Vicky's diary

Fedex triumphs :)

2009-06-08T10:28:00.005+05:30

At last the tennis gods bestowed the title of the Greatest Tennis player of the history (perhaps) on Roger Federer on Sunday when he surmounted the so-near-yet-so-far French Open tournament after reaching the finals three times before. He is only the sixth man ever to win all the Grand Slam titles and equals another legendary Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles. What makes this achievement so sweet is that the way Fedex cameback from his slump in form. One can say his declivity started from last year Aus Open when he faced real power and challenge from his well-known Spaniard rival Nadal. Nadal, who appeared anywhere close to Fedex in prime, came to the fore and rightly deserved No.1 status after staying in N0.2 position for so long. The aura of invincibilty arnd Fedex seemed lost forever when he lost almost to everyone. However, form is temporary but class is permanent. Fedex fought his way back, and wow!! Now he is the French Open Champion. Having said that, Soderling was his saviour in a way. He had probably the best 2 professional weeks of his lifetime when he beat Nadal (surprsising everyone and sending shock ripples by ending Nadal's winning run f 31 matches at Roland Garros) and Gonzalez on way to finals. The victory would have been sweeter had it come against Nadal but by the law of transitivity, Fedex fans can think Fedex beat Nadal by beating Soderling :P

Anyway Go Fedex! Go!

What is Freedom?

2009-06-05T00:02:00.002+05:30

It has been a while since i bothered myself in updating my blog. Its not that nothing great compared in my life but its the contrary. Life is full of small yet compelling surprises which makes it more interesting. Every time u come across a hurdle, u become stronger, rather u shud become stronger.

One question keeps on coming up in my mind..what is freedom?? Does it mean free from constraints?? Does that mean u need not be accountable for anyone?? Does that mean u need not worry what others think of u or ur action?? I think none of the above fits the bill..I believe freedom is the situation where u r able to choose the path which u believe is right for u with no influence. Having said that, its true that u may be whimsical or reckless and end up doing something dangerous or u might choose a utterly disastrous path in ur decision-making. But the difference here is U made the decision and U can lick ur bruises made by those decisions in ur heart while analysing where u went wrong rather than listening to advice. U can accept the situation with a smile though the cost of the smile is very high.

So going by my definition of freedom, I might become too self-centered and apathetic to relations if I go by my whim in the name of freedom. Thats when I realise that with freedom comes responsibilty. I was thinking that if u r free to make ur own decisions, then u ll be happy. Life is a cruel teacher. It teaches u a lesson in a harsh manner. It gives u a situation and expects u to find the answer urself. No matter how much success u attain, happiness depends on the attitude. Happiness depends on U. Situations never change, only people change. If u brood over a lost opportunity and delve into more depression, it is not going to do any good. I am not too ideal here. Its natural to brood over the lost chance and U have every right to do so. But the key lies in how fast u bounce back. Two problems with people are we dont know when to start and when to stop. If v crack that, then v r ready to pursue happiness :)

NR-IPL??--Non resident Indian Premier League!!

2009-03-23T11:29:00.002+05:30

Is it a personal defeat for Lalit Modi or prestige issue fr Indian Gvt ?? IPL season 2 is moving out of country..as of now..South Africa or England are speculated to host the coming edition. But IPL will be robbed off the vibrancy and "home n away" feeling of the teams..remember Dravid saying to press that MUMBAI crowd remained silent even after him scoring a splendid boundary..he is seeing for the first time that the Indian crowd not cheering him after scoring a boundary. Same the case with Kolkata ppl cheering Akthar to see the back of the Little Master Sachin(Well..there is no home n away concept when the teams have many foreign players than the home team players!!!anyway)

I thought IPL will be more entertaining than the political twists n turns. Its gonna be my first election and believe me or not,this time its very tough to find a candidate's party,leave alone whom u r voting for!!I am wondered how ppl see IPL bigger n more important than the election!!Come on..v have already had too much of cricket n v cant afford another terror attack on cricketers.

So its wise decision by BCCI to move IPL out of India though it cant make profit. The writing is there on the wall. The last thing to expect in this interesting drama is the ultimate turn-around in the govt stand, thereby reducing England and SA to mere pawns in the political game of India!!Wait n see for more action:)

The Best Class Trip!!:D

2009-03-11T12:23:00.005+05:30

Well well well..How better can it get???I have seen the same place before last summer but never had this experience!!The trip is gonna break the closed attitude of the ECE dept I am sure.

