Friday, March 26, 2010
Chennai...I Miss you!
I have listed below some of the features of chennai that I have been missing for the past few months.
1) The @home feeling.
2) The pace of the day in sync with my body clock.
3) Saravan Bhavan tasty dosa and filter coffee.
4) No neccessity to travel in electric train,get pushed in the crowd,
get polluted running day-in and day-out.
5) The freedom to walk in the roads without having to worry if someone will spit pan parak on me.
6) Air pollution,Vehicular pollution,Noise pollution all at tolerable levels.
Atleast,Iam less susceptible to chronic respiratory illness.
7) Marina beach and the beautiful road by its side.
8) Space. Man...I do find space...space to stand and I realise that human heads is not omni present.
9) People to chit-chat on entertainment stuffs specific to chennai like kollywood, airtel super singer,newly inaugurated bridges,latest fashion trends in silk sarees,the banner ads across the city.
10)Egmore station,Radio Mirchi,Mylapore kabaleeshwar temple,the sights and sounds of the city.
11)For reasonable living in chennai I need to be neither a King nor a pauper.
12)Lottery free platform shops.
13)Traffic signals free from eunuchs.
14)Chennai Tamizh of course.
Disclaimer:All facts listed above are based on the location advantage/disadvantage factors between chennai and Mumbai.Any references or remark for or against these cities is purely factual.
Note:Forbes magazine has listed Mumbai as the 7th dirtiest city in the world.Though I dont have anything severe against Mumbai,My dear Mumbai fans...you guys told that anyone will start liking the city after a few months of stay here.Well...Iam not impressed with Aamchi Mumbai in this one+ year.Let me see if something gets better this year.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Hiatus ends-Journey Restarts!
Read this recently...
Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. And, every morning in Africa a lion wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. So, in Africa, it doesn't matter if you are the lion or the gazelle. When that sun comes up, you had better be running.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Jet Airways Fly
Yesterday, one of my desires to travel in Jet airways came true.
The whole experience was pleasantly packed with perfection.
Reached the chennai airport on time.Proceeded to check-in baggages,security check,boarded the air-bus and then the Inida's International airline Jet Airways.
The in-flight hospitality was excellent,with multiple air-hostess welcoming me as I proceeded to my seat.The formal instructions were telecasted as a graphical movie through the Jet screen display in front of my seat.The take-off was as good as I realised the boeing effect.
Once the flight took off it was exciting to see the flight path thru the jet screen.It also had add-on features like music/movies on demand,business channel,audio albums.started to watch delhi-6,while I was served the welcome drink,tasty buttermilk and fresh lime juice.
The meal was delicious with vaangi badh,curd,Almond kheer,mango pickle.I was excited watching the flight path over the India's geography in the jet screen.
Well,what else one could ask for?? while watching A.R Rahman's hit number 'massakali' flying in a Boeing aircraft at an altitude of over 30,000 feet high in air tasting the delicious almond kheer.
The flight arrived Mumbai on-time.Hubby dear was waiting at the airport to pick-up me back to home.
Thank you hubby dear for the trip.It was so sweet of you. :-DD
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A note for young Indian adults...
Now its none of my business to get in to why someone should flirt or not.But the bigger thought process that was nudging me,roots out from some of my observations and conversations that I had with the youngsters and their lifestyle who are in their early twenties.
This happened almost a year back.This conversation arised some serious thoughts about the missing 'values and respect' for true and refined love among today's younsters.
One aquaintance of mine who is in his early twenties asked me
"How did you fall in love?"...
"How should one fall in love?"...
Well...I thought it was a very basic question arised out of curiosity and answered them in a very simple manner.
The guy shooted next:
"All that is fine.I want somebody to love.tell me how to go about it..."
I said "Look love is not something that you can search for.It happens,It is not executed.Now what kind of person do you think would be a perfect match for you?"
He replies "I dunno...".
!!!!!!!!!!!
Though this cannot be taken as the representation of the entire cluster of youngsters ,Iam afraid majority of them dont have an understanding or even the patience to try to understand the morals and the clarity they need to have while they are in search for their soulmates.
The worrisome aspect is, most of them do it as an activity which arises out of peer pressure,the intangible and imaginary image that they would like to create amidst their friends(A friend is not a good friend when he puts unethical pressure),the pleasure of company for pubs-discotheque-eatouts-movies.These kind of picks gets soporific over a period of time.The taste changes.A chick in a sun dress short skirt and simple top might be a better company for a party than a denim clad one.The same is the case with guys.A friday freak might look appealing than a gizmo lover.
