Friday, August 25, 2023
Moving on...this one will make you smile I promise!!
FOR FULL SENSE OF HUMOR EFFECT, READ THIS AS IF A STAND-UP COMEDIAN IS RECITING IT...
Hi doston, purana blog post ne to bahut rulaya...puri family ne mil kar rulaya (referring to Dad's comments specifically). But, I felt much better after writing that post and the love I got from everyone...I am so glad I did it :)
But today, its time to talk about me deciding to "move on"...yes this post is all about my first few days after thinking about taking next steps to move on. Jaise hi ye socha, I started feeling 10 years younger. Fir se "Rahul" mein SRK ka bhoot ghus gaya, RHTDM ka tune fir se dimaag mein ghoomne laga ;) But the big question was how to move on, jitni ladkiyon ko jaanta hun sab to married hain, kya karein, kidhar jaayen. Tab jaake idea aaya ki profile banaya jaaye in shaadi.com and eharmony (yahan ka serious waala dating site).
...pehle aate hain shaadi.com pe:
- Not exaggerating, I had to open my resume to fill the form...mera itna information to PwC ke paas bhi nahi hai ;) Indians chaand mein pahunchne mein world record bana dein lekin is cheez mein to 12 saal mein wahin ke wahin hai...all that matters is kahan se engineering, kitna marks, kahan distinction...kasam se mujhe form bharte bharte 4-5 baar "Aal izz well, Aal izz well" bolna pada!!! Somehow finished it....phewww, tab jaake paisa maanga, wo bhi pay kiya, finally jaake bandiyon ka profile dikha...finally!
- Bhaiya, idhar to gadar macha hua hai...ab samajh mein aaya kyun itna detail maanga...saare bandiyon ke bhi profiles mein bas yahi details....kaun sa college, kitna marks, bhaiya ne IIM se MBA kiya, chacha ne Oxford mein lecture diya...working as Senior Manager in MnC blah blah blah...waapas se 3 idiots ka "life is a race" dialogue kaano mein goonjhne laga and fir se Priya Sinha ki bahut yaad aane lagi :D:D; hum aisehi thik hain, kahan phir se ye sab ab 40 saal mein, ab na hoga bhai itna......but MBA dimaag lagaya and maine socha ki how to differentiate here....so maine apne profile description mein first line likha - "Proud single dad of my 10 year old son"; tennis, travel, yehi sab likha; and mentioned ki resume dekhna hai to ye raha Linked In ka profile, idhar dekh le.
Fir next step - browse karte karte I started clicking on invitation to the profiles (to start conversing). Pehla response aaya - "Can you please share your birth details for astro match"....ye ek divorcee ne poocha....to bhai pehle waale mein nahi milaya tha kya, wo to toot gaya....fir bhi dimaag mein nahi ghusa....matlab ek baar baat tak nahi hua and inko birth details chahiye. Idhar compatibility, emotional connection - ye sab ki to koi baat hi nahi karta, bas baat hota hai to materialistic cheezon ki; and US special - this is actually mentioned in a lot of profiles "Only Permanent Resident and Citizens please, no student or H1B visa". 1 din pehle tak mujhe lagta tha ki jab "move on" karna hoga to kar lenge.....is Rahul ko uski Anjali mil jayegi kahin na kahin to......but itna bhi easy nahi hai, lagta hai Rahul zindagi bhar Raj Aryan hi bana rahega, uski Aishwarya Rai beech beech mein sapne mein dikhte rahegi bas...!!!!
- Ab aate hain "Marital Status" pe
- Sabse upar aata hai "Never Married". Understandably so...in logon ka "Partner Preference" (jiske basis pe matches aate hain) bahut narrow and ekdum cream waala hai. Idhar apna koi chance nahi and to be honest, mujhe koi "Never Married" bandi se wo level of connection kabhi nahi ho payega (did I hear anyone say "Angoor Khatte Hain", haha.
- Fir aata hai "Divorced with no child", "Divorced with child but not living together", "Divorced with child and living together" in that order
- Last mein aata hain "Widower with no child", "Widower with child living together" in that order. Life mein kuchh bhi aasani se nahi milta....poora engineering and MBA entrance ke liye "General" category (kabhi koi reservation nahi), sabse tough....then US aaye in H1B visa and Priya in H4 - struggle hi struggle....and ab isme bhi saala last waala status....uffff!!
- Ek event hota hai weekly: Shaadi Live (for 1 hour) and jitne bandiyon se baat karna hai 5 min ka video chat allowed hai (like speed dating concept), to matlab idhar aap ek pen paper leke baitho, and jaldi jaldi notes banao....maine kabhi join bhi nahi kiya kyunki mere hisaab se ye to poora counter-intuitive hai, humein purana Aamir Khan style ek baar mein ek movie with dedication karna hai, yahaan to poora Akshay Kumar chal raha hai, lolzzz...logon ka ek basic need to kaise encash karna hai ye shaadi.com waalon se poocho aap - mujhe actually inke BA team se milna hai and inke internal "requirements gathering" session mein baithna hai ek baar, will be interesting to listen in!!
