tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14484144556547092742024-03-06T06:17:39.774+05:30It's only 'words'!A bi-lingual blog, where an organized and expressive 'me' resides.Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-60916365609600094642017-09-30T15:09:00.000+05:302017-09-30T15:09:58.731+05:30 झुंबड, स्वित्झर्लंड आणि आपण<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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काय ही जीवघेणी गर्दी आहे इथे! असं मुंबईमध्ये गेल्यावर कायमच वाटतं. काल ती गर्दी काहीजणांसाठी खरंच जीवघेणी ठरली. कुठल्याही ठोस कारणाशिवाय गर्दी होते, चेंगराचेंगरी होते आणि २२ माणसं हकनाक बळी जातात, हे असह्य आहे. </div>
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पण गेलेल्या माणसांवर दोन दिवस चार अश्रू ढाळून आपल्या देशातील समस्त यंत्रणा आणि माणसं मोकळी होतात, आणि पुन्हा आपल्या कामाला लागतात. जिंदगी रुकती नही! हे असं होत आलं आहे, आणि असंच होत राहणार कारण आपल्याकडे माणसाच्या जीवाची किंमत शून्य आहे, मायनस आहे. त्याचं कारण म्हणजे आपल्याकडे खूsssप माणसं आहेत. किडामुंगीसारखी रोज मरतात. रोज मरे त्याला कोण रडे? तर हे असंच होत राहील. याला उपाय काय? माणसाच्या जीवाची किंमत येण्यासाठी एकदम ६०-७० कोटी माणसांना मारून तर टाकू शकत नाही. मग उपाय असा, की झुंबड होणार नाही असं करावं. त्यासाठी काय करावं? स्वित्झर्लंडला जावं. </div>
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काssssssय? म्हणून ओरडू नका. </div>
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तिथे जावं आणि काही मूलभूत गोष्टींचा अभ्यास करावा, अनुभव घ्यावा. आणि मग उपाय सापडू शकतील. ते अनुभव आपल्या बांधवांना सांगावे. ते तसे वागू लागतील अशी देवाचरणी प्रार्थना करून सोडून देऊ नये, तर त्यासाठी काटेकोर अंमलबजावणी करावी. आता यातला दुसरा भाग तर माझ्या हातात नाही. पण बांधवांना अनुभव-उपाय सांगणे आहे. </div>
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त्यामुळे जेहत्ते काळाचे ठायी अस्मादिकांच्या स्वित्झर्लंड प्रवासात मिळालेले काही अनुभव-विचार मांडत आहे. झुंबड या संदर्भातले. </div>
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पर्यटक म्हणून गेल्यावर देखील युरोपीय देशात हे जाणवत राहतं, की गर्दी अशी फार म्हणजे फार क्वचित प्रसंगी होते. तिथे दीर्घ वास्तव्य करणाऱ्याला तर हे सतत जाणवतं. मी नुकतीच पर्यटक कमी, रहिवासी जास्त अशा स्वरुपात स्वित्झर्लंड देश पाहिला. झूरिक हे तिथलं सर्वात मोठं शहर. मोठं म्हणजे किती? तर उपनगर वगैरे धरून साधारण १८ लाख वस्तीचं. (मी कोथरूड मध्ये राहते. तिथली वस्ती देखील याहून जास्त असेल). जगातल्या अति-श्रीमंत शहरांपैकी एक. किमती पण अफाट आणि जगातील सर्वाधिक पॉवरफुल आर्थिक संस्था इथे आहेत. चकचकीत ट्रेन, स्वच्छ रस्ते, सुंदर बागा, देखण्या बिल्डींग, जपलेल्या जुन्या वास्तू, वगैरे गोष्टी बहुसंख्य युरोपात असतातच, त्या इथे पण आहेत. त्याचं काही कौतुक नाही.</div>
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मग हे सगळं, पैशांसकट, इथे असून सुद्धा या शहरात इतकेच लोक कसे? बाकीचे कुठे गेले? इथे झुंबड होत कशी नाही?</div>
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कुठेही नाही. ते सगळे त्यांच्या त्यांच्या ठिकाणी आहेत. ते झूरिकला येतच नाहीत. कशाला येतील?</div>
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म्हणजे? नोकरी-धंदा, शिक्षण, 'प्रगती', स्टेटस, ई. ई. साठी? </div>
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काहीच नाही, तर "गावाकडून आलोय, मंत्रालयात पाव्ह्ण्यांनी सांगून ठेवलाय, सही घेऊनच मुंबईतून परत जाणार, त्याशिवाय काम व्हायचं नाही." ई तरी? </div>
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सरकारी कामं? कोर्टाचे खेटे? अत्याधुनिक हॉस्पिटल? पोलीस भरती? नेशनल स्पोर्ट्स कोम्प्लेक्समध्ये सरावाला?</div>
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हे सगळं त्यांच्या त्यांच्या गावात आहे. </div>
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मंत्रालय पण?! कोर्ट पण??!</div>
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उत्तर आहे, हो. स्वित्झर्लंड हा जगातल्या विकेंद्रीकरणाच्या (अर्थात decentralization) सर्वोत्तम उदाहरणांमधील एक असावा. राजकीय दृष्ट्या, त्या देशाचे २६ canton आहेत, त्या प्रत्येकाखाली काही म्युनीसिपालिटी. त्या प्रत्येक कॅन्तोन ला स्वतःचं सरकार आहे. आपल्याकडे पण राज्य सरकार आहे, मग फरक काय? तर आपल्याकडे केंद्र सरकार पण आहे. राज्यसरकारच्या वरती. तिथे असा काही प्रकारच नाही आहे. म्हणजे प्रत्येक कान्तोनचा स्वतःचा झेंडा, स्वतःचं संविधान, स्वतःचं मंत्रिमंडळ, (काही ठिकाणी स्वतःचा धर्म पण) आहे, आणि ते पूर्ण १००% स्वतंत्र आहे. त्यामुळे होतं काय, की प्रशासनाच्या बाबतीत वरती खेटे घालणे हा प्रकारच होत नाही. वैयक्तिक पातळीवर देखील तुमच्या कान्तोनचा एखादा नियम पटला नसला, तर तुम्ही १०० दिवसात ५०००० लोकांचा पाठींबा मिळवा, आणि तो बदलून घ्या. मग तो ह्या सभागृहात, मग त्या, मग राष्ट्रपतीकडे सहीला, असं नाही. त्यामुळे प्रशासकिय दिरंगाई बरीच कमी आहे. तुम्हाला जी काही सरकारी कामं करायची गरज पडू शकते, त्यासाठी फार लांब यायची गरजच बहुतांश वेळेला पडत नाही. झुरिक कॅन्तोनने एखादा निर्णय घेतला, तर व्यवस्थेतील लोक तो सपासप राबवू शकतात आणि राबवतात. </div>
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याचा परिणाम काय? की प्रत्येक कॅन्तोन आपल्याकडे कसं आर्थिक-प्रशासकीय-व्यावसायिक-सामाजिक दृष्ट्या स्वतंत्र, स्वायत्त वातावरण निर्माण होईल, असा प्रयत्न करतो, कारण त्याला पोसणारा वरती कुणी नसतो. आर्थिक नाड्या कोणा एकाच्या अथवा एका शहराच्या हातात एकवटल्या आहेत, असं नसल्याने तत्वतः तुम्ही कुठलाही उद्योग किंवा कारखाना कुठेही सुरु करू शकता. त्यामुळे आमचं गाव लहान आहे, इथे काय मिळणार पोटापाण्याला, आणि मिळालंच तरी आमची 'प्रगती' कशी होणार असा प्रश्न फार क्वचित उभा राहतो. तिथे पाणी असतं, वीज असते, कचरा प्रकल्प असतात. र्योथेनबाख नावाचं जेमतेम हजार वस्तीच्या एका गावात राहिले होते. तिथे देखील झुरिकच्या तोडीसतोड रस्ते, पाणीपुरवठा, जवळपास कारखाना, रेल्वे स्टेशन, तिथून अक्षरशः घराघरात पोहोचणार्या पिवळ्या बसेस, हॉस्पिटल, पेट्रोल पंप, सुपरमार्केट, बाग, खेळणी, आणि चांगली शाळा हे सगळं आहे. मग का कोणी उठून जाईल झुरिकला? नो झुंबड.</div>
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झुरिक कॅन्तोनमध्ये ४ वर्षाची आपापली चालत शाळेत जाणारी मुलं पाहिली. तिथे असा नियम आहे, कि तुमच्या घराच्यापासून जास्तीत जास्त एक किमी अंतरावरच्या शाळेतच मुलाला घालायला हवं. कारण त्याला खरंतर आपापलं चालत जाता आलं पाहिजे. आमच्या घराजवळ शाळा नाही, ती चांगली नाही, असं होतच नाही, कारण ती असतेच. विकेंद्रीकरणामध्ये हे अंतर्भूत असतं. आणि कमाल म्हणजे ह्या सर्व मुलांना गळ्यात घालायला फ्लोरोसंट केशरी रंगाचे बिल्ले असतात, खूण म्हणून. जेणेकरून वाहन चालकाच्या लक्षात येईल कि ती शाळेत चालली आहेत. </div>
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"आम्ही चालत पाठवणार नाही. गाड्या असतात रस्त्यावर!" हे होऊ शकत नाही, कारण point-to-point फूटपाथआहेत, ज्यावरून सुखेनैव चालता येतं. </div>
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युरोपातली सावजनिक वाहतूक व्यवस्था चांगली आहेच. पण स्वित्झर्लंडमधली दृष्ट लागावी अशी आहे. त्या ट्रेनच्या येण्यावर आपलं घड्याळ लावावं इतकी वक्तशीर आहे. माझ्या घरापासून ऑफिसपर्यंत जर स्वछ, वक्तशीर, भरोसेमंद सार्वजनिक वाहन असेल, तर मी ते का नाही वापरणार? आणि मी कुठेही टेकडीवर, डोंगरावर, पाताळात राहत असले, तरी माझ्यापर्यंत पोहोचणारी बस किंवा ट्राम असते, त्याचं वेळापत्रक असतं, ते पाळलं जातं. मग ऑफिस २, ५, २५, कितीही किमी वर असण्याने काहीच फरक पडत नाही. मी उठून त्या शहरात राहायला जायलाच हवं, असं होत नाही. विमानतळावर उतरल्यावरसुद्धा तिथेच खाली ट्रेन असते. आपल्याकडे का नसते, माहीत नाही. (कदाचित विमानात बसणारे म्हणजे तुम्ही श्रीमंत, तुम्हाला काय गाड्या आणायला येत असतील किंवा taxi परवडेलच, असा समज आहे, आणि तो आजतागायत पुसलेला नाही.)</div>
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विकेंद्रीकरण करा, असं नुसतंच म्हणून काही होत नाही. किंवा फोर्ट मधून ऑफिस बीकेसीला हलवलं कि विकेंद्रीकरण होत नाही. मुळात अनेक ऑफिस, अनेक उद्योग हे केवळ शहरात एकवटू नयेत, हे बघावं लागेल. आणि त्यासाठी शहराची जी काही आकर्षणं आहेत, लोकांना इथेच ठेवून घेणारी, ती गावात तयार व्हायला हवीत. त्यासाठी मुळापासून योजना करायला हवी. वाहतूक ते शिक्षण ते वीज ते आरोग्य, हे सगळं लक्षात घेणारी. स्वित्झर्लंडच्या बाबतीत, गावातून शहरात भसाभस ज्या कारणासाठी लोक येतात त्यातली बहुसंख्य कारणे त्या देशाने नष्ट करून टाकलेली आहेत. परिणाम असा, कि तिथे एक दोन मोठी शहरे आणि बाकी ओसाड गावं असं होत नाही. शहरात गगनचुंबी इमारती हा प्रकार नाही. कारण त्या बांधायची गरजच नाही. थोडी थोडी माणसं बर्याच प्रदेशामध्ये पसरलेली आहेत. ती ते प्रदेश सोडत नाहीत, उलट तिथे अजून भरभराट कशी होईल असं बघतात, कारण आपण स्वतः आपल्या प्रगतीचा मार्ग आखू शकू, अशी संधी देणारी यंत्रणा त्यांच्याकडे उपलब्ध आहे. आणि ती आपणच तयार केलेली यंत्रणा आहे, त्यामुळे <b>आपण त्याचे नियम पाळलेच पाहिजेत</b>, हे त्यांना पक्कं ठाऊक आहे.</div>
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त्याने माणसांना आणि त्यांच्या जीवनाला किंमत येते.</div>
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आपल्याकडे हे करण्यात अडचणी बऱ्याच आहेत, ह्याची मला पूर्ण कल्पना आहे. आपल्या लोक्संख्येपासून ते राजकीय व्यवस्थेपासून ते जातीव्यवस्थेपर्यंत. पण कधीतरी अभ्यास करून, जगातील उत्तमोत्तम उदाहरणं बघून आपल्याकडे त्यातलं काय आणता येईल, असा विचार व्हायला हवा. आणि मुख्य, कृती व्हायला हवी. आणि <b>ती आपणच करायला हवी. </b></div>
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नाहीतर काल परळ, उद्या पुण्यातला लक्ष्मी रोड, परवा दिल्लीमधला चांदणी चौक.</div>
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झुंबड होत राहणार.</div>
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ओल्या पिपांमध्ये उंदीर मरतच राहणार. आणि पिपाबाहेरचे तसेच जगत.</div>
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द शो मस्ट गो ऑन!</div>
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स्नेहा गोरे मेहेंदळे </div>
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पुणे</div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-18022746152926377042017-03-31T16:29:00.001+05:302017-03-31T16:39:38.600+05:30Musings of the 8th month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Dear Muffin,<br />
Last few months have been in crazy overdrive, and here we are now stuck with this whole bed rest. I can not believe I did not write to you for so many months. But then, I had so much on my hands, that writing was mainly restricted to content or articles or column or so. and I did not write for leisure or as a form of expression,<br />
<br />
So it is December 15th, not even a week left till Atya's wedding and tomorrow Aai baba celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary.<br />
<br />
How have these four years been? fantastic, in one word. Like every other marriage, we also eventually settled into matrimony and kept on experiencing all sides of it. There are highs and lows in every relation, and yes we did bicker, we did fight. A lot. But then we also made up, loved each other even more and grew up.<br />
The wedding part of it does not last long except probably in photos, but the marriage is what remains. And marriage is what everyone makes of it. We are learning everyday, and growing rich in experience.<br />
With your arrival on cards, we are looking at more learning, and more growing up. Everybody has been saying that children teach you great many things, and you experience your own childhood again with them. you grow up once again. I am sure this will be true in your case as well when you will teach us so many new things.<br />
<br />
I am deeply convinced that parenthood is not an inate thing. You are never born a parent. You slowly grow into being one. The way is not smooth, not all rosy but not all scary as well. I am not experienced in this department, but nothing in this life is so extreme. Baba keeps on telling me that randomness is a part of life, and everybody gets to experience both positives and negatives. So yes, I accept that I am not a highly romantic mother who keeps on cooing sweet nothings to the stomach or who keeps on gushing with the thought of a baby. But then I am also not somebody who will hate motherhood or thinks what a waste of time and energy is this. I am positive and optimistic about the experience.<br />
<br />
You have no idea how much it is taking me to write this as I stay bed-rested as of now. And the fiery spirit inside me does take control of me sometimes. I say all sorts of bad things, but they do not mean anything Muffin. They are just an outbreak, result of emotional upheaval, and hormones and all those bad pills. So I am sure that you do not take those things to the heart. And I am trying to be positive most of the time.<br />
<br />
You know, I imagine that when I am angry or irritated, you feel very hot inside. And stressed about the fact that Aai is angry. But when I am relaxed, chilled out, and happy, you respond, you feel like you are in a warm, loving cuddle. :)<br />
<br />
Baba talks to you very often, and I also feel that you share a connection with him. Doctor Aaji who will deliver you and get you outside to meet us tells us not to touch you often. We have reduced it. But I still do sometimes, coz it is my own child. and there is a magic in touch which is not present in anything else. I am a person who believes in touching and hugging often, so you are going to be a subject to it!<br />
<br />
Like we discussed last night, we dont know if we will be awesome parents. But I am sure that Baba and I will be happy and content parents. And happy and content relationships are most often very secure and amazingly awesome relationships. We hope that you will play a great part in this process of creating a happy family and bond us even closer.<br />
<br />
Will write you again after some days.<br />
<br />
Till then,<br />
keep jumping, keep moving and hang in there!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Aai<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-89028313730820883692016-11-08T17:33:00.001+05:302016-11-08T17:33:06.329+05:30HOLA!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
So after a hiatus of close to two years, here I come again to my blog.<br />
Two years were mind blowing- I had a child- and naturally it affected all spheres of my life..<br />
<br />
new blog posts may be about child- induced musings or may not be..but whatever it is- I am back!</div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-4483875977801422352015-01-30T12:44:00.001+05:302015-01-30T12:45:58.521+05:30Date a girl who drives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Inspired from this lovely, lovely post called<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/437516-you-should-date-a-girl-who-reads-date-a-girl"> Date a girl who reads.</a><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Date a girl who drives </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And by this, I mean a sincere, responsible, accurate driving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Take a road trip together. It is so handy to have a change
of drivers, especially after a long road. Let her take the charge of steering
wheel, and you watch her. Her eyes will gleam with a new inspiration; the body
language will ooze confidence. Let her drive as she wants to and you sit back
and relax. Your load is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shared, both of
you can enjoy the road equally, without one having to sit bored all the time
and the other getting dead tired at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let your girl drive. It is one of the very liberating
experiences. Experience the sun or better, the moon shining over your car, the
lovely wind breezing past, the tune she is humming, and the amazing mood all
this sets. The feeling that life is after all not very bad. The feeling that
this state should continue forever, and two of you should be zooming past till
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Find a girl who drives, and you will never have to worry
when you are out of town, unwell, or simply inebriated. She can handle the
transportation of everybody, in all these cases. She is a girl big enough to
date, so why not big enough to drive? She can take care of these situations. Watch
her confidence grow multifold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Share the typical ‘driving jokes’ with a girl who drives,
she can perfectly understand them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Build a camaraderie with her, on a very driver-to-driver level. Change a
flat tire together. Experience the smaller things like a roadside cutting chai
