tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868778612505545092024-03-13T21:38:15.589+05:30Stuff I Learnt TodayA collection of thoughts that strike me when I'm too busy doing nothing!!!Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-2989586124783401612013-06-06T09:05:00.000+05:302013-06-06T09:05:11.901+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I just thought of this today...<br />
<br />
We all experience stress all the time but its difficult to explain stress. Then this equation struck me (in the shower).<br />
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STRESS = Demand (of Time/Money/Energy) - Supply (of Time/Money/Energy)<br />
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WOW I feel like a genius.<br />
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PS: Blogging after a really really long time. I had almost given up but for some reason I felt like sharing this on the blog instead of FB or Twitter.</div>
Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-83232871951887595102011-10-02T12:30:00.000+05:302011-10-02T12:30:14.940+05:30The S O S<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It had been a lazy Saturday for her. Uploading pics, texting friends and forwarding jokes all day, she decided to get a life and headed to a pub to meet with friends. After some chitchat and a bit of drinking she decided to drop out and catch a cab home while the others decide to stay. The moment she stepped out, she realized that the cabbies were on strike. Cursing them and then her own misfortune she turned to the long dark road to the nearest bus stop but soon her anger turned to fear as she heard footsteps shadowing her. It was late and the road was lonely which made her panic all the more. She brisked up her pace only to find that the footsteps followed step. She further quickened, turning into a lane hoping to lose the shadow behind. But today was just not her day for the person turned behind her. She began to sweat thinking of the consequences. Without a second thought she flipped out her phone to call her dad. Her mind went blank when she got the busy tone. After about trying 5 times she decided to text him. She quickly typed a SOS message and hit send hoping he would read it immediately and call, only to find a glaring message on her cellphone </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">screen...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'Check operator Services'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Damn these <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/people/30213247_1_text-messages-smss-trai">100 texts</a> get over so quickly", She cursed as broke into a run.</span></div>
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Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-28923611864926989582011-07-29T10:11:00.000+05:302011-07-29T10:11:00.398+05:30Through Her Eyes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I looked at her staring at nothingness, maybe in some deep thought. She was one of the most stunningly beautiful girl I had ever seen. It was just impossible to not notice her. Honey was her complexion with killer eyes to match. I found myself staring at her but she didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were fixated at a spot in a distance. I found myself thinking more about her. Maybe she was waiting for a guy. For a very lucky guy that is! For a girl with her beauty, surely the guy had to be a hunk. And then he came. Strangely the guy was very dark and he could be called anything but handsome. I wonder what was wrong with the girl. She could have had any guy she wanted. She smiled a sparkle when he tiptoed in from behind her and whispered something into her ear. Oh I was going crazy thinking about her but it all stopped when she reached for her white cane.</span></div>
Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-74795295498576115452011-07-24T00:17:00.001+05:302011-07-24T00:17:41.184+05:30The Glaring Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I looked up as the stilettos clattered outside my cosmetics shop. Mesmerized by the sight of this fine lady that was walking in, I tried hard not to stare but in vain. Long legs that went forever wrapped in a silken skirt. And a white top that hugged her in all the right places. Her skin was a flawless wheatish and her features almost perfect. A large pair of sunglasses masked her pretty face. She ran her fingers through her hair which made me notice her rather large diamond ring. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Rich, Beautiful and Married", I thought, "What more could one want!" </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The next moment she walked up to me, removed her glares and asked, "Can you gimme something to hide this black eye?"</span></span></span></div>
Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-41554403649836359592011-05-22T17:57:00.000+05:302011-05-22T17:57:35.272+05:30The Irony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He settled on his throne and inhaled the smell of the currency notes. Staring at the bundles, wide-eyed, he had never seen so much cash at one place before. It had taken him three hours to just count it. Time and again he slipped into day dreams thinking what he could do with this kind of money. He looked at a clock and shuddered back to reality. With a sigh the cashier put the cash in the vault and checked his pocket to see if he had enough coins for the bus journey home.</span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-19815026666243980142011-03-13T18:05:00.001+05:302011-03-13T18:05:14.021+05:30Showing me off...<font style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;" size="4">(Parental Advisory: Naughty Content)<br><br>He said that I would look more attractive if I were shaved.<br><br>He said I would love the nakedness of it all.<br><br>He said it was stylish.<br> <br>He said I would feel cleaner.<br><br>He said it wouldn't hurt.<br><br>He said he had been thinking about this for a long time.<br><br>He said he would do it himself.<br><br>He said he would be careful.<br><br>He said he would go slow.<br> <br>He said was ready to begin.<br><br>He said to lay down.<br><br>He said that he would help me relax.<br><br>He said he loved me.<br><br>He said he felt like an artist.<br><br>He said he was done.<br><br>He said he adored the way it looked.<br> <br>He said he was pleased with his work.<br><br>He said he wanted to show me off.<br><br>He said he needed to take me out like this.<br><br>He said that he wanted people to see me like this.<br><br>He said we would have a most exciting day.<br> <br>He said he would be right back.<br><br>He said he had to get his shoes on.<br><br>I said...<br><br><br>...Well I didn't say anything. Poodles don't talk.</font><br> Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-6003190546079702322010-11-10T20:34:00.000+05:302010-11-10T20:34:41.716+05:30The battle<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">I</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, With my chin up, upholding my poise,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He takes his position with his weapon of choice.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I surrender meekly as I wanna survive,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Just hoping somehow I'll come out alive.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I close my eyes as he makes his move first,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I realise being a man is really a curse.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">With a swish the merciless steel cuts through my skin,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Blood gushes out to see who committed this sin.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He smiles cheekily at me as I stare, my eyes grave,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He lunges forward and dabs a little after-shave!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Now wasn't that a close shave? LITERALLY!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-49821305594264548592010-10-24T08:41:00.001+05:302010-10-24T08:53:40.028+05:30Brandz<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Nokia</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Lauret</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Oral B</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Close up</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Old Spice</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Gilette</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Dove</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Pepe Jeans</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Peter England</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Nokia</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Kelloggs</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Dent</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Reebok</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Bajaj Pulsar</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Cello</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">HP</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">BSNL Dataone</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">HP</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Bajaj Pulsar</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Sony</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Transcend</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Creative</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Oral B</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Close up</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Kurl-on</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Well these are usually the brands that I use from the start to end of my day. Hey this could be turned into a tag!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.technorati.com/10/04/17/11913/top-brands.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://static.technorati.com/10/04/17/11913/top-brands.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-77138538716470704272010-09-04T19:48:00.000+05:302010-09-04T19:48:52.076+05:30Return...