- Main ladkon ki profile nahi dekh paata (abhi itna advance nahi hua hai shaadi.com :D) to ye suno, ek bandi se baat ho rahi thi to usne bataya ki ek ladka ke profile mein ye bhi tha - "meri rotiyan gol gol banti hain" :D:D:D:D...arre baap re hanste hanste lotpot...."gol gol rotiyan" wo bhi ladka ne lika (kasam se ye sun-ne ke baad mujhe ab thoda confidence aaya hai) :D:D
- Ab to aisa ho gaya hai ki kisi "prospect" bandi ko invite do aur wo accept kar le to "prospect" client ko project bechne se zyaada bada achievement lagta hai!!
- Abhi to bahut cheez aur hai jo likha nahi....you can filter out profiles based on manglik/ non-manglik, caste/sub-caste, profession/ industry, what-not: iske details pe ek poora training manual ban sakta hai!!!
- Last thing on shaadi.com; sometimes you revisit a profile and see its deleted......seeing that it seems that the profile is saying on your face - "mera to placement ho gaya, main chali idhar se, apna dekh lo" haha!!!
ab aate hain eharmony pe:
- Ye poora profile based hai, initial list of questions 100 times more than shaadi.com. This is like company ke training mein personality test dete hain na, something like that but way more questions...you wont believe picture questions - select the geometrical shape that you spontaneously relate to (sochne ka time nahi hai); and situation based questions like party mein girlfriend ke dress pe coffee gir gaya to how will you react and choose options...and options something like "price tag of 3 idiots" type response :P:P:P or calm/ cool like Dhoni types..
- Aadha ghanta baith ke answer kiya to aata hai "Congratulations, you are 10% done", mera na sahi mein sab websites milke "chamatkar pe chamatkar" (again, 3 idiots context) kar denge.
- Abhi aage suno, itna sab karke do ye test and submit karo apna profile, then they match with bandiyon ka profile; agar kisi ke saath 100 se zyaada match score aata hai to bahut achha match maante hain like 36/36 gun mil gaye types!! To mera bas ek bandi se aaya 112 ka score (ekdum ram sita waala jodi), and wo ladki hai yahan ki mast single piece mein slim sataka blonde gori 33 saal ki, 5'9" height waali, poora model types.....now imagine that main isko jaake message karun - "Hey sexy, hamara personality compatibility score 112 aaya hai, aati kya khandala!!!" :):):):D omg.......socho wo ladki kisi nail spa mein happily apna nail art kara rahi hogi and usko notification aaya hoga - "You have a 112 score match, congrats", wo bechari kood ke dekhi hogi......just imagine.....main uske jagah rahun to sue kar dun e-harmony ko lolzzzzzz.....hahahaha......omg......But coming back to me, achha waala kat gaya yahan bhi paisa daal ke....Priya ko to sabse zyaada gus-sa isi baat pe aata - ki paisa kyun barbaad kiya, free waala dekho jitna khandala lonavala karna hai udhar karo lolzzzz hahahaha!
To doston, baat ye hai ki after my last "heavy" blog, this was an attempt to cool down, bring smiles again and annouce that Rahul Nishit is back in the market - After all, men will be men...haha!!
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Down the memory lane, bollywood style!!
Havent written anything here in 13 years...its a good time to restart something that makes me feel better...writing!
So, what I am going to do is pen down my emotions as I look back at my journey with Priya, using some of my favorite bollywood songs.
This is an emotional post - straight from my heart...it has to come out somewhere...so writing it all out.
2009:
Context: After having my share of rejections in love life, was finally ready for arrange marriage, and was cautiously optimistic to fall in love :)
Music: RHTDM Rain Theme...
2010:
Context: About to meet her for the first time
"Ye kiska hai chehra jise main har ek phool mein dekhta hun, ye kiski hai awaaz jisko na sun ke bhi main sun raha hun, kaisi ye aahatein aa rahi hain, kaise ye khwaab dikhla rahi hai.....mere dil bataa kaun hai aa raha, kyun hawa aaj yun gaa rahi hai...ga rahi hai....ga rahi hai" Hear Lata ji's "aa aaaa aa"....in the background.
