Our vacation in Kodaikanal - December 20-24, 2008

Some memories of Kodaikanal. Although not as pictureseque as Munnar but we had great fun near Kodai Lake. I cycled after 20 years and really had great fun. Manas and ajay had horse riding, cycling and boating. Here are some pics too

Congratulation Manas

I am so happy to share this with my friends that Manas has won his first inter-school competition ever. He participated in English Elocution organised in Christ College on Sunday. 30 schools and to name some are Christ Academy, Carmel Convent, Janak Vidyalaya, Christ School, Aradhana public school etc particitpated in the competition. Manas have enrolled on Friday for the competition and the topic was 'Global Economic Crises'. He had to speak for 4 minutes and 1 minute was question-answer session.
My first reaction was 'Why at the last moment you got enrolled' as we have very less time to prepare and from Thursday(12th Dec) is his mid-year examination. I actually scolded him and finally thought of taking some material from the internet. Thankfully Tanay took the responsibility. He started working on the material on Saturday morning and by 2 o'clock he printed out 3 pages for Manas to prepare the topic. Father and son sat whole afternoon together to understand the topic as it was important for answering the question after the speech. Manas found the topic really hard and obviously many adults are failed to understand the depth. How can we expect the same from a 13 years old child who has not even studied Economics till today. Anyways they both worked whole afternoon and finally at 7 o'clock Manas cried and confessed 'Mumma, I can't understand this. Please tell me what to do?' We left him alone at home and went out for coffee. During coffee session we decided to suggest him to withdraw his name. After coming back home, Tanay again sat with him and tried his best to convince and withdraw his name from the competition. But Manas is very adament by nature. He didn't agree for the same and sat again with the pages they both have prepared together. I was actually happy to see his determination. Around 9 o'clock he came to us with all the pages mugged up. Surprisingly he did well and we all slept with some hopes.
Next morning, I tried to wake Manas at 5:30am but all in vein. He got ready by 8:10 and we rushed to the school. The bus was almost ready to move towards Christ College. Around 11:30am he called to inform that he won the first prize in his elocution and then at 2:00pm he again called to inform that he and his team won the 3rd prize in skit also which was led by Manas. The day went well and Tanay's help in preparation was also commendable. Congratulations to both of them. I am attaching the article which Manas spoke about in the elocution.

YOGA classes

Since last 2 months I am attending Yoga class thrice a week. My main objective at that point was to loose some weight. But amazingly I have not lost a single kg even after being so regular in my classes :(
Yoga has so many other benefits which generally go unnoticed but everybody should do some exercise in any form - Aerobics, Playing outdoor games, Yoga, swimming etc.
I have found many changes like Inch loss, good and positive mood, active in my house chores, less body pain, sound sleep, clear skin and active mind etc.
Pranayam is an essential part of Yoga specially for us who are in late thirties, as it gives mind relaxation. Most of the times we are overstressed. I hope I will continue Yoga in future also......

Movies in last few days

Ah....finally I am coming out of those emotions which I experienced while Mumbai attacks. I was feeling completely trapped during those 70 hours. Did not switched my TV off for at least 18 hours a day and watched only news - specially TIMES NOW, Zee news, CNN and BBC.

I watch three movies last week - EMI. Yuvvraaj and Dasvidaniya.
EMI is a story of 4 people who took loan and later unable to pay and how the things rolled out and finally settled. Nice time pass movie with a sensible message. Sanjay Dutt is looking quite aged and Urmila is gorgeous as always. Overall a watchable movie.

Yuvvraaj - Can't even understand how to define. Movie has nothing to admire. A family drama with pathetic story. Not recommended at all. Only music is good and that too just one song 'tu hi to meri dost hai'...

Davidaniya - My friend has recommended this movie on Sunday and I could not resist myself - so watched on Monday. It is a good movie. Vinay pathak is superb. The message is really sweet which says - that we should take out time for our dreams to realise. All the time we understand and complete our duties and forget small joys which can make us worthy living. Overall must watch but with patience as the flow of the movie is slow.

Life is moving ahead

Even the moon smiled and said "Here is the new day to smile with me." Are we ready to smile or smile is so grin that moon could not recognise it.

