Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 2

Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 2

Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 1

Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 1

7 days to live

7 days to live

The Known Stranger - Part 2

The Known Stranger - Part 2

The Known Stranger Part 1

The Known Stranger Part 1

P.S. I still love you - Part 2

P.S. I still love you - Part 2

P.S. I still love you - Part 1

P.S. I still love you - Part 1

Indian Election League: IEL

Welcome to the great Indian Tamaasha or Nautanki, or whatever you want to call it. Its here and how. The election season is on with great fanfare and loads of nautanki. Parties have released their manifestos claiming what all they will do, once they come into power, blaming what the incumbent couldn’t do, the incumbent claiming what they will continue to do if selected again, the hate speeches, the constant blame game. Now if that is not tamasha, then what it is?

Politicians can stoop to any level to win our votes. Samajwadi Party released its manifesto which stated that they want to ban English language and Computers along with futures and stock trading and merchandised farming. Only a moron can think the way this party thinks. Even the most insane person on this earth won’t make such a manifesto. India’s IT sector is pride of India and these cartoons want to ban computers. This very thought is outlandish to say the least. Majority of outsourcing happens to India and this party want to ban English. That is so preposterous. What on earth was going on their mind when they prepared such a manifesto? Together IT, ITES and BPO contributes handsomely to the Indian GDP. They are the invisible receipts of funds and one can only imagine what will happen to India’s BOP(Balance of Payment) if we end up banning computers or English.

Instead of focussing how to take the country forward the demagogue of this party is plotting how to take this country back to18 century. Instead of making a road map as to make India literate and technosavy these lunatic men are only interested in power and position and it is a disgrace that Sanjay Dutt is campaigning for such a party. Today, internet has the power to change the society and computers are a must if India has to progress. The classic example is mobile which has penetrated the rural India. Education is a barometer of Country’s progress and for that English is a must.

Nowadays lots of ads are coming urging people to vote. I do agree that people should go and vote and exercise their rights. But I don’t think that I'm going to vote this year.

My heart just won’t allow me to vote. For whom should I vote? For BJP, who are always bickering as to who has more power, who is more capable to lead, who has more experience and one of their leaders, Mr. Narendra Modi responsible for the ghastly godhra and is now busy accusing Congress for being budiya party and then backtracking and calling them gudiya party as if he has been inspired by the movie “The curious case of Benjamin Button”. For MNS, and that coward Raj Thackrey, who is playing the messiah of Maharashtra and creating rift among the Indians and when 26/11happened, couldn’t muster even courage to speak neither could tell his men to come and help those trapped people that day. He is not even a Maharashtrian, let alone an Indian. For congress, whose CM, after the day attacks were over, was visiting the Taj sites along with his son and a famous director. Or for that matter shiv sena, who at a drop of hat want to create violence and declare bandh and change name of various entities in Mumbai.

These politicians are worst than prostitutes. The latter sells her body for money, the former has sold their soul. The elections have become a battleground for blame game. Everyone is taking a shot at another and nobody is willing to talk about what they want to do for their country. It’s a shame that such harebrained men and women are at helm of affairs.

I’m not saying that perfection is required in politics, but neither do we require leaders who are inept, impotent(not in a literal sense), lunatic, coward and interested in playing blame games. We need leaders who can run this country selflessly and to their best of abilities, and who can put country before them. I want this country to vote but I won’t be one of them. Someday I will float my party and join politics but until then I will enjoy this Tamasha called Indian Election League.

P.S. Bring the cheer leaders.

2 years and a Lifetime of Education and Fun

When I think of IMT after graduating, there are host of emotions and memories which come to my mind. The 2 year stay at IMT was a big learning curve for me as a person. Apart from specializing in Finance, I also specialized in understanding of human nature.

I was cognizant of the fact that these 2 years wont come again in my life and these were indeed years of great learning, making friends and more importantly understanding one ownself.

On 24 June, 2007, 287 students came together from different parts of the country to form one big family which stayed together until March 2009. Everyone of us has some or the memory attached with this institute. If someone asks me what memories you will take home, it will be difficult to point one. Be it the first day of ragging, or the first time we got our results(1^st trimester results) or India winning the inaugural T20 world cup where every guy removed his Tshirt to celebrate(though I was too shy to do it), the Round Table Conference in Mumbai, the numerous booze parties we all had, night outs in girls hostel when rules were less stringent, the night walks which continued till early morning, the tussle with the managements or the mail which shocked the entire campus when all the commodities aka gold and silver wanderers came out, the placement fiasco due to economic downturn and egoistic Mr. Black or the final farewell, the list just continues to grow along.

During these 2 years I also learnt alot about how people behave, how they conduct and I was lucky to see some of the bright minds out here that had some serious talent. I did manage to learn a lot from them.

I also learnt that people will always find ways to bring you down by criticising you, by passing comments which are pugnacious or downright preposterous but the best way to deal with them is to ignore them else you will be hurting your ownself. I made some fantastic friends who I know will get busy in their own life sooner than later but the friendship will last forever.

Now that the batch of 2007-09 has graduated, life will never be the same for each and every one of us. Some will go abroad, some will get married, some will start their own business, but whatever it is nobody will ever forget the 2 years they spent at IMT Nagpur, the happiness they experienced, the friends they made, the girls/guys they had crush on, the lonely times they spent on campus, the fight they had on trivial things, the affairs they had, the assignments they did at 2 am, the night walks they took, the birthdaybumps they got, the professors they adored, the places they visited etc. Probably 20 years down the line, sitting in a balcony we all will be telling our families about all the things we did here at IMT.

After some years when we will have an alumni meet we might come with our family for the meet, we will laugh at absurd things we did, we will meet the girl/guy whom we had crush on and introduce them to our respective spouse, meet the professors who shaped our life, the canteen guys who helped us stay awake by providing us tea and coffee, say hello to our once close pals and inquire about each other’s life, exchange numbers and then go back home with a smile on our face, by remembering those moments we all shared together, because moments become memories and these will live with us forever because memories make a journey called LIFE!!!!!!

I had this dream of doing an MBA and 2 years of my dream has now come to an end. I have woken up, but some memories of this dream will be etched in my mind forever. So here Iam, logging off as a student and logging in as an Alumni of Batch of 2007-2009 of IMT Nagpur.