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"><blockquote><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 14</b>; the fourteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blogaton.in/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</span><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></blockquote></span><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></div></span></span></span></span></div>Jeff</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> read and re-read the paper again. His father had been a shrewd conman all his life. Not to forget a filthy rich conman who never had been caught. But he would never betray his only son. They were mates for life. And now that his father was dying, Jeff wanted to make sure he didn't miss out on anything. He personally took care of him and even paid for the lavish funeral. In return while counting his last breaths, his father handed him a cheque with an amount that left Jeff's mouth involuntarily open. What further shocked him was when the bank sent a memo that read...</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> "Cheque Returned due to insufficient funds."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"><blockquote><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/2010/09/rules-and-reminder-for-blog-ton-14.html#comments"></a></span><a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/2010/09/rules-and-reminder-for-blog-ton-14.html#comments"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>here</b></span></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blogaton.in/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>.<br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></blockquote></span><br style="color: #660000;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></div></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-74150266516429342512010-08-27T22:42:00.001+05:302010-08-27T22:42:00.180+05:30The Smile<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He looked at the crippled guy standing alongside at the railway station and a number of thoughts flashed across his mind. He smiled as he thanked god for giving him everything perfect. But the smile vanished at the sight of the arriving train. He looked at the suffocating mob of people and planned his strategy to rush in. This time the crippled smiled as he easily climbed the empty handicap compartment.</span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-75904798965755150152010-08-18T10:06:00.000+05:302012-08-16T19:35:41.720+05:30Burning...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He felt the club was his home</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He'd be there all the time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Loafing around with friends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Drinking to the last dime.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One day she came in with her sultry swagger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He soon lost his sense</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her presence oozed with attitude</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That seemed to make him tense</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh his eyes burned... Burned like fire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She threw a quick glance around</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe something of interest she found</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">His eyes begged for her attention</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But sadly there was no mention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh his eyes burned, burned with desire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He decided it was now or never</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He'd do anything whatsoever</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gathering his courage he went up to dance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flooring her on the floor was his only chance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh his eyes burned, burned with pure lust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She was a dirty dancer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She surely knew her moves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He was going crazy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Doing the musical grooves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She started for the exit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He didn't know what was next</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its best to follow her out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe that was what was best?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She walked through the dark alley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Without a sight behind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He thought she's playing a game</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Damn she looked so fine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh his eyes were burning, burning with hunger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He took a deep breath and tried to grab her hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She looked into his eyes trying make him understand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He clenched it and pulled her towards him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That was when she reached into her purse and...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh his eyes were burning... Just burning!</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <br />
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Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-43611078320069335492010-07-17T20:31:00.000+05:302010-07-17T20:31:39.346+05:30The Clue<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/divorce-dignity.s600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/divorce-dignity.s600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A car pulled into the driveway and screeched to a halt. She went outside to see who it was. Surprised to see her husband arrive so soon, she went down the steps to greet him.<br />
<br />
He didn't seem in a mood to acknowledge her smile. She felt something was wrong. Seriously wrong... She decided not to ask and anger him further and followed him back to the house.<br />
<br />
"You two timing bitch", he shouted. This sudden exclamation scared the hell out of her. She felt the color drain out of her face. But she decided she won't give up.<br />
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"Whats the matter? And why the language?" she asked in a calm tone.<br />
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"I had heard stories about you, but I was too much in love to believe them." His tone went from anger to remorse. She felt her feet trembling now but she still managed to put up a confident face.<br />
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"I won't take any more of that language now. So calm down and tell me whats wrong." She felt amazed at how calm and composed she could be. The acting classes in college had definitely helped.<br />
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"I don't give a damn. You cheated on me and you still have the guts to stand in front of me asking me to stay calm.", his eyes were fiery when he spoke this.<br />
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"What the hell are you talking about? I am not cheating on you. How in hell did you think I would do such a thing?" Her voice was rising as well.<br />
<br />
"Just shut your mouth. This time I am dead sure that a boy has been visiting this house when I am out. You got yourself a toy now? Is that what this has come to?", He yelled.<br />
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She felt a cold shiver run down her spine as he heard these words. How did he come to know about her toyboy? She had destroyed all evidence that could lead back to her adulterous romps. She thought about the sheets and curtains and remember she had changed them. Maybe he was just taking a wild guess. Should she surrender? She decided to play on...<br />
<br />
"I don't know what the hell you are talking about and I am not going to take anymore of this now. If you show me even one piece of evidence, I'll happily go to the gallows. The cost of loving my husband truly!"<br />
<br />
"You don't need no gallows. Coz I'm gonna slit your throat right here right now.", Saying this, he started wandering around the house searching for clues. She had been clever to cover it all up. Not a single piece of evidence that would link to the presence of another male in this house. He went from the living room to the bedroom. But no use. She had cleaned up the trail very cleverly. He went for room to room, then the toilets and staircases and finally checked the wardrobes.<br />
<br />
Till then she kept waiting in the living room cursing now and then at him, at her bad luck, at the person who had told him about this affair. Deep inside she was trembling as she thought about the consequences if he found anything on her.<br />
<br />
After a few minutes he came back, his face flashing a wicked vicious smile. "You better confess or this is gonna cost you a big time."<br />
<br />