Everytime I watch news my heart is filled with different feelings. Yesterday night I watched NDTV and some celebrities with Barkha Dutt - Simi Garewal, Kunal Kohli and some more - everybody seems to be awakened as the tragedy happened in a 7* hotel. They all could feel it very near. They all are realising that danger can be on them as well. Where were all of them when these blasts were happening on the roads or in trains or central parks or markets. They were not heard or they were so meak and nobody could see or feel that. Who are we blaming - the politicians. I feel like smiling like yesterday's moon. Congress speaker is commenting " Ye do chaar log tie pahankar or lipstick lagaakar aa jaate hai aur kahte hai ye janta ki awaaz hai( These few people comes with make-up and tie-coat and comment as it is public voice) all is fake. For me it is hard to decide what is fake - these celebrities or the politician. But question remains the same. How general public can voice their opinion. We want to vote to the right person but where is that 'right person'. They are all playing dirty politics. Who is right 1. BJP - who blamed Hemant Karkare about his investigation 2. Congress - Who doesn't listen criticism even after this kind of attacks and comment upon reporters who are reporting the incidents tirelessly 3. UPA - Who is abusing soldier's father if he is not in the state of meeting a CM to take his fake condolences. We are so helpless and confused. Should we vote - the obvious answer is "YES" but whom should we vote - where is the obvious answer.....I'm searching for that....

Yesterday whole day I was watching news channels, completely horrified specially listening to Arnab Goswami. He is always there on the channel for the whole day at the time of crisis. I could see the irritation of his face and could listen his helplessness in his voice. There was no break at all on the channel and were showing everything 'live'. The best was when he called Farukh Sheikh, Shaifali Chhaya and some other people in the studio. Everybody looking so uncertain about the situation and first time I could see everything what I wanted to speak to people 'live'. I specially liked Suhail ( the frustration on his speech) and the question of Arnab "Are you more frustrated this time because it happened in a seven star hotel?" Arnab also said with complete dismay "We reporters are tired of reporting about deaths due to these bomb blasts and human enimity" When will all this stop. The best part was when Suhail asked these politician "Jokers" on a national television. Somebody dared to do this.

These politicians are reaching at "site" to give their speeches and collecting their votes once again only after 24 hours of drama and after confirmation that situations are under control and their life is safe. First was Mr. L K Advani and then Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh with PM and Sonia Gandhi. The last but not the least is Mr. Narender Modi. Why all they have not reached with the NSG commandos? Why they don't understand that they are not required to these places as it inturrupts the work and some of the policemen are deputed for their safety who can be deployed somewhere else. When will all this be understood

Tanay came around 9:30 pm and we both were watching tv till 1am in the morning. We both were tired of the situation and finally slept. In between Ajay came with a paper gun and said "I will kill all of them with this gun" We were very upset to see that. I have never bought a toy gun for my children. I feel it gives a wrong message to them. I think watching TV and hearing all the gun and granade sounds made him doing that act. I was really upset and then talked to Ajji for a while.

Today again we are watching TV since 6 o'clock in the morning and this all is still on. Kids have not gone to school because Ex-prime-minister V P Singh died yesterday. Kids are happy but it is again difficult to watch TV with them. I wish to end all this and have a peaceful life. No more "Breaking News" on the TV pleeeaase. I am praying for everybody's safety...God bless them. I remember the song " Teri hai jameen tera aasman...Tu bada meharbaan..."

So scary and unbelievable

It all started when I picked up today's newspaper with the headline "A war on Mumbai". Oh god now what???? I just read the headline and woke up Tanay with utter disbelief. My initial reaction was " I just saw the news at 8 pm last night and nothing was wrong, what happened overnight" It is ridiculous. Immediately called our friends in Mumbai who informed that majorly roads were blocked in South Mumbai and he was also reach home at 1 o'clock at night. Why innocent people staying in these hotels majorly foreigners or big shots are suffering. It is getting worsen day by day. But this time I feel is the height of it...May be because bomb blast could not scared the people enough. Terrorists feels we are still united...still economy is doing its bit, India is still surviving in this tough time, people are working hard and harder to keep the things perfect, Nuclear deal is finalised....what is more irritating for the anti-india terrorists. But life will surely moves on and it will definitely from here too...

Watching "TIMES NOW" since morning and realising how committed and daring these army, navy and commandos and even news reporters are... They have their life on stake but still doing their jobs beautifully...Hats off to them. What makes their morale up...somewhere they also know that corruption and bad blood is in the environment but that doesn't stop them or demotivate them.. I salute their commitment and courage. Wish to end all this soon...

Oh god ...please help us