Film Name: Parasmani Year: 1963
Singer(s): Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Asad Bhopali Musician(s): Laxmikant Pyarelal
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
gham-e-zindagi ke andhere mein humne
charaag-e-mohabbat jalaaye bujhaaye
woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Aahaten jaag uthi raaste hans diye
thaamkar dil uthe hum kissi ke liye
kayi baar aisa bhi dhokha hua hai
chale aa rahe hai woh nazaren jhukaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
dil sulagne lagaa ashq behne lage
jaane kya kya humey log kehne lage
magar rotey-rotey hansee aa gayi hai
khayaalon mein aakey woh jab muskuraaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Woh juudaa kya hue zindagi kho gayi
shamma jalti rahi roshni kho gayi
bahut koshishey kee magar dil na behlaa
kayi saaz chhede kayi geet gaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Monday, November 28, 2005
ek gazhal
Tumako dekhaa to ye khayaal aayaa
Javed Akhtar
Tumako dekhaa to ye Khayaal aayaa
zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saayaa
Aaj phir dil ne ek tamannaa kii
aaj phir dil ko hamane samajhaayaa
Tum chale jaaoge to sochenge
hamane kyaa khoyaa, hamane kyaa paayaa
Hum jise gunagunaa nahin sakate
Vaqt ne aisaa geet kyun gaayaa
Javed Akhtar
Tumako dekhaa to ye Khayaal aayaa
zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saayaa
Aaj phir dil ne ek tamannaa kii
aaj phir dil ko hamane samajhaayaa
Tum chale jaaoge to sochenge
hamane kyaa khoyaa, hamane kyaa paayaa
Hum jise gunagunaa nahin sakate
Vaqt ne aisaa geet kyun gaayaa
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
words of wisdom
DON’T SHORT CHANGE YOURSELF
Most of us underestimate ourselves or shortchange ourselves. We think we are not smart enough, or we will not make it or the competition is overwhelming. This is natural because we focus on the circumstances around us and react to what we see or perceive. We allow fear or darkness to dim the light (our dreams) God has placed in our hearts. Know that you are an eagle and you are among eagles. Therefore, learn to soar like an eagle and do not come down and peck among chickens.
God has placed you where you are with all the resources at your disposal for a reason.
God has more in store for you – and his plans for you are greater than the plans you have for yourself. God is progressive, wants you to expand and grow for his higher purpose. Therefore, focus on God and not on your circumstances.
Most of us underestimate ourselves or shortchange ourselves. We think we are not smart enough, or we will not make it or the competition is overwhelming. This is natural because we focus on the circumstances around us and react to what we see or perceive. We allow fear or darkness to dim the light (our dreams) God has placed in our hearts. Know that you are an eagle and you are among eagles. Therefore, learn to soar like an eagle and do not come down and peck among chickens.
God has placed you where you are with all the resources at your disposal for a reason.
God has more in store for you – and his plans for you are greater than the plans you have for yourself. God is progressive, wants you to expand and grow for his higher purpose. Therefore, focus on God and not on your circumstances.
FIRE !
I was flying away ............. peeking behind clouds playing catch with birds and having the time of my life. Suddenly there was a rude noise........... a piercing one that woudnt go away........... groggily I opened my eyes to have my room-mate scream " FIRE". How can there be a fire I am flying, I thought. "No, wake up wake up" , the banshee who I thought was my room mate screeched. I pulled myself out of bed and looked at my wrist watch. It was 2 : 00 a.m. Just great. Then I looked out of the window it was raining. Even better, I thought. What would be better than evacuating in the middle of the night when it was pouring in central London. We walked down 8 stories and ambled out at our own sweet pace. People were in a horrid state. Some were barefoot, some in the most ridiculous of clothes and a few indecently clad. Well I thought One cannot expect a fashion parade when forced to get out of bed and evacuate the building in the middle of the night.
Then to add fuel to the fire, our sweet and gallant warden picked up the megaphone to murmur these words of consolation. He lovingly said, " Move you idiots Move. 50 steps to the East. Dont make me haul you there." I stood there wondering which direction was east ........ well I didnt know.. Then my friend dragged me in a particular direction. Looks like that is east was all I could think. We were completely drenched and freezing to the bone. Suddenly I remembered why I loved Indian Summers. London officially sucked at that very moment.
After what seemed a lifetime 2 fire engines came. Those monstorous firemen entered the building and then exited within 5 mins flat. I was so worked up by then that I wanted to see smoke. I didnt want to be dragged from my bed because some idiot burned toast and set of the fire alarm. And guess what thta was exactly the reason why the alarm went off in the first place.
Some one had indeed burnt toast. I WAS FURIOUS. That person ought to be shot, was all I could think.
As slowly as we had come down we proceeded to go back to our rooms.
I coudnt believe that I was soaked , freezing and in all probability suffering the initial signs of hypothermia because some one burnt their toast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well life goes on . The culprit was never found which was well, otherwise there would have been a murder that night.
I have never seen people agree so quickly to terminate some one's existence. The motion was passed in record time. And all the guys who played football for my university live in my residence so I guess a murder could have been a reality.
Then to add fuel to the fire, our sweet and gallant warden picked up the megaphone to murmur these words of consolation. He lovingly said, " Move you idiots Move. 50 steps to the East. Dont make me haul you there." I stood there wondering which direction was east ........ well I didnt know.. Then my friend dragged me in a particular direction. Looks like that is east was all I could think. We were completely drenched and freezing to the bone. Suddenly I remembered why I loved Indian Summers. London officially sucked at that very moment.
After what seemed a lifetime 2 fire engines came. Those monstorous firemen entered the building and then exited within 5 mins flat. I was so worked up by then that I wanted to see smoke. I didnt want to be dragged from my bed because some idiot burned toast and set of the fire alarm. And guess what thta was exactly the reason why the alarm went off in the first place.
