A Pumpkins Saga

13 Full Moons past

2007-11-14T22:55:00.000-06:00

Conforming to the widely accepted notion of having 12 Full moons in a year – a full moon each month – and considering the fact that to this date, it has been exactly a year since I last blogged; my web log should under normal circumstances be; ‘12 Full Moons past’.

My blog would therefore qualify as an aberration. The aberration being the fact, that I have not been able to post a single piece of literature in the last 12 months. This is very unusual considering that it goes against the grain of my primal nature. Regular readers – if any left - will immediately testify to this fact.

Coming back to the 12 Full Moons / 13 Full Moons discussion; it would not be beyond the realms of possibility to have 13 Full Moons if one were to have two full moons (also known as the quintessentially quoted ‘Blue Moon’) in a month. This last year for me has had many such Blue Moons.

More has passed in this last one year that I can care to remember in a fashion so as to make it feasible for me to put it forth my audience in a coherent manner, while at the same time not compromising on the innate character/ nature of the events that passed by.

Judging by the psychologically induced grammatical inconsistencies one can observe in the preceeding paragraph – it should not be too hard to deduce that the past year has been more of a jumble in my brain.

Time with Sourabh in NY; Christmas with Rege – Melnechuks in Amhest; Tyler, Boston and Sally; Sophia-Katie-Natalia-Jesse; Long late night walks around city park; the orions belt; Baba at KC; a slow and painful march; Jumping out of Airplanes; a very nice Birthday; Aai-Nana-Prathamesh; Lincon-Omaha and Arvind Mama; Aditi and her PhD; CT-MA-NY again; Matt-Micah-Dan-Amanda-Margaret and Little Korin; Pretty Women and Coffee; AXΣ and Slava; Shotgun, Handgun and Rifle; Suma, Suma and more Suma; Bongs and their wrongs; Baba again; Church and State, Fred Phelps and his yelps; Crazy French House Parties; New Friends & Old Friends; Dry Humo(u)r; Salina with all its charm; Durga Puja & Red Necks; Luna and her eclipse; Sourabh-Kadambari-Saumitra-Andy and their matrimonial commitments……

The list goes on, and on. Time passed by very rapidly; and before I knew; what was done was done. I cannot possibly think of any other instance in my life gone by where I can testify for so much having happened in so little a time. Nor can I recollect any other period of time that has lead to so much of a profound change in me than this period has.

Having said so; a new and slightly modified Beta version of ‘The Esquire’ will now endeavor to regularly update his devoted readers of the happenings in his life when he finds himself short of better things to do. Until next time… Tally Ho!

PS: Kapil and Varun - you guys need to update your blogs; Matt – get a life and Gracinia, just in case I haven’t told you lately “You look pretty”.

Sad Cypress

2006-11-14T11:18:00.000-06:00

Sad Cypress

Come away, come away, death,
and in sad Cypress let me be laid;
Fly away, fly away breath;
I'm slain by a cruel maid.
My shroud oh white, stuck all with yew
O Prepare it!
My part of death, no one so true
Did share it

- Sir William Shakespeare

The Confessions of a Perplexed Mind

2006-11-10T11:31:00.000-06:00

I do not like to be confused. I do not like the feeling of not knowing. I don't like that at all. Sometimes you have all the data that you need - but you somehow lack the abilty to process it.

Sometimes I feel that I do not want to know, I do not want to figure out things the way I usually want to. Is it that I really choose not to figure things out or is it that my emotions cloud my reasoning?

Emotions and feelings for someone are bad - they do not allow you to think clearly. It is my considered opinion - that it is always advisable to think with your mind rather than your heart (a dear friend of mine would probably remark that you do not think from your heart - of late I do not tend to disagree with her that much )

I meet people, different kinds of people; people with diverse backgrounds, diverse opinions, diverse tempraments and diverse tastes - and yet there are only very few amongst them that I find fascinating and enigmatic. People like these make life more interesting. But it is not always good to know an individual too well too fast, or at leat let that person know that you know. For it gets people away from each other. For people shy away from them, who they know share their deepest secrets.

I have a dear friend here at K-State who I find deeply interesting; but yet I have choosen not to know more about her - at least not more than she intends to reveal. Because if I know more about her,I fear that she'll lose her enigma and become an ordinary person in my eyes or maybe it's just because I treasure her friendship a lot more than I treasure her past.

No matter what I say, I have for once chosen not to know. For once I have found the darkness of ignorance more appealing than the comfort of knowledge. I see my curiosity and my eagerness to know more working against my own interests.

Maybe this is what she said was complicated about life when she talked to me over dinner last night. But I shall opt to disagree with her for the hundredth time. If life seems very complicated to me then I must not be looking at it in the right way. There has to be an essential simplicity that has to underline life, and it is obvious to me now that I have yet to achieve that understanding.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

2006-10-03T17:32:00.000-05:00

Hello Gaiety!

I have just booked my Air Tickets to New York and Boston for this Christmas Break. I belive, this is the only good break that I'm likely to get while my Schooling in Manhattan. Summer time will be spent working in my Lab and with next winter will dawn my time to drop home in India for a few weeks.

Bus this break is all mine. I'm planning to spend time with Sourabh in NY and then celebrate the entire Christmas Season with my Family in Amherst, MA. It is always good to spend time with family. I can't wait for Christmas break to set in.

Occasional student

2006-10-03T17:31:00.000-05:00

occasional student

The Ressurection

2006-10-03T16:55:00.000-05:00

I feel the need, the urge to pen down my thoughts. Unlike always this time I have so much to see, so much to write and so much to express. And what better a form of expression than typing down my Thoughts in a blog.

The truth is; that there is so much to say that I do not know where from to begin. I've been lazy - that I admit or to put it in a better way- I've been busy most of the time. And when I have not been busy I've been lazy.

But that can not constitute as an excuse for not blogging. I do not blog for anyone but me. So it seems I've to schedule my blogging - in such a way that I can periodically express myself via this medium. The last couple of months have been both exciting, demanding, fascinating and overwhelming. Then there have been moments of confusion, indecision, procastination, guilt and patches where one loses a bit of self-confidence (although these did not last for more than a few hours).

I have met more people here in such a short span of time than I have ever done before - except for when I was born. In a way I look upon my journey to the US as a sort of rebirth. Here I can do things that I have never done before, learn new things, live new ideas and re-examine the old ones. My new birth in the US signifies my personal and intellectual growth.

Although, I don't claim to have achieved much with respect to what I have stated in the last paragraph; it has happened to a number of time that a completely new idea has presented itself to my forcing me to shake my preconcieved notions on things. I believe you can grow, only when you possess the courage to explore - and you can do that only when you have immense self confidence. If you dispossess this quality all growth that you would achieve would be partial and stunted.

I do not claim that one can achieve growth (in the philosohical sense) only by living in a foreign culture - but I can say that it is definitely is helpful to do so. Obviously, the choice to do so is entirely individual. No one comes to the US to achieve philosphical growth. They so so because they feel that they can get a better life in the US than they would in their own country. And it is very true - the only reason that the US is such a great nation is because 'This is the only nation in the world other than your motherland/fatherland where you can get an equitable amount of respect as an individual'. And that is exactly why even the smallest of Colleges in the US represent an amazing spectrum of racial and cultural diversity not found anywhere on this planet.

I can see a lot of Indians around me, in the Summer these are the only people I can see. I have heard that the CIS Dep't has only 3 non Indian Students this year. Thus it is tempting for many Indian students to keep themselves cozy with people from their nationality and live a lifestyle that they have lived in India - completely oblivious of whatever goes around them. When they graduate from School, they have learned absolutely nothing of the American Way of life. All they have leaned is a biased and jaundiced opinion of most Born-Americans. They have an I'm holier than thou attitude which they carry with themselves all throughout their lives - happliy believing that their opinions, their philosophy and their perspectives on life are the most accurate.

They fail to understand that there is more to life than rote curricular learning. They live in the US and they live unhappliy constantly criticizing and belittling others. I do not advocate renouncing your culture and your roots. I only suggest that one re-explore them. And thus understand their utility. Keep the ones that are pertinent, modify the ones that can be modified and discard the ones that do not serve you ony good. Learn to live life in its context. I do not claim to have achieved even a part of what I have mentioned here, and I know that there is so much more to be learned, to be lived. But I sure know how to go about doing what I need to do.

As for the rest, it will follow.

An Extract from 'The Manual' by Epictectus

2006-09-05T11:20:00.000-05:00

Art of Letting Go

Sooner or later, everyone you know will disappoint you in some way. They'll say something or fail to say something that will hurt you. And they'll do something or fail to do something that will anger you. It's inevitable.

Unfortunately, you make things worse when you stew over someone's words and deeds. When you dwell on a rude remark or an insensitive action made by another person, you're headed for deeper problems. In fact, the more you dwell on these things, the more bitter you'll get. You'll find your joy, peace and happiness slipping away. And you'll find your productivity slowing down as you spend more and more time thinking about the slight or telling others about it. Eventually, if you don't stop doing it, you'll even get sick.

So what should you do the next time someone betrays you? Take Responsibility for your Feelings. Even though the other person may be at fault, even though the other person wronged you, you are still responsible for your own feelings.

In other words, other people do not "cause" your feelings. You choose them.
For example, two different people could be told that their suggestions made at the staff meeting were "stupid and idiotic." One person may "choose" to feel so hurt that he never speaks up at any other meeting again. The other person may "choose" to feel sorry for the critic, sorry that the critic couldn't see the wisdom and necessity of her suggestions.

As long as you blame other people for your feelings, as long as you believe other people caused your feelings, you're stuck. You're a helpless victim.

But if you recognize the fact that you choose your feelings and you are responsible for your feelings, there's hope. You can take some time to think about your feelings. And you can decide; what is the best thing to say or do.

'If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it'

2006-08-18T11:48:00.000-05:00

Aut dosce, aut disce, aut discede

"Either teach, or study, or leave."
{Inscription in St. Paul's School- Diaries of Samuel Pepys.}

Musica est mentis medicina maestae.

-Music is the medicine for a sad mind-

Amongst Alarm Clocks, Pillows and other things.

2006-08-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

Life interacts with you in strange and unexpected ways. I also belive that we take the small things in life for granted. And eventually these very small things are the ones that strike you - if not affect you.

When I left Bombay to come to the US to study; I knew that I would have to stay all alone. I knew that I'd have to cook my own food, do my laundry, clean my place, live with stangers and manage my own finances. I also knew that I would not be able to go back home and meet my family for at least an year or two.

But I was quite surprised to notice that - after having slept for more than three weeks in a sleeping bag on the floor without a pillow - I was overjoyed to sleep on a pillow yesterday night. My mattress and my pillow have by far ended up being my most prized possessions - and my good nights sleep the very best comfort I have.

Interesting! Considering that we never give a thought about the simple things that we have around us. I never thought about a pillow and a bed to be a source of pleasure. I think we need to be greatful of these little things that we have around us that we so easily take by default to be a part of our daily existence.

Taking about sleeping, one thing that really caught my notice is that if you oversleep or is your alarm clock fails, there is no one to wake you up. That is, unless you have a really good roomemate with a really bad case of Amnesia.

Ich habe ein Haus!

2006-07-30T18:13:00.000-05:00

After fifteen days of sleeping in a sleeping bag at my hosts place and after nearly having lost my backbone (Note: For people who never studied metaphors in class; a backbone represents a feeling of self-respect) - I eventually managed to find an abode for myself.

Life can be pretty hard at times. I suddenly found myself in a totally foreign place - totally befret of other students from my country - searching for an apartment. I did not have the slightest idea wether I could find room mates to stay with me at the new found place. The problem was that I was here too early.

After making a number of calls to family and friends, raking up advice and after having spent precious moments of my life nearly making wrong decisions. I finally dropped the coin and booked a place. And after that things started working out all by themselves. I got just the kind of room mates I needed and I finally settled down.

