Zest for Life

 

My shot.

“It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”

A New Year is Here...

We are finally approaching the end of the year 2010. I am trying to review the passing by year and the feeling is unexplainable! The year 2010 rolled by like a roller coaster ride for me and coming to think of it, I have actually enjoyed every moment of it. No regret whatsoever. In the beginning of the departing year I remember tweeting, “No New Year resolution for me this time. This way, I will NOT feel guilty for not sticking to it” and I am so happy to be able to stick to my words.

I took the year as it came and lived every moment of it with full honesty and dedication. The year 2010 was mostly marked by travels, people and events. I had great fun in the form of trips abroad, trips to many Indian cities and beaches, celebrations of many kinds and my brother’s marriage to a sweet girl, all made 2010 worth every moment. The most satisfying milestone however was organising of the cultural event Bohagi Bidai where I was completely involved from the beginning to the end and in that process met many people and made many friends.
Celebrations give you happiness and let you savour these moments for life. On the other hand, you get wiser with bad experiences. I experienced that too. It was extremely difficult to accept certain changes, but I coped with that phase and got wiser by learning from that experience as well. The year 2010 was a journey of self discovery for me. I have discovered a new me and I didn’t know that this me existed at all. This me is wiser, patient, tolerant and extremely loving. I discovered to what extent I can go for something/someone I really believe in/love. I stretched myself to the limit and I know in this process I have enriched myself as a person.
In the year 2010, I experienced friendship at another level, I realised to what extent I can go and can stretch myself to accommodate people, events and work. I took the risk of breaking the invisible wall around me that I had built to keep myself safe from people. I chucked fear and that’s a great feeling! I used to feel extremely lonely when we first came to Kolkata. It has changed now. I have mentioned about it in one of my previous blogs, how the law of attraction has changed my life. Now I am a complete peoples’ person. I have so many friends that the entire world feels like home. I feel safe. :)

Now that 2011 is approaching, I am going to stick to my “No Resolution” theory so that I can experience life and the year as it presents itself to me. Of course I have my visions, set goals and my to dos ready for myself. But I don’t resolve to do or stick to something just because I made the resolution. I want to embrace every single day of the coming year with full enthusiasm and an open mind. I am so looking forward to this.
Today is 25th December, I wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

New Year Resolution

We are finally approaching the end of the year 2010. I am trying to review the passing by year and the feeling is unexplainable! The year 2010 rolled by like a roller coaster ride for me and coming to think of it, I have actually enjoyed every moment of it. No regret whatsoever. In the beginning of the departing year I remember tweeting, “No New Year resolution for me this time. This way, I will NOT feel guilty for not sticking to it” and I am so happy to be able to stick to my words.
I took the year as it came and lived every moment of it with full honesty and dedication. The year 2010 was mostly marked by travels, people and events. I had great fun in the form of trips abroad, trips to many Indian cities and beaches, celebrations of many kinds and my brother’s marriage to a sweet girl, all made 2010 worth every moment. The most satisfying milestone however was organising of the cultural event Bohagi Bidai where I was completely involved from the beginning to the end and in that process met many people and made many friends.
Celebrations give you happiness and let you savour these moments for life. On the other hand, you get wiser with bad experiences. I experienced that too. It was extremely difficult to accept certain changes, but I coped with that phase and got wiser by learning from that experience as well. The year 2010 was a journey of self discovery for me. I have discovered a new me and I didn’t know that this me existed at all. This me is wiser, patient, tolerant and extremely loving. I discovered to what extent I can go for something/someone I really believe in/love. I stretched myself to the limit and I know in this process I have enriched myself as a person.
In the year 2010, I experienced friendship at another level, I realised to what extent I can go and can stretch myself to accommodate people, events and work. I took the risk of breaking the invisible wall around me that I had built to keep myself safe from people. I chucked fear and that’s a great feeling! I used to feel extremely lonely when we first came to Kolkata. It has changed now. I have mentioned about it in one of my previous blogs, how the law of attraction has changed my life. Now I am a complete peoples’ person. I have so many friends that the entire world feels like home. I feel safe. :)
Now that 2011 is approaching, I am going to stick to my “No Resolution” theory so that I can experience life and the year as it presents itself to me. Of course I have my visions, set goals and my to dos ready for myself. But I don’t resolve to do or stick to something just because I made the resolution. I want to embrace every single day of the coming year with full enthusiasm and an open mind. I am so looking forward to this. Today is 25th December, I wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Tamarind Made Me Miss Malgudi

Food has never been an important aspect of my life. Since my childhood, I have been eating whatever was being served on my plate. Things have drastically changed after I met my partner a few years back. I am a forced foodie now. Funny but true that my partner is a huge foodie and is very particular about everything related to food, starting from the taste, look, colour of the food to the size and cut of the vegetables. No, I am not exaggerating. Hence, we have been known to try out important food outlets of any city that we visit. Recently we have visited the Tamarind on the Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata.

