am apprehensive to give the charge
Not because am opposite of being brave
But because of the fear of being the reason for new graves.
Now that it has begun, there is nothing to rue
All I’ve got o do is fight, fight, fight
In a second of slack I let a bullet through
And realized, to open Heavens door, I have got rights.
This is the path I’ve chosen
This is the life I’ve lived
But all these years I’ve had my emotions frozen
For killing makes you heart go numb, in that I believed.
Think about the countless jawans who died/dying/will die, for our safety. Freedom comes at a price, a price that’s too big to be paid. Yet to survive and to sustain we need to pay the price. Honor their sacrifice. Wish them luck and pray for their safety.
‘Jai Jawan’.
Friday, June 22, 2007
BOOK REVIEW- THE SICILIAN
Long time since I wrote a book review. This time too, its one of Mario Puzo’s books- The Sicilian (the first one was his ‘The Godfather’). I never cease to wonder at his knowledge about the Mafia. Maybe he fantasized them. This book can actually be taken as a sub-plot in ‘The Godfather’. I say so because the major characters in the former book make their presence felt in this book, namely, Michael Corleone, Peter Clemenza and The Don- Vito Corleone himself. But they aren’t the characters around which the book is centered.
Those credits go to the following characters,
- Salvatore ‘Turi’ Guiliano,
- Aspanu Pisciotta,
- Don Croce,
- Professor Hector Adonis,
- Stefano Andolini- Fra Diavalo ( Brother Devil),
- Terranova,
- Passatrmpo,
- Canio Silvestro,
- The Abbot- Manfredi,
- Justina,
- La Venera,
- Maria Lombardo,
- Inspector Velardi,
14. Minister Trezza
And many more.
The story revolves around the life of Salvatore Guiliano, also known as Turi. It’s about how Turi grew from being a good natured kid to a feared bandit, A Sicilian Robin Hood. He and his chiefs- Aspanu, Andolini, Terranova, Passatempo and Silvestro loot the rich and feed the poor. Although some of his chiefs had views that were different from his, he was able to command respect from them.
Don Croce, the head of The Friends of the Friends (an organization of all the mafia groups) commanded the 6 local mafia chiefs, namely, Don Siano from Bisacquino, Don Arzana of Piani dei Greci, Don Piddu of Caltanissetta, Don Marcuzzi of Villamura, Don Bucilla of Partinico and Guido Quintana of Montelepre.
The author shows his mettle by showing a crystal clear picture of Sicilian ways of life, their peoples’ nature during the end of WWII. The realistic description of the towns, the terrain surrounding them, the mountains etc. make the book even more interesting.
The Don and Turi aren’t on the best of terms to start with. But later they combine forces but Turi is tricked by the Don. Finally, Turi is forced to leave
This, we remember as the storyline of ‘The Godfather’.
Treachery, loyalty, love and affection form the crux of the book. I put treachery first because it was to be the final undoing for Turi. The end is tragic- Guiliano dies, killed by his cousin/ best friend/ second-in-command, Aspanu.
Overall the book is very good, but second only to The Godfather (as of now, because I haven’t read The Last Don)
The book is so famous it finds itself in the wikipaedia. Chk out the link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sicilian
As in the case of The Godfather, The Sicilian too was made as a movie.
For details of the movie visit the below link.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093966/
The cast of the film.
Christopher Lambert ... Salvatore Giuliano
Terence Stamp ... Prince Borsa
Joss Ackland ... Don Masino Croce
John Turturro ... Pisciotta
Richard Bauer ... Hector Adonis
Barbara Sukowa ... Camilla, Duchess of
Giulia Boschi ... Giovanna Ferra
Ray McAnally ... Trezza
Barry Miller ... Dr. Nattore
Andreas Katsulas ... Passatempa
Michael Wincott ... Cpl. Silvestro Canio
Derrick Branche ... Terranova
Richard Venture ... Cardinal of
Ramon Bieri ... Quintana
Stanko Molnar ... Silvio Ferra
See u later with another review...bye.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
TEN COMMANDMENTS!!!!
Hi friends,
Long time since I updated my blog. The reasons for that are pretty simple. One is that I had no idea what to write about. And the second is that I was too lazy to sit and think (am in my hols).
Suddenly I thought that I should write about some of the policies to be followed in life (also some facts to be known), not that am a perfectionist and a ‘know-all’ guy…. But I think we can try to be perfect by following some principles (we always get credits for trying!!!) …. If not follow them, at least know them…
1. There are 2 kinds’ pf people in this world.
One set of people are those from whom we can learn how to live. The other set of people from whom we can learn how not to live.
So stop complaining about how bad a person is!!!
2. There are 2 other kinds of people too. They are the brilliant people and the genius people.
Brilliant people are those who learn from their mistakes.
Genius people are those who learn from others’ mistakes.
So try being a genius!!
3. If u think we live among people you are only partly correct. We also live among lots of expectations.
We are prone to face disappointments if we expect things from others.