She realized her time was up. She confessed to everything. He demanded a divorce and she meekly agreed. After a few months, they met to sign the papers. After putting her signatures she finally gathered up the courage to ask him, "How did you find out about it? I mean I was pretty sure I had cleaned out all traces."</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Simple", He smirked. "The toilet seat was up!"</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-78637407908504596782010-07-12T19:27:00.000+05:302010-07-12T19:27:41.817+05:30Lagaan - Review<img align="LEFT" alt="Team" src="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Tiger-trails1.jpg" tiger="" trails="" /> This post has been published by me as a team member of <b>Tiger Trails Team</b> for the SUPER 3 round of <b>Bloggers Premier League (BPL)</b> – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at <a href="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/"><b>Cafe GingerChai</b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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Hello Readers...</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Considering the Roar that The Sunday Roar caused last week we have the pleasure of introducing another segment to our Magazine: "Movie Time with Griz Jones". As you may be aware, Griz is a well known Hollywood critic and his reviews are highly appreciated. Unfortunately this week there were no 'foren fillums' showing, so Griz went on to see a Bollywood film. Lets see how he deals with it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">X--X--X--X--X</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://indianghar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/lagaan-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://indianghar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/lagaan-review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Is it finally over?” Well those were my exact thoughts when I saw the end credits roll on the screen of this Bollywood splendor called Lagaan. I mean I have seen some long movies before but this one was one big cricket test match and guess what... It depicts the very same thing. I won't deny the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, but being a Hollywood critic, I am not used to being seated for 4 hours and have more than one genre thrown at me now and then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Director, Mr Govarikar is a patiently patient man I must say. It must have taken him ages to make this movie considering the fact that it is so damn long. I almost embarrassed myself by trying to leave the theater during intermission. Well I thought the movie was finished till the words “intermission” flashed onto the screen. Meekly I sat down again to watch the rest of it, which was an action-packed and nerve wrecking telecast of a cricket match.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lagaan (Tax) is the story about a man in pre-independent India, his struggle to live a free life, his love for a village belle, and his unbelievable talent in a game that he learns at breakneck speed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Its starts with a village in India parched for rains. A bleak view of dark clouds sends the whole village in song and dance frenzy. I looked around the theater and was surprised to see other patrons swinging to the music and lip syncing the song. I guess I was the only one who was alarmed at the sudden rush of song and dance. I make a note to myself that I need to beware of these Indian movies. I have already heard that actors (or heroes as they're called) get shot in the beginning of the movie and still manage to live throughout the movie without any medical attention. Meanwhile they kill villains with just a deadly stare. But for this young man named Bhuvan, the weapon of choice is the cricket bat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The movie has lots and lots of characters including British officers who try to speak ‘owfull’ Hindi and succeed; the hero's mother without whom any Bollywood movie is incomplete, 10 different blokes who make up the cricket team, each weirder than the other; two beautiful ladies trying to win over our boy Bhuvan and countless other villagers. Each character plays his part dutifully and adds variety to the movie. Funnily, being a Hollywood critic, I didn’t even know these many characters could exist!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/medias/nmedia/00/02/46/57/aff_lagaan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/medias/nmedia/00/02/46/57/aff_lagaan.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The lead actress is Miss Gracy Singh who plays the love interest of our Hero. She prances around, in and out of the movie at the director’s will. Obviously Indian Cinema has to grow up and start having Women-oriented movies now. As usual there is no firm role for the actress. All she does is dance around trees, and feel jealous of the white lady who falls for boy wonder! There is no going out, no dating and definitely no sleeping around like Hollywood movies. This goes on to prove the popularity of cricket in India. People will come to watch a movie even if there is no hanky-panky but a good deal of cricket in it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No Bollywood movie is complete without the presence of the Quintessential Maa or Mother. The Mother of the lead actor has to play a part in the movie. Otherwise Indians do not relate to it, call it an Art film and trash it. The Mother is not allowed to wear anything other than a white Saree. She is supposed to be worried about her son 24/7 and she is supposed to pray to God for most of those 24 hours. In this movie too, the mother follows all these rules to the T. I would rather not mention the motherly characters of Hollywood over here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The most hilarious part of the movie is the casting of the team. It is agreeable that the village is shown to be small, but the creative director has succeeded in putting maximum number of jokers in the team. The selection is done by Captain Bhuvan himself and that too without any trials. I must salute the observatory powers of this actor. He has an eye for talent. The drummer becomes the fast bowler. The crippled guy becomes a spinner. Bats are carved out of wood by the carpenter and everything simply falls into place.</span><br />
s<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The second half(!) of the movie revolves around the cricket match. I have come to know that Indians are fast learners. Well they seemed to learn the sport very fast. The weird words that they used for cricketing terms were funny I guess as the other patrons were rolling with laughter. Meanwhile I had surrendered to the mercy of subtitles. A religious song was pushed in too at end of day’s play in order to get blessings for the team. I strongly suggest no one look at the subtitles during songs because they are plain crazy. It is better to sway and hum along.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Most of the credit of the movie goes to our Hero Bhuvan. It has to! After all, he played his first match, directly as a captain, made a century, and hit a winning sixer (home run) to win the match and relieve his village from paying Tax for three years. Well now I know why they call him the Hero. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The story, screenplay and music has been top notch. Trust A. R. Rahman to do a good job. The camerawork is great too. Only thing missing is the Swiss backdrop that is usually used in Bollywood movies. But as this one had to be made in a village, maybe the director decided to shoot it in India itself (which happens very rarely)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But the movie also touches the Indian-ness of Indians. It showcases their respect for others, their belief in god, their attitude to dare beyond, and mostly prominently it shows their faith. And this faith is not only put across to the viewer, it is almost imbibed on the mindset of the viewer. The director and the crew end up doing a splendid job. I would highly recommend people to watch this movie albeit with a small instruction – Take a bathroom break before it starts! </span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-4568195687150659372010-07-09T19:58:00.003+05:302010-07-09T20:30:11.759+05:30Know Me - Tag<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yay I got tagged! By none other than <a href="http://megzone.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/tag%E2%80%93me-know">Meghana</a>! Now how cool is that! In this tag, supposedly, I have to write few things about myself that you people may now know.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But firstly following the Blogger code of conduct, I have to say goody goody things about Meg...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meg is this bubbly, zany, sweet gal who writes great poems on her blog <a href="http://megzone.wordpress.com/">Megzone</a>. She writes nice poems with minimum words effortlessly. Most importantly, her poems are easy to understand. She is a great networker and has a huge fan following. She participates in almost all the contests in the Blogverse and manages to keep in touch with all her virtual friends. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember <a href="http://jainchandni.blogspot.com/">Chanz</a> had tagged me with a similar Honest Scrap Tag. So a few things about her too... Chandni is a frank and no-nonsense blogger. She blogs about life from her eyes, but really writes from her heart. I've been away from her blog for a while but going back once I finish with this.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">OK now that thatz done, lets do the tag...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Doing such tags is not an easy job for me. It involves a lot of introspection and thinking. Add to that the fact that I am plain lazy. So gals, that is why I am taking this one so late.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><ol style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><i>I find it very hard to say 'no' to people. It gets me into trouble sometimes, but i just can't help it. </i></li>
<li><i>I am highly adjustable with people and surroundings. I can put up with any kind of people without cribbing. Same way, i don't have a problem adjusting to new places... That makes me the ultimate employee ainit?! </i></li>
<li><i>I love living in a village than living in a city... I really don't care if i do not get all the comfy amenities... I secretly wish some one leaves me an inheritance of 25-30 buffaloes. I'd give up everything and get into livestock bijness! </i></li>
<li><i>I really really don't care for money. Till date I have seen a lot of money come and go... So I'd rather have a moderate income and more time on my hands than loads of money but no time to spend it... </i></li>
<li><i>Phew only 4 done? Man this is tough! </i></li>
<li><i>I think birth and death is highly overrated. Some of my friends think its a sin to forget birthdays... Well I'm going to hell for sure. And I feel everything has to come to an end. People die... Deal with it. Their time was up. So they had to go... You crying for ages and skipping dinner is not going to bring them back... </i></li>
<li><i>I just hate changing cellphones and numbers. Its a real pain keeping track. </i></li>
<li><i>I pity people who take life too seriously. </i></li>
<li><i>I simply love to text people. Texting is my twitter. But i feel sad when people don't reply. I mean if I spent so much time typing that stuff, least you can do is acknowledge it by giving a ring.</i></li>