2011:
Context: Arrange marriage and courtship
"Maana sabse tu haseen hai husn waali, maana sabke tu dilon mein basne waali....haan haan hai nasha ada hai nakhrewaali, par taarefon se nahi tu maan-ne waali.....khaamosh dil na zor se dhadakna, dikh na jaaye haye usse tera tadapnna, mere haal pe hai muskurane waali, taarefon se nahi tu maan-ne waali"
2012:
Context: Both fallen in love :)
"Pehle pehle pyaar kiii pehli raat yaad rahegi, phoolon ki is sheher ki mulakat yaad rahegi....kaash yahin saari umar yunhi jaaye beet mitwa, aage aage chalein hum peeche peeche preet mitwaaaa...."
2013:
Context: Ishan's birth
"Khul ke socho aao...pankh zara failao...rang zara bikhrao...chalo chalo chalo chalo naye khwaab bun lein....he aye aye ae....he aye ae aaye ae...he aye aye ae....heyeyeyeye aye ae ae...bum bum bole masti mein dole...bum bum bole masti mein tu dol re"
Fun Fact: Hum dono ko Taare Zameen Par itni achhi lagi thi ki Ishan name almost final tha tabhi se :)
2014 - 2017:
Context: Parenting Ishan + Priya pursuing masters + Rahul busy in job = Reality of Married Life
"Wafaadari ki wo rasmein, nibhayenge hum tum kasme, ek bhi saans zindagi ki jab tak ho apne bas mein...jab koi baat bigad jaaye, jab koi mushkil pad jaaye, tum dena saath mera o humnawaaa....na koi hai na koi tha zindagi mein tumhare siwa, tum dena saath mera o humnawaaaa..."
2018 - 2020:
Context: Completed her masters + got job + bought house = Happy Priya + Love w/ Rahul re-ignited ;)
"Khili chandni jaisa ye badan janam mila tumko, mann mein socha tha jaisa roop tera aaya nazar humko.....sitam khuli khuli ye sanam gori gori ye baahein karti hain yun....hume tumne jab gale lagaya tab ho hi gaye hum to Hamma Hamma, Hamma Hamma Hamma..."
2021:
Context: Beginning of the end - Diagnosis and major surgery
"Jag ke jo swaami ho....itni to araj suno...hain path mein andhiyaare, de do vardaan mein ujiyare....o paalanhaare nirgun aur nyaare, tumre bin hamra kauno naahi....hamri uljhan suljhao bhagwan, tumre bin hamra kauno naahi.."
2022:
Context: We knew that it may be time soon
"O maahi ve, O maahi ve....maahi mainu chhadeyo naa ke tere bin dil naiyo lagna...jithe vi tu chalna ae maahi main tere pichhe pichhe chalna...tu jee sakdi nai....main jee sakda nai....koi dusri main sharta vi rakhda nahi....kya tere bajo mera....sachiya mohabbata ve o maahi kithe aur naiyo milna.."
2023:
Context: ...................
"Kuchh paakar khona hai, kuchh khokar paana hai, jeewan ka matlab to aana aur jaana hai....parchhaiiyan reh jaati, reh jaati nishaani hai....zindagi aur kuch bhi nahi teri meri kahaani hai"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added on 8/29/2023:
Context: I collected Priya's ashes today to be taken to India tomorrow by in-laws. My parents will do the visarjan at Varanasi thereafter.
During my drive back from funeral house to home, there she sat again in our car's front seat...for the very last time, this time just inside a box...and at the very same moment, the car aptly put words to my emotions by playing this song through the shuffled playlist:
"Ab hai saamne, ise chhoo loon zara.......marr jaun ya jee lun zaraaaa.......khushiyan choom loon, ya ro lun zara.......marr jaun ya jee lun zaraaaa......."
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A glimpse of India - through the characters of “Peepli – Live”
2023: I HAAVE NO CLUE WHY I WROTE THIS POST; PLEASE IGNORE THIS
How beautifully can the dynamics in Indian villages be summarized in less than two hours. I found Peepli to be a perfect instance of the class “Indian Villages”. Lets look at some of the characters of the movie and illustrate it. Your additions/disagreements are most welcome !!!!
Just a disclaimer – Even though the focus here is villages, I have departed at occasions and have drawn a comparison with the urban India.
1. Natha’s children – For the little children, the dream of having a better place to live in, having a better education, having more money for daily living is more important than the fact that their father will die. Actually, truly speaking, they were too young to realize whats going on. Most children in India who are below the poverty line doesn’t understand the implications of the kind of work they are forced into. The possibility of having a good daily living drives them to enter the “No Entry” zone. This “No Entry” can be anything from forced beggary to child labour to working for some mafia etc etc. By the time they get an idea of whats going on, they have already crossed the “Point of No Return”.