So keep it simple…. Don’t expect anything from others but keep yourself open to others’ expectations.
4. ‘Some things’ in life need luck. Here, ‘some things’ is very few. Most things, to be achieved need hard work. There is no supplement for hard work. Going by the words of Thiruvalluvar… even if god fails to give u success, the amount of work you put in will definitely deliver you to the gates of success.
So, come on…. work hard!!!
5. When you start to work, keep your mind free of other issues. Like, when you’re driving a car, don’t listen to music or talk. Because it diverts your concentration and you end up less efficient, i.e. you end up spending more time and energy than what is actually required to do the work.
So focus!!!
6. Don’t procrastinate. Never put things away to be done later. Be prompt in whatever you do. Example: A man plans to build a house (am not picking on anyone!!), but the plan is yet to take off. 2 years pass away and the plan is finally seen taking shape. But the cost involved in building the house is more than what it would have taken 2 years back. (50kg cement cost Rs.165 2 years back and now it’s about Rs.220-240!!).[SOURCE: PROPERTY PLUS-HINDU]
So never put things off!!!
7. Never do planning for the distant future. Because if you do so and you aren’t able to execute it as planned, there are chances of you feeling defeated. On the other hand you can have short term goals, which are easier to realize. Maybe, as time goes by you can have long term goals and plan ahead. But to start with you always have to keep it simple.
The same applies to resolutions too!!!
8. Learn to say ‘NO’ (of course, not in all cases). You are never in a position to oblige each and every person you come across. Prioritize. Know whom to help and whom not to (or help later).
9. ‘Talk less and work more’ is a well known proverb. The point is, if you work more don’t talk about it at all!! To make it clearer, don’t have any self pity or don’t blow your own trumpet (you can take it either way or even both!).
I have somehow racked my brain to write these 9 points. But I want to make it 10 so that it looks like a ‘ten commandments’ sort of stuff. So… here is the 10th point,
10. The above written will merely be gibberish or just words unless you put them to practice or heed by them. So try doing so.
All the best.
Long time since I updated my blog. The reasons for that are pretty simple. One is that I had no idea what to write about. And the second is that I was too lazy to sit and think (am in my hols).
Suddenly I thought that I should write about some of the policies to be followed in life (also some facts to be known), not that am a perfectionist and a ‘know-all’ guy…. But I think we can try to be perfect by following some principles (we always get credits for trying!!!) …. If not follow them, at least know them…
1. There are 2 kinds’ pf people in this world.
One set of people are those from whom we can learn how to live. The other set of people from whom we can learn how not to live.
So stop complaining about how bad a person is!!!
2. There are 2 other kinds of people too. They are the brilliant people and the genius people.
Brilliant people are those who learn from their mistakes.
Genius people are those who learn from others’ mistakes.
So try being a genius!!
3. If u think we live among people you are only partly correct. We also live among lots of expectations.
We are prone to face disappointments if we expect things from others.
So keep it simple…. Don’t expect anything from others but keep yourself open to others’ expectations.
4. ‘Some things’ in life need luck. Here, ‘some things’ is very few. Most things, to be achieved need hard work. There is no supplement for hard work. Going by the words of Thiruvalluvar… even if god fails to give u success, the amount of work you put in will definitely deliver you to the gates of success.
So, come on…. work hard!!!
5. When you start to work, keep your mind free of other issues. Like, when you’re driving a car, don’t listen to music or talk. Because it diverts your concentration and you end up less efficient, i.e. you end up spending more time and energy than what is actually required to do the work.
So focus!!!
6. Don’t procrastinate. Never put things away to be done later. Be prompt in whatever you do. Example: A man plans to build a house (am not picking on anyone!!), but the plan is yet to take off. 2 years pass away and the plan is finally seen taking shape. But the cost involved in building the house is more than what it would have taken 2 years back. (50kg cement cost Rs.165 2 years back and now it’s about Rs.220-240!!).[SOURCE: PROPERTY PLUS-HINDU]
So never put things off!!!
7. Never do planning for the distant future. Because if you do so and you aren’t able to execute it as planned, there are chances of you feeling defeated. On the other hand you can have short term goals, which are easier to realize. Maybe, as time goes by you can have long term goals and plan ahead. But to start with you always have to keep it simple.
The same applies to resolutions too!!!
8. Learn to say ‘NO’ (of course, not in all cases). You are never in a position to oblige each and every person you come across. Prioritize. Know whom to help and whom not to (or help later).
9. ‘Talk less and work more’ is a well known proverb. The point is, if you work more don’t talk about it at all!! To make it clearer, don’t have any self pity or don’t blow your own trumpet (you can take it either way or even both!).
I have somehow racked my brain to write these 9 points. But I want to make it 10 so that it looks like a ‘ten commandments’ sort of stuff. So… here is the 10th point,
10. The above written will merely be gibberish or just words unless you put them to practice or heed by them. So try doing so.