The Tamarind is on the first floor of a road side building that has excellent location and a convenient parking space just in front of the building. Our driver was happy to find a place in front of the entrance door. The moment we entered, a strong smell of disinfectant liquid used to mop the floor, made me uncomfortable. However, it was just the stairs and there was another door to enter the main eating area. Hence, I hoped the smell won’t be there while we eat. I was, thankfully, right. The ambience was nice with a few waiters waiting for us, as there were no customers yet. It was 7.30 pm and we had gone for a lazy, early dinner. The seating arrangement was comfortable spaced out and a few theme Nick Nacks adorned the shelves.

Our order consisted of starters of Tomato Rasam, Lemon Rasam and some Paneer Tikka (yes, not a typical South Indian dish, but you get it there.) Once we placed the orders for starters, two tumblers, full of butter milk, were served to us. I sipped once and it was really nice. :)

Our starters have come after a short wait and since we had already decided on the main course, we ordered our individual preferences of Coriander Rice, Ambat (dal with spinach leaves), Motta Roast (Egg preparation), Appam (kind of a pan cake) and Avial (mixed vegetables stewed in coconut milk). The Tomato Rasam was really wonderful and yummy but my Lemon Rasam disappointed me. It was extremely tangy, to the extent that your tongue would shrink and twist out of the citrus taste. I couldn’t continue sipping. However, the Paneer Tikka was nice, soft and yummy! The presentation of the food was nice. I didn’t know what to expect when the main course arrives.

Well, we didn’t have to wait long. We asked the waiter to serve our choices a little portion of each on our plates and started having it. My partner was silently having his Appam and Avial. After finishing my prayer, I wondered why is he silent! He said, “This is the worst Avial I have ever had. They must have used desiccated coconut or some ready made mix to make it.” There we go again! I thought to myself. I had my first spoon of Coriander Rice and I didn’t know why they are calling it Coriander Rice as there was no fragrance of coriander in it, except a few dried, unidentifiable pieces of some green leaves. The only thing I could eat and give some grade was the Ambat or the Spinach Dal. My partner had given the final verdict, “It’s a fake.” (FYI, my partner is a Tamil Brahmin :) Boing!!!) I give it a 3.5 out of 10, 10 being the best score. My point here is, if you are doing a business, you have got to be honest and passionate about it. The grand result will show. People should not opt for short cuts, as the result of short cuts would always be short lived.

My this experience in Tamarind made me fondly recall the food I had in Malgudi. Tamarind couldn’t really impress us much.

Malgudi is a chain of South Indian restaurants operated by the Shyam Group and the restaurants are well appreciated with its outlets in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The one I had been to, is in Hyderabad. When I was working in Hyderabad, this used to be one of my favourite places to eat. Malgudi has a state specific menu that served food specific to that particular State of Southern India. The first striking point is the look of the restaurant. It looks like the Malgudi railway station of Malgudi. (For those who didn’t know, Malgudi is a fictitious town in India created by my favourite writer R.K. Narayan in his novels and short stories.) Malgudi made me feel special, as the waiters and cooks went out of their way to accommodate my orders according to my taste and requirements. The visit to Tamarind really made me miss Malgudi. Oh it was such a wonderful experience! I think I should write a complete blog on Malgudi once I visit it again. It’s been quite some time now since I have visited it last.

Blue Print for Pharmacy

This is not really a blog. This is a curiosity I have been carrying with me ever since I have started living in Kolkata. I may sound stupid, but I really couldn’t find the answer to my this query and I am here to see if anyone could help me. Now my question to you is, could you please tell me, why many pharmacies are called Blue Prints? For example, a pharmacy named Good Health should have the name as Good Health Pharmacy or Good Health Chemist or Drugstore. Why do they name it as Good Health Blue Print? I have tried googling for the answer but couldn’t really find a solid reply to my question. If anyone knows the answer, please tell me. This itch is killing me.

College Street, Kolkata

Long before coming to Kolkata, I have heard and read about the famous Book Bazaar (Boi Bazaar or Boi Para in Bengali) and the Indian Coffee House on College Street of Kolkata. Predictably enough, after getting transferred to Kolkata, Boi Bazaar and the Indian Coffee House became two of the must dos in my list of to dos in Kolkata. Being a person who is crazy about books, I knew I will be going to Boi Bazaar and since the Indian Coffee house is in the same area where Boi Bazaar is, I wouldn’t give it a miss. I was a lone soul for most part of my initial days in Kolkata. Hence, Coffee House was not really happening due to the absence of a like minded friend. Opportunity knocked and I went there with a friend of mine recently. I am sharing my first hand experience of the College Street and the Indian Coffee House of Kolkata here.

