Wednesday, December 28, 2011

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Just feel like shouting out loud, punching someone in the face!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Two minds

It is close to 6 months at hell and I am still going with the flow. There is no plan. No goal.

I am a part of a team, and in two minds. To deep dive, let it indulge me completely, or, still think of life ahead of it.

When I came here, I was a man on top of the world, having made it to an IIM. Here, that confidence has taken a hit. I wanted to change India, look for ideas that had the potential to change India.
Here, corruption caught me, corruption of thought. Never had I imagined in life that competing is the ultimate habit, you cannot take things easy.

Close to 13 months remain. This journey seems lost at the moment.

Pathik

Sea of Fog

Its morning 10 am and I am only surrounded by a sea of fog at IIM Lucknow!
Wow!


Saturday, November 19, 2011

Life @ Hell

Its been  close to five months of my stay at IIM Lucknow.
Somehow, the initial euphoria of coming to a world of exciting opportunities has prevailed over the depressing environment of the campus. I am a part of Manfest, which is a group of passionate people committed to deliver the annual business conclave of IIM Lucknow year after year. Things at IIM Lucknow are not that simple as they used to be in NIT Bhopal. Here, everything is simply, "GLOBE"

What a journey it has been so far. The fact that you are not part of the "Remedials" can seriously pose interesting problems. From the first institute party itself, I have been trying to get connected to the institute, its people, its culture. Something which has not happened so far. I have made conscious efforts, yet, there is something which is still missing. I have not made great friends, and this is something that I have realized over time, that it takes time  for me to befriend people. The insti parties, the booze, the dances, the music, have become an integral part of my life now.
I have made mistakes, and have learned tremendous lessons. So much has happened in the past five months.
We have had our summer placements, which showed me the worst and the best of a B school. It was a scary process, and has left many people short of confidence. The hype of mba as a degree will hopefully saturate in times to come when people do realize their real aptitude and fit to these programs.

Life @ Hell, so far, is exciting, fun, and, superficial at the same time. Hopefully, remaining 15 months will count for the rest of my life

Monday, May 23, 2011

Movie Review - Pyaar Ka Punchnama

Wide Screen Shots of Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon, pubs located in Bangalore and loads of chaos.
Director Luv Ranjan's "Pyaar Ka Punchnama" is a brave attempt at portraying the myths of relationships in this Digital Age, viewed from the Male side and this may perhaps not go down well with the Female audiences.

The first half is breezy, energetic, funny and wild. The story of three bestest of buddies who live in the same flat, their falling in love, getting in a relationship, and the things that follow unfolds before the audience. The thigs that follow attempt to completely destroy their individuality and friendship as the Relationship starts occupying their Universe.

The Second half fails to emulate the pace and energy of the first half, looks a bit stretched too. However, this part of the movie is an attempt at Dark Humor, as the Boys start realising that in the name of love, life is being sucked out of them by their respective Girl Friends. The Girls become the bad guy in this movie, and possess all the wickedness and tricks one will associate with the good old villians of Hindi Cinema.

The performances by all actors, mostly debutants, are worthy of compliments. The guy with the specs and his "Girl" friend, both, will be loved by the audiences for their wit, emotion and drama. The story has shades of grey, and barring some parts in the second half, it holds it audience for most of the show.
Music is one point where the movie fails to impress. The tract "Kutta" being the highpoint, written by the Director Luv Ranjan only, has all the makings of a Hostel Party song.
The movie has a seemingly dark take on Love and relationships, and for all those interested in both, I would recommend " Pyaar ka Punchnama".

Thursday, April 21, 2011

FAILED:YET AGAIN!!

I have failed yet again,
feeling such an immense pain.
This time also I gave my best
Yet, I was not the best.

I do not know how to react
For I am definitely feeling low
I am not selected, thats a fact,
my mind in a dizzy, after this blow.

No one lost what I did
I cannot cry, for I am not a kid
What went wrong, is all I ask
How can I put that "all ok" mask?

Men learn from failures
Is what we were told
Failures teach wisdom, our Saviour,
Some weapon men possess as they grow old.

Krishna told Arjun there is no point
In being sad for what was never yours
Desire and Grief share an unbreakable joint
Give them up, and victory shall be yours.

Alas, but I am a mere mortal
and today I stand facing darkness
The iron fist of failure is brutal
and I see its grip in sharpness.

Courage is the virtue of the warriors
while fear the grave of the coward
I remember my failures through the years
trying hard to figure out a way forward

I just hope this strengthens my resolve
I wanna taste the sweetness of victory
Till the time the Earth revolves
I will strive to make a History








Tuesday, March 29, 2011

When Dreams Come Crashing

It feels bad
when dreams come crashing
It feels dead
when you start faking.


Then you start thinking
how did it started
Tel yourself to start inking
Memories that Departed.


You try to convince yourself
Common Man, thats all fair
Start cleaning up that shelf
Which contained things all dear.


Then you stop, and ponder
What if I had another chance
Your mind starts to wonder
Your feet heavy, your eyes dance.


But then, what you can do?
Go back to being what you were,
Try breaking this spell of Voodo
For its your life, your future.