The starting point of our class trip to cochin, veegaland and munnar was itself under dark clouds, should say. I must be frank here. When my friend Durai told the class about this trip, I was cynical and sceptic because of my misconception of my class. I thought it wud be boring with ppl forming their own gangs and not interacting properly. I used to come to class late and leave early with no interest in my dept. Thats because I had dreamt how my college life wud be but as always, I was wrong. So I didnt make myself active in any of my dept activity. Worst of all, I didnt know the names of my class girls (but now i know:P) Given this background, I thought its gonna be another hostel in hillstation. How stupid and cruelly wrong I was!!!

I wont say anything about the places there as everyone wud know about them n i am not a guide. I will restrict myself to the surprise elements that were waiting for me in the trip!!

There could be no better start to the tour. V had won a football match with me scoring the lone goal (what a finish it was!!) against a final year team!! I was very happy and elated. With that upbeat mood, I wanted to make sure that there shud be no inhibition during the class trip. I know that ppl ll be expecting someone to break the ice and I decided that I am going to be that someone. Anthakshari is the perfect game involving everyone in the group. Usman Bhai (arbit name rite??its none other than Laksman) too sang songs here..first surprise!!I 'tried' to kalachify Lavanya but it worked wonders as she fell into a super trap!!she is the perfect vijaykanth fan!!surprise factor 2..then after the euphoria, v all settled but I couldnt sleep. So myself, sreevatsan,swetha and lavanya sang some pure musical gems whose lyrics v can remember. That was a nice time pass. Slowly I began to feel enervated after d long evening and so fell asleep. Next day it broke at veega land..here I have to say something..how come the girls always look for a ragging session??it was nice and the first time i got ragged. Not even my seniors ragged me. Only then i came to know all my class girls's names. Thank god! Atleast now i learnt:)

Then the routine fun in the theme park. After having a great time soaking in water, we started to cochin. Oh ya!!wait wait!!i forgot one thing..I can call this trip a photography demo trip because ppl were busy in capturing natural sceneries in their camera rather than their hearts. Group pics were just too many:) After a hard day at the theme park, everyone was tired and so we all slept off at a hotel at cochin after a light dinner. Next day was the highlight of the tour with boat rides at cochin. All twenty six ppl boarded a double decker boat house kinda stuff (dunno exactly to say that..it wasn't ferry but at the same not an usual boat i had seen). We had a jolly session with many interesting stuff taking place. Girls n boys interacted well here and I am definitely going to overlook an incident here (sorry for not being honest). But the boat ride was tooooooo good. Then we shopped near matanchery palace at cochin after peeping into someone else house (But ppl call that history:P)Again v had a photo shoot session. What else can v do with five highly sophisticated cameras!!:P

Then v whiled away some valuable time at cochin shopping mall but it had its own reasons!! I feel that v missed out a camp fire session at Munnar because of this. Anyway ppl bought some costly stuff for their loved ones and closer ppl. Only here I got bums for no reason :( I dunno how ppl gather arnd when it comes to my case. Its like ants coming from nowhere for a small piece of sweet!!U never know where these ants were there!!:) anyway nice fun!

By this time, everyone in the gang knew everbody. A nice close knit unit was formed. While going to Munnar, I just slept off to have a go at night time. Conserving energy to play card games! But u know, collective effervescence makes ppl act differently from the normal. Some girls took the extra space in waking me up as they were bored. Though I feel irritated when I am aroused from deep sleep, I felt happy then as they took the extra space..surprise factor plus one..We paused at a very normal hotel to have a light dinner as it wud be too late to have a decent dinner at Munnar. There our very own Arun( the Dope) bought a bisleri mineral water just to wash his hands!!hygiene aama!!bl***y **i!!At last v reached Munnar and settled in our alloted rooms there in the hotel. Ten of us escaped from the group to have a lovely walk late night in the cold climate just to have a cup of hot coffee..the feeling itelf is too good:) V returned back to hotel by 12, just to play card games till 3!!some fifteen ppl playing cards!!lots of fun:)surprise factor plus one..

Having slept late, everyone had to fight against themselves in waking up especially in that next to perfect climate to sleep!!Finally v checked out of the hotel and made our way to explore Munnar. First to echo point. As it was too crowded there, v didnt go for pedal boat ride but bought fresh carrots and other small items. V then moved to view point for an extraordinary boat ride there though the bledy boatman left out Chavra and Amruta Krishnan..V missed them during the ride only to find out they were busy out there on the shores:P V planned for a couple ride for these two cute ppl but they settled for a nice pic.

Then straight pack-up..back in college with the memories still fresh in mind..this blog entry is just a accumulation of random thoughts..didnt try to make it flowery..ll upload the pics later..:)

Entering into Sixth semester with lots of doubts!