Sana Khan: Part 2

Chaos had gripped the entire road. Rajesh took Sana’s unconscious body and started moving towards the Bombay hospital. There was blood and terror all across the place. Somehow Rajesh managed to get a taxi and took her to Bombay hospital. There were patients all over the place. The hospital had become a fish market of sorts.

Somehow Rajesh managed to take Sana to a room where there were doctors attending different patients. Rajesh then put Sana on a bed. A nurse came and put Oxgyen mask on Sana. “What do you think nurse, will she survive? Rajesh asked in almost choked voice. He was breathing heavily . “Please have patience. The doctors will be attending all of these patients one by one” nurse replied.

At that very moment Sana regained some consciousness but only a bit. She caught hold of Rajesh’s hand and told him ” Listen Rajesh, I don’t know If I will be able to survive” “You will” Rajesh assured. “Shhh, let me speak” Sana continued, “ I don’t know how much time Iam left with, there is heavy bleeding going on. You have to promise me one thing Rajesh. I have a daughter who is just a year old. Her name is Fiza. My husband had divorced me 2 years back and he is in US. He doesn’t even know that I have a daughter and neither did I bother to tell him. You please leave her in an orphanage. I want my daughter to live her life regardless to what happens to me. She will cry initially because I wont be there, but she will soon accept the fact. Take these keys and go to my home. Please do this for me, this is my last wish before I go”

Suddenly Sana’s heart rate began to fall, and seeing this Rajesh shouted at the doctor, “Doctor please come here fast, her heart beat is slowing” . The doctor started rushing towards Sana, and that very moment Sana’s heart beat went really low, and Sana uttered her last words “Please fulfill my last wish, so that I will be happy in heaven. Allah O Akbar”.

Rajesh’s eyes became moist and he sat beside her and started crying within few seconds. But he wasn’t the only person who was crying in that room. There were people all around him who had lost some or the other of their loved ones. Rajesh took Sana’s purse and checked the address and went straight to her house which was in Andheri. He opened the door and saw a beautiful little girl smiling at him. She was unaware of the fact that GOD had not been kind to her. She looked at him and that moment Rajesh closed his eyes and tears started coming out of them. He wondered, what was the mistake of this sweet little angel who has been separated from her mother forever. “Ammi” she uttered and smiled. Her eyes were searching for her. Rajesh sat around her and started to cry more profusely. But the girl was smiling. Innocence was written all over her face. She looked in Rajesh’s eyes and once again uttered “Ammi”. Rajesh took her in her arms and started walking out of the home.

He had to leave her in the orphanage but he realized he cannot do so. There was something in him which was stopping him to do so. He then took a bold step and took the little angel home.
Rajesh was a married man with a 2year old daughter. On seeing Rajesh reaching home safely, his wife was relived. She asked him “Who is this little girl with you?, and then Rajesh explained her the events of the day and she supported Rajesh to raise this kid along with their own kid. It was only because of Sana that Rajesh was still alive.

26th November 2014
“Abbu, Ammi is calling. Dinner is ready”. Fiza informed Rajesh. Rajesh had bought up Fiza as a Muslim and not as a Hindu.

“We offer remembrance and condolences to those who died that fateful night. May God bless them and their family” TimesNow announced on its 9oclock news and with that news ended.

Rajesh looked up in the sky and closed his eyes and remembered Sana and uttered “May God bless you Sana”. As he opened his eyes he saw Fiza standing in front of him with a plate of food. “ Come Abbu, Lets eat” Fiza said in her sweet soothing voice. He took Fiza in his arms and looked up in heavens and prayed “God, let the brave new world of hope, peace and prosperity usher in. Allah O Akbar”

P.S. Mumbai attacks have left deep scars on the entire country. Bullets were fired to all and sundry. There were reports in TOI that terrorists did not want to kill Muslims, they were under instructions to do so. But they forgot one thing; bullets do not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims. There were many Muslims who were also killed during this fiasco.

We have wasted so much time, energy and resources to prove that one particular GOD is better than other, but the truth is GOD resides within all of us; and if we love HIM, it means we Love everybody. Hatredness has no place. Let there be peace, prosperity and happiness all around; so that when the next generation is born, they live with their head high and without any fear. Let the brave new world be BORN. Amen

Sana Khan: Part 1

It was 26th November 2014. Rajesh was sitting in his balcony watching the cars passing by. It was cold November evening in Santacruz. It was 8pm, and news channel were telecasting news about 6th anniversary of Mumbai attacks. 26th November, 2008 had changed Rajesh’s life forever. He was alive till date only because of Sana Khan.

The harrowing experience of that day was still fresh in his mind. Sipping the evening tea he started recollecting all the events that occurred on that fateful day.

“Rajesh you have a meeting at 8:30pm at the Taj with Sana Khan” Manish said. He continued “Its already 8pm”. “Yeah man, Iam leaving” rajesh replied and he began to pack his bag for the meeting.

Rajesh worked for JM financial and was a investment banker and Sana Khan was his client.
At 8:40pm Rajesh reached Taj, and proceeded towards the main hall. On the second table from left, Sana was sitting. “Iam sorry Sana, was held up in traffic”. “No issues, I understand” Sana replied.

Sana had a beauty only few could match. Her skin colour was fair and she had blue eyes and her hair was silky and soft.

Midway through their conversation, firing took place. Sana looked at her watch and it was 9pm. “What the hell is going on here? sana asked in a choked voice . Then one of the guards announced “ We request all of you to please vacate the building. Terrorists have attacked. We will help you in all the ways possible but please cooperate with us. The police is on its way”

The scene became chaotic and everybody started running to the nearest safe place, be it bathrooms, the kitchen or the hotel rooms. Sana and rajesh ran to the first floor to room number 105, as terrorists had gained control of the ground and slowly were gaining control of entire Taj.
“I don’t know how we will get out of here” Rajesh remarked. “Dont worry man, keep the faith” Sana assured, with fear gripping her entire body.

Just then somebody started knocking the door hard. A chill ran through both Sana’s and Rajesh’s body. “Open the door now or we will fire from outside and barge in” one of the terrorist said. “No don’t open” Rajesh ordered as Sana started to walk towards the door. The terrorist shouted “Open now or you will repent for your actions. Iam counting till 3 and then even Allah cannot save you”. “Now I said”. With that Sana opened the door. There was this terrorist standing standing right in front of her with a AK-47.