 

There couldn’t be a more appropriate name than College Street for this street in North Kolkata, as it is surrounded by many well known colleges and educational institutions of all time. The famous Presidency College, Sanskrit College, the Scottish Church College, the Bethune College, the Calcutta Medical College, the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Vidyasagar College, Hindu School, Scottish Church School, Bethune School, Holy Child School and the University of  Calcutta, all are situated on both sides of this street. Me and my friend  went straight to the street where Indian Coffee House was ruling for decades. We really needed some fuel to explore the book bazaar of Kolkata. Asking the driver to park the car in a convenient location, we got down from the car and my first reaction was, “This road is, oh so Kolkata!” My statement was supported by a roaring red tram that passed by while a hand pulled rickshaw awaited for it to pass. I felt some connection! 

 The entrance to the Indian Coffee House is deceptively low key. Once you climb up the red spit filled staircase to reach the first floor, you would see a roaring two floors of a cafeteria that has people discussing different things and eating different snacks at the same time. The building is old and the ambience is of a warm humid cafeteria. Well, yeah, I am being frank here. I wanted to sit on the top floor of the cafeteria where I can get a good view of the entire cafeteria. So we both went upstairs and have chosen a table for two and made ourselves comfortable. I thought to myself, well, may be I am sitting in one of those chairs where few of the famous writers sat! Suddenly, realisation struck and I saw the plastic chair I was sitting on. I told myself, “Nah, plastic chairs were not being used during those days.” Felt a tiny winy bit down that I didn’t sit on one of those old chairs available on the first level of the café. Anyhow, I started taking photographs of different angles and frames while we both waited for the waiter to come and take order. It felt as if the waiters were going to take ages to come and take orders. I told my friend, “May be they purposely give time to you so that you can indulge in the favourite hobby of Kolkatans of indulging in adda! (gossip/discussion)”

Well, finally the waiter came and took our snack and coffee orders and introduced us to another round of endless wait. I am not sure if it was because it was a holiday or something else, they were really slow. Anyway, since I had a wonderful companion with me, I enjoyed the wait with nice chit chats and some photo shots. After having our fill, we headed to the book market. I have always been very fond of books. I love the smell of it, I love the sight of it,  I love the feel of it, I love to read for hours, in short, I love everything about books. Hence I was thrilled to see the endless numbers of book shops dotting the sides of the pavement. The best part of the market is that the shopkeepers are very eager to show you what you want and they are knowledgeable. There’s more, if you are finding a book and that particular shopkeeper doesn’t have it, he will find and get it for you from another shop, so, you don’t have to pound the pavement searching for your book.
You must be wondering what did I buy, right? Well, here comes the wonderful part. The books are sold here at a lower price than the printed price. I have never bargained on book price ever. But I was surprised to see that you don’t even have to think about it, as the price is slashed at the start itself. I bought a new 2010 edition of Photoshop CS5 Bible, a handbook for learning Adobe Photoshop. Excellent book with 1042 pages. Loving the book every single day. Boi Bazaar also buys and sells old, used, second hand books at a discount of 50 percent or more. A great place to find some rare books as well.

I found this College street to be a one stop shop for the students, since there are shops that sell all kinds of stationary products a student might need for his desk. Starting from clipboards, magnetic boards to writing copies and variety of folders, you can get everything you want in your academia. I bought 10 folders, a magnetic board, colourful marker pens and a CD holder for my study. So, if you are into books and great coffee, go visit College Street and Indian Coffee House. I recommend.

Click on the photographs for a larger view. For more photographs of The College Street and  Indian Coffee House, please visit my Picasa

This Happened in India

Today I met this nice and cute lady in her ripe years who told me an amazing story. I had to share it here on my blog. She told me not to write, I promised I won’t quote the real names. But this is an amazing story!

Few days back I had met this Tamil couple, who happens to be my relative. Since they live in Geneva , I am meeting them for the first time in my life and we gelled so well. One day over some Chinese lunch in a star hotel in Kolkata, the man, (lets call him Athim here as Athimber stands for brother-in-law in Tamil, though I call him by his name as he prefers that :)),  told me that his mother cooks very well and his parents are Bengali. Well, I couldn’t really understand why was he saying that. How can he be a Tamil guy while his parents are Bengali? Well, my curiosity remained unanswered as everyone was talking about food and food alone and me being the youngest of the group, had to maintain courtesy. However, the itch remained inside.