<li><i>Finally... I expect very little from life in general. I'm a thorough optimistic. Maybe that is why people find me a little too happy.</i></li>
</ol><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now comes the tagging part... Well this is an open tag... Anyone is free to take it... The more interesting the better... Just leave a link at the bottom when you do... </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-29843435796027547162010-06-28T00:38:00.007+05:302010-06-29T00:10:00.253+05:30Mere Pass Maa ka Interview Hai!<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img align="LEFT" alt="Team" src="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Tiger-trails1.jpg" tiger="" trails="" /> This post has been published by me as a team member of <b>Tiger Trails Team</b> for the SUPER 4 round of <b>Bloggers Premier League (BPL)</b> – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at <a href="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/"><b>Cafe GingerChai</b></a> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was one of those days. My editor had sent me to interview a weird personality again. It was not a problem for me, I'd done loads of interviews of variety of people from drunk superstars to sleeping beauties (!) But this was a tricky one for me. Loaded, maybe overflowing with emotion and tears, the quintessential Bollywood ki Maa was my interviewee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd grown up watching Bollywood movies, but the Maa factor had always fascinated me. So I was looking forward to it as well. I reached the Haveli that she lived in and rung the bell (I was wondering if I should cry "<i>MAAAAAAA</i>" instead!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She opened the door in a <i>Tide-ki-safedi-white</i> saari. It got me thinking about my own mom in flashback. (maybe its the bollywood effect). She invited me in and I followed her inside into the Haveli. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im.in.com/connect/images/profile/b_profile4/Nirupa_Roy_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://im.in.com/connect/images/profile/b_profile4/Nirupa_Roy_300.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wondering how to address her I simply said, “Hi Maa”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just then she broke into tears all the while repeating her signature “T<i>umne mujhe Maa kaha</i>!” at least 5 times. Oh God! this was not going to be easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We then started the interview. I asked her about her childhood to which I got a stunning reply. She did not have a childhood at all! She was directly born a Maa. I asked her how it was possible, to which she explained that every director wants to focus on the Hero’s childhood (at least in flashback) but there was no reference to the Maa’s childhood. After-all she had lived her whole life in the movies. She has no separate existence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This was beginning to get all the more interesting. I decided to go for some serious grilling now...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: So how has life been for you in general? I mean you are not the usual everyday human being you know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Believe me beta it has been tough. I’ve gone blind 13 times only to get back my eyesight from the lights of <i>Sai Baba’s mandir</i>. Believing in God has been one of the greatest principles of my life. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: Oh I can imagine the agony you must have been through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: You never can. I’ve undergone surgeries all over the world with no time to recuperate because the next film is always waiting. Plus most of the time I was made to travel on foot, so my back hurts as hell. Its not easy being a mother you see...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: What do you think about Hollywood then?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Hollywood moms have the easiest life out there. Wearing Gucci and YSL and what not while I’m tied up to this white Saree all the time only because my husband had to die so that my son could live. Hollywood moms sleep around all the time. But I’m a strict Pativrata. I don’t like all these things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b> (a bit uncomfortable now): But people all over the world salute the Bollywood Maa...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Why shouldn’t they? I’m one poor suffering soul who lives for others. I’m bound to be worshiped. Considering the god-forbidden-things their moms do, I’m like an epitome of purity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: So true... So tell me some interesting incident from your reel life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: (smirks) As if I have a Real Life! Well once these people from a NGO crashed onto the sets to complain about my crying on screen. They said that most of the area was suffering from droughts and I was crying buckets on screen. People had even stopped crying because they couldn’t afford to lose anymore water. The director had to halt shooting for two days. I was so relieved that I’d get two days off, but at that moment itself my son returned home with a tattoo that said “Mera Baap Chor Hai”. Imagine my frustration, having to roam from laser clinic to laser clinic to find someone who could get rid of it, but all in vain. Finally the director decided to use it in the movie itself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: (Eyebrows raised) Oh so that was how it..... Umm never mind. Lets talk about the famous Gajar ka Halwa now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: DON'T YOU DARE! You people have taken me for granted! You leave the poor me and get lost somewhere for years and then return and expect me to whip up some halwa in a jiffy? Are Gajar ka season bhi nahi hai ab to! Plus there is no sugar in the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cookingmela.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gajar_halwa1-300x266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://www.cookingmela.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gajar_halwa1-300x266.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: I was not asking you to make it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Then it ok. These day everyone is asking me about it. So I got a little worked up. Sorry. I feel I’ve made more halwa in my life than the <i>nukkad wala halwai</i> himself! Sometimes he even asks if I got any surplus left!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me:</b> Oh OK never mind. So what have you been up-to lately? Movies are changing fast these days. You finding it easier to adapt?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Not a bit. Its been a long journey for me. These days mom’s don’t get much roles in movies. So I’m kinda jobless most of the time.Plus these days the director makes me wear negligees and seduce older men, which frankly I find disgusting. Before the only worry was whether my Beta will come home alive. Now I have to worry about his sexual orientation as well. I thank God if he is straight. But when I see him clinging to another guy, I see 9 months of my life go down the drain! Its not easy to swallow you see. I mean the Truth is not easy to swallow. (winks)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nikadon.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/still-from-dostana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://nikadon.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/still-from-dostana.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With these words she gets me a cup of tea. I say “A<i>re itni kyu taklif ki</i>” to which she get dramatic again and say “<i>Bete ke liye banai hai. Isme taklif kaisi</i>?” I make a mental note to be aware of potential words that may spark her emotions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We return to the interview.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: Lets talk about your <i>Bahus</i> now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: (sighs) I’ve spent my whole life in the movies. I wonder why my sons believe I can’t spot their acting... I see these gals struggling to carry of those Sarees they are wearing. Hell they can’t even bend to touch my feet without showing off some or the other part of their bodies. <i>Jo umar bhar bikini pehente ayi ho, woh ek din mein saaree kya pehenegi</i>! Sometimes I think they’re just in for my sons’ money. But after all it is all about mere b<i>ete ki khushi</i>. So usually I keep my thoughts to myself and agree to the proposal. <i>Waise bhi</i> they can’t cook <i>mera wala Gajar ka Halwa</i>!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/specials/images/1744_obit_pix/3144318_nirupa_roy300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/specials/images/1744_obit_pix/3144318_nirupa_roy300.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: And your Betas?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: Mostly I’ve been blessed with good sons. Even if they go rogue during the movie, they become good at the end. <i>Sab bollywood ki maya hai!</i> But these days I’m worried. I see lot of these <i>vrudhhashrams</i> running these days. Before it was not a problem. But now I fear even my sons may consider putting me in one of those. So I’m planning for the future. But its next to impossible to work out these new insurance company plans.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Me: Speaking of the future... What are your future plans?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Maa: As I told you... Films these days do not need the Maa character at all. Hell time will come when even the lead actress will become obsolete. But I haven’t thought much into the future right now. Maybe I get a nice retirement and spend the rest of my days relaxing in this haveli. (Looks out of the window)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: Are you expecting someone?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: <i>Mere Karan Arjun ayenge</i>. I had asked them to get a plumber to fix the bathroom pipes. So waiting for them. But <i>Mere Karan Arjun jaroor ayenge!