What do you want? Sana asked the terrorist with fear in her voice. “We are here for revenge” the terrorist replied with blood and revenge written all over his face. “We will kill all you Indians and make you realize the importance of Muslims in this country, that Muslims cannot be taken for a ride or you cant merely subdued them”

“What is your name? terrorist asked sana. “Sana khan” was her reply. “Oh so you are a Muslim” the terrorist said with a smile. He continued “Dont worry we wont kill you. We are not here to kill any Muslims. By the way who is that man with you? Terrorist questioned Sana again. “He is my husband". Sana continued “His name is Sajid Khan” . At that moment Rajesh could not believe what he was hearing. “Salam Sajid bhai, we are not here to kill any of our Muslim brothers. You guys can leave”

Sana took Rajesh’s hand and they both started to go downstairs towards the exit. On their way down they saw 3 dead bodies, all of the Taj staff and suddenly they heard the firing upstairs. They ran outside the Taj to the main road.

“Thanks Sana, I owe my life to you” Rajesh said in a relieved voice. “Its ok Rajesh, Iam sorry I did not take your real name, if I had they would have probably killed you” Sana remarked. “I understand, its ok” Rajesh replied with his eyes becoming moist. Sana continued “These people are killing in the name of Allah, without understanding that Islam never preaches violence. They are all brainwashed”

Sana then shook hands with Rajesh and just when she took back her hand, a jeep containing 5-6 terrorist were firing aimlessly towards the people, and as she turned around to see what was happening, 1 of the bullet hit her right on the chest and she fell down. Rajesh could not believe what he saw. The blood started coming out profusely from her chest and Rajesh’s body frozed as people started running helter skelter. Sana was lying down on the road unconscious.
(to be contd)

A Man who was a Boy

I laugh, I cry;
I squirm, I shy;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I try, I fly;
I struggle, I enjoy;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I loved, I obsessed;
I hated, I bled;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I eat, I drink;
I sleep, I wink;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

Iam angry, Im sad;
Im aloof, Im Bad;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I win, I lose;
I cry, I chose;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I regret, I curse;
I form Opinions, I burst;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I played, I made;
I craved, I stayed;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I flirted, I danced;
I smiled, I glanced;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I loved her, I wished her;
I enjoyed her, I respected her;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

I came, I conquered;
I lost, I pondered;
That was when I was a BOY
Now I am a MAN

25 years over, quarter life ends
The Boy is dead and the Man is in

Confessions of a confused mind !

Since past few weeks confusion has become my middle name. My own behaviour has become hard to comprehend for myself. I have become far too despondent and far too quite for my own liking. The recent run of events have not helped either. These are some of the incidents and events which has left my mind confused, anxious etc etc

Confusion 1:: What can I do?
The Mumbai attacks have somewhere down in my subconscious mind has left a big scar. I want to do something for my city, for my country but do not know what to do. I feel like a helpless asshole, akin to a child in a striptease club.

Confusion 2: Am I not Employable?
Placement season has commenced in my institute and with due respect to my batchmates who have been placed, I genuinely feel I should have been placed by this time. Although only 20% batch has been placed, I believe my name should have been there, but the wait has just increased. It is a test of patience for a man not known for being patient.

Confusion 3: Does friendship last the distance?
Three of my good friends have just got married and a couple of them will be getting soon. Iam elated and really happy for them but I also know for the fact that I wont get too much time to spend with these friends. Two of the three are female friends and it makes all the more difficult for me to even meet them. Life changes after marriage with added responsibility and friends may not occupy important place in that life. Will it be difficult to maintain old friendships after marriage, I wonder?

Confusion 4: What is the purpose of my life?
I realize for the fact that everything is ephemeral in life. We study hard to get a good job, work hard to get a good salary and eventually a good spouse, love to get love in return. We buy the best of clothes to look good and make an impression, buy the best house to have a comfortable life.

We want wealth, we work day and night to earn, earn and earn more. Then one day death comes and we depart naked from this earth and whatever wealth we have acquired we leave it for someone who has never worked for it.

We study to gain knowledge, to gain intelligence so that world thinks that we are next Einstein in making, so that companies can hire us based on our so called knowledge and intelligence and what happens after some years, both wise man and fool wind up in grave before both are forgotten.

We love with all our passion and might so that we get love in return and we do get it in some cases. After some years both the lovers bite the dust and return to the mother earth. Do love stories live forever?

So why have we come to this earth, when everything one day will be destroyed and long forgotten. I am hoping that I get my answers sooner than later. Till then Iam trying to enjoy my confusions, atleast my mind is thinking !!!!

Me Mumbaikar: Proud to be an Indian

The recent run of events, the ghastly acts of terrorism, the incessant firing has not only left me but the entire nation in a state of shock. If 2006 was bad, 2008 has been worst. 60 hours of fighting nonstop, it cant get worst than this. The violence shown for those 4 days was ineffable.

Iam a hard core mumbaikar, born and bought up in this wonderful city, the city of dreams, but alas it has become a city vulnerable to terrorists. Even words wont be enough to loath these terrorists, who claim they are fighting for their religion, but no religion in this world teaches to kill innocent people. These people do not belong to any religion. They cannot be muslims, because they are devils.

The horrific scene on the streets of colaba and Gate way of India has left me numb. I have been to this place so many times, and just to see a bunch of terrorists attacking my city, my country makes me feel that time has come for action. The so called leaders of our nation our politicians are completely inept and incapabale of doing anything concrete. Mr raj thackerey, who made hue and cry about north Indians, where has he gone now? The commandos, the navy, the NSG had people from north India too. Had these men refused to come to Mumbai what would have happened? Why did not raj issue diktat to stop these men from entering Mumbai, they were also form north India. That man can only speak and instigate innocent people but when time comes he will be the first one to hide. That is a sign of a coward and not a leader. Raj says he is a true mumbaikar, where the hell are you now? Mr raj, you and your bunch of followers are nothing but a bunch of cowards who can show their power to innocent people and the run away like cowards when the time comes. This is also true for other politicians, who just say and do nothing. Indian politics at its worst.

Iam a proud mumbaikar, but Im fed up of this nonsense, how long we will suffer? Sometimes people from Shiv sena and now mns terrorise the common man, they declare bandh in Mumbai, as if Mumbai is their father’s property, spread hatredness among people just for some votes and sometimes its the terrorists. Once these politicians are stripped of the security they get then they will realize what is it to live a life of a common man on the street.