2009-01-08T20:30:00.002+05:30

Hi ppl, the long wait is over. The college is back in action and so is its jolly time. The funny times return but with loads of doubt. Every even semester starts off well as its very easy to begin the conversation with "Happy new year" (though v know that 2009 is not gonna be blaring different) and it is always followed by a routine question "How did the holidays go?" (though v r least bothered about the reply). And this semester is no different here but now another question is present at the back of the mind "Recession".

Every semester I set myself some goals and aspire something special. This semester is no different in that sense but I am gonna take it more seriously now as lots are at stake. This semester is the climax and I strongly feel the most strenuous and ardous semester in B.Tech. I say this because only now U take more attention at the basics for the placements, prepare for higher studies and GRE while trying to maintain good score at the academics as well. I didnt add the culturals part here because I am no way related to that. I find myself atavistic in my attitude towards culturals in my department. Having had a shocker of a semster last time, I have lots to prove to myself that I belong to the so-called 'toppers'.

However high u aim or aspire, U r remembered for what U HAVE ACHIEVED IN REAL WORLD! Isn't it? Many people in our college are rated by their placements rather than their GPA. Infact v take unreasonable pleasure when person with higher GPA is not placed. In the past, ppl talk abt choosing companies but now beseeching companies to come for placements is gonna be a hell of a job with the 'bearish' recession in the mind.

Though its unwise to speculate things and brood over matters which are well beyond one's control, the doubts still linger on and show their ugly heads time and again. SO the GAME BEGINS!!

2008- eventful year!!

2009-01-04T11:45:00.002+05:30

Hi ppl, Happy New Year!! I am wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2009!! After all health is what everyone needs. 2008 has been an eventful and kind year to me. It stands out with several bright moments and teaching me lots of lessons.

I am sure 2008 would have started with many false resolutions for me too (I am sure I am not alone here!!I might have company here). Diving deep into my memory, I recollect many of the sweet moments and some bitter pills swallowed! I had a nice time with Swaminathan (my dept mate) with whom I underwent implant training at my hometown. With my very close friend Venki joining us in the winter break after III semester, we enjoyed our heart out playing cricket with my school friends. Relieved after scoring a decent grade in a terrorizing subject in third semester and wonderful time spent with my friends still fresh im my mind, I stepped into 2008 with lots of dream. Most of the fourth semester passed away under the redoubtable faculties terrorizing me in all possible ways. I still remember their first class warning us of their record of 'gift'ing arrears to most of the students and that was enough to let butterflies flutter in our stomachs. Somehow I managed to pass their subjects. I tried my hand in robotics for PSG Techfest 'Kriya' during IV semester which was a big flop. I learnt a lesson that never assume anything. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best! However I managed to take part in a DSP workshop and advanced to the final round in many technical events. It helped me to know where I stand. But I missed my department symposium PROBE. More than that the most important feature I missed is the rare sight of my department girls in saree:P Later part of IV semester was full of doubts and tested my decision-making capacity. The best thing is to keep things simple but its the toughest thing! Feeling that I have taken the right decision on the summer project, I welcomed my summer vacation.

With the project still not confirmed, I wanted a company which would sweep me off any worries regarding that! I found that perfect company with my lovely cousin Dinesh. I have always a special corner in my heart for my lovely, affable and good-humoured Dinesh. We enjoy each other's company and I laugh for even the worst PJs leaving many wonder why I laugh so much. But thats my relation with him. 2008 remains fresh in my memory for the evergreen trip to Munnar with my family. The first part of my vacation is the best of all time for the lovely time with my school friends playing cricket and Munnar trip. At the end of this trip, I made the important move to Singapore to do my project at NUS. This project would have been impossible but for my Chitappa Ramakrishnan who takes great pain and interest in my studies ( though with lots of scoldings which pisses me off sometimes). With no experience and no background I can only dream of this opportunity and Prof. Anantharaman helped me a lot to get this project. I felt very bad to do a project on recommendation but the ultimate goal pulled me in. I had a great time in Singapore in my Chitappa's home under my lovable and kind-hearted Chitti who impresses everyone with her unbounded kindness and hospitality. She is amazing and unparalleled in showering love and affection. I respect her right next to my parents. I did a project on a topic which was too difficult for a B.Tech student to start with but I was committed to it. I finished the work with the help of my friend Swami who stayed with me there. My cousins toured Singapore that time and I had a great time with them as well though by bunking three days. Because of that I had to work more towards the end to cope with Swami. It was during this trip, I first earned money on my own by volunteering for an experiment. Though I turned into a guinea pig for just $5, it was nice to see the money earned by my work only. 2008 is special in that manner.

