On a beautiful rainy day !!!

"Life is simple yet immensely beautiful.....it’s all about dancing in the rain..."

                                                                                              (Pic courtesy Google image)

On a beautiful rainy day...Life had conspire a plot for me to unleash the realization that "Life can be simple yet can be immensely beautiful......"

It was lazy Saturday evening and I was resting at my friends place accompanied by hot coffee and a recently released novel. There was some get together at my friends place and everyone was there except me and my little nephew (actually friend's nephew). He was playing with his jigsaw puzzle.

Novel was interesting and the weather was at its romantic best.....It was going to be first rain of the season.... clouds had a mixed texture of dull white to dark grey... I was able to listen chimes like voice of peacock out there.... sun was hidden behind the clouds and was giving silver linings to clouds. Wind started blowing intermittently adding new liveliness to nature’s euphoria. Suddenly clouds started moving to closer towards each other to block the last ray of sun.... tiny droplets of water had started kissing the mother earth.

Tantalizing smell of Bhinny Mitti (wet field) started spreading into the atmosphere. I being an adult and lost in reading novel ....was least bothered about this sudden change in climate and didn't notice beautiful salsa of the nature. But my nephew was delighted at the sight of first rain of season. He has started dancing with joy forgetting everything he was doing. Before I stop him or say anything he just ran out to get himself completely drench in the rain. I was supposed to take care of that little brat so I have kept novel aside and ran after him to get him back inside.

I was shouting at him to ask him to get back in under shelter....and he was completely engrossed into playing in rain....he was over joyed with droplet falling on his eyes which made his eyelids kiss each other.

                                                                                                                                       (Pic courtesy Google image)

Listening to my shouts ....he looked at me and said "Mama" (Uncle) come down....let's play in and dance in the rain... but my adult attitude was stopping me and asking me to ignore his tantrums. I went outside in rain to bring him back but he started playing tricks by running around Zulla (Big swing). I had no choice but to get drench in rain to catch him.

Finally I caught him but while doing this all exercise ... I realized that ... I too love the rain...as much as that little kid did. The feeling of being touched by the purest form of water....can only be palpable....I danced and played with hi in rain...without caring about anything ( not even scold I was going to get from other adults specially my friend's mom ) for getting child again.

Only thing was going on my mind while playing with him was....memories of those old days when I was of my nephew's age. I could remember how much I love this crazy atmosphere and playing in the rain. But I was not able to get that why I did break up with nature for some materialistic pleasure.....why did I forget the incessant beauty this nature offered....

But nevertheless....I was in love ... love with this nature again...rather this time even more... yes…

"Life is simple yet immensely beautiful.....it’s all about dancing in the rain..."

P.S :- Adding something more at the end....something I have read ....long time ago and pasted as status of my FB .... Today FB is reminding me this post as Memory.....

"Kaash aisa hota ,

ki bundon ki pariyan koi aisa jadoo laati,
jisse dhuul ke saath saath,
haathon ki kuchh lakeerein bhi mita jaati.."
 #enjoyinglastrainoftheseason

Inspire

Inspire

Topic given to us as part of this training was "Inspire".

Very first thing comes to our mind by listening this word “Inspire” is the big names Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Amitabh Bachhan etc…

We always think that we get inspiration from great personalities only. It’s really difficult to think that we can also inspire others to do something.

And when we have been told that at the end of the training we have to come with some sort of thoughts to represent our topic… this was the first thing came to my mind. How on the earth we can inspire others?

Then we have decided to use metaphor of “Mustard seeds” to explain that it's not always size or current position that matters when it comes to inspire others. If tiniest seeds of Mustard can give inspiration in so many different ways ….we are over quarter century old people with grown over 5 feet …why can’t we inspire others.

Soon we have started searching for positives sides of those seeds which can be a point of inspiration. And in very little time we have come up with below points…..

·         Mustard seeds are tiny but very important food ingredients....it gives that punch to the taste of food. If you have all other Ingredients but not mustard seeds that taste won't come in food.

·         Mustard seeds are tiniest seeds....but they are very quick grower...and it can grow till 6-8 meter (at times). So it may be small at start but in the end it beats most of competition

·         There is pattern in seeding mustard seeds. It needs to seed by keeping some distance among them. Then only they grow up and give proper return of investment. Same way For organization each employ is mustard seeds. To grow them in tree...proper care is must but along with that little space for each individual required as well.