Guys this is our city, our lovely city, and if we don’t save it, who will. If the politicians have some soul left in them, they will unite with the common man and be rest assured once that happens no one can ever touch Mumbai. These terrorists take advantage because we are not united, we are not prepared, just waste time in dirty and petty politics of north and south India, without realizing we are just one. God never made a difference when he created mankind. He has given everybody 2 legs, 2 hands, 2 eyes, red blood etc etc. Then when the creator does not make any differences who are these politicians to label someone as good or bad, what right they have to pass judgements about people or their religions, surely the bad will be punished, but what are these inept leaders doing by being prejudiced.

I request all the Indians to get united and face up the challenge that lie ahead. Once we are united, prepared, these idiots (terrorists) cannot even touch us. Anti terror laws have to become more stringent and there should be compulsory military training for the youth. It’s time for action folks, lets stand up and be counted so that tomorrow when we step out of house, we can held our head high and move without fear. Let the brave new world of change, peace and prosperity usher in. Inshallah

If Only - Part 2

Ajay still looked at the flower that had fallen on his head some years back when he was praying in the temple. He had realized that he had got his message. Sometimes nature has strange ways to tell you things and only intelligence and a belief in God can make you decode them.
He opened the letter Nazia had sent him some years back.
Dear Ajay
“ I really don’t know what to say. I sometimes feel Iam the most unfortunate woman on this earth. Your love for me was something that only happens in fairy tales. I also love you alot Ajay. But life has some different plans for me I guess. I have divorced my husband and we no longer stay together, but I have two kids who are my life for me now. Life is sometimes an ordeal when there is no man in your life but you have live with that. My kids are my source of inspiration and strength and Iam living only because of them. You know Ajay I have made two big mistakes of my life, 1: saying to No to you and 2: marrying a wrong guy. Pranav initially was a nice guy but soon after marriage he changed, he used to beat me at the slightest provocation, he was not doing well at his job and I had to bear the brunt of all his anger. I could not see my kids also undergoing the same life, so I had to leave him. I have started my boutique here and doing financially pretty well.

Sometimes I really feel what my life would have been if I were with you. I still remember during the initial days of our friendship, I used to call everyday and you never even once told me not to call, the rings you used give at my home so that I can call you back, the late night phone calls, that was so much fun. I still have the letters you gave when you had proposed me, the arrangement you had done on my birthday. That was the best birthday I had ever. Life was so much fun when you were around. That was a different life altogether. Sometimes we make such terrible mistakes for which we repent for the rest of our lives. Iam glad you have quit smoking and drinking. But I am making a humble request to you to please get married. You are a wonderful guy and don’t deprive yourself this bliss. I can tell you for sure whichever girl comes into your life will be very lucky. I wish I could come to India and get remarried to you but I think you deserve someone better than me, someone who will understand you which I failed to do. Just for my sake get married Ajay, I know you love me and so do I, but I also know your love wont change for me if you get married to some one else. Do not punish yourself because of me. Sometimes destiny plays its role and we have to accept it. You will always occupy a special place in my heart. Someday when I come back to India we will meet up and hopefully by that time you will have a beautiful wife and some kids. I don’t know if I will be able to write a letter again to you, so do not forget me Ajay, I am missing you alot; and whenever you get married just make sure to inform me so that I can tell your wife what a wonderful guy you are and how lucky she is to have him. Take care and God bless!!”

He was 45 now and still a bachelor. People had persuaded him to get married, but the thoughts of being with another woman just did not appeal to him. Ajay had all the comforts the world could offer, but his love for Nazia had not diminished 1 bit. All these years he used to observe Ramzan by keeping fast for 30 days and pray for his love with all devotion he had so that she experienced happiness at each step of her life, even at the cost depriving himself one.
His hands now moved over the areas of the letter which had been once wet with his tears, now dried with time. In the last 18 years, he had lost many things in life. What he did not lose was this letter. Her first and last letter to him. Her letter that he had read everyday like a bible for the last 18 years without fail.

If only...

7 years, 6 months and 21 days had passed since last time Ajay met with Nazia and 3 years 10 days had passed since he last spoke with her. Ajay marvelled at his talent of remembering dates and that too so specific. That evening, the cold January breeze was blowing across his face, and he remembered the moments he had spent with nazia. He became very nostalgic about her. So he decided to write a letter to her.

“Dear Nazia,
How are you doing??? How is USA treating you? Well I know that I haven’t spoken to you since 3 years, and you as usual never tried to call up. Remember the day we had first met in the train and you for strange reasons came beside me and sat and we chatted the whole night and you kept on repeating that Im such a different guy...Well you will happy to know that I have left drinking and smoking . Also I have kept another promise which i made to you, I am still single, I did not marry. The entire world told me to forget you and move on in life, but I asked them to move where?? They told me not to remember you , but is it possible to forget breathing?? Nazia , it is not that I could not find another girl but I could not stop loving you so where is the question of loving someone else. You only knew that I loved you but today I will tell you about my feelings. Still today thinking about you fills my heart with a wonderful feeling. Just the moments I shared with you I realized what a beautiful thing the love can be. I am always indebted to you because of you I realized what love is....
Nazia if you have ever loved anyone with the kind of passion and commitment I did, you will realize what I went through when you said NO to me, You are far away from me, but let me assure you 1 thing that no distance is too great because our memories will live along, and You and I will live in each other’s dream till death do us apart.
Regards
Ajay”

Tears came down from her eyes after she read the letter. She realized that IF ONLY she had understood his love for her, which was so pure and without any expectation. The divorce date was nearing and within 1 month she will be separated from her husband. It was only a year that she had married the love of her life. She looked up in heaven, closed her eyes, but could not control her tears and uttered “GOD bless u Ajay, I Love you too.......” At the same moment while Ajay was praying in the temple, a flower fell on his head and his unconditional LOVE had won.

