I’ll be there for u……………

We laughed on the worst of jokes. Jokes which were not even the slightest bit funny. We fought fake fights. We abused and swore obscenities on each other only to let the hilarity go on. We saw each other act cute half asleep at 5.30 in the chilly mornings.

We were seven people in Tent No. 15, who got used to each other’s system, reactions, behaviour and habits. There was never a bias in the heart while we pulled each other's leg inducing racism in our humor (of the small towns and the NCR, North and South India, Bihar and UP). In all this, Varun Anand aka Tau was our serendipity. He is of the league of the legendary Jaspal Bhatti, maybe better for his spontaneity.

It was the best time to know our friends. Small gestures spoke, while we tried to keep the little boy’s ego alive and never accepted our affection. Ashish Bhardwaj returned from half a kilometer to show me a very cute child. He knew I love kids.

Ashwini kept us motivated and remained awake all the time while we prepared for the debate. Six different treatments were offered when Chilraj hurt his wrist. We cracked few more sick jokes just to make sure he forgets his pain.

“Dude u rock!”, was what Ashwini was told by everyone, when he danced non-stop for almost 2 hours (and a dance it was!). We made an effort to share all our experiences together. All of us together opened the prize we’d won in the debate. Help was never asked for, it came on its own. I was stunned when Amit Thakur washed Chilraj’s plate after dinner.

Our being together had some side effects as well. I who boast of a sophisticated taste of music, for the first time in my life was made to listen, sing and actually enjoy the worst filmi songs. (Tainu ghodi kinne chadaya bhootni ke, tera tera suroor, jumma chumma, choli ke piche, gutar gutar, kukdoo koo…).

As a passive listener I had no option but to learn all the abuses I could fathom and fired them at any opportunity I could. Vineet Neoliya (of the ‘Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Vineet Neoliya naam rahega’ fame) was shocked when I threw a Bhain@#%$ at him. Being a rookie I, at times muddled up a few of them, in fact mixed them pretty badly. What was supposed to be of the sister became mother’s and vice versa. At times I invented my own. Chetan was usually my guru while an analysis was followed there after. The research was lead by our dearest Ashwini. He surprised a lot many with his extreme transmission.

All of us were perfect for our Tent No. 15. We wouldn’t have, had we not had it to share it with the ace shooter Varun Seth. We have shared the rarest experience of our lives together it might not just be a mere co-incidence but a fortune surely.

At this moment I remember these lines:

“I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.”

Dos and Don'ts at the MTC:

Dos
1. Drink a lot of water to avoid acidity.
2. Take an antacid/ Eno along to avoid the piss.
3. Take fewer clothes (you won’t take the uniform off)
4. Take blankets instead. (The nights are freezing)
5. Contribute as much as you can.
6. Make as many friends as possible.
7. Start building stamina (to complete the Cross Country Race)
8. Eat less (you can easily loose there)
9. Apply a lot of sunscreen.
10. Change socks.
11. Share your quilts (to get the extra warmth).
12. Take a moisturizer (we used boroline and himalaya lipguard)
13. Use tissue papers. (They are easier)
14. Remain down to earth. (to extract the best out of everyone)
15. Take part in the debate. (call me if you need help winning it)
16. Drink less water after the sunsets. (The bath rooms are far)
17. Give 100% with a smile during all tasks.
18. Learn some great jokes/ stories. (else the tent mates would harass you asking the most personal questions)
19. Build a stamina to laugh. (It would naturally prop up when least expected)
20. Cut nails. (it is hygienic)
21. Learn good songs along with lyrics.
22. Take deodorants (It works as a tent refreshner)
Don’ts
1. Don’t eat chewing gums and talk rough. (It looks very cheap)
2. Don’t carry your earphones. (You’ll create your own music)
3. Don’t carry any food from home. (You’d bring it back)
4. Don’t disrespect nature.
5. Don’t escape from doing any task.
6. Don’t eat radish/ mooli. (you know why)
7. Don’t carry playing cards etc. (talk instead)
8. Don’t act selfish. (It comes back to you)
9. Don’t be careless and casual (It saves time)
10. Don’t sleep a lot (Hold conversations under the quilts instead)
11. Don’t act too pricey. (You’d badly need your friends)

Musings from the class-room!

I dedicate this post to my classmates at the B-School; this is not a tribute to them nor is this an effort for eulogizing them and what they mean to me. These six months I spent with my classmates have been very fruitful. I so much wanted to have friends with different league of people who I’ve found here. This could be a way of my saying thanks to those who have been there for me and have heard me. It is also an attempt to say hello to those I am yet to become acquainted with.