·         There is one saying in bible  "Have faith of mustard seeds" which explains May be you are the smallest one among the people surrounded you....but if you keep the faith.....and do right things you can out play them

·         Each one of us have so many positive things in us may be tiny at the moment....just like this mustard seeds....but if we take proper care of those little positive things and grow them it....will be grow like a tree and give you....proper outcome.

So by the example of these tiny mustard seeds we have tried to explain that it’s not size or position that matters to inspire others.

Very small acts of yours towards achieving something can also give inspiration to others.

Feeling Happy is our Choice!!

Feeling Happy is our Choice!! 

I probably had one of those bad days at office. After slogging hard for so many years something didn’t came in my plate and went into someone else’s plate. It was tough to digest the fact that the person half deserving than you getting something which you wanted. 

Half dejected … instead of going home (where I live with friends) I went to cousin’s place. Little nephew was throwing his tantrums for going outside for playing with his friends. My arrival was blessing for him and he knew that his work is done. He grabbed his shoes quickly and came towards me to hold my hand and drag me outside.

It was odd evening time when all the kids of his age were at home for food. We started roaming around the play area and found one more kid there playing alone with his Superman toy. Kid was son of the caretaker living there. Soon my nephew and he started playing together with his little toy.

They started making story some sort of skit with using that toy of Superman …. Putting it on slide and catching it at end and making noises. Suddenly what happen by nephew threw it in the air and it fall on hard surface. Leg of the Superman toy was broken and got separated. 

Suddenly so many thoughts came to my mind….how this kid will react will he start crying… may be he won’t have so many toys at his home….how dejected he will feel due to this broken toy. I threw angry glare at my nephew and he knew what he did so he got scared as well. Then suddenly that kid picked up the toy and told my nephew that he has magic glue at his home and he will join this hand again. Soon this will be okay like it was before. And he is also going to get remote control car in next week. Hearing this nephew got smile on his face back.

On back of my mind I knew that glue can join it back but it can’t be same working toy again and that kid knew it too. However, he never dropped his spirit. Then I asked him that who is going to bring that car to you. He just shook his head, gave me a loopy grin and said, ‘It is a surprise. I will have it next week.’

He was never getting a remote control car….but he has such a generous spirit…. that he shrugged away his gloom and made up a story about magic glue and a remote control present so that the other kid would stop feeling guilt-ridden… that he had broken his only toy.

Disappointment did hit him…like it hits all of us…but he pushed it aside…just like we wave away annoying fly so that he could continue being happy.

The bitter fact of life is that we try to chase happiness….sometimes with buying materialistic things like car…home…or some latest gadget. But a five-year-old boy didn’t stops smiling even when his only toy got brake …. That smile taught me that happiness is not a pursuit or a purchase; it’s simply a way of being.

Next morning when I entered office and someone again reminded me of that stuff which affected my mood last day…. Just to tease me. I just recalled that smiling face of kid and told him that I never really wanted it. I actually have something better planned for that time and thank god that it didn’t came to me. I felt happy even while Lying and it was fun to see the face of that other person.

P.S. – My birthday is there next weekend and I am thinking of buying that remote control car for that Kiddo ….to make his lie come true. He surely deserve that in return of smile he brought on my face. 

On a rainy day !!!!

On a rainy day

Just beginning of rainy season and we all are eagerly waiting for first proper rain of the season. Unlike the Mumbai and Maharashtra we don’t luxury to enjoy rain for longer duration. However, the feeling while enjoying the rain remains the same regardless of place.

Ok…so what do you generally do on a rainy day?

Well this question definitely has multiple answers….with different age group….and different work group… opinions will get changed. For me rain what was few year back now it is not the same…. So let’s not get into mind of people of different work group…as it will be bit difficult and lengthy process. 

Let’s see how people’s age affects their opinion about rainy day.