The Year that was and the year that will be at IMT Nagpur

March 28 2008 marked the end of my first year at IMT Nagpur. I have to admit one thing without using over the top adjective that it was a very interesting year. During this past 1 year saw both ups and downs, happiness n sadness both personally n professionally. I have also learnt that MBA is not only about finance or marketing or HR. The 2 year residential program at IMT has taught me lot of things, things which I wouldn’t have learnt otherwise. Some of them are:
Lesson number 1: Too much stress is harmful.
Lesson number 2: Do not be too nice to everyone. Not everybody deserves your time and effort; spend your time and effort only with people who are worth.
Lesson number 3: Control your anger; or else you may end up hurting someone
Lesson number 4: Communicate, say whatever u want to say clearly n frankly...it’s important to make yourself heard
Lesson 5: Give up your ego....it is nothing but an illusion you have
Lesson 6: Have patience, people will always find ways to irritate you and do not take everything they say to your heart; it pays to be aloof sometimes.
Lesson 6: Take criticism with a pinch of salt....I realized 1 thing when people criticize u, it means u are progressing, u r being noticed isn’t it? Nobody kicks a dead dog. And when it is constructive criticism, analyse it and work on it. It will help.
So much so for the 1st year lessons that I learnt

Now Second year has got underway and specialization courses have also got underway. In about 3 months from now, placement week will start. Campus will be buzzing with all sorts of companies coming, some students will have a good time, some wont, but it will be a once in a lifetime experience for all.

On March 4, 2009 the batch of 2007-09 will graduate from IMT Nagpur and life will never be the same for each and every one of us after that. Some will go abroad, some will go to their hometowns, some will get married, some will start their own business, but whatever it is nobody will ever forget the 2 years they spent at IMT Nagpur, the happiness they experienced, the friends they made, the girls/guys they had crush on, the lonely times they spent on campus, the fight they had on trivial things, the affairs they had, the assignments they did at 2 am, the night walks they took, the birthdaybumps they got, the professors they adored, the places they visited etc. Probably 20 years down the line sitting in a balcony we all will be telling our families about all the things we did here at IMT.

After some years when we will have an alumni meet we might come with our family for the meet, we will laugh at absurd things we did, we will meet the girl/guy whom we had crush on and introduce them to our respective spouse, meet the professors who shaped our life, the canteen guys who helped us stay awake by providing us tea and coffee, say hello to our once close pals and inquire about each other’s life, exchange numbers and then go back home with a smile on our face, by remembering those moments we all shared together, because moments become memories and these will live with us forever because memories make a journey called LIFE!!!!!!

Confessions of a egalitarian mind

What do you do when the majority of world abhors you, what do you do when people look at you with a sense of suspicion, what you do when the people of your community are labeled as a bunch of terrorist? Well welcome to the world of prejudice. Through this post with reference to the Muslim community I want to confess a lot many things.I have taken this community as an example for highlighting the disease called prejudice people have for different things and for different people.

More than 90% of terrorist attacks in the recent years have been done by Muslims which is nothing new, we all are aware of that. What baffles me that people have invented a synonym for Muslim i.e. terrorist. It is because of some miscreants the entire community stands to suffer. This has resulted that people of this community are always under suspicion. The actions of these people are making the entire community to suffer and bleed.Some hardcore Islamic fundamentalist believe that Islam is the greatest religion. I loathe them for that because through the medium of religion they are spreading hatredness by condemning other religions and doing a great disservice to their own community. No religion is great or better than the other. Religion according to me is the road map to reach a common destination i.e. God, each having its own rules but to think that 1 religion is better than the other is a very preposterous thought. Goal is one; methods to reach Him are different.

We are living in a secular country where we pride ourselves to be secular aint it? many of us are educated, but in which standard of school or college have we been taught that one has to hate 1 community in totality for wrong doings of others. Not many people abhor this community openly, but trust me there are whispers of hatredness against them at all the time. I have personally known cases where Muslims were not allowed to buy flats in buildings which were Hindu dominated, and I have rarely come across Hindu-Muslim marriages. The suspicion is always hanging there unconsciously which makes it even more difficult to build trust.

God never made a difference when he created mankind. He has given everybody 2 legs, 2 hands, 2 eyes, red blood etc etc. Then when the creator does not make any differences who are we to label someone as good or bad, what right we have to pass judgements about people or their religions, surely the bad will be punished, but what are we doing by being prejudiced.Hatredness only breeds contempt, and world will continue to become much worse place than what it is now. Even animals and birds do not differentiate and we supposedly intellectuals are worst than them inspite of having the God given gift of brains.

Just give a thought to this:u were born in a particular community, your family is extremely religious, everybody in your family has a clean record and someday somebody treats you shabbily or calls you a terrorist for no fault of yours how would you feel? People we are children of 1 God, let us make Him proud of that and not make Him repent for something which is not even His fault. Let there be no prejudiced around. Let us stand united not just superficially but in a real sense of it and Inshallah tomorrow this world will be a better place to live in!!!!

Sex Education: There is nothing sexy about it

Some adults will never grow up. They still think that providing sex education to the children or teenagers of today is against the Indian culture. I never knew that imparting education is against the culture. Every second day we are hearing about someone getting raped or molested.

We all are missing a big point here. The world has shrunk because of internet and whatever the information these kids want they can easily get from the internet. India has become a haven for Aids and these so called intellectual adults want that sex education should be banned, have these people become deaf and blind to the world around them? Why are we trying to avoid a subject which is so relevant to atleast our country which has a population of 1billion plus? It clearly shows that apart from eating, sleeping and breathing we are having irresponsible sex, else our population would not be increasing the way oil prices are increasing nowadays.

There was a research done by one of the NGO’s in India which stated that the average age of girls starting menstruation has come down from 15 years to 13years which clearly shows that the kids are growing really fast and it is imperative that they are provided the right education at the right age. There is no point in avoiding imparting sex education because the teenagers will find out for themselves the information they want but the problem is that information can misguide them and lead to a bigger social issues like unwanted pregnancy, rape, murder etc.

It is preposterous to think that sex education will harm the young minds, infact a good sex education is not only about sessions on sexual intercourse or how a girl/guy masturbates and neither it is all about the genital differences, but host of other issues that involve human sexuality like respect for the opposite sex, understanding your own body and being comfortable with it rather cursing it, having a high self esteem and healthy interaction with the opposite sex and treating everyone with dignity.

Sex is physical but sexuality is about the mind. Sex education is about empowering the kids with right values so that they know the difference between what is good for them and what is not , so that a brave new world is born which consists of trust, care, respect and harmony among the members of both the sex. Let better sense prevail among the so called intellectuals aka hypocrites who are against it, Amen!!

