Saying Goodbye to a Decade

2010 is about to end and with it the first decade of this century. I didn’t realize a decade is going to get over until I heard it on radio. This realization made me sit back, pause and think (with much stress to my poor brain).

What all major things had happened in my life? We completed school, graduated, post-graduated, started work, learnt to ride in public transport, learnt to drive, cook, swim, got married, went abroad, did bungee jumping……


I became a masi (aunt to sister’s child) and I think it was one of the loveliest events of my life not just the decade:) We might not remember what all happened across the world, our country, city, gulli, but I guess we could recall a few things-

• A major personal achievement(s)
• Special events
• New skills learnt
• Memorable moments
• Enlightenment of some kind (!!!)

So, please do find the time and scribble in your “something special” that has defined your decade :)

Happy 2011 :)

Celebrating apni Delhi :)

Diwali has come early to Delhi this year thanks to CWG-the much talked about, battered and thrashed about event that surprised all the pessimists with its enthralling opening. The Delhi, as I knew, transformed itself as it wore a new look. Suddenly, in a matter of just a fortnight, I saw beautiful palm trees erected at red light junctions with neat rows of potted flowers giving off a cheerful look to Delhi.

All over the city, I could see well constructed footpaths and pavements and Delhi’s new pride-Shera made of leaves and flowers. One could easily spot Delhities going mad clicking away their pictures with the Mascot. It is as if we have woken up from a deep slumber to witness the once unkempt city become a beautiful princess- surprising all who had no hopes for her. The transformation has been almost magical-was there a bunch of little elves working in the background we didn’t know of??!!!

I travel everyday on the routes that pass through the CWG lanes (dedicated parts of roads to ferry the CWG delegates). And every time I hear a loud siren it has become my nature to excitedly look around the Red Bus that carries the athletes in the hopes of catching their glimpse.

The Games have also made way for a number of colorful and amazing new modes of traveling in the city. First, we had the new “green lines” and the Metro, then came the air-conditioned big red DTC buses. With the games on, I got to see and experience the cute little e-rickshaws and the latest purple colored HOHO (hop-on hop-off) buses that take you to famous tourist destinations around the city (these buses remind me of the Knight Bus by the way!).

So this October, hop onto a HOHO, metro, the e-rickshaw or simply take the 11 number ki bus. But do take a dekko around the city that is decked like a bride. I sincerely hope we carry on keeping our dear city just as beautiful especially with the baap of all festivals-Diwali coming. But then again, enjoy it while it lasts….Happy Delhi to you all!

What’s your Raashee Gowariker?

Not Capricorn for sure. Because a few a days back I was checking out the life size poster of his latest movie “what’s your Rashi” and was quite curious to see how he has made his “12 Priyankas” look unique in their own way. There was Aries-good, Leo-very good, Sagittarius-hmm, and there it was- “Capricorn Priyanka” ouch……the moment I saw her I wished I wasn’t a Capricorn myself. And I am not exaggerating. She is not just plain Jane but quite an eyesore…what with the “joint eyebrows” and I-don’t-know-which-century dressing; she is portrayed as a Capricorn in a very bad taste.


Being a true blue Capricorn, I am quite disappointed to say the least. Guess he never knew that we are (ahem, ahem!) known for our grace, poise and earthy beauty. So what was it then? A stern Capri Math teacher or something else, eh that led him to present her in this way? Well, we would never know, but guess he has lost an audience in me and I am hopeful many other Stunning Capri women who share my views. Unless he sends me a free movie ticket that is ;) till then, adios Ashu!

The miracle called Rain

It tastes like heaven when they fall on you

A burst of shower that chills you

It washes away your tears when you cry

It makes you smile in a way that is wry

It is mysterious but when you listen

You hear your heart reflected

It drums down my window in a silent whisper

The breeze knocking at my doors

It makes you pine

And the earth divine

Enamors you with her ethereal aroma

As if it too is rejoicing in the miracle…. called Rain

Keep Walking.........

If there is darkness, keep walking
When you are alone, keep walking
When there’s no light in sight, keep walking
Rain or shine, keep walking
When the world weighs on you, keep walking
Happiness is around the corner, keep walking
Distances shrink when you keep walking


The more you walk the more you would see
There are lot better place to be

Set no limit and set yourself free,
It is the only way to be.

Beyond the horizon, beyond the bay
The world never stops, and you should never sway

Keep walking is the way

Getting Inked

As I get ready to cast my “mighty” vote, I wonder do others feel the same way I do. No doubt casting your vote and getting inked is the latest in-thing these days. But I sincerely hope and believe that it means a lot more than that. Coz its not just another button you push or another holiday you spend lazing around, it’s a lot more than that. Especially, we, the younger generation needs to understand more than ever. Coz the decisions taken by us today would decide our future.