after a long long drive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Date a girl who drives, and ask her to drive on the national
highways. It is such a moment of pride when you realize that almost every car
that passes you has a male driver, except yours. Male drivers; given control because
it is after all a dangerous drive on the ‘highway’. And here is your girl, dealing
with the highways in every way possible. It is a reaffirmation of your belief
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Date a girl who drives, propose and marry her. Let her drive
your life onto this highway of happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I promise you, your roads will never be the same again! :)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-40953551643652035802015-01-20T11:24:00.001+05:302015-01-20T11:24:31.538+05:30Wardrobe 'Essentials'!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think most of you would be completely toppled by the title and think that I have done a severe personality makeover in 2015. I mean since when did I start writing fashion posts on this blog?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, there is nothing wrong or bad in following the latest fashion trends, understand the jargon, and writing posts about it. In fact, I also am a regular reader of some Bollywood-centric fashion and style blogs. They do make a genuinely good read, and have added infinitely to my fashion- related glossary. How on earth would I otherwise know the trend of 'crop-tops', know the "arm-candies' like Birkin, and know what colors are 'teal' and 'tangerine'? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So yes, I do read these blogs, and usually leave the whole thing as a light general knowledge-increasing exercise. Anybody, who has met me in real life will agree that I am one of the most lazy dressers, and my outfits are usually screaming comfort rather than fashion or trend. It is due to this, that posts like 'Top 5 (or whatever) Wardrobe Essentials" never cease to amuse me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, first of all, WHO decides that these items are essentials or must-haves in anybody's wardrobe?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I personally feel that each person's dressing style is different and it is shaped like that for some particular reasons. These reasons are not generalized, and hence, no style can be generalized. I have a friend who wears short dresses and tank tops with such an ease, that I envy her sometimes. But she had been a real professional model, and hence that's pretty much a given. My mother wears Sarees with an amazing grace and style, and always always looks very classy in a Saree. Well, she belongs to the generation that wore Saree regularly, plus she is a professor so again, sort of a dress-code. So, point is these styles evolved for some specific reasons, and couldn't be generalized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More importantly, dressing should be a reflection of your personality, your society, and your geography. When I stayed in Mumbai and then Chennai, all I wore were cotton Kurtas, easy to breathe in. I have friends staying all over in the U.S. and wearing brilliant leather clothes, which definitely would have killed me in Chennai. SO imbibing some sense of local weather is a must, if nothing else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Additionally, one often wears clothes for 'societal propriety'. Do not get me wrong here. I am all for staying in Tshirt and loose pants all my life. But most people do bother about this propriety and choose their clothes. So, a black suit for reception, a Saree for a wedding, Jeans and Tshirt for restaurant visit and a simpler Salwar-Kurta for a pooja.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Considering that the 'social propreity' changes from society to society, so do the choices for clothes, and so do the wardrobe 'essentials'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now tell me, how the hell is a 'little black dress' a wardrobe essential for very single woman across the globe? How relevant and practical, let alone 'essential' is it for an Arabian woman or an Indian sub-urban woman? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I do not have one, I know several women who do not have one, and yet they are called classy and stylish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wouldn't the list change based on the personality, the society, the geography, the season, the age, the profession and many more things? In this sense, I would say Kurtas are more versatile, Jeans more functional, and Saree, the most timeless one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Think about these things when you decide about your wardrobe. THINK. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do not blindfold and run behind the random 'essentials', listed by someone who is completely clueless about these factors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SO my list of wardrobe essentials?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Comfortable clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Comfortable footwear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. My independent thought in choosing clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Confidence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. And a Big smile to carry it all :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Make yours too. Have a fabulous, classy and relevant 2015! </span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-28829363227089639532014-12-31T12:34:00.002+05:302014-12-31T12:36:51.149+05:30Adios 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I usually do not write year-ending posts. They would have made sense had I been a regular writer. But then, lot of things would have happened if I were a regular writer. Like commercial writing assignments, book-launches and may be a Booker prize. Anyway, not digressing..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This year went by flying. Like absolutely. It began on a royal note in Dubai, exploring the marvel that the Arabs have made out of pure plain desert. The goodness continued, with I coming back and accepting a job offer, after rejecting it twice before :P. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On personal level, so many things happened, that shaped and keep shaping me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We completed three years of marriage. I mean, 3! The 'just married' mode is long gone, and we feel stable and totally comfortable in the marital bond now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We made an awesome awesome trip to Ladakh. That trip moved me so much, that I almost wrote 8 posts on this blog! It is a magical land, and I have definitely left a piece of my heart over there. The experiences and thoughts induced by Ladakh are quite unusual, and it remains one of the main highlights of 2014 hands down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought that I have enough of friends now, and do not need anymore. But then that is not how it works. I keep on making new friends, I just do. So I did get some friends totally out of randomness, and then I wondered why were we not friends until now?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, that also brought out interesting observations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Like, your style of making friends differs at different stages of your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or, the people with whom you are friends since forever, slowly grow into different individuals than you or than what you expected, and that is OK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or, you can have great friendships with your cousins, and in fact it is better that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, your age does make a difference. Maturity, some may call it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Talking of friends, I unfortunately also lost a dear friend of mine to a bloody heart attack. I still can not believe that he is gone, and I keep looking at his number in my phone-book and often keep reading our last Whatsapp conversation. It sort of brought me very close to the idea of death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I then consoled my mind with an apt quote that says: "There is no Death. It is just a change of worlds."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wished him to be happy in whatever world he is, and am now trying to heal that wound.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I continued long distance running this year as well, ran three races this year, and definitely improved my performance in them. Husband also ran with me in the last one! Running was gratifying, encouraging and extremely liberating. I have taken a momentary break from running as of now, and practicing some Yoga though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">However, the biggest change happened on the professional level. I
started working with Sakal at the beginning of this year, and continued
till almost its end. That stint went on quite well, and I left that
work on a really good note, and with a focused intention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After working full-time for five years, I have decided to work as an independent professional. I wish to work on the projects that I like, and can learn something from them. Work which puts my faculties to best use, and develops me personally and professionally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Working independently is going to be hard, very hard. But I hope to manage and sustain at that. It is a major decision of my professional life, and I aim to give it my best shot. Hope things work out! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SO it was a year of change. I am in process of changing some crucial aspects of my life, my identity, my 'self'. Goodbye 2014, you had been really good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am looking at the approaching year with a lot of hope and excitement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hope it is as fulfilling as this one. The change will continue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy New Year everyone!</span></div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-6637562375461356602014-09-13T10:56:00.000+05:302014-09-13T12:48:14.891+05:30Beauty has an address- Day 7-8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After our ride full of thrills, we realized that we have lost the entire day, and just have one evening left for all shopping, seeing around, experiencing the town, and packing. Soo, we sent the cars away, decided to walk down and marched towards the main bazaar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I said already, Leh is a small town, a typical touristy hub at that. You would find bistros and street side Cafes serving all sorts of food, from Ladakhi to continental to Israeli, fleet of white-skinned tourists clad in exotic hippyish attire and internet cafes, tour operator offices, bike rental facilities and woollen shops mushroomed everywhere. It is possible to get lost in this web, but we did not. All of us wanted something different to take along, and hence we roamed around pretty independently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I and Hrushi had already roamed around the market even a day before, after our return from Nubra. We had a nice walk in the pleasing weather. We sat in a modish cafe, and had cappuccino and Cafe latte. I spotted a heap of fresh apricots (not the dried ones, the fresh fruits, they look like lichies) and bought handful of them, got some souvenir knick knacks like fridge magnets and Tshirts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, we sat in a nice open-to-sky cafe at a corner, had something else than Dal-rice (Sagar and Shruti went adventurous with mint juice and humus-Pita!) , engaged in just some small talks, and it just struck us that our trip had come to an end. All the planning for last 4 months, all looking fwd to, all passionate discussions and debates, all was over. The atmosphere outside was boisterous, market well-lit, we were tired yet satisfied and I remember this small patch of evening in a very pleasant way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went some shop-hopping, bought other exquisite knick knacks like Sea-buckthorn juice, prayer flags, apricot jam, and a cotton tote bag saying 'Julley', and returned to green villa to some excellent Ladakhi food, personally cooked by dear Angmo. Momos were quite amazing, and Thukpa was not really a favourite dish of many, but I did not mind, considering eating local is always good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eat local, think global. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We looked at the oh-so-beautiful sky for the last time, saw the outline of now sleepy Leh, looked at the glowing Shanti-Stupa from our terrace, and went off to sleep. Next morning was pretty uneventful, with a car dropping us off at the Leh airport (quite a mini-airport), we boarding a flight to Delhi and then onwards to Mumbai, we landing in Mumbai- a direct journey from 11500 to 0 ft! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was humid as usual, the traffic and the dust and the sweat greeted us and mobile networks got a range, people got hooked on to their cellphones on our way back. We halted at the food-mall and hogged on the usual comfort food like Pav bhaji, reaching Pune around 6pm, ending our voyage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I write this today, I see the images of flooded Srinagar on TV, and I feel sad, thinking of the good time we had at that place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw the images of PM's visit to Kargil war memorial and I could immediately relate to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember the star-studded sky very clearly, and it comes to me every time I close my eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I keep on looking at the 3000-odd photos every now and then, and one of the photos at Nubra has gone on a wall, framed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The prayer flags adorn walls and work-desks, the apricot jam is eaten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wrote multiple blogs, trying to explain the feelings Ladakh gave me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I finally wrote the account of our travel, and yet I feel that something is missing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also decided that next year I am again going to Ladakh, as I have left something there. And I know what that is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A piece of my heart</span>.