During school life: Rainy day means “Freedom”

Writing from my very own experience…. With the word “Rain” only my eyes get lightened up… how can I forget the joy we used to have on the rainy day in school? Whenever rain get started in morning … I used to pray that it should stay little longer … long enough to convince my mom to not sending me to school. In case if I reach school before it start I used to pray that teacher should be absent …and class attendance should be low enough so teacher can’t take full class….no morning prayers and also period of sports at end of the day. We used to take full advantage of whatever little freedom we get due to this rainy day. List is endless and I am sure you all would have your own memories of school days. One thing was good at that time that….we use to enjoy the rain….without getting scared of getting wet….or getting scared of expensive gadgets or books. Ahhh…crazy cycling and racing with friends across the streets…that was time I miss most… but then school ends and we moved on to more freedom time in college.

During college life: Rainy day means “Love/Friendship” 

Huhh…What can I say about this… Rainy day in college life means party…outdoor games…date with someone special….chai at some road side “tapari”. Feeling of getting wet in rain with someone special….singing songs…so many more things about college life about rainy days. We all love rainy day….we can bunk the class and can stay outside on football ground or in canteen…we can enjoy more freedom. Rainy day in college life…typically depict the freedom from all the rules of life, school, family…and it shows us the new found love and/or friendship in life. 

Story of Working class: Rainy day means “Mess”

Well I have been to above class at some point of time….and right now in this class. I am working and frankly speaking now days I don’t like the rain much. I hate it when it started pouring while I am leaving to office…also it irritates me when it start raining when I am leaving from office. Why rains do have to come in morning or evening…..can’t he finish his business in normal working hours? I hate rain because it just makes mess of everything from traffic to office…from my clothes to brand new gadget. 7 out of 10 people from office will admit that…if they can stop rain by doing anything… they would definitely do that. 

Well I also wanted to write about what rain means to people who are married (forget about enjoyment …damn worried about washed clothes drying in balcony) and also about retired people whose one important activity of a day (of pouring water to some plants in garden) gets cancelled because of rain. 

But my client has just transferred me hell amount of work.... Grrr..... not a angry but need to move on with that work.... :p

Whether to rain or not is not in our hand. 

So let’s not be the crying baby who always worries about everything…..and recall few good memories associated with such rainy day……. After all it’s all about dancing in the rain :).

Happy Father's day - Love you dad !

Not every time ... we have to write our feelings in our own words. Sometimes words written by someone else also can be so meaningful. 

Something I have copy pasted below is the same. Some forwarded message or mail. Not everything is true but so many thing is reminding me of my great Dad. 

I used to say that big boys don't emote.  We don't know how to express love.....we talk cricket instead of giving hug to our dad. We buy some gifts instead of saying thanks to our Mom for  awesome food she makes everyday. We don't cry when something goes wrong instead we grew stronger after each such incident.

I never touched feet of my dad neither hug him till he was alive. It's not that I was taking him and everything he was doing for me as granted but it was mutual understanding between us. We never discuss any sentimental thing. As I usually says....

" He never never taught me how to live....he just lived and let me watch him doing it. That's how my dad was... "

I respect him for whatever he did for me and family. I was bit small to understand all this complex things of life when he left me but I think..... I never struggle with living my life ...and may be that's because of everything I learnt from dad unknowingly by living with him.



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जब मम्मी डाँट रहीं थी 

तो

कोई चुपके से हँसा रहा था,

वो थे पापा. . .

जब मैं सो रहा था

तब 

कोई चुपके से  सिर पर हाथ फिरा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

जब मैं सुबह उठा 

तो

कोई बहुत थक कर भी काम पर जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

खुद कड़ी धूप में रह कर

कोई

मुझे ए.सी. में सुला रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

सपने तो मेरे थे 

पर उन्हें

पूरा करने का रास्ता कोई और बताऐ जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

मैं तो सिर्फ अपनी खुशियों में हँसता हूँ,

पर

मेरी हँसी देख कर कोई अपने गम भुलाऐ जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

फल खाने की ज्यादा जरूरत तो उन्हें थी,

पर

कोई मुझे सेब खिलाए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

खुश तो मुझे होना चाहिए कि वो मुझे मिले ,

पर

मेरे जन्म लेने की खुशी कोई और मनाए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

ये दुनिया पैसों से चलती है

पर

कोई सिर्फ मेरे लिए पैसे कमाए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

घर में सब अपना प्यार दिखाते हैं

पर

कोई बिना दिखाऐ भी इतना प्यार किए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

पेड़ तो अपना फल खा नही सकते इसलिए हमें देते हैं...

