One more year and another…

I am at half century… Umm…I managed to score a 50. Well, I am talking about number of posts this year. One post per week on an average if you want more analysis… (he he).

Its kinda year end stock taking! Its stats, my dear, hard facts and numbers…

Not bad, I murmur…given all the nomadic existence err experiences, mood swings... (Umm, actually these are rather high-yielding times, so discount that!), other time consuming activities (read: my apartment and things associated with that) erratic behavior (read: last minute plans for movies, parties and meeting with friends on a short notice and such things). Well, no bragging, but honestly I am happy at my regular relationship with this blogspot.

This year made a mark for many reasons, for good reasons and bad.

For my little world 2008 would be a milestone, as I bought myself an apartment which I call my home. I am also happy for my trips to 25 cities and three countries this year despite not-so-good economic situation. I am happy to meet some of my old friends when they visited me. I am thankful to all who hosted me in different places this year for making my time memorable and safe. I am very happy as Mr. Obama could head for the US President’s chair on 20 January (I really am a BIG admirer of Obama!)

2008 was also a damper of sorts for global and local economy, many would not want to remember 2008 and would avoid its mention in case it re-visits (such superstitions!). Terrorism (read: cross border terrorism) was at its height in India and five major cities were attacked in 2008 causing loss of lives, property and not to mention peace. It was really B-A-D, they had a B.A.D plan to hit Bangalore-Ahmedabad-Delhi but they also went beyond their plan and added Jaipur (looks like they pre-tested their method here?) and Mumbai. Mumbai incident saw the largest casualty and maximum involvement of forces (Army, anti-terrorist squad, Mumbai police, Maharashtra police and not to mention the commandos from special security forces). And this one led to massive nation-wide awareness campaigns which has brought people of India together to fight against terrorism and made all of us stand in unity with a hope for a peaceful and democratic system tomorrow. Let’s hope for a better time in 2009.

And this one will be the last one in 2008’s slot.

I decided to punch in this one today with advance new year wishes looking at my schedule on 31st December when I will be hopping from one airport to another, talking about statistics, preparing for e.ee…egg-(and)–jams…ha ha ha exams (or taking one, not sure, lets see) and juggle in some ‘friendly’ meetings (no partying, no plans so far). I surely have a busy day-and-night tomorrow. I will tell you how I fare. So, see you next year then :)

So, here’s wishing all of you a very happy, peaceful, prosperous, fulfilling NEW YEAR. Happy New Year folks!!

Now I really want some nice food and some……do I need to tell you that also?

Writing on the wall…

We like to see grass greener on the other side. Can we beat that? I got that feeling just a few while ago when an acquaintance sent me a similar sounding appreciation on the chat window. Oh-hell, ma’am, I am just not doing as great you ‘always’ think I do.

So, how are you doing today? Hmmm…I.A.S…
I.A.S? How do you read it? Let’s see how we read that.

(1) The most appropriate and common response for an Indian would be ‘Indian Administrative Service’. Well, you got it correct and scored a point there. And it shows you are intelligent, well-tuned, and may be ‘happy’. Really? Does it help?

(2) It can read as I am Sad. Yes, I am sad now, so, I am in I.A.S mode. Can you be happy and partying away when you are sitting on a time bomb and especially when you don’t know when that’s timed? Do you get me? Well…..
I hear how my friends escaped the terror attack in Mumbai. I still can’t forget the sentence when one of my friends said “I was so relieved to see my baby’s face the next morning”. Why does anyone want to live in terror? I would not, you would not. Then why still we are allowing it to creep in and leading this life counting for our turns? Have you ever wondered how it is to wave a goodbye to your young ones on your way to work; you never know that could be the very last time you saw each other.
I am not saying we are all immortal otherwise, we are not. But this terrorism is really making our lives hell. No one wants to live in terror, shock, fear. We all want to live a normal life free from all these cheap thrills. Can we all join hands and say ‘our lives are not for ransom’?

(3) It can also read I am Safe. Wish we all wherever we are in the world can say this without any fear one day.

Terrorism has to stop and no matter what our politicians have to shell out from their brains or pockets, no matter what it takes terrorism should be shown the door. Do we have any one in Indian polity to take charge, to come in front and lead and show us the way?

For post script I have today’s story: Its election time in Delhi. I was supposed to vote today for Delhi state legislature to elect our next Chief Minister. And guess what? I don’t have my name in the voter’s list!! I called up the office of local legislator and explained my scene. I am not a new voter (I have been voting since I turned 18); I am not a new resident in this residential area. I am a citizen of state of Delhi, and most importantly I want to vote. I have all the credentials to exercise my right when I was told to turn back and go home. And my local legislator told me he could not help me cast my vote today. And this is just when my American friend sitting in Mysore could vote for Obama? So, why is that? And we say we are the biggest democracy on the face of this earth. I still wonder!

Um, I told you ma’am, life is not always flying as you think. It does take nosedives sometimes.