</div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-25175975966920596062014-09-12T12:29:00.000+05:302014-09-13T12:46:00.664+05:30Beauty has an address- Day 6-7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today's excursion was originally supposed to be only a day-long trip to Pangong lake. We converted it into a day-and half trip and booked us on a tent facility right on Pangong. and it proved to be the best decision we took in our entire trip. We could lazily leave from Angmo's place in Leh, look around for bikes to carry (our hope had not yet died) and actually found one to carry with us to Pangong! An old, worn out Royal Enfield, with no mirrors. We were so bullet-hungry though that we got the bike, got the can of extra-petrol filled and set on our way, with Soham on the bike in between two Innovas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was not a ride as smooth as Nubra through Khardungla, and at certain places, no road even existed. We practically stepped into aggressive streams full of slippery stones, and it was a good thing that we took turns of riding the bike as the road would have probably rendered lower back of a single driver useless. We crossed the mighty Chang-la en route ( the third highest motorable road in the world after Khardung-la and Tanglang-la), but proceeded ahead on the strenuous road without halting, as the supposed beauty of Pangong lake was calling us towards her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite the road condition, I would rate road to Pangong as more scenic, due to presence of colours, these gushy streams mid-way, placid water bodies, and the Changthang Eco-Zone. It is wildlife protected zone, exhibiting typical high-altitude flora and fauna. A strikingly beautiful, yet strikingly desolate place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Large part of our journey went through Changthang, right until we reached the glorious, pristine, magical, serene Pangong-Tso. The first sight of the lake was enough to make us forget all our words, seriously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lake, situated at almost 14000 feet, actually lies on the international border. In fact, one third of this lake lies in India while two-thirds goes to Tibet(Now China). The ride on the banks of the lake practically had us spell-bound. I could not move my eyes away from that mass of blue. I have never seen this particular shade of blue in any water body in my entire life. You know, at such moments you realize, that there are treasures hidden away by nature in remotest of places. Nature reigns supreme, and you are in fact just a small negligible unit in this entire set up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What all did we not see that day by the lake? Barren, brown mountains, (which exactly look as if they are oil painting btw) surrounding the lake. One-odd Sea-gull. Sound of small waves in that water. Stark-white sand. A full-ring rainbow. A super-clear sky. A giant national flag up in the sky on the excellent backdrop of this lake. And magnificent blueness of this water. Almost divine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had booked the tents right on the bank of this lake, and we couldn't have made a better decision. We stayed that night in the tent, kept looking at that lake till almost we lost the track of time, saw the star-filled sky once again and were almost about to cry at all this beauty. Heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We started from Pangong almost by 9 am, (again sat looking at the changed colours of water for some time) fully satisfied with the day before, fully convinced that this was the highlight of our trip, and headed back to Leh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember, I had written that you can never be sure that travel through Ladakh will be smooth. By our collective fortunes till now, we had escaped every possible delay that could await us. However, today was not the day when luck was smiling at us, and we encountered every single issue which we had missed till today! So, to begin with..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No sooner were we on the way that we saw the bike slip in front of our eyes due to sand on the road. Fortunately, Soham-Shraddha fell down on the sand, and did not sustain too many scratches. deciding safety was a priority, Soham continued to ride alone for some time, till we stopped for some food at a shop which served only Maggi and tea, as a rule. There were practically NO human settlements on the way, and we had to be OK with whatever food we could get. So, we hogged on Maggi and stuffed ourselves with a bowl-and -half along with steaming tea. VERY, very wise decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After stuffing ourselves, Jatan got on the bike, and we began the arduous climb of Changla-once again. Unfortunately for us, the road was packed with Army trucks today, making it almost a bumper-to-bumper traffic and reducing the speed thereby. Amidst all this, on one fine turn, the old bike stopped. The ignition would not fire. Nothing.stopped. broke down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NOW! We halted, and took stock of the situation. It was a heavy Enfield, which is even otherwise difficult to manouver. It was not a straight road, we were climbing up the Changla, somewhere around 15000 Ft, in low-oxygen levels. We did not have even the remotest sign of human settlement, let alone a mechanic/workshop. Two members from our car were suffering from a bit of breathlessness. None of us knew how to repair an Enfield, and to top it all, there was no signal to any of our mobile networks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next one hour involved all sorts of acrobatics we could do with the bike, including tying it with a rope to the back of an Innova and taking it fwd. This foiled, as it was impossible to control the handle and the direction the bike takes. (It took Jatan almost falling off the bike in a valley to understand this). Our drivers physically pushing the bike fwd, which was a disastrous thing to do in low-oxygen levels. Once, one of our drivers took to the rider's seat with Jatan driving our Innova through the gushy streams!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile, we also tried halting bikers and asking them for help, halting army trucks and asking them to take our bike with them, to no effect. Finally, it was decided that we leave the bike with two boys where it was and reach Changla-top for help. On approaching army post on Chang-la, w were asked if it was a life-or-death situation. Upon hearing our peculiar problem, Army expressed inability to help (which was right, in a way).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, our driver Feroze seeked help from couple of Faujis there, took them down the road for help, got the bike repaired and came back victorious with a smiling Jatan riding the bike to Changla top. It was an episode which lasted two-and-half hours, and we were grateful that it was over without major trouble. I suppose luck was still laughing at us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next, we were stalled for some work involving speed-brakers. Again almost an hour lost in all of this, making us hungrier and grumpier. Chiwda, Barfi, Khakra and all that stuff had been finished. Once the roads were open, we went ahead, and almost as we got close to Leh, one of our tyres went flat. Again Feroze to the rescue, changing the tyre. marching fwd. We reached Leh, and just before we entered the town, the bike tank went empty. By this time we had almost lost our capacity to be irritated. We calmly refuelled it, reached Angmo's villa and decided to call it a day as far as vehicle went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What a day! And no regret of missing the originally planned white water rafting- the thrill we experienced kind of made up for it!</span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-47880137107945200742014-09-12T12:28:00.004+05:302014-09-13T12:45:39.816+05:30Beauty has an address- Day 4-5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day four of our tour was a highly anticipated one- we
were leaving the town of Leh and beginning of journey into the interiors of
Ladakh. We were going to climb up to the highest motorable road of the world-
the Khardung-la and then enter the famous Nubra (NuFra as the locals say) valley. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our attempts of getting a bike with us were foiled, as
practically every single bullet in Leh was pre-booked, owing to the peak
season. Kind of sad, as our chance of experiencing the thrill in riding upto
Khardung-la was Kaputt, but good in a way as that gave a chance to really sit
back and enjoy the roads, which is essentially what you do in Ladakh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The journey began from Leh and we started climbing up. These
roads built by BRO have been given names. The road from Srinagar to Leh is
called the project Vijayak, while the roads from Leh to Nubra valley and Leh to
Pangong-tso are named as Project Himank.
Appropriate with Vijayak reminding of the operation Vijay in Kargil,and Himank representing the surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our climb up on Himank was as smooth as it could get,
ignoring a couple of uneven patches in between. A very important thing to be
mentioned while traversing through
Ladakh is the unpredictability of Journey. The roads are constantly
being worked upon, so a bulldozer or a JCB can suddenly pop up and make you
halt for an hour. Or the traffic can be manually controlled with only one side
operating at a time, or at least a land-slide can occur if nothing else. We had
heard of these things beforehand, but were lucky enough to escape it until now.
(we did not know that it did await us within next couple of days!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know, Leh is somewhere around 11500 feet, and still you
can see mountain peaks, high up in the sky from Leh city. As we started
climbing up, gradually the level difference between us and the peaks started
reducing. The joy of seeing
the overbearing peaks at your eye level is unforgettable. I will never forget a particular point, where our car took a turn and a
whole valley came into our sight, with the tall peak overbearing it and we
being at the level of that peak. A line called ‘Abhalachi Chhaya tuzi samindarachi
maya’ was playing in the background, and at that moment, the meaning of
‘abhalachi chhaya’ struck me like never before. I could see the infinite
vastness that is meant in these lines, and could not help but shedding a couple
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reaching Khardung-la was a
moment of gratification, of experiencing the thrill of being at 18650 ft, as
high as a vehicle can get you. We of course shot the customary pictures, had steaming black tea in the army canteen, AND went up to the army men posted here for a quick chat. We had brought some Pune-specials like Amba Barfi and Bakarwadi for them, as a small token of appreciation, which they were happy to receive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Descend from K-top into the Nubra was spectacular, with the changing terrain. I can not believe that surrounding mountains can change their colours, patterns and surfaces so rapidly.At certain points I would rate this descend into valley even higher than the grand Canyon, exhibiting deep-cut gorges, sudden flow of river and infinite shades of earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our foray into the valley and the time we spent has two highlights- the otherwise non-specific little village of Diskit, with a hill-top monastery and a statue of giant, golden Maitreya Buddha. Maitreya is also on a hillock, more than 100 feet in height, adorned with colourful engraved ornaments and peace in his being. He overlooks the giant valley, a 360 degree panorama of peaks, gorges, sand, sudden belt of greenery and river Shyok- a subsidiary of Indus. It is a location out of this world, I am unable to describe it in words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A little away from the village Diskit are the famous sand dunes of Hunder. They are your regular dunes, with white sand and ups-downs, just like in Rann of Kutchh. To top it all, they also have camels! That too double-humped. These camels are native of this place, and can be found only here.Now understand the uniqueness of this place- a single place with mountains, barren land, river, green bushes, desert and camels, at 10000 feet!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These dunes offer you camel-rides as usual, but we preferred not taking it and encountering the dunes in different way. We actually perched ourselves atop a sand dune, and just let us roll on that slope. Yes, a childish act, and sand is so fine that its stuck at all places possible, but what a liberating exercise and what a way to feel those dunes! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunset saw us driving around the valley to our camp site- Mystique Meadows- and stopping at N number of places for wonderful pictures. We were put up in a pretty little set up, in comfortable tents, and spent a quiet night there. One of the highlights of this trip happened there though- we sat outside the tent on mini-lawn, and just sat looking at the sky- so full of stars- so brilliantly lit up- so serenely beautiful and mystifying! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next day was mostly spent rather uneventfully, with our travel back, checking in at Angmo's Green Villa, and exploring Leh Market. And except the excellent home- cooked, authentic Ladakhi food that Angmo served us, not much to say about it :) </span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-15489991446660182242014-08-17T23:54:00.000+05:302014-09-13T12:59:32.585+05:30Beauty has an address- Day 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After yesterday’s long long journey, it was time to take
things a bit slowly today. However, that was not to be. I woke up at stark 630
and found that it was already sunny outside. This is one good thing about
Himalayas, you peak outside, and they are just there. At least in Ladakh, they
constantly are. So I was staring at a lovely morning, birds chirping, and three
ranges of mountains. Brilliant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Following a sumptuous breakfast (one of the best ones we had
in our entire trip btw) we were greeted by a new pair of innovas and drivers.
Today’s plan of action was in and around Leh, (basically doing the standard checking
the boxes of sightseeing) and we started with the Hemis monastery, sitting
pretty and high in the mountains, exhibiting the royal, age old prayer halls,
line of prayer wheels and Buddhist frescos. But it also houses a museum, which
exhibits the artifacts dating back multiple centuries, an interesting place to check out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was followed by a low-quality lunch, a monastery view
from far off, a visit to an old palace named Shey and the much –famed ‘Rancho’s
school’ – the Druk Padma Karpo School. It is absolutely as they have shown in
the movie, and thanks to a contact I sourced, we got an inside view of the
school and classrooms, with amazingly cute kids and well-designed,
well-equipped building. It is a school established by the head lama of this ‘druk’
sect and howsoever they do not like it, it is true that the school has shot to
fame due to movie 3 idiots which probably aids in getting donations or help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next stop was the confluence of the flowy, muddy Zanskar
with the wide, mighty Indus. The one which has given us our name, India. It is
an amazing place to just sit and reflect on life. It is one of the many more
places which make you do that in Ladakh, something that we were going to
explore soon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPnzc95VMghqIIFvDIOmTUoFx_jjbSiGLLMVK7I2xfXjxfPTereVOXsuvsCF9qZnagl3Qfayb34TYdDYkQ1tjTLjQu0T8agehtrGZV1zPSWOO3UG9bEcoRTHzZmflXYXzF36r05Wn3Beu/s1600/20140721_175631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPnzc95VMghqIIFvDIOmTUoFx_jjbSiGLLMVK7I2xfXjxfPTereVOXsuvsCF9qZnagl3Qfayb34TYdDYkQ1tjTLjQu0T8agehtrGZV1zPSWOO3UG9bEcoRTHzZmflXYXzF36r05Wn3Beu/s1600/20140721_175631.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leaving the Confluence, we hurriedly reached the hall of
fame in Leh, which is dedicated to the martyrs of all wars which happened in
that region over the years. In fact, this hall of fame houses a lot of things in detail.