I had to visit my new relatives house for a puja (religious ceremony) and I got the opportunity to meet my Athim’s elder sister, let me call her Akka (Akka means elder sister in Tamil) there in their house. She has landed in the morning for this puja. We got along the moment we were introduced and in the course of conversation, Akka mentioned that though originally she is a Bengali, her parents are Tamil. Well, of course I have had enough of this suspense already. So, this time, seeing that she is such a lovely, friendly lady, I asked her, how is that possible? How can Athim be a Tamil and his parents are Bengali and she is a Bengali originally and her parents are Tamil? I just had to know it. Here is the story that blew my mind off!

Akka told me that when her parents were young they were friends with a Tamil couple. They were such good friends that they wanted to stay together forever as friends. Hence, they started living together. This must have been decades ago. The Tamil couple and the Bengali couple hence started staying together in the same house and had children of their own. The friendship never changed. The children that is my Akka, Athim, their respective siblings, all have grown together in the same house as one single family. Now in their 60s and 70s, these siblings are still very much there for each other regardless of geographic boundaries. I just couldn’t believe it.  

Obviously, my question was not answered yet. How can she have Tamil parents if she is of Bengali origin and vice versa for Athim? She told me another fascinating story of love. When Athim was born, his original Tamil parents sighed and said, “No, not another boy again!” So, the Bengali couple said, “Never mind, give us your child, he will be ours.” The Tamil couple agreed. However, when another girl child was born in the Bengali family, the Bengali family returned the favour to the Tamil family and they lived happily ever after.

Isn’t it an amazing story? Akka told me, the mother of hers and Athim’s still live together. Now they are in their 90s and they have bitter fights with each other everyday, make up with each other everyday because they can’t live without having each other around. I found this story to be really amazing and mind blowing! How people can be so broad-minded and unconventional! How did the cruel society allow such an existence! I am sure people must have made dirty stories about them. But they never bothered. I wonder how they could manage so nicely over the years and the love they share is simply amazing! Akka was the one who had come to Kolkata to choose the bride for her brother (my Athim) and managed everything and nobody objected anything. Athim’s other sibling consists of a very famous female singer of our times now. I cannot mention her name here, but the whole of India knows her. I am so happy to be a part of such a wonderful broadminded family. God bless them!

On Moving On

It’s been few days now, I have been feeling “Oh so miserable!” But I guess it is not helping me. Hence, I am back to my blog to vent out my thoughts that is babbling in my head (writing helps me think clear). The reason of my this state of mind is because a very very close and the best friend of mine had left this place for good and I am missing him so terribly. I have been crying non-stop for three days. People at my home know that I am missing this friend and they are being very understanding. If I was in there place, I would have told to myself, “oh gimme a break!” or must have shouted saying “will you let it go already?!”. But I continued crying even after my people tried their best to make me understand the reality, - the reason why he had to go, why I shouldn’t cry, how I am not losing anything since he will always remain a friend and so on. But I am not buying any of it. I need him here with me, by my side, to fight with him, argue with him, go shopping with him, to meet other friends with him and in one word, to live. I feel so empty inside! I feel as if I have nothing in my life to look forward to! It feels as if I had lost someone in the family. I just couldn’t stop crying! I have tried to see the rationality of the whole thing and tried to divert my mind. I tried watching movies, listening to songs, going to the parlour, doing gardening and whatever is possible to keep me away from his thoughts. But everywhere his thoughts popped up! While watching movies, he was the best friend of the actor (sometimes, he was the hero!), while listening to songs, the song was sung for him, while coming back from the parlour, I wanted him to comment on my new hair do, while gardening, I wanted to show him my new plants….oh crap! He had become a part of my everyday life!
Today is the fourth day of his absence and I talked to myself the whole of last night. Tried to make myself understand that I cannot continue like this. I have to get back on track as I have responsibilities to carry on, projects to finish, deadlines to meet and a home to run. I am neglecting all those and sulking to no end. A college friend of mine advised me on facebook that I should move on, because I was NOT his priority and that’s why he had left to attend to his set priorities. Whoa! That struck hard on my head! I guess she was right! He became my priority but I was not his! I have got so used to having him around that I started believing that he will always be there with me by my side. I was wrong!

Now, despite missing him so terribly, I am seeing the practicality of this entire event. The fact is that, he had left to do his to dos. I have mine. I must do those. Most importantly, I have promises to myself that I must respect and keep. I have to move on. I know we will remain best friends forever and I really hope that even when we meet after 100 years the friendship we have, remains the same! Because I think I will always be needing this friend of mine.
Ironically, I do not believe that long distance friendship can be the same as real life friendship. But I really want to be proved wrong this time. I do need physical presence of the person when I want to be with him/her. If it has to work despite the distance, I need complete keeping in touch with each other on a regular (read daily) basis. I guess he knows me enough to realise this fact. We are keeping in touch, but somewhere in my heart I feel that very soon he will get busy with his work, home, life, wife and I will just silently take the exit route. May be even without realising that everything has changed. It hurts, but it will be good for me if I accept the reality soon. I don’t want another episode of heart break and crying. I thank him for everything today (except that he had left me alone here). I love my friend and will always do.