So, please go ahead, cast your vote not just for the sake of it or to get free entry in pubs, give it a thought, a little consideration. Vote with your mind and not your heart; don’t let your emotions come into the way of reason. Let us not be misguided by the parties promoting their ulterior motives in the garb of secularism. We need to come out of our prejudices and stand together as a Young Indian Force that knows what it wants and what is important.

Jaago Re before it’s too late.

It is time to get inked.

The Life and Lies of Orkutians

The social networking craze has caught up big time in India. With interesting add-ons, applications and options, they are catching the fancy of the users and I’m not just talking about the young crowd, even people in mid 30s and onwards use it frequently.

Orkut, Facebook, My Space- all these sites are a great way to find and connect with old school friends, relatives, colleagues, etc. Plus, it is used big time by users to project themselves as drool worthy people.

Wait, before you start thinking o gawd, she is eons late, let me tell you, I’m not here to talk about what these sites are, what they do, are they good for us or not. Since I’m an avid user of one such site (the most popular of them all) for long, so I thought of bringing forth a few interesting observations I made there over a period of time.

So here goes my list of some funny and weird observations about the various users of Orkut
(Note: I’m assuming you are aware of the tools, features and options of Orkut….if not, kindly log on and create your profile today!)


1. Hear Ye Hear Ye:
When people want to announce to the world they are seriously dating someone or are hitched, they promptly change their status to “committed” or “married”. Guess, it has sort of become a tradition for married people to change their status otherwise, they won’t be officially considered married! This update is generally followed by a string of congratulatory or curious scraps from people the user simply forgot to inform or didn’t consider worth informing or inviting!
Some people (read girls) even go to the length of adding their spouse’s surname to theirs (soon after marriage) or even better; add their husband’s full names to theirs, so much for the women’s liberation!


2. Getting Even:
If one wants to tell his ex-flame that he is seeing someone, it would be promptly reflected in his relationship status. To add insult to the injury, they would go ahead and put up a picture of them with their new crush/love.

3. Subtle and Not-so Subtle Indicators:
I’m feeling rebellious….bam comes an angry emoticon on my profile page. I wanna tell the world I belong to this state/community…I’ll join my state/group specific community. I’m dying to tell the world I belong to the in-crowd; I’ll join such communities to show off….

4. You’ve Got Friends?
One of the things that amaze me is how can people handle hundreds of online friends? I mean it’s ok to have 40, 50 or even 60 friends, but how can one have 800 friends?!!!! Does their list include: milkman, maid, dhobi, neighbor’s dog………

5. Fans Galore:
That’s a very interesting option in orkut. Generally, it’s up to people’s sweet will if they want to become someone’s fan. But at times people actually ask others to become theirs, so they can boast the number of fans they have!

6. Tested-monials:
Ditto for testimonials (thought it’s comparatively easier to become a fan than to write one ‘coz it requires more time n thought).

7. Swing Both Ways:
While it’s a person’s personal prerogative to choose to be straight or otherwise, I would like to share an interesting observation about a married guy I knew: under the section what is the purpose of joining the site, he mentioned: dating (ahem!), n listen to this: dating…men and women! Whoa!…..lady you’ve got yourself a philandering George Michael!

8. Married Men’s Dilemma:
At times you would find good n weird married men looking for some online “fun”. So they would be-friend a nice girl and the friendship would continue but then they would suddenly remember that their own sister, brother-in-law, in fact the entire family is on their friend’s list, so they promptly remove their unknown female friends after many apologies.

Other interesting observations:
As a loyal orkutian, I’m assisting in orkut’s continuous endeavor to make it more interesting and relevant; so I have some suggestions to make to broaden their friend’s category:

1. Have-to accept friends: Coz there are friends u accept the request of just so that you don’t break their heart!

2. Can’t be removed friends: There are some u had a tiff with but out of courtesy you don’t wipe them out.


3. Work friends: Then there are those who are your colleagues or at times (God forbid!) ur seniors who you can’t refuse…

4. I’m sorry non-friend: And at times you get a friend- request from a person who, even though u may not know him well…but would not have the heart to say no to him…so what do you do…….simple wait n wait till the that request vanishes…..


5. Pestering “friends”: Ummm, they re not exactly your friends-like those pestering ones who keep sending you the friend request even though I have rejected it a zillion (honey, I rejected the request, not you!!!!) times or there’s another sub-category, like this person I knew whom I removed from my list but had the nerve to send the request again….whew!

6. You-still- exist? friends: This is for those friends who have been in your list for long, but they haven’t written to you much. Probably too busy to add more friends eh?

Hope you had as much fun in reading it as I had writing it! Watch this space for more such stuff and don’t forget to leave your comments.