Want n Aspire

i cant believe i am doing this - have an impending meeting- long drawn stuff tomorrow, and yet am blogging. Guess wanted to put this thing out of my mind.

It was yesterday that this thought casually flashed across my mind. Time is so short- we are slogging- we are busy- but what are running behind always remain elusive. Thats when it struck- that almost most of time- we wont even be aware whether we are chasing a 'want' or an 'aspiration'. Two similar meaning words but with contrasting power of potential. More delving in to this and more open stares out of the window- more things started to pan out. Aspiration is like a fire in the 'Volcano' whilst Want is more of 'Camp-fire'. Aspiration is like  'Love' whilst Want is more of 'Crush'. And its because of this, i realised Aspirations are Few whilst Wants are many. And the crux is that we often interchange and label each other- without realising. i.e on hind-sight, we are usually seen running behind a 'want' whereas it is 'aspiration' that we need to be after. Sooner than later- u realise u been chasing the wrong dog- all the effort, fatigue, everything waste. Now come the most difficult thing- how do you even distinguish which of your to-do list- is a want or an aspiration. One key indicator i drew upon is that Aspiration is something- you burn your midnight oil for- it is something which fuels you up- fires you up like no other thing- which brings an instant smile on your face-which always appears distant and elusive- which makes you take the forbidden route- which has always remained with you for long- which flashes by not so often but to ensure you dont forget- which makes you stop at time and stare- which you are possessive of (WTF,,just realising ...thats its exactly how i feel being in 'love' with my spouse !!). Yes, it is this kind of the DOG we need to be running after and not 'Wants'- which appear way too many- which you are confident to getting to it- which is hell-bent of providing you a very 'temporal' pleasure- which upon realisation- makes you say- What Next ?- which is something you can totally live without- which shimmers only to fade off- which in no way defines you and your personality. With so little time- i feel i should simply focus on 'Aspirations' and totally keep away from 'Wants', which by now one realises- is totally 'incidental'. Phew!!! Now lets get down to segregation.....Now not sure- what else would dawn upon me !!!

Taj Bekal- Review

As usual- it was typical Taj holiday experience for me and my family. Given the fact that it was a new property- added a bit of curiosity in our strolls and walks in the resort. The swinging Day-bed was an nice innovative idea. The artifacts as well as the motifs were really pleasing and adds great character to the whole resort. The front desk was extremely courteous and did gift us with a nice Cake at our check-out on occasion of our anniversary. This was the highlight of the stay and certainly a great take-away from the memory stand point.
However, i do have the certain points which i hope shall get addressed- at the relevant point of time
1) Taj still doesnt provide for health faucets. I fail to fathom the concept behind it. Least said- it is embarrassing to use the toilet without it. I expected amends in the new properties- but in vain.
2) The granite water spout in the bath-tub- seems to be an after-thought. The Water column falls over the Plug dial on the side of the tube and splashes right on the face of the occupant. But- the concerning thing is that it is a safety hazard- any slip and fall over the spout could be fatal with its sharp edges. My 18-month son was robbed of the bath-tub pleasures, since we were always guarded around him & were too anxious to let him play alone.
3) Bath tub doesnt have grab rails to get in/out which again puts ppl into risk
4) No stand for Hair-dryer. Currently placed over the Bathroom counter and is electrically 'live'. Another Safety hazard.
5) Bathrooms are fairly large- but the light controls are all placed outside in the vestibule. One needs to either switch on all the lights or keep running back and forth. Either a master switch or placing the controls near the fixtures would have been appropriate.
6) Bathroom door needs a latch. I understand it would not be necessary if the occupants are couples which usually is the case- but in case there are kids around- one would want to secure the door.
7) A nice braided rope tied to the railing would help one to swing by self- without calling for assistance, whilst using the day-bed.
8) Light fixture is directly above the WC. The shadows make it highly inconvenient to read whilst using the pot.
9) Most of the items in the Breakfast buffet menu were repeated.
10) Once the restaurant was filled to capacity- the service was found wanting on several instances.
11) Change rooms are far away from the Pool. One needs to cross the gym as well as the Yoga room and walk about 50m or so in swim costume- which is undesirable. In fact- change room is more of a bathroom which has been renamed and hence, functionally found wanting. ( No used towel receptacles, no enclosures to change, outdoor shower doesnot have a towel-rail, etc etc)
11) Would certainly need- cultural events in the events atleast for an hour- its a nice way to get to know and interact with fellow guests- as well as educate ourselves about the region.

SLITHER- Review

Picked up this book - sheer out of curiosity cos its says 'carnal prose' by an Indian author!!