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me</b>: Last question. Do you have any message for the people of today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Maa</b>: <i>Tum to mere bete jaise ho.</i>.. Only thing I would like to say is: Stay good to your parents. Don’t act in any way that would hurt them or make them repent of the time they gave birth to you. The same way, as myself, even the Earth is your mother. So take care that you do not hurt her in any way (I’m surprised how she inserted the Green element so effortlessly! Now that will win some brownie points!) <i>Tumne achha kiya to tumhara achha hi hoga.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The last line touched me and I decided to follow it in my life too. Saying goodbye to Maa was not easy. She came to see me off at the doorstep and I could see tears in those eyes. Suddenly I felt my heart get heavy. I hugged her and promised her that I’ll be back soon, not giving a date, making her wait, like she always does for all her sons. It had been the best interview of my life and the first thing I want to do it thank my editor for letting me do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is our magazine: Click on the image to download the pdf version.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogservers.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/the-sunday-roar.pdf" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://writerzblock.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/the_sunday_roar.jpg?w=618&h=800" width="494" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Check out the works of the great minds of the people behind The Sunday Roar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Debosmita’s in-depth article on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy<br />
<a href="http://debosmita.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/cover-story/">http://debosmita.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/cover-story/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sudhakar’s racy account of ‘The Domestic Olympics’<br />
<a href="http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-domestic-olympics/">http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-domestic-olympics/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sudhakar’s intriguing thriller (crime fiction)<br />
<a href="http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-garage-door/">http://idlivadasambar.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/the-garage-door/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Neha’s unique limerick on Indian politics,<br />
<a href="http://www.nehasilam.com/2010/06/future-not-so-bright.html">http://www.nehasilam.com/2010/06/future-not-so-bright.html</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pallavi’s quick comic/55-er on power of media<br />
<a href="http://writerzblock.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/breaking-news-again/">http://writerzblock.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/breaking-news-again/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rashmi’s interesting travel journal – City City Bang Bang<br />
<a href="http://hungrypiranha.blogspot.com/">http://hungrypiranha.blogspot.com/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kanagu’s analysis of Print Versus Electronic media<br />
<a href="http://kanaguonline.wordpress.com/">http://kanaguonline.wordpress.com/</a></div></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-82618562173066144632010-06-18T23:44:00.000+05:302010-06-18T23:44:17.187+05:30The Dark Lord - 55-er<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSwlhDHVGWpweolEdvVWL-7OHKm2A8aa3ZFclvCVYdXNg0eevU518sTkCoxorIJsSq32xrFcBXIEys21zODgDL4L2kZuhT-wj71mV0ppSiLji9z_r-6DN1ad-XIDWmKejJMHfVR_nAjY/s1600/Lord_by_bebo21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSwlhDHVGWpweolEdvVWL-7OHKm2A8aa3ZFclvCVYdXNg0eevU518sTkCoxorIJsSq32xrFcBXIEys21zODgDL4L2kZuhT-wj71mV0ppSiLji9z_r-6DN1ad-XIDWmKejJMHfVR_nAjY/s320/Lord_by_bebo21.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Dark Lord rose to stark silence. He looked around as his followerss bent down on their knees and he felt a sense of immortality flowing through his veins. There was probably not a single thing that he couldn't do. He simply had done it all. And the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Rajnikanth!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">PS: I'm aware that there is at least one typo in the post, but as Rajnikant's keyboard doesn't have a backspace key, I'm keeping it that way!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks Meg for the pic. </span> </span></span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-44999557026677903942010-06-14T01:24:00.002+05:302010-06-26T17:46:46.109+05:30The 12 Commandments<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><img align="LEFT" alt="Team" src="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Tiger-trails1.jpg" tiger="" trails="" /> This post has been published by me as a team member of <b>Tiger Trails Team</b> for the SUPER 5 round of <b>Bloggers Premier League (BPL)</b> – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at <a href="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/"><b>Cafe GingerChai</b></a></div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Don’t you all wonder what happens after death? Oh I need not wonder about it as you come to me after you die. You think that birth and death are destined, but I think otherwise. Your birth and death are not destined, but they are assigned; assigned by me – the Almighty. I have this peculiar habit of writing down everything that happens around me. My each and every day is like an episode. I am the sole writer present here in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Hellven. </span><span style="font-size: small;">H</span><span style="font-size: small;">ellven </span><span style="font-size: small;">– a place between heaven and hell – </span><span style="font-size: small;">and thus I go by the </span><span style="font-size: small;">pseudonym I have been given</span><span style="font-size: small;">, of Blog</span><span style="font-size: small;">ger</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Almighty,</span><span style="font-size: small;"> as bloggers write!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know! Human beings are strange!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I meet so many people in a day. My job is to take care of the western part of </span><span style="font-size: small;">India</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and my largest client is Mumbai city. Each day so many people are born here and equal number of them die. I meet only those who are happy that they are dead (less work for me) and avoid those who don't want to be dead yet (they are a pain, trust me!). </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I remember meeting one such interesting person – Duplicate. Sadly though, Duplicate came to me when he was 14. He died at such a young age – at the age when he might not even have thought of a life after death. He was all smiles after looking at his white and clean</span><span style="font-size: small;">s</span><span style="font-size: small;"> robes. I would not blame him. All his life, he had lived in ragged clothes; thus our standard and boring robes were heaven for him. Humans!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Duplicate was full of curiosity and innocence. Something about him made me curious too to know about his life story. He started narrating:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a typical Mumbai monsoon evening when my mother went into labor. She did not have enough money to go to a private nursing home located at the end of the street where we had our </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">hut on the </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tulsi Pipe Road</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"> footpath</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;">. She was a </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">poor beggar</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> and lived off the food provided by those traveling in the swanky cars </span><span style="font-size: small;">while the money was soaked up by </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">dad’s liquor.</span></span></i> <span style="font-size: small;">She already had had four children</span><span style="font-size: small;"> before</span><span style="font-size: small;">, but two of whom had died within <i>one year of their birth</i></span> <span style="font-size: small;">So I was the </span><span style="font-size: small;">latest</span><span style="font-size: small;"> one, to add to the species of beggars in the city. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">My birth was the worst thing that must have happened to my mother physically. (Irony eh?) It was raining cats and dogs. </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Floods</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> made the situation worse for us. There was </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">traffic</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> and chaos all around us. Mother could not go to any hospital and delivered me on the street under a big hoarding. The hoarding was that of a movie – Duplicate – thus the name. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mother died</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> after a few hours of </span><span style="font-size: small;">by </span><span style="font-size: small;">my </span><span style="font-size: small;">birth due to lack of medical attention. I don’t even know whether I had </span><span style="font-size: small;">had </span><span style="font-size: small;">her milk or not, but my attachment to her was nil (well except the cord) because she had given me this horrible life.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since the time I remember, I always slept </span><span style="font-size: small;">on a </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">half empty stomach</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>I rarely remember having a decent meal at night<i>. </i>I envied kids of my age who </span><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">went to school</span></span></i> <span style="font-size: small;">and I started with </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">small jobs, begging and sometimes stealing at the <i>age of 7!