From the geography and history and flora-fauna of the Ladakh region, to the old
stories of soldiers, to the photographs and anecdotes of air operations, to the
very touchy artefacts like a letter sent by a soldier some days before he died,
and the answer his father wrote back. However, time was not sufficient to read
each and everything fully, the museum took the shutters down at sharp 7 pm and we were forced to leave, a bit emotional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day was drawing to end, and we proceeded towards hotel. The
dinner was as usual at the hotel, and it was followed by a customary chat
session in the room. We had kept the day relatively less packed as we needed to
stabilize, get adjusted to the altitude and next day onwards things were going
to be hectic. The slight breathlessness was still experienced (and it continued
till the last day), but none of us was too sick. We were eager for next day, aiming to traverse through world's highest motorable road- Khardung-la!</span></div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-86507755055444666682014-08-10T11:35:00.002+05:302014-09-13T12:44:43.821+05:30Beauty has an address- 1 and 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>EN-ROUTE LEH</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do not exactly remember when did this whole idea of going to Ladakh pop up. We had been discussing about it for quite a while now, and had been postponing, owing to reasons like weddings, relocations, new businesses, new houses, business trips and so on. Realizing that we may never get to Ladakh by this rate unless we initiate the planning, we finally booked ourselves on the Srinagar-bound flight, way ahead in March. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next three months are kinda blurred in my memory, as they were spent in heavy duty planning, discussing, re discussing and then discussing some more :). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And finally after all this, we were on the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai on a wet morning of 19th of July, 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Landing upon Srinagar airport, we were picked up by the pre-booked innovas, and our journey to Leh started. Of course, not without some customary stop-overs. Lunch at Srinagar proved to be quite disastrous, (with the stale Rogan Josh haunting us for the entire trip!) and we were only happy to be on our way to asap. Mission Sonamarg!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily, majority of our group had never set foot in Kashmir and had never seen Himalayas before this in their life. I say luckily, because I have been to Himalayas thrice before this, one of them being Kashmir itself. This most definitely leads you to sort of expect what to see, and you are never overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of landscape. Hence it is always good to have a first-timer with you, unexposed to this before, and you can see the beauty all over again with their eyes. So, customary stopovers for clicking the flowy river, the lush green meadows, the mountains and the breathtaking views were all taken, along with one for having a delicious Kashmiri Kahwa by the riverside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dusk was already falling by the time we reached Sonamarg, and it had started getting chilled. The little cosy resort of JKTDC was modest but well-equipped. It provided us with necessary amenities, including super thick blankets ,24-hour hot water, and basic fresh food. Sagar and Jatan were taken by their stomachs by this time, and looking at the need of early morning start the next day, all of us were inside our beds by 11pm. The next day was going to be a bit strenuous (and amazing as it turned out to be).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having a light sleep is sometimes a boon, but mostly an annoying thing. I have sleep issues since a long time, and they continued for some time here as well. I was up at sharp 3am, thanks to the azaan outside(it was the month of Ramazan) and inspite of my efforts, was still up at 3-55. Deciding not to be the lone sufferer, I promptly woke everybody up at 4am, under the pretext of early start, much to their reluctance and cursing. Not paying any heed to it, we were finally successful in leaving Sonamarg cottage by 540 am, braving the road to come. Specifically Zojila.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know, we had heard of zojila in such outright exaggerating terms, that we had crossed the stage of being scared and in fact were eager to see what the hell this Zojila was. Yes, it was scary, (not helping was our drivers' decision of taking the car as close as possible to the edge) evident by the lack of sufficient photos. But thankfully, no jams, no army convoys, and no knowledge that we were passing through Zojila, till it was half-done! Satisfying the minute religious streak, if any, we could also see the Amarnath pilgrims, the helicopter rides, and the way to Amarnath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As we cross Zojila, the landscape begins to change. from the lush green and blue landscape, we progress towards rather vast valleys, muddy mountains and in general, a lunar, brown landscape. It is wonderful to see that progression, and it completely amazes you that such a stark difference can exist within a span of 50 kms. Breakfast halt was at Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on earth(temperature in winters in minus 60), and followed by an immediate sight-seeing stop at Kargil war memorial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is a fuss-free, minimalistic and yet a very touchy place. An amar jawan flame, a national flag of Olympian measures and a golden plaque behind it, displaying the names of all those, who laid their lives here during operation Vijay. One also listens to a soldier narrating the whole story of operation Vijay, and the details absolutely bring goosebumps to you. The names you have only listened only on national television, be it kargil, drass, batalik, tiger hill, tololing hill, are right in front of you, reminding you of a very brave chapter in India's war history and making you deeply aware, that it takes an infinite amount of courage and conviction to fight for your country, in such a and die serving it. We are, only because they were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">Leaving this emotional moment behind, we started our journey ahead, and had an extended journey, crossing ranges after ranges of mountains, passing the bumpy patches and smooth roads built by BRO, with almost no sign of habitation, witnessing the vast and giant lunar landscape all this while. The road is unbelievable, and it is an experience worth taking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The lunch halt was at a little village called Lamayuru, known for the oldest monastery in that region. This monastery visit would always be remembered coz of a young Lama we met, who was sitting in monastery at peace, and reading harry potter and the order of the phoenix!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More monasteries were yet to come in the remaining trip, and hence we immediately proceeded ahead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roads all this while, were exemplary, as smooth as a slab of butter, built by the mighty BRO. I fell in love with their motto: impossible may take time, difficult will be done immediately. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, we also thought of smuggling some BRO guys back with us and assigning them a contract of building the roads in Pune!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WQjIvaDljBMFvCOAQiTIIWtCILGEcbtrhfI0zMXTlJjWRPUvghmHglAIfpDT6nD2OS_YDpBjgx71coYyviO923HpWw6PiM4jSEYhYcz_bl3FdN7Bl5hb15gxT_A6ylDBxr-swUSjo0NX/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WQjIvaDljBMFvCOAQiTIIWtCILGEcbtrhfI0zMXTlJjWRPUvghmHglAIfpDT6nD2OS_YDpBjgx71coYyviO923HpWw6PiM4jSEYhYcz_bl3FdN7Bl5hb15gxT_A6ylDBxr-swUSjo0NX/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As we got close to Leh, Dusk had started falling. We were on road for good 14 hours by now, and were eager to reach the hotel at earliest. Finally, the Innovas found their way through the crowded Bazar, we checked in at oriental hotel, freshened up, had the buffet in Hotel and were off to sleep!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A landmark was reached after a journey of two days. Journey of thousands of kilometers from Home, a journey passing through several different regions, geographies, weathers, and altitude. The wonder that is Ladakh was going to unfold from tomorrow, and we were excited!</span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-565616581387798412014-07-31T13:38:00.000+05:302014-09-13T12:39:18.325+05:30अपने होनेपे मुझको यकीन आ गया..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv3x2U63cT0UEF145G-ZpF2Sm7zPYBBVCE0zWKCos6qaHwwa1xpQeYzYzOt6rTzfLdI8PFdqBt9GwrD_BH_br1WobFIzn9ewJe7emvg3Vw5sp7LnEguFg60wsE-eTE1cCeO5w14zB37Rp/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv3x2U63cT0UEF145G-ZpF2Sm7zPYBBVCE0zWKCos6qaHwwa1xpQeYzYzOt6rTzfLdI8PFdqBt9GwrD_BH_br1WobFIzn9ewJe7emvg3Vw5sp7LnEguFg60wsE-eTE1cCeO5w14zB37Rp/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लदाख हे एक
वेगळंच प्रकरण आहे. केवळ आधी पाहिलेल्या ठिकाणांपेक्षा वेगळं </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">अतिउंचावरचं ठिकाण म्हणून
नव्हे</span>, <span lang="MR">तर लदाखला घेतलेले अनुभव हे माझ्या नेहमीच्या
जगण्यात मला न मिळणारे अनुभव आहेत. तसं म्हटलं तर आम्ही काही फार तीर मारले नाहीत-
कुठल्यातरी भलत्याच दुर्गम जागी गेलोय</span>, <span lang="MR">असं झालं नाही</span>,
<span lang="MR">किंवा ट्रेक केलाय असं झालं नाही. आम्ही आपले चार पर्यटकांसारखे
सर्वात पॉप्युलर ठिकाणी गेलो</span>, <span lang="MR">एखादा दिवस सोडता सोयीस्कर
ठिकाणी राहिलो आणि चांगले गाडीतून फिरलो. तरीही हे वेगळे अनुभव कुठून मिळाले</span>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याचं कारण
म्हणजे या सर्व प्रवासात स्वतःच्या अस्तित्वाची सतत होणारी जाणीव आणि त्यामुळे
छेडल्या जाणारया डोक्यातल्या तारा.</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काही काही
गाण्यांच्या ओळी आपल्याला उगाच आवडतात. त्याच्या मागचा अभिप्रेत अर्थ आपल्याला दर
वेळी कळतोच असं नाही.. पण त्यांचा नाद आवडतो. त्या ओळींचा अर्थ आपण वेळ प्रसंगी
आपल्याला शक्य असा लावतो. तशा "उरले उरात काही आवाज चांदण्यांचे</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">आकाश तारकांचे</span>, <span lang="MR">उचलून रात गेली.." या माझ्या आवडत्या ओळी आहेत. त्या ओळी इतके वर्ष
ऐकल्यानंतर त्या प्रत्यक्ष मला दिसल्या लदाख मध्ये.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लडाखच्या उजाड</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">वैराण</span>, <span lang="MR">निर्मनुष्य
परिसराचा एक फायदा म्हणजे तिथून दिसणारं आकाश. अवकाशनिरीक्षकांना पर्वणी
म्हणावं लागेल असं आकाश तिथे रोज दिसतं. रात्री घराबाहेर येऊन आकाशात नजर टाकली की
नजरबंदी होईल असं दृश्य असतं. इतके तारे</span>, <span lang="MR">एकत्र</span>, <span lang="MR">एका ठिकाणी</span>, <span lang="MR">मी आयुष्यात कधीही पाहिलेले नाहीत. मला
तारे वगैरे मधलं फार काही कळत नाही</span>, <span lang="MR">पण आपले नेहमीचे लोक-
ध्रुव</span>, <span lang="MR">व्याधाचा बाण</span>, <span lang="MR">सप्तर्षी वगैरे
चटकन ओळखू येतात. लडाखच्या आकाशात मला एकही दिवस ते पटकन दिसले नाहीत- कारण
आकाशातला ताऱ्यांचा खच. लाखो</span>, <span lang="MR">करोडो तारे कोणीतरी आकाशात
सांडून गेलं आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">असं चित्र होतं.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">असं आकाश
माणसाला प्रचंड भावुक करतं. किंवा मंत्रमुग्ध म्हणू. असं आकाश आपल्याभोवती किती
अद्भुत गोष्टी आहेत याची जाणीव करून देतं. हे तारे आपल्यापासून इतके दूर आहेत</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">तरीही दिसतात. पण खरं तर ते
काही लाख प्रकाशवर्षे दूर आहेत</span>, <span lang="MR">म्हणजे ते तिथे होते</span>,
<span lang="MR">आत्ता असतीलच असं नाही. आम्हाला आकाशगंगा दिसली</span>, <span lang="MR">नुसत्या डोळ्यांनी</span>, <span lang="MR">कोणतीही दुर्बीण न लावता. अशा
किती आकाशगंगा आहेत</span>? <span lang="MR">पृथ्वीवर आपली सृष्टी आहे</span>,
<span lang="MR">बाकी कुठे असेल का</span>? <span lang="MR">हा पसारा नक्की किती
मोठा आहे</span>? <span lang="MR">आणि आपण कोण आहोत</span>? <span lang="MR">या सगळ्या
पसार्यात आपण कदाचित नगण्य बिंदू इतके देखील नसू</span>, <span lang="MR">पण आपण आहोत.
या अफाट पसाऱ्यात हरवून जाण्याची शक्यता असताना देखील आपण आहोत. आपल्याला
संवेदना आहेत</span>, <span lang="MR">विचार आहेत</span>, <span lang="MR">एक मन आहे</span>,
<span lang="MR">एक अस्तित्व आहे.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><span lang="MR"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नुब्रा मधल्या
शायोक नदीवरचं आकाश आणि </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">pangong <span lang="MR">लेकच्या काठच्या तंबूबाहेरून
पाहिलेलं आकाश</span>, <span lang="MR">ही दोन्ही माझ्या मनात तशीच्या तशी आहेत</span>,
<span lang="MR">आणि त्यानुसार आलेले विचार देखील. त्यानंतर अनेक रात्री गेल्या</span>,
<span lang="MR">पुण्याला परत आल्यावर ते आकाश दिसणं बंद झालं</span>, <span lang="MR">तरीही ते तारे तसेच आहेत. उरातले ते चांदण्यांचे आवाज मला ऐकू येतात</span>,
<span lang="MR">आणि त्या अनुषंगाने आलेले मूलभूत अस्तित्वाचे विचार देखील.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हाय आल्टीट्युड
हे देखील आधी न अनुभवलेलं प्रकरण. समुद्रसपाटीपासून इतक्या उंचीवर</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">विरळ हवेत</span>, <span lang="MR">श्वास घ्यायला हलकासा त्रास होतोच. कितीही त्या हवेची सवय झाली तरी.
जगातल्या सर्वात उंचीवरच्या रस्त्यावर- खारदुंगला- साडेअठरा हजार फूट- असताना मी
एक दहा सेकंद धावले- म्हणजे पटकन गाडीत बसण्यासाठी. त्या दहा सेकंद धावण्याने
पुढचं एक मिनिट माझी काय अवस्था झाली</span>, <span lang="MR">याचं मी वर्णन करू
शकेन. माझा श्वास हा ऑन- ऑफ स्वीच सारखा आता बंद होईल</span>, <span lang="MR">असं
मला वाटत होतं. आपल्या श्वासावर आपलं नियंत्रण आणणं हा किती व्यर्थ प्रयत्न आहे</span>,
<span lang="MR">हे मला जाणवत होतं. त्या एका मिनिटात माझ्या डोळ्यासमोरून अनेक
दृश्य झरकन सरकून गेली. आयुष्याच्या </span>re-cap <span lang="MR">सारखी.</span> <span lang="MR">मी डोळे मिटले</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि ते मिटण्याच्या आधी मला दिसलेलं
शेवटचं पर्वत शिखर माझ्या डोळ्यासमोर आलं. आता जर एका मिनिटानंतर आपण अस्तित्वात
नसू</span>, <span lang="MR">तर काय होईल</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि श्वास असा स्वीच
सारखा ऑफ झाला</span>, <span lang="MR">तर आपलं अस्तित्व संपेल म्हणजे काय संपेल</span>?
<span lang="MR">असे अनेक प्रश्न माझ्या डोक्यात आले. हे सगळं केवळ एका मिनिटात.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"> </span><span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रत्यक्ष एक
मिनिटभरानंतरही मी जिवंत होते. मला धाप लागली होती</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">आणि मी दीर्घ श्वास घेत होते. गाडीतलं सुफी
संगीत चालू होतं</span>, <span lang="MR">माझ्या हृदयाचे ठोके ऐकू येत होते</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि संवेदना जाणवत होत्या. आपण जिवंत असण्याची जाणीव मला त्या क्षणासारखी
पूर्वी कधीही झालेली नाही. आपलं शरीर</span>, <span lang="MR">त्यावरचं नियंत्रण</span>,
<span lang="MR">श्वासोच्छ्वासाची क्रिया</span>, <span lang="MR">आपल्या जाणीवा</span>,
<span lang="MR">संवेदना जागृत असणं</span>, <span lang="MR">हे सगळं त्या एका
मिनिटानंतर फार प्रकर्षाने मला जाणवलं. आपल्या अस्तित्वाची खात्री पटली</span>, <span lang="MR">असं म्हणायला हरकत नाही! </span> </span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आम्हाला श्रीनगर-लेह च्या वाटेत
द्रास लागलं. द्रास पृथ्वीवरची अतिथंड जागा आहे. मानवी वस्ती असलेली दुसऱ्या
क्रमांकाची सर्वात थंड जागा. हिवाळ्यात उणे ६० अंश सेल्सिअस तापमानात लोक राहतात.