Some one had indeed burnt toast. I WAS FURIOUS. That person ought to be shot, was all I could think.
As slowly as we had come down we proceeded to go back to our rooms.
I coudnt believe that I was soaked , freezing and in all probability suffering the initial signs of hypothermia because some one burnt their toast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well life goes on . The culprit was never found which was well, otherwise there would have been a murder that night.
I have never seen people agree so quickly to terminate some one's existence. The motion was passed in record time. And all the guys who played football for my university live in my residence so I guess a murder could have been a reality.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
A day that changed the way I shall look at this world
Yesterday afternoon I took the tube from holborn station(central line) to lamberth north (bakerloo line). My friend Nicole and I were going to the war museum. Lamberth north was a beautiful area , quite laid back and at ease. We entered the war museum , a truly magnificient architectural building. We went into the holocaust museum which is located in the same building. As i walked through thr halls, I realized the magnitude of what had happened over 70 years ago.
I had read about it and talked about it, but seeing the pictures and hearing people talk about their experiences as children during the holocaust overwhelmed me. The jews of germany were treated worse than low lying worms. They were humiliated, disgraced , torchered and massacered simply because they were followers of Judaism.
I thought what is it that perpetuates such hate and despise in human beings. Why did the nazis deplore the jews with such a vehemance that they took upon the horrendous task of trying to wipe them off the face of this earth.
I saw a documentary where hitler and others talked about the purity of the aryan race and that any contact with the jews was defiling the blood of their noble ancestery.
what kind of nobility is this? And it wasnt just the men , nazi women also relished at the chance of ordering death sentences and torcher.
That shook me. I could not believe the pictures I saw in front of me , where bodies were piled in mass burial grounds and were being checked for hidden valuables before they would be plowed with mud to cover them up.
The inhumanity of the entire period made me stop and think.
I was here now , I was lucky to be born in a particular family , in a particular country , in a perticular time.
I could not begin to digest what those people must have felt.
So many pictures , so many lives, so many unfulfilled desires and wishes.........
Every photograph had a story of human suffering. Every photograph was a testament to the fact that a family had suffered , that a child had lost his / her innocence in that cruel time.
My heart broke for those innocent children who suffered.
What had they done to deserve this? I heard a story where jewish people were supposed to step out of the way of nazi soldiers. One child of 6 didnt move away fast enough. The nazi soldier pulled out his gun and shot her through her head...........................................
Was her crime so huge? Then WHY?
I had always blistered over the fact that the Hindu symbol of swastika was banned through out Europe. I still dont accept it but now I understand why.......
It was a symbol of nazi cruelty, of death and destruction, of a malaise in the society that took the lives of over 6 million innocent people.
By the time I stepped out of the holocaust musuem , I was shaken and wished to the almighty that those poor souls had found some peace in their passing..................
I had read about it and talked about it, but seeing the pictures and hearing people talk about their experiences as children during the holocaust overwhelmed me. The jews of germany were treated worse than low lying worms. They were humiliated, disgraced , torchered and massacered simply because they were followers of Judaism.
I thought what is it that perpetuates such hate and despise in human beings. Why did the nazis deplore the jews with such a vehemance that they took upon the horrendous task of trying to wipe them off the face of this earth.
I saw a documentary where hitler and others talked about the purity of the aryan race and that any contact with the jews was defiling the blood of their noble ancestery.
what kind of nobility is this? And it wasnt just the men , nazi women also relished at the chance of ordering death sentences and torcher.
That shook me. I could not believe the pictures I saw in front of me , where bodies were piled in mass burial grounds and were being checked for hidden valuables before they would be plowed with mud to cover them up.
The inhumanity of the entire period made me stop and think.
I was here now , I was lucky to be born in a particular family , in a particular country , in a perticular time.
I could not begin to digest what those people must have felt.
So many pictures , so many lives, so many unfulfilled desires and wishes.........
Every photograph had a story of human suffering. Every photograph was a testament to the fact that a family had suffered , that a child had lost his / her innocence in that cruel time.
My heart broke for those innocent children who suffered.
What had they done to deserve this? I heard a story where jewish people were supposed to step out of the way of nazi soldiers. One child of 6 didnt move away fast enough. The nazi soldier pulled out his gun and shot her through her head...........................................
Was her crime so huge? Then WHY?
I had always blistered over the fact that the Hindu symbol of swastika was banned through out Europe. I still dont accept it but now I understand why.......
It was a symbol of nazi cruelty, of death and destruction, of a malaise in the society that took the lives of over 6 million innocent people.
By the time I stepped out of the holocaust musuem , I was shaken and wished to the almighty that those poor souls had found some peace in their passing..................
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
first experience of a british pub - shakespere's pub. I thought it would be appropriate to start from this pub because i love shakespere.
it wasnt as fancy as i thought it would be. was actually quite laid back and fun. not pricey either and in central london quite a find!It is located on kingsway which goes from holborn tube station to aldwych in the camden borough of central london.
This place was packed to the hilt with people and to my annoyance SMOKE.
I have noticed one thing about Europeans in generalis that they smoke cigarette which is like in tons. I think the people here pollute the air more than the vehicles do. I sincerely felt that the congestion tax levied on the vehicles should have been renamed as pollution tax and should have been instead levied on people. So more revenue or less smoke. Either way a win win situation.
People here are really like chimneys. I completely fail to see tha appeal in smoking away your hard earned money as well as your health.
The British people are also very wierd.It is a normal custom in India and also USA ( American friends confirrmed this ) that if you see some one on the road you recognize by face you give them a smile/ nod of acknowledgement. here if you do that, people look at you as if you are deranged. My My My these brits are a funny stock.
okay back on the subject of pubs......... veggies beware.........double check everything before you dig in . the selection of veg dishes is normally measly. but still choosing from 3 dishes took me so long. It was ridiculous................