My Google Homepage

My Google Homepage looks like this :) and that flower was clicked by me...just in case you are admiring it :)

Kohua Bon near Guwahati, Assam

Kohua Bon near Guwahati, Assam

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1.03.01

Imagination is the preview of life’s coming attractions

I have been following the Live A Better Life in 30 Days Challenge (30DLBL) day by day. My life is tightly scheduled with writing assignments, deadlines, two kinds of classes to attend and a must do regime at the gym. However, when I came across Celestine Chua’s 30DLBL Challenge, I knew I had to do it regardless of the time constraint. It was about living my life to the fullest. I thought of it as an opportunity to improve my life. Hence, I took the plunge. 

While doing the task of Day 1-the Life Wheel, I felt as if someone woke me up with a jolt from my slumber. The Life Wheel of Day 1 showed me the imbalance my life had. I am glad I got the insight. (I recommend you to do the life wheel exercise once). Now, I am readying myself to live my life to the fullest by envisioning my ideal life (Task of day 2) and having my Vision Board of (Task of Day 3). Task of Day 3 was fun! :) I always had a picture of what I want, so putting it up on the vision board was easy for me. I used to keep those photographs/magazine cut-outs of my desirables/dreams/destinations inside books. (I have this habit of keeping things inside the books I read, including cash.) But with the vision board, I have them at one place where I can see them every single day! So, my vision board was ready in a jiffy. I feel this vision board is helping me to remain focused on my dreams. The following quotation has inspired me to no end while doing the vision board:

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” 

~ Albert Einstein

One of my Vision Boards!

Hence, I dared to actually imagine life the way I want it to be. I am glad I am doing this 30DLBL :).

Task of Day 4 required lots of extra reading of Celestine’s blog, but each and every one of it was worth a focused reading. I feel more in sync with myself now. Day 4 was about having your life’s “Mission Statement”. While reading the connected readings on creating your mission statement, I came accross a statement, a question that I needed to ask myself:

If you were to have to do something for the rest of your life, without getting paid a single dime, what would you want that thing to be?

...........and I’ve got my answer. :) More about this later....

Live A Better Life in 30 Days Challenge (30DLBL).

Hey reader of my blog, I am doing this Live A Better Life in 30 Days Challenge (30DLBL). I stumbled upon this website when I was reading something on twitter The blog by Celes is very interesting. I read most of her posts and subscribed it on my Google Reader. When this 30DLBL challenge came up and September was approaching too, I thought of giving it a try. So, here I am sharing it with you and suggesting you to join in too, as there is still time.

The task of day 1, that is today, was an eye opener for me. I realised how I was neglecting a few of my life’s most important aspects. I have a clear picture now and an action plan. Feels good you know? Lets do it together and we will share our experiences here too.

Best wishes!

Indian Independence Day!

On this Indian Independence Day, I visited Visva Bharati University at Shanti Niketan, Bolpur, West Bengal. Enjoyed every moment of it with my group of Sristir Ramdhenu. Sharing here, a very few of the moments:

M

My Bangles of Indian Tri-colour

With my little brother Manash

It's Raining Pineapples in Northeast India!

One of My All Time Favourite Poems "সাগৰ দেখিছা ?"

সাগৰ দেখিছা ?