All the best.
Friday, February 09, 2007
MY TWO LINERS
i have this habit of creating these two liners whenver i want.
some might be silly,but i hope u enjoy reading them.
also oly two ppl in de world wrote/writes 2 liners(couplets)
one is thiruvalluvar n the other is me!!
(plz don get mad)
1:
sleep without a worry...for all mistakes i ask a sorry
tom chases jerry..be always merry!
2:
dont say bye to a poor poor guy
n dont forget me as time flies by.
3:
dont blame fate..for its not too late..
open the oppurtunity gate..n u will succeed well before date.
4:
the day begins as the sun stares into the sky
the birds all thru the blue skies fly
dont ever let ur life go dry
n never never give up without one more try.
5:
music keeps me company
i forget woes in its symphony
my thoughts are crowded by many
n i dont fear any!
6:
dont make me a fool
for i dont follow a rule
now..dont u think thats cool??!!
MORE TO CUM...
WAT???
U WANT ME TO STOP??
NOT UNLESS THIRUVALLUVAR HIMSELF ASKS ME TO!!!!
some might be silly,but i hope u enjoy reading them.
also oly two ppl in de world wrote/writes 2 liners(couplets)
one is thiruvalluvar n the other is me!!
(plz don get mad)
1:
sleep without a worry...for all mistakes i ask a sorry
tom chases jerry..be always merry!
2:
dont say bye to a poor poor guy
n dont forget me as time flies by.
3:
dont blame fate..for its not too late..
open the oppurtunity gate..n u will succeed well before date.
4:
the day begins as the sun stares into the sky
the birds all thru the blue skies fly
dont ever let ur life go dry
n never never give up without one more try.
5:
music keeps me company
i forget woes in its symphony
my thoughts are crowded by many
n i dont fear any!
6:
dont make me a fool
for i dont follow a rule
now..dont u think thats cool??!!
MORE TO CUM...
WAT???
U WANT ME TO STOP??
NOT UNLESS THIRUVALLUVAR HIMSELF ASKS ME TO!!!!
THIS WORLD IS TOUGH TO LIVE IN!!
what good is this world with a few good men and fewer good women?
what good is it when all is money driven?
when hunger and poverty plague the poor,
the rich and powerful make merry
well..this is the truth,so sour
that makes me burn with fury.
why is it this way?an imbalance of nature?
watever..if it persists,there is no future!
lets join hands to cover this hole
and let people party pole to pole
-Aswath Prabhakar
Date:09.02.07
Time:06.05am
what good is it when all is money driven?
when hunger and poverty plague the poor,
the rich and powerful make merry
well..this is the truth,so sour
that makes me burn with fury.
why is it this way?an imbalance of nature?
watever..if it persists,there is no future!
lets join hands to cover this hole
and let people party pole to pole
-Aswath Prabhakar
Date:09.02.07
Time:06.05am
Friday, December 15, 2006
the return of the scientist!!!
Hi ppl…
I couldn update my blog cos of an emergency situation.
Emergency???
What’s tat??!!...One might wonder…
EXAMS….anyone can think of a situation worse than that??
WAR OF WORDS???- A TRAGI-COMEDY
-Aswath.P
One of the world’s biggest artificial disasters that happens every year, but goes unnoticed, is the
Every man has ‘a’ breaking point in life.
But an engineering student has 8 n not jus one breaking point.
Don’t understand??
I am referring to the 8 semester exams an engineer has to take to get the ‘coveted’ (no sarcasm meant!!)
BE degree…
After months of hard work*, the warrior (henceforth the student will be called so…for all the trials they face …with courage n determination) goes into the exam hall with a reputation to save.
I think that an AU student must be given an MBA degree at the end of the 4 years of study.
Why??
Come on…I have my reasons…
1. He learns about team work while mass bunking classes
2. He learns HR management when he splits assignments with others.
3. He learns time management by keeping a perfect 75% attendance needed to take the sem exams.
4. And finally…he learns crisis management during times of disaster (exams!!)
Three cheers to the AU warrior who can take on the world’s worst catastrophe without any fear or hesitancy.
He, who takes on the worst,
Will come to the top, up first
He, who survives the hours- numbered 3
At the end, will reign free
He, who rises before the sun,
Will break the jinx like fun
Hats off to the AU warrior
For his deeds we wish n cheer.
Friday, October 20, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK NAME: THE GODFATHER
AUTHOR: MARIO PUZO
‘The Godfather’ is a book about a mafia family-The Corleones of New York. It is set in the period from 1930’s to 1970’s, evident from the fact that the great depression of the 1930’s and the World War II (1939-45) are mentioned for reference.
The story is all about the Corleone family rising to power, facing crisis and reasserting their supremacy over all other mafia families over New York.
The Don a.k.a the Godfather- Vito Corleone is leading the family with the help of loyal men, committed to him, bound to him by friendship. He is no normal mafia guy, no blood-thirst, not the vendetta type. He is a calm but brute force who will do anything to gain the friendship of other people.