</i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> My first ever </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">brush with the cops was at 9</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;">A failed pick-pocket attempt saw me getting beaten black</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and blue</span> <span style="font-size: small;">b</span><span style="font-size: small;">y the mob and then a night spent behind the bars. That one night in hell made me resolve not to</span><span style="font-size: small;"> commit</span><span style="font-size: small;"> any more crimes in my life</span><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I </span><span style="font-size: small;">decided to earn a respectable life for myself. I enrolled in the local government school</span><span style="font-size: small;"> but th</span><span style="font-size: small;">e</span><span style="font-size: small;"> clerks <i>demanded extra money</i> </span><span style="font-size: small;">for</span><span style="font-size: small;"> admission</span><span style="font-size: small;">! You tell me, Blogger Almighty, how I could have afforded an extra thousand rupees? </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">My father was an <i>alcoholic</i> and used to be ill most of the the time. He hardly ever went to work, and lived off the </span><span style="font-size: small;">meager</span> <span style="font-size: small;">earnings of my two sisters and I. </span><span style="font-size: small;">My sisters used to work in the local factory manufacturing plastic dolls. They had to <i>work long-hours, in a dim-lit small</i> room along with 100 other girls. They </span><span style="font-size: small;">soon contracted some skin disease. May be the plastic was poisonous. My sisters die</span><span style="font-size: small;">d</span><span style="font-size: small;"> of skin cancer at a young age</span><span style="font-size: small;">, <i>without any treatment</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was 12 years when I met Ramlal, <i>the local drug mafia</i>. All of us were extremely afraid of him because he would befriend kids, give them some medicinal pills and take them away. They would never be seen again. He noticed me at the traffic signal and asked me to meet him the next day. I was trembling all throughout our meeting. I had made up my mind to tell him that I had resolved not to go down the dark alley of crimes ever in my life again. He asked me my problems and listened patiently. I was wondering why he took so much interest in my life. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I did not have to wait long to find out. In that dark room, He did God-forbidden things to me and my body. </span><span style="font-size: small;">“You are a good-looking young boy,” he told me. </span><span style="font-size: small;">“From now on, I shall pay for your education, so that you grow up to be a bright young man. But you must not tell about this to anyone” </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">But this promise was not to be kept. Ramlal died after a few months, of some dangerous disease. Nobody was willing to talk about the cause of his death. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">My life as a footpath-dweller, child laborer and beggar continued. Slowly, my health</span><span style="font-size: small;"> deteriorated.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> I started getting fatigued easily.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Finally, I decided to visit the local doctor. “Go to the health clinic tomorrow and get these tests done. Don’t worry, they will do it for free</span><span style="font-size: small;">,</span><span style="font-size: small;">”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> was his hurried advice after examining me. He behaved as if I had contracted </span><span style="font-size: small;">some contagious germ. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the test results, I knew why Ramlal died. I also knew that my end was nearing too. Ramlal had given me the virus which will kill me eventually</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and then, bring me to you</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After hearing his tragic story, </span><span style="font-size: small;">I immediately knew that it was time for me to do something </span> <span style="font-size: small;">about it. Mankind has been continuing like this for ages now, and if serious strictures are not passed</span><span style="font-size: small;"> now</span><span style="font-size: small;">, time is not far away when they will regret taking birth itself. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou Shall </span><span style="font-size: small;">ensure free and quality medical treatment for all.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou Shall ensure that no </span><span style="font-size: small;">mother dies during child birth because of lack of medical treatment.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou Shall ensure proper nutrition for all children and bring down infant mortality rate.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall ensure protection and preservation of the environment.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall ban plastic and all toxic, non-bio-degradable waste.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall ensure access to food for all.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall ensure free and quality education for all.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall </span><span style="font-size: small;">not indulge in or encourage corruption.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall implement laws to prohibit child labor.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall bring in and strictly implement laws regarding sexual offenses </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall bring down HIV AIDS contamination through awareness and prevention.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thou shall condemn substance abuse. </span></i></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfHfoRXnJcXJZe87qc7uam9bcOPUIiL8r5HgOA6ljsZWLD3FPaXC-eIDjHBLyPF6i3rKZrY_caZejwwaIw_C8BlgR_hLuBYFF9Co0z72be0aeRVAPViFXrnbynwFCUsSkoRa0N7DyG2E/s1600/god+info+cartoon+Piraro+BizarroComicBlogspot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfHfoRXnJcXJZe87qc7uam9bcOPUIiL8r5HgOA6ljsZWLD3FPaXC-eIDjHBLyPF6i3rKZrY_caZejwwaIw_C8BlgR_hLuBYFF9Co0z72be0aeRVAPViFXrnbynwFCUsSkoRa0N7DyG2E/s320/god+info+cartoon+Piraro+BizarroComicBlogspot.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-32935893758397307402010-06-12T02:01:00.000+05:302010-06-12T02:01:33.568+05:30The Question<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newtimesslo.com/images/cms/sized/55fiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.newtimesslo.com/images/cms/sized/55fiction.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">She glanced towards me... A little scared, a little confused. I gave her an assuring smile that maybe boosted her confidence a little. She inched closer towards me locking her eyes with mine; piercing, inquiring... Nervously looking around, she spoke in a hushed voice...</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">"Beta Passbook update karke milega kya?"</span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-44276531677485637382010-05-31T00:36:00.002+05:302010-05-31T01:10:56.288+05:30A Non Fiction Post on Love - Love, then!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"><img align="LEFT" alt="Team" src="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Tiger-trails1.jpg" tiger="" trails="" /> This post has been published by me as a team member of <b>Tiger Trails Team</b> for the SUPER 6 round of <b>Bloggers Premier League (BPL)</b> – The first ever unique, elite team blogging event in the history of blogging world. To catch the BPL action and also be part of future editions and other contests, visit and register at <a href="http://cafe.gingerchai.com/"><b>Cafe GingerChai</b></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Love, then!</span><br />
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It had been a tough day indeed. One of my friends had had the worst break up of his life. The walk home from college had got me thinking about this interested but complicated thing called love. What is love? Where do you find it? How do you keep it? It was buzzing in my brain all the time. Frankly speaking, I've never been in love. So I find it amusing when people do foolish things for foolish reasons in the same of this huge phenomenon called love. But has love changed over the ages? Was it so complicated in the past too? Was there so much competition as now?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I guess I'll have to experience it before I jump to further conclusions. Thinking of all the dumping and drinking and crying (in that order!) I never realised when I reached home. After a quick wash I slumped into a garden chair opposite my grandfather.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Hey Grandpa", I quipped. My grandpa, a very cool and hip dude, replied with a modest and loving "Hello Beta"<br />
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I'd just been back from college and and it was my chat time with my grandpa. Now now, no need to raise your eyebrows. As I said earlier, my grandfather is a very cool and hip dude. He is not like the usual grandfathers. In fact I take him as one of my best friends. He is very modern and open to any type of conversation.<br />
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"So how was your day?", he inquired.<br />
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"Oh Don't ask! Manish's girlfriend broke up with him. AGAIN! It was quite an effort trying to bring him back to normal", I retorted, irritated.<br />
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"Whats with you guys and breaking up all the time? I fail to understand your ability to break up with so much ease. If I was in your place, I'd be scared beyond death to fall in love ever again."<br />
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Then began a discussion on love during the time of Grandpa.<br />