In the end , i ordered a dish called the panini- which is a baguette sandwichwith tomatoes, mozarella cheese and pesto sauce. It wsa super duper fantabulously delicious. I even tried the treacle tart. It was a drop of heaven. Pure unimagined delight.
we must have been the first customers of the club since its opening to walk upto the bar and order water. We received many a funny stares.
The meal cost us 3:25 sterling pounds which is pretty decent in central london.
later we walked down to the tate museum on the bankside. went a little crazy doing the touristy things. My room-mate shashi and I must have clicked a zillion snaps of anything right from the light bulbs which were hung from the trees to the promenade that along the thames.
In the tate museum, I had my first glimpse of a Monet original. Was so awed by it that for the first time during the length of the entire evening I was speechless.
"The waterlilies" - my favourite painting was in front of my eyes. I must have gazed at it with adoration for 30 minutes before the guard asked us to leaveas it was the closing time.
with a last glance and a promise that I would return all of us resumed the freezing journey back home.........................................................
it wasnt as fancy as i thought it would be. was actually quite laid back and fun. not pricey either and in central london quite a find!It is located on kingsway which goes from holborn tube station to aldwych in the camden borough of central london.
This place was packed to the hilt with people and to my annoyance SMOKE.
I have noticed one thing about Europeans in generalis that they smoke cigarette which is like in tons. I think the people here pollute the air more than the vehicles do. I sincerely felt that the congestion tax levied on the vehicles should have been renamed as pollution tax and should have been instead levied on people. So more revenue or less smoke. Either way a win win situation.
People here are really like chimneys. I completely fail to see tha appeal in smoking away your hard earned money as well as your health.
The British people are also very wierd.It is a normal custom in India and also USA ( American friends confirrmed this ) that if you see some one on the road you recognize by face you give them a smile/ nod of acknowledgement. here if you do that, people look at you as if you are deranged. My My My these brits are a funny stock.
okay back on the subject of pubs......... veggies beware.........double check everything before you dig in . the selection of veg dishes is normally measly. but still choosing from 3 dishes took me so long. It was ridiculous................
In the end , i ordered a dish called the panini- which is a baguette sandwichwith tomatoes, mozarella cheese and pesto sauce. It wsa super duper fantabulously delicious. I even tried the treacle tart. It was a drop of heaven. Pure unimagined delight.
we must have been the first customers of the club since its opening to walk upto the bar and order water. We received many a funny stares.
The meal cost us 3:25 sterling pounds which is pretty decent in central london.
later we walked down to the tate museum on the bankside. went a little crazy doing the touristy things. My room-mate shashi and I must have clicked a zillion snaps of anything right from the light bulbs which were hung from the trees to the promenade that along the thames.
In the tate museum, I had my first glimpse of a Monet original. Was so awed by it that for the first time during the length of the entire evening I was speechless.
"The waterlilies" - my favourite painting was in front of my eyes. I must have gazed at it with adoration for 30 minutes before the guard asked us to leaveas it was the closing time.
with a last glance and a promise that I would return all of us resumed the freezing journey back home.........................................................
Friday, September 23, 2005
Finallement je suis `a l'Angleterre
WELL THE DAY HAD TO COME SOME TIME . I HAD MARKED A COUNT DOWN ON MY KALNIRNAY. WELLTHE MUCH AWAITED DAY ARRIVED 19/09/2005.
THANKFULLY VARUNRAJA WAS COOPERATING. RAINS HAD LET UP. IT WAS ACTUALLY SUNNY THAT DAY. I REACHED MUMBAI INTL AIRPORT AT AROUND 12:30 AM ON THE 19TH AFTER SAYING ADIEU TO MY FAMILY AND A TEDIOUS BALANCING ACT OF MY OH SO VERY OBVIOUS OVERWEIGHT BAGGAGE, BEGAN PUSHING THE TROLLEY.
THE DAMN THING HAD A FUNNY WHEEL AND I MUST HAVE BANGED INTO ALMOST EVERY THIRD PERSON IN THE AIRPORT. AFTER PROFUSE AND SHEEPISH APOLOGIES AND WITH SARANG AND MY PARENTS LAUGHING AT MY PATHETIC ATTEMPTS AT TROLLEY PUSHING ENTERED THE AIRPORT.
IT WAS THEN THAT I ENTERED THE WORLD OF SELF SERVICE IN ITS TRUE SENSE. I CURSED MYSELF IN UNMENTIONABLES OVER HORDING MY BAGS. HOW IN THE WORLD DID THOSE AIRPORT PEOPLE EXPECT ME TO LIFT AND PLACE BAGS THAT WEIGHED ALMOST AS MUCH AS I DID ON THE XRAY BELT STILL IS UNOMPREHANDABLE TO ME. AFTER THAT WAS DONE I PROCEEDED TO THE AIRINDIA COUNTER FOR CHECKING IN MY BAGS AND COLLECTING MY BOARDING PASS. THERE I DISCOVERED THAT MY BAGS WERE ALMOST 8 KGS OVER THE PERMITTED LIMIT. AND I WAS ALLOWED 10 KGS AS I AM ON A STUDENT VISA. I MANAGED TO EXCEED THAT BY 8 KGS. I AMAZE MYSELF.
THATS WHEN I MUST HAVE UTILIZED THE ENTIRE AMUL BUTTER PRODUCTION OF THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF MUMBAI ON THAT SINGLE ENTITY, THE AIR INDIA CHECK IN OFFICER. IT MUST HAVE WORKED BECAUSE I DIDNT PAY A SINGLE NAYA PAISA.
HE HE HE GOT TO CARRY HUMUNGOUS BAGS WITHOUT PAYING FINE. DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO HAGGLE.
PROCEEDED TO IMMIGRATION WHERE I HAD A SECOND NARROW ESCAPE . I WAS CARRYING A DIGICAM FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO RECEIPT. AGAIN GOT AWAY UNSCATHED.
