Hello Singapore

4 months since I landed on this foreign land. There’s this jitteriness. Then there’s this fear that numbs our body. Did I make the right decision? Should I continue working at Verizon, leading a comfortable life at home? SWOT analysis and 2x2 impact assessment on my aspirations and where I can be in my career. Mind and heart take turns in decision making where rationality goes for a toss.

As Dumbledore says, it is the choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Life begins at the end of our comfort zone. There will be newer people, newer challenges and newer frontiers to capture. I’ve decided to take on all of them with a growth mindset. If my today is not better than yesterday, tomorrow will be just be a dream. Here I’m at Singapore to Live, learn and excel.

It is indeed a first world country, in terms of people’s mindset and the government to serve the people. I’d learnt about a man called Lee Kwan Yew. The more I read about him, more he raises in stature. In a way, Singapore is LKY’s product. Meritocracy, racial and religious harmony, and clean governance.

Some of the positive things I’d observed in my stay so far:

1. Singapore story: The great Singapore story (was new to me) itself is so inspiring and think about. How a nation converted its short comings into its strengths and where it has progressed.

2. Insanely hard working people: People who are self-motivated and driven. I need to set newer levels of productivity and work-impact matrix to match their levels. Everyone works. Young, middle aged, old. Seeing so many aged people who are active is a pleasing sign.

3. Long term vs Short term: Singapore has built solutions that are long term sustainable such as for water supply, desalination, housing development, Public parks etc. Every house has a MRT or Bus stop connectivity, that itself shows their thoughtfulness. Government that focusses on governance with policies that directly impact their life.

4. Mindset of the people to follow the rules and regulations. Whether it is the fear of punishment or by nature, people following all possible rules

5. Being physically fit and agile: With so many parks, running tracks and stadiums, I can’t afford to be indoors. Thanks to the compulsory military training, this place has vibrant sporting culture. 

Positives okay. What about the negatives? Outside off stump, well left. Everyone has negatives, cribbing doesn’t make it better. This place is great. Period. 

I’ve put an L-board before I earn.To Learn. So much to do, so much to learn and so much to enjoy. Singapore I’m here to win my spurs.

Opportunity in difficulties

Story of Aisha Chaudhary, a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed with an incurable immune deficiency disorder at the age of six months, following which she underwent bone marrow transplant. 

In her incredibly simple and touching way, Aisha took us through her early days when she was wheelchair ridden and destined to inhale oxygen with the help of a tube clipped to her nose. Her story drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation as she told us about the 5 lessons she has learnt during this phase; 

1. 'Believe in miracles'

2. 'Live in the moment'

3. 'Opportunity in difficulties'

4. 'Dare to dream'

5. 'Pets are the best medicines'

(Courtesy: INK conference Jaipur)

Wall Retires. Legacy Continues.

One KISS to Dravid. I'm gonna Keep it Short and Simple

To the ever Charming Fittest Jammy.
To the technically best Stylish Rock Solid Wall.
To the Nice calm but invigorating Gentleman.

Thank You !! Irreplacable. Unforgettable.

I seriously hope to be awesome one day and give my wife a chance to write an article like what Vijeeta wrote about you. Sweet and Inspiring :)

PS: Everybody tweeting 'Rahul Dravid' was a Gentleman. Appa Sachin enna 'Jai-Hind' ah, illa Ganguly 'Sengottai' ya ?? (via PuneerSoda)

Chennai Encounter

One can certainly some decisive action whenever JJ is in power. Especially when it comes to Law and Order. Of course, there are a lot of other impertinent activities she does due to political vendetta.

5 suspects killed when police went to investigate them. The police needs a better PR person to state that this was a preventive action and not an encounter. Atleast believable.

Personally, i despise with people who steal money for their livelihood.

