The compliment, the power and the responsibility

Not every day ends on such a good note. And if it is a Friday, then nothing like it.
The day started with routine business. Some work, a bit mail checking followed by a cup of coffee. Some more work, some more e-mailing, a quick discussion, a compulsary followed up with a cup of tea. And there, we are in the lunch break.
Atmosphere for the story of the day start building up after this very lunch break. It’s Friday, second one in fortnight, the day when the IPR team visits every lab and reviews lab notebooks of the people working in the lab.
When I returned from Lunch, I found almost every single person in his/her seat (a usual picture on alternate Fridays) busy completing his/her lab notebook. Well, I never needed to worry about such last minute completions. Every body knows Dr. Kaustubh is very much punctual about time.
The time arrived when the IPR team was in our office. The team consisted of three people, two boys and a girl. The girl (Ms. R) falls under the category of not great, but still a beautiful girl. After checking two other notebooks, she arrived at my desk. I had already kept opened (unlike others!!) the pages in the notebook to be reviewed. The sole purpose behind all this was to make my as well her life easy and to save time (time is money).
Ms. R went through all the pages two-three times and then suddenly stopped with no expression on her face. And then in not so very sweet voice said
“I have to tell you something”.
Now these words took me back for a fraction of seconds. Since I am a new entry in the organization, I am still not confident with the proceedings in the organization, and so I expected some new suggestions coming my way.
I said “ Yes, anything wrong!!”
Ms. R “ You have a very beautiful handwriting”
Flattered.
Speechless for few moments, some thing sweet landing on ears, although the voice was not.
I just managed to say “Thank you”. Dr. Kaustubh knows how to keep emotions in control.
It’s first time I received a compliment for my handwriting from some unknown person. This made me happy.
I went home being happy. But that’s not the end. It later triggered a series of thoughts in my mind. It also brought another feeling in my mind.
I remember Spiderman’s uncle telling him “power always come with a sense of responsibility”.
Those words then struck my mind then.
So, now here onwards whenever Ms. R will come to review my notebook, she would expect similar handwriting. May be next time she will not praise it, but if it is not up to the mark, there is a big possibility she may comment alternatively. So, it may happen that I would start concentrating more on the quality of the handwriting but in the process possibly the quality of the real matter to put in may degrade!!!!