To put in a flavor of creativity I have written a few lines for each person whom you have to identify. You could answer these riddles at the COMMENTS box.

1. She’s cutest, sweetest and very fair,
I’ve never seen her in despair.
My friend called her the account’s queen,
Wearing a smile she’s always seen.

2. Shedding some weight would turn him so handsome,
He in no time solves any problem,
Need I add a line?
He was this class’ first friend of mine…….

3. A few elitists the class adorns,
Found in groups they are never alone.
They failed the extroverts and the friendly type,
Guess, the grapes would never ripe.
{That's a group guys.}

4. Tici-tac, tici-tac, such is her gait,
For her it is hard work and not fate.
Always punctual she’s never late,
In ITBA her score was great!

5. His humility could be deceptive,
Modesty quite seductive,
A lobbyist he could very well become,
Guys you would never find him glum.

6. Na jeen kisinu dendi hai, Na maran kisinu dendi …
Wo bas tap tap tap tap khoon pindi hai :-)
She’s the first girl I made my friend,
She’ll surely remain till the end!

7. Inki aawaz inki pehchan hai,
Ghar mein bhi lagte mehmaan hain.
Alternative rock n trance ke fan hain,
Could you guess yeh kaun hain?

8. She loves to eat momos and ride bikes,
She’s too fast behind the mikes.
Gets hurt when glass strikes,
Likes the music the blogger likes.

9. Leaves a “permanent” mark wherever he goes,
At times some tantrums this guy throws.
Innocent and naïve, but a lot he knows,
On his face a moustache he grows.

10. A child prodigy!

11. She’s too beautiful to be an Engineer,
Bright shines her nail paints like the DeBeers
A silver bracelet she often wears,
Has a sense of dressing which no one shares.

12. They call him the Bahubali,
Its not at all silly,
He’s quite a warm hearted,
Seldom would you find him parted.

13. All the way from Haryana to UP,
Seems lost? I say, “May be”.
His swearing have the best conviction,
Has a low profile but high ambition.

14. Shan-e- Section B, Shan-e-Punjab!
His dress sense gives him the deserved rubab!
Behind his beard he is the fairest of all,
He answers to everyone’s calls.

15. It’s a moment when she breaks into a smile,
It only happens once in a while,
What fascinates me is the blink of her eye,
She ain’t at all though she seem reserved n shy.

16. What I like about him is his conviction,
What I hate is his dedication,
He’s ditched by poor luck,
Luck , luck , what the F@#$%

17. This smart chap’s got many aims,
But his loyalty to them keeps dwindling.
Has seen the world he claims,
His duties keep his phone buzzing!

18. An engineer, a friend,
An ally on whom I can depend.
Hails from my favourite, the cyber city,
When not occupied he turns very witty.

19. My first best friend in the class,
He’s innocent and has a smile beautiful.
He is quiet cos he’s not one among the mass,
Whenever I’m run down, he’s there to pull.

20. She’s helped me since the very 1st time,
She seemed to have answers for all my queries.
I feel guilty to call her at the hour very prime,
Yet she’s been to everyone as are the fairies.

21. I learn a lot from him, be it T.A or the laws of life.
We’ve held many a discussions on his bike,
While I prefer a rainbow, He,
Sees the world not in grey but largely black n white.

22. She’s blessed with a very pure heart,
Has been the nicest to me from the start.
Has a phobia of all that one can fear,
She would always listen if you confess into her.

23. This guy has got a bit of a violent streak.
However, i would contradict myself,
When i say he'l be the greatest friend you'll seek.

It amazes me when he's in-sync with himself.

24. Ranbeer kpoor would look like him,
If only he ever goes to the gym.
I keep cribbing," dude y don't u shave!"

Like soulmates we guys behave.

25. This is a guy a lot I admire,

To him not many influences inspire.

Is a lot mature than most of us,

Has content and style which does loads impress.

26. He is the big n extremely friendly,
Has a great sense n timing of wittiness.
His fame among women leads to my jealousy,
From this day on he'll wear an UNCLE'S dress.

27. She says words with a lot of energy,
Her appreciation has loads of generosity.
Is quite bright it so seems, cos she comes,
from where we'd find, The Cambridge of India.

28. I.T. interests him extremely,
He at times alone took the group's responsiblity.
His hair covers his forehead an eyes,
He doesn't show but he's quite wise.