Our police and our judicial system gives A.C Room, TV, quality food, etc for people who steal 1.76 lac crores, but kill a person who steals 15 lakhs. Both are hard earned money of the people and there should be no distinction in crime based on the magnitude of loot. Crime is crime. Accused is Accused.

chuck 1.76lac Cr. One fellow from Pakistan is given royal treatment in Mumbai jail. He was holding the entire country to ransom for 3 days. Still nothing has been done.

Rewind even further.. There are people in who killed our Prime Minister. I'm not judging their action as Right or Wrong. But after given death sentence for more than 10 yrs, they are not yet hanged.

Sometimes we should really feel 'Suppressed, Oppressed n Depressed' by the slowness of our abilities while dealing with accused.

India's Test Woes

In a country where all students fear cycle test, midterm, semester, viva, thesis, and 100 more, asking laxman (with a potbelly) to play test cricket is ridiculous. While everyone can have their opinions about what can the BCCI,selectors, team management do (who cares even the likes of Arun Lal, Nikil chopra and Vinod Kambli criticize Indian team's poor show), It would be a grave mistake on my part if i don't give my suggestions.

1.BCCI should another test series with Australia in India. Call it the revenge series (Give some name Agneepath, Dewar,etc). India will thrash Aussies outright. Now media can claim moral victory. (This is vadivelu's strategy in Nagaram movie)

2. Clause a)Make Kenya and Zimbabwe test playing nations and play back to back home and away matches.
Clause b) Organize back to back test series against Sri Lanka. India Tour of Srilanka. Srilanka tour of India. (3 test matches and 5 ODis each) on Sub continent Wickets. And we can claim no.1 spot.

3. BCCI should use its money power to bully ICC and declare bowling bouncers to Indian batsman as offense. Grade 1 offense (like Virat's Middle finger). Repeated offenses can lead to suspension and possible ban.

4. If nothing works out, play racism card against South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand. Tell them you won't tour as racial abuse in demeaning and demotivating. You can win matches in other countries.

5. Last but not the least. Hire our Minister Kapil Sibal as Troubleshooter for current test debacle. He'll claim there was no 4-0 loss in test series in Australia and England. The players followed the 1955 team strategy, a policy framed by his predecessors. No loss policy like in 2G case.

PS:I hope Sibal doesn't censor my blog. All points have been suggested with a lighter vein. Even if it doesn't evoke laughter, try laughing at mokka jokes. Good for health.

Poem: IF

This is one of the most inspiring poems I've come across in my life.

If -Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.

Kavidhai: Traffic Signal Sirumi

After a long time, I did get inspired and am writing about something that touched my heart. Please add Maane, thaena, ponmaane in between the lines for your convenience.

Traffic signal girl

Nanpagal sooriyan veliye ennai suterika,
Manadhil sogam ulle urukka,
En kannerum vervaiyum kalanthadhu,
Traffic signal kooda sigappaga mariyadhu


Varai yeedu vikkum sirumi ethanai, adhutha velai saapade avalukku prachanai,
Aval vazhkai mun, en kashtam ondrume illai .
En kangallum kanneerum kainthathu,
Traffic signal pachaiyaga maariyadhu !!

For all those who didn’t get a word, please follow my English translation.

Traffic signal girl

Nanpagal sooriyan veliye ennai suterika,

When the midday sun was scorching,

manadhil sogam ulle urukka,

Sadness inflicted my heart from inside,

en kannerum vervaiyum kalanthadhu,

My sweat and tears coalesced into one

Traffic signal kooda sigappaga mariyadhu

Traffic signal turned red!

varai yeedu vikkum sirumi ethanai,

Countless young girls selling Drawing books (at the traffic signal),

adhutha velai saapade avalukku prachanai,

Their next meal itself a big problem,

aval vazhkai mun, en kashtam ondrume illai .

In front of her life, My problems seemed insignificant.

en kangallum kanneerum kainthathu,

My eyes and tears dried up,

traffic signal pachaiyaga maariyadhu !!

Traffic signal turned green !!