Having said that, I troubled my chitappa a lot during my stay there. To point out a few, I lost my cousin's sim card and disobeyed his orders while picking up my cousins from airport (tried to save precious bucks for my cousins) by keeping my chiti to wait after a long journey. Though I felt sorry for my actions, I had a sort of misunderstanding with my chitappa then. Its very easy to feel sorry for all the doings but its tough to set things up. I have always felt bad for that and then learnt a lesson of doing every work on my own and not to depend on anyone.

V semester marked the sports trip to Kanpur representing my college cricket team. In otherwise a forgettable semester for having too many theoretical subjects much to my disliking, I remember this year for a remarkable and note-worthy Diwali celebrations at Bangalore with my uncle and aunt there. I had a great time there and happy that I opened up a lot then. Arti, my cousin, is too brilliant for her age and am sure that she ll do wonders in her life. I had a lovely time in pulling her legs. All credits must go to my raju mama and Bhooma manni for presenting us a never-so-different Diwali! They made a deep impression in my heart and I felt more close to them. But the semester ended on a disastrous note with an exam with questions too theoretical and I knew its gonna be a forgettable one at that instant. With my winter break moving in a reckless pace, I feel invigorated to face more challenges in 2009.

Movie on Mumbai Terror Attack??!!

2008-12-28T09:17:00.002+05:30

Well!! I am first of all against the notion that Mumbai Terror attack being compared with US 9/11. Indians are always different from US or any people in the world!!We are more emotional and warm-hearted than any foreign people! We will not conspire any assassination plot of Dawood (one of the many), while many countries like Iraq, Iran, Israel are doing for centuries or coup against our enemies or take strong actions against our detractors because We are sons of Gandhiji!! But we are so used to grave-digging among ourselves that we many times use the term "shrewdness" or "tactician" for such acts.

Well..I dont want to get into that now!! But what I find more shocking is the news that filmmaker B.Subhash planning to make a movie on Mumbai terror attack with SRK (to play Major Unnikrishnan's role), John Abraham and Mithun Chakraborty. Being an Indian, I saw it coming because I know our 'patriotic' Bollywood people!! Aha!! What a beautiful scene it will be where SRK in Major Unni's boots singing a duet with a heroine!! Well, one should not comment on a film which is yet to officially announced and isnt down to sets but I cant stop myself here. Come on its a very sensitive issue!!U cant watch our people die in the film with popcorns in your hand!!It depends on how the director handles the subject and it may be good if he showcases it in the positive note which I am very doubtful of!! Hows that when the police is unsure of the actual proceedings inside the hotels, can a director, who was in no way in action at the spot, portray the real emotions of the Commandos and people who sacrificed their life??

I can see two things behind the idea now- one is Mumbai attack being hyped by the media and the other being the commercial attitude of the Bollywood people!! I am saying the Mumbai attack is much hyped because it wasnt the first terror attack in 2008. We witnessed serial bomb blasts in many cities like Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad but just because two star hotels and some foreigners were attacked in Mumbai we cannot just overlook the innocent lives lost at other attacks!!

Then comes the commercialisation. Think of this situation- a film of a selfish director with commercial heroes like SRK or Hrithik or John Abraham on a sensitive issue like this turns out to be a disaster and still worser escalating the tensions between India and Pakistan but making money on the graveyard of the people!! Mark my words-their careers are finished and their days will be numbered.

Thiugh some films may improve the relationship and tackle the sensitive subjects in a positive manner, I feel this attack is not for the films. We have already seen enough of it and lets be more sensible and realise that the film is not the right platform for this subject. It can backfire like the infamous RamGopal Verma's Sholay remake!! Think twice before proceeding on the plan further.

Cricket at its best again!!

2008-12-21T19:16:00.002+05:30

Whew!!At last its Test cricket back at its inimitable top. India registering a remarkable run-chase at Chennai chasing 386 runs and today South Africa scaling even more incredible peak of chasing 414 against Australia at Perth. What else u can ask for?? Competitive cricket on a sportive track with all the four results possible till the 2nd session on the final day of a Test match is the best possible medicine to the ailing Test cricket today. Though T20 cricket has found huge support from the crowd, Test Cricket is the Ultimate test of character and temperament!!Happy that V have good cricket to supplement it.

Later part of 2008 has been phenomenal for the run-chases. Two of the top run-chases have recorded in the last ten days. While India's greatest run chase ,kicked off by a blinder of an innings frm Sehwag and backed up well by the middle order with Sachin playing as anchor and mentor to the young guns on a dustbowl with ball venomously bouncing and turning, marked how important it is to maintain the intensity in every session, the first Test match between SA n Aus down under at Perth proved how thrilling cricket can be with the momentum shifting from one team to another for four days and finally shifting towards the better side (South Africa) at the last day of a cracker of a test match. Australia's invincibilty is a past now and their No.1 status is just a reminiscence of their dominance earlier. Their aura is very much on the decline. This is a good sign as it opens up the platform even more wider.