FINALLY AFTER COMPLETING A SUPER BORING WAIT BOARDED THE PLANE AT 3AM.
MY FLIGHT WAS AI 111 MUMBAI - DELHI - LONDON - NEW YORK.
WHAT POSSESSED ME TO TAKE THIS FLIGHT I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IN A MILLION YEARS. IT WAS SUPERB ATTEMPT OF AIRINDIA TO GUARANTEE A HANGOVER THAT WAS TO LAST FOR DAYS TO COME.
THE FLIGHT WAS OKAY BETTER THAN THE HARROWING PICTURE GLEEFULLY PAINTED BY PEOPLE BASHING AI.
I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHATICALLY MENTION HERE THAT THE TOILETS ARE CLEAN AND AS HYGIENIC AS CAN BE POSSIBLE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THIS IS TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE JOYOUSLY MENTIONING HOW AESTHETICALLY BEAUTIFUL THE TOILETS IN BA ARE. OKAY ENOUGH ABT TOILETS.
LANDED AT LONDON AT 11:05 AM (GMT) AGAIN THE HEATHROW PEOPLE ARE VERY SMART . ALMOST ALL INTL FLIGHTS LAND ON TERMINAL 3 BUT AMERICAN AIRLINES HAVE BETTER LANDING SPOTS THAN AI FLIGHTS. IF THE FLIGHT HASNT SUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF YOU THE WALK DEFINITELY WILL.
THEN COME THE PEOPLE AT IMMIGRATION WHO ACT AS IF PEOPE FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE BREEDING STOCKS OF ALL GOD IMAGINED DISEASES.
THE SAD PART IS THAT 90 % OF THE PEOPLE MANNING THESE IMMIGRATION POSTS ARE SOUTH ASIAN.
AFTER THAT, THE WALK OUT OF THAT AIRPORT WAS TOO SMOOTH AND HASSLE FREE ITS STILL SINKING IN.
I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE EUPHORIA WAS TOO REAL TO LAST LONG. AND WHAT KILLED YES THE PRIDE OF LONDON TRANSPORT "THE BLACK CAB".
IF SOMETHING CAN BLEED YOU DRY FINANCIALLY ITS THE LONDON BLACK CAB WHICH ARENT ALWAYS BLACK BY THE WAY.
THE RIDE FROM HEATHROW TO HIGH HOLBORN, CAMDEN WHIGH IS A BOROUGH IN CENTRAL LONDON COST ME A WHOOPING £ 50.
I HADNT EVEN FINISHED MOURNING THAT LOSS WHEN I HAD TO BEGIN THE REGISTRATION AT HIGH HOLBORN RESIDENCE WHERE I WOULD BE STAYING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
I WAS ASSIGNED TO A SINGLE ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR. THE BONUS BEING IT HAS A FANTABULOUS VIEW. I CAN SEE THE LONDON EYE FROM MY WINDOW. (PICTURES SHALL BE POSTED SOON)
ITS BEEN SMOOTH SAILING SINCE THEN.
I WAS A LITTLE OVERWHELMED AT FIRST.
BUT AS TIME AND TIDE PASS ITS SINKING IN SLOWLY ONE STEP AT A TIME.
I REALIZED THAT I HAD MANY MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING THE BRITISH PEOPLE .
1) THEY ARE NOT VERY TALL. SARANG SOME WOMEN HERE ARE SHORTER THAN ME. YES THIS IS TRUE I AM NOT LAPETING.
2) ENGLISH SHOP KEEPERS CAN BE VERY FRIENDLY IF YOU BUY STUFF FROM THEM AND THEYLL REMEMBER YOU AND ALWAYS GREET YOU .
3) I TRULY UNDERESTIMATED THE INDIAN POPULATION IN LONDON. EVERY THIRD PERSON IS FROM SOUTH ASIA AND EVERY SIXTH IS AN INDIAN. I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE SOON THE BIGGEST NATIONALITY IN THE WORLD IS GOING TO BE INDIAN.
4)I MUST BE ONE OF THE COLLECTED NEW STUDENTS HERE. THE OTHER DAY A GIRL FAINTED BECAUSE SHE WAS LATE FOR CLASS.
I MEAN SHEEEEEP TALK ABOUT PRESSURE.
ALL SAID AND DONE NOW I UNDERSTAND WHAT HOME MEANS. IT IS NOT A PLACE WHERE 4 WALLS MEET BOT A PLACE WHERE YOUR HEART IS.
THATS ALL FOR NOW FOLKS.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SUNILA GOES TO LONDON.
CIAO
SUNILA
THANKFULLY VARUNRAJA WAS COOPERATING. RAINS HAD LET UP. IT WAS ACTUALLY SUNNY THAT DAY. I REACHED MUMBAI INTL AIRPORT AT AROUND 12:30 AM ON THE 19TH AFTER SAYING ADIEU TO MY FAMILY AND A TEDIOUS BALANCING ACT OF MY OH SO VERY OBVIOUS OVERWEIGHT BAGGAGE, BEGAN PUSHING THE TROLLEY.
THE DAMN THING HAD A FUNNY WHEEL AND I MUST HAVE BANGED INTO ALMOST EVERY THIRD PERSON IN THE AIRPORT. AFTER PROFUSE AND SHEEPISH APOLOGIES AND WITH SARANG AND MY PARENTS LAUGHING AT MY PATHETIC ATTEMPTS AT TROLLEY PUSHING ENTERED THE AIRPORT.