Don't Miss your freebie

There's a Chinese saying," Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" TN politicians are busy blaming each other and outsmarting others with their manifestos. I found this cartoon appropriate, inspired from the candy ad.

Both the parties are trying to give free mixies, grinders, gas cylinders, rice. Instead they can start a Govt Mess and give free food for all Ration Card holders. Linux laptop it seems. Dont know when they started giving Linux computers. For sure Vijaykant will ensure TASMAC (govt job) a 24 hour center. Even his next movie is titled Murasu Potterum Old Monk Quarterum.

This election crucial in a way, it comes to individual constituencies and local problems rather than problems of the state. The 2G's (Rahulji and Soniaji) impact or Vijaykant or Vijay impact, all are expected to be a bussss. The margin of gap between parties is decreasing as Election Day comes near.

Tomorrow i'm thinking of starting a ABCDMK. We can think of ABCD expansion later. Though i'm in no way related to DK, ABCDMK should be a a dravida Kalagam. Who cares none of parties except DK and DMK are principle based parties. All other MKs are a mere money making machine. In fact, in future our children should be taught to become politicians, rather than doing lame Medicine, Engineering. They can settle down early in their life.

At least if you can’t change everything, at least try participating in the election by voting. The voting machines should have Options like in IIT-JEE. E-None of these Candidates are fit. With the economy of the state in a clumsy state, Karuna should come up with spells like AnnaViyumLeviosa with his yellow shall to give these freebies. In case, you vote for these Dud parties, please refer to the below table and make sure you get all the freebies.

PS: Images are from online sources, not my prop images.

Like/Dislike work

After Almost 2 years in a corporate sector, a few of my fellow batch mates of 2009 batch are content with the work they do. There seems to be no correlation between what was taught at colleges and the work done!!. The work environment is not suited for individual needs. Some friends even quit their work to pursue their passions. 90% ppl write CAT exams, only fellow lucky ones get through.. Others might say, "Abeyaar.. one more yr".

I Got a nice apothegm from a close friend !!!For all those who are depressed with ur work, think a min or two abt this.

"Not liking the work is one thing.. Not liking to work is another "

Most of us fall under the second category. After 20 years carefree life, when you start working day in day out, you'll definitely feel bored .

A.R. Rahman's Layering and Experimentation

What will be your first reaction after listening to a Rahman sir song ?? You feel a major let down, You feel like why Rahman is doing all these kinds of stuff. You feel like, why is he not composing music like Roja, Dilse, Lagaan. ( The matter of fact is, There are already classic hits like Roja, Laagan, There's no point in giving us something similar to those albums.)

The second time you listen to a song, u slowly start humming the tune. Next time, few lyrics to it. Allow the music to run in loop, non stop. Now each and every time you find at least something new, minutest layer or an instrument playing in the background. You start wondering how many layers are added to lead. Now his music starts growing on you, exponentially. You start feeling that, how come this man keeps us flabbergasted with his music. Every single time.

One striking feature that differentiates a Rahman song or any other song is layering. Layering is a concept where different instruments play at different times. Take for example, songs like Anbae sugama of Parthalae paravasam. How brilliantly he uses violin and keyboard. Blissful. or take Chitti Dance Sequence in Endhiran. Every layer in the track sounds different. Each time you listen, there would be a small instrument in background along with the vocals. Also contributing to the fact is the quality of speakers or headphones you use. Not to say, the original cd music is always top class as compared to the downloaded pirated ones.(Be a music lover, not a music pirate)

Much of these credit should definitely be given to Late shri H.Sridhar, who has been a pillar of strength for Rahman sir. It's very difficult for anyone to fill in the shoes of Sridhar, which is evident from the sound quality of recent albums(with due credit to the albums). Post Oscar , thalaivar seems to be on an experimentation mode, with getting new genres, new voices, new instruments. If it was Blues in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, funky African instruments in Raavan, Mass in Komram Puli, Major techno mode for Endhiran.(Per Se, treating each film on its own merit.)