The repercussions of these kind of amorous behaviour can lead to dangerous outcomes if taken one step ahead as a physical relationship.
Some say that we(Indians) are in transition phase.The trend of someway somehow trying to 'Sleep first',then later say 'I do' to the one whom you feel çompatible for your life has sprouted.Here,the person with whom you sleep need not be the one whom you marry.According to this transition culture, marriage and pre-marital sex are two independent identities.For them marriage is a too high a price to be paid for a one night stand.
Dear younsters in transition phase....
Trying to move out of the cultural boundary,it is important how you feel about sex personally.It is like when you are hungry, you eat garbage or you wait for the right food.You are indulging in an activity which is described as 'Fornication' in bible.All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.Guilt, embarrassment, distrust are the emotional effects of premarital sex.You will have to live with a guilt factor of hiding it from your life-partner.Your life journey will be directionless and you are fooling yourself.
Leading a life of fulfillment is not merely sex.But also complete understanding between the partners and also raising of a loving and harmonious family.In India,marriage is still taken as an institution where not only two people but two families get united.Few quotations or statements cannot describe the pedestal that India holds in the world map because of its colorful and unique culture.
By all logical reasoning, it is not possible to achieve this sense of fulfillment if the mind is grossly engaged in guilt of commiting a pre-marital sex affair, for it means leading an unfocussed life.
Saying a big NO-NO to pre-marital sex is an ideal and right step towards leading and living life with a sense of purpose,fulfillment.
Disclaimer:
This blog is written on the basis of lifestyle of some young adults in the city I reside and the study conducted by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare,Indian health ministry.Thanks to my hubby for his inputs.The title of this blog has been has been changed after a discussion with him.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thoughts from heart
-Every moment is precious and love makes it more worthier.
-Love is of all passions the strongest,for it attacks simultaneously the head,the heart and the senses.
-Love is an electric blanket with somebody else in control of the switch.
-In the arithmetic of love one plus one equals everything and two minus one equals nothing.
-In the game of love,your mind might win temporarily but your heart is the final winner.
-Love makes you realise, as a person ,how strong you are and how weak you are.
-Tears from the eye is the natural stimuli that your heart signals.Take care to see that you dont see it in your partner's eyes.Atleast dont be the reason for causing it.
-A small note of appreciation can be the best gift to your partner.Learn to appreciate.
-Get busy loving your partner and there by you are living your life to the fullest :)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Live mint article and my comment
http://www.livemint.com/2009/08/27220957/When-will-the-BrahminBania-he.html
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Weekend Recipe
This weekend vegetable poricha kootu was the highlight of my cuisine.
snake gourd- 1 cup (chopped into small cubes)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Moong dhall - 2 or 3 tbsp (just fill the less than1/2 cup toor dhall with moong dhall).
Channa dhall - 2 tsp
Urad dhall - 2 tsp
Black pepper - 1/2 tsp(according to taste)
Coconut - 2 tbsp(can also use more but this is optional)
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Red chillies - 1 or 2 (acc to taste)
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
urad dhall - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Asafoetida powder - a pinch
Red chillies - 1 (optional).
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Adventure of my debit card
On Sunday we went to the atm near our home to withdraw some money.This is not something that is unusual.After all sunday night is the only time that we get to go for a walk and on the way we visit the atm.While setting out I comfortably handed over my debit card to my husband and while he asked if Iam carrying my pinky purse I was happy to reply "NO...."...He was supportive enough and placed my card in his wallet.We started walking in that silent night,full moon,pleasant breeze...I jus love this freestyle walk.Reached the atm I got the debit card,withdrew the money gave the card back to my husband.Did not fail to notice that he placed the money in his wallet and card in his shirt pocket..We came back home and I got the money from my husband.
Three days later I had to make some online transaction and I was reminding myself to finish it off as I might forget it.Logged on to my net banking , got in to the fund transfer section.
I had to fill the corresponding codes for the alphabets behind my card.Picked my purse and took the cover in which I usually place my debit card.I found only my credit card inside that.Ok let me check the other compartments of my purse.Hmmmm...No...My debit card is missing?..May be Lost?...