2. Natha’s mother – A typical four-father generation lady who believes that whatever evil is happening in her family’s life is due to her daughter-in-law. Doesn’t have the power to sit properly but still abuses her in the worst possible way. The tradition in the Indian villages does not allow a man’s mom to bend in front of his wife. Leave the villages, this is so prevalent even in joint family structure that half the daily serials are based on the saas-bahu issue. The practicality of Natha’s mother’s role can be justified by the popularity of Ekta Kapoor !!!!
3. Reporters – Probably the characters with whom we can easily relate to. Most of us today in the business world keep ethics aside and then work. That is portrayed beautifully through the reporters. Competition to reach the place first, somehow get the interviews of the most important people, get whatever information about the ‘highlighted’ guy. We all do similar stuff in our respective work places. We even highlight shit when nothing else works. Here, I would like a special mention of the guy called Rakesh. He was the one who started airing the news of Natha’s possible suicide…………by the end he realized that what they are doing does not make sense………he represents some of us who gets awakened in the middle of everything……….but still continues to carry on (simple reason – fight for earning and basic living). His character is similar to that of an ambitious actress who does not have any idea about “Casting Couch”.
4. Politicians – We all can write 100 blogs on them. Excuse me for not breaking the parallel thinking to write something so redundant.
5. Farmer Mahato – These are the people who are typically tagged as “Hard Workers” across industries. One feels sad for the guy who dies working. But, did he have any option? Our economy is so much driven by the agriculture sector that one bad monsoon makes the poor poorer. Then, either he suicides or dies off trying to work extra. None of the politician or reporter actually talked about his state of mind, so ironic !!! But, that’s reality. The difference between him and Natha is that of a worker who works hard to earn incentives but gets them only when he announces his resignation !!!! Not saying that Natha ended up with the incentives, but on a lighter note, he atleast got a hand-pump and free nation wide publicity :)
6. Natha’s wife – Her character is beautifully summarized at the end, when Budhia returns with the information about money (following Natha’s death), she first serves him water and then asks about the proceedings. Respecting and following a culture is different and justifiable, but just imagine the amount of traditions Indian women needs to follow……..she actually holds Budhia responsible for the entire tragedy, lost her husband……..and still no clue of money………you would expect her to grab his collar but instead serves him water when he returns home. Really, worth giving a thought !!!!
7. Budhia and Natha – Can we really blame Budhia for the entire episode ???? Even at the highest level in the Indian industries, brothers have fought for business and money……….these two were just farmers for whom earning daily living was the biggest challenge. The greed for money entices Budhia to entice Natha to announce his suicide. But, was it really greed for money ???? Or just a step to ensure that the future of his family is secured. And, just give a thought to the fact that Natha did not even realize what he was going to do………when he realized, it was already late. The possibility of getting a lump sum money had eaten a major share of their brains.
One can feel Natha’s happiness when the CM announced the cancellation of his suicide. The twist thereafter made him run away from his home. Assuming he never returned, he still continues to work as a construction worker……….he strongly represents the section of villagers who leave farming and migrate to cities. In a country where agriculture drives the economy, this is a shame !!!!
I am not sure about the developed economies, but for a developing one like ours (where problems only increase because of corruption, over-population, unemployment, child labour, and many others), it is safe to say that “ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY, HONEY”
How beautifully can the dynamics in Indian villages be summarized in less than two hours. I found Peepli to be a perfect instance of the class “Indian Villages”. Lets look at some of the characters of the movie and illustrate it. Your additions/disagreements are most welcome !!!!
Just a disclaimer – Even though the focus here is villages, I have departed at occasions and have drawn a comparison with the urban India.
1. Natha’s children – For the little children, the dream of having a better place to live in, having a better education, having more money for daily living is more important than the fact that their father will die. Actually, truly speaking, they were too young to realize whats going on. Most children in India who are below the poverty line doesn’t understand the implications of the kind of work they are forced into. The possibility of having a good daily living drives them to enter the “No Entry” zone. This “No Entry” can be anything from forced beggary to child labour to working for some mafia etc etc. By the time they get an idea of whats going on, they have already crossed the “Point of No Return”.
2. Natha’s mother – A typical four-father generation lady who believes that whatever evil is happening in her family’s life is due to her daughter-in-law. Doesn’t have the power to sit properly but still abuses her in the worst possible way. The tradition in the Indian villages does not allow a man’s mom to bend in front of his wife. Leave the villages, this is so prevalent even in joint family structure that half the daily serials are based on the saas-bahu issue. The practicality of Natha’s mother’s role can be justified by the popularity of Ekta Kapoor !!!!
3. Reporters – Probably the characters with whom we can easily relate to. Most of us today in the business world keep ethics aside and then work. That is portrayed beautifully through the reporters. Competition to reach the place first, somehow get the interviews of the most important people, get whatever information about the ‘highlighted’ guy. We all do similar stuff in our respective work places. We even