The Year that was- Time to acknowledge

March 28, 2008 marked the end of my first year at Imt Nagpur. I have to admit one thing without using over the top adjective that it was a very interesting year. During this past 1 year saw both ups and downs, happiness n sadness both personally n professionally. I have learnt some important lessons.

Lesson number 1: Too much stress is harmful. I realized that when in my i had a stroke of blood pressure for the first time in 24 years. Guys nothing is more important than ur own health. Take care of that and everything else will fall in place.

Lesson number 2: Don’t be too nice to everyone. Not everybody deserves your time and effort, spend your time and effort only with people who are worth.

Lesson number 3: Control your anger; or else you may end up hurting someone

Lesson number 4: Communicate, say whatever u want to say clearly n frankly...its important to make yourself heard

Lesson number 5: Give up your ego....its nothing but an illusion u have.

Lesson 6: take criticism with a pinch of salt....i realized 1 thing when people criticize u, it means u r progressing, u r being noticed isn’t it? Nobody kicks a dead dog. And when it is constructive criticism, analyse it and work on it. It will help.

And this blog wont be complete before i say a word of thanks to all those people who have stood by me during da past 1 year and my life in general

Kunal: one of my oldest friend whom i knw for past 17 years, has been wid me throughout my ups n downs in my life and this year was not different. Advised me time and again on many issues. Thanks dude for being there.

Prachi: A girl who always makes me realize that life is meant to be lived to da fullest. She is one gul wid whom i speak complete nonsense widout worrying too much and guess what wen it comes to talkin nonsense she is worse than me. But have to admit she has given some of da most practical advices that i have ever received which i don’t follow neways....ur a sweetheart n a friend for life...thanks

Zainab: My first female friend who got married, haven’t met more emotional girl than her, but an angel who has a golden heart, has stood by me through thick and thin, has those maternal instints....thanks to u dear

Namita: 5 years elder to me and has the looks of Julia roberts....Whenever i don’t follow her advice i invariably find myself in trouble... a real sweetheart and an excellent friend who can make me laugh even when im low, but nowadays its other way round...thanks a lot dear

Dimple: A powerhouse of energy which flows in all possible directions, but not in 1 direction, can talk non stop but has a certain kind of charisma that can sweep men of their feet...but hey guess what she is friend par excellence and can stand for her friends, U simply rock dimple..just be like that always coz ur enthusiasm is infectious...cheers!!

Samson, Lancy, Ajay,Durgesh,Deepak, Aarti(My ICICI friends): These guys were like guiding light to me throughout my days at ICICI. Sam, lancy, ajay, deepak they all adviced as to how go about my work, how to handle people at work and much more. We all had a blast of a time and my own attitude towards work was shaped by these guys. In a corporate world where people are after your ass to get that much coveted promotion, these people always supported me in whatever I did. Can't imagine what my life would have been in ICICI if these guys were not around. Thanks Guys, u really rock. Aarti, we joined together at ICICI and till date we are in touch, a kid by nature but sometimes can speak in a very mature manner. We keep on advising each other on how to handle life, but cant manage our own life. Thanks dear for being there.

Now time to say thanks to people close to me in college

My roomie (Sudhanshu): has seen my anger n crazy ways i behave sometimes. Also has the privilege to see my mood swings, which will put any girl to shame(pun intended!!). Has been wid me all da time through my ups n down at college....guess i don’t know what would have i done if he wasn’t there...thanks brother for being there

Anumeha: knows many of my secrets, so i have to keep her happy else my secrets may leak out someday..lolz..a fiercely loyal buddy which is as good as asking for moon these days...thanks buddy for being there.

Nimai: the weirdo of my college....flirts really well wid guls but Im better than him..lol...a true friend whom u can rely on.

Neeraj: one of da rare specie who is humble and so v down to earth, inspite being a topper of da class. Some1 whom u can rely on quite easily and has a really big heart.

Swati: Somehow i am inspired by the zest for life she dislplays... a figure to die for, i admire the way she cracks some weirdest jokes...v chirpy n naughty at times...but thats wat i like abt her...her ability to make pple laugh n easily the jaan of our cic

I wish to thank my parents for being a constant support to me and no matter how much i care for them i will always be indebted to them. And last but not da least My God wid out whom this journey of life wouldn’t have been possible, He cant come down but He has sent some angels down here to take care of me.....

P.S. There are many other people whose name I could not take, but who have helped me in many ways and are equally important to me, Ashray(know him since 1^st standard), Sushma(know her since 9 years), Neha, my other CIC friends etc etc . Thanks to all of you for being there.

Life and times of 20 something: Quarter life crisis

So many thoughts clouding the mind, so much to do and achieve, so much to prove, so much to earn, but heck for what??? Whom do I have prove to? What I have to do? Why I need to earn so much?

We all are burdened with these questions specially people in their twenties. It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now. Life cannot get more confusing than this.

You want to bring change in this world but do not know from where to start and leave the mission half way. The people whom you considered close were not really close and distance grew with people whom you were close to. You realize that selfishness has become the order of the day and believe it or not you are also one among them.

The girl/guy you loved wasn’t exactly the person you were looking for. One day you get into a relationship and other day you get confused whether your step was right or wrong. Soon you start liking someone else and then someone else and you wonder is it right to like so many people at the same time??

You lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet someone with whom you can share your dreams, your desires and your life in general. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over again, and talk with your friends about the same topics and seek different opinions because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about money, the future and making a life for yourself.

You think that you have reached a crossroad of some sort and don’t know what should be your next step. You are among the crowd but still feel lonely, scared and confused and cry like a child over a non issue. You don’t know which direction life is taking you. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

To conclude life seems pretty messed up but every problem has a solution and probably this phase of our life will teach us something and someday we will be able to find a solution to our quarter life crisis. Till then enjoy this confusion because this phase is temporary and when you become a 30 something you would imagine that being confused is better than being so sure!!!!!

P.S. The above blog is inspired from my confusion which I am facing since past few months, no wait a minute, its past few years and also from one of the email I had sometime back from my friend titled "Confusions of Life" .