Jallosh

Aaha!! Here’s a weekend. A Long awaited one.
It reminds me of one of the weekend Saturday I spent with hundreds of maharashtrians, met outside maharashtra, in Maharashtra Mandal, Bangalore.
With the help of Mr. R who now has shifted to Pune, I had a chance to attend an event “Jallosh - 08” organized by “Gathi-Bheti” group located in Bangalore.
The day started with an early wake up call at 5.15 a.m. Bit unusual since in last many days I have not opened my eyes before 7.00 o’clock. I was ready by 6.00 and was on the bus by 6.15. Had to change 3 buses before reaching Mr. R’s house in Bangalore, where Mrs. R. joined me. We still had to collect our tickets for the event. Mrs. R’s friend had warned her to reach the Maharashtra Mandal in Gandhinagar near Majestic by 9.00 o’clock other wise he will not give us the tickets (although the program started at 10.00 !!!). We made it to the destination much before time. Once reached there we came to know that only tea/coffee had been arranged. Mrs. R prompted me that last time they served the break fast!!!! So, we were left no option then to take a cup of coffee and settle down in our seats. The program started only by 10.00 making us seat idly for a long time.
Once the chief guest arrived, the program shoot off with the usual Deep Prajavalan Karyakram. The two coordinators arrived on the podium, introducing their group “Gathi-Bheti” with their Ghosh-wakya “Aamhi kahihi karto” landing on our ears after every third line in the introduction. But all in all it was a good introduction drifting us in to the feeling of “Aamhi kahihi karto” literally meaning “ we do anything”.
I don’t exactly remember, but if I am right, it was followed by “powada”, a kind of song sung at the top of the voice, loudly to stress a point, mostly representing evidence of important historical events. But it has also been successfully used to spread the words of social cause.
A funny conversation between two coordinators then followed with one of them acting a drunkard. A competition between them with one saying beautiful, philosophical, romantic poems, while another (drunkard) manipulating the same poems with a sense of alcoholism in it. The tussle between Charolya (4 liner poems) with Darolya (same poems with essence of alcohol) was rather amusing.
A small play (called Ekankika) was then presented about a person’s time out in an asylum brought there by mistake. A very poor attempt to make people laugh was then made by 4 girls preaching the lessons of time management in the form of Pravachan. I think the only program in the whole set, which received clapping much before it finished (do I need to write the very intentions of early clapping). Last session before lunch was a musical treat with songs from different periods of marathi cinema sung by different vocalists.
After the musical treat was the time for real treat - the maharashtrian food. I was dying to have it since it has a long time I have had good food. The lunch was fantastic with Shrikhanda as the sweet dish. Guess what!! now a days I find myself getting more and more inclined towards Shrikhanda !!!! Can you help me reason out why is that so!!!! Anyway, the food was good and I was happy.
While settling down back in the hall, we realized it’s getting more humid and sweaty. A probable rain in the evening was knocking at the door. With all the doors closed and curtains down, the heat grew more and more. To add to it, a presentation giving details of Mahrashtra Mandal right from the history of its making to its new ambitions was presented. It was funny and a meager attempt to impress people by reading out what all was written on the slide. On top of it, most of the presentation slides were in English!! In the mean time I realized rain has started pouring down the cloud. It was lurching me to come out of that boring atmosphere and get drenched in the rain. But as you all know me very well, I have a great control on my mind and so nothing happened.
Then came the relief in the form the chief guest, Shri Dilip Prabhavalkar walking up the stage. Interaction with him in the form of interview was arranged with a lady asking questions to the guest regarding all different characters played by him as part of play, TV serials and then the big screen. I am not sure if this is what his famous “Mukhavate aani Chehere” is all about or was it just a modified version to be accommodated in the program. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because it finally succeeded in entertaining us to the fullest. The clip he showed from his very old TV serial Chiman rao was too hilarious. At one point I was about to loose my conscious with all the good food taken in some times back to come out. I realized at times that I was gasping for air with whole of the time space occupied by the laugh riot. It was sensational. He then performed and presented many others of his characters on stage. I appreciate them all but the one which took me by surprise was the make over he did to himself infront of us with minor additions to his normal face. With in few minutes Mr. Prabhavalkar was changed to a 90 years old Krishnaji rao!!! What ever he then presented there touched the heart of every soul in the hall. In very few words he brought us face to face with the problems faced by an old age person. I think this was the biggest treat I received that day.
Hold on!!! But this was not the end. Picture abhi baki hai mere dost. The program was yet to finish. This great performance by Shri Prabhavalkar was followed by a classical dance on song Breatheless. I feel people around found it a very good concept, but I was not much amused, since I had seen a similar performance by a guy, done only few days back on Boogie Woogie. Another dance performance on a recent famous song “kombadi” then followed. It was an ok performance, but gained once more shout and so re-performed. The last two performances actually gave me a feeling of attending a college gathering.
In the mean time, heavily pouring rain had stopped and with the end of the program, we were also free altogether to move back to home.
Grabbing the much awaited and urgently required cup of tea out of the big crowd, we made our way out in search of an auto.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