Everything goes fine until Sollozzo enters the scene. The Don is shot and injured. Its now left to his sons- Santino, Freddo and Michael to lead the family against several hostile forces. What happens to them forms the rest of the story.
The story is laced heavily with Italian and Sicilian names and words. But that’s the interesting part of the story. You will be awestruck by the power that is wielded by the characters in the story. Also the names of the other families-Tattaglias, Barzini, Zaluchi, Tramonti, Molinari, Panza, Forlenza, Stracci, Cuneo and Falcone make your jaws drop because of the power they weaved. A classic story, told in a masterly way.
You have to note the following characters (they got my attention!!)
Vito corleone (the don)
Santino (son 1)
Michael corleone (son 3)
Clemenza (capo régime 1-captain/commander)
Tessio (capo régime 2)
Tom Haegen (consigliore-councilor)
Kay Adams (wife of Michael)
Connie Corleone (daughter of the don)
Luca Brazi (right hand man of the don-he doesn’t survive long!!)
Rizzi Carlo (husband of Connie)
Jhonny fountane (godson of the don)
Nino (member of the family)
Sollozzo (a dangerous turk)
P.S: I MIGHT HAVE MISSED SOME!!!
AUTHOR: MARIO PUZO
‘The Godfather’ is a book about a mafia family-The Corleones of New York. It is set in the period from 1930’s to 1970’s, evident from the fact that the great depression of the 1930’s and the World War II (1939-45) are mentioned for reference.
The story is all about the Corleone family rising to power, facing crisis and reasserting their supremacy over all other mafia families over New York.
The Don a.k.a the Godfather- Vito Corleone is leading the family with the help of loyal men, committed to him, bound to him by friendship. He is no normal mafia guy, no blood-thirst, not the vendetta type. He is a calm but brute force who will do anything to gain the friendship of other people.
Everything goes fine until Sollozzo enters the scene. The Don is shot and injured. Its now left to his sons- Santino, Freddo and Michael to lead the family against several hostile forces. What happens to them forms the rest of the story.
The story is laced heavily with Italian and Sicilian names and words. But that’s the interesting part of the story. You will be awestruck by the power that is wielded by the characters in the story. Also the names of the other families-Tattaglias, Barzini, Zaluchi, Tramonti, Molinari, Panza, Forlenza, Stracci, Cuneo and Falcone make your jaws drop because of the power they weaved. A classic story, told in a masterly way.
You have to note the following characters (they got my attention!!)
Vito corleone (the don)
Santino (son 1)
Michael corleone (son 3)
Clemenza (capo régime 1-captain/commander)
Tessio (capo régime 2)
Tom Haegen (consigliore-councilor)
Kay Adams (wife of Michael)
Connie Corleone (daughter of the don)
Luca Brazi (right hand man of the don-he doesn’t survive long!!)
Rizzi Carlo (husband of Connie)
Jhonny fountane (godson of the don)
Nino (member of the family)
Sollozzo (a dangerous turk)
P.S: I MIGHT HAVE MISSED SOME!!!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
sania mirza pics...
sania mirza pics
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-1.html
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-2.html
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-3.html
u can get the tennis icon's pic frm these sites listed above....
bye..
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-1.html
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-2.html
http://hqpics4u.blogspot.com/2006/09/sania-mirza-3.html
u can get the tennis icon's pic frm these sites listed above....
bye..
interesting links...
hi ppl...
from now on i will be posting some of the interesting links i come across...
hope u all enjoy them...
this one is of cities n places....
http://www.hinddawn.com/incredible_pages_2/beautiful_colorful_city/index.html
from now on i will be posting some of the interesting links i come across...
hope u all enjoy them...
this one is of cities n places....
http://www.hinddawn.com/incredible_pages_2/beautiful_colorful_city/index.html
Sunday, September 17, 2006
THE TRAVELOUGE
IV EXPERIENCES
Industrial visits are a part of the Anna University curriculum. Every college has to take its students for at least 2 industrial visits. This was my first one.’ First’ in the sense, my first outing with college mates….away from my dear Chennai…away from my dear home….away from my dear family and friends.
The schedule was,
To start on 13th, September, 2006 at 9.45pm by the kaveri express.
To visit places in Mysore, coorg and Bangalore on 14th, 15th, 16th
To leave for Chennai on 16th, September, 2006 at 10.45pm by the kaveri express
Now let’s analyze the days, one by one.
13TH SEPTEMBER, 2006:
This was an irritating day for me. All because of a silly math re-test, not that I flunked the initial one, but because I missed it due to the delay caused by my college bus. My college, being 40km away from Chennai is not easily accessible (includes to and fro journeys).
Finally left college at about 1.30pm,missed a PTC bus, waited in the scotching sun for an hour, finally boarded a bus at 2.40pm, came to my home at 4,tired/exhausted/drained off of all energy, call it whatever!