– দেৱকান্ত বৰুৱা

সাগৰ দেখিছা? দেখা নাই কেতিয়াও? ময়ো দেখা নাই,
              শুনিছোঁ তথাপি,
নীলিম সলিলৰাশি বাধাহীন উৰ্ম্মিমালা আছে দূৰ
              দিগন্ত বিয়াপি |
মোৰ ই অন্তৰ খনি সাগৰৰ দৰে নীলা, বেদনাৰে –
              দেখা নাই তুমি ?
উঠিছে মৰিছে য’ত বাসনাৰ লক্ষ ঢউ তোমাৰেই
              স্মৃতি – সীমা চুমি |
শুনা নাই? মোৰ সাগৰত তুমি শুনা নাই ধুমুহাৰ
              উতলা সঙ্গীত ?
বুজা নাই? অনুভৱো কৰা নাই ফুলনিত বসন্তৰ
              কোমল ইঙ্গিত?
দেখিছাতো ৰামধেনু? বাৰিষাৰ ডাৱৰত পোহৰৰ
              মোহন গৌৰৱ;
প্ৰেমৰ পোহৰ-দীপ্ত মোৰ হিয়া আকাশত দেখিছানে
              ৰঙৰ উছৱ ?
মাজনিশা সাৰ পাই শুনিছানে কেতিয়াবা কেতেকীৰ
              হিয়া ভগা মাত?
ভাবিছানে এটিবাৰো পখীৰ ডিঙিত কান্দে মানুহৰ
              বুকুৰ সম্বাদ!
মই জানো, তুমি কিটো জানা, হেৰা মোৰ হিয়াহীনা প্ৰিয়া!
              তুমি জানা মাথোঁ
তুমি তুমি, মই মই| তুমিতো নাজানা-হায়, কিয় বাৰু
              কিয় আমি গাথোঁ
জঁই পৰা মালতীৰে জয়ৰ গৌৰৱ মালা? মিলনৰ
              কাৰেঙ সোনালী
সাজোঁ কিয় পৃথিৱীৰ দুখৰ বোকাৰে আমি? হৃদয়ৰ
              ৰঙা তেজ ঢালি
প্ৰতিমাৰ পখালোঁ চৰণ কিয়? তুমি নুবুজিবা সখি!
              কিনো বেদনাত
ষষ্ঠীত প্ৰতিষ্ঠা কৰা দেৱীক বিসৰ্জো আমি বিজয়াৰ
              বিফল সন্ধ্যাত!
সন্ধিয়া আহিছে নামি? থক হেৰা নেলাগে জ্বলাব চাকি;
              দুটি নয়নৰ
সহজ প্ৰভাৰে আজি নাশিবা তিমিৰ তুমি অন্ধকাৰ
              মোৰ জগতৰ|

Oh So Kolkata!

These models looked so real, I had to share it with you all. See: 

A Rickshaw Puller and His Rickshaw

A Horse Man!

Law of Attraction

Many a times, I have read, in churches and especially in Christian literatures that if you seek, you will get. However, it was a mere statement for me until I read the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
 

I have read about the power of thoughts and how the frequencies of our thoughts attract what we are thinking about. I was amazed by the book The Secret and wanted to experiment with the “Law of Attraction” that it talks about. 

While discussing the book with my online friends one day, a lot of them suggested that I should watch the movie of the same book. They were so convinced that the movie is much better than the book and I must try it asap. I tried to buy the movie in video stores, online stores and so on. But unfortunately couldn’t get it anywhere. I tried my last hope and tried to get it on hire from BigFlix.com. BigFlix informed that the DVD of The Secret is not available in India. The online stores had no option of delivering it in India and in most cases the shipping cost was higher than the DVD of the movie itself. I so badly wanted to watch the movie that I kept thinking of ways to get it delivered from abroad through some friends who might be travelling to India soon....and guess what? The law of attraction worked. Of course it took some time, but it did work. A very dear friend of mine gave me a link on the internet where I could watch the movie. Suddenly I had the “aha-moment” of my life! Yes, the law of attraction works.

This, many of my readers may find silly. I do not complain if you do. But again, it’s all about believing honestly. I do believe in the law of attraction.

I started to think about more such instances that had happened in my life, which could be linked with the “Law of Attraction”. I found many. On and off, I am going to share my experiences here on my blog about these experiences where I strongly believe that the “Law of Attraction” worked.

One of the most recent experiences where I think the “Law of Attraction” worked is when I was almost slipping into depressing loneliness. I have always been a people person. Love people around me and I had loads of friends during my college days. But life moved on and for work related transfers, I could hardly make new friends with whom I could hang out for long. In the course of transfers, I had to come to Kolkata. I joined PwC immediately after the transfer. It was one of the most boring workplaces I’ve ever worked in. Being a non-Bengali, I had no friends except my immediate colleagues. I felt terribly lonely. A year and half passed and I assumed, perhaps, I have become incapable of making friends. But the feeling of loneliness was so annoying. I badly wanted to have friends to go out with, hang out with and have fun with.

One fortunate day, while coming back from office, I saw one glow sign where it was written in Bengali “Haat Barhalei Bondhutta” (Meaning: If you just stretch out your hand, there's friendship)! That was another of my “aha-moments”. It felt as if it’s a sign from the almighty above! I was woken up from my slumber. Realised, yes, I actually didn’t even try to make friends. I didn’t seek, I just complained to myself of being lonely. That changed my lonely life in Kolkata. I started to open up, meet people, and decided to revive my old friendships outside Kolkata as well. I am pleasantly surprised to see the “Law of Attraction” working here. I changed the pattern of my thoughts from “not having friends, lonely” to “wish I had loads of friends” and this really worked. I have many great friends now who are like minded and great fun to be with. “Law of Attraction” rocks! Just believe!