I felt good that things had worked out the way I wished they had. I was lucky that I had time on my side - a lot of other students won't have that privilige. But the most important thing that happened with me was that - with every near wrong decision I took; I learnt a lot more about myself. What kind of a person I was and what I really wanted.

I believe that the whole world is not without but within you, the way you percieve things around you is a reflection of not how things are, but how you want them to be. We never learn anything that is not ourselves. A happy individual is the one who knows himself the best.

Maybe you don't understand what I'm saying. Maybe I dont either. Maybe it's time for another beer.....

Black Granite, Gen Lee and Obe van Kanobe?

2006-07-13T07:52:00.000-05:00

Went out with Rohan and Sonal to 'Stone Mountain'. We were kinda late and so could not see the imposing figures of Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson mounted on horses. Hell! Did the south not lose the Civil war against the Yankees? Stonewall mountain was carved to commemorate the heroes of the south, post-civil war. But I personaly think it is an imitation of mount Rushmore.

Mihir says that Jefferson Davis' nose on the mountain is about 6feet long. Quite possible....but I did not get to analyse all that in the dark. We were just in time for the laser show at 9:30pm (EST), it was a really nice experience. I've been told that this laser show is the biggest in the south east (I wonder if there is really anything worthwhile in the southeast except Georgia). Nevertheless, after having heard a lot of patriotic music, and seen a lot of laser motion; finally it was time to move on. I'd have loved to see the Museum there, but it would have to be some other time.

As I saw all these Americans sitting on the grass, watching the show and doing a lot of other (and sometime pleasureable) things; I realised that these people have not a great history as Indians do; but have a lot of regional pride. I wonder why?

Georgia Burning

2006-07-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

Turned up in Atlnata on the 7th July, Rohit Uncle Picked me up and posted me at his Place. Met Mihir, Kalyani and Vrashu Tai after a really long time.

The Saxenas took me out for a Cincinati Reds vs Atlanta Braves' Baseball match at the Turner Stadium in Downtown. Had a great all in all Americal Experience with the crowds cheering and hurling Miller Light Beer Bottles on the Players. It's a lot more fun to catch a match on the Stadium. The Braves as always won the match much to the enthusiasm of the supporters on the home front (I don't guess there were any other supporters there).

Constantly adressed by Rohit Uncle and Mihir, I finally figured out what was going on while the game was in its 9th inning. Basically what I figured out was this.

1. When you hit the ball you have to run.
2. You can run to one base and stop, provided the other player doesn't ball you at the base.
3. A home run gets you one run + a single run for all the players on your team at the bases.
3. When you leave the bating position to go for a base, someone has to come there.
4. When you run all the bases, you score a run.
5. An inning is made up of three players.
6. Four Balls and you walk to one base.
7. An out is an out, three outs and you lose an inning.
8. Three strikes and you are out.
9. All players function independantly of each other.
10. Baseball rocks.

Thats all for now, see you later.

The Lady of Shalott

2006-05-27T04:43:00.000-05:00

The Lady of Shalott

Alfred Lord Tennyson

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And through the field the road run by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Through the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early,
In among the bearded barley
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly;
Down to tower'd Camelot;
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy
The Lady of Shalott."

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot;
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes through the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two.
She hath no loyal Knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often through the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot;
Or when the Moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed.
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armor rung
Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, burning bright,
Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flashed into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces through the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.

In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining.
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And around about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance --
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right --
The leaves upon her falling light --
Thro' the noises of the night,
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darkened wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died,
The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and Burgher, Lord and Dame,
And around the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? And what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they crossed themselves for fear,
All the Knights at Camelot;
But Lancelot mused a little space
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."

Pleasurable Fountains of Desire

2006-03-06T00:55:00.000-06:00

Three days ago I had the unpreceedented pleasure of receiving a call on my cell. The call was made be a rather attractive, dusky, generously endowed female with an innocent face and an even more innocent voice (there being nothing even remotely innocent about her attire or actions).

Pleasurable Fountains of Desire, as she was known in select circles in my Graduate School- AC as my Befrogged fiend used to address her- never ceased to be a topic of controversy amongst all who had ever had the pleasure (and I really mean the P-L-E-A-S-U-R-E) of encountering this female bearing an uncanny resemblance to a playboy centerfold named Diane Something.

PFOD or AC has the potential to walk around naked in a congregation of sex starved men and wonder what the problem is when all these people start getting desperate. As a matter of fact AC would enjoy the attention – and anything extra – that she would get from this bunch of beasts without as much thinking for a moment that the mannerisms exhibited by these loathsome creatures have sexual overtones. She’d rather believe that these people are genuinely interested in having an intellectual discussion with her and that they enjoy her company. The problem here is that AC fails to realize that;

1) She has no intellect and hence any intellectual discussion with her is out of the question.

2) Men want to get into her pants.

In her innocence lies her sex appeal. Whether she is naturally innocent (edging towards stupidity) or she considers it to be a good policy to appear dumb to get good things coming her way is something that we may never know.

AC does not fascinate me at all, but giving my readers an insight into AC would help them appreciate the humor of the conversation that ensued between her an the great Aimless Archer (*AA).

The Telephonic Conversation went as follows:

AC: Hi, is this 982_______?

AA: Yes, may I know who’s calling?

AC: Hey AA, its me A____a.

AA: uuhh A____a? Lets see…

AC: This is AC, from Vaze.

AA: Oh AC from Vaze…. all right. Hi AC how do you do?

AC: I’m doing great, what’s up with you? Are you still studying?

AA: Yeah, I am. (I give her some details about my course work, sure that she would neither comprehend nor appreciate them. I can actually see AC in her

first year in college carrying a bulky GENE VI Book.)

AC: You see AA, I’ve just started a new business venture….

AA: Hey whatever happened to your Aerobics Instructor and Dietician passions? I could have taken some lessons from you.

AC: (Completely inattentive to my remark) … there’s this guy coming ALL THE WAY FROM USA to my place to give a talk on Franchisee outlets and chain retailing.

AA: Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeealy?

AC: He started this thing when he was 22. He’s 28 now and he has several over a Million in his bank account, and is into semi retirement.

AA: (Codswallop! Why the hell would a millionaire who has gone into semi- retirement travel all the way to India especially to AC’s place – no matter what all she’s given in return - to give a talk on Franchises and Chain

marketing to a bunch of kids dumb enough to attend his monologue, who

he’s never had the displeasure of meeting?)

AC: I’ve been calling all my friends today, ‘because I want all of them to benefit out of this. He’s a great speaker and he’s coming ALL THE WAY FROM

AMERICA, just for us.

AA: (Oh Really?)

AC: Try to make it up to my place today evening by 8:30. Pleeeease!

AA: I’d like to make up with you at your place today evening.

AC: Eh.. What did you say?

AA: Nothing, I said I’ll try to be there.

AC: If you have something not so important tonight, please cancel it for me.

AA: I’d do anything for you. (Satirically)

AC: (Giggles) what plans do you have for today evening?

AA: I have an appointment with the ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

AC: Can’t he wait till tomorrow?

AA: I’d ask him (Man I can hardly control myself from cracking open with laughter), but I’m not sure if he’ll agree. He’s a busy man.

AC: He’s lying, if he says he’s busy. He’s no longer the CM, his party is in shambles, why should he be busy?

AA: (I maintain my silence)

AC: Can you get Flat-foot along with you?

AA: Nope! Flat-foot is in Deheradoon as of now. He’s studying Wildlife at the W.I.I.

AC: Isn’t it peculiar that he chooses to travel to Deheradoon at this time of the Year, especially when his exams are so close.

AA: You don’t understand. He’s been there for nearly 9 Months now, and he’s not gone there for a field trip, he studies there. He’s doing his M.Sc. in

Wildlife Conservation Sciences at the Wildlife Institute of India. He’s going

to be there for at least another year and half.

AC: So can he make it next week? I’ll organize a special session for him. (Ooooooh, East-cloud is going to be the honorable recipient of a special one on one session with AC. Lucky Bastard!)

AA: (Frustrated) I’ll call him up and ask him if he can come to Bombay from Deheradoon by 8:30 today evening.

AC: (Does not catch my humor) AA, Please try to make it tonight. (Gives me her Address). I’ll be waiting for you (in a sensuous voice)

AA: (Hard on!)

AC: Bye! See you then.

AA: Ta ta…

I don’t call AC to inform her of my evening schedule. She calls me up in the evening to ask me as erotically as possible whether I would be turning up at her place. I politely refuse saying that something important has turned up. She says that I should not worry (why the hell would I worry), and that she’ll arrange another session especially for me (So much for the semi-retired American tycoon and his all so precious time.)

The moral of this story is that as long as there are dumb and attractive dames, and suckers like us who get perverse pleasure in twisting words out of context to create maliciously misrepresented facts that we’d like to believe in the first place; and as long as there are girls who strongly support the commoditization of women by playing their parts - by displaying their parts- and as long as there is a pub around the corner; LIFE IS GOOD.

So roll on your cigars, drain your cocktails and enjoy. Cheerio!

Familiarly Queer

2006-02-27T23:39:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

My pal 'Spyridon Kellogg' is in Love and it is this very emotion that has assisted him to pen an interesting Poem. Although Don has previously composed numerous works of respectable Poetry; considering the special circumstances under which dear round basket composed this work of Art ; I have decided to give it some publicity.

This is the first time that I have used someone else's work to fill the emptyness of my Blog, proponents of TRIP (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights), may rest assured that my actions don't amount to any form of Plagarism as the Copyrights of the Poem still rest with Spyridon.

Any enquires reagarding this poem-including criticisms - should be directed to Spyridon at spyridon@shoveitupyourass.beatit.com.

The Poem titled 'Familiarly Queer' goes as follows:

Familiarly Queer
Feb 23, 2006

I have lost my appetite
And am in a situation so tight,
I don't even know the cause of my plight.
Is it a lady so petite
or am I expecting a future so bright
could my inner-self be taking seriously my weight a slight?

These days I think on my sleepless pillow
Am I more or less mellow?
The thoughts I have besides me at night
Haven't a bit kind of good bedfellows.
They keep me awake till the morning yellow
And I wonder - Hello, what's wrong?
Has something bedeviled the air I breath
With symptoms that I bear/bare
Or has someone so fair
Cleanly arranged onto my solitude a wreath?
All my attempts having failed at coming clear.

I am petrified by my solicitude.
As all my thoughts & concerns that hereby I lay nude,
How I wish, of the causes I mention in the prelude
As easily one of those I should have been able to deduce
And confront the related factor with easing attitude!

Dedicated to all Saraswats of the world, who can't get enough of themselves.

2006-02-19T01:01:00.000-06:00

Saraswat Brahmins

The Saraswat Brahmins claim descent from a Brahmin caste listed in the ancient Vedanta as inhabiting the Saraswati River valley in what is now Pakistan. Their actual origins and their arrival in their present location are shrouded in mystery.

Several distinct groups of Saraswat Brahmins exist—for example, the Shenvis or Goud Saraswats and the Chitrapur Saraswats. Unlike most Hindu upper-castes, a large number of Saraswats eat fish. The traditional religion of the Saraswats was a strict Shaivism, i.e., monolatrous devotion to Shiva, with each sub-caste being led by a different spiritual guru. In more recent centuries, the religious tradition has become more eclectic. Many Gowd Saraswats are Vaishnavas loyal to mutts/maths that have adopted the dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya. Other saraswats such as the Chitrapur community follow a Smartist tradition.

There are 4 key maths or religious sub-sects in the Saraswat tradition - Kashi, Gokarna, Kavle & Chitrapur math. Of these Kashi math is dominated exclusively by the Gowd Saraswats of Kerala & Dakshin Kannada/udipi Districts of Karnataka,and Gowd Saraswath of Uttar Kannada, Goa, and Southern coastal Maharashtra follow Gokarn as well as Kavle math, whereas Chitrapur math is the preserve of the Chitrapur Saraswats. The different saraswat groups are usually endogamous.