I think the fans, as a whole will keep supporting his nouvelle experimentations in music, allow Rahman sir to explore new kinds of music and collaborate with new artists. For sure, we will like his experiments.

Nothing changes for me

I had failed to get any calls from IIMs in the CAT exam. But I was not dejected at all like my previous attempts. Already 3 years into her IT career, my professional life was stagnated. I was looking for a change, may be a MBA admit or a change of job (with a heavy remuneration). On the contrary, personal life was just blissful. Being a girl, parents and old retired uncles, aunties start their work of finding alliance for you. My match had already been finalized and engagement was over just a few weeks back. My Fiancé was a typical Mylapore boy peterring in ManHattan, Working for a MNC. First look at his photo, I knew there was an instant connect. Not sure if Bells rang , bulb glow, wind blew to signify this was the man.

One morning I got a Change. Things happen when you don’t expect them to happen. That morning, I was to attend an important team meeting. Everyone including all the senior heads were called for this town hall meeting. As usual I had got up late, skipped gym, got lengthy advices from mom about how a family girl should be. I thought,”What a bad start to the day!!!”. Rushing through the busy roads of Chennai on my bike (moped), “WTF... Every signal turns red”. Suddenly a small school girl had tried to cross and was stranded in the middle of the road. I tried a Zig zag to adjacent lane in order to avoid her. Unfortunately I’d failed to check the rear-view mirror. A MTC bus was traveling in the adjacent lane. Bus kissed moped’s back, I was thrown out of balance. I was lying on the road with my back resting, and the speeding bus had run over my leg already. Driver had manager to stop the bus. I was now under the bus.

My body felt numb, they pain was excruciating. Slowly everything went blank. I laid there unconscious, not knowing anything that happened for the new few days. Later my parents had explained all the events that had unfolded. My lower limb was totally crushed, blood circulation was hampered. Doctors gave an option of amputating my leg; otherwise it could be a serious risk to my life. Life took a new turn in just a matter of days. He had flown back to Chennai on hearing about the accident. I was discombobulated on how my life’s going to be with a single leg. How will my fiancé react to this? How are my in-laws going to react to this? Can I ask him to marry someone else, rather than marrying a crippled. Distressful questions haunted me; Sedatives gave rest to my body, but mind was definitely in a lot of unrest.

Next Morning he was there to see me. The first few words that he spoke, “Marriage date finalized,honeymoon place on ur call“.

I was flabbergasted.”But I’m like… “, even before I could complete my talk, his hands closed my mouth. “Nothing changes for me... You are the same to me.” As firm as a mountain, I felt like I’d not lost anything in life.

30 years ago, I started loving him. They say u can't measure love. Till date, my love has definitely multiplied manifolds. He had got an artificial leg for me, allowed me to pursue my passion, help me setup my dance school. I’m crippled, we are not… :)

(courtesy: Subroto Bagchi )

Kavithai:Marriage

This was an instant Kavithai for a team mate, while wishing her a fabulous married life. I wanted something different on the greeting card, hence out of nowhere this came up.

Intha Thirumanam, ungal iru Manamgalin orumanam.

Translation: This marriage(kalyanam) is an unification(Orumanam) of your two hearts(iru Manam)

PS: team was stunned after the on the spot kavithai.. :D

Most Pitiable - MP

It’s tough to be at the top job of this country, Paid on par with an IIM graduate, and even getting more Kimbalam(also called Mamool ..Rhyme with Samblam) .When people come into limelight in politics, they are 55+ and still head the Party’s Youth Wing. By the time they become MPs, they r in 60s and 70s. So at their age, doctors advice them to go for walking to keep themselves fit. As soon as they parliament begins some issue is discussed, they are reminded of what their doctors had advised them, hence walk out.