'The Wall' is back and resurrected. Its always a delight to watch elegance and skill on the cricket field without which the pitch ll be nothing but a mere 22-yard turf. But its even more painful to see a craftsman finding it difficult to survive. Test match is a cruel game. One time U score 600 in a series in ur prime but things change suddenly where U struggle to go past 600 in a calender year. But then Class is permanent! Skills never vanish overnight. Thats the beauty of Test cricket. Only talent stands the test of time. There is no flash in the pan kinda stuff.

But it was hard to see Test Cricket finding it hard to pull in crowds of late. It was a painful sight to see an almost empty stadium greeting the apex of all Test records-Sachin overtaking Lara's tally of runs to become the highest run-getter in Tests-at Mohali while its even more painful when Indians did a winning rally waving at the concrete floors. Thanks to T20 and ODI, Test cricket is finding it very difficult to draw crowd to the grounds. Already tainted as a slow game and results coming out after a long time, Test cricket is finding demons in the form of slow over-rate and poor audience at the stadium. We can talk of improving the facilities and amenities at the grounds but only good cricket played at the right pace and spirit can sustain the interests of the fast-paced people. Thats what we are witnessing today!!!How better can it get!! Lets hope they mark the rebirth of Test Cricket.

Accident zone!!

2008-12-17T08:36:00.002+05:30

I am posting this one right after helping people who met with an accident near my home. Let me narrate u the exact picture of my town n then tell u what happened!!Neyveli has huge student population for its size. In my previous post('Neyveli-my sweet home place') I had mentioned that there is no traffic by any means but every rule has an exception (except the above rule). U know the student density around 8.15 to 8.45 am every morning near my home. My home is at one of the corners of this busy junction.

Right from my school days, I have seen many accidents caused due to reckless driving of the van drivers and auto-rickshaw drivers. I have to mention this!! Auto-rickshaw drivers think that they pilot airplane. Stupid bastards!! They are responsible for the safety of the school kids, man!! This isn't a joke by any yardstick!! I have seen them going berserk as if they are gonna miss a flight! At least once in two weeks (nowadays more frequently), I ll hear screeching sounds of sudden break (if very unfortunate, then screams of my school-going friends agonizing in pain).

My mother, being a doctor, has attended first aid and treatment to many people then. I have once seen my mother literally plucking out a finger of a lady who cut her finger in one such incident. I shivered then as I was only studying third standard then. Oh My God!!Such incidents ll make even the rock solid men faint. Many times I have asked my father to complain to Township Administration to put speed breakers at this junction to prevent such accidents. However despite my father's complaints and other people' complaints, nothing has been done (God knows Y?)

Given this picture, I think you would have guessed the topic by now. Yes!!U r right!! I witnessed an accident where an auto was toppled upside down after having a hit at the side by a van!! I heard loud screams when I was scanning the newspaper then. The scream showed that it was something serious. My father and myself rushed to the spot!!Oh My God!!Small girls are crying like anything. They were frightened to the core!! My father was the first one to help then as we were the guys first there. He set the auto upright and freed the girls who had their legs crushed below the auto. I calmed them down but by that time, big crowd assembled around (as usual). At first, it took sometime to settle down and act accordingly. As it was a peak-time, we cleared the traffic for others to carry on with their work. A small girl was shivering like anything!!My eyes welled then after seeing an innocent looking sister crying out of sheer fear. I couldn't do much after that as seniors took control over the situation. This is Half-Yearly exam time. Some of the girls were too rattled that I doubt whether they can write their next exam(leave this test..its gone..they have to write it later) Parents rushed to the spot more frightened than their wards.

Only after seeing this incident first hand, I can sense and feel for the terror and mayhem that the victims and hostages of Taj hotel and other targets during the recent Mumbai carnage! Now I can understand y Mumbaikars feel insecure and vulnerable!! My heart goes to those people!!Its different when u read those incidents on paper or visually. But I salute every hotel staff who dared his/her life to save the guests and my Indians there!!It takes enormous guts and care to help even in that precarious situation. They could have easily escaped as they know more about the hotel onstruction but that sets the extraordinary people from cowards!! I have goosebumps now by merely imagining such an act. I wish to be in one such situation where I can make my life count by saving many others!!

How every morning breaks in my college?

2008-12-13T09:40:00.006+05:30

"Good morning" is the contradiction of terms for many late-risers. Isn't it? People wake you up when you are in the climax of a 'hot' and happening 'masala' dream (lemme end it here..better:P) and wish you knowing that you are irritated. In city life, its more obvious na?