True Love: Make it happen

The month of Love is here which has inspired me to write about love. I am not an expert on love by any stretch of imagination, but thought of sharing my views with my readers. I have always wondered does true love really exits in today’ s fast paced world? People change their lovers faster than changing their clothes. When people propose their love, how many actually mean it what they are saying...I have my serious doubts. Many may think that I am just being cynical of love or probably I really don’t know what love is all about, but just look around, hardly anyone nowadays is into a stable relationship, divorce rates are at a all time high in our country.

Life is moving fast, everyone now wants instant relationship, just like instant coffee. People are enamoured towards lust rather than love. The word ‘Commitment’ has gone out of this world. Valentine day is celebrated to celebrate love, but the same people who were ‘committed’ to each other on 14 Feb of a particular year, you will see them in someone else’s arms the next year...so much for a true love.

True love never happens instantaneously, just like any other success we achieve, it requires time, patience and commitment. True love is success of life. It gives meaning to our life, it alleviates our pain, it makes the world around us ever so beautiful. In true love the lover and the beloved are one. The sense of your own identity and individuality vanishes. The other, therefore, does not place a limit on the lover’s freedom; rather, communion with the beloved leads to unbound freedom. It frees us from limits imposed on us by our ego. My advice to all those people who are in love, guys make your love a true love, because love alone as a word has no meaning nowadays, give it time, don’t leave your partner for some petty issues, make your relationship work, life will test you at each step, but treat it as a learning curve, because when you will be facing moments of self doubt, your true love will give you strength to overcome it, God could not come down to this earth, but he has given all of us a power, a power to experience HIM through the medium of true love, love your other half(it may be your wife, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, or your husband) unconditionally and with all your energy and you will experience HIM its a guarantee!!!

Build your Life: You live once!!!!

So many choices, so much to achieve, so much to say, so much to do and only 1 life....Phew!!!!!! This blog is dedicated to those souls who have met with disappointments in some form or the other, like failed relationship, marriages, bad job, defeats when you wanted to win and list goes on. Infact we all undergo emotions of anger, guilt, jealousy, hatred, etc.

When we fail in love or we are rejected, Just remember there exists a subtle difference between holding hands and actually loving someone and love doesn’t mean you have to be depended on someone and company of that special someone doesn’t give you security against anything. Kisses are never meant to be contracts and presents are not promises of a future commitment.

Failures, rejections are part and parcel of life, the important thing is you need to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not with the grief of a child because life is meant to be lived to the fullest. You have to learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you will learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So people plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers, because everyone is nowadays busy in their own life.

So people in a nutshell, Just for today smile, just for today spread happiness, just for today tell your loved ones how much you love them, just for today dream, just for today tell your parents how much you love them, just for today tell your spouse that she/he is the best wife/husband on this earth, just for today tell your friends how much they mean to you and how lucky you are to have them in your life, just for today forgive those who have hurt and broken your heart, just for today pray to Almighty and thank Him for giving this beautiful life, just for today spread Love and happiness around you, just for today live your life once again and forget all your disappointments and failures, Don’t lose this opportunity, who knows when will inexorable death come and take you away!!!!!

Change: Accept it

There comes a time in everyone’s life when a relationship becomes stagnant or job is not challenging enough, or the city simply sucks! The indications are clear and straight. Time for a change. But how many of us have the courage and wisdom to accept what we are feeling and move on? My guess is quite few. We have become so habituated to our routine life that a mere thought of change sends shivers down our spines. We have got used to what is called the “Comfort Zone”. We get stuck in a relationship inspite of knowing the fact that it is giving us no happiness whatsoever, but we are afraid to move on, even if we move on the baggage is still there with us which affects our future relationships with others. We castigate our luck when change occurs without realizing a simple fact that change brings in with it seeds of a better tomorrow. We cry over so many things which we don’t have control over; only to laugh over same thing after some years that how could we behave in such a puerile manner.

Remember one thing; life is a journey in which change is inevitable. We cry when we lose our loved ones, we cry when our relationship goes awry, but do we realize that everyday some or the other changes are happening around us. We have bought nothing to this world and won’t take anything with us when we die. Do we mourn when we cut our hair, do we mourn when we cut our nails, do we mourn when certain cells in our body die. We don’t, because we know that new hair will grow, nails will grow again and new cells will be there. We cannot be a teenager throughout our life. Childhood gives way to youth, youth gives way to middle age and finally middle age gives way to old age and finally inexorable death finds everyone sooner or later. Change is necessary for a better tomorrow. Without change life becomes banal.

So tomorrow when you are stuck in a bad relationship or a job which is making you feel sick, remember you don’t loose anything or anyone because you don’t own anyone, because what thing is yours today was someone’ else’s yesterday and will be someone’s else’s tomorrow. So just move on and come out of that comfort zone because the future is waiting for you to accept you with open arms. So get started, keep rolling, because time does not wait for anyone and no matter what the “show” must go on.

To be or not to be: The perpetual dilemma of human life

Everyday when we get up in the morning , we have plethora of choices in front of us, the first being whether we want to get up from the bed or not. We have choices whether we should do a particular thing or not, life always gives us a choice-To be or not to be, the decision is completely ours. To have courage or remain in comfort zone, to be happy or sad etc. We all know smoking cigarette is deleterious to health but people still smoke , again it is their choice to be healthy or not to be. Many times people take wrong decisions and repent, again they had a choice and more over taking decision is in our hand. Sometimes we get stuck up in a bad relationship only to realize later that it was a wrong decision.
We all make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from it and not repeat it. We all need to be cognizant of whatever decisions we take in our life. Impetuous decisions only make us suffer later. Actions are corollary to what we think. So more positive we think , better will be our actions. It is very easy to get into comfort zone and take decisions which don’t require much courage. So guys next time when you are faced with a tough choice to make, remember 1 thing, take the road which is less travelled , because there will be less traffic and though u may struggle initially but eventually success will be yours because it takes courage to be different . And remember you have a choice-“To Be or not to Be”

Laughter is the best medicine

When was the last time u laughed heartily?? or cracked up a joke that people still remember and laugh?? Sounds difficult to remember, isn't it? it is actually difficult to recollect when we actually laughed till our wits end. We have become so used to cribbing and taking stress that we have forgottten to smile and laugh. We are always in a hurry, right from the beginning of the day, from brushing our teeth, to having our breakfast, to catch the local train, work n rushing back home that we have no time to relax. We have started taking life far too seriously and in the bargain we have become dull and despondent, our hair is getting white by the day and because of that business of hair dyers are flourshing. So people relax, dont grip life so tightly. We need to take life as it comes rather than worrying about future or remembering the past. Joke around sometimes and you will realize that life is pretty simple and not as complex as it made out to be. People with good sense of humour are always wanted because they lit up the room even when the situation is tense and their enthusiasm is very infectious and it rubs onto you. The best amongst among us dont take themselves too seriously but do their best and leave the rest to Almighty. We must never lose our sense of humor. One loses everything when one loses one’s sense of humor. Nothing’s really sacred than a sense of humor. So the next time ur stressed out, or ur boss has given u a real dressing down or ur parents are giving u “Sound” advice and u feel like running away, just crack up some witty comments on them or smile but dont allow that stress to get better of u, because life was never meant to be an ordeal, it was meant to be a joy.
P.S. I myself was a victim of stress and now I have realized its no point taking things to ur heart...