पर

कोई अपना पेट खाली रखकर भी मेरा पेट भरे जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

मैं तो नौकरी के लिए घर से बाहर जाने पर दुखी था 

पर

मुझसे भी अधिक आंसू कोई और बहाए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

मैं अपने "बेटा " शब्द को सार्थक बना सका या नही.. पता नहीं...

पर

कोई बिना स्वार्थ के अपने "पिता" शब्द को सार्थक बनाए जा रहा था ,

वो थे पापा. . .

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Beautiful Dusk !!!!!

સાંજ રૂડી રૂપાળી પણ હોઈ શકે છે....ભલે એકલા હોવ પણ એકલતા ના હોય...

શાંત નીરવ નદી કિનારે....પાછા ફરતા પક્ષી અને...

 આકાશ માં એક તરફ સ્વૈર વિહારી રંગો સાથે .....

સુરજ અને ચંદ્રમાં એક બીજા નું અભિવાદન કરતા હોય.....

....હા  સાંજ રૂડી રૂપાળી પણ હોઈ શકે છે....!!!

Trip to Polo Forest !!!!

Busy life....long client calls....irritating bugs....annoying managers....or f**ked up personal life. Most of us really dreamed to spend our weekend without worrying about all this freaking stuff. The place where we can enjoy our time with nature....known friends...or friends whom you never meet till date...and of course with your self. Yes, it is very important to spend some time alone.

 But how? Are there such places around Ahmedabad? Here is the answer - Polo Forest !!

Polo forest is one such place where you can plan your one day trip. It's just 160 KM away from Ahmedabad and roads are also very good and safe. You can spent some quality time doing nothing just sitting around dam site, river side in forest or walk around different near by places and temple. If you take service from local guide then you will be able to listen some stories behind every temple and places you visit. 

I have visited this place quite a few times during my college life on bike road trip and now I also had two trip with my office mates. 

Starting point of our trip was the ancient temple Sharaneswar Mahadev. As name suggests temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and just like most of the temples of that age this temple is also famous for it's architectural view and cravings on stones. 

Very peaceful place generally but if you visit on weekend then it can be really noisy due to school picnics. When we visited last time there was some shooting going on for Gujarati movie and we had fun watching it. 

After the clicking few pics of this architectural beauty and having light breakfast we moved towards the actual trekking. As it was office trip the difficulty level of trip was very easy and safe. The hill to climb was around 800 meter high and distance to travel was 3-4 KM . For office goers like us it was still adventurous trekking experience. Few of us got brushes and strain in muscles as well. 

This area was not so known till recently but since last few years....after tourism gujrat has started various campaigns ,,,people has started visiting it. Ideal condition to visit this place is around monsoon when you can expect lush green beauty of thick forest. Bird watchers can find over 200 species of rare birds. Botanical experts can find 450 various species of plants and many of them are rare medicinal plants. They also says that it is a home of leopards, bears and flying squirrels. However during my five visit I have never seen any of them. So don't expect to see them :).

Once after trekking finished ....there came a time of getting rid of sweat , dust and pain of fighting with rocks and bushes. Yeah time to have fun with water....freezing cold and clean water. Dam built on Harnav river and a small stream of water passing through rocks and few check dams are real attraction. You can seat on the rocks at the Dam site and enjoy the natural beauty.

You can't have fun of playing with water on Dam site as it is restricted and very dangerous due to unknown depths of water. Guard also talked about crocodiles and other reptiles like snakes. However, they are not often seen at Dam site location. (No reason to get scared) .You can certainly have fun with water near the check dams. 

Due to the Dam build on Harnav river water flow in small streams always continue so even in early summer you would be able to see the running water through the check dams. Chilled and clean waters passing through round shape stones and pebbles by default get filtered. And as the say running water is always clean.

From My diary - 

I have been here at this place quite a few times every time with different group of people. So many memories associated with the place. Each time I have visited this place I have experienced something different. Let me share few pics of me and my crazy friends.....

In short....it's totally worth to spend 8-10 hours of your weekend at this place.....be it with friends...family...school mate...college mates...office mates...alone....this place has something for everyone....musician can find his music....bird lover can find bird....heaven for photographers....fun place for water lovers....pure isolation for nature lover....and peace of mind for writers....