Then it was time to pack. Heard of the saying ‘less luggage, more comfort’? Well, I never knew that I would realize it only at the end of the trip.
I packed up a suitcase n a bag that can be worn on the shoulder. On the whole, it was a bit heavy, but I never realized it as I would have, in the 3 days that was to follow.
I left for Chennai central station by auto with my mom and dad. On the way it was full of traffic. Reached the station at 8pm.we were asked to wait near a book shop (Higginbothams).
I asked mom and dad to leave. Then on, it was me by myself.
Boarded the train on platform no. 7, train no.6221, coach S11, seat no. 29.
Travel n I have never been good friends. Most of the travels (long distance) have made me sick. This was no exception. Being a person who enjoys silence, I was to experience excitement in person; at sound levels exceeding 100dB (might be an exaggeration).
Such was the atmosphere inside the train. Every one had planned not to sleep thru the journey.
And suddenly a thought/fact struck me. I hadn’t brought my ID card. If the TTR checks for it then I am sure to get a fine. This made me feel even sicker. Somehow I knew I can manage this. So taking it off my mind, I climbed up my birth and slept. The others tried to wake me up, but sensing that I wasn’t feeling well they let me off….for the time being!
14TH SEPTEMBER, 2006:
Through out the journey I kept hearing shouts/cheerings/hootings-generally termed as noise by me. The journey ended with the arrival of the station in Bangalore at 4.30am.I slogged out with my luggage and walked towards the exit. We took our travels bus-a 35 seater, an all boys gang. It had a DVD player and a TV. On the way to Mysore I watched kaakha kaakha- a film.
Good one but I didn’t like it as the heroine dies in the end (I like movies with happy endings).
After the movie I was free to open the screens so that I can see the scenery on the way. The winding roads and the green surroundings was tempting me to write a poem or two, but I had no pen, so I will write on it sometime later.
Came to vyshak international-the hotel we were to stay, at 9.50am. We were to settle down, 4 per room. My room mates were balaji, bharath and arun. All three are my class mates and friends. Room no 411 had a TV and a comfortable bed. We could watch all channels there as the state (Karnataka) had no CAS setup.
I took bath in the freezing water, had breakfast and started for chamundeshwari temple. No cameras were allowed inside, so had to be satisfied with a shot of the gopuram.
The scenic beauty of the place took me by storm. Very calm, peaceful, and more important, green!
The next stop was the world famous Mysore palace. It had an awesome exterior.17th century architecture was better than ours. Golden thrones, silver articles, antiques made of elephant tusks, several paintings-those were the highlights of the palace. The durbar was a big hall with several art works on the walls, ceilings, decorated with several silver framed Belgian mirrors. Here too cameras weren’t allowed inside.
A trip to Mysore is incomplete without visiting this exotic place. Do u get it? I am talking about the Brindavan gardens. The place is a major tourist hub. The weather was cool and a gentle breeze was blowing across the gardens. I took lots of snaps. Although we had to walk a lot the tiredness was never felt. The light and sound show-where the fountains dance to songs, was a visual treat. It was getting dark, so we escorted our class girls to the entrance. Back at the hotel I ate and went to sleep.
15TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
This was to be the most satisfying day of the visit. I took bath, once again in the freezing waters. Ate and checked out of vyshak international. My next destination was Philomena’s church. It looked like the twin towers, or more like the petronas towers in Malaysia. It had painted glass works, bee hives in its high rise areas and an underground chamber where the names of all those who contributed towards its construction was scribed on the walls.
Then came the most interesting and most heavenly experience of the day- the Tibetian settlement. It was an extremely calm and peaceful place. Wheat and sugarcane fields surrounded the settlement. It can be described as heaven on earth. The people there had a monastery, a university and a colony. The monastery was the home for monks; all of them had the traditional robes of red and yellow. Cameras were allowed inside. The main prayer area was a huge hall, with 3 statues, about 20 feet high, made of gold. Near the statues was a golden throne, with a picture of the Dalai Lama on it. Before them were several low level benches for the monks to pray and chant their prayers. The walls were covered with several paintings, all done in recent times. To summarize, it was a country inside a district.
From there it was time for the highlight of the day- Abbi falls. The bus couldn’t go all way to the entrance of the pathway to the falls because the roads were inaccessible for big vehicles. So we had to walk 2.5 to 3km in the rain to the entrance of the pathway. And then onwards another 1km walk downhill to reach the falls. It was a small one-21.3m high. Information about the falls- the daughter of an English governor slipped to her death in the falls. The falls had a bridge in front of it. Standing on it we can feel the spray of the falls. There was a path to lead us to the base of the falls. I didn’t get into the water because it was too cold, yet some of my friends got into it. We took photographs standing on a rock in between the waters, a risky venture! The place was infested with leeches. Many of us got stuck to it. The trip uphill was more exhausting because we had to walk against gravity, against the slope.
Next stop-Raja’s seat. It was just 6.30pm but the thick fog had made visibility close to nil.