Sorry, Missed it!

Yesterday, I missed it. I missed a day of blogging. I was tied up with work. No, wait, I actually started three blogs, but couldn’t finish any during the whole of yesterday. I've got seriously busy. I know this cannot be an excuse to break a promise. Hence, as a punishment to myself, I am going to make myself post two blogs today. If I could really do that I would be happy and less guilty. So, wait up and read. Thank you reader! Oh, can this be counted as one of the two blogs for today? ;) Just wondering!

Bhojan Thela - Functionality of Chilli

Today I am having writer's block. Not able to think anything interesting to write about. Actually I am overworked. So, to keep my promise to myself, that I would blog every single day for the rest of my life, I am here to share a blog I have written long back. It's about the magical power of chillies when taken with food. Click here or on the link below and enjoy reading.

http://manashree.bihu.in/620/Bhujan+Thelaa.html

Thank you Zynga for FarmVille

Social networking has never been so fun! It’s getting better. Today I am going to thank my favourite Facebook application Zynga. This is not because I am hooked to their applications on facebook, but because it has given peace of mind, contentment and a diversion from the mundane, boring and stressful lives of so many people around the world. Zynga, though has many games on facebook, but I am here to talk about their most popular game FarmVille.

I remember the day when Puloshka called me from Delhi. Puloshka Dowerah, my college class-mate and a friend who is just like my twin sister, told me that since I am so fond of gardening, I must try FarmVille on facebook. As a good friend, I did and I got instantly hooked. It was so fun! You plough, sow and harvest different beautiful animated plants and earn coins and grow through experiences. It was an instant wow! I thanked her. But my work schedule kept me on my toes and eventually I became less regular in the game. However, I do sit to do my farming on weekends and holidays for few hours.

One of the best examples of how FarmVille is helping people to be happy and content is my MIL. During one of our visits to Tatanagar, Jamshedpur, my MIL was complaining about her routine life and how badly she wanted to have a diversion that she enjoyed. My MIL generally likes whatever I do. In so many ways, my best fan!  She is one of the friendliest and less complicated ladies I have ever met. So, I thought, may be she would enjoy this game and this could be her diversion from the routine. Hence, I opened the application on her laptop and taught her the game, rules, how tos etc. Initially she was slow, but boy, did she get deep into it or what! Now, very often, I get calls from her and she thanks me for introducing her to this game. She calls me and tells me what’s new in FarmVille and what I must try. I am happy that she is happy. I thank Zynga for FarmVille. My MIL is now a content lady who after finishing her chores and attending to her hubby, plays this game and gets involved in this beautiful world of insect free, mud free farming.

In this process of farming, my MIL has also got a social life now, online. She has many friends regardless of geographical boundaries. These friends have similar interests and are neighbours, yes, in their virtual farm. Happy, helping, cordial, gift giving neighbours who can interact on facebook chat whenever they feel like and what’s better than sharing similar interests with good friends? Bliss.

PS: The photographs here are of my farm :)

“Anger is only one letter short of danger”

Today I am here to write about my anger. Yes, it is perhaps the worst thing a person can have /develop/inherit or whatever. I generally get angry when something doesn’t go my way or a person is behaving in an unexpected manner. I get agitated when things are not organised and/or the house is untidy or the clothes are not folded and so on. I have always been told by my mother that anger is not a good emotion to have. However, I have seen her as the angriest person in our family. So, I somehow got confused, obviously! 

The worst part of my anger is - if I am angry at reason A, I can/may take out that anger at reason Z or person X. I know this is dangerous and real bad for me. However, I used to do that until recently.

A day before “that” day, I reached home from a trip outside. The house was a mess and I had overnight house guest with me.  Next day, I slogged like a donkey to clean the house. (I have this cleanliness OCD). I was tired and angry at my partner for not helping me in the cleaning process. The same day, my maid and cook, both didn’t show up. Yes, reasons enough for me to be at the peak of my anger. Then this friend of mine with whom I wanted to talk to wasn’t responding to my messages. And when this unfortunate friend did contact me back...he got the taste of all my accumulated anger. I feel sorry for myself for getting so angry. I realised that I was being unfair by misbehaving with this dear friend of mine, who ironically keeps telling me that anger is not a good thing, it’s equal to a devil. (In Assamese, it is said that “Khong namei Chandaal”). This friend, after being misbehaved with so much for none of his fault, suddenly became quiet. I realised my mistake. I thought I have lost this friend forever, for my own mistake. But thank God we are still the best of friends.