I remember my amma asking me to pray and see my palms as the first sight in the morning. Nowadays I use palms for muffling vehicle horns outside. I cant blame it as I ll also be a part of that soon.

I have read in my Tamil classes that kings wake up to good music every morning. Well, My cellphone wakes me in college!! I ensure that the ring volume is maximum so that even if I fail to get up(to know my sleeping talents, refer my previous post), my room-mates wake up!!Symbiosis;) However I am still in pursuit of the guy who added the "SNOOZE" option in it!! That foils all my plans:( Hoping a tension-free morning everytime I go to sleep the previous night, I get a real time jerk after seeing the time when I get up. Its enough to give you a heart-attack if U have class at 8.30 am.

Any person will try his best to get ready in time. But college is there to break the rules. Isn't it? Knowing that I am running short of time, I scan newspaper as if hot news ll become cold if left unattended. Well, habits die hard. Then the great confusion!!Whether to take bath or not?? Billion-dollar question..In fact v r trained for emergency situation right from the hostel I should say. If U take bath, then U ll be late to the class because I am yet to break my fast. But then every morning gives me a spark while taking bath only(Aristotle style) on "How to escape when the prof asks the reason for being late!!" However I prefer to go to class late rather than sitting awkwardly in class without taking bath. This explains my late-comings to class often.

However only thing I cant understand is this fact: How is that whenever I am on time to class, the lecturer comes late and my bad luck should say that when I am five minutes late, the prof is bang on time!! But again one consolation and the motivating factor, U can always resume your sleep in the class.

Though I dont advocate such a bad regular every morning, I enjoy this as I know its only possible during college days. Then Y waste the days??However I enjoy every morning and thank God for the eventful morning sessions because they show that I am alive!!Well that itself is a mystery right? Freeah vidu freeay vidu..Valkaiku illa Guarentee!!

Karthigai Thirunaal

2008-12-11T18:42:00.003+05:30

First of all I wish Tamilians all over the world "இனிய தீப திருநாள் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்" :)

Karthigai Deepam is a festival of Lights celebrated in the Tamil month Kaarthigai(matches with December in English Calender). It is celebrated on the full moon day of Kaarthigai coinciding with the Krithigai star. It is regarded as the Lord Shiva in the form of Fire. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called "Saravana Poigai". On this day, all his six forms were united by Parvathi(his mother) and this way, he had six faces. Special poojas are performed to Lord Muruga.

People celebrate Karthigai by lighting many oil-lamps(agal-vilakugal) in front of the house and decorating the house with beautiful Rangolis("kolam"). The sight of lamps in the lampblack dark night is breathtaking. Some people celebrate by lighting crackers and bright lightworks. I remember that I reserved some of the crackers and flowerpots just for this occasion.

The mythological background of the Deepam explains many points like the absence of Lord Brahma in Shivan Temple and interdiction of 'Thazhambu' in Shivan worship. Lord Shiva, in an attempt to end the duel between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu for the supremacy, appeared as a flame of light. He asked Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to search for His head and feet to test their powers. Lord Vishnu took the form of Varahar and dug into earth but his effort was abortive and futile. He accepted His inability and surrendered to Lord Shiva. On the other hand, Lord Brahma took the form of Swan and ventured to look for the head. Here comes the twist. Our Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of `thazhambu`, a flower learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva`s head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other`s top. Lord Shiva ,obviously irritated at the falsehood, punished Lord Brahma immediately by not allowing any shrine for Him and forbidding Thazhambu forever during His worship. Impressive storyline rite? Well, God punishes those people on the spot but whiles away His time in punishing terrorists. I cant get the irony.

I personally feel the Deepam as the source of inspiration for the villages surrounding Thiruvannamalai. High flame ensures light for the locality during winter when the sunset is very early. Many people say light must wash away the ignorance, poverty and selfishness. But all those are our own perceptives rite? Nowadays, people commercialize the event. Usually Mahadeepam is lighted in Tiruvannamalai Hills. It is so famous and people rush in from all over the world. However I am hurt at seeing Live coverages by more than four channels and people blabbering in the name of commentary. Full commercialisation.

Not to mention we have good food to eat then. Sweets, payasam and vadai make my day. Thats more impressive than the lightworks.:D

I sleep a lot!!

2008-12-09T19:09:00.002+05:30

I haven't slept for 10 days because thats too long! :P Having said that I really sleep a lot. I won't know what is happening around me or my whereabouts when I am sleeping. Believe me! I won't even know if you scream close to my ear at night when I am in deep sleep. The best example is here..