The big fog lights kept at the park cast our shadows in the sky. Such was the thickness of the fog!
The sight seeing at mysore is over with raja’s seat. Boarding the travels bus we then proceeded to Bangalore.
16TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
It was 12.15am; we hadn’t had our dinner as yet. We stopped at a restaurant on the
Mysore-Bangalore highway. The place was closed for the day, but on our request they opened it and prepared food for us. Then we came to the bus and slept thru the rest of the journey. We reached Bangalore at 3.30am, checked in at hotel pavana residency and slept again.
I woke up at 7.30am, took bath for once in hot water (my previous ones were cold water baths). Breakfast was taken and we started for accomplishing the goal of our trip- visit an industry. As it was a Saturday CPRI (central power research institute) was working half day only. We went there past noon time, so were denied entry initially. After a prolonged requisition we entered, stayed there for half hour and then came out. Had lunch and started out for ISKON. The security procedure there was a bit too elaborate (must have been the impact of the recent blast at an ISKON rally). It can be described as a heaven amidst a hell (I meant the busy city). We chanted
‘Hare rama hare rama
Rama Rama hare hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna hare hare’
thru out the pathway to the sanctum sanctorum. 108 steps lead the way to it.
Got some mementos there-a poster and a keychain. There were all sorts of eats there, popcorns, doughnuts, pizzas, samosas, veg cakes and many more. Because of lack of time we couldn’t stop for eating.
By that time I had started feeling sick, but I did go along with friends to majestic- a shopping area, like Ranganathan Street in Chennai. The people there were talking in Kannada, so couldn’t do much of bargaining. But I got a t-shirt as a proof of being there to that place.
The walk had made me sicker.
We had to walk to the station, platform no.5, train no.6221, coach S5, seat no.57.
I took my upper birth as soon as the train started moving and slept.
17TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
Woke up at 5.30am because I felt uneasy, then brushed my teeth, woke up the others, took snaps with friends.
Arrived at Chennai central station at 7.30am. Walked with friends to the park station, boarded the electric train to mambalam station, took an auto and reached home at 8.20am, was flat out with fever for the day. I had digital electronics unit test the next day, couldn’t prepare for it, and so thought of preparing for it the next day in the bus.
18TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
I woke up at 5am as usual but felt tired, so I switched off the alarm and went back to sleep. Then I decided not to go for college, woke up at 8.15am and started working upon this travelogue. This is the first day I am bunking college (great Na!!)
Industrial visits are a part of the Anna University curriculum. Every college has to take its students for at least 2 industrial visits. This was my first one.’ First’ in the sense, my first outing with college mates….away from my dear Chennai…away from my dear home….away from my dear family and friends.
The schedule was,
To start on 13th, September, 2006 at 9.45pm by the kaveri express.
To visit places in Mysore, coorg and Bangalore on 14th, 15th, 16th
To leave for Chennai on 16th, September, 2006 at 10.45pm by the kaveri express
Now let’s analyze the days, one by one.
13TH SEPTEMBER, 2006:
This was an irritating day for me. All because of a silly math re-test, not that I flunked the initial one, but because I missed it due to the delay caused by my college bus. My college, being 40km away from Chennai is not easily accessible (includes to and fro journeys).
Finally left college at about 1.30pm,missed a PTC bus, waited in the scotching sun for an hour, finally boarded a bus at 2.40pm, came to my home at 4,tired/exhausted/drained off of all energy, call it whatever!
Then it was time to pack. Heard of the saying ‘less luggage, more comfort’? Well, I never knew that I would realize it only at the end of the trip.
I packed up a suitcase n a bag that can be worn on the shoulder. On the whole, it was a bit heavy, but I never realized it as I would have, in the 3 days that was to follow.
I left for Chennai central station by auto with my mom and dad. On the way it was full of traffic. Reached the station at 8pm.we were asked to wait near a book shop (Higginbothams).
I asked mom and dad to leave. Then on, it was me by myself.
Boarded the train on platform no. 7, train no.6221, coach S11, seat no. 29.
Travel n I have never been good friends. Most of the travels (long distance) have made me sick. This was no exception. Being a person who enjoys silence, I was to experience excitement in person; at sound levels exceeding 100dB (might be an exaggeration).
Such was the atmosphere inside the train. Every one had planned not to sleep thru the journey.
And suddenly a thought/fact struck me. I hadn’t brought my ID card. If the TTR checks for it then I am sure to get a fine. This made me feel even sicker. Somehow I knew I can manage this. So taking it off my mind, I climbed up my birth and slept. The others tried to wake me up, but sensing that I wasn’t feeling well they let me off….for the time being!
14TH SEPTEMBER, 2006:
Through out the journey I kept hearing shouts/cheerings/hootings-generally termed as noise by me. The journey ended with the arrival of the station in Bangalore at 4.30am.I slogged out with my luggage and walked towards the exit. We took our travels bus-a 35 seater, an all boys gang. It had a DVD player and a TV. On the way to Mysore I watched kaakha kaakha- a film.