I also remembered my partner saying, “You may lose your loved ones for your anger.” I didn’t want to lose any of those who really love me. In my process of realisation of my mistake, I remembered the character of the movie, Julie & Julia. Julia Child, played by Meryl Streep, never got angry; she never got agitated even though she also had to face a lot of ups and downs in her life. She took things as they came. She was receptive of all the happenings and events in her life. Though she always pursued what she wanted to. That inspired me. That day, I promised to myself to keep my anger under control and to take it easy. I am sure I’ll be successful. Touch wood!

Twitter Killed the Blogger Star

It’s been really long that I have written anything on my blog. But this is not my fault. Trust me. Actually I have been blogging, not on Reflections of course! But, I have been micro-blogging on twitter.com. Believe me, it’s an addiction. And whenever I sulk for not being regular on my real blog, I hum the song... "Video killed the radio star" song with my own lyrics, which is “twitter killed the blogger star!”

Well, enough of excuses already. Day before, I’ve watched the movie Julie & Julia and oh boy, did I get inspired or what! So, Like the young Julie, I have also made a promise to myself to blog every single day of the year. It shouldn't matter what I write and how long it is. I am going to write every single day of my life now.

I always wanted to be a writer. I actually did become one. But I have always been writing for my employers. However, I did get my by-line when I wrote for the Asian Age, especially when I had to write filler features on special events or occasions or festivals. Yet, the hunger to write is not over yet...I write so many things in my head, but it never reaches a solid ground. But from today, I have decided to write on my blog every single day of the rest of my life and today is the first day of the rest of my life.

So, dear reader, be with me, encourage me, ask me questions and boo me if I don’t stick to my promise. Thank you :)

Holi – Indian Festival of Colour

The festival of Holi falls in the month of Phalgun or Fagun. Phalgun arrives as the curtain raiser of the upcoming Spring that brings in warm days and new life. Spring is the season of rejuvenation and rebirth. The earth discards its winter gloom and begins to blossom again. To mark this change, Holi flings colour into the Indian landscape and invites the celebration of life. Spirits run high as the preparations for the festivities begin, as households prepare sweets and colourful powder is bought, long syringes called 'pichkaris' are made ready with coloured water, water balloons are filled to colour family and friends with as many colours as possible.
Children, friends and neighbours gather on the streets and a riot of colour takes over. Coloured Justify Fullpowders known as 'abeer' or 'gulal' are thrown into the air and smeared on faces and bodies. 'Pichkaris' filled with coloured water are sprinkled onto people. Water balloons are thrown at friends and neighbours in the spirit of fun. Sometimes, mud baths are prepared and people are 'dunked' into it amidst much laughter and teasing. The young visitors carry 'abeer' or 'gulal' to pay their respects to elders by sprinkling some on their feet. The younger crowd is drenched with buckets of coloured water and pummelled with water balloons. Indian drums are played and the songs of Holi are sung by the merry-makers.
There is no religious 'puja' or worship associated with this festival of colours as such. However, some 'gulal' or 'abeer' is smeared on the faces of statues of Lord Krishna and Radha, at the commencement of the festivities.
There are some quaint customs attached to this festival as well. Holi is celebrated in the country with great zest and verve. It is a time to remember the brightness and splendour of life, a time to spread happiness, colour and love into the lives of others. Holi is, therefore, aptly called the festival of colour. Its spirit is uniquely Indian, colourful, exotic and full of life.

I am a big big girl too...

Love this song. Watch:

Mile` Sur Mera Tumhara (Old)

This is one song that makes me emotionally overwhelmed every time I listen to or watch it. So many memories of my childhood become fresh like it was yesterday! The big Television set in the living room, running from my study table to watch this song where I got to see so many celebrities in one single video, the variety of sur and the people of different states of India....this song is like a complete experience and a complete picture. I know for a fact that no "Phir Mile Mera Sur" or remake of “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” can be as melodious as this one. This is a classic example of unity in diversity that signifies India. I love this song. India is truly incredible!

Incredible India

A baul singer of West Bengal

I was on my way to Shanti Niketan, in the Inter-City Express to Bolpur. One saffron gown clad man entered the chair car compartment. The thought – “here comes another magician, who would annoy every passenger by asking for money after he is done with his tricks” - came to my mind. But I was so wrong! Instead, this soft spoken man sang some soulful and melodious baul song. Keeping rhythm with his ghungroo on one of his ankles, he was creating effortless music with the dotara he had on his hands. Once he was done with his first number, the passengers requested for more. He obliged with a smile. I couldn’t resist the moment. I knew, I cannot get a better picture that says, “Incredible India" - literally!

You may like to know about:
Shanti Niketan
Baul Songs
Ghungroo
Dotara