Bird Watching!!!! :-PPPP

Nature is one thing that has always fascinated me. Residing on the sixth floor, is probably a boon in disguise, as I get innumerable opportunities to observe the behaviour of birds by simply looking out of my window.

For some strange reason, the flower pots on my window sill have been the birthplace of probably a hundreds of pigeons till date. Pigeons in my opinion are the dumbest from among the bird species!I can confidently say this because I can never forget one that sat on a coca cola bottle lid for about two weeks, thinking it was the egg laid by her! ( The egg laid had probably served as breakfast to some crow/eagle/kite, when left unattended by the pigeon)

Nevertheless, I have something very nice to share with you today! Pigeons I agree are messy and dumb, but then the sight of mom teaching her little ones to fly is an adorable sight. It's so strange, but then birds too,just like human beings need to undergo training!!!! The mother/father holds the baby bird with its beak and tries to lift it. The baby bird in return tries to spread its wings and makes an attempt to fly. This process lasts for probably around two weeks till the baby bird learns to fly.

I have attached herewith a video that I managed to capture of a mother teaching her little ones to fly on my Kitchen window sill a couple of days back. Though I get to watch it quite often, each time it seems more beautiful and I am left without doubt, there could never ever be a better artist than the almighty himself!!!! Though my photography/videography skills are quite pathetic, even for an amateur, am sure, you would enjoy watching this one. So here it is........




PS. Note the bruise on one of the baby's head.....it happened due to a squabble between the two kiddos!!!!!

BUDGET

Yet another ordinary day at work! I was pondering over some stuff, when I was passed a sheet.

It read “Budget “. As my neighbor passed the sheet to me, there was an instant frown which appeared on my face. The last thing that I wanted to do wasstart my day reading opinions of media/politicians /economists/academicians / cynics on what they think the budget is and what it is not!!!

Nevertheless, I thought I would give it a quick read. To my pleasant surprise, it was not the usual analysis by economists or the complaints of the ever ready cynics It was a metaphoric version of the Budget, where the budget have been very differently related to a person’s life and the virtues/characteristics which govern it.

Though I have a difference of opinion on certain statements, I thought I should share it with everyone. So Read on…..

BUDGET
Birth is our opening balance
Death, our closing balance.
Prejudiced views are
our liabilities,
Creative ideas
and good deeds, assets.
Heart is our current asset,
Soul, our fixed asset,
Brain, a fixed deposit.
Thinking, our current account
Goodwill and achievements
are our capital,
Character and morals, our stock-in-trade,
Friends, our general reserves,
Values and behavior
our goodwill,
Patience is interest earned,
Love, our dividend,
Children, our bonus issues,
Education, a brand,
Knowledge is our investment.
Profit and loss is karma earned.
Before final assessment (death),
Balance your sheet.

Sighh!!!!!!

Time seriously seems to fly. Every year we make it a point to visit Chennai and meet my cousins in April. It is that one time of the year that I long for. The two months of summer holidays spent every year for the last twenty years (from what I can recollect) is something that has knit our lives so closely that, today as my cousin bro is all excited about tying the knot, I find it extremely strange to see the someone I have known since two decades all grown up and set to move on to a new and different phase in life.
Though totally excited for him, I find it impossible to cease my amusement!! I am of course delighted at the prospect of addition of a new person to our once upon a time notorious gang, but then it does take me a while to actually believe what I am seeing!!!!

I try to move on….but then to my astonishment I still find myself looking forward to mid-April, which is when our yearly trips to Chennai and Srirangam were scheduled. The crystal maze that we played using carrom coins as crystals, or be it cricket in the small veranda behind our house….everything has extremely cherishable moments attached to it. The late night talks, movies and the loud music that irked all the elders……. The routine of visiting relatives and getting pampered was so much fun in a way. In addition to the fun at Chennai, there was the yearly trip to Srirangam too. The regular visit to bathe in the waters of the Kaveri, the routine visits to the most beautiful temple I have ever seen and ofcourse the friends out there is something that still lingers in my mind, at the very thought of summer vacations!! Jumping from one terrace to another, playing traditional indoor games like Dayakattai ( Dice), Paandi ( known as Tipri) and so many more games.
The icing on the cake always involved troubling dear old grandpa to buy all of us ice-cream after conveniently having stopped the state ice-cream fellow who drove past our house at around three every noon.

I still remember the manner in which we used to always push the little ones to go to bed, so that we could have our teenage discussions. The same kiddos (who simply DETEST being called that) seem to have grown up, and are in the verge of entering into their graduation, and are extremely adept at pulling my leg about anything under the sun!

I simply do miss my days when I used to worry about getting late to school, getting remarks in my school calendar, feeling bad when teachers scolded me, forgetting to do my homework!! All that seem so trivial now and I really cannot help but chuckle and smirk when my 7 year old little cousin very solemnly declares that she has a quiz or a test in school or that she would be reprimanded if she does not carry the craft material as instructed!!! It is ironical indeed but then yes, even after cribbing so much, I still would say that life is fun the way it is now too!!! Though everyone seems to have grown up, we still look forward to meeting up and having a good laugh at all that we possibly can!

But the fact remains that, April henceforth, would not imply two months of summer vacation – but simply year ending and year beginning chores at work!!! Sigh!!!! Now that I have been jolted back to reality, I think it is high time that I get back to my work; else I probably would be permanently given the privilege of enjoying holidays – Courtesy my Boss!

So let me go and bury myself into my work, and you could probably come back and check this space when you have nothing to do!!!!