Good one but I didn’t like it as the heroine dies in the end (I like movies with happy endings).
After the movie I was free to open the screens so that I can see the scenery on the way. The winding roads and the green surroundings was tempting me to write a poem or two, but I had no pen, so I will write on it sometime later.
Came to vyshak international-the hotel we were to stay, at 9.50am. We were to settle down, 4 per room. My room mates were balaji, bharath and arun. All three are my class mates and friends. Room no 411 had a TV and a comfortable bed. We could watch all channels there as the state (Karnataka) had no CAS setup.
I took bath in the freezing water, had breakfast and started for chamundeshwari temple. No cameras were allowed inside, so had to be satisfied with a shot of the gopuram.
The scenic beauty of the place took me by storm. Very calm, peaceful, and more important, green!
The next stop was the world famous Mysore palace. It had an awesome exterior.17th century architecture was better than ours. Golden thrones, silver articles, antiques made of elephant tusks, several paintings-those were the highlights of the palace. The durbar was a big hall with several art works on the walls, ceilings, decorated with several silver framed Belgian mirrors. Here too cameras weren’t allowed inside.
A trip to Mysore is incomplete without visiting this exotic place. Do u get it? I am talking about the Brindavan gardens. The place is a major tourist hub. The weather was cool and a gentle breeze was blowing across the gardens. I took lots of snaps. Although we had to walk a lot the tiredness was never felt. The light and sound show-where the fountains dance to songs, was a visual treat. It was getting dark, so we escorted our class girls to the entrance. Back at the hotel I ate and went to sleep.
15TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
This was to be the most satisfying day of the visit. I took bath, once again in the freezing waters. Ate and checked out of vyshak international. My next destination was Philomena’s church. It looked like the twin towers, or more like the petronas towers in Malaysia. It had painted glass works, bee hives in its high rise areas and an underground chamber where the names of all those who contributed towards its construction was scribed on the walls.
Then came the most interesting and most heavenly experience of the day- the Tibetian settlement. It was an extremely calm and peaceful place. Wheat and sugarcane fields surrounded the settlement. It can be described as heaven on earth. The people there had a monastery, a university and a colony. The monastery was the home for monks; all of them had the traditional robes of red and yellow. Cameras were allowed inside. The main prayer area was a huge hall, with 3 statues, about 20 feet high, made of gold. Near the statues was a golden throne, with a picture of the Dalai Lama on it. Before them were several low level benches for the monks to pray and chant their prayers. The walls were covered with several paintings, all done in recent times. To summarize, it was a country inside a district.
From there it was time for the highlight of the day- Abbi falls. The bus couldn’t go all way to the entrance of the pathway to the falls because the roads were inaccessible for big vehicles. So we had to walk 2.5 to 3km in the rain to the entrance of the pathway. And then onwards another 1km walk downhill to reach the falls. It was a small one-21.3m high. Information about the falls- the daughter of an English governor slipped to her death in the falls. The falls had a bridge in front of it. Standing on it we can feel the spray of the falls. There was a path to lead us to the base of the falls. I didn’t get into the water because it was too cold, yet some of my friends got into it. We took photographs standing on a rock in between the waters, a risky venture! The place was infested with leeches. Many of us got stuck to it. The trip uphill was more exhausting because we had to walk against gravity, against the slope.
Next stop-Raja’s seat. It was just 6.30pm but the thick fog had made visibility close to nil.
The big fog lights kept at the park cast our shadows in the sky. Such was the thickness of the fog!
The sight seeing at mysore is over with raja’s seat. Boarding the travels bus we then proceeded to Bangalore.
16TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
It was 12.15am; we hadn’t had our dinner as yet. We stopped at a restaurant on the
Mysore-Bangalore highway. The place was closed for the day, but on our request they opened it and prepared food for us. Then we came to the bus and slept thru the rest of the journey. We reached Bangalore at 3.30am, checked in at hotel pavana residency and slept again.
I woke up at 7.30am, took bath for once in hot water (my previous ones were cold water baths). Breakfast was taken and we started for accomplishing the goal of our trip- visit an industry. As it was a Saturday CPRI (central power research institute) was working half day only. We went there past noon time, so were denied entry initially. After a prolonged requisition we entered, stayed there for half hour and then came out. Had lunch and started out for ISKON. The security procedure there was a bit too elaborate (must have been the impact of the recent blast at an ISKON rally). It can be described as a heaven amidst a hell (I meant the busy city). We chanted
‘Hare rama hare rama
Rama Rama hare hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna hare hare’
thru out the pathway to the sanctum sanctorum. 108 steps lead the way to it.
Got some mementos there-a poster and a keychain. There were all sorts of eats there, popcorns, doughnuts, pizzas, samosas, veg cakes and many more. Because of lack of time we couldn’t stop for eating.