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"I was about 22 when I first saw a girl in my college. Now thats about 50 years back. So its a long time back. If you think I may not remember the details, let me tell you I remember everything vividly. College has just started and I was quite enjoying the whole experience. I had made a good deal of friends. So the daily activities never seemed to cease and there was never a boring moment. Coming from a lower middle class family, I hadn't talked to girls other than my cousins. And then I met this girl. She was in my college. In my class. I had caught her staring at me a few times. Maybe I was just imagining because she rarely lifted her eyes off the ground."<br />
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<i>I didn't ask for her number straightaway. I didn't stalk her to her home.I didn't beg her for coffee. I didn't offer her lifts. Neither did I ask her friends to set me up with her.</i><br />
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"I inquired about the girl among my friends and soon the teasing started. All my friends would go 'hhhmmmmmmmm' whenever she walked into the class but she never even flinched as such a little. I had never talked to her, nor did I plan to. I didn't mind staring at her beautiful face during lunch breaks or just knowing that she was near me during college trips. Sometimes we made eye contact but that too lasted for merely a fraction of a second. It was six months now since we had known each other 'indirectly'. She had begun smiling now when I was around. I would look at her only for a moment to see that smile and the rest of my day would be perfect. Maybe this was the beginning of something very beautiful."<br />
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<i>I didn't gift her flowers and chocolates. I didn't take her to swanky hotels and pubs. I didn't give her balloons and huge soft toys. Neither did we smooch in parks and theaters.</i><br />
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"We already knew we were in love with each other. But what was love without marriage? In our times being in love was a sin, but being married was a blessing. Now this was a tough job for me. I being the man, I had to ask her first. Fortunately it was her birthday. College was almost over. I decided to pop the question. In the times of arranged marriages, just asking a girl about marriage was enough to set tongues wagging. But I had decided it was now or never. I went up to her and told her about my feelings. At first I couldn't hear her reply maybe because my heart was thumping too loudly. But she finally did confessed her feelings towards me, her eyes all the time boring deep into the ground. But I needed to talk to her parents first. All I wanted to hear was that. I completed the rest of my college and got busy searching a job. Once I got that I went to her parents and asked for her hand."<br />
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<i>I didn't tattoo her name on parts of my body. Neither did she ask me to run her away and get married. There was no premarital sex. Hell there was no contact of any sort at all. There were no expensive gifts to impress. Neither were there mushy words to express.</i><i> Sometimes we didn't talk for weeks. We did not have free phone call plans.</i><br />
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"What we had was patience.Maybe that is what your generation lacks these days. You want everything hard and fast. But you, My boy have to realize that it may always not be possible. You see love comes to those who wait."<br />
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This last piece of advice struck me like a gong. It indeed was true. While I got thinking about it, Grandma gave us a call for dinner. We looked at each other, smiling, thinking about the woman we had been talking about for so long and retired to the dining room. </div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-37482202929420959902010-05-29T22:49:00.000+05:302010-05-29T22:49:01.095+05:30The Reward<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">The sun shone brightly on a sunny summer morning. It was a special day indeed for Nathuram. After all, his paintings were on display at the National museum. The great Raja of Tanjore was going to visit the place. There was a rumor that he was on a lookout for artifacts and paintings to adorn the new palace he had recently built for his Rani. Nathuram was excited and nervous at the same time. One look at him and you could conclude that he could be anything but a painter. You see Nathuram was not an average guy. He had no hands. He painted with his mouth and legs. People would be amazed by the talent he had and the great art he put out. It seemed highly impossible to differentiate between his paintings and the regular 'hand-made' ones.<br />
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He was lost in his thoughts when the sound of horns and drums rolls announced the arrival of the Raja. It was fantastic show put together. The Raja arrived on Elephant sitting on a gold adorned palanquin swaying delicately along with the swagger of the elephant. He threw a lavish look at the people gathered to see him and alighted from the elephant. After the Aarti ceremony he declared the exhibition open. There were various artists from all over the region, Sculptors, painters, dancer, singers and so on. The Raja took turns to enjoy the performances of each and everyone. Some were handsomely rewarded, while some were given a few mohurs. The Raja made sure no one went back empty handed.<br />
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Later was the art exhibition. The Raja wandered the area where all paintings were displayed and took deep interest in each and every one of them. He even allowed the artists to explain the use of certain colors and lines. He spent a lot of time to indulge in the details, rewarding the painters handsomely. Then came Nathu's turn. He was almost shivering when the Raja came to his plaque. He stood engrossed in the painting for a few minutes, then looked at Nathu, and then again observed the painting for a few minutes. Soon his face curved into a bright smile. He grabbed Nathu by the shoulders and almost hugged him.<br />
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"This was the painting I was looking for in my master bedroom. The queen is going to be pleased to have this. I am ready to pay any amount of money to own this one." Nathu's joy knew no bounds. He was almost teary-eyed. "Malik", he said. Who am I to value this? I'm glad enough that you like it. No honor is greater. The Raja, further pleased due to the appreciation, whispered to a servant and he came back with a huge bag of mohurs.<br />
<br />
The Raja, just like any other royalty prided himself on being the most generous. He did not want to be outdone by other neighboring kings. “I wish to reward you the highest reward you can get. Tell me what did you get for the last piece of art you delivered? I will give you something much more than that.”<br />
<br />
A little amused, Nathu said, “I pray do not do as you say Sire. I would rather not have anything at all.”</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
The Raja a bit curious now inquired, “Why? What did you work on before you did this painting?”<br />
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Nathu standing fixated, his eyes focused on the horizon replied, "The Taj Mahal"<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><i>Rumor has it that Shah Jahan had the hands of all the artisans cut off so that they could never replicate the Taj Mahal ever again. This was the reward the people got for helping create one of the wonders of the world.</i></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-78963869426481493092010-05-22T20:19:00.000+05:302010-05-22T20:19:24.217+05:30Worship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R5WZ0Bx7Nbdlb6Ae5ElluDYw2jUmwDvbHF_TzwUO2zNtwFlyUWpEjeJ0hRjJJM7npsHiaE7eOx-gAacKSp2F-VWnxPrMY4IH7_NQt-uaRCi65pKEJQjuX1M9YpHUmdYtkZclsbWTE5w/s1600/worship2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R5WZ0Bx7Nbdlb6Ae5ElluDYw2jUmwDvbHF_TzwUO2zNtwFlyUWpEjeJ0hRjJJM7npsHiaE7eOx-gAacKSp2F-VWnxPrMY4IH7_NQt-uaRCi65pKEJQjuX1M9YpHUmdYtkZclsbWTE5w/s320/worship2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship idols.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship frames.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship places.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship names.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship trees.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship fruits.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship animals.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship roots.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship the ocean.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship rivers.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship our cars.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When they're delivered.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship people.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship saints.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship money.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: right;">We worship grains.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We worship the whole damn world</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before we die.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then why is the worship of parents</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That we deny?</div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-67712664279417682242010-05-18T22:03:00.000+05:302010-05-18T22:03:21.892+05:30Hadippa? Really?<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We come from the land of bollywood, where goons are killed with a mere verbal "dhishkyaon" while heroes travel across continents will a bullet in their skulls. Where a heroine is saved at the end no matter what and the hero ki Maa has tears as standard accesories.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In bollywood music plays a major part in the movie. There have been instances when a movie has been woven around the songs. Sadly gone are the days of sensible melodies. We rarely even listen to the actual words of songs these days. All we like is the moojic. Every song has a remix made to prove it's popularity. I fear soon there will be a time when bollywood will be ruled by trance music having just a groovy beat and no words at all.