I am at my home place - Neyveli. Having eaten upto my nose level(exaggerating na?free..kathaiya mattum kekanum), I was reading a novel. People closer to me know how I read a novel. In fact I have always been bad at reading novels. Sometimes I read like a maniac but most of the times I sleep while reading or switch over to other task seeing more excitement in other activity rather than novels. But this time I was drawn into sleep, thanks to the drizzling, cold hill-station like atmosphere. OH MAN!! I LOVE SLEEPING THEN!! I was into deepest of deep sleep u can imagine. Now comes the twist

I have a dream here. I am talking to my Lakshmi akka. She brought me up in my younger age. She is so close to me, can say like a second mother. Well, I cant forget my plays with her but often they will end in strikes of 'mathu' (autograph part II). Her sudden advent may make you think what I try to say. Ithu varaikum padichiteenga..innum koncham padinga..pl!!:P..Involuntarily I become a small boy watching his favourite cartoon series in TV. I talk to her for a good ten minutes(should be..ll say y later:(..)Then she leaves. End of dream.

Now I go to my amma and I hear the usual comments u get after sleeping for three hours. I recount my dream to her. I expected a completely different reaction from her. But she laughs her heart out here. I am standing addled, perplexed. Dunno what to say to stop her laugh. But only then I came to know that, it was not a dream. She came to my home to see me. She went back complaining to my mother that I blabber too much in sleep. Oh my god!!Whats happening to me? I am talking to people thinking that its all a dream. Hope I haven't blabbered more in my dream. Nowadays I fear whether I am talking to real people or Am I in DREAM?

MUMBAI BLASTS!!-WHAT NEXT??

2008-12-06T17:35:00.000+05:30

It is hard to believe that one week has passed after the dastardly attack on The Taj Hotel, The Oberai-Trident Hotel and Nariman House of the economic capital of India. The terror in the face of the hostages is still fresh in my mind. I strongly condemn this act of cowardice and extend my heart to the affected people and the brave martyrs who risked their lives to save the innocent people. The media too played a crucial role in displaying the terror attack in a sensible manner, though it was like cricket match coverage with ball by ball description. That was not needed. Anyways hats off to the commandos and the Mumbai police.

Enough is enough. The bigger threat now is we are feeling more insecure and vulnerable than before. I was shocked when I read the article regarding the confession of the arrested terrorist. I can sense more danger in his confession. The secularism is under gravest threat than ever before. The only thing we can explain to the next generation is how to pray. We should explain the purpose of religion. Only then the soul of India is preserved. Only then our next generation can be proud of the essence of India- plural, secular, vibrant.

As known earlier, abject poverty, illiteracy and unemployment are the essential ingredients for terrorism. Religious sentiments fuel the fire among the vulnerable minority. How else can you explain the confession of the terrorist? He is not sorry for his act but ready to break similar mayhem to his mentors if police pay and feed him. The human value has become so low. We cannot stop the exploitation of the angry youth without addressing these problems. Unless we solve these problems, it is a wild-goose chase. But don’t we know this earlier? Then what prevents us from doing it?

The first and foremost reason is the inept politicians ruling the nation. One side we are scaling new heights like probing the moon but we can’t arrest Dawood yet. We politicizing the execution of Afsal Guru(the prime criminal behind the Parliament). How worse can it go? I fear that terrorists might see India as a tourist spot where they can enjoy the splendor of nature and strike the people at their wish!!

The insensitive and shameless politicians hamper the development while we are working hard to make India a super-power. I haven’t seen Indians more angry and terrorized ever before. The double-standard nature of politicians combined with their insensitivity adds fuel to the glowing fire.

As usual the blame game has started. It never will end. Stop it for god’s sake. We have had enough of it. The soft speeches by our PM and President have done no good to the people. The resignation of the top officials is too little, too late. Its mere an eye wash. We want the criminals to be booked under law. The punishment must be severe such that they should think again before even thinking of attacking us.

The corruption has invaded and infected the entire system like anything. We have lost top police officers in the encounter because the officers were obviously out-of-balance in the weaponry and faulty bulletproof jackets. Our politicians have made money from coffins before and now this ignominy adding to the list.

My strongest belief is our greatest weakness is our tolerance. I fear that we will get used to live in terror like we have accepted corruption in our daily life. Let the change begin from us. Please don’t repeat the same mistake we did during our parliament attack. Let us learn lesson from this grave incident atleast. Lets make the sacrifice of the commandos count. Its now or never!!

Parents are the best teachers!!

2008-12-05T14:26:00.004+05:30

In the rapidly developing scenario, the family values play an important role in moulding a person's character. Of all the relatives, the parents play the pivotal role. They are the best teachers. Every child is born good. His future depends on the teachings of his parents. I couldn't find more apt saying than "Charity begins at home" that fits the bill.