IT WAS THEN THAT I ENTERED THE WORLD OF SELF SERVICE IN ITS TRUE SENSE. I CURSED MYSELF IN UNMENTIONABLES OVER HORDING MY BAGS. HOW IN THE WORLD DID THOSE AIRPORT PEOPLE EXPECT ME TO LIFT AND PLACE BAGS THAT WEIGHED ALMOST AS MUCH AS I DID ON THE XRAY BELT STILL IS UNOMPREHANDABLE TO ME. AFTER THAT WAS DONE I PROCEEDED TO THE AIRINDIA COUNTER FOR CHECKING IN MY BAGS AND COLLECTING MY BOARDING PASS. THERE I DISCOVERED THAT MY BAGS WERE ALMOST 8 KGS OVER THE PERMITTED LIMIT. AND I WAS ALLOWED 10 KGS AS I AM ON A STUDENT VISA. I MANAGED TO EXCEED THAT BY 8 KGS. I AMAZE MYSELF.
THATS WHEN I MUST HAVE UTILIZED THE ENTIRE AMUL BUTTER PRODUCTION OF THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF MUMBAI ON THAT SINGLE ENTITY, THE AIR INDIA CHECK IN OFFICER. IT MUST HAVE WORKED BECAUSE I DIDNT PAY A SINGLE NAYA PAISA.
HE HE HE GOT TO CARRY HUMUNGOUS BAGS WITHOUT PAYING FINE. DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO HAGGLE.
PROCEEDED TO IMMIGRATION WHERE I HAD A SECOND NARROW ESCAPE . I WAS CARRYING A DIGICAM FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO RECEIPT. AGAIN GOT AWAY UNSCATHED.
FINALLY AFTER COMPLETING A SUPER BORING WAIT BOARDED THE PLANE AT 3AM.
MY FLIGHT WAS AI 111 MUMBAI - DELHI - LONDON - NEW YORK.
WHAT POSSESSED ME TO TAKE THIS FLIGHT I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IN A MILLION YEARS. IT WAS SUPERB ATTEMPT OF AIRINDIA TO GUARANTEE A HANGOVER THAT WAS TO LAST FOR DAYS TO COME.
THE FLIGHT WAS OKAY BETTER THAN THE HARROWING PICTURE GLEEFULLY PAINTED BY PEOPLE BASHING AI.
I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHATICALLY MENTION HERE THAT THE TOILETS ARE CLEAN AND AS HYGIENIC AS CAN BE POSSIBLE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THIS IS TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE JOYOUSLY MENTIONING HOW AESTHETICALLY BEAUTIFUL THE TOILETS IN BA ARE. OKAY ENOUGH ABT TOILETS.
LANDED AT LONDON AT 11:05 AM (GMT) AGAIN THE HEATHROW PEOPLE ARE VERY SMART . ALMOST ALL INTL FLIGHTS LAND ON TERMINAL 3 BUT AMERICAN AIRLINES HAVE BETTER LANDING SPOTS THAN AI FLIGHTS. IF THE FLIGHT HASNT SUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF YOU THE WALK DEFINITELY WILL.
THEN COME THE PEOPLE AT IMMIGRATION WHO ACT AS IF PEOPE FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE BREEDING STOCKS OF ALL GOD IMAGINED DISEASES.
THE SAD PART IS THAT 90 % OF THE PEOPLE MANNING THESE IMMIGRATION POSTS ARE SOUTH ASIAN.
AFTER THAT, THE WALK OUT OF THAT AIRPORT WAS TOO SMOOTH AND HASSLE FREE ITS STILL SINKING IN.
I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE EUPHORIA WAS TOO REAL TO LAST LONG. AND WHAT KILLED YES THE PRIDE OF LONDON TRANSPORT "THE BLACK CAB".
IF SOMETHING CAN BLEED YOU DRY FINANCIALLY ITS THE LONDON BLACK CAB WHICH ARENT ALWAYS BLACK BY THE WAY.
THE RIDE FROM HEATHROW TO HIGH HOLBORN, CAMDEN WHIGH IS A BOROUGH IN CENTRAL LONDON COST ME A WHOOPING £ 50.
I HADNT EVEN FINISHED MOURNING THAT LOSS WHEN I HAD TO BEGIN THE REGISTRATION AT HIGH HOLBORN RESIDENCE WHERE I WOULD BE STAYING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
I WAS ASSIGNED TO A SINGLE ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR. THE BONUS BEING IT HAS A FANTABULOUS VIEW. I CAN SEE THE LONDON EYE FROM MY WINDOW. (PICTURES SHALL BE POSTED SOON)
ITS BEEN SMOOTH SAILING SINCE THEN.
I WAS A LITTLE OVERWHELMED AT FIRST.
BUT AS TIME AND TIDE PASS ITS SINKING IN SLOWLY ONE STEP AT A TIME.
I REALIZED THAT I HAD MANY MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING THE BRITISH PEOPLE .
1) THEY ARE NOT VERY TALL. SARANG SOME WOMEN HERE ARE SHORTER THAN ME. YES THIS IS TRUE I AM NOT LAPETING.
2) ENGLISH SHOP KEEPERS CAN BE VERY FRIENDLY IF YOU BUY STUFF FROM THEM AND THEYLL REMEMBER YOU AND ALWAYS GREET YOU .
3) I TRULY UNDERESTIMATED THE INDIAN POPULATION IN LONDON. EVERY THIRD PERSON IS FROM SOUTH ASIA AND EVERY SIXTH IS AN INDIAN. I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE SOON THE BIGGEST NATIONALITY IN THE WORLD IS GOING TO BE INDIAN.
4)I MUST BE ONE OF THE COLLECTED NEW STUDENTS HERE. THE OTHER DAY A GIRL FAINTED BECAUSE SHE WAS LATE FOR CLASS.
I MEAN SHEEEEEP TALK ABOUT PRESSURE.
ALL SAID AND DONE NOW I UNDERSTAND WHAT HOME MEANS. IT IS NOT A PLACE WHERE 4 WALLS MEET BOT A PLACE WHERE YOUR HEART IS.
THATS ALL FOR NOW FOLKS.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SUNILA GOES TO LONDON.