I was just trying to recollect... Did I pull out the card from the atm first of all..'yes'...did i place it back in my purse 'No'...I never carried it...Did I give it back to my husband?...Yes!!
Picked up the phone and dialled him...'My debit card is with you??...I din carry the purse with me ..The debit card must be in ur wallet?'...
HD replies 'Iam checking right now but I dont find it here...I would have given it back along with the money...' He was replying me amidst his busy schedule...'Ók I will check it again..' I hanged the phone.Started to look around if it is lying some where...it is in my hand bag...?!!...Not found anywhere..and I was like Oh My God!!
If at all it was in his shirt it must be in the place the shirt was washed and dried.
Suddenly I had an instinct to look in to the washing machine...Opened the safety glass door of the washing machine and found it was empty.Opened the window of the drying area where we used to dry the clothes...checked if it was lying in the portico area...No.
Then my mind started drawing the flowcharts for the next set of formalities with the bank.Calling them up and reporting the loss of the card,listing the pending financial transactions to be completed with my account.The entire online transaction gets blocked.The only way to withdraw money is to issue a cheque and I was running out of cheque leaflets.And the bank rule restrcits its customers to apply for a cheque leaf over the phone banking if you had applied for a new debit card which leaves me no other way but to visit my bank in person write an application explaining the entire incident ... Even if the card is found today there is no guarantee that it will not have any damage...and the atm will reject it and again it becomes invalid for usage.What a day!!
Meanwhile i thought to check HD's shirt once though the probability of the card residing in the pocket after a day in laundary basket,resisting the wash,spin and dry actions of the washing machine is very less..Even if it is found it must be in a very bad condition.I lost hope but still picked up his shirt from the wardrobe..Inserted my hands in his pocket and yes I found my debit card comfortably resting in the pocket and to my surprise it was not in a very bad condition.But still will it work in a atm?? will the electronic reader sense it correctly??
I logged in to my online account agin made some transactions online so that the withdrawal doesnt become an issue with the damaged card.
Walked in to the atm...praying almighty to make my card work...!!..Inserted...The bank screen
asked for the password,amount,yes/no for withdrawal slip...all answered the few seconds of wait...And atlast I could here the 'grrrrrr..' the sound of the bucks getting counted by the machine and I was relieved when I realised that my card works....!
Now back at home,writing this blog,with a blend of -relief , joy, guilty of not carrying a purse and being careless,wondering how the card survived...above all smiling at my hubby's shirt that held my card safely. ;-D
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Counting my blessings
The ups and downs that moulds me.
The sweet and bitter sides and beyond.
The failures and success that positively builds me.
The love that makes my life meaningful.
The sky being the limit , the sea being my cradle.
Thank God for Iam being blessed.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Musings @ IOB
Normally it is a given fact that locker facility is subject to availability,that too in a residential area where the residents would not prefer to take an auto/taxi to carry the valuables to the bank its evident that the number of applicants for the limited locker quota will be quite high.
Once I entered the bank I felt the atmosphere was pretty decent with chillness in air.I got reminded of my dad's office 18 years back where only the Regional Manager will have a air-conditioned cabin.Lots of infrastructural changes in GO's for good.
I walked towards a counter in front and enquired if i could get the details on availability of safety locker.The official incharge (he must be in his early 40's) in a fancy yellow t-shirt (when did Government offices bring this ''friday casuals" custom??) nodded his head from left-to-right.
I could'nt understand what he was trying to convey and asked "Iam sorry,I need to open a safety locker.Dont you have that facility?"...Now he raised and lowered his head...Now , I wondered if he dint know how to reply in english.I admit that I was not good enough to phrase the question in hindi.But the way he responded through action irritated me and I was like "Oh My God!!"
After a few seconds he told "ab yahan lockers khali nahin hai...apko chahiye tho usko puchiyae"
(There are no lockers available now...If you want enquire that person)
The seat he showed was empty....I asked "kahan he woh?"...He said "abhi ayega"...
I had no other choice but to wait...I asked "Locker open karne keliye application form hain...chahiye muje"...he said "Usko puchiye...muje maalum nahï"..
Whaatay response that too when there were only 2 to 3 customers waiting in the bank.
After sometime the concerned person walked to his seat...he was on a mobile phone call ...I waited till he hung and and approached his desk...I repeated the same set of questions and dint get any extra information.I was jus asked to open a savings a/c.Then I will have to apply for a locker.