For almost everyone, their father is their first hero. He is 'the' inspirational hero. Naturally a child will try to emulate his most watched father. Most of the times, don't we guess whose child he is from his mannerism? I mention it to stress the impact the father has on the child.

In the Indian society, which is unfortunately male chauvinistic, a child sees his active father in the public. Often I have seen parents commanding their wards to say 'Good morning/evening' or 'thank you' or 'sorry'. This amuses me more than anything because I have never seen them saying those pleasing words on the first place. I greet people, say the invaluable "please" or "Thank you" involuntarily, thanks to my parents' practice. A child observes his father's actions and follows them involuntarily. I have developed my gentleness while talking to girls because of my father. I call my friends as "Boss"(copying from my father:P). I can't even think about smoking or drinking as I fear that I might feel small before the eyes of my parents. Thats the real impact a good parents have! They impart character in the tender heart of children.

The role of mother is more important than than anyone else. The attitude towards women is based mostly on the characters of the mother. Because she is the first woman we depend on and open up to. She imparts love, patience, character, self-respect, dignity and god-belief. Many might leave the children on their way during very young age forgetting the fact that its only then they can be moulded. If certain points are neglected at the young age, then the battle is already lost. I mean it. I have seen many instances.

We know the value for money only from our parents. I am known for my "stingy" attitude when it comes to money. I don't regret it. I still believe we don't have any right to spend our parents' hard-earned money recklessly. I know the value of each paisa, thanks to my parents' teachings. They give me any amount of cash I ask them without even questioning. This act may sound stupid and can even mislead the energy of youth. But only this sheer belief prevents me from spending lavishly. The point is not regarding the money but the attitude in spending the money. My mother has always told me not to develop an attitude that money can bring you anything and everything. You need the society and people behind our luxury. She has told me the pain of the farmer, the work put on by the vendors and the graciousness of God behind the food we eat. Nobody can teach this other than your parents.

I am lucky to be bestowed upon with lovely parents. Many times I have thought whether I can bring up my children like the way my parents have brought me up. They are my inspiration. They are my life!!Love our parents:)

Neyveli-sweet home place

2008-12-04T22:28:00.000+05:30

Let me start my blog with my home place..after all when the charity begins at home,y not my blog..?:P

Neyveli is the "power behind power". It is a power generation township in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The huge cranes throwing dust during mining and spreaders over the artificial mountain welcome the people to my township. Not to mention the arch gate. It is one of the well-planned townships in India comparable even to Chandigarh. My township can boast off its all round water and electricity supply at cheap rates. It has one of the best sanitation systems in India i would say. To be short, its owner's pride,neighbor's envy.

now to my personal take on Neyveli. This place is so special to me as i was born n brought up in this lignite city. I have never been separated from Neyveli till school days. the school,the grounds,cricket coaching,friends have made my home heavenly. NLC library is one of the best in the region i should say. U name a novel,i ll pick it for u. so fortunate to have everything at stone's throw distance. i consider myself very lucky. i ll miss all those when i go out of the comfortable but sluggish town. u can reach any place in neyveli in 10 min at the max. u r the traffic. i can bet on that.

i still remember the beautiful garden behind our home where breathtaking flowers welcome each morning. for some two years i suppose, v didnt buy vegetables outside as enough ll be available in our garden itself. but again thats one stage..

the striking feature which i have easily overlooked is the water management in neyveli. v can play in the ground even if it rained cats and dogs earlier in the day. u can find no sign of water-logging and many times i will come to know about rain only after seeing the wet roads.people here are serious about drainage here. Only during monsoon times, a city's cleanliness should be judged. Everything gets exposed then. my town stands out there.

Though i haven't ventured many places in Neyveli, often ashamed for that:(, i am familiar with almost every important place. What i feel my town lacks is proper entertainment facility-only two theaters, one decent park, an inactive club..thats because of the priority of the people here..the living expenses are comparable to the metro cities i should say.

Saying all that Neyveli is known for its monotonous routine.u cant break the routine. tis very tough believe me. It doesnt suit to the busy city people. Also Neyveli parents are too serious about the education of their wards. One step higher envious to other's success most of the times. I hate that. Ppl ll wish u all success but ironically wont congratulate u when u achieve. crazy ppl i say!!Hope Neyveli develops its entertainment arena to break its rather monotonous life. thats what v lack in!!

first post!!

2008-12-04T22:19:00.000+05:30

hi ppl,
this is my first blog post..have been trying to do it for a long time..but only now i feel its right time..so much to write n so much to record..let me share my thoughts with u..cheers