CIAO
SUNILA
Monday, August 22, 2005
Dreams Unlimited
Never have been dormant for so long.
I have moved frequently in my life but never alone. Never without reinforcements.
A journey whose culmination is so far away that it almost weakens my resolve.
A dream so variable that it causes me to almost stumble.
A hope so innate it ensures attainment of my aspirations.
I have moved frequently in my life but never alone. Never without reinforcements.
A journey whose culmination is so far away that it almost weakens my resolve.
A dream so variable that it causes me to almost stumble.
A hope so innate it ensures attainment of my aspirations.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Felix Qui Potuit Rerum Cognoscere Causas
Felix Qui Potuit Rerum Cognoscere Causas means
Happy (is s/he) who isable to know the causes of things.
Vergil, Georgics 2.490 (ref. to Lucretius)
“Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas,atque metus omnis et inexorabile fatumsubiecit pedibus strepitumque Acherontis avari.Fortunatus et ille, deos qui novit agrestis,Panaque Silvanumque senem Nymphasque sorores”
“Blessed is he whose mind had power to probe
The causes of things and trample underfoot
All terrors and inexorable fate
And the clamour of devouring Acheron;
But happy too is he who knows the gods of the countryside,
knows Panand old Silvanus
And the sister Nymphs.”
Translated by L. P. Wilkinson
Happy (is s/he) who isable to know the causes of things.
Vergil, Georgics 2.490 (ref. to Lucretius)
“Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas,atque metus omnis et inexorabile fatumsubiecit pedibus strepitumque Acherontis avari.Fortunatus et ille, deos qui novit agrestis,Panaque Silvanumque senem Nymphasque sorores”
“Blessed is he whose mind had power to probe
The causes of things and trample underfoot
All terrors and inexorable fate
And the clamour of devouring Acheron;
But happy too is he who knows the gods of the countryside,
knows Panand old Silvanus
And the sister Nymphs.”
Translated by L. P. Wilkinson
Saturday, July 09, 2005
I'm Back
Since I started this blog this is the first time that I have been dormant for so long a period.
I don’t know why but recently I have been feeling very sluggish. Mumbai weather is driving me crazy. It rained so heavily that I thought we would have a swimming pool on the street in front of our house. Since then it feels as if I am living in a desert because there has been no rainfall.
My life is turning into a frenzy with vaccination, dentist’s appointments, Insurance (personal, travel), booking tickets, shopping.
Recently I started the great mission of clearing out the things I did not need. Emptying out my cupboard was not as easy as I thought it would be. I am not a hoardist. But every little thing has some memory attached to it. Prioritizing favorites among different memories is difficult……….. Correction very difficult.
It was as if I was the only person who was in transition. The rest of my family though hyperactive was still constant and fixed. I was the variable.
Didn’t feel good.
I am already feeling a sense of loss of bereavement.
The problem is people around me are acting so cool. . It is making me feel as if I am overly emotional. The fact is I am not.
My parents and Sarang are more comfortable with the idea of me going abroad than people would have liked them to be. My relatives were shocked that I wanted to continue my studies after my marriage. They thought I would soon settle down in matrimonial bliss which means have kids, watch soaps, gossip, and living through other people.
People were actually outraged when I announced I was going abroad to pursue higher education. A few of them actually had the atrocious nerve to ask Sarang how he had permitted me to do this.
Sarang as usual was so cool about it that it left these nosy trouble makers embarrassed and feeling a little stupid.
Kudos hubby dear.
I suppose this is just one of those phases I am prone to time and again and that it will pass.
I don’t know why but recently I have been feeling very sluggish. Mumbai weather is driving me crazy. It rained so heavily that I thought we would have a swimming pool on the street in front of our house. Since then it feels as if I am living in a desert because there has been no rainfall.
My life is turning into a frenzy with vaccination, dentist’s appointments, Insurance (personal, travel), booking tickets, shopping.
Recently I started the great mission of clearing out the things I did not need. Emptying out my cupboard was not as easy as I thought it would be. I am not a hoardist. But every little thing has some memory attached to it. Prioritizing favorites among different memories is difficult……….. Correction very difficult.
It was as if I was the only person who was in transition. The rest of my family though hyperactive was still constant and fixed. I was the variable.
Didn’t feel good.
I am already feeling a sense of loss of bereavement.
The problem is people around me are acting so cool. . It is making me feel as if I am overly emotional. The fact is I am not.
My parents and Sarang are more comfortable with the idea of me going abroad than people would have liked them to be. My relatives were shocked that I wanted to continue my studies after my marriage. They thought I would soon settle down in matrimonial bliss which means have kids, watch soaps, gossip, and living through other people.
People were actually outraged when I announced I was going abroad to pursue higher education. A few of them actually had the atrocious nerve to ask Sarang how he had permitted me to do this.
Sarang as usual was so cool about it that it left these nosy trouble makers embarrassed and feeling a little stupid.
Kudos hubby dear.
I suppose this is just one of those phases I am prone to time and again and that it will pass.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Operation visa commence.
I am beginning my Visa process. It isn't as tedious as the US visa but can still give me palpitation all the same.
The wierd part of the UK visa is that there are no clear regulations as to what docs need to be submitted. Its at your discretion said the VFS lady.
If it was really at my discretion I should be getting my visa with only my passport at hand.
It is quite crazy.
Any way the only piece of good news today was that Dukes aced her exams. thank GOD.
At least aai will sleep happy tonite.
The wierd part of the UK visa is that there are no clear regulations as to what docs need to be submitted. Its at your discretion said the VFS lady.
If it was really at my discretion I should be getting my visa with only my passport at hand.
It is quite crazy.
Any way the only piece of good news today was that Dukes aced her exams. thank GOD.
At least aai will sleep happy tonite.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
From Grief hopefully will come Relief !