Like How Ultimate Star Ajithkumar keeps walking in all his movies to reduce his six sagging pack. With BP, sugar, Bypass surgeries already done, you are bound to expect them got for walking. All these Dharna, Hartals and Protests are a mere eyewash, to fool the citizens that they r really concerned about the people. At least these people attend sessions and come out. So of the celebrity actor turned politicians like Govinda needs to be reminded that he’s an MP and needs to attend Parliament. He should stop acting in Navarathna Oil Ads with Rambha and work for people.

Actually we should not blame politicians for all these issues. While the front benchers in parliament squawk and squeal, there are some MPs who prefer back benches. Before they attend 11:00AM session, they have a sumptuous brunch to fill their appetite. Also the mellifluous and soothing voice of the speaker and sometimes the sweet and soothing lullabies of the President Prathiba Paati make them lethargic and hence they sleep in.

I particularly feel for the politicians who make film stars as MPs. They ratify this move, on the pretext that they can have some Ghilphansi, Gilma and do Jalsa at parliament. They expected to see Artificial implants of Sakhi Rawant and Slender legs Peepika Dadukone( like in phir mile sur mera tumhara). But to their disappointment they end up seeing Attu Piece Aaya figures in MemaHalini and Paya Jradha.

They also find it difficult with to cope up with increasing no. of criminals, rowdies in the countries. Every kutti rowdy (they a part of ‘Nannum rowdy... Naanum Rowdy’ Family) just find their way up into Parliament by hitting Jalra(ching Chak) for their Party heads. Even after giving lot of VIP suitcases to become VIPs, their places cannot be taken for granted. Hence it’s highly difficult to be a MP and politician. Hence we, citizens of this country need to question them less. On the contrary, give them more sympathy,empathy,allopathy, homeopathy.

Will you cross the skies for me??

Two reasons for me to watch this movie, Gautam Menon and A.R Rahman. With Simbu as lead,i was skeptical about it. Gautam proves that Simbu is a very different person from what people think we are. This is not a post to recommend people to watch this movie, but an opinion. I liked the movie bcos, i realized that may be in 2 years, i would be karthik (simbhu). There was so much into that character i could associate to.

5 minutes into the movie, you dont talk of Simbu and Trisha, Its just karthik and Jessie all the way. The last time i like simbu performance was in Thotti Jaya. And Trisha as Jessie, stunning, gorgeous,ravishing. Mark my words, guys after watching the movie, will think about the style associated with each girl he meets. Trisha's character is a confused, perplexed, instinctive and how things have changed. Costumes and colours associated with the Protagonists were picture Perfect. I guess this a season of Self Kallai and Kindal . Simbu says "When people go to America for their love, i can go for the nearb Kerala". Ganesh who plays the simbu's cinematographer friend and his kallai dialogues were comical.

Every one who's in love should definitely ask, why should they love her of all the girls?? U can never find answer to that. Trisha makes us chant "Jessie,Jessie.."

Music from the Mozart of Madras, Rahman Sir. All 7 songs have a video in the movie and movie is a musical by all means. The BGMs and Soundtracks were Fitting, a long time( ATM,SOK,Sakkarakati) Rahman scores with his BGMs. I really liked the Hard Rock music that comes up in the Gaandu scenes. Movie has got a Gautam Menon stamp all over. Handling a simple story with too much of pheeelings, that transforms to the audience at the end of the movie. Gautam efficiently uses His Telugu Lead Naga Chaitanya and Samantha as actors in simbu film. The end of the movie was neat, not very emotional and leaves the audience to feel for the emotion. To handle an emotional story with too much of feelings, with maturity and deftness, and to make audience believe that his end is the right thing to do. and to move on. Simbu, Trisha,Gautam and Rahman definitely score with VTV. for once i'm a Simbu's fan in the movie.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya is definitely a 500 days of Summer in chennai.

PS: If u hate this movie, Hate it.. your stand i can never question that. Never can u question my stance that i like the movie.