अशा ठिकाणी आपल्या भारतीय सैन्याचं पोस्टिंग असतं. सियाचीन सारख्या जगातल्या
सर्वात अवघड युद्धभूमीवर ते लढतात. जिथे ऑक्सिजनच्या कमतरतेमुळे</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"> <span lang="MR">आम्हाला श्वास
घ्यायला हलकासा त्रास होत होता</span>, <span lang="MR">अशा ठिकाणी युद्ध करतात. हे
कसं होतं</span>? <span lang="MR">खारदुंग-ला सारख्या ठिकाणी १८६५० फुटांवर सैन्य
पहारा कसं करतं किंवा विरळ हवेत बीआरओचे लोक बांधकाम कसे करतात</span>? <span lang="MR">मानव हा जगातला सर्वात जास्त</span> adapt <span lang="MR">करू
शकणारा प्राणी आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">असं म्हणतात</span>, <span lang="MR">त्याचा
अनुभव आम्ही घेत होतो. जगातल्या कुठल्याही नैसर्गिक</span> <span lang="MR">उणिवेशी सामना करून आपलं अस्तित्व</span> establish <span lang="MR">करण्याची मानवी प्रवृत्ती आम्हाला तिथे दिसत होती. आपलं अस्तित्व कायम
ठेवणं हे आपल्या हातात असतं</span>, <span lang="MR">आपल्या कष्टांवर अवलंबून असतं
याची प्रचीती आम्हाला तिथे मिळत होती.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पंगोंग लेक ही
आमच्या अक्ख्या प्रवासातली सर्वात अवर्णनीय जागा आहे. तो तलाव जादूई आहे</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">असं माझं ठाम मत आहे. त्याचे
रंग</span> <span lang="MR">हे सूर्याप्रमाणे बदलतात</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि
त्याचा तो एक विशेष निळा रंग हा कशामुळे येतो मला माहिती नाही. नील-कुहर असंच
त्याचं वर्णन करावं लागेल. स्फटिकासारखे नितळ निळे पाणी</span>, <span lang="MR">त्यातल्या
हलक्या लाटा</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि त्याला चारही बाजूने असणारं तपकिरी
डोंगराचं कोंदण.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अक्षरशः रडू
येईल इतकं नैसर्गिक सौंदर्य. असं सौंदर्य जेव्हा तुमच्या समोर येतं</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">तेव्हा तुम्ही आधी स्तंभित
होता</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि मग शांत. समुद्रसपाटीपासून १४५०० फुटांवर</span>, <span lang="MR">कुठेतरी जगाच्या एका कोपऱ्यात असं सौंदर्य आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि
ते तुम्ही तुमच्या डोळ्याने बघू शकता आहात. पाण्याच्या जवळ खूप आपलंसं वाटलं</span>,
<span lang="MR">डोंगरांच्यापेक्षाही जास्त. आपल्या सर्वांची उत्पत्ती पाण्यापासून
झाली असं मी कुठेतरी ऐकलंय. अनेक डोंगर पालथे घालून शेवटी पाण्यापाशी आल्यामुळे तो
कनेक्ट जाणवला असेलही. आपल्या मूळ स्थानाशी आल्यावर</span>, <span lang="MR">किंवा
घरी आल्यावर जसं वाटतं तसं. या ठिकाणी जर माझं काही बरंवाईट झालं असतं</span>, <span lang="MR">तरी मला काही वाईट वाटलं नसतं</span>, <span lang="MR">इतकी मी त्या
पाण्याच्या दर्शनाने तृप्त होते. सिंधू आणि झंस्कार नद्यांचा संगम आणि खळाळत्या
शायोक नदीच्या काठावर देखील मला असंच तृप्त वाटलं होतं. आपण मूलतः कसे उत्पन्न
होतो </span>, <span lang="MR">मानसिक किंवा आत्मिक दृष्ट्या कसे उन्नत</span> evolve <span lang="MR">होतो</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि आपलं काय होणार आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">कल्पना नाही</span>, <span lang="MR">पण आपलं अस्तित्व आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि निसर्गात अशा अनेक गोष्टी आहेत</span>, <span lang="MR">ज्यांचाशी आपला
खोलवर संबंध आहे हे नक्की.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हे चार प्रसंग
सोडूनही अशा अनेक वेळा ह्या प्रवासात</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"> <span lang="MR">होत्या</span>, <span lang="MR">की
जिथे मला आपलं स्वतःचं माणूस म्हणून अस्तित्व प्रकर्षाने जाणवलं. विचारांना मुक्त
सोडता आलं</span>, <span lang="MR">शांतता आणि शांती याचा अनुभव घेता आला.
निसर्गापेक्षा आपण किती छोटे आहोत</span>, <span lang="MR">आपण निसर्गासोबत जुळवून
कसे घेवू शकतो</span>, <span lang="MR">आणि तरीही निसर्ग ही आपल्यापेक्षा एक भव्य</span>,
<span lang="MR">उदात्त शक्ती कायमच राहणार आहे</span>, <span lang="MR">हे मला लक्षात
आलं..</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जावेद अख्तर
यांचे ऐकलेले शब्द पुरेपूर अनुभवले:</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बस मै हू</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">मेरी सासें है और मेरी धडकने..</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ऐसी गहराईया</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">ऐसी तनहाईया</span>,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और मै</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="MR">बस मै.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="MR" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अपने</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"> <b><span lang="MR">होनेपे</span></b> <span lang="MR">मुझको यकीन आ गया.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-86465717578378551272014-07-30T15:57:00.005+05:302014-07-30T16:14:48.723+05:30Ladakh-a state of being<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ladakh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is amazing, wonderful, surreal, out of this world and much more. In fact, it cant be defined in words. IT is something that you have to feel, to understand what exactly it means.</span><br />
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Ladakh is an emotion. or may be a state of being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I have been to Himalayas thrice before this, and I am fairly familiar with the flowing rivers, lush green meadows, cherubic people and omnipresent Himalaya ranges from wherever you see. And yet, Ladakh drove me crazy. There are very very few places in whatever world I have seen, which make me long for them. Which have a certain pull mechanism within. Where I would seriously feel like getting settled. Ladakh features most definitely on them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leh is best described as a little touristy town, and that is about it. Something like Pondicherry, or Goa, with Cafes and hawkers and white-skinned tourists at every nook and corner. Gladly, there are at least food options here, with restaurants serving everything from Ladakhi to Chinese to Israeli. Of course, the whole background of multiple Himalayan ranges and a stark contrast of blue-white-brown and green sets this place apart from a typical touristy hub. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you leave the town of Leh and take the interior route, the real journey begins. And boy, that one can not be compared to anything on this earth. The treasures that one discovers here, are priceless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A serpentine road, full of U-pin bends, leading to high passes. snow-caped mountains, standing there, vast and overbearing. Interesting patterns and textures of those mountains, making the photos pretty.</span><br />
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Flowing, bubbly water of the river shyok. The mighty Indus.<span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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The sudden patches of dark, bright green in the otherwise lunar landscape.<span style="color: #222222;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">C</span>olourful Monasteries peaking from the mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bright prayer flags, adding a visual contrast to that landscape of stark white. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Monk clad in his maroon toga, chanting away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Border Roads Organization workers, doing a superb job, topping it with their more interesting road-signs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Army posts standing proud on top of mighty Chang-la and Khardung-la.<span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
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Himalayan fauna like Yak and wild horses.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The serene, divine and almost surreal blueness of Pangong lake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And stars, thousands, millions of them scattered in the sky. A sky so lit up and so beautiful that you want to cry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can one let this all stay just a 'sight-seeing' and not become a part of one's soul? It is difficult. It is extra-ordinarily difficult to turn away from something so unprocessed, un-glitzy, unaffected, especially when its rare to find such unaffected beauty in our worlds. And perhaps, therefore surreally beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almost divine, spiritual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is why Ladakh is a state of being. A heavenly state of being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all, it's often one of the most simple things in life, that lead you to heaven.</span></div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-24410566023805598462014-06-26T13:08:00.002+05:302014-06-26T16:21:22.440+05:30When life gives you lemons...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...Make lemonade is what they have been saying for ages. I really like the new age versions though, including squeezing them in people's eyes, spicing up food and also the below one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N3lu6CH3BypQxcbQZp1HrXxeMYi_SmcEWOmtR2e_AtDY3Mo3mA6TfZXeEpK2mx8st93tVEw-k1P4E-srVZQIME9jMPAtrt-AEACunoZ8dCUnrSXrNMLsKKwAX7Mx8YOG2UmU3rlE4i0H/s1600/when-life-gives-you-lemons-grab-tequila-salt-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N3lu6CH3BypQxcbQZp1HrXxeMYi_SmcEWOmtR2e_AtDY3Mo3mA6TfZXeEpK2mx8st93tVEw-k1P4E-srVZQIME9jMPAtrt-AEACunoZ8dCUnrSXrNMLsKKwAX7Mx8YOG2UmU3rlE4i0H/s1600/when-life-gives-you-lemons-grab-tequila-salt-6.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> This tequila story is mine, and some may also say that it is not a 'real' pain or 'real' struggle or even real 'lemons', but I could not care less. Perhaps because first time in my life, I faced lemons, and exactly a year later, I am pretty happy that I grabbed that tequila and salt. In fact, I am proud of that shot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A little more than a year ago, I shifted my base again to Pune, in a new home in the old city. In a new role in an old city. As I already wrote it in one of my posts before, it was no cakewalk, however easy we might have thought of it. You take your time in adjusting to the new you, and you should. It is not an overnight process. And it CAN create stress irrespective of having the world's best in-laws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moreover, I took up work, which I really thought would suit me as I had a nice image of this concerned media company. Mistake no. one= what you feel as a reader is not what you experience as a worker. Publishing good content does not mean that you enjoy the working atmosphere there. I am even laughing right now, while writing this, it is too obvious. But I did not realize it then, and went ahead and started the work. Couple of other offers also came my way after I started this, but I rejected them, feeling'determined', and began working.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What followed was three months of insanely hectic schedule, unsatisfactory pay, a bit of brainwashing into believing that all this duniyaadari was supposed to lead to something great, and a bit of more dangerous brainwashing into feeling responsible for company's success and failures. I would be unhappy all the time, without any exercise, constantly travelling, irritation levels high, taking it out on my family members, and making my own life miserable. And all this for some random 'cause', which I thought was my own responsibility. I would not even think of leaving this work, saying if I did not do it, who would? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The whole story came to an abrupt end one fine afternoon. I was supposed to travel to Goa that night (for work of course). What prompted me to start complaining about my work I do not remember, but soon I was talking endlessly and crying endlessly, saying I do not want to go. I think I cried for good two and half hours non-stop, and my extremely worried husband finally took me to my parents, where I cried some more, saying I feel I am broken down. wasted. gone. worthless. good for nothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back, I shudder at this memory, thinking what exactly had that job done? Was I being brainwashed into something completely against my own ideas and preferences or was it black magic? I know people do not usually do black magic, but it affected me like one. I stayed home for 6 whole days, not meeting friends, not going to work, doing nothing. Thankfully, my husband and my parents forced me to resign from that job, something I was felling psychologically incapable of doing. I however sent an urgent resignation email. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was July 1st, and I was staring at this professional void. No job, no pay, moreover, nauseating at the thought of work and feeling utterly incapable, worthless, in-confident and good for nothing. Just a big dark void. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next six months is a period I like remembering for various reasons now. Not an easy period, mind you, as I did not have a full-time day long work. It can be tough. Not money wise, but mind wise. You know how they say that empty mind is a devil's workshop? It is, indeed. You get little extra free time, with nothing to do, it completely eats you up and starts a negative spiral of thoughts. I remember some of such dull evenings, crying afternoons and lost mornings, spent in figuring out where exactly was my life heading. Feeling worthless because of no work. Now,only solution is occupying your mind, and just for that, I started three things. First, I went back to studying. Studying is something I always liked to do, and I was always really good at. After doing my diploma in German in 2004, I registered for an advanced diploma after 9 whole years, and rekindled my love for German language. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Additionally, I started studying for NET, the exam needed to be cracked in case one wants to do a PhD or get into teaching. I do want to get into teaching some time in future, and NET is a necessity for that. SO why not take a fully serious attempt now that I had time and see what happens? So began the studies for NET.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interestingly, I realized that exercise is one thing that literally pulls you up from the downward negative spiral of thoughts. I used to gym, but I needed change. Hence, out of nowhere, I took up a target, to run in Pune Marathon in December. I had never run long distances before, even in school, and to add to that I have a bit of allergic bronco-constriction, which sometimes makes an Cardio activity impossible, in case of dust or cold. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot, and started training. As much as I could.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next few months were amazing. The mood swings and the usual cribbing did not go away like a magic wand, but I started stabilizing. My occupied mind gave me little time to be dull. I ran and ran, without adequate strength training,leading to a nerve injury, but I survived. I altered training and bounced back. I enjoyed being in a student once more after a certain gap. Meanwhile, I also freelanced for some companies, and wrote some well-researched content. A lot of my heritage content is written during this period, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. It gave me sense of achievement, slowly and surely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monsoon treks, family get-togethers, seasonal weddings, ceremonies, parties, shopping, cooking experiments, I did them all. I am an extrovert person, hence being with people always perks me up, no matter how sad I am. The activities, watching my slow but definite progress in them, and a very firm support from the family is what kept me sane, and kept me going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In winter, eventually I ran a 5k race in pinkatahon, and a 10k in Pune marathon. I could experience this runners' high at completion of both. Had another high, thinking I could do a 75 minutes run, when I would pant for breath after 7 minutes, just a few months ago. I appeared for the NET exam, and I am happy to tell that I cleared it in first attempt, along with the coveted Junior Research Fellowship. I enjoyed my German course, and did well in that as well. I had a wonderful trip to Dubai at the end of the year with family. Eventually, I started working again, and am currently enjoying it along with exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been a year exactly, since the day of my big breakdown, and boy, what a year has it been! I would not call it the journey to self-discovery as such, but I did learn a lot about myself. I met the unexplored sides of my personality. I tried inculcating certain things in me, like patience. I learned to feel blessed for the positivity in life. I am still learning the importance of right attitude towards life. I am still not very calm, but at least I stopped taking the burden of unnecessary things in life. I loved putting my life together, hoping to create a new 'me' some day. Importantly, I have gained back the original confidence, some new attitude, and have started believing in life in general. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have seen an injured self, and its recovery. It is worth seeing, worth experiencing at least one. And I am glad I did it with a zest. Hence, not just a lemonade, but a tequila shot. The shot has been awesome, and I am much more confident AND grateful about life in general, bring it on! </span></div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com3Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5204303 73.85674369999992518.2795358 73.534020199999929 18.7613248 74.17946719999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-35056831749427340082014-06-24T15:09:00.000+05:302014-06-24T15:09:29.423+05:30Will the real Pune please stand up?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Any city is like a person. It has multiple identities, multiple faces. You keep getting amazed by them in spite of staying there for years together. 'coz the identity is influenced by so many things. Right from the roads in that city to the language to the cost of living to the social circle we make. I stayed in Mumbai, and I have multiple identities of Mumbai. I stayed in Chennai and I have gathered quite a few impressions.<br />