Last Week I witnessed a whole range of emotions within myself. A very good friend of mine lost his father. It was sudden. This singular event brought me crashing down from the euphoria I had experienced at being back in Mumbai. It forced me to face a reality that I was unwilling to do for GOD knows how long.
Death of A loved one.
My Parents, my husband, my sister, my in-laws, my friends. I have always been called a person who has been very mature for my age. But in my own childish way I perceived my loved ones to be immortal.
That does not make any sense to me, right now, that I am forced to think rationally. What appalls me about the situation is that I truly believed that I would never have to face this situation.
The wierder part of the situation is that I am not worried about my own death. I could die tomorrow for all I know. But that thought does not bother me.
May be It was a defence mechanism acquired over my years of growing up. I still am unsure of as to where I stand in my belief system. I suppose it will take time to readjust my beliefs about the pseudo - immortality of the people I hold close to my heart.
I feel the need to initiate the first step to re-evaluating my beliefs. Understanding, with it comes acknowledgement, with which comes acceptance. This is going to be an up hill battle.
A battle with whom????????????????
I am utterly confused.
I really am unsure of as to what is the first step.
I suppose realising that this is a problem could be a first step.
Right now I feel the need to just be cathartic in order to un burden myself.
One day at a time is what I am saying to myself at this moment.
Death of A loved one.
My Parents, my husband, my sister, my in-laws, my friends. I have always been called a person who has been very mature for my age. But in my own childish way I perceived my loved ones to be immortal.
That does not make any sense to me, right now, that I am forced to think rationally. What appalls me about the situation is that I truly believed that I would never have to face this situation.
The wierder part of the situation is that I am not worried about my own death. I could die tomorrow for all I know. But that thought does not bother me.
May be It was a defence mechanism acquired over my years of growing up. I still am unsure of as to where I stand in my belief system. I suppose it will take time to readjust my beliefs about the pseudo - immortality of the people I hold close to my heart.
I feel the need to initiate the first step to re-evaluating my beliefs. Understanding, with it comes acknowledgement, with which comes acceptance. This is going to be an up hill battle.
A battle with whom????????????????
I am utterly confused.
I really am unsure of as to what is the first step.
I suppose realising that this is a problem could be a first step.
Right now I feel the need to just be cathartic in order to un burden myself.
One day at a time is what I am saying to myself at this moment.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Change of Pace
Change of Pace.
Nothing ever remains constant other than change.
I was seeking this very change when I arrived at Pune.
I met viju mavshi’s gang . had the most delightful chat session with Tanuja Tai and Deepti.
It felt great meeting kassy and amru again. Met amru’s sandy. Cool Guy. My very best to him for having decided to jhelo Amru for life.
Met most of the gang . I felt I was having a blast but now a creepy melancholic feeling has set in.
A week in Pune is driving me up the wall. How in the world am I going to spend a year in London is beyond my realm of comprehension.
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that home is not a place where four walls meet, rather I perceive home to be a place where the heart is.
So the conclusion to this blog . I want to go home to MUMBAI.
Home to Sarang aai, baba, and of course dukes.
Nothing ever remains constant other than change.
I was seeking this very change when I arrived at Pune.
I met viju mavshi’s gang . had the most delightful chat session with Tanuja Tai and Deepti.
It felt great meeting kassy and amru again. Met amru’s sandy. Cool Guy. My very best to him for having decided to jhelo Amru for life.
Met most of the gang . I felt I was having a blast but now a creepy melancholic feeling has set in.
A week in Pune is driving me up the wall. How in the world am I going to spend a year in London is beyond my realm of comprehension.
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that home is not a place where four walls meet, rather I perceive home to be a place where the heart is.
So the conclusion to this blog . I want to go home to MUMBAI.
Home to Sarang aai, baba, and of course dukes.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Fear of Fear
Confronting and solving problems is a painful process, which most of us attempt to avoid and the very avoidance results in greater pain and inability to grow mentally.
One of the reasons of this avoidance is fear of either the known or the unknown.
Fear is one of the most basic of human emotions. It is essential to ensure the survival of a species. Fear is the terror of not knowing whether there will be a tomorrow. Fear is the worry felt for the well - being of one's loved ones.
Fear like other emotions has a distinct path. There is irritation which turns into annoyance. If the environment persists it turns into worry. The final stage of this journey is fear.
True and unhindered fear is an experience that few people ever forget in a life time.
People who have performed acts of bravery also experience fear. What distinguishes them from the cowards is that they are willing to face their fears for a greater good.
Psychological warfare has its theoretical basis in the psyche of terror.
To inflict unimagined and unparreled terror is the aim of people who make the use of this tactic
Fear is a very crucial emotion for it drives almost the entire functioning of the world. From defence and foreign policies of nation - states to the stock markets, fear absoulutely dictates the functionality to make ends meet.
Fear in the 21st century is experiencing a paradigm shift.
Hence it becoms of essence to mold our responses and defence mechanisms accordingly. How does one ensure sovereignity and terretorial integrity in the age of globalization.
Here comes into picture what Samuel Huntington wrote about some decades ago, ' The clash of civilasations'.
It is as inevitable as the rising and falling tide.
And the winner, in the multipolar existence of ours, shall be the one who figures out the answer to this dilemma.
One of the reasons of this avoidance is fear of either the known or the unknown.
Fear is one of the most basic of human emotions. It is essential to ensure the survival of a species. Fear is the terror of not knowing whether there will be a tomorrow. Fear is the worry felt for the well - being of one's loved ones.
Fear like other emotions has a distinct path. There is irritation which turns into annoyance. If the environment persists it turns into worry. The final stage of this journey is fear.
True and unhindered fear is an experience that few people ever forget in a life time.
People who have performed acts of bravery also experience fear. What distinguishes them from the cowards is that they are willing to face their fears for a greater good.
Psychological warfare has its theoretical basis in the psyche of terror.