A number of Konkani Christians claim to be of Saraswat descent. While a small percentage of all Indian Christians, they dominate the Catholic Church hierarchy in the country. This perhaps reflects the importance of caste even outside Hinduism in India. Another factor could be the ancient tradition among Saraswats of children being encouraged to embrace religious vows or sanyasa.

Prominent Saraswat Brahmins include Guru Dutt, Prakash Padukone, P. L. Deshpande, Jayavant Dalvi, Shyam Benegal, Leena Chandavarkar, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Rao, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, T A Pai, M V Kamath, K V Kamath, Sunil Gavaskar, Dileep Vengasarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Bhaskar Chandawarkar, Kalpana Lajmi, Girish Karnad, Raghuveer Nadkarni, and Nandan Nilekani.

SHRI CHITRAPUR MATH, Shirali

The Chitrapur Math with its brilliant line of revered Gurus, is a vital link that holds together the widely scattered units of the Community. It is one of the oldest Religious Institution of the community. To those who have been there before, they evoke fond memories and nostalgia. To those who have not been there as yet, they evoke longing of anticipation.

Shri Chitrapur Math is the blessed seat of Lord Bhavanishankar, the patron deity of the Math and also the abode of our most revered Guru Parampara.

The Math had its beginnings at Gokarn in 1708 when the Community was blessed by its first Guru. Chitrapur became its headquarters in 1757 when the second Guru took his samadhi at that place.

The earlier records make it clear that the then representative of the Community desired the Guru not only to be the head of the Math but also to regulate the achar and vichar of the Community and further, that they undertook not only to obey his orders and be subject to his disciplinary control, but also to provide the finance required from time to time.

The beginning of the Math was very humble. The Community was then mostly in the Kanaras. The Guru used to go about visiting the houses of disciples and ministering to their spiritual needs. Buildings, permanent sevas, property and regular festivals were later accretions which grew in course of time.

GURUPARAMPARA...

The line of Gurus who have ruled the Math and have presided over the spiritual destinies of the Community are as follows: 1. H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashrama Swamiji (I) Samadhi at Bhandikeri, Gokarn (North Kanara) 1708 - 1720 12 years

2. H.H. Shrimat Shankarashrama Swamiji (I) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1720 - 1757 37 years

3. H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashrama Swamiji (II) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1757 - 1770 13 years

4. H.H. Shrimat Shankarashrama Swamiji (II) Samadhi at Mallapur (North Kanara) 1770 - 1785 15 years

5. H.H. Shrimat Keshavashrama Swamiji Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1785 - 1823 38 years

6. H.H. Shrimat Vamanashrama Swamiji Samadhi at Mangalore (South Kanara) 1823 - 1839 16 years

7. H.H. Shrimat Krishnashrama Swamiji Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1839 - 1863 24 years

8. H.H. Shrimat Pandurangashrama Swamiji Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1863 - 1915 52 years

9. H.H. Shrimat Anandashrama Swamiji Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara) 1915 - 1966 51 years

10. H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashrama Swamiji (III) Samadhi at Karla (Maharashtra) 1966 - 1991 25 years

11. H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashrama Swamiji Ascended the throne on February 27, 1997.

Formation of Chitrapur Saraswats

However, this distinction between the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa and the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins required sufficient time to solidify. During the reign of Basavappa Nayaka I (1696 -1714), some people of Kanara accused the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis of not being true brahmins. This accusation is said to have evolved in consequence to two factors: 1) the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis had no guru, or spiritual leader, to represent their community and 2) since many of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis were holding impressive administration positions during this time period, the natives of Kanara were aroused with jealousy which stimulated them to form this accusation.

Since the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis did not have a spiritual guide to represent their caste, the ruler of the region most probably would not recognize their brahminical status. Therefore, the Shenvis felt that it was necessary to seek a spiritual preceptor for their community. Soon after, the Shenvis prayed to two of their deities, Shri Bhavanishankar and to Shri Mahabaleshvara, in hope of finding a guru. Some time after their prayers had been addressed, a sanyassin (one who is in the final stage of life and completely renounces all worldly possessions) of north Indian Saraswat Brahmin descent came to Gokarn. At the request of the Shenvis, the sanyassin accepted the role to guide and represent their community in 1708. This commenced the development of a new caste known as the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins, who had now firmly differentiated themselves from the rest of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa.

In Summary

The history of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins serves to demonstrate how their religious and cultural views developed into the present century. Starting from the valleys of Kashmir, the ancestors of the Bhanaps migrated to all parts of India. As the migrated to new shmir.

Also included in the Saraswat Brahmins are a great proportion of the Hindus in Kashmir, called the Kashmiri Pundits. These Kashmiri Brahmins are thought to be the descendants of the Aryans who migrated into India from Central Asia or Eastern Europe. However, these people differentiate themselves from the rest of the Saraswat Brahmins in that they identify their caste with the Goddess Saraswati, who has been mentioned in the Vedas as the Goddess of Learning. However, the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins residing on the western coast of India (primarily in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka) are thought to have descended from these Kashmiri Brahmins. Substantial evidence has been set forth by several historians relating that the Kashmiri Brahmins migrated to Goa by the eleventh century AD.

To trace the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins ancestry from Kashmir to Goa, one must begin with the story of the famous seer, Saraswata. When there was a famine in northern India, he continued to recite the vedic texts by consuming the fish that the goddess Saraswati had given to him. The brahmins of later generations who accepted fish as a part of their diet were often known to have referred to this story to justify their full-fledged status as brahmins despite their acceptance of fish. Since the acceptance of fish was also prevalent in the culture of many Bengali brahmins and because of the apparent similarities between the languages of the two groups, many Gaud Saraswat Brahmin scholars suggested that their ancesplaces, they maintained some of their religious views while modifying others. In the year 1708, a small group of these migrants had established their own unique caste and initiated a guruparampara. The teachings of the gurus and their dedication to the devotees strengthened the unity of the caste members which has survived till the present day.

Footprints of a community

Faced with dwindling numbers the Chitrapur Saraswat community, which boasts of talent ranging from Guru Dutt to Nandan Nilekani, gets together to record its illustrious history-Harsh Kabra

"Although the number of Chitrapur Saraswats stands at 22,498 according to KSA's 2001 census, up 7 per cent from 20,932 in 1971, the disconcerting reality is that the 0-19 age group, its veritable future, has shrunk from 33 per cent to an alarming low of 18 per cent and the 20-44 age group has also gone down from 38 per cent to 34 per cent."

Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Bhaskar Chandawarkar, Kalpana Lajmi, Girish Karnad, Geeta Hattangdi, Raghuveer Nadkarni, Nandan Nilekani and Prakash Padukone, Air Chief Marshal L M Katre, to name a few. Other glowing names -B.N. Rao, who chaired the committee that drafted the country's Constitution in 1950, and B. Rama Rao, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India.What connects all these people is the fact that they hail from the community of Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmans.

Talk: Saraswat Brahmins

This is an interesting detailed review on Saraswat Brahmins from all over the place in India and their origins etc. It is from [1]

The Saraswat Brahmins-Displaced Inhabitants of Saraswati Topic started by amresh vashisht (@ 202.140.155.56) on Fri Oct 12 03:00:53 . All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

THE SARASWAT BRAHMIN: Displaced inhabitant of Saraswati

The Saraswat Cultural and the Saraswat community derive its name from the river Saraswati on whose banks the members of this community are believed to have settled. It is also believed that this community migrated to all directions till it came to settle in the Punjab, Sindh, coastal towns of Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and it is from these towns that most Saraswats derive their surnames, the community resides.

The Saraswats Brahmans are mentioned in the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata and even the Bhavisyottara Purana, deriving their lineage from the great sage Saraswat Muni who lived by the now extinct river Saraswati 8,000 years ago.

In times of yore, Brahmins were known as Saraswats. They worshipped Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. Their erudition was called Saraswata. They always chose for their habitat, the fertile banks of the river Saraswati; and the land of their homes was known as Saraswata Desha. River Saraswati has the reputation of having meandered, not less than five times and the Saraswat Brahmins, followed her until she decided to go underground. This is the reason Saraswats are assigned to several places of origin, all true.

Manusmriti and the Puranas, make reverent references to Saraswats as Vipra, a term of distinction for a Brahmin, who practises what he preaches. Before he left for the Himalayas for Tappo Siddhi or spiritual attainments, the great - sage Dadhichi, blessed his pregnant wife Saraswati with a son, her namesake who would rise to be a world teacher.

Tavaiva namna pratitaha putraste loka bhavanah Saraswata iti khyato bhavishyati maha tapaha.

The prophecy came true, when in good time, Saraswata Muni, initiated into vedic lore,sixty thousand Saraswats, who had left their hearths and homes in a famine and come back after twelve years, when prosperity returned.

Saraswats were sticklers for chaste diction and correct articulation of Sanskrit, but at home, they spoke a vernacular bereft of Sanskrit's ornate flourishes and tongue-twisting sandhis. Words, sometimes-entire phrases, were reduced, in a set pattern, to a single word, subtle and crisp and thus built up a sturdy and elegant speech, which they called Brahmani.

The flow of the saraswati was in the middle of the Bharatvarsha, comprising present day Haryana, Punjab, Present west & south Pakistan, Rajasthsn, Uttarpradesh & Gujrat. Tragically, the disappearance of the life-giving river led mass migrations in all directions: along the courses of the Ganges and the Yamuna in the east, to Kashmir and Punjab in the north, towards Rajasthan in the west in and, eventually, to Goa, Karnataka and other places in the south. This gave rise to various smaller denominations such as the Gowda Saraswats, Chitrapur Saraswats, Rajapur Saraswats, Kutch Saraswats, Punjabi Saraswat etc., who gradually lost contact with the roots.

Over centuries, there were no opportunities for interaction amongst the various groups though they share common heritage with glorious history being the illustrious inheritors of the Indian Vedic culture and tradition. The Saraswats have for centuries persistently preserved their traditions; faciliated largely by the community temples and maths which have proved to be the medium for social interaction

Every Saraswat's family god is actually a mandal of five gods with the kuladevata in the centre. This form of worship is known as Panchayatan and is attributed to Sankaracharya.

The five gods & goddesses of Panchayatan are

(1) Aditya

(2) Ambika

(3) Vishnu

(4) Gananatha

(5) Mahesvata.

It prevails in Sringeri and Kavale Maths but is absents in Vaishnava Kashi and Gokarn Maths.

The most important of all Kuladevatas are the following: „h Mangesh „h Mahalakshmi „h Mhalasa „h Shanta Durga „h Sapta Kotishvar „h Nagesh „h Ramanath „h Kamakshi

The Northen Saraswat

As the powerful Kshatriya kingdoms rose, a few Saraswats migrated to Indraprastha, Mathura, and Prayag, Kashi and other places. But as Kshatriyas fell with the rise of Buddhism, a few Saraswats migrated to Rajputana and Sind married local girls and formed separate communities. They then went to Gadipur or Kannauj and on to the Gangetic valley, or the Gauda, and were known as the Gauda and then to Mithila and were called Maithila, and thence to Utkal or Orissa, where they called themselves Utkal Gauda Brahman. In Punjab they called themselves as Punjabi Saraswat Brahmin.

The Saraswat of Hindu kush to Kurushetra.