To Hell and Back and How

So after a month of hibernation, Iam back to my blogspace.Well the past 1 month was an eventful month for me. Getting hospitalized for the first time in 23 years of my life was an experience which I wont forget soon. Malaria got relapsed and matter was exacerbated by the fact that my blood count went low and internal bleeding started. It was nothing short of a nightmare. As it was an exigency case I had to get hospitalized. The entire hospital envoirnment made me feel despodent and the matter was made worse by the fact that sanitation out there was simply pathetic. I was hospitalized for 3 days and had to take 10 injections everyday for speedy recovery. My parents had flown down to nagpur and after spending 3 days in hospital I was then taken to hotel as I had become extremely weak and spent the next 3 days with my parents. I missed the entire week of my college, and with mid term exams which were coming up I knew I had my back against the wall.
The 3 days in the hospital made me realized that Health is truly a Wealth, and that there were so many people out there who were suffering much more than me. I did realize a fact that Iam truly blessed and I didnt had to suffer much, specially after looking at the amount of pain and trauma people were undergoing in that hospital. This incident has made me a bit more cautious about my health, and it was truly a hell of a experience which I dont want to repeat again. I hope someone up there in the sky is listening to me.

The return of my salad days: Life starts at IMT Nagpur

It is said that moments make memories and some memories do live with you for the rest of your life. My first day at IMT will be one such day that will remain etched in my memory for the rest of my life. When I left Mumbai for the first time in 23 years, my heart was filled with mixed emotions, leaving behind your family, friends, and going into unknown place, out of the comfort zone. I was cognizant of the fact that IMT N is a new college but I also knew it had a strong brand name attached to it. When I entered the college gate I was struck with awe and admiration for the infrastructure it had in place. I heard the chirping of birds as if they were they were telling me “ Jay welcome to this new world. Hope you have a wonderful 2 year stay at IMT”.
Then as the day passed and I started to settle down, I was told that a “healthy interaction” will take place between seniors and juniors, well I just discovered another meaning of ragging. We were given certain instructions that we had to follow or else face serious consequences. Well for some strange reasons I was pretty ebullient of this entire thing. After having worked for 2 years in corporate world and being back to college life, ragging did appear a puerile activity but I wanted to see how it goes. With all earnest the “healthy interaction” began and to be honest some activities were preposterous to say the least. The juniors were scared to hell and seniors enjoyed every bit of it. But at the end of the day it was fun.
Lectures started and all of us were bubbling with loads of enthusiasm and just getting back to my books makes me really feel that my salad days are back. Assignments, projects, case studies phew!! and the list just keeps on increasing. So here it is a brief summary of my first few days at IMT N. I really hope I can collect as many sweet memories as I can from the 2 year stay I will be having here, so that 20 years down the line when I will be sitting in my balcony with my wife and kids, I will be telling them that these were the “BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE”.

I miss U all!!

Sometimes things happen so fast that you don’t have time to ponder as to what has happened. Leaving home for the first time in 23 years and staying away from parents and friends whom you took for granted right throughout these years, I now realize what I am actually missing. Life has taken a complete turn around, just last week I was wondering where I am heading in my career and here I am at IMT pursuing my MBA in finance. Just reliving those final days in Mumbai where I wont be going for another 2 years made me realize how much I am going to miss this city and its people. I am going to miss all my friends whom I spend so much time be it in office or anywhere else, the bitching we did, the comments we passed, talks about the future and cribbing about the present, the lanes I took to reach my office, the lanes which took me to my home, the buses I took for commuting, the night life, the fast life of the city. There are so many things which I am going to miss that 1 blog wont be enough. Change is really the only constant thing in life and the sooner 1 accepts it the better. I really don’t know what more should I write because right now Iam at complete loss of words. So here I take this opportunity to say a big thanks to all the people, my parents, people from my office, people from my community, my close pals, who have made a big difference to my life and helped me to reach where I am today. No matter how good this place will be, no matter how good friends i will be making here, one thing is for certain, Guys I am really missing you all big time!!!!.

Work-Life balance

This blog is dedicated to all those souls who suffer from compulsive disorder of over working. Well in today’s world of rat race everyone is working so hard that they sometimes forget they have a family life. Money power, position is all they have in mind, well we all do isn’t it?? We work so hard throughout the day, that by the time night comes we have no time for our family. We are ebullient in the morning and equally lethargic in the night. Office issues are bought home and sometimes because of this we start treating our own family members with utter disdain for no fault of theirs. No man on his death-bed ever said "I wish I'd spent more time in the office." Watching your child grow up, spending time with loved ones, being there at those special moments in other people's lives - all these can probably give you as much joy as a deal clinched or a market share point gained. 20 years down the line when you will be sitting in your balcony on a beautiful evening, u will remember those fights you had with your friends, the laughter you shared with them, your first kiss, your marriage day, the joy you had when you became a father/mother, and not the obnoxious comments your boss use to give you throughout the day.
"What would you do differently if you knew you had only six months to live?" We could all probably answer that one quite easily (spend more time with the family, play with the kids, take off on that vacation to the hills, write that book...). Alas, none of us really knows when precisely we have only six months to go. So guys promise yourself one thing that you will balance your life in a such a manner that your family and close friends are not neglected one bit. Remember you can change your job upteen times but not your parents because of whom you are here!!!! So go ahead and start spending time with your family and friends and enjoy the magic called LIFE!!!