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Of course, one must understand that these identities are largely individual impressions first, and probably turn into identities, if either large number of people think so or that particular situation or condition prevails for a long time. Still, a city has multiple identities as it represents different things for different people.These impressions are to be perceived, a city has to be read. Read like a book, to really start fathoming its soul. I tried reading these at both Mumbai and Chennai, with varied levels of success.<br />
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However, the equation changes when you are talking about your own native place. A city that you grew up in, and also grew up with. There, the identities are not only shaped by your own experiences, but also by what you have heard from your parents about the past, by the traces of heritage you still see, by the emotions you feel about that place and by what you hear about it from immigrants. Media, literature and folklore add to it even more. There are times when you are like: "this is so NOT true about my city! you immigrants and your biases!" and there are times when you totally buy the new identity and wonder where was this facet of your city till now.<br />
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Pune currently poses that problem for me. Well, Pune never had dearth of adjectives and identities. But I am sure, people did not think that only their version of Pune is the right face of the city. Pune was undoubtedly a Brahmin dominated orthodox city, but Pune was the one which started India's first school for girls. Old Pune is dotted by countless temples and old Pune does also serve awesome non-veg cuisine. These contradictions stay peacefully near each other, and have been doing so for years together.No single side claims that only their Pune is 'real' or rather the 'only' identity of Pune. Well, as we said before, there is no single identity to any city, even Pune.<br />
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I increasingly come across people who defy this and try to establish a city's identity through tinted glasses of their own prejudices, expectations and opinions. Moreover, claim that only this is the right picture. I happen to meet newer people as a part of my work, many of them new migrants in Pune, and sadly, with no desire to get to know the city.<br />
I have been told emphatically that there are no palaces in Pune worth boasting. I have been told with conviction that Dagdusheth is the 'top-ranked Ganpati'! People have looked at me with blank stares when I tell them that my school is in Shaniwar Peth in the old city, and I have, no, I am not joking, been actually asked, where is that place called Shaniwar or some wada?<br />
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Now, I do get flabbergasted by such questions and opinions. I understand that looking at the way Pune is expanding, it is really difficult to colour it in a single shade or even know all the places. It is all right not to know something, but please do not pass expert comments based on what you really do not know. Worst, do not form opinions about the entire city based on a single locality or place or neighbourhood. Some random place in Aundh might be really hep and crowded with youngsters all over to have a drink. But that does not mean that the entire youth in Pune hangs out only at a bar. There are more and more girls who wear shorts on the street, that does not mean every girl in Pune wears skimpy clothes and roams around at night. There are number of plush residential schemes coming up in the far corners, that does not mean Undri or Shirwal is the only place in Pune worth staying. Yes, people reading and writing Marathi is getting dangerously low day by day, but that does not mean that English IS the first language of this city.<br />
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On the other hand side, I also know people, who refuse to accept this expanding city for what it is, are angry about the migrant flow, are pretty puritans in everything they do, and are generally stuck in history, without a real significant thought. They also pass statements like "Real Punekars are always good. The moment these migrants landed here, they destroyed the city."<br />
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Given above were examples of inferences people draw. They all probably fail to understand, that no single aspect is a right mirror for an entire city. City always has many moods, many faces, many stories to tell, and many lives at the same time. Moreover, as time passes, social influences change, moulds of societies change, cities change. Infrastructure-wise and also soul-wise. It is fun to see them changing, and it is fun to learn the new facets of city. Yes, it is painful when you see the old beloved things gone, but the new things are also as important to a city's picture as the old one. But all this requires an open mind, and a desire to read a city like a book.<br />
Contrary to my title, there is perhaps no 'real' Pune. If you believe, everything is real, if you do not, it is not. Keeping the mind open is the key perhaps to 'know' the city. I have been actively trying to do that for past several years, and I perceive the changes in my city. Do you?<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-38143647538173937902014-02-16T19:34:00.000+05:302014-02-16T19:34:51.358+05:30Market's new commodity: MAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I went to an early morning movie screening today. Gunday was the option we arrived at after much discussion, which indeed proved to be quite tolerable. It was something completely different that caught my fancy and occupied my thoughts.It was a definite gesture of recognizing the female audience, rather the female gaze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Media, specifically Popular cinema has been accused of commodifying women for decades. It might be those saree clung heroines of yesteryear or the mini-wearing heroines of today. Even Hollywood did not escape from it, with the quintessential bond girl and other supermodels. Commodifying has not yet stopped, and will not as well, though there has been a subtle addition to it. The Ad-world embraced this addition some time ago, the popular cinema to a limited extent. That addition is of commodifying the man.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gunday has ample amount of skin-show by both the male protagonists. Their sculpted bodies are highlighted well throughout, and fight sequences shot in slow motion display their toned muscles. Now Gunday is of course not the first picture where the hero's sex appeal is tapped. Salman khan has been going topless in almost all his films. This case is different though. Here, their physical appearances are as much crucial to movie's reception as the screenplay. The deafening applause and the spontaneous whistles by the entire female audience only confirms this fact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking back at the female commodification over the years, a funny fact can be observed. It is always assumed that the commodified female is always to satisfy the male gaze. It is however sold as a commodity to both genders. The men might be lusting after the sex appeal or enjoying this mythical image of that woman of their dreams. The women audience though was also affected though. It affected them in form of body image. It told them that this was the ideal way to be, in case they want to be desirable in the male eye. It coaxed them to alter their lifestyles. It put them under lot of pressure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you say, that this happened only with the commodified image of that slim and fair maiden, think once more. Not just the heroine, the vamp and the mother were also commodified. The mediated image of mother portrayed the ideal homemaker and a super woman. More than men, women consumed this image, and this evidently adds to more stress and syndromes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So contrary to the obvious thought, Women as a commodity were intended to be consumed as much by women as by men. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The commodity of an ideal father or brother was already available. Commodifying man in purely physical format, as 'male' exists subtly though. The super-desirable Milind Soman of 'Made in India', or the tight butted John Abraham of Dostana, are the males intended to be and were presented as physical commodities.The trend is not new, just that it is very slow and s rarely seen in obvious way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gunday has made sure though that their female audiences get an image to consume. The movie unabashedly puts the commodified 'male' in the market. This may be attributed to the openness about female sexuality, though I am doubtful whether any female audience actively gives it so much of a thought. But the new entry in market can not be ignored, and I feel it is here to stay. To be shown and accepted more and more in upcoming years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And who knows, the feminists for once might be happy with popular cinema. Ultimately, why should boys have all the fun?</span> :D<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-55157615573363077052013-12-16T09:54:00.000+05:302013-12-16T09:54:07.682+05:30So no one told you that was gonna be this way..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">AND we complete two years of marriage today! A big hurrah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I am the nth person to have said this, but marriage does affect you in all sort of unimaginable ways. So no inventions or new-found truth here, when I say that it did affect me as well. This is to be read as an account of experience, confessions, and may be, curiosity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marriage has been a word having multiple connotative-denotative attached meanings. In today's age of exploring new options, openness in relationships, globalized/westernized outlook towards social institutions, and ever-changing world around us, getting into the matrimonial bond is an option most of us take, (number of those who stay away from matrimony is still very less) without the slightest idea of what future holds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We too did. In spite of courting for almost four years before we got married, it was an adventure we were taking on. It does not matter whether you know the person for four years or two weeks. Staying together for 24/7 is a different ballgame. For one, we were happy that were finally getting to stay together putting all those long distance years and expensive phone calls to end! But it was also a process of getting to know the real us, appreciating the smaller gestures, tolerating each other at times, completely disliking something at times, discussing, making up, and being wiser by the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We did change cities after first year of marriage. The first year was spent in Chennai, along with Paa. We adjusted to each other's continuous presence, and loved it. We explored the city of Chennai, with it's food joints, roads, beaches, small trips, speaking Tamil and filter coffee. Dealing with a new city together must have strengthened our bond further. Even though we have now moved back to Pune for good, life in Chennai is associated with the very first year of our marriage, and hence, Chennai will always have a very special place in my mind in spite of the horrendous roads, climate and mosquitos! Mind it !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moving back to Pune sounded a cake walk, not exactly did it prove to be. We moved back to the family home, started our respective careers and a joint life in Pune. And even though both of us have been Punekars, it took us sometime to figure out the way in sudden burst of activities, social life, family time, and adjusting again to our own city. Staying in a same city, after a gap of few years, in a different house, with a different family is an experience worth taking! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As every marriage, we too have had our shares of highs and lows in these two years. But marriage changed us upside down. It changed our reactions, our thought patterns, our behaviour, our expectations, our emotional graphs, our maturity and our sense of responsibility. Everything in this may not have been changed for better. But I am happy with the changes. I know life is ever changing. Nothing will remain the same as it was some time ago. And I have learned to accept the changes, both positive and negative. The changes may be expected or completely unexpected, but I am learning to welcome them in equal zeal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now is the exact moment that we entered matrimony two years ago, at around 10 am. It has been a crazy ride so far. Expecting many more such great moments, experiencing them together, learning from them, and growing up, as one pair of crazy, awesome and wise people! </span></div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-79834147143444945902013-08-24T14:53:00.000+05:302013-08-24T14:53:50.320+05:30Children. why?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">have
a fair idea that questions like this are met with immense surprise, or shock or
plain being non-plus. I have been experiencing this for some time, when I
express my thoughts about having my own kids. Now that I am not newly married
anymore, I am aware that this question is going to come to me from all
directions and eat my mind out of peace. If not immediately, in few months. I
have already been asked about this by some senior females( as expected) and
this is going to be more in coming years. I have not expressed this idea to the
senior members, but I some time discuss this with people my age, and most of
them also have no idea what answer they should give. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">My question is "why
do you want to have children?'</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Most of them do not
understand the question. After grasping it, many say, 'because you DO have
children. Right? Everybody, who can, DOES have children." (which is not an
answer, as much as a logical fallacy, still.) Some say, "Because I am
married now" (which also has no direct connection with wanting to have
children. You CAN have a child even without getting married, if your wish is so
strong. Not socially acceptable though.) Some tell me that they love playing
with children, and that is why they go the kid-route. OK acceptable.