To inflict unimagined and unparreled terror is the aim of people who make the use of this tactic
Fear is a very crucial emotion for it drives almost the entire functioning of the world. From defence and foreign policies of nation - states to the stock markets, fear absoulutely dictates the functionality to make ends meet.
Fear in the 21st century is experiencing a paradigm shift.
Hence it becoms of essence to mold our responses and defence mechanisms accordingly. How does one ensure sovereignity and terretorial integrity in the age of globalization.
Here comes into picture what Samuel Huntington wrote about some decades ago, ' The clash of civilasations'.
It is as inevitable as the rising and falling tide.
And the winner, in the multipolar existence of ours, shall be the one who figures out the answer to this dilemma.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Love
LOVE TRANSCENDS DEATH
People we love continue to touch our hearts and lives even after they are gone.
I have come to believe this axiom from the depths of my being. Not that I have experienced any para normal activity in my house, but the fact that thoughts about my loved ones continue to bring a smile on my lips.
Shelley aptly penned it in " Music when soft voices die", 1824
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed
And so thy thoughts, when thou are gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
What makes this bond of love so strong? I have often wondered.
Is it that Love is like a fantasy come true. The stronger it becomes the longer it is brewed.
So does that make love 'Nestle Kinjara'.
Maybe love is like sunshine that turns the sky gold.
Maybe it's a fragrance that thousand blossoms hold.
Love might be the pathway to dreams come true.
What I know as a certainity is that love is definitely a blessing, a privilege, gifted to you allowing you to competely unmask yourself.
Only a person who has truly basked in the glory of loving someone and being loved in return can comprehend my feelings. I would like to make this clear that
I am not a proponent of the unconditional love theory, because I beleive that every relationship is based on some parameters, boundaries - violating which is unacceptable.
A friend of mine once asked me what kind of love did I believe in - was it love at first sight or the harry met sally kind of a love. If love truly transcends death then how can love be at first sight or for that matter at any sensory perception or for that matter why do two people have to meet over 2 decades to finally realise that they have to spend their lives together. Can't it just be as Elizabeth Barret Browning expressed in ' Sonnets from the Portugese', 1850
If thou must love me, let it be for naught
Except for love's sake only.
Now a person who loves like there's no tomorrow truly lives. I do not mean that caution should be thrown to the winds instead love instills responsibility. Understanding that responsibility can help a person love another from the depths of his / her soul.
As Nikki Giovanni , 1982, said ' We love because it's the only true adventure.
Love is the most beautiful of emotions - because it is the most powerful. It has the power to create, to preserve, to destroy.
It is the holy trinity from which everything begins and ends.
Maybe Madonna hit the bulls eye when she said 'Love makes the world go round'.
On that note Cheers and Ciao.
People we love continue to touch our hearts and lives even after they are gone.
I have come to believe this axiom from the depths of my being. Not that I have experienced any para normal activity in my house, but the fact that thoughts about my loved ones continue to bring a smile on my lips.
Shelley aptly penned it in " Music when soft voices die", 1824
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed
And so thy thoughts, when thou are gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
What makes this bond of love so strong? I have often wondered.
Is it that Love is like a fantasy come true. The stronger it becomes the longer it is brewed.
So does that make love 'Nestle Kinjara'.
Maybe love is like sunshine that turns the sky gold.
Maybe it's a fragrance that thousand blossoms hold.
Love might be the pathway to dreams come true.
What I know as a certainity is that love is definitely a blessing, a privilege, gifted to you allowing you to competely unmask yourself.
Only a person who has truly basked in the glory of loving someone and being loved in return can comprehend my feelings. I would like to make this clear that
I am not a proponent of the unconditional love theory, because I beleive that every relationship is based on some parameters, boundaries - violating which is unacceptable.
A friend of mine once asked me what kind of love did I believe in - was it love at first sight or the harry met sally kind of a love. If love truly transcends death then how can love be at first sight or for that matter at any sensory perception or for that matter why do two people have to meet over 2 decades to finally realise that they have to spend their lives together. Can't it just be as Elizabeth Barret Browning expressed in ' Sonnets from the Portugese', 1850
If thou must love me, let it be for naught
Except for love's sake only.
Now a person who loves like there's no tomorrow truly lives. I do not mean that caution should be thrown to the winds instead love instills responsibility. Understanding that responsibility can help a person love another from the depths of his / her soul.
As Nikki Giovanni , 1982, said ' We love because it's the only true adventure.
Love is the most beautiful of emotions - because it is the most powerful. It has the power to create, to preserve, to destroy.
It is the holy trinity from which everything begins and ends.
Maybe Madonna hit the bulls eye when she said 'Love makes the world go round'.
On that note Cheers and Ciao.
Cycle of life
Barren and dry they look to the conscious eye
But beneath they are eager to branch out to life,
eagerly awaiting a warm ray of light.
To be touched by life itself,
to be reincarnated must be a trivial thing for thee.
but for them it potrays their rebirth,
their chance to relive a spring, a summer, an autumn.
A chance to bring forth the simple pleasures of life.
- Sunila Kelkar
But beneath they are eager to branch out to life,
eagerly awaiting a warm ray of light.
To be touched by life itself,
to be reincarnated must be a trivial thing for thee.
but for them it potrays their rebirth,
their chance to relive a spring, a summer, an autumn.
A chance to bring forth the simple pleasures of life.
- Sunila Kelkar
Monday, May 30, 2005
hot n humid mumbai
Recovering from illness in an inhospitable climate really can suck ur hopes for a speedy recovery. Junes' almost around the corner but there is no sign of rain. There is the prospect of rain but not even the first rains have begun as yet.
Sarang finally got his new specs today. Took some time adjusting but they look great.
All in all a normal day. Monday thats the best it can get to be.
Sarang finally got his new specs today. Took some time adjusting but they look great.
All in all a normal day. Monday thats the best it can get to be.
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