Enact

I'd completed My first onscreen film appearance for a Friend's project at Film Institute. 
For long, I've preferred to stay behind camera and contribute in Direction and cinematography. No introduction scenes, no punch dialogues, no female stars :(

Writer had briefed me about the story on some forest expedition and i play the role of a wildlife photographer, who's on a 4th day shoot for a tiger safari. I'd written dialogues for the movie. We used live sound recording and delivering my dialogues took multiple takes. You can be a jabber or an orator, once they say, "action!", Its tough. Your mind searches for dialogues, Expressions, Modulations,tone, Posture, etc etc. Imagine me taking 13 takes for a dialogue which I'd written(I'd counted the no. of takes while I'd failed in delivering my dialogue).

Already earned a nickname of Joey Tribbiani of friends, from my office colleagues. No wonder these actors have buildup names like cab10, PuratchiThalapathi, Ilayathalapathi, Young Superstar. One thing i know, I'm pathetic at acting. Learn where all i need to work on to be an actor. At memory skills,Voice Tone and Modulation, Expression, try Single take of Lengthy dialogues, Body language. I'm Bad at it, Will grow with age and with the character i do.

PS: Not yet seen the final outcome, Will upload if the video comes out well.
Bloopers is even more comical than the actual video.

What Next for Sena

Disclaimer:All characters in this story are fictious, no resemblance to anyone living or dead.


Sena had called SRK and Aamir as 2Idiots.But According to their mouth piece, their Next Idiot, the third idiot is Lalit Modi,who else..

The Whole Issue is not Sena Vs SRK, It Should be Sena Vs IPL(which will happen in future). Moreover Sena has an issue with every country who are allowing their players to play. This is wat Sena had replied to different countries.

Aus --> When fellow Indians are racially abused, how can cricketing ties be continued. They Dont Agree to build Ram temples in Australia. Temple is a foremost issue and its an attack on our national pride.

Pak --> Anything and everything can be related to Pakistani Hand. This is were all started

SA --> They had insulted Indians in Pre-independence days, had practiced apartheid.

Eng --> They ruled India for 100 years, plundered Maharashtra of its wealth.

Ban --> Step Brothers of Pak. How come ur cricket board is not in any trouble like Pak, Pls chaos yourself asap.

WI --> Thakrey doesn't support North India/Indies or West Indies, only Maharashtrians allowed

NZ --> U insult Indians for not wearing clean socks and detain them. Cricketing ties should be cut, bcos we cant clean our socks and get insulted everytime.

SL --> ohh.. No LTTE, so no issues. No Wait. Only those players who know marathi will be allowed to play.

RULES
All players shud have lived in Maharashtra for 15 years, learnt Marathi, ate Vada Pav and Voted for Shiv Sena.

Actual Reason
1.Balasaheb was not allowed by Modi to Hug Preity Zinta(who incidently broke up with her boyfriend after Modi hugged her) and Shilpa shetty( who had married Tyagi Raj Kundra)
2. Thakrey was not allowed to buy a team named Marathi Manoos , even though he had Ball in his name and hits them hard "Thakrey"

He had even scouted few players and rejected them on some reason.

1.Ajit Agarkar --> old Person, was asked to join mainstream politics wit Siva Sena as KoPaSe ( Kolgai Parapu Seyalalar - Party's Principle Secretary)
2.Romesh Powar --> Accused of eating all the food meant for marathi manoos. He was also accused for not wearing his "3 glasses for Rs.10" coolers which he had brought from some thiruvizha(fair).
3. Abhishek Nayar --> a player in prime form shudn't play in the team. Hence was offered a Vada Pav and Nair Tea shop at Party headquarters instead.

PS:
1. while Sena is doin all this, other sena,SriRam Sena is preparing itself for Valentine's day. Every desperate person who wants to get married can go out and talk to his sweetheart and SriRam Sena will help u in getting married.

2.Tamil Kollywood Vice Captain RJ Shiva(Chennai28, TamilPadam fame) has accused Shiv Sena for using his name in the party and it had hurt his fans. He also claims it to be a Vellinaatu Sadhi(international plot) to prevent him from entering politics.