Now my interaction with people in a metropolitan city like Mumbai has taught me few things.
* Try to make your conversation in Hindi though your grammar is not good as long it makes sense.
*Never expect a salesman , a government official or any one who portions out his work mainly in such conversations to talk/reply in English.
*Be patient enough till you get your work done be it an enquiry @ a bank / negotiation with a vegetable vendor.
*Learn Hindi.Its an easy way to survive.Teaching English /Expecting this major junk of people to talk in English would be a daunting task.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
VenPongal and Sambhar
Friday, August 8, 2008
Memoirs of Madurai...
When I shifted to chennai in 2004 , Initially,I dint have regrets of missing MDU...It was while I returned back to Chennai after visiting my home for the first vacation,I started missing MDU badly.
*The tasty,pure ground water in my home.
*My home is two storeyed,the pleasure of having liesure time in the first floor of my home reading books and novels.
*Video Games ,carrom.
*The garden around my home.
*The fresh wet smell of red-soil(semman) after watering the plants.
*Tasting (my garden cultivated)Guava + chilli powder.
*The respectful way how Iam addressed by the folks in my residential area irrespective of the age.
*The temples.
*The pooja room @ my home.The prayers that I chant before every Internal-exams,semester.
*The morning walk breathing the fresh air.
*Tasting the fresh raw milk (karandha pasum paal) supplied by the private milk-vendor who has cow @ her home.
*The mild frictional noise (music I should say) that is created by my Granpa's Oonjal (Jhoola) while swinging.
*Trying to stand on the oonjal catching hold of the oonjal's chain.
*The fun while splashing water and drawing big Kolams near the front gate of the home.
*The big teak cot in my home which is more admired than used.It seems that the wood is so costly and it has a beautiful carpentary work.
*The open terrace with privacy.Yes, I have a small space,near the water tank for chatting with my school friends when they come to my home.
*My Poster-colors/oil-paintings,the thermocol /woolen show pieces ,toys thread-works that I make during my vacations.
*Less traffic.Less pollution.
*More Serene.More amiable.
*Iam more myself , less disturbed.
Probably If I had not moved out , I would have never realised these treasures.
The cultural heritage , and the historical importance of the city is well-known.Apart from all these,the memories that the city has fed me will stay with me forever.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Kuselan Music (!?!)
What I felt was this movie could have atleast set a unique record without songs.I could find that the BGM's of one song 'Perinba' have been just replicated from Prakash's earlier movies like Veyil.
Songs of super star movies are usually 'Made hit' by his fans usually for the zeal and the magnetic effect of lyrics.The lyrics in this case is a total chaos (Courtesy:vaali,yugabharathi,Dr. Kridhaya).
I wonder if G.V Prakash was jus given 5 hours to compose 5 songs.Total Crap!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Magnum Opus Dasavatharam set to hit screens!!

- This is produced by Oscar Films Private Limited's with the budget of 90 Crore.
- The first three minutes of the film has been said to cost the producer 3 crores. The movie run-time is 166 minutes.
- This film is shot in super 35 format and world class Digital process. Sony India distributes the film in North India, whilst Ayngaran International sold the film to cinema halls in the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Gulf.
- Dasavatharam is for the first time being made with 1000 prints on the release week which is unheard of in South Indian cinema and very rare for Indian cinema in general. ‘Dasavatharam’ is being released in 40 countries worldwide which is again first time in Indian cinema.
- Ten different make-ups of Padmashree Kamal Haasan is done by Oscar Award winning make-up artiste Mr. Michael Westmore whose credits include ‘Mask’, ‘Raging Bull’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Rambo’, ‘Star Trek Series’ etc.
- First time any actor portrays ten different roles in a single film. The previous bests include Sivaji Ganesan's 'Nava Rathiri' (nine roles) and Eddie Murphy's 'The Nutty Professor' (seven roles).
- A team of Head of Departments, Professors, Academic and Historians of IIT- Madras, Madras University, Tanjore university, Archaeological Survey of India and Department of Culture, Government of Tamilnadu have come forward to collaborate in the movie, giving their ideas, opinions, feed backs, research materials and advice for the authenticity of the script.
- To simulate a Tsunami sequence for the movie a 5 acre land was filled with water which resembled the back waters of a sea and sets were built amidst water as they are about to be washed away by huge waves created by the U.S. Team.