The answers so far:
1-Rayna 2-Imran 3- The D.U Girls 4-ankita 5- Mohit mittal 6-Sayani Som 7-rahul nair 8-richa mittal 9-kumar suarabh 10-apporva 11-ritika 12-Ashish Bhardwaj 13-varun 14-manvit 15- Padmini 16-vineet 17- amit taneja 18-Chilraj 19-Amit Thakur 20-prachi arora 21-ashish bhandari 22- Anchita 23- Chetan 24-vishal 25- Kunal 26-rahul singhi 27-Komal Kesarwani 28-ritesh

Saddii Dilli!

I was watching an interview of Barkha Dutt and Sheila Dikshit on the Delhi elections. I have never paid heed to Politics ever. every time there were elections i considered it futile to vote for the vulgar goons. But the interview presented a different picture this time. i was quite impressed by Sheila Dikshit, the way she answered the questions raised in the most apt language. She was a very cognizant as well as a confident woman. I was mighty impressed of her intellect and elegant humor. the thought occured that i would be like to be lead like such a Politician, as i would with my cherished professors. There was a sense of security felt if she becomes the Chief Minister.

The BJP candidate on the other hand was found cribbing and leaving no stone unturned to demean Congress to which Sheila replied in the most decent, humble and satisfying manner.

i have after the interview decided to vote and also my candidate. for i don't want whatever good that has happened in Delhi to stop. I love Delhi and Delhi deserves the best!

WE DON'T LET OUR PARENTS DECIDE FOR US, WHY LET OUR POLITICIANS?

We do really care about you!

Dearest MJ,

I write to u as an ardent fan who admires your music. we have grown up listening to you. Even though we are a far far away country your songs reached us despite no globalisation a decade back. Beat it, Black or white, They don't really care about us... they still get me goosebumps.

My purpose of writing to you is out of concern. MJ why aren't you happy the way God has made you, being what you are? You weren't happy with your blessed colour. There were reports of your dissatisfaction being a man. i pray they were rumors. Later you thought you would be much happier with kids. i yet again pray that it was out of passion for compassion and not otherwise. Being the richest Pop-Star in the world made you uncomfortable that you went down to the extent of bankruptcy.

Now when we were expecting you to do something exceptionally great in music and make a comeback you aren't suddenly happy with your faith! and neither were you happy with the way you spelt your name. Mikaeeel!!! how on earth do you think the little children would learn and pronounce when i myself find it so hard. They would learn about you in their GK books as we had done, unless you have been scrapped off the syllabus.

MJ all you need is to find happiness. that would bring peace to your fluctuating wanderings.
Come to India i would say and i'll take you through a guided tour of the sources of joy. we have them here a plenty.

We do realy care about you, MJ. And we are waiting for you to sing for us again.
Your admirer,
UJ

PS: They have accepted Obama they would accept you too. Comeback!

my inheritance, a liability...

I'm getting bald. it's a bit early for the age but its an inheritance which has become my liability. all men of our family have recieved it.

i was listening to Madonna's version of Don't cry for Me Argentina. The song is a composition of the legendary Andrew Lyod Webber, no wonder it's so melodious. It was then when i saw another version of the song by Sinnead O Connor. (She actually has sung it better than the Material Girl.)

i was curious which is not unusual for the recently developed youtubers and the wikipediacs. my inquisitiveness drove me to knowing the woman better. The following is what i got to know:

• She's beautiful.
• She is a Grammy Award winning Irish singer and songwriter.
• Her song "Fire on Babylon" is about the effects of her own child abuse.
• Her shoplifting and truancy led to her to a reform school at 15.
• She recorded her first song "Take My Hand" at 15.
• She called Pope evil on NBC's Saturday Night Live.
• O'Connor didn't let the American national anthem being played before her concert. She said, "I will not go on stage after the national anthem of a country which imposes censorship on artists. It's hypocritical and racist."

The last thing of note is that she's shed her head hair. She's bald by choice!

Jai Bihar! Jai Maharashtra! Jai Bharat!

I never read forwards i receive in the mails. They keep piling in there until i shrewdly delete them all. today however the jinx was broken when my peeping friend's eye caught it. I am grateful to him for i could have missed reading something hilarious. i am posting e same forward on the blog, with all due credit to the original writer, so that more people could read it. On a serious note the satire makes sense to whatever fundamentalist non-sense is happening in Maharashtra. It goes like:

Support Raj Thackeray

1. Parliament should have only Delhiites as it is located in Delhi
2. We should teach our kids that if he is second in class, don't study harder. just beat up the student coming first and throw him out of the school
3. Prime-minister, president and all other leaders should only be from Delhi.
4. No Hindi movie should be made in Bombay. Only Marathi.
5. At every state border, buses, trains, flights should be stopped and staff changed to local men
6. All Maharashtrians working abroad or in other states should be sent back as they are SNATCHING employment from Locals
7. Lord Shiv, Ganesha and Parvati should not be worshiped in our state as they belong to north (Himalayas)
8. Visits to Taj Mahal should be restricted to people from UP only.
9. Relief for farmers in Maharashtra should not come from centre because that is the money collected as Tax from whole of India, so why should it be given to someone in Maharashtra?
10. Let's support Kashmiri Militants because they are right in killing and injuring innocent people for the benefit of their state and community.
11. Let's throw all MNCs out of Maharashtra, why should they earn from us? We will open our own Maharashtra Microsoft, MH Pepsi and MH Marutis of the world
12. Let's stop using cellphones, emails, TV, foreign Movies and dramas. James Bond should speak Marathi
13. We should be ready to die hungry or buy food at 10 times higher price but should not accept imports from other states
14. We should not allow any industry to be setup in Maharashtra because all machinery comes from outside
15. We should STOP using local trains.... Trains are not manufactured by Marathi manoos and Railway Minister is a Bihari
16. Ensure that all our children are born, grow, live and die without ever stepping out of Maharashtra, then they will become true Marathis

Watch Heroes..

i just now saw the movie Heroes....

i would not say its a great movie, neither is it a well directed film but it might be turning point in the life of some people. as it has been to mine.

It is a great story... a wonderful story of 2 kids exploring, how they discover and transform...

its simple and has simple lessons...

Its very simple to live for our own happiness, its however difficult to take up responsibility and become a Hero.

All my life what mattered to me was that i get my share of good music, good food, good company and other things that shouldn't be mentioned so openly. indulging in all these things gave me immense happiness so much so that i forgot what i could give.
this thought would have never occurred to me had i not seen the film. i pondered over the things there are in a Hero and things that i lack.
It was concluded that the Heroes are extremely focused, disciplined and healthy. which i personally am trying hard to become. Along with that, they seek happiness in their responsibilities unlike us.

watch these when alone!

i warn u again to see this alone or with like minded asses...

1. Russel Peters explains it all...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX4NGyT6bok&feature=related

2. a marvellous tribute to the most beautiful woman Jagan Mohini who was one of vishnu's avtaras. she is the Apsara who takes the amrit away from the demons at the time of samudra manthan.. the songs is a Saraswati vandana sung by a great Sinhalese singer Pandith Amardeva.

{as you require a youtube account for it please search for the following kywords: Jagan Mohini Pandith Amardeva }

would love to know what u think of it.

at the Naz Foundation...

I begin this post with great happiness and joy. I do not wish to bring in any sign of gloom or despair as there isn’t any actually. In fact I have never been so happy with life before. And maybe that is the reason which is forcing me to write tonight.

It will take me hard to forget their faces. Not so bright, not at all rosy, or glowing but there was happiness which I saw. Unconditional happiness! The little kids were somehow aware that they won’t have to strain their lungs for long. They knew they were not wanted. Being afflicted with AIDS, they knew they had very little potential. Yet they chose to be happy. I say that with conviction because such blissful expressions cannot be faked. They were children with an innate knowledge that the little life they have is too short for grief. And that is why amazingly I did not see them cry or fight in those 2 hours I spent with them. it seemed that the virtue of cooperation and team work was inbred in them. And all the team efforts led to a single goal, of celebrating the moment!

After meeting the kids, I am humbled down. I find myself very fortunate. I’ll be indebted to Tushar Kaudinya, who helped me open my eyes to reality. There is suffering, true. Brahma created it, Budha defined it, Gandhi fought it and we live it. I wonder how I in those sick children couldn’t find any pain. All they wanted was love. Yet they never asked for it. It was only natural on our part to transcend it to them.

the Epic Poem...

the epic poem

I wrote this a year back. since it is no more a precious treasure i thought it could be published for others to enjoy. Like a typical epic poem, it is exaggerated as well. I have attempted to write it and immitate the greatest poets of the history. it was the least bit i could do at this age, the same age when the Great Keats passed away...
with all humility to Him...

It's not a cock'o'bull story,
And definitely not a tale so ghory.
Neither myth of murderous men,
Nor wizards turning into good old hen.
It's no legend of king or queens,
Nor escapades of premature teens.

On a more serious note,
My readers I must say.
What I long time back wrote,
That Love's forever to stay.
It has ever since worked a miracle,
Making mankind go hysterical.

Oh! By now I think you might;
must have got it right.
Oh! Yes it is a love story,
From the enigmatic land Rajori.
Of times when cultures were on threshold,
And values and virtues out to be sold.