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To prove my point further, I give the example of the following song.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dil Bole Hadippa!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This happens to be a song from a film of the same name that bombed at the box office. That was bound to happen considering the fact that Rani Mukherjee was trying to pull a la Bhuvan in the Lagaan-sque movie. What puzzled me more was the title track. I played it once, and then again, and then again. I just couldn't find something sensible in it. So I went to Googlebaba and asked the meaning of the lyrics. (Googlebaba knows everything.)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Soon enough I found a <a href="http://www.lyricsmasti.com/song/6996/get_lyrics_of_Hadippa.html">link</a>.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is the meaning of the song. (it touched me heart.)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <object height="190" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7wcJ652CNGg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7wcJ652CNGg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="190"></embed></object></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Duniya Firangi Syappa Hai</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The world is a crazy, crazy place</span></div><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fikar Hi Gum Ka Papa Hai</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where worry is the root of all troubles</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Apna To Bas Yeh Jaapa Hai</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's why we believe</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fikar Karein Fukarey</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Only the silly worry</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chewing Gum Hai Chabbi Ja</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Life's a chewing gum, just keep chewing</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hand Pump Hai Dabbi Ja</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Life's a hand pump, just keep pumping</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Life Ka Joosa Kaddi Ja</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Squeeze the last drop out of life</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fikar Karein Fukarey - 2</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And leave the worrying to the silly</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Khush Rehne Ka Nahin Lagda Koi Tax O Rabba</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There's no tax on happiness</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oye Bhool Fikraa Hai Jigraa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So forget your worries, show some heart</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Toh Sang Mere Bol Hadippa - 4</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And shout out Hadippa!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kothi Na Maal Hadippa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No mansion and no money</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Na Gore Gaal Hadippa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not even your beauty</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nahin Jaaney Tere Naal Chahe Kitna Sambhaal</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">is going to the grave with you</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chhadd Mitti Daal Hadippa - 2</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So dump the thought</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Khushiyaan Tu Weh Char Le</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gobble up all your joys</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hath Dono Weh Bhar Le</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With both hands</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Khabba Ho Ya Sajja</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The right and the left</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oye Bhool Fikraa Hai Jigraa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Toh Sang Mere Bol Hadippa - 4</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nazron Se Bol Hadippa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let your eyes give it all away</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Koi Jo Kol Hadippa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you're with somebody special</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kari Zyaada Gol Mol, Teri Khul Jaani Pol</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Play games and you'll be exposed</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yeh Dil Ka Dhol Hadippa - 2</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By the drumbeat of your heart</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Derby Ho Ya Dhaka</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In Derby or in Dhaka</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rab Tera Ho Raakha</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God will watch out for you</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Padne De Tu Tippa</span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you go with your instinct</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oye Bhool Fikraa Hai Jigraa</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Toh Sang Mere Bol Hadippa – 4</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If there really is a God, he should prove himself by sending us some real good songwriters!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-83228663753559796412010-05-07T22:54:00.003+05:302010-05-08T00:19:14.470+05:3055 Fiction #13<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He once used to zip past in chartered planes and luxury yachts. Secretly owned properties in prime locations. Now he lives in a 2bhk flat and drives a Maruti 800 gifted by his father-in-law.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Its amazing the changes an RTI Application may bring.</span></div>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-7557617552496226202010-05-03T18:18:00.006+05:302010-05-03T18:18:00.527+05:3055 Fiction #12<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A cold shiver ran down his spine. He stared at the killer, fast asleep. The local government had announced a reward on the killer's head. His hands groped the darkness for his camping knife. A swift stab at the neck would do it. "But is it necessary? Afterall there are only 1141 of them left."</span></span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-686877861250554509.post-66482302349341884802010-05-01T00:30:00.000+05:302010-05-01T00:30:56.820+05:30Escape<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br style="color: #134f5c;" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br style="color: #134f5c;" /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">This post has been published by me as a part of the <b>Blog-a-Ton 10</b>; the tenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/"><b>Blog-a-Ton</b></a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span></span></blockquote><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span></div><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">He sighed as he looked outside through the window of his cell. He could see the sun setting past the mountains spreading a hue impossible to create by mixing any kinds of paints on a canvas. He enjoyed this sight everyday before settling down in his dark, dinghy cell. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">He had become used to the fact that he was gonna be here for a long time. Bribing, unlawful possession of secret military documents, underworld links, extortion, murder etc etc... The list went on. It was not easy being on the run all the time. The cops were chasing him and so were the crooks. He had almost pulled off what could be the biggest scam of all time in history. If only the drunk cop hadn't squeaked...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">There was a time when he was all invincible. He knew the people and places. No one would dare mess with him. He kept a detailed record of everyone in the business. But it seems time has betrayed him. He lost many of his loyal men one after the other. People who he kept "Happy" were getting their share of Happiness from other places. His enemies had become all the more powerful. Besides the Police were reluctant to protect him. His family had deserted him. Maybe he saw himself in the setting sun.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">At times the inmates would talk about freedom and escape. They would let their imagination run wild about the things they'd do if they escaped. Some even tried to make plans to escape sometimes. Most of these were loose shots in the air. One day a young lad planned a way to escape. It seemed foolproof. He started hunting for partners to assist him. Soon the lad came to him and asked whether he wanted to escape.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">He thought for a long time. About his family who din care any more. About his friends who had turned their backs on him. About his men who were either dead or in prison. About his enemies who were after his blood. About the cops who were waiting to squeeze secrets out of him.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He let a long sigh and said "No. This prison IS my escape"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The <b>fellow Blog-a-Tonics</b> who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective <b>posts</b> can be checked </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/2010/04/rules-and-reminder-for-blog-ton-10.html#comments"></a></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/2010/04/rules-and-reminder-for-blog-ton-10.html#comments"><b>here</b></a>. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following <b><a href="http://blog-a-ton.blogspot.com/">Blog-a-Ton</a></b>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span></span></blockquote><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span></div><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span>Saurabh Panshikarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383431216607374468noreply@blogger.com48