(but you can always play with the nephews and nieces and neighbor's kids for
that matter, if it is just about playing.) A close friend of mine,a
biologist, tells me that she wants them because a) she loves being with kids
and b) that is the most natural human tendency. To reproduce. OK, much better
than the previous answers. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Still, I have not found a
satisfactory answer to why does one want to have kids? Speaking for myself, I
do not feel even a slightest need of having kids. (That has been my feeling for
past few years, might change later though. Let us talk while it lasts.) I do
not like being around kids, I do not like playing with them, I do not feel that
I have any sort of bond with them ( well, some people do. I have seen how
almost magical they are when they are with him or her.). To clarify, I am not
scared of the whole child-bearing and delivery process, and even if I
were, I could have adopted a kid. I do not feel like doing that either. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Is it unnatural to feel
that way? Is it going against the most natural instinct of reproduction? Or
does that show lack of love or compassion? Or has it got something to do with
age and wisdom? I have classmates, who are now mothers of 2 or 3 year olds. I
also have a few friends, who got married by 29-30, and immediately had kids,
coz of the biological clock ticking away. Was the need to have own children so
overpowering, that they did not want to spend time on evolving the marriage? Or
they als had kids, because, you know, everybody does.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In all this, My mother
gave me a very good reason to have kids. She told me to think of having kids,
as you then have something to look forward to for the rest of your life. As the
marriage becomes older and more mature, and you sort of fall into routine, kids
can be those who keep you engaged, keep you hopeful about life. Every day with
kids, is a new day full of learning and developing yourself. I can largely buy
this argument.And I will definitely think about this. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Meanwhile, I would also
like to know the answer to my question from you guys.The one with kids, please
tell me why did you have them. The one without, tell me if you are planning to
have them and why. Diverse opinions always help in forming an idea. And if at
all, you share the same feeling like me, please tell me that as well. It's
quite reassuring to know that you have a fellow sailing in the same boat :)
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">p.s. we are not planning
kids right away, neither are we deciding or debating on that. I have shared it
as my thought. Respect it as it is. :D</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-757390804370621732013-07-15T17:09:00.002+05:302013-07-15T17:13:01.515+05:30A better you via getting physical <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I mean physical activity. As in exercise. As in sweating it out in socially acceptable way, which could be performed in open! A gym or a sport or any aerobic activity. I have been experiencing this since past few days, and ever since I watched Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, I have made my mind doubly up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweating it out has always been a form of what they call as sublimation in psychology. Expressing your emotions in a better suited form. Most of us do not know this term but we are using it very very often. Feel demotivated and frustrated? Have troubles in coping up with situation and feeling low? Have rage and thinking of hitting somebody? Go and sweat it out. The feelings will vanish on their own. Run a good kilometer or two. Go gymming and life heavy weights. Basically, express that rage within through a rigorous, strenuous physical exercise. Your emotions are channelized better, leaving you and the other person unharmed. Plus, it is good to have a few calories burned, isn't it? :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So this is the normal way many of us use. School boys use it, frustrated lovers should use it. I for one, have somehow started using this technique, and it is working wonders. I have not been working for sometime now, following a very stressful period in my life. First thing I did, was resorting to exercise. I started gymming extra-regularly. I go everyday without fail, and exercise for an hour at least. Not that I did not go before, but it was more perfunctory, I would say. Just coz I had paid the membership fees, and the husband is a major gym freak, I would accompany, mostly willingly. My goal was fitness, and nothing else. I would casually work out for 35 minutes, and then off I went. Not any more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made my mind and took to gymming with a determination. To be unaffected from the stress. It took some nagging from Husband initially, but now work out for more than an hour, and that too happily. What is better, I keep on thinking of new workouts to follow and keep inventing them. If I always cycled/ran on treadmill for the cardio, I now substitute it with various funky alternatives. I use spin-bike, I run on real jogging track and not treadmill, I even use the combination of age old skipping rope and Surya Namaskars! And what is best, my stamina has increased. I sense it. I am not panting after long run or skipping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Better than the best, I have managed to keep stress at bay. It is like all the negative emotions are taken out of my body through the sweats. And, I have set a new target for myself. That is of running a 10K in pune marathon this year! Hurrah! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, Farhan Akhtar has also inspired me. I watched Bhaag Milkha, and I was stunned by his physique. Could not stop praising it, like everybody else. It could have been a result of steroids like what some so called insiders are suggesting. But oh boy the body! It takes great amount of determination and perseverance to do that merely for a role. He has done at least nine sprints in that movie, and it is not easy. he has looked every bit of a real life sprinter, which must be a result of tremendously vigorous physical activity. It is not a puffed body, it is lean and taut, like a runner's. If a 38 year old man, who has no connection with the word exercise, can do it, so can I or anybody like me at the age of 26. . It has made my target even firmer.It additionally helps that I simply love Farhan the artist, and hence it is easier to idolize him :D</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last, but not the least, exercise is like a way of connecting with yourself. You consciously think of your body as a tool. A tool to sculpt your inside. You learn to give it all. You learn to cope with injuries, with failures too, if you are playing a sport. You also learn to appreciate the very existence of a good healthy body. Your spirit gets higher. Riddance from the negativity, busting the stress, looking inside you, focusing better, experiencing the calm, and a great figure are attractive add ons, if you want! </span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-31815788650176962912013-03-07T16:53:00.000+05:302014-04-29T11:27:38.362+05:30Apathy,Activism,Apoliticalness and Aam Adami<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been more than a decade now that Congress has been glorifying the Aam Adami. In the mean time, old leaders died, new ones came to power, political map of country became more and more volatile, Modi alarmingly emerged as a brand, First woman president of India retired, Laden was killed, country's growth rate dwindled down, and Rahul Gandhi finally got rid of his hypnotic smile. And still, Aam adami is fairly where he was. In terms of inflation, natural calamities, terrorist attacks, craze of western countries, and most importantly apathy, and a-politicalness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me elaborate. Say, Roads are frequently dug in your area. Mandir in the neighborhood puts on loudspeakers till much later than 10 pm. Your rightful water supply was diverted to some other colony. The rickshaw/taxi driver frequently refuses to take you where you want to go. Hawaldar caught you and holding you up because you jumped the lights. There is a friend of you who is experiencing sexual harassment at her office. In short, things are not exactly looking very bright. Now tell me, what are your normal responses to this? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You will look for another taxi/rick, you will probably give that 50 rs bill to hawaldar so that he does not waste your time, you will close the window and keep cursing the temple, you will ask your friend to ignore/settle matter, and you will definitely curse the 'sarkaar' and the 'system' for the water diversion and road digging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes the apathy I talk about. apathy,defined by wikipedia, is is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. Nothing that happens, on varying scale, that causes trouble, pushes you towards action. It is most surprising, that we take no action, even to issues that are bothering us, let alone others. Asking the friend to settle the matter, is not as much of an apathy, as closing the window and taking another auto is. This sort of apathetic action intrigues me most, where no effort is directed towards gaining what is rightfully ours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Same goes with cursing the sarkaar and the system. Digging the roads or diverting the water supply is not a whim of government, it can not be. There are plans and reasons behind digging the roads, say for pipe gas or water pipeline. If water is diverted, there is a reason needed to be given before that diversion takes place. How much ever we like to believe, governance is not a whimsical activity, where no rule abides. How many of us have bothered to stop when we find labor happily digging away, and ask the reason behind that digging? How many of us go to the zonal office and ask the reason behind? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am sure, probably only 1%. It is foolish to curse and blame system and sarkaar for petty issues like this, and not doing even 1 bit about it. IF it bothers us, by all means we have to go and ask for the reason/permission. But sadly, we prefer ignoring it, passing sideways, cursing them and generally adding up to our collective unhappiness. If at all somebody says, we push them down, saying "why get into those issues and that politics? it is better to stay away."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That is sheer a-politicalness I am talking about. There is a big aversion to anything remotely political in nature. It is not 'non-political'. Non political guys do what they want to do, without believing in politics. A-political are us who just stay apathetic to politics, at the cost of our own convenience. We do not even care who our corporator is and what has he done for us in last five years. Dynastic politics, religious terrorism and political insurgencies are just far far away, way out of scope. We stay away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you feel like staying away, do that by all means. But then do not come and complain about how rotten the civic affairs are and how nothing can be done. Things can be done. remember.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes another problem. The moment we say it can be done, and it is our right, comes in the activism. Just because I am conscious about my rights, and I do something, I do not become activist. Voicing my thought or even having thoughts, is not activism. Calling it activism is in fact an insult to the word. But the moment somebody like me starts a conversation about something as day- to-day as above mentioned situations, I immediately am shut up by friends/relatives, saying "hey, lets not discuss politics, just stay away from that".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apathy and apoliticalness is not going to lead aam adami to any better world. If we want better world, we have to be at least conscious of what happens, why does it happen, what do we want and how can we do it. Else we become sheep and be hoarded. For the in-between, there is always an 'activisty' entertainment like liking FB comments and wearing Aam adami caps. </span><br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-2046822734425511002013-02-21T13:39:00.001+05:302013-02-21T13:39:17.774+05:30To Pa, with love :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have not written for a long time, and hence wanted to write today. However, today's post follows a different topic and is for a different occasion altogether! It is for pa, my father-in-law, who celebrates his birthday today. Hence I combined both the things on my mind- writing and pa's birthday, and made it into one :)<br />
It is not going to be a biographic profile (that I am planning to do some years later ;)). It will stay true to how it came into form. I wanted to write, and it is his birthday today. As simple.<br />
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I always used to have good talk with him, even before my marriage. But I shifted to Chennai after my marriage, and there three of us stayed together under one roof, and got to know each other really better.<br />
Now looking back, I feel that he has taught me some very crucial things in that little time, and these things will stay with me for my lifetime. It has to start with cooking. He has a tremendous interest in kitchen, really looks fwd to opportunity where he could go into kitchen and let his creativity and experimentation flow. And something that is worth special mention is that he cooks everyday.<b> Every single day.</b> In whole of 14 month's stay in Chennai, there has not been a single time when he was home and he did not cook.<br />
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Probably all of you have idea, but I would like to say that specifically, that it puts a newly married girl in a tremendous comfort mode. It did put me as well. I have practiced my cooking basics with him. Right from how to cook perfect basic white rice, to how to make a yummy punjabi gravy, Pa has taught me most of the things. I do not know many women, who have learned their cooking from their fathers-in-law, and I consider myself and of course him to be really cool for that :)<br />
Moreover, his making me comfortable factor does not end there. Even though I did not know how to cook typical meals initially, I could cook fancy dishes pretty alright. Be it lasagna or grilled sandwiches or variety of salads. Pa not only ate them for dinner without any complaints, but also showed eagerness to learn. It was never like "I know how to cook well,and hence I will do that, and then you may do whatever you want, I do not care". The accommodating, experimenting and eager approach was displayed throughout, and to me that is a definite sign of a mature, sensible, sensitive person.<br />
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Pa has been a great listener, as I almost always talk incessantly. But I felt like talking so much, only because he is attentive, and has genuine interest in what you talk. With close friends, it is given. But with fathers-in-law, I doubt. I doubt if many fathers talk to and listen to their daughters this much, let alone a daughter in law. Pa has listened to me, has chatted with me over multiple topics, and also, has made me into a good listener. I am not saying I was not, but I have calmed down a bit, and listen more carefully and more actively. Of course, my Husband and the age have a definite role to play in it, but I have seen Pa being a great listener, and it must have influenced me to some extent.<br />
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In course of daily life, he has made me inculcate some good habits, and has given good guidance if needed. He has always been very very approachable. (all NIE people will agree to this). Any issue, trouble, confusion, confession, he has been there. Most importantly, in spite of the advice he has given, he has maintained the individual space. He shared what he thought, but never forced us to do that. If we did not do what he suggested, I do not think he was upset or angry. And probably because of that, so many people feel comfortable seeking his opinion/advice, just like me.<br />
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It is not like we never had arguments. we did some time, but they were minor. and we were mature enough to sort them out immediately. And anyways, there is no fun to anything without arguments!<br />
Pa has turned into a great friend of mine, and I know the bond will stay for a long time. I really miss meeting him daily, but now I am with my mother in law, and I feel that another friend is in the making :)<br />
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Have a great day Pa! Will write more and about many other things in some years :)<br />
Love<br />
<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-23198006099840374512013-01-06T10:37:00.000+05:302013-01-06T15:25:21.378+05:30Yes, I like regional!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anybody remembers those columns which would appear in sunday supplements or magazines? A celebrity would be interviews and random questions about his or her personal choices would be asked. Say the favourite movies, movie stars, books, music on their ipod, favourite shopping destinations, most favourite cuisine and so on. I just encountered a similar list in one of the supplements I was reading. And it just freaked me out. Well, not just that particular list, but it was probably deep down somewhere which just came up with this and a discussion I had a couple of days ago.<br />