Monday, January 24, 2011

India, the Republic @62

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा


खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

 तू शेर-ए-हिन्द आगे बढ़

मरने से तू कभी न डर

उड़ा के दुश्मनों का सर

जोश-ए-वतन बढ़ाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

 हिम्मत तेरी बढ़ती रहे

खुदा तेरी सुनता रहे

जो सामने तेरे खड़े

तू खाक में मिलाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

चलो दिल्ली पुकार के

ग़म-ए-निशाँ संभाल के

लाल क़िले पे गाड़ के

लहराये जा लहराये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा


Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja... was the regimental quick march of the Indian National Army. Composed by Ram Singh Thakur, the song has since became an extremely patriotic song in India, and is also currently the Regimental quickmarch of the Indian Army. Listening to this tune has always filled my heart with compassion for my countrymen, and it continues to thrill me. When I see the Republic of India today, which turns 62 tomorrow, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction, of belonging to a nation which has risen from the slumbers of doom to a land of oppurtunity.Not even the great Father of India nor his legendary son, Pandit Nehru, the man who dreamt of a modern and secular India, would have imagined that in mere 62 years of becoming a Republic, India would be striving for a stake in global governance.Contrary to the doom predicted by most political pandits, the seeds of democracy have only deepened further and India has retained it's secular and pluralistic character,inspite of an increasingly hostile and polarised neighbourhood.Our enterprises have not only arrived at the world stage, but look poised to redefine the trade balances across the globe.Indians have been voted as the most happiest people on the planet,and the freedoms we enjoy under the Indian constitution have allowed the citizen to challange the might of the state.We are the youngest country in the world with over 500 million people in the working agegroup.We have the largest pool of scientists,engineers and doctors in the world and are moving at a tremendous pace towards making significant contributions to research and development.I can think of a thousand reasons for feeling very upbeat about the prospects of this young Republic.
Yet, India at 62 is not all about Gandhi or Nehru.We still have the largest number of poor in the world.Our literacy rates are deplorable compared to the developed countries.The effects of governance deficits have taken the shape of separatist movements, be it Kashmir or the Maoist movement.A large section of the population has never enjoyed the privileges as offered by our constitution and power is still weilded by few in the name of democracy.Values,ethics and accountability are at a all time low in public life, be it our political leaders,bureaucrats or business leaders.The evil of corruption has become a part of the system and is looking to conquer one and all.Regional biases have started to overtake national identity,as is evident from the Telangana and the Naga movements.Collusion of big businesses with all major political parties,as is evident from the 2G scam, is a threatening move to the very basics of a democratic Republic.Environment is being seen as a roadblock for development, and is being destroyed at a pace that can only result in doom.The notion of Inclusive Growth finds place only in political speeches,and is forgotten thereafter. Public spending in Publice Health, Higher Education, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Infrastructure, are far below the benchmarks of a modern and developed Republic. Judiciary, which is supposed to the protector of the rights of the public, is itself struggling to keep the faith of the people in it and looks to avoid being accountable to them.

Indian Republic, at 62, looks so much like India.Chaotic,brutal,raw, yet hopeful, of a bright future.India at 62 stands as the youngest and largest Republic of the world in terms of population, and it is these young men and women, with dreams in their eyes and strengths in their hearts, which hold the power to transform this great country to a land of dreams, one which is free for all, which values individual liberty, faith, and one which provides oppurtunities to unlock the potential hidden inside an individual.India @62, can look to be bold, courageous and assertive in redeeming it's founding principles.It can look towards people like you and me to turn all the challenges it faces into oppurtunities and contribute to the ever growing legend of this humble civilisation.

India, the Republic@62, is perhaps entering the most challenging time in it's entire history. Only time will tell how it fared and where it will reach, but I will play my part in taking it from here to only greater and greater heights. India @ 62 reminds me to sign off with a song that goes like this:

हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के




पासे सभी उलट गए दुश्मन की चाल के

अक्षर सभी पलट गए भारत के भाल के

मंजिल पे आया मुल्क हर बला को टाल के

सदियों के बाद फ़िर उड़े बादल गुलाल के



हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के

तुम ही भविष्य हो मेरे भारत विशाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



देखो कहीं बरबाद न होवे ये बगीचा

इसको हृदय के खून से बापू ने है सींचा

रक्खा है ये चिराग़ शहीदों ने बाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



दुनियाँ के दांव पेंच से रखना न वास्ता

मंजिल तुम्हारी दूर है लंबा है रास्ता

भटका न दे कोई तुम्हें धोखे में डाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



एटम बमों के जोर पे ऐंठी है ये दुनियाँ

बारूद के इक ढेर पे बैठी है ये दुनियाँ

तुम हर कदम उठाना जरा देखभाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



आराम की तुम भूल-भुलैया में न भूलो

सपनों के हिंडोलों में मगन हो के न झूलो

अब वक़्त आ गया मेरे हंसते हुए फूलों

उठो छलांग मार के आकाश को छू लो

तुम गाड़ दो गगन में तिरंगा उछाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के