Welcome 2010!!! :)

As we move on in life, we learn a lot through people. The optimism and positivity that we encounter in course of our interaction with people, is something that has the power to change perspectives, approaches and also a person’s outlook towards life.
More than often, to many of us, New Year’s Eve implies partying or spending time with friends or family. However, not everyone would endorse spending New Year’s Eve at home, and that too in the company of their grandparents or someone as old as their grandparents….. I have a totally different story to tell. 1st Jan 2010, was a terrific start to my new year. I stayed home and was extremely blessed to spend it in the company of the teacher who initiated me to the Veena – Smt. Bhagirathi Narayanaswamy (Mami), and her aunt (who I call Chitti).

The zeal and enthusiasm for life that chitti has is stupendous. At the age of 82….she made the atmosphere so lively and energetic….solely by her enthusiasm and eagerness to try everything and be involved in everything. 31st December night was a simple affair and all we did was talked and talked more…, over a cup of ice cream. 1st January was however extremely eventful.
We went window shopping, had north Indian Thali and finished with Falooda and Ice-cream. Every shop in the mall had the privilege of our visit. Mind you – we did not even spare the road side Candy Floss and were pretty disappointed to know that we were a little too late, as the pop-corn guy had shut shop for the day. Mami at 75 was no less and was equally energetic to run all round the city to shop for a zillion things under the sun. Be it Vada Pav or a mid-night cup of coffee…they were game for everything!

They stayed with me for a week, and every moment, every conversation that we had is something that I would cherish. Their energy level was extremely contagious and simply by their innocent talks and questions, they had made the environment so dynamic and cheerful! What touched me more than anything was the honestly and genuineness which was so evident in almost everything that they did. Simplicity was the essence of their life and it was the fundamental principle that governed almost everything under the sun. They sure did have their share of issues, but the ability to wish well for everyone, added charm to their personality. Looking at the manner in which we – the present generation seem to be moving, I cannot help but wonder at times, whether we would actually enjoy life the way they did. Now that I have written, the above statement, I am sure; I would have people looking daggers at me saying it is an extremely personal and a subjective perspective. Often we have people trying to justify that they are enjoying their lives to the fullest. But, after giving due consideration to the element of subjectivity and other similar arguments, if one sits to think honestly, he/she would realize that we more than often tend to miss out on the smaller and the more beautiful things in life.

A week back, mom and I were having a quiet late dinner, when Chitti called. It was around 10 .45 P.m. and we were wondering if everything was ok, as it was not too normal to receive a call from her that late. But she had called, simply to say that she was missing the mid-night cup of coffee. Though it was hardly a week that they had left, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with nostalgia.
It was an experience, a realization, a learning experience. I began my new year – experiencing the fact that - It is never too late to enjoy your childhood!!!

And before I forget – Wish you all a happy, peaceful and a prosperous new year!!!

Dad - my guiding force!!!

You walk beside them
You feel.....they have always been there
Yet..... when you meet them,
You realize they never meant to be there

Says my dear old dad
"That does not mean they are bad,
just because it makes you sad
It sure does make you mad
atleast you know where you stand........ "

"You ought to be glad
For where you stand
As life may not always be fair
So bury the potholes with fresh sand

Difficult as I try...
It does make a difference....
To look beyond people for what they are
for perception is from what you hear
which may be different from what they are"

Ignorant about a zillion things
Innocent about a few more
Somehow with dad around
Everything lost seems found

A guidng force....filled with cheer.
A support system ....always near
Reassurance ....crushing all my fear
A soulful figure.....so pure and clear

Dynamic, Strong, fearless, honest
Simplicity and intelligence at its best
I simply cannot cease to thank God
For having blessed me with someone so dear!
Pa - you simply are the Best!!!!!

Life…at its best

A parchment….she finds,
Starts working on her mind
Rewinding her time
Held her through the grind

Holding it with a firm hand
Least important though it may be
Not wanting to leave it behind.
Ironical as it may seem,

She does not want to let go of it...
For all the joy it means.
She does not want to let go of it..
For the memories it helps her re live

Many such parchments in their distinct way
Help her live life, her way
Guide her and show her the right way
To make her what she is today

The beauty being the love
For every tread moved
Filled with unflinching conviction
Happy with her life lived.

Her mind filled with emotions
Swaying in different ways
She eagerly looks forward
To yet another wonderful day

Puzzled........

I wonder many a times....what is it that makes us what we are today....At times I feel that Life is an Empty book and we get all the freedom to scribble what we want in its pages. In other words, we are given the freedom of choice. And we are the sole reason behind where we are today.
At the same time, I contradict myself by saying that we are here with a purpose and a reason, which has been predefined. The purpose of life would here be to be able to successfully fulfil the objective or reason. But here again blessed are the ones who manage to identify the purpose! However what about those who fail to do so.
Going back to my first point of view...... one could define his purpose on his own. Maybe we have the choice to do that as well. But here again, I fail to understand if everyone has a choice, then why isnt everyone at the same level or the same platform.Why are some people so gifted and some not so lucky? Why is it that we have so much of poverty which has reached a stage and state wherein there are just idealistic talks about eradicating it and no concrete action....and even if there is action, no concrete outcome. Why is it that there are small children, who have horrible things like leprosy, cancer, AIDs as their perpetual companion, when all they have is a clean soul coupled with genuine innocence. Moreover, why is it that people who have managed to commit horredous crimes, are still living as if they rule the world!
People from different religions haveing different faith would have different justifications to give me. But here is where I face a dilema as to the purpose of one's life. Choice here no doubt works well. But then if choice was it, then it would imply that God has been unfair ( which I cannot believe). So I am half heartedly forced to agree to the fact that there is a purpose for each and everyone and the best that I could make it out to be is to serve mankind........