- Dasavatharam has been cleared by Regional Censor Board with a U certificate with practically no cuts.
- The much-hyped trip of Hollywood action star Jackie Chan to its audio release on a chartered flight alone had cost Rs.1 Cr to the producer of the film.
- The audio launch brought to the open for the first time the raging rift between two reigning giants of celluloid—Kamal Haasan and Rajnikant. Rajni’s absence was deliberate and later disclosed that he had declined Kamal’s invitation.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A reason, A season, or A lifetime...
Even otherwise, if I had managed to scribe one, it would definitely be a learning from metamorphosis of my life.
Shshshshsh!!!!!!!...... Iam getting older :)
In all these irreversible 25 years of living,there had been times of joy,times of surprise,times of nostalgia,times of disappointment,times of pain,times of failure,times of sharing,times of caring,times of listening...
All the above influenced by incidents and circumstances,people around me.
Incidents and circumstanes...sandwiched with good and bad.Learnt to be thankful for the good ones and take the bad ones as EXPERIENCE or CAUTION.Certain incidents happened for a reason that helped me to learn who Iam and to understand my level of competancy in life.Some circumstances had a seasonal touch to it.It either delighted or lamented me for a measurable time-span.There were incidents/circumstances that had a life-long impact,topsy-turvying my life altogether.
People...different people.Faces...Different faces.
People came into my life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.When I figured out which it is,I learnt exactly what to do..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Exposure to different climates of life,Experience gained out of them,Developing potentials to make our life special are the factors that decides our growth and differentiates us from others.
Making the best out of circumstanes is an art.I sincerely hope to carve and tune this metamorphosis phase of life as much beautiful as possible for me and my loved ones.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Ecstatic Euphony !
'Music'….Couldn’t imagine a life without this 2 syllable …
Without music life would be a mistake…Definitely!
I have one big list…romantic/peppy/folk/jazz types.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!

"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people who fall in love" :)) Well...With the celebrations in air,I could see roses,teddies,balloons,flowers,chocolates everywhere.
The programmers become poets,the sky seems to be the limit,the RED color bags its importance today,the mails/sms/greetings jams the network.On my part,I composed the below lines that captivated my mind...
It is profound.
It is not about taking,
It is about giving.
It is not about what you say,
It is about what you don’t say but still listened.
It is not about how good you are to me,
It is about how complete Iam when you are near me.
It is not about buying a heaven,
It is about building a heaven in hell’s despair.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Demons of road
If he had to travel the way I travel almost everyday back and forth to my workplace in his invention.
Do you know how hellish it would be while traveling in a car driven by a barabarian (a driver with s**t driving skill).
Following are those throny pulses that one could experience.
1) Travel in a four wheeler with your life at risk.
2) The rude relative motion that your physical body undergoes while you are traveling in a car that runs beyond the allowable speed limit.
3) The unparliamentarily words that the pedestrians and public throw at the driver(demon).
4) The polar moment of inertia or the torque your body undergo while the vehicle turns ruthlessly.
5) The wretchedness while travel when the brake is used an accelerator and accelerator as a brake.
6) Overtaking another vehicle in its left and its consequent jerk.
7) Applying belated sudden brakes that might make your face strike against the front seat.
I don’t understand if the existing driving tests these drivers undergo are sufficient enough to grant them license.
History says that the first car engine was designed in Germany considering the comfort factor of a lady traveling in it. But these brutes today have spoiled its purpose.
I had lodged complaints against two cab drivers so far and they were sacked.But still I find this problem of ruthless driving few months after that with another devil called driver.
Irresponsible driving is highly dangerous for the passengers who travel in the vehicle and as well as public. Strict law has to be enforced on such rash driving. I remember an MTC bus driver was almost beaten to death by public while he drove the bus in a killing speed on the marina lane in Chennai six months back.Public is fast in executing the punishments and these drivers deserve that.
[PS: Karl Benz was an engineer and inventor who lived in Germany during the late 1800's and early 1900's. On January 29, 1886 Karl Benz patented the first car.]
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Fun---->Redefined and reloaded
With the exception of gravity,almost all of the rules are negotiable.Someone just make them up.
Its no longer about what you can't do.Its about what you can do.
The above is the excerpt from the presentation that I came across today.Check the eight irresistible principles of fun in life for full dose.