By that time I had started feeling sick, but I did go along with friends to majestic- a shopping area, like Ranganathan Street in Chennai. The people there were talking in Kannada, so couldn’t do much of bargaining. But I got a t-shirt as a proof of being there to that place.
The walk had made me sicker.
We had to walk to the station, platform no.5, train no.6221, coach S5, seat no.57.
I took my upper birth as soon as the train started moving and slept.
17TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
Woke up at 5.30am because I felt uneasy, then brushed my teeth, woke up the others, took snaps with friends.
Arrived at Chennai central station at 7.30am. Walked with friends to the park station, boarded the electric train to mambalam station, took an auto and reached home at 8.20am, was flat out with fever for the day. I had digital electronics unit test the next day, couldn’t prepare for it, and so thought of preparing for it the next day in the bus.
18TH SEPTEMBER 2006:
I woke up at 5am as usual but felt tired, so I switched off the alarm and went back to sleep. Then I decided not to go for college, woke up at 8.15am and started working upon this travelogue. This is the first day I am bunking college (great Na!!)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
on the mumbai serial blast
11.7.06
painful day in the life of all indians...
more than hundreds killed in blasts in mumbai...
the cause: some ppl who dont understand the value of life...ppl who think its a holy war...
what is that they want?
is it chaos n fear?
and what is the answer
for those who lost their near n dear
dont they ever realise the value of life?
and wont they solve this endles strife?
one day they will all pay....
this...is my tearful say...
painful day in the life of all indians...
more than hundreds killed in blasts in mumbai...
the cause: some ppl who dont understand the value of life...ppl who think its a holy war...
what is that they want?
is it chaos n fear?
and what is the answer
for those who lost their near n dear
dont they ever realise the value of life?
and wont they solve this endles strife?
one day they will all pay....
this...is my tearful say...
IND DAY SPL
hi ppl...wrote this on ind day(aug 15th)
took time to post it...
born in the land of glory and pride
ever at freedom,with fears kept aside
let diversity be the key for our life
and lets live it without a strife
free to rise with the sun's shine
free to sleep with the moon's light
free to go the extra mile
free to go on a heavenly flight
all religions are free to preach
we rise...out of reach
all that our ppl do is care n love
getting blessings from all above
so great a country to be born for
and all willing to lay life uncalled for
lets serve her with our mind body n soul
lets put her on top of the world-our goal...
took time to post it...
born in the land of glory and pride
ever at freedom,with fears kept aside
let diversity be the key for our life
and lets live it without a strife
free to rise with the sun's shine
free to sleep with the moon's light
free to go the extra mile
free to go on a heavenly flight
all religions are free to preach
we rise...out of reach
all that our ppl do is care n love
getting blessings from all above
so great a country to be born for
and all willing to lay life uncalled for
lets serve her with our mind body n soul
lets put her on top of the world-our goal...
Monday, August 07, 2006
the best i have heard....
hi ppl....
i heard ganesh-kumaresh----the violin duo in concert-'EXPRESSIONS' in SS music....
since then i have become a gr8 fan of theirs....
they are very good in contemporary music....n fusion too,thats besides their classsical expertise...
soul-stirring---thats wat i can say about their music...
hear them if u can....feel the music...experience life....
i heard ganesh-kumaresh----the violin duo in concert-'EXPRESSIONS' in SS music....
since then i have become a gr8 fan of theirs....
they are very good in contemporary music....n fusion too,thats besides their classsical expertise...
soul-stirring---thats wat i can say about their music...
hear them if u can....feel the music...experience life....
braiNstorm #1
hi ppl.....
i will be posting my 'own creations'(my own sayings) from now on.....
lets start....my favourite....
LOVE THY MOVIES AS THY HATE THINE SUBJECTS....
i will be posting my 'own creations'(my own sayings) from now on.....
lets start....my favourite....
LOVE THY MOVIES AS THY HATE THINE SUBJECTS....
Saturday, July 29, 2006
my favourite quotes...
hi ppl....
my fav quotes/messages(some were sms es)
u don have to be gr8 to start with,but u have to start to b gr8- abe lincoln
think ahead,think fast,ideas are no ones monopoly-dhirubhai ambani
pursue ur goals even in the face of difficulties,and convert adversities into oppurtunities-dhirubhai ambani
people laugh at me....sayin that i am different
i laugh at them....cos they are all the same-sms message
relation between a heart n another is love
that between heart n heart beat is friendship-sms
give u more ltr....
my fav quotes/messages(some were sms es)
u don have to be gr8 to start with,but u have to start to b gr8- abe lincoln
think ahead,think fast,ideas are no ones monopoly-dhirubhai ambani
pursue ur goals even in the face of difficulties,and convert adversities into oppurtunities-dhirubhai ambani
people laugh at me....sayin that i am different
i laugh at them....cos they are all the same-sms message
relation between a heart n another is love
that between heart n heart beat is friendship-sms
give u more ltr....
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