With lots of expectations and enthusiasm yesterday I went to watch “Jane tu ya Jane na”.
My Friend Rama who recently left Bangalore to join some MBA course had turned back for 2 days off.
I met him in the afternoon at the lunch session where we decided to make a go on this very much-praised movie.
So there we were off for the evening show of 19.15 hrs. He was stuck with some of his old company friends and took a bit long then expected to come and pick me up. It seemed that with the heavy traffic system of bangalore we might either miss the movie being not able to get the tickets (the movie being going very famous was the reason of this fear) or else would miss the beginning.
Finally we were there at 5 past 7 to see a small Q of 4 people standing with me being the fifth one. Also relieving was the fact that the show was scheduled at 7.30 p.m.
With 25 mins. to spare we planned to have a quick dinner at the Bhagini restaurant just in front of the Innovative multiplex. It was necessary since the movie would end by 22.00 hrs by which time almost all the restaurants of Bangalore are closed!!!!
After a heavy dinner we were seated in our respective places just in time and the movie started.
First shot: a bunch of cool guys and gals shrieking song “Jane tu ya jane na” in a car to airport (chill down!!! no offence, totally acceptable being the first scene of movie) shifting to discussion among friends and a newcomer in the group (as a date of somebody in the group) that moves on story telling of a particular love story. It then converts to a dream with a horse riding and a table with a desktop and suddenly a phone ringing, bringing us out of dream to reality with hero (jay) consoling her friend Myaw (don’t remember actual name) who is unhappy since her cat is not well and finally died, followed by a mourning meeting with every body praying that the cats soul gets the peace, cut to a song Kabhi kabhi (a high pitch nasel attempt, reminding Himesh Reshamiya, who possibly would have done better job with his oooohs and aaaaahs) to bring smile back on girls face. Whole of the college then attempts their skill to bring back that just one smile. (Just wonder why were the professors and other non- teaching staffs were not involved in this exercise). Just remind me of the rubbish college scenes from the old famous (once again) movie Kuch kuch hota hai (I guess that the name of movie with Shahrukh, Rani and Kajol. Forgive my ignorance if I am wrong).
I just wonder why some particular person is important for whole of the college!!! I don’t remember anybody from my college being so popular and so important for the college.
The exercise continues further and hell I suddenly realize this is a horrible movie. How can somebody enjoy such a crap movie.
I cannot write about the further events in the movie since they go on becoming more and more difficult to digest. It just reminds me of my earlier experience of watching movies like Bombay to Bangkok and Tashan!!!!!! This movie ranks third (or may be competing for second position with Tashan) in this list.
Few other notes and queries about the movie
Imran khan, the hero of the movie I found has a tinch of Aamir khan and Hrithik Roshan. The looks ofcourse go close to Aamir, a bit of acting skills also but the dialogue delivery and body language resembles Hrithik a lot. I realized it first in the scene where he was supposed to fight to some guy who called him “Fattu” in front of myaw. Since then I started thinking whom does he resemble, but no success. The answer suddenly clicked me while coming out of the theatre.
But, all in all, still his acting skills are good and I would prefer to watch his movies if it comes to opt between some of his movie or of Abhishek Bachhan.
There were no expectations from Jenelia (Myaw) and soon it turn true when she opened her mouth to utter her initial words in the movie. Possibly her accent went acceptable with the fact that her brother also spoke with similar accent giving a hint that whole family might be speaking this way.
Whole movie I was wondering what is the occupation of Jay’s mother which makes her run behind Inspector Waghmare. Was it all to add some spice to the movie hinting to possible revenge attempt by Inspector on Jay in the later part of movie!!! Paresh Rawal here did ok job but then totally disappointed by uttering words “re baba” in his typical “Ganapatrao Apte character” tone of Herapheri.
The characters of Nasiruddin Shah, Sohail khan and Arbaz khan were humorous but considering other events happening in the movie I had lost interest and could not enjoy them. I again wonder how suddenly in the jail Jay realized that the two khans are his beloved Bhalu and Bhagira bhaiyya. No such explanation in earlier part of movie that he has two brothers with such names!!!
Nasiruddin’s portrait scenes remind me more of Hogwarts school of magic.
Well the list can go a way long but will stop criticizing movie with last one query. When Jay was in jail, he was requesting Inspector to allow him to make one call to myaw, which was denied. I just wonder why he did not tried the same when he was allowed to move out the jail!!!! Considering “always logical” manner of Aamir khan, this seems to me a stupid lacunae. Agree movie would not have end in that case with a ‘fantastic’ climax, but may be he should have shown making one or two failed attempts, then saying “Damn it” and then riding the horse!!!
Its not a criticism now but again a query. What would have happened if Myaw had found boyfriend before Jay found his girl friend. I guess, looking at their characters, things would have been different and might the story have ended on different note.
Enough of criticism, now few things I appreciate in the movie.
First and foremost thing, the movie is well made. The direction was very clear with no lacunae, and queries like how this happened? What happened to that? Except at the end showing Mr. Bogot. I am unaware if any humor or reference is hidden in it.
The movie was clean having no dialogues with double meaning.
“pappu can’t dance” song went well. Did enjoyed the beats (Only continuous 4-5 amusing minutes in the whole movie).
Few scenes I liked in the movie include
The uneasiness in the scene where Jay wants to get down of the car with his girl friend but Myaw insists he should stay and move on with her in the car.
The siblings conversation pertaining to the loneliness experienced and lived by Myaw’s brother.
Inspectors reporting on walkie-talkie informing that the terrorist has been arrested who is shouting “Myaw, Myaw” loudly and further sings the song “Jane tu ya Jane na”.
Last but not the least, I feel the movie went famous only because of the fact that it is connected to Aamir Khan. People expected a logical and a very well made movie from Aamir’s group. Though these expectations might have been fulfilled to certain extent but still Aamir’s magic is not seen anywhere (atleast to me).
I think I must stop writing now my comments on this movie now. Words already written are capable enough to ruin me. Guess what, I am forwarding these comments to my fiancée who enjoyed the movie the most.
May be, hereafter, I will be stated as an example to the saying “Aapne hi paun pe kulhadi mar lena”.

Nightmare come true - II

The story said earlier continued with lot of anxiousness for next 24 hrs.
As it was suggested I sent a mail to the manager requesting him to help me sorting out the problem.
There was nothing I was able to do in the case and so I end my day with a note to accept whatever comes next. Whether I get my money back or not, either case acceptable.
Saturday morning I checked my mail box just to see a reply from the bank saying they can not take care of my request and asked me to check with my branch.
So, a sad start to the week end.
Since further things I was able to do monday, so, I gave up all thoughts and moved out to visit Bannerghatta National Park.

More details about Bannerghatta National Park in some other post.
While returning home back at around 5.00 p.m. in the bus, I received a SMS from the bank saying the money has been deposited back to my account!!!
phew!!!
thats the end of my anxiety.
wanted to jump in the bus but gave up the plan since the bus was already jumping a lot.