Just wanted to know to what depths does an Indian mindset allow to explore this 'primal' space.
Honestly, i was pleasantly surprised- Book consists of set of short stories- each well written, toeing the very thin of line between erotica and obsenity. The subjects chosen are obviously the expected ones- Gay, lesbian, post- marital etc etc. But the treatment of them were respectful and not too graphic- something which i admired. Kudos to the author for this. Settings of each of the stories is also varied- from Fantasy to History to Mythology to Contemporary lives. Also, highlighting- Desire, Lust, Desperation, Longing etc each at a time.
Overall- a great book considering the genre and the fact its penned by an Indian mind

Incredible India--- Part 1

Every nation's biggest resource is her HUMAN resource and history testifies that intellect is directly proportional to the prosperity of the nation. The importance of this resource must be ensured that it is imbibed in every student of the country and come what may, never COMPROMISED. Unfortunately, in the current times- we are exactly doing the opposite- busy and happily unbolting the  basic social and family structure we are bred upon whilst risking our fellow (wo)men’s healthstyle. Couple of decades back, we were a busy nation- very typical of new emerging nation- PSUs, Agriculture, Transport, Manufacturing - multiple sectors-all  growing & focussed on building a brand new India. I strongly feel – relatively that was the era of the most clear vision and action. Work ethic was simple- Hard work Pays ...(if not now, but soon) Then, came the Haze- the Great Indian Magic Trick- Somewhere somebody announced- lets cut the chase- lets make MONEY, and people left everything  mid-way and rushed- all the Traditional sectors , thoughts, leaders, adages were dismantled. That’s when Illusion took over reality. Thats when we added ‘Incredible’ to India. Thats when we pawned our HUMAN resources........................

Lets look at US, can anyone expect the citizens there to forgo their lifestyle, pledge their heath, change their identity, impersonate accents, and adjust their timestyle to suit another country, that too for no intellectual but monetary gain ? NEVER. Why ? Because even a 5th grader would opine that its utter ‘foolishness’. But, what is disheartening is that- it is this exact 'foolishness' which our 'Incredible India' has wholesomely embraced. Fuelled by ' Globalisation', packaged as ‘The- In thing’,  glorified by new-age first generation business houses, termed as 'cheap labour' (yet we dont get it), wrapped under ESOPs, , there is no stone being unturned on this 'self-patting', blinding excursion- to drum-beat  that the whole world revolves around us. Do you really think this is the case ? The caricatures of West mocking at us, and  this circus of ours is so seething. Its like the ‘SDM’ running away with Oscars, and we rooting for the same- while the joke was on us. It is like the Anil Kapoor’s character in MI4, and the insane Bollywood pride that came along with- well, the world knew who the Jackass was.

Come to think of it- I cant stop myself being bewildered by what a mouse of a nation we are. For just a few Bucks more....we are ready to screw our health, and eventually our life and worse 'look-down' upon rest of the people/ sectors around us. We all know where a 20 sumthing fella subjected to night/ varying shifts of work for the next five or so years - would end up. How often, are parents missing out on Bedtime stories – for to participate in a ‘con-call’. While our other country counterparts party, kayake, ski, boast of work-life balance- we are......well- we all know what we are doing. Still, blatantly, like sheep (wonder what they must be thinking of us) demonstrating excellent herd mentality- day in and day out- we are internally succumbing to this nefarious lifestyle. Isnt it so obvious ?'OUT-SOURCING' which is simply and bluntly put ‘ too-shitty-a-job-to-waste-on, lets saddle it to someone else’. Why take so much extra pride doing it ? and build so much of hoo-haa around it. Its just another sector- its no way close to the traditional sectors of employment. Give the respect it deserves and nothing more. Yet, i cant fathom, as how come no eminent/ social personality/ media/ entrepreneurs/ ppl we look up to (hardly any one around) has ever debated this issue up, and asked this 'X' generation 'Y' ? 

Review: The Nothing Man

Would not call this brilliant piece- but certainly well worth a read and good value for Time. Personally it came as a rain for parched earth for me, since i was desperately looking for a break from the 'bhagatish' breed of novels ( am still reeling under the numb onslaught of R2020) Must appreciate the author, for bringing in the stylish and interesting narrative of 'back and forth'- i think this is was what kept me hooked to finish the book in one go. Also- the basic premise of the book was fresh and cheeky- the author himself capturing the gist with the analogy of ' a painter in search of his muse to finish his masterpiece'. Minimal characters which were etched out to the reader's satisfaction. I liked the wickedness, laziness, loser,  introspective, and ballsy nature of the protagonist- something which each of us would have experienced at some point of time or other.  The language was simple and genuine that it just solely conveyed the thoughts of the author to the reader, and nothing else. ( Reason i stress this- it is unlike again the 'bhagatish' breed where every third sentence is forced down with an analogy so that language does the holy ritual of converting more 'non-readers' into 'readers'!! enough of this shit !!)
Well if i need to complain for the sake of a review- i only have the grouse regarding few aspects of the plot. The premise of a current husband entertaining and budding up to an ex - seems improbable and unrealistic. What was the destination point ? I understand its was to complete to novel, BUT why had it to take a 'scandalous' route of finding a way to the ex-wife skirt ? Author could have served us with bit more 'creative liberty' here. The aspect of the ex-wife getting into depression and eventual marriage break-up was not well justified- would  have liked to know what triggered this - seemed too hurried and simple in the narrative. What happens to Brandy's boyfriend ? How often does one risk losing a boy-friend on a train just because you meet someone 'talkative' uncle on the train ? Seems surreal again. Well, at the end - i acknowledge e are reading a fictional novel, isnt it ? and hence i have forced to accept it under 'creative liberty' well exploited. To sum up- though the situations are dreamy- there are strung together with moments of emotions and feelings which every reader would have experience at some point or other in this life. I think thats the strong point of this book.
Out and Out - amazing first attempt, and I confess that i would look forward for the author's next book.