It was no age of innocence,
Having morals, didn’t make much sense.
It was painful to be a good human
It was tough and demanded a ton.
Yet by God Almighty’s grace,
Existed a few brave hearts among the race.....
......................................................

(the poem has around 30 more stanzas to it, i dont think it would be judicious to put it here,
therefore i would mail it to anyone who finds it interesting enough. You could mail me
at udit.joshi.delhi@gmail.com or simply drop a comment here..)

Reasons...

writing a title for my blog was tough, more so when i was forced to create one within a very short deadline. i titled it as "blog? a mirror or pandora's box". Reason? It being a repurcussion of the question in my mind. until the end i wasn't very sure as to why i am doin it. the skepticism was as to how would the readers percieve me as?
i believe the fear's gone now. Reason? no one reads it. only 46 people have visited my blog. :-(

i wonder if they will ever return.

I have published a few poems of mine on the blog. Reason? i would lik to share my feelings with everywho reads it. poetry is one form of writin where i want to improve at. i would like to recieve some criticism. i have had duels- 'in phrase' with my friend where i won hands down. The Reasons for the feud? -my form of writing poems. i follow the orthodox, rhyme-scheme style where as he considers poems to be a more contemporary form of expressing things haphhazardly . i do not deny him of the right/freedom of speech but in that case, wat's poetic abt those poems?
Some fragments of the duel are:

I:

"Dude poems need reforms,

Follow some poetical norms,

only then ther'll be

some turbulent storms."

(i'd also asked him to become friends with a friend of mine)

Him:

"I don like committed girls,

They are already fused birds,

they dont need to be kissed ,

And they neither can be fixed.

who needs such storms,

when reforms initially are deforms."

I:

"Since my mate,

u began a bit late;

poetry though innate

dont assign it to fate.

it needs to be brief,

create mischief,

deadman's grief,

an autumn's leaf."

(By now my friend has started to surrender.)

Him:

"But i will, surely follow,

a few poetical norms,

to earn your turbulent storms,

you are elder, my brother,

i agree, u started early

and i repect your feelings,

have faith tremendous in your dealings,

my love you have won,

however i tried too, to hit a ton.

dont be happy you have CRUIRED,

Next time you are aught to lose."

I:

"CRUIRED's no word,

a strange bird,

i fail to see,

and my victory is but a drop in the sea.

I want you to win each time,

but make sure your lines rhyme,

Dude i say,

This game lets play!"

Him:

"That was cruised my dear,

indeed this game's cool, lets bear.

am being tortured by Mrs. Psychotherapist

Pain is more than when i visit a dentist.

Rhyming i guess i am good in,

you could better stop scratching,

for mistakes and lying.

no law says poems need rhymes,

you should work on this bit.

take a candle and light your wit."

I:

"Well, my style is different than yours,

Its tragic!

If a poem doesn't rhyme,

its mere a sentence not magic!

what fun it is being so straight,

but play with words of substantial weight."

(These last lines reveal the kind of person i am.)

beguiling speculation.....

i can no longer live in speculation
over what triggers such generosity?
whether you return my admiration,
or this ecstasy happens to be my fallacy.

for it was affection that I'd craved.,
when i received your bliss full love,
priceless moments i wanted saved,
the "acts" of what, is mentioned above.

i don't deserve what is not mine,
love kindness praise or your hand.
as delicate as dew on the pine,
is our relation in this forbidden land.

would ours too be a famous story.,
recalled by the generations?
or are we living it already,
in lieu of our separation. speculation.. speculation...

Psychedellic: Not just a state of mind..

After many years, i just now have risen up to realize wher do i derive my thinking from and at that with whom does my phiosophy match? The revelation tells me that I am not alone and makes my ideology more vivid and clear. It is a serendipity (that being my favourite word) that while searching on "Psychedelic" on youtube and wiki, I happened to reach BEATNIKS and Jack Kerouac. Over there i read the following lines:

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars, and in the middle, you see the blue center-light pop, and everybody goes ahh..."from On the Road

Wat made me feel special and one among the mavericks was the Hippie code: "Do your own thing, wherever you have to do it and whenever you want. Drop out. Leave society as you have known it. Leave it utterly. Blow the mind of every straight person you can reach. Turn them on, if not to drugs, then to beauty, love, honesty, fun."

I am aware that ideologies keep changing; maybe I would not feel the same way afer a few years, but Psychedellia happens to be my state of mind at this moment.

I realize: Life is beautiful.. (in the Psychedelic land) .