Learnt a lot from all these proceedings and have decided to be more careful ( which I am not at all) atleast regarding money matters!!!

Nightmare come true

I made a mistake today, (seems a blunder at the moment) that too after keeping in mind not to commit it.
Since the time I started using internet banking I started getting nightmares of transferring money to an unknown account.
I had to transfer some money to one account. I already have taken experience of using money transfer facility available in internet banking. So this time I was bit relaxed with the fact that I am aware of all the processes I need to go through to transfer money. And believe me I actually did not do wrong myself on carrying out any step. But still the mistake has been made.
Today morning I transferred money to an account in corporation bank. The recipient had sent me the account number through mail. Few other details were also provided. And all these details were written in mail with a serial number allotted for every information.
Like 1. Name : --- 2. Account no. XXXYYXU4523. MICR no. ---------
Now if you don’t read it carefully and immediately start putting this provided information to create payee’s account, then you are in trouble. Same thing happened with me.
If you watch closely there is a space between the information for the name and the next serial number 2, but could you find any space between account number data and the serial number 3!!!!!
No!!!
That is where I went wrong.
I put the account number along with 3.
Surprisingly the transaction succeeded.
Bu when the recipient told me she has not received the money, I sensed the trouble. I cross- checked the account number by sending her the sms I received from my bank. Things then started getting clear. The account number actually ends at 2 and 3 is the next serial number meant for MICR no.
I actually saw stars in front of my eyes (they are still there). The recipient called the corporation bank and enquired. She told me that no account with the number I provided exist and so my money will revert back to my account. I oculd not see any such thing happening. I went downstairs and asked in my bank. There I came to know that I need to write an email to the manager informing what has happened after which with in 7 working days the money will be deposited back to my account.
I do not know if at all it will be deposited back in my account. Only thing I can do is pray god to make my life easy by depositing it back without any more hassles and not making me run around for getting it done.
But I just wonder how on earth my night mare has come true.
PS: I would request every one using computer to take some efforts on formatting there letters so as to avoid any such hassles. This was just a mistake but it may creat blunders too.
I was struggling to find a story to post and see how I ended up with a horrible one.

Night time strolling

Yesterday it was a horrible night for me. Though I am used to such nights now days, but it reached the limit yesterday.
There are lots of stray dogs in my surrounding. Not totally stray dogs, but the ones familiar to the residents of the place, still free to move around.
There is this one dog (female) (I think I can call it a bitch), which is at the root of all the trouble.
It has a very bad habit and that is the cause of my trouble.
It starts barking at the very odd hours of night and kept on doing so till the time you don’t wake up and loose your sleep.
It makes you come down on the street and search for some thing that you can throw at it and make way for a safer sleep.
No doubt the dog is otherwise very innocent (looks) in daytime, and don’t do prolonged barking at night with any malicious reason.
Yesterday, the dog was at its best and I had the worst of the nights.
Yesterday night witnessed a record breaking 7 hrs 45 minutes prolonged barking that started at 10.30 p.m. and continued till morning 6.15 A.M and just stopped 15 minutes prior to my time to wake up.
I was on the street at all the odd hours of night making a feeble attempt to make the dog go away so as to get a peaceful sleep for rest of the time available.
But all efforts went in vain. The dog and adamant and had probably made a firm decision to brake all its earlier records.
I was wondering was it only me who was troubled by the dog and how all rest of the people living there are not troubled, because I did not found any body else than the dog and myself moving around at those odd hours.
One more thing that made me think is what happens to all those stones, which we find lying on the roads in the daytimes. At that crisis time when I desperately wanted their help, none of them were insight!!!!
I just find me fortunate that I am staying at the ground floor. This reduced my efforts to just come out of house, search for a stone and then try to hit it in the direction of dog.
What would have happened if I had been staying at the second, third or higher floors!!!
(I am ignoring the fact that the trouble would have been less at that height and some body is searching for the stones)
I have decided that here onwards I will go home from bus stop collecting all the stones coming in my way!!!

Third time in a row

This is my first post on this blog. But this is not my first blog. Earlier twice did I create the blogs.
First attempt was a total failure. Except for posting a beautiful snap taken by me, I did nothing in that blog. With time I forgot its username and password and possibly it is still alive carrying a single snap.
Few months back, I created a new blog. I posted not one or two but eight posts. But soon realized the posts do not really portray my mind.
Result: I lost interest and deleted my blogs
Now its third time I am returning to this venture and trying to make a mark.
Hope I will succeed in doing it the way I want to do it and will continue for a long time.
This blog will carry words that would reflect my views about anything happening at that instant of time. Later on may be I will change my views and my concepts. But still the posts in this blog will remain unchanged.