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One of my old acquaintance was discussing the 'books to have' with me. We discussed and just listed some 25 odd names, which we thought should be at every readers house. After we finished with the english list, I asked her what regional language books would she buy and keep at home. She gave me a very quizzical look, asking for what I meant. I said, "there are some classics and original masterpieces in Marathi, which I feel everybody should have. Similarly, you will also have such pieces in Bengali. what are they?" On hearing this, she made a face and cooly replied saying she does not know nor care what is written in those books, and since when did they become worth it to be bought.She added that since she is educated in a convent school, there was no question of reading regional and how does it help in today's world even if you are an avid reader of regional literature. As long as you read english, it is sufficient.<br />
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The statement angered me. Not because I was educated in a Marathi medium school, but because of<br />
1. the attitude that reading only English is sufficient to be called as a reader.<br />
2. statements like "regional language literature is not worth it to be bought" <br />
3. the sheer rootlessness this girl displayed. <br />
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After that, I came across this list of celebrity choices of books, music and destinations. And I noticed that 99% of Indian celebrities gave non-native music, books, movies, food and travel destinations as their favourite. OK, nobody is asking you to restrict yourself to only liking Indian ( I am an advocate of developing a global taste, and I am NOT a right wing old fanatic), but couldn't there be a single item on their list which is Indian? Looking at the list, it feels as if there was nothing ever in India that was worth listening to/watching/ eating/drinking/reading or visiting. <br />
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What is with people? If you like something Indian, are you supposed to be bad or worthless or not 'up there' or less socially mobile or less of a human or something? Or is this a market force that is driving us to like non-native produce? Or is this one simple wanna-be tendency? That idiotic fad that says you are forward-thinking and cultured and uber-polished if you like only non-native things?<br />
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I do not take this. I challenge the thought. I feel that not reading a piece in your mother tongue is being worthless and utterly crap, moreover dis-rooted. I strongly believe that the more rooted you are in one culture, better do you understand the other culture. Only if you know the fine nuances of any one language, have that mental ability to appreciate a language, you can appreciate another language equally well. Just because I read Marathi books as well or like Bollywood music, I do not become low-standard. And just because my dear non-regional friends are non-regional, they do not become cool.<br />
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Well, getting acquainted and pro with English is really commendable, rather required, it is the ultimately the language of the world. Of course you need to read, write, speak that. But taht does not mean reading Marathi or any other language is of no use. My dear friend thought that reading any language is only to progress in life. only to earn big bucks and manage an impression. She did not know that being exposed to regional or native literature/music/history/folklore opens the door to that culture. Opens the door to understanding those people, get glimpses of 'being them'.<br />
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I take great pride in saying that I know 6 languages, can read and write 5 of them, have been exposed to literature/art/history in them, and understand at least 3 cultures in some depth. My knowledge, sense and sensibilities have developed and matured quite a bit because of that.<br />
And then I might still be damned for reading or liking regional, who cares? :D<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-20630150768635156992012-11-25T22:05:00.001+05:302012-11-25T22:06:18.135+05:30down the chat memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It feels so good to retrieve old chats. They contain memories. Retrieving them is probably an easiest way nowadays to relive those memories. I mean, old photographs are as nice, I accept. especially the candid ones. Talking animatedly on a coffee table, on a classroom bench, at katta, at college cultural events, hogging some chaat item, ganging up against a poor soul in the group, many dinners together, trips we went on, birthday parties, mehendi parties, many moods in somebody's wedding and so on. So many of those memories come back to you.<br />
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But there is difference in those pictures and chats. Chats actually provide you much more than a big vague bubble of that memory. the lines actually remind you of the particular situation, your mood at that time, the emotions you were going through, just that particular day in your life. I just read 3 fantastic chats from my old logs. One is with a very dear friend, who used to stay a block away from me. And there was a time period when we used to be eternally together. Just perpetually, either at his place or at my place or somewhere outside.In fact, some of our friends thought that something might "brew up" between us. point is not that. I read a chat log where he was saying about how his day went, how my research dissertation is paining me, and it ends with him saying that he will come over for a coffee in next half an hour. It made me relive that whole day, in my memory. Reading that he will come in half an hour also sounded kinda funny, considering how he stays gazillion kms away, in another continent, and hemisphere!<br />
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I read another one between me and my very closest friend. She is in particularly bad mood in that. She is having issues with some of our other friends, and its just getting too much for her. She has talked to them about it, which does not bring any relief. She is puzzled, frustrated and outraged.She actually says that she misses me being there :(. I give her all sorta pep talk, and she eventually feels better, so do I. The chat showed me that my friend was actually missing me, needed a shoulder, and gave me the feeling of inclusion. There is somebody who still wants you and knows your worth. Both of us are married now, stay in different cities and very much miss each other. But it feels good to see that there was a time when we chatted about trivial issues, cheered each other up and actually shared a time-space.<br />
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Third is with my Husband. Well, to begin with, I have just too many chats with him, provided he was always away. We eternally had a long distance relationship. So there is a chat in the very beginning of our relationship. It is amusing to read it. We were still kind of formal, did not have all those stupid nicknames, were still talking about how does one react to a situation and so on. There are some references which show that not lot of people know about our relation. And I say that common friends are going to be amused and shocked when we declare this. Also, how it feels different to have a presence(albeit virtual) of somebody else in life. That initial time just feels so long ago now. We did declare it, we shocked people, got engaged and got married too. Just looong time ago.<br />
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It also shows us how we change as persons, how our responses change, our talking/writing style changes, the way we think changes. We are a completely different person in like a decade. It is awesome. And these memories do not make you sad. In fact you relive those days, and feel happy. a warm, happy feeling. I love chats. Anybody up for a gtalk conference? :)</div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-67412908708523916112012-11-18T22:28:00.000+05:302012-11-18T22:30:02.705+05:30मरण सोहळा!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">गेले बरेच दिवस हा विषय लिहावं हे मनात होतं. आज टीव्ही वर दिवसभर बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांच्या अंत्ययात्रेची दृश्य पहिली, तिथे लोटलेला जनसमुदाय पाहिला. त्या भव्य आणि टेलीव्हाईजड अंतिम सोहळ्या नंतर, त्या<span style="font-size: small;">मुळे</span>सुद्धा असेल, लिहायला बसल्यावर अचानक हा विषय उडी मारून वर आला. त्यामुळे त्याबद्दल आज काही.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">चेन्नई मध्ये राहायला लागून मला आता एक वर्षं होत आलं.</span> सुरुवातीच्या दिवसात शहर अनुभवण्याचा माझ्याकडून मी प्रयत्न केला, अजूनही करते. हा अनुभव मला पाहायला मिळाला तो अगदी सुरुवातीच्या आठवड्यात. सिग्नलला एका लांबलचक ट्राफिक लाईन मध्ये आम्ही थांबलो होतो, आणि अस्पष्टसे ढोल ताशांचे सूर कानावर पडत होते. "कमाल आहे, भर रस्त्यात संध्याकाळी ६ वाजताच्या अगणित ट्राफिक मध्ये कोणी कसली मिरवणूक कशी काढू शकतं?" माझा वैतागलेला प्रश्न. काही वेळ गेल्यानंतर ते ढोल ताशांचे आवाज थांबले, आणि टेपरेकॉर्डरवर जोरात गाणी सुरु झाली. सगळीच गाणी अनोळखी भाषेतली, पण त्याचं धमाल बीट कळत होतं. आपल्याकडे पुण्यात गणपतीत विसर्जनाला साधारण रात्री एकच्या आसपास महत्वाचे गणपती गेल्यानंतर, रेकॉर्ड्स लावून जो धुमाकूळ असतो, तसं साधारण भास होत होता. मी आणखीनच बुचकळ्यात पडले. आता कुठलाही सण नाही, मग हे कशाचे आवाज असावेत? काही वेळात थोडा ट्राफिक हलून त्या मिरवणुकीच्या पुष्कळच जवळ मी पोहोचले. मिरवणुकीच्या अग्रभागी लोक फुलांच्या पाकळ्या उधळत होते. अनेकांचे चेहरे गुलालाने माखले होते. मुक्तहस्ताने तरुण मुलं गुलाल उधळून, माखून नाचत होती. खरं तर त्यातले अनेक जण हे स्पष्टपणे दारूच्या अमलाखाली नाचत होते. रेकॉर्ड गाण्यांवर अंग विक्षेप करत होते. जाणाऱ्यांना तोंडभर हसून दाखवत होते. मिरवणुकीत बायकाही होत्या, त्या देखील हास्य विनोद करत चालल्या होत्या. आमच्यावर देखील त्यांनी काही फुलं उधळली! हे सगळं झाल्यावर अखेर मागे या मिरवणुकीच कारण मला पहायला मिळालं. मागे एम्ब्युल्न्समध्ये, नीट सजवलेल्या, अत्तर शिंपडलेल्या- गाडीत- एक शव ठेवलं होतं!!!!!!!<br />
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मी आधी दचकले, आणि एक पूर्ण मिनिट स्तब्ध झाले. ही सगळी हास्य विनोद आणि आनंदाची उधळण ही अंत्ययात्रेसाठी होती तर. त्या दिवसानंतर अनेकदा हे दृश्य मी चेन्नईच्या रस्त्यांवर पाहिलं. त्याची आता सवय झाली, त्यामुळे दचकायला किंवा स्तब्ध व्हायला होत नाही. पण दर वेळी ते बघून एक विचित्र फिलिंग मनात येतं. भीती, त्रास, किळस किंवा वैताग, यांच्यापैकी काहीच नाही. कदाचित प्रश्नार्थक भावना. आता ह्या भावानेमागे कारण दोन असू शकतात. एक म्हणजे अंत्य यात्रेचं सार्वजनिक स्वरूप, आणि दुसरा म्हणजे (ढोल ताशांच्या गजरात!) आनंद व्यक्त करणे. पैकी सार्वजनिक स्वरूपाने विचित्र वाटायचं काही कारण नाही. आत्ताच बाळासाहेबांची प्रचंड मोठी अंत्ययात्रा मी पाहिली. आणि तशा फक्त दिग्गजांच्याच नाही, तर सामान्य लोकांच्या अंत्ययात्रा आपल्याकडेही दिसतात. जितकी माणसं गेलेल्या माणसाने जोडली असतील, तितकी मोठी यात्रा. बरं राहिलं सार्वजनिक रीतीने आपल्या भावना दाखवण, तर तेरुदाली सारख्या चित्रपटांमध्ये आपण पाहिलं आहे. त्यामुळे सार्वजनिक स्वरूप, accepted!<br />
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माझा हरकतीचा मुद्दा दुसरा होता. कोणीतरी, आपल्या जवळचं गेलेलं असताना आनंद व्यक्त करणं. आपल्याकडल्या अंत्ययात्रांमध्ये, अगदी दिखाऊ स्वरूपाच्या यात्रांमध्ये देखील लोक जास्तीत जास्त शोकाकुल दिसण्याचा प्रयत्न करत असतात. काळे चष्मे लावून आपले भाव लपवण्याचा. शुभ्र वस्त्रांमध्ये दु:खी होऊन वावरण्याचा. कदाचित कोणाच्याही मृत्यूने काही लोकांना आनंद होत असेलही, पण असं त्याचं प्रदर्शन हे आपल्याकडे कमालीचं गैर मानलं जातं. इतर धर्मांबद्दल माझा जास्त अभ्यास नाही, पण हिंदू परंपरेत तरी लोक धीर गंभीर असलेली मी पाहिली आहेत. असं असताना, इथे चेन्नईत हिंदू माणसाच्या अंत्ययात्रेत हा आनंदोत्सव कसा आणि का?<br />
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काही स्थानिक लोकांशी बोलल्यानंतर मला याचं कारण मिळालं. इथल्या संस्कृती मध्ये असं मानलं जातं, की माणसाचा मृत्यू ही दु:खद नसून,चांगली गोष्ट आहे. कारण त्या माणसाला या ऐहिक जगाच्या तापातून, यातनांमधून, विवंचनेतून मुक्ती मिळाली. तो जर खूपच भाग्यवान असेल, तर त्याची जन्ममृत्यू फेऱ्यातून देखील सुटका होईल, पण निदान या मर्त्य मानवांच्या दैनंदिन कटकटीतून तो सुटला, आणि स्वर्ग लोकाला प्राप्त झाला, त्यामुळे ती आनंदाची गोष्ट आहे. त्याबद्दल आनंद व्यक्त करून, त्याचं अनेक ठिकाणी प्रदर्शन करून तो प्रकट केला पाहिजे, असा काहीसा तो रिवाज आहे. गुलाल उधळून नाच करणे, मोठ्ठ्या आवाजात संगीत लावणे, फुलं उधळणे, या ज्या ज्या गोष्टीनी तो व्यक्त होईल, असं सर्व करणं हे त्यामुळे ओघाने आलंच. जाणाऱ्या माणसाला सुखाने, मन:शांतीने जाता यावं, त्याला मागे उर बडवणारे लोक राहिलेले दिसू नयेत, यासाठी देखील हे आहे.<br />
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हे कारण मला पहिल्यांदा ऐकल्यावर चमत्कारिक वाटलं.कदाचित मृत्यू आणि शोकाकुल वातावरण याची इतकी सवय आहे, की आपला दृष्टीकोन तसाच घडला आहे. नंतर विचार केल्यावर मला ते कारण आवडलं, आणि परत विचार केल्यावर ते परत चुकीचं वाटलं. ते अशासाठी, की ज्या व्यक्ती योग्य वयात मरण पावल्या नाहीत, लहान मुलं, तरुण व्यक्ती, खून झालेल्या, अपघाती मरण आलेल्या अश्या सर्व व्यक्तींना हा प्रकार एकाच मापात तोलतो. अश्या प्रसंगांमध्ये माणसाच्या जाण्याने कोणाला आनंद होत नाही, आणि त्याचे जगाचे भोग भोगून संपले आहेत, असंही नाही. मग अशा आनंद प्रकटीकरणाने काय साध्य होतं? खरं तर माणूस योग्य वयात-सगळे भोग संपल्यावर गेला, तरी जवळच्यांना दु:ख होतंच. आणि ते झालेलं असताना, ते आतल्या आत ठेवून , सार्वजनिक रूपात हा आनंदोत्सव करण्याची सक्ती/अपेक्षा का? <br />
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खरोखर इथले सगळे लोक इतके पारलौकिकाला प्राप्त झाले आहेत, की या ऐहिक जगातून कुणीही गेल्याचा त्यांना आनंद वाटावा? का - बाकी सर्व सण समारंभ उत्सव संपल्यामुळे, किंवा त्यांचा कंटाळा आल्यामुळे हा नवीन प्रकार ह्या लोकांनी सुरु केला आहे? थ्रिल म्हणून? असं असेल तर हे अजूनच भीषण आहे!<br />
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विचार करून सुद्धा मला कुठचीच बाजू योग्य वाटत नाही, पटत नाही, कळत नाही. मला तुमच्या प्रतिक्रिया सांगा. या अश्या प्रकारामागे काय कारण असेल, आणि ते किती योग्य आहे. तोवर जायचे जातील- पाहू- सोहळा- उरतील त्यांचा!<br />
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Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448414455654709274.post-51168220434236050172012-11-03T22:37:00.001+05:302012-11-03T22:37:24.246+05:30The super-connected syndrome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My generation is very unique. We, currently 23-28 years of age, have seen so many transitions in so many things, which can not really be compared with. We have seen times without and with land line phones, pagers, mobiles, and today's smartphones. We have seen days with only big fat typewriters and no computers, to black and white ones to Pentiums to iMacs and tablets. We have seen days when a concept called pen- friend existed, to today's' multiform social networking. Cable TV came into our homes when we were kids to the satellite Dish to HD and internet TV. In a decade or so, so many things changed. Talking just within the telecommunication industry, so many things changed. And we saw them changing, and we adapted to them as smoothly as fish in water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now most of my peers, 23 to 28, are in jobs which use all these telecommunication tools as a given. We are in a small world, where my clientele ranges from Nagpur to Nigeria to New york. We communicate through Mobile phones. Through internet- through emails, VoIPs. The tools are an integral part of our lives. And hence, the line between our personal and our professional lives have started blurring. I know I am not making a super great observation, but I feel it at work everyday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fortunately, I do not work in a team which needs to be in touch with clients from all the parts of the world, all the time. But I have friends and I have colleagues who do. We are constantly on call. or typing that e-mail. or typing a SMS. This does not restrict to work. We have synched our smartphones to e-mails, so we check mails on our phones, on our way back home. We have laptops so we carry our work home. the day ends. and we are back to the same routine next day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I get this if one is in a job where life-threatening situation arises. Doctor/Firefighter/police. Or may be a stock broker, where the industry is super volatile and you have to be checking it all the time. May be a MD, whose one call will decide the future for some hundreds of employees. May be a reporter, who constantly needs to check on the updates. But why all? Why does a mere BD manager need to be constantly glued to cellphone or laptop? even at 2 30 in the night? Why does a business analyst need to be glued all the time? Why does an architect need to be always connected? Is their job such that if they do not attend the call at 2 30 am, and attend at 7 am instead, somebody might die? What is that need of staying super connected to all, at all the time? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do not get this. And day by day I have started pitying the working personnel. The work life balance is screwed. Some body, who works in an office for decent 8-10 hours, commutes for 2 hours, is denied his or her 'me' time. Leave aside a hobby, there is constant division of time at home, and the immediate affected are family. There is no time for kids, for a pleasant talk with spouse, for exercise, or in some cases even for food. This might be a global phenomenon. But I see it more in India. I have seen European working conditions, and most of the people there focus on their me time, their work life balance. Once you are off to home, you normally enter your personal life, and can be at distance from professional life. Here, unfortunately in most cases, it is not so. I recently got connected to a client who says on his LinkedIn profile, that being '24 by 7' is his specialty! Taking pride in not having personal life is beyond me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The worst part of it is that, it infuses unnecessary guilt. If you disconnect on some day, you feel guilty. Or worse, if somebody is not staying connected all the time, the office atmosphere makes him feel guilty about it. I get that it is an outcome of many factors, and there is no chance that it is going to get better in time coming. But I hope there are people like me, who will be in a position to take a firm stand that they will maintain their work life balance as much as possible and do not have to stay super-connected to entire world at all the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Stress tests, anti-depressants, smoking, alcohol, lifestyle deceases, psychologists and divorces are booming for a reason you see.</span></div>
Sneha Gorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901004383496438540noreply@blogger.com2