The big Punjab and Sindh was from the present HINDU KUSH of Afganistan north and to border to the Khazakistan and Iran.So, this Terrotrity was from the Hindu Kush to the Kurushetra or up to the doab of Yamuna and Ganga and in this region there was a mighty river Saraswati, So saraswat brahmans was there. Though up to Partition there was no specific mention of Punjabi with them but as they move interior of India they diffenciate themselves as Punjabi saraswat Brahmin. From Hindu Kush to Delhi. It¡¦s a long jounneyof Approx 10000 years.As there was no Math, Mahant system attached to it. Hence after spending a considerable time, the journey could not be compiled

However the Tirth of KATAKSHRAJ etc. may throw some light over the issue. The hill country north of the Kubha (Kabul) river, drained by the Kumar and the Swat, was occupied mainly by Asvakas, a people whose name is derived from the Sanskrit Asva, Iranian Aspa (Horse) Somewere in this mountain region stood also the city of Nysa, alleged to have been founded by Greek colonists. The old territory of Gandhara was divided into two parts by the Indus. To the west of the river lay the Kingdom of Pushkalavati in the modern district of Peshawar and to its east was the realm of Takshasila (Taxila) in the present district of Rawalpindi. Taxila was a properious kingdom governed by good laws. Its capital was a noble city, which occupied the site of the present Bihar Mound near Saraikala, twenty miles northwest of Rawalpindi. It lay on the high road from Central Asia to the interior of India, and the fame of its market place spread to the distant corners of the civilised world. Great as an emporium of commerce, the city was greater still as a centre of learning. Crowds of eager shcolars flocked to it for instruction in the three Vedas and the eighteen branches of knowledge.

The Kashmiri Pandits, the original inhabitants of the Valley of Kashmir, have a rich culture and peaceful traditions that they have managed to maintain over five thousand years of recorded history. Kashmir is known amongst the Kashmiri Pandits and other Saraswats (who fled Kashmir during periods of Islamic persecution) as Sharadapeeth or the Abode of the Goddess of Learning and Fine ArtsProbably these fled Saraswats had made their presence in the Punjab.

However the Punjabi Saraswat brahmins had a name in the History on account of their rule called as "The Hindushahi or Brahmanshahi Dynasty. It was laid in the second half of the ninth century by a person called as Kallar. In the late 10 th century,Jayapala became the ruler of the Hindustani Dynasty.His empire included western Punjab,NWFP,and east Afganistan.Jayapala,anandpala,Trilochanpala,and Bhim pala successive rulers of Hindushahi kingdom fought against Sabuktigin and Mahmud rulers of Ghazni. They boldly checked the invasions but failed.Ultimately the hindushahi kingdom was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in the begining of 11th century.

The Saraswat of Uttar Pradesh

IN the present uttarpradesh there are a number of places where we find the Saraswat Brahmin in a big number. Right from the Meerut to Allahabad There is an old river called hiee. Now popularly called as Hindon. As per the purans the saraswati had its seven branches in all. One of a branch could be associated to hiee as it gets the water from the river song of dehradoon and it is rightly placed in between yamuna and Ganga. Saraswati origin was above yamnotri, hence the water of saraswati could flow right upto Allahabad.At present people don¡¦t see the saraswati there but the fact is that The present hindon goes right outo Allahabad.Hence the villages of Bulandshehr, meerut, Aligarh etc have a number of saraswats.

The Sarawat of Kashmir.

The Valley of Kashmir is known among the Kashmiri Pandits or Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmir as Saradapeeth or the Abode of the Goddess of Learning and Fine Arts. During their five thousand years of history, they have made colossal contribution to world civilization in the field of Religion, Philosophy, Sanskrit literature, medicine, history, aesthetics, etc. As models of non-violence, they have never handled lethal weapons or spoken harsh words. Devoted to the study of Vedas and other Sastras in all their aspects, the essence of these studies has been coursing in their blood stream from generation to generation. In peaceful or turbulent times they were protected under their spiritual umbrella by a large number of highly advanced saints and sages who flourished in the Valley from time to time. No wonder they preferred death to change in their religion and withstood stoically the ruthless masters for five hundred years of Muslim rule. And when pushed back to the wall, they migrated to places of safety in the hot plains of India. How and wherefrom did the Kashmiri Pandits or Vedic Aryans enter and settle in the Valley is an interesting episode in the early movement of people from place to place. Briefly speaking, the earliest stream of Aryans who entered India, found the banks of the River Saraswati in the Punjab fertile and conducive to easy cultivation, and settled there. Described in the Rig Veda as "the mother of rivers", scholars have debated for centuries whether Saraswati is a myth or has been a reality at some distant point of time. Aryan Entry Into The Valley At what point of time this important immigration into the Valley of Saraswat Aryans (comprising Brahmans, Kshatryas, Vaisas and Sudras) took place is not possible to say. However, the beginning of the Saptarishi or Laukika Era seems to be the time when the Sarswat Aryans entered into and settled in the Valley, after getting permission from Nila, the lord of the Naga tribe who were already settled there. The beginning of this era nearly coincides with Mahabharata war. The date of the coronation of King Yudhishtra is given as Kaliyug Samvat 653. Kalhana too begins the Rajatarangini from this time as is evident from the description of the installation by Lord Krishna of Queen Yasomati on the throne of Kashmir as the guardian of her son King Gonanda II. The Saptarishi or Laukika era is still in current use among the Brahmin population of Kashmir. Buhler was the first to prove from the extant tradition of Kashmiri Brahmins and other evidence that the commencement of the Laukika Era is placed on Caitra Sudi 1, of Kali Samvat 25 (expired) or the year 3076-75 B.C. Since his discovery correct accounts of the Laukika reckoning are to be found in all handbooks of Indian chronology. That the Kashmiri Brahmins have held on to and followed this calendar tenaciously for the last 5066 years is a strong point in favour of assuming their entry in the Kashmir Valley round about the beginning of this era. The various exigencies of time and division of labour gradually differentiated the priestly Brahmins from other castes. And when the Saraswat Aryans entered the Valley, the Brahmins were in a dominating position and laid down rules and regulations for the other castes to follow in accordance with the agreement with Nagas. From that time begins the emergence of the Kashmiri Pandits or the Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmir as a distinct community in the all-embracing comity of people called Hindus. The Saraswat Of Goa

The Saraswats migrated to Goa -- either by land or by way of sea -- creating their colonies around temples and living as agriculturists, traders and scribes.

Goa was invaded and won by the Portuguese in 1510 who overthrew the Muslim rulers and massacred the entire Muslim population. Subsequently, the Portuguese found allegiance of Cochin, Cananore and other south Indian places as also expanded operations to Hughli in Bengal, Bassein in Gujarat and subsequently occupied Thana, Tarpur, Bandra, Mahim and Bombay. In 1580, Spain inherited Portugal and thus ruled Goa. The Dutch and the Portuguese fought many wars early next century. Finally, in 1627, the Portuguese government gave Bombay as dowry to Charles II who married the Portuguese Princess Catherine de Braganza.

Many reasons for the downfall of the Portuguese rulers of and settlers in Goa were their attempt to conquest by the sword and their proselytisation. Religious persectution of the Hindus led to their wars with the Marathas. Many temples were destroyed during such wars and property confiscated. The Hindus families fled to the adjoining territory of Sonde and Vijayanagar.Influenced by the French Revolution, many Goans, mostly of Saraswat Brahman extraction, conspired to drive the Portuguese from Goa and establish a republic. But on the eve of their uprising in 1786 they were betrayed by a Christian and were captured, tortured and killed. Many were deported.

In the historical perspective, the main reason for the Saraswats' departure from Goa was trade. For example, their settlement at Bassein (Vasahni), Salsette (in Thana district) and subsequently Bombay. Many families went to the Belgaum and Dharawar districts during the rule of the Bahmini kings. There were some migrations during the rule of Vijayanagar and also during the persecution at the time of Muslim rule. Some families went to Kanara, Kozhikode and Cochin for trade.then the Portuguese inquisition was established in 1560, about 12,000 families mostly of Saraswats and including Vanis (Vaishyas), Kunbis (cultivators), Sonars (goldsmiths) and others fled by ships to the southern ports from Honavar ot Kozhikode. Many settled down at those of the ports, which already contained Saraswat traders and spread into the interior. On the abolition of the Inquisiton in 1814, some of them returned to Goa with some of their Kuladevas and built temples for them. The Smartha Kavale Matha nad the Vaishnava Gokarn Math were built at Kavale and Partagali.

The Saraswats of Goa and the West Coast

The Saraswats of Goa and the West Coast are the Gauda Saraswats. When the Saraswats first migrated to the south, there already were Brahmins of the Pancha-Dravida group south of the Vindhyas, and a few, perhaps, merged with the latter. The Brahmans of Maharashtra and Gujarat, including the Gujarati Saraswats who must have originally belonged to to the Panch Gauda group, adopted some of the practices the Dravida Brahmans and are now included in this group. The ancestors of the present Saraswats who migrated later were marked by their culture, language, religious and social practices prevailing in the south; and they must have called themselves 'Gauda Saraswats' to show that they were different from the southern group of Brahmans.

A few Saraswats moved out of Goa over a thousand years ago to north Konkan villages of Kanhagiri (Kanheri), Kanhasila and Krishnagiri. Their new settlements were now known as Mulgaon, Raya, Khandoli, Shirgaon, Kolavge, Dongri, Amoli, Juvai, Salgaon, Pali, Agashi, etc. after their own villages in Goa. This group of villages is now known as Sashti or Salsette in Thana district. Though they were mostly traders, many entered the services of the Shilahara kings and distinguished themselves in high positions.

The Saraswat Of Karnataka

The Keladi kingdom was founded towards the end of the 15th century by Keladi Chandappa Nayak and was consolidated by his warrior son, Sadiashiv Nayak. A hundred years later, the Keladi kingdom had come to be recognised as an independent state having driven the Portuguese out of Mangalore, reduced the Jain, Brahman and other chiefs in Kanara and the adjacent areas, and taken the entire peper trade under its control.

The Smartha saraswats in the state were employed on a large scale in the service of the Nagar kings. The Vaishnav Saraswats entered the service of the Nagar rulers at a later stage and many of them held very high offices in the state. Indeed, among the ambassadors of the Keladi kings who were mostly Brahmans, Vaishnava Saraswats almost always held the important posts of ambassadors to the Portuguese at Goa.

The Saraswat of Konkan

Kanara is a long narrow belt of land bounded on the north by Goa and Belgaum districts, on the west by Belgaum and Dharwar districts, Mysore and Coorg, on the south by Corg and Malabar districts and on the west by the Arabian Sea. Trade brought the Saraswats to Kanara long before they migrated from Goa.

Around 13th century-end, there were large settlements at Mangalore and Bhatkal and smaller ones in other coastal towns. Later, during Muslim repression in Goa around the 14th century, more Saraswats migrated: „h Nadkarnis moved to Bandikodla „h Kulkarnis to Hanetialli near Bandikodla „h Kolkes to Brahmavar. As Portuguese persecution began, the Saraswats naturally flocked to centres such as Honavar, Bhatkal, Basrur, Barkur, Brahmavar, Mulki, Mangalore, Ullal, Kumta and Nileshvar where there already were settlements, and found refuge with local Jain chieftains who were fighting the Portuguese. The traders settled near the ports; others moved in to the villages and acquired land. A few entered the service of local chieftains while others of the Coorg king¡¦s part of a junior branch of the Keladi familiy (1600-1834).

The Saraswat Of Kerala

There were already Saraswats at Kozhikode long before others came in from Goa in the 16th century. In fact, they were already there when Vasco da Gama arrived there in 1498. A quarter century ago there were about 150 families of Saraswats at Tellicherry and most of them were engaged in trade. Other settlements are at Kasargode, Kumbala, Manjeshwar and Hosdrug. When the king of Cochin exempted them from the levy of poll tax, they went in large numbers and settled at Cochin as traders. In fact, the 360 families of Saraswats that migrated to Cochin were the pick of the Goa saraswats.

However, this distinction between the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa and the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins required sufficient time to solidify. During the reign of Basavappa Nayaka I (I 696 -1714), some people of Kanara accused the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis of not being true Brahmins. This accusation is said to have evolved in consequence to two factors: 1) the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis had no guru, or spiritual leader, to represent their community and 2) since many of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis were holding impressive administration positions during this time period, the natives of Kanara were" aroused with jealousy which stimulated them to form this accusation.

After Shrimat Parijnanashram Swami consented to guide the community, his acceptance had to be formally confirmed by all of the other members of the community. The people of Gokarn sent letters to the members residing in Mangalore and Vithal to notify them about the guru who would be touring around the south to give sermons and grant blessings. Some of the Kushasthalikar and Keloshikar families did not accept the new guru at once. For example, some families residing north of the Gangavali River decided not to accept the guru. However, the families who accepted the guru decided to provide for the living expenses of the swami by offering donations every year. Whenever the guru would travel among his community members, they also had the duties of providing him with any necessities.

The Saraswat of Maharashtra.

In 1992 when I visited Bombay, I felt a joy by reading a road side Board ‘THE SARASWATS CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD’. To my surprise the Bank was formed by the saraswat Brahmins. At Bombay there are number of Saraswat Brahmins,the reason could be that they have migrated from the Gujrat to Bombay, through sea route.

The Saraswat Muni and related tirths.

As mention in the SKAND PURANA, The Saraswat Muni was also known for his devine powers and it could also be possible that all Saraswat brahmins had their origin from this known rishi. He had a number of Tiraths to his credits.

So all saraswat Brahmins derived their lineage from the great sage Saraswat Muni who lived by the now extinct river Saraswati 8,000 years ago.

Words don't come easy to me

2006-02-18T23:50:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time. It usually is, as far as my blogs go. All my previous records justify that. But this pause was very long, almost streching 3 months. And eventful months they have been.

So as I sit here listing to The Blue Moon by The Marcels wondering what to write - certain as I am not to elaborate my events in Detail- I'm struck by a Brainwave of minimaliasm (though I'm not sure what it is, and I am even less confident if it applies to me).

Here is an overview of the events that have taken place since I last blogged:

1) Fatass arrives embaressed (thanks to the courtesy Messers Victor Xavier, Pinakin and Deeup Bhai - or ben , whatever!) at Bombay Central on 11th Dec 2006, awaited by a PETA pal and a Flowery reception.

2) Saukamat arrived on the 1st week Jan in a futile-as-usual search of a soul-mate. I wonder how Sau has not given up by now. Way to go Big Boy, the word here is 'RESILIENCE', but for who I wonder.

3) Nikhil Alexander Melnechuk (Big Film Director - to be, Anglo-Indo-Russo American and my second cousin) and I reunite after 7yrs on Republic Day - symbolic eh?-and have a great time.

4) I meet Bhondu Kaka - my Great Uncle - who lives in town after 14 yrs, as he recounts me interesting Anecdotes about the former glory of GSBs at the BMC. Informs me that Calender Sukthanker was in charge of Nehru Science Center after he retired about 15yrs ago. I guess that can be technically considered as a lead in our relentless half-hearted pursuit to trach Plt Off. S.E. Sukthanker, D.F.C., Path Finder.

5) RD & met only once in the last two months. I don't know wether that would make any sense to the casual reader, but someone who knows me well, like Subo Khan or Eastcloud would definitely consider it nothing less than a miracle.

6) Increasing poundage has forced me (though the invaluable contribution of my mother cannnot be discounted) to consider weight controlling options.

7) Garcinia called me as promised, more to tell me that she'd gotten admission to a few american Schools - read "I'm Smarter than you are" - than to casually chat with me, as courteousely stated.

8) I have advised Toerrichtkopf and Sadadosa to curd their hormonal passions, and to dirve home their point by suspending contact with me for a couple of months. Sadadosa hasn't allowed the message to sink in too well, I guess.

9) Kreigsmann and I met on the 25th Jan, and ate BURGERS. Can you beat that??? Subo and I eat Donuts all the time, but that hardly makes news. I wonder why?

10) Ma Cherie says that there are things other than her, about which to write in my blogs. All this just because I dedicated one of my blogs to her. Ma Cheri, the you can make me stop blogging about you is by getting me to marry you.

11) Belle Fille, has decided to try to act smater than she actually is and she's doing a woefully pathetic job. So if any of you want to take inroads into snobbery, you know where to go! Eversince Miss V has moved into her new apartment, she has begun to consider herself as one amongst the egletarian crowd.

She has been witnessed moving about with girls small enough to be her daughters had she married at the age her Great Grandmother did (though there's nothing new there, Belle Fille has always enjoyed appearing smarter will people less experiencedand younger to her) and along males having uncertain sexual orientations. Belle Fille, you have turned into a Bitch. You were better off as your more sincere, true but gullible self.

And this is for Cliff Richard, who seems to have a a song for every occassion.

Words Dont Come Easy

F.R. David

Words don't come easy to me
How can I find a way to make you see I love You?
Words don't come easy

Words don't come easy to me
This is the only way for me to say I love You
words don't come easy

Well, I'm just a music man
Melodies are so far my best friend
But my words are coming out wrong
Girl, I reveal my heart to you and
Hope that you believe it's true cause

Words don't come easy to me
How can I find a way to make you see I love You?
Words don't come easy

This is just a simple song
That I've made for you on my own
There's no hidden meaning you know when I
When I say I love you honey!
Please believe I really do cause

Words don't come easy to me
How can I find a way to make you see I love You?
Words don't come easy

It isn't easy words don't come easy
Words don't come easy to me
How can I find a way to make you see I love You?
Words don't come easy

Words don't come easy to me
This is the only way for me to say I love You
words don't come easy
words don't come easy.

An Hour of Silence

2005-11-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

So much has changed in the last six months. The Earth revolved around itself 180 times and more; Flat Foot, Grey Eyes and Nethravati Express made it out of Bombay for better, I met Subo Khan, joined a Gym and put on 10 lbs of prime quality lard on my belly, saw my city get washed away in floods and saw the Sena disintegrate; but Ma Cheri is still the same as she was – with her kind and loving face radiant as ever, with the sparkle in her eyes and a hint of mischief in her glance.

It is best to pen down ones thoughts when they are still fresh in the mind, and I intend to do just that ‘cause I’m sure that by tomorrow morning I’d have lost not only the enthusiasm to type this text but also the words to express my sentiment.

Ma Cheri, looked just the same when I saw her today evening at the check post to Thane, where she had promised to meet me. She kept her word and I have kept mine by actually taking the efforts to pen a blog promptly as I’ve never done in my life before.

When some philosopher quoted that beauty is but skin deep, I am sure he had Ma Cherie in mind. There in nothing I know that is ugly about her. Great Poets and Writers have lauded the Beauty of the Woman, commented on her virtue, grace, essence and charm. I intend to do nothing of that sort. I realize that some of the best things in life can’t be talked about and expressed, because words prove too meager to convey these sentiments. I do not intend to obliterate the sanctity of my relationship with Ma Cherie by reducing its worth to a text in black and white confined to the limitations of expression of the English Tongue.

I accompanied her to her house. We talked and walked all the way along through that hour of bliss that went away like a fraction of a second. I now realize how Einstein came to his Theory of Relativity. She came from work, but she oozed freshness; exuberance that has the potential to resurrect wilted flora. We met after long, but there was nothing to suggest that we had even been apart - even for a second.

Ma Cheri and I perfectly compliment each other. I speak, she listens. Our rendezvous this time was in no way different than any other time we’ve met. I spoke for an hour flat and she just looked at me and listened, just listened; and while I spoke to her I felt certain calmness take over me, a certain silence, a feeling that I was content and in peace with the world. It was as if I was talking to harmony herself.

Ma Cherie is ephemeral, fleeting, stolid yet ever-changing; cunning yet subtle; she is as obvious as much as she is an enigma. In my five years of association with her I’ve come as close to knowing her as much I can possibly intimate any one I so adore.

Albeit such intimacy, I still think she’s as elusive as when I first met her on that wonderful autumn day of 2001. Throughout these years our relationship has changed dynamically and so have our feelings for each other; and they will continue to do so as time flows. But one thing I’m sure of is that that no matter what, I’ll always have the lady by my side when I need her the most. She is someone I can totally bank upon.

Ma Cherie’s aversion to being photographed is the only thing that hurts me the most. For many years down the line when I happen to be an old man of eighty, I’d be sorry that there would not be an image with me of the beautiful girl who I once happened to meet many years ago.

There are very few things that I’ve ever regretted for. One of my greatest regrets -when I meet Ma Cherie - is that I’m too practical to face my sentiments.

This one is just for you………

Mona lisa, mona lisa, men have named you

You’re so like the lady with the mystic smile

Is it only ’cause you’re lonely they have blamed you?

For that mona lisa strangeness in your smile?

Do you smile to tempt a lover, mona lisa?

Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?

Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep

They just lie there and they die there

Are you warm, are you real, mona lisa?

Or just a cold and lonely lovely work of art?

Do you smile to tempt a lover, mona lisa?

Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?

Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep

They just lie there and they die there

Are you warm, are you real, mona lisa?

Or just a cold and lonely lovely work of art?

Mona lisa, mona lisa.

(Note: This piece of text is a reflection of the author’s sentiments towards a purely imaginary character, any resemblance to any individual living or dead is purely co-incidental whatsoever. The text is not open to argument or debate of any kind.)

Slimeball (6th-25th Nov)

2005-11-25T04:23:00.000-06:00

Just as always a lot of thought processes have gone into the construction of this piece of communication, and undoubtedly, this blog- as all my other blogs have been – will be a magnificent piece of literature, that will be for centuries to come lauded not only by serious students of the wonderful subject that is English Literature, but also by casual readers.

I shall now commence on the crux of the issue that I’d like to discus.

Readers who happen to have an iota of grey matter in their Brain would have by now surely noted that The Great Aimless Archer has no Crux of the matter ever. He Blogs merely to vent out his frustrations in general. I shall therefore safely conclude that either all my readers have remarkable IQs or that they are very kind, sympathetic people to go on reading what; Shakespeare (Tennyson, Brown, Keats, Spencer, Shirley, Pope, Somerset Maugham, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Alexander Dumas, Frederick Forsythe etc and/or any of he aforementioned) would have rightly evaluated as An Apology of a Blog.

Varun says that He likes frogs and I sincerely see no justifiable reason why he should not. I like Mutton chops, Fish, lobsters so on and so forth don’t I? But what plagues me the most is that Varun, instead of relishing French Frog legs soaked in wine likes to enjoy the Croaking Company of those blasted slime balls. The worst part being that he prefers Toads and Frogs to us [Homo sapiens – For the less Gullible].

Disclaimer- The author seriously denounces cannibalistic tendencies, and is in no way responsible if any reader by some unfortunate stroke of apathy decides to believe that his compatriot would if properly dressed look better on his dinner plate (or lunch plate whatever the disturbed reader prefers more) than his barbecued steak.

Big Butt was supposed to get back to Bombay from Dooms Valley on the 9^th of December but I was disappointed to be apprised of the fact from the concerned party that the concerned party deems it fit to meet his Amigos ten days later because he deems fit to spend his dispensable time in the presence of creatures with attractive names like Clinotarsus curtipes, Bufo melanostictus, Microhyla ornate, Kaloula taprobanica, Sphaerotheca breviceps, Hydrophylax malabarica and the like.

Blast his over inflated organ (Perverts should carefully note that the reference to the word organ mean the vocal sacs of Frogs and toads that, if I’m correct have a tendency to swell up on certain auspicious occasions). But as a true friend I’ll strive to stick to him harder than a fly sticks to the tongue of our warty friend before it (i.e. - the fly) attains Nirvana and the Warty friend his burp (or croak, whatever sounds right for the occasion).

The reason that I am elucidating these reprehensible characteristics of Varuns amphibian friends is that upon Big Butt’s arrival it will be crucial for us to understand the behavioral traits of these sordid creatures if we are to deal with him in an effective manner.

The idiom that ‘One is known by the company one keeps’, I’m quite sure is undoubtedly not unfamiliar to us. And Varun is I’m quite sure no exception to this rule.

Varun is metamorphosing in to very much the Toad I was afraid he’d become if isolated from the benign company of his fellow patriots. Varun’s bottom licking social skills are of no interest to us as these happen to be non existent. But now I am shocked to see that Varun has lost his correspondence skills (something I’m quite sure he was really good at). He has not communicated with me for the last month or so. Naturally, as a true friend would, I was concerned. But upon head-breaking efforts on my part I finally found an answer to this perplexing riddle.

BIG V is suffering from the Stockholm syndrome. Information sent to me by reliable sources helped me to conclude that whilst Flat Foot was out on a field visits near The Stream of the Slippery Stones he was kidnapped by a bunch of Frogs. The frogs claimed Varun had messed up with their womenfolk (or Frogesses whatever sounds right). V’s stay with these amphibians was accompanied by the consumption of a number of flies and rotten insects. Kudos to V’s adaptability that he changed himself to such an extent in the company of frogs that, the WII rescue team turned up at the fateful spot picked him up assuming that he was a rather well fed toad and not their lost colleague Varun Torsekar.

So great was his deception that the WII authorities realized that the French (bearded) Toad was human only when a Female Toad refused to reciprocate to his advances (Actually the female toad had no doubts about Varun being a Toad, but she refused to entertain him because he was too reticent and unwelcoming for her taste).

Nevertheless, all is well that ends well. Fat ass has been secured and restored to the company of his fellow beings in Deheradoon, and has reportedly being showing human traits. Friends have been asked not to feel bad that he can’t mail or call as yet owing to his webbed appendages. But he’s expected to be quite himself when he lands in Bombay sometime in December.

All of us here are eagerly wait for him to turn up and hope from our heats that he does not order for Maggots in chocolate sauce when we go out to eat together. Cause I’d really hate to serve him Kab’s (K’s metamorphosis into a maggot owing to the constant interaction with flies hovering on idli batter will be discussed later)

For now, enjoy the weather. Cheers!

Weathering the Storm

2005-09-13T18:50:00.000-05:00

I was aghast and Shocked, never imagined things could be that bad, never thought people could change so much in so short a time. My faith in individuals has been shattered [and since there never was any point in putting faith in bodies of people], I am now faithless.

In order to avoid confusing my already bewildered readers I shall now commence my narration right from the beginning.

My day yesterday had a perfectly normal beginning. I was called to the Local Police Station. Not because I was suspected for a murder or even better a rape, but because the Police wanted-I supposed-to check my credentials for changing my address and canceling the emigration check on my Passport. Upon reaching the aforementioned destination I was drawn upon the fact that my mother-who had applied for a new passport and along with whom I had applied to the Ministry of External affairs at the same time-had all her documents in order, but my papers were nowhere to be found. Upon enquiry I was told to go to the Passport section of the Crime Branch in the Commissionerate Office and retrieve the SB number of my file. Here too I was told that since they had no documents bearing my details I should enquire about the status of my case at the Passport office.

Well, now in no mood to go to the passport office-and also in a mood to meet the Commissioner of Police-I approached the PO in CO appointments and apprised him of the fact that I wanted to meet the commissioner because I wished to increase Police-Citizen interaction and intended to solicit the commissioners suggestions and help on that agenda. Citizen-Police Co-operation being one of the favored of the legendary Police Commissioner Sivanandhan’s babies, his staff agreed to grant us his audience at our convenience. Glad to know that I had managed to achieve something finally, I informed an elated Kapil of this advancement who more than happily agreed to join me for the meeting.

Since my maid servant failed to make it to my place yesterday, I had the fortune of being able to eat Bacon, pork cocktail sausages [missing something big boy], and eggs for Lunch.

The weather yesterday was overcast and gloomy with intermittent periods of rain and sun. Not knowing what to do, I finally decided to call Suyash up-who incidentally was eating a Pizza at a nearby Mall with Kaustub, who in turn chanced to meet him as he was shopping along with his sister for the latter’s B’day- who too felt that we three [Suyash, Kaustub and I] should meet up at Mulund Garden. I not only agreed, but also instructed Mandy to be present at the venue at the predefined time. Mandy gladly obliged. After all why should she be left out?

Parties met, pleasantries exchanged, questions asked. I was surprised to see Kaustub think that life without Varun would have been miserable for Suyash and me.

I think people who leave their home towns for better opportunities, like to look upon themselves as adventurers and relish the thought that they would be welcomed with garlands and roses when they get back home. Although pleasant memories of bygone relationships do reign high amongst all concerned, most of these people fail to realize that life goes on even with the ones that stay on. The ones that move away believe or rather want to believe that home is exactly the way they left it. But more often than not it isn’t so. Staying away from home is not easy; although the prospects of a better future enable people to put on an optimistic face; once the initial enthusiasm has faded, the blues take over. It is now that these people find solace in recollecting the memories of their past and of their youth at the place they grew up to be. They feel good knowing that they would be welcomed back home and they would be able to relive the experiences they have for so long cherished. My advice to all these men and women is, Quit living in the Past. Life moves on. This is a harsh reality, but you have to face it sometime or the other. And if you are prepared for it, then chances are that itl hit won’t hit you as harder. Though hit you it will.

Back to the point. The surprise I experienced in the Para preceding the last was nothing compared to the shock I felt and the anguish I had to go through, when Kabs started singing Malayalam Songs and mentioned to me that Mallu dames are amazingly attractive. This was in stark contradiction to what I had expected Kab’s opinion on Mallu babes to be [refer last Blog]. I have to admit I was shaken [if not stirred].

I have nothing against Mallu babes being pretty, having seen some attractive ones myself; but the high proportions of these attractive females being present in Kerala [taking into account the high female to male sex ratio] as stated by Kaustub, was turning out to be too hard to digest.

There are, as I see it only too possible explanations to this phenomenon.

The rascal is lying, in order to avoid embarrassments, and deriding remarks from his friends out here. [This seems to be unlikely as I could see the glint in K’s eyes when he passed this remark].

The more likely possibility is that Kaustub has mentally mutated. This although remarkable as it may seem might be true. Kabs always considered himself to be an Anna [south Indian]. This trait was seen to disappear upon constant indoctrination on part of Fatboy and Greyeyes. Apparently this syndrome has relapsed. With no one to constantly monitor his psychological functions; Kaustub has convinced himself that he is indeed a Mallu or an equivalent; and with the milk of human kindness flowing out of him at the rate of a Gallon a minute-and also owing to his dark complexion-he managed to convince numerous inhabitants of God’s own Land-amongst them a cute little Mallu dame with pretty eyes and a beatific smile- that he is one of their very own. Deeply intoxicated in the Tender Coconut like love of this girl, who we will for our convenience denote as S. Shanthipriya; Kabs has renounced his roots. Thus changing his attitude towards all Mallus.

I would advice all his friends not to be surprised if he were to speak Malayalam, sing those blasted Songs and worship South superstar Mohan lal. As a matter of fact if you see this coming, be prepared to receive a wedding invitation announcing Kab’s marriage to Ms S. Shanthipriya in a year or so; Venue Calicut, where idli-sambhar, dry surticolam Rice, saram along with the all time classic Popadam would be served on plantain leaves in a musty and wet dining hall.

My best wishes to the Couple, but I’d rather wait for the reception, which I hope will be conducted in more human a fashion, somewhere closer to home.

Changing Winds

2005-09-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

Varun tells me that I have to Blog and so does my Conscience, not that Varun is my conscience or vice versa, but they get shockingly close sometimes. And as I’ve throughout my life silenced the good spirit in me [for the best], I silenced Varun’s pleas to me to pen down my prophetical thoughts. But after two months of abstinence, and of deafening slience; I am here today, blogging like I never blogged before.

I’ve decided to title my blog as ‘Changing winds’ not only because I’ve been going through a lot of changes in my life, but also because it’s been quite windy of late. A trite too windy for my taste if you should ask me. Not that I can taste wind; but that’s another matter altogether.

Maharshtra was swept by its feet [for those of my readers who are really poor at geography, Maharashtra is not an attractive woman but a state in central India, and considering the state the state is in at the moment, very few people would consider it attractive let alone sweeping it] by floods resulting in tremendous casualties, property destruction and human loss on a monumental scale. Bombay-or Mumbai as some would prefer to call it so- was hit by a record 944mm of Rain in less than 12hrs-the highest ever recorded in India- which brought the city to a complete standstill and resulted in the Deaths of about 500 innocent-or not so innocent and some foolish, some panicky-people.

Of course all the rains could not stop Kapil and I, catch up for a quick one and criticize everyone from the Bombay Municipal Corporation, to the Bureaucrats, the Disaster Management Committee [if there was one in the first place, but for the sake of venting out our frustrations, we assumed that there was one. We have realized that it is very convenient to criticize an organization that we know doesn’t exist to defend itself], the Politicians, the Criminals [although it is a Herculean task to draw the distinction the last two] and in general the Public.

Don’t blame us, because with nowhere to go and nothing to do and no one to talk to; there was little else we could have done. I won’t go about dealing with the statistics, the nature of the calamity, and steps required ameliorating the situation and so on and so forth. Inquisitive readers will find all the information they need to know about the aforementioned by just a click to the mouse-after of course typing the subject concerned-on Google etc, all this commented by people who have no idea at all about what’s going on or people who know exactly what’s going on but don’t give a damm.

Educated fools might have by now realized [read all those smarts who want to do an Engineering Graduation, especially in IT or Computers and then pursue an MBA from IIM, just because it pays you well and everyone in the monumental rat race seems to do so] that there exists a science called a Metrology or Civil Engineering or that there is something called as City Planning, practiced by Architects that plays a vital role in determining the way people live and affects their lives to a significant extent as compared to the thousands of IT Graduates that are churned out by the establishment known as the department of higher education as commodities to be exported to the US every year.

Frustrations successfully vented. Now for the lighter part. Varun successfully left for The Wildlife Institute of India on the 17th Aug without causing any permanent damage to the modes of transport hired by him to complete his journey. Varun seems to be thoroughly enjoying his stay at the Doon Valley, and who wouldn’t. Considering all that we’ve had to go in these last two months Deheradoon- no matter what Fat ass says about the higher percentage of relative humidity out there as compared to Bombay- seems to be a pleasant respite. Varun calls me periodically as a good boy should. I tried to call him yesterday, but he was out of coverage area.

Varun my friend, I know you’ve called me a couple of times in the last couple of days but, was not able to receive your calls. I should blame you solely for that, because ever since you spoke to me my phone has conked off. I can’t hear my phone ring anymore. And considering that you know me as I am, I sure you won’t be surprised if my cell phone were to be in a similar state when you’d get back home in December.

Kaustubh Shanbaug left a day before Varun did to Calicut and I’m sure he’s not going to be as happy as Varun is, because unlike the Big V, Kabs does not get to go to Corbett National Park in the lush green state it is in the Monsoon along with gentlemen with regal names [but horrible countenances] like A.J.T. Johnsingh and stay in the Governors residence at Nainital- because your batch mate is a grandson of the Governors- albeit for a single night. I haven’t spoken to Kabs ever since he was condemned to the horrible place that is Calicut. I hear he back for a week or so and I’m as eager as I can be to hear the atrocities that he’s been inflicted upon by the womenfolk of that Region.

Closer to home I’m managing the colossal task of balancing my lectures, practical and my research at IIT. Considering the fact that my course has slowly started becoming more and more demanding, I wonder if I’ll be able to do justice to my work at IIT any longer. Suyash, Mandy and I have started to conduct tripartite discussions on finding the most appropriate juncture of time to Eat out some real good sea cuisine at Anant Ashram. The talks are on and since Suyash Deshpande is to leave for Poona to take up his position at his new found Job at Wipro by the 14th next month we seem to have a sort of an ultimatum. Positive results are expected soon.

Varun’s absence left me without an ally in my fight against fitness and my mother having realized the superior position she now found herself to be in compelled me to –much to Varun’s disgust-join a local Gym. Babboo [Dinesh] Mayekar the Gym owner and Trainer, a jolly good lad of 24 is a pretty cool chap. A BSc in Chemistry and a Diploma in Physical Training are indeed rare qualities to be found in Gym Trainers, in a scenario where Gym instructors with names like Mrutyunjay Kambli, Dadoo Gawand and Pavan Mhatre, who can’t differentiate between a Trapezoid and the Gluteus Maximus are the norm. Gym is not the horrible place that I, on previous occasions had experienced it to be. A reunion with my long lost School Friend Subo Khan – who incidentally stays opposite to my place- coupled with my busy schedule and constant rendezvous with The Kriegsmann more than compensated for Varuns, absence. Life has been good to me.

Grandpa was sick with a weak Angina and was admitted to the ICU for sometime, but he’s recovered and quite OK now, relaxing at his home in Dadar. We had a nice time for Ganpati. For the first time after about two years I really felt it was worthwhile to go to Ganpati at Arvind Mama’s place – something I used to look forward to once upon a time - now that Andy has returned from New Zealand and decided to stay in India for Good. Kudos to Andy. Arvind Mama hosted his B’day party at a Resort on Ghodbunder Rd on the 9th this Month. Had a really great family experience after a long long long long time. My interactions with M. UK have increased manifold ever since he – as a result of dearth of activity on his mothers part- concluded that he was going to die an old Bachelor and needed someone to share his sorrows and help him out. Don’t worry mate, we’ll get you Wed; just take it easy. Now there’s a good lad.

Bhushan Mulgaonkar and all the other failures of my batch say that they won’t be performing the practicals until late November. That just leaves me and two other dames to manage all the action on the College Lab front. Life definitely isn’t fair and as I’ve previously mentioned in my earlier Correspondences that if its fair it isn’t life. I’m sure Garcinia would agree with me on these counts. Won’t you now Garcinia? Varun is life fair with you? I have I weird feeling that it’s not as good with you as I imagine it to be.

I’ve had an horrible time trying to compress all that I went to in the last two months, at least all that I can remember as of now and I’m sure that the reader is going to have an even harder time reading it. As a matter of fact I’m sure that most of my dear friends won’t read it in the first place. But this one is especially dedicated to you O Fat one who sits amongst those lofty hills out there; the one chap I know won’t fail to read my monologues.

So that’s all for the Day Folks, and until next time – Cheerio.

PS- Subo Khan, don’t let all those KT’s and your mother bog you down. That’s the spirit my boy. And if you seem to have lost it somewhere, I’m just the man to help you find it.

Eastcloud, your fumbling bother has finally delivered me[or rather I picked it up from him] my copy of Frederick Forsythe that I’d lent you somewhere in early April. But he’s not nearly as bad as my Professor who has a copy of my book, ‘Life Itself’ by Watson and Crick for the last 7 years. Kapil returned my DVD’s along with a complimentary can of Tusker –aye mate I finally know the difference between an African Elephant and an Indian Bird- although my Corbett and G3 is still in his care. I also renewed my BNHS membership three days ago. Guess I should have done that with you. I haven’t been to Fort ever since.

Getting Oriented to the Disorientation

2005-07-10T04:34:00.000-05:00

I have not blogged for about a month. And most of my regular readers (if there are any) have been flooding my inbox with fan mail telling me how dramatically their lives have improved over these last four weeks. Well it definitely feels good to be wanted!

One of the more paradoxical (I hope I’ve got the Figure of Speech Right) aspects of Blogging is that whilst you think of a Topic to blog about, there isn’t any. But as you sit down upon this formidable task, it becomes addictively tempting to write all that pours out of your mind. I think, not even a pair of CE certified high quality custom made carbon steel shackles can prove effective in restraining a man or a woman (I don’t intend to incur the wrath of Women Lib Associations) who has the passionate urge to make himself/herself heard. Well I’d suggest all those who have experienced emotional currents on these lines to keep on trying. No matter what rubbish you intend to write, there’s always some idiot who wants to read it. But I’m sure all of my readers are exceptionally intelligent with superhuman IQ’s.

Things have been going awry for me these couple of Days and I’m all slozzeled. I’ve had a slight disagreement (read understatement) with a notoriously foul mouthed, liver brained, smart ass type odious laboratory colleague of mine who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Evil cockroach alien who one encounters while watching the movie Men in Black. While I consider this to be a major improvement at my workplace, I can’t deny that the atmosphere there has been bit queasy since. But that is bound to wear off quite soon to normalcy.

Also it has been apparent to me in the last couple of Days that my Friends after having had enough of me, have finally cracked and consequently have decided to endeavor upon embarking on a mass migration.

Kedar and Snehal leave for USA on the 14^th and 28^th respectively for pursuing higher studies, while Gargi status is unknown (although she promised she’d let me know if she’d be leaving I consider that prospect too unlikely).

While Suyash is bound to leave for joining up on his new found job at Wipro in Poona or Bangalore sometime the end of this month, Kaustubh prepares to leave for his MTech studies at some NIT at Calicut around the same time. And to top it all, my dear corpulent brother-in-arms Varun deems it fit to spend his time with deformed and vicious creatures rather then me, while studying for MSc at a non-descript, decrepit Wildlife Institute in Deheradoon.

Well that’s quite some change for someone to handle especially when you are witnessing your social life going to the dogs (PETA anyone?) . My last beacon ray of hope is ‘me dear pal’ the most unconventional Defense Analyst ever – Kapil, who is as of now spending his time in the company of not so friendly tribals in Kenya. I intend to catch up with him as soon as possible and hope that he does not end up with Laryngitis or yellow fever like he did on his visit there last time.

To further add agony to my pain, my college starts next week, and as always I have convinced myself to believe that my vacations were a complete waste of time. I am not able to seek solace anymore, not even on a Sunday as all of my friends who now plan to leave this wonderful City are being invited by hoards of pesky, overfriendly relatives to spend the day with them. And nobody other than my own mother, my own flesh and blood has picked up a preposterous habit of setting off to Poona at every single opportunity she gets, in order to fulfill the barrage of social commitments that she’s expected to fulfill.

And just as things appear to brighten up a bit when I realize the fact that my dear Aditi Tai is enjoying herself dating Albert Einstein (at least someone’s happy), I’m drawn upon contemplating the bone chilling prospect of spending time with Sadadosa, a female I’ve met only twice till date and whom I’ve mentioned of – not too highly- in my last piece of correspondence.

Painful though as it may seem to me at the moment, I’m sure it’s not all that bad. I’ll get over it in a month or two. I have seen people go through worse. My personal compliments to Father Time. Time is the Ultimate healer, as it enables us to get on with our lives. And the best part is that time goes on all by itself, you don’t have to work to make fly.

Everyone, I’m sure at some point of time in their lives lands up in a situation where you have to say Goodbye. Everyone has a journey to set foot upon. It is upon this odyssey that people part ways, for good or for worse. Life teaches you rather painfully, that permanence is a mirage, the only constant thing in life is change, and that lifelessness is a rule and life an accident. It makes you philosophical (as it has made me). It makes you a better person a stronger person (which I cannot claim to be).

I’ve always believed that life teaches you a lot of things provided you are willing to learn. And to be a good student requires you to contemplate upon the lessons of life; to let the message to sink down. I always give my life another chance. Do you?

Scent of a Woman

2005-06-12T23:12:00.000-05:00

The hardest aspect of embarking upon an endeavor is consistency. When I started blogging, I thought I’d be full of inspirational ideas and my blogs will attract loads of fan mail. But three weeks down the line, I’ve realized that things don’t always go the way you expect them to. Today I intend to mention about two interesting females who I’ve had the privilege of encountering.

I was contemplating upon a suitable title and thought that Scent of a Woman should neatly suffice. But for perfectionists I’d like to clarify a few points. Firstly I’ve mentioned two women in my Blog. So the title should have been Scents of Women (not Scent because no two women smell the same and women in general figuratively stink, buts that’s a different story) but that would sound unromantic. The second point is that I haven’t actually taken the pains of going out of the way to smell these women.

The one really interesting dame I’d like to dedicate today’s session to be the one and only Garcinia. I had the opportunity of getting to know her in College in my freshman year when we used to have a class together. It is not really hard to get acquainted with someone if you want to. And Garcinia was the sort you’d want to get acquainted real fast (intelligent readers might have now observed the fact that most of my female encounters are attractive). My first impression about this girl was “Hell this Dame has got a Load of Attitude”. Four years down the line it’s hasn’t changed much. Well some things never change. They are best the way they are supposed to be. I mean I can’t imagine Garcinia to be this ‘you come before me’ kinda girl. She’d lose her usp.

She’s an Aries as Aries go. They ain’t self-centered but they find it hard to look through somebody else’s looking glass (although I personally know a few exceptions). I’m sure she’d refuse this statement with all her might as a baseless allegation. Most girls in her class would considered her to be snobbish, but I think she’s got a heart of pure 24karat Gold (not that I’d like to steal it). We’ll no matter how fond I’m of Garcinia, I wouldn’t be an unbiased writer if I’d say Garcinia isn’t Boorish. She’d go out of her way to say things that are sure to hurt people’s sentiments. She’s hurt mine once, after which I’d lost contact with her for sometime. But I’ve now accepted her the way she is.

She is very much unlike Ma Cheri who’s the all caring type, and after knowing G for so long I still have my reservations about her Sanity But at the same time I absolutely sure that she doesn’t mean any harm although Varun feels that she’d do good to get her priorities in order. But again when she says whatever she says, one can’t be too sure whether she really means what she says or says so because it sounds good at that very moment. Hell it’s damn hard to gauge a woman. Females are so complicated. Maybe it’s got something to do with the physiology, but what the hell.

Nevertheless, I shall now refrain from commenting about Garcinia’s psychology or physiology. All this analysis has left my confused and I need time to get my faculties in order. But I can tell you what I appreciate in her. She’s this one girl who is vibrant, vivacious, enthusiastic and full of life. To tell you the truth, being with her makes me feel like a sloth. No, don’t get me wrong. She’s not boring at all. Quite the opposite actually. All my enthusiasm just pales in comparison to hers and considering that I’m quite an enthusiast myself, now that’s saying something.

About two days ago, we had a fruitful conversation on the phone after six months and in spite of all that we talked about I am not quite sure whether she actually likes talking to me. But that’s what makes her so special to me. Her very unpredictability is her trademark. It’s as if she challenges you to find out what is going out in her mind. That’s what makes her so unique. In her very elusiveness lies her appeal. Garcinia, what would you be without your attitude? Just another hot chick down the lane? Now that’s a question, I’m sure even Garcinia would find hard to answer.

The truth is that every attractive lady has something to her apart from her physical charm that makes her so desired in the eyes of a man of substance. And that is a reflection of her character. No man desires a woman who is easy to come by and who is predictable. At the same time a woman who distances herself too much is given up on. The trick is to find a suitable place in between. Most charmers – read Charmers not head turners- come in between these extremities, whether they know it or not now that’s a considerably different issue.

Later I’d like to discuss Sadadosa, a female who get perverse pleasure in damaging her appeal and losing out on the good things in store for her.

But for now, Prost!

Back into Action

2005-06-02T14:10:00.000-05:00

Hell! Finally I'm off the hook, there's no flu anymore, and although I can say I'm as fit as a fiddle, (how fit can a fiddle be?) I'm carrying along fine.

It was really nice of Varun to come all the way from Mulund to be with me when I apprised Mr Laundryman of the possible consequences of not paying me the damages. I believe he's got the message. I hope to see some Geld soon.

Met Kapil yesterday. Handed him over his Rauchenpipfe. He was visibly pleased. Who would'nt? Especially if one has been waiting for 2yrs to procure a desired apparatus. I urgently need ethyl formate in my lab. It's only been an hour since I've started searching for it and I'm already beginning to lose my patience. Hat's off to you Kapil. It's because of people like you (who have all the patience in the world) that India is still a democracy. The key words here are "HAVE FAITH". So we were in high spirits yesterday and had a great time. Feels good to be abnormal again.

There are people, different kinds of them. Some repulsive, some indifferent, some attractive, some amicable, while others just drift on along. Ma cheri is one of the later types. She's warm (read warm not HOT- for perverted minds who indulge in maliciaous misinterpretations of my innocent texts) and amiable, and being with her makes one feel good. A nice balanced type, if you've seen one. Well, it suddenly hit me, that about a week ago she was very much in touch with me and now I'm not so sure. Ma Cheri, if you still check out my blogs get back to me.

It so happens that all of a sudden you lose contact with somebody. Not that you can't estabilish contact or that the concerned parties don't intend to communicate. Something just holds you back . I plan to clear that backlog of mine. Today, I mailed Josna Rege after an year. Aditi Herwadkar is next on the list (although I don't expect much action from that front -she's a great scientist but a terrible correspondent) and Gauri Sardesai, where have you been?

The Price of Honesty

2005-05-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wonder, if it’s worth all the trouble.

I did not write yesterday (or is it type). I was too exhausted and overwhelmed by the events that took place yesterday. That was the day when my pleasant relations left for their respective destinations. Oh I love my relatives so when they are far away, but I can’t exactly say, I miss them so.

Thus after having cleaned up my whole house today and while relishing the joys of solitary existence I contemplated upon what happened, yesterday evening.

My father upon the instructions of my mother handed over to a laundry, a rather precious cape made up of the very expensive Pashmina Wool, for dry cleaning. Upon its arrival back, my mother was aghast to see its desecrated form. Not only did it appear to have lost its sheen, but also had all the color had spread across the fabric denigrating what was once a masterpiece of Kashmiri Artistry.

Enraged by this hideous malpractice of the Laundryman, I along with my brothers in arms- Varun, Nachiket and his brother in arm Harshad accosted the laundry owners son and apprised him of the fact that if he would refuse to pay me 8K’s – the present day price of the Cape, then I would be forced to take him to court and write about him in the News papers. The chap seemed visibly shaken and informed us that only his father who would be available on the morning of the coming Wednesday settle this matter out.

Today I sat and thought. I thought weather I would be paid the damages, weather taking the rascal to court would help me. Weather 8K’s are worth all the trouble.

I’ve been wronged, why should I have to take all the trouble to get it right? Why should I spend my precious time, energy, efforts and resources in the pursuit of something that could possibly have been a mistake on the part of the laundryman? It was a cape after all. Do I really need to press this on? Can’t I just let it go?

If I let go I’d be doing my conscience wrong. If I fight then I’d have to suffer anyway. Is this the price I pay for being honest? Upon introspection, I realized that I do have to pay a price for being honest, for standing up for what I believe in. Nothing, absolutely nothing can be achieved without paying a price for it.

The price I pay for being honest goes a long way in me getting the respect I deserve for being a man of standing, in front of my own eyes.

Ouch!

2005-05-28T19:22:00.000-05:00

What I feared the most has finally happened. My ground breaking prophecies have materialized. There’s no ambiguity any more. It’s official. I’m down with influenza.

The reprehensible scum of the human influenza virus that I had so far successfully evaded has finally got the better of me. Sometimes I wonder – actually I wonder, only when I’m sick- ‘how can a tiny micro-organism, which does not know for sure if it’s alive or dead make me feel so miserable.

The answer to this question lies in the analysis of the psychology of the virus. One of the universally accepted phenomenon of contracting flu is that of infection.

Over here, I now intend to draw an analogy between sick people and viruses. Try, living along with a sick person and you will soon end up becoming sick too (if you are not sick in the first place). This is true, in both the literal and the metaphorical sense. Well not actually, literally speaking you can possibly develop a certain amount of resistance to the disease, but if your companion is a sick person (metaphorically) you’ve had it!

The virus is a grouchy, isolated and a sick creature. Ask a woman who’s given birth to a single one, and she’ll tell you how troublesome it can be. A virus replicates hundreds of times in a minute. That’s like giving birth to a hundred babies in a minute. No wonder the virus a grouch. Moreover, all these viral babies don’t care a damn about their mother and immediately go about giving more babies. This makes the mama virus real mad.

Nobody likes a virus. It’s got no identity. No one cares for a virus, not even other viruses. It’s not their fault actually. It’s hard to differentiate one virus from another, so even the very few ones that have got a heart of gold – I’m not sure that they’ve got a heart in the first place – know not who to care for.

So it’s all crystal clear now. Just as staying with a sick (metaphorically) person makes you sick, if a sick creature like a virus enters your system and staying within you for at least a week, has to make you feel miserable.

Ahem ahem.....

2005-05-27T05:32:00.000-05:00

Went to Varun's yesterday evening to see him sipping hot coffee. I wondered why the hell was he drinking Hot Coffee (literally fuming). Now, personally I have no objections to a man consuming a drink of his preference. But there were two singular points which particularly struck me as unusual (I've been Reading Sherlock Holmes lately).

The first one being That Why should a person with a BMI which would even give inexperienced pleasures to Obese Sumo wrestlers (Sumo’s are quite corpulent, and when I say Obese sumo wrestlers – Now that’s saying something)- be drinking hot fluids in the middle of summer?

And secondly, what source of inspiration could possibly extol my beloved and most lethargic friend to shed his inhibitions to go into the Kitchen and prepare a cuppa coffee?

But such queries are easily resolved. After investigating the matter in hand, I was informed by the concerned party that it was nobody else but his own mother who had forced upon him to conduct such a despicable act. Not keeping well, she had INSTRUCTED him to prepare for her the hot drink to soothe her ailing throat, and after having prepared the aforesaid for his maternal love – now left for her dispensary – he was consuming the unruly remnants of the same (thus procrastinating the likelihood of his having to prepare something to soothe his ever demanding gastric functions).

After having realized the fact that his mother was ill, a new perspective was drawn upon me. Suddenly I realized that all the people around me were falling ill. First my Prof’s elder son, then my aunt, my cousin and then me. Everyone is down with flu or similar aliments.

It is quite well known that the human race as such is sick, but analogies apart this is getting on literally. My personal opinion is that a certain group of viruses have decided to carry out a mass attack on the residents of Bombay who have of late being enjoying the fruits of capitalism.

Being down with a fever has its own pros and cons. For instance you feel miserable all day and sweat like a hog while simultaneously shivering. How this takes place I’ve never been able to fathom.

Then there are numerous relatives, family members and neighbors who bombard you with numerous suggestions to get well fast and ask you questions like, ‘Are you feeling all right?’ or ‘How did you contract flu?’ I mean how dumb can people be? I’m lying down on my bed like a cadaver; I definitely can’t be fine can I? And if I knew where from people get sick, I’d would most certainly try all I could to avoid all the trouble, wouldn’t I?
Then people ask you to eat all sorts of foodstuffs at a time when even the best Caviar would taste like recycled paper soaked in water, while themselves consuming the best of foods making you feel like an outcast – not that they don’t make me feel like an outcast otherwise.

The good part is that if the word gets around, your friends-who would otherwise be more difficult to meet than the President of India- pay you visits or call you up and try to cheer you. This makes you feel good (condition applicable only if you have pretty female friends-and you are a straight male).

The other benefit is that with nothing else to do, you end up becoming philosophical and write disgustingly long blogs like these.

No Work is all Pain

2005-05-25T23:03:00.000-05:00

I celebrated my B'day a few days ago. As if getting older ain't painful enough (there are some who say ' age brings wisdom- but I'd personally prefer getting wise while staying young) I am now being surrounded with hoardes of relatives coming from all parts of the known World - this is an exaggeration, I've no relatives in Anartica- to wish me on my B'day.

Most of these well wishers after having enjoyed the pleasures of my hospitality leave as fast as their means can carry to their Home Grounds. Yet there are others, more persistant and close to the heart types who would not consider a visit a visit if they dont enjoy my company for a few days at least if not a week.

The fact is that I actually like these old bloods of mine (the young ones are smarter-They don't stay). These people really know how to enjoy life. They are Great to talk to and are full of interesting anecdotes and stories (although I'd personally would not like to bank on the Validity of all of their revelations).

But no matter how much you love your relations, a dozen extras staying in your house in BOMBAY, all at one time is definitely hard on a gentelman (as I am one). So as the saying goes ' When the going gets tough, the tough get going' , I muster all my resources and get going to my workplace at IIT B where I'm carrying out some research in Organic Synthesis.

Of late I've observed that-unusually for a lazy chap like me-I rub upto 16hrs in the lab and my performance has increased drastically. And all the odious fumes in my lab smell to me like the perfumes of Arabia (not to be confused with McBeth). At least I've my work and my lab! Whereas on the home front, not only have I lost my privacy and my possessions but also my voice and along with it my self esteem. I don't even need to walk into my house, I get pushed around. This reminds me of the time I spent at a military training camp a few yesrs ago. It was hell, but then I had company and after 8pm even the Camp Sgt. would be merciful. Expect no such mercy from my relatives. A terrible homefront can make miracles at your workplace that would make Houdini look like an amatuer. Some wise guy said that behind every successful man is a woman and now I know why.

Ma Cheri called me yesterday to voice herself on my blog. She is a charming girl and a nice one too and I enjoy her company. But she feels I unnecessarily flatter her and write naughty things on my blogs. That's so untrue.

Of late things haven't exactly been going my way. There's influenza in the air and even though I've been mercifully spared of the big trouble, I can't say I'm in good health. That's why I've decided to stay home for the day- why should Kapil be the only one who gets to stay home all the time? But now my defences are at an all time low, no back up and no escape route. I will have to bear all the brunt of the offensive of the hostiles all alone on my home ground. But as some poet with political affiliations said;

For all your days prepare,

and meet them ever alike;

When you're the anvil suffer,

when you're the hammer Strike.

I have decided to bravely face agony and wait for a favorable moment, when I can seek the pleasures of the hospitality of my tormentors and give back to them, what they are giving me right now.

Cheerio.....

Resolving a Dilemma

2005-05-25T01:46:00.000-05:00

Life can be so unfair at times. Sometimes I wonder why does it always have to be me? But most of the time I hardly care. Well, life can be hard on you. But if it ain't hard then its hardly life.

Actually Life as such does not bother me as much as these dilemma's do. Dilemma's come to me as easily as paragliding to a Deep Sea Angler Fish. But when it does turn up once in a blue moon day (if there is something called as the Blue Moon -I dunno where these idioms come from?) then it sticks on harder than something I can possibly imagine (and I can imagine a lot).

I have realised that every dilemma is an entity and has a personality of its own. Some are harsh, some persitant, some peculiar, some sweet, some painful; but most of them are the 'time will sort out' or 'let it be' or 'I can't help it' types.

Out of these the last ones are those that plague me more than what The Black Death did to Europe in the middle Ages (at least people then would worry, suffer and die). It is the helplessness of the situation that troubles me so much.

The other day I met Kapil at his place. He was down with CP. Poor Fellow, I'd never thought the CP could bog down someones SPIRITS to such an extent. I wished him good health and whilst leaving his Apartment met Toral, who I had not seen for a long time. We talked for long. She's a sweet girl- as sweet as girls can possibly be- she actually listened to all I had to say. She's also pretty, but thats secondary.

I have had the pleasure of interacting with quite a few charming (and also intellectual) Dames who unfortunately end up being older to me. This has its own pros and cons.

The good part is that you can go around with them, date them and have fun without any commitments. The male counterpart does not want to settle down and the female who is older to the male wants to get steady with someone willing to go along with her.

The sad part is that there are no commitments.

Nevertheless, its suits both the parties involved and it suits me well - at least for the timebeing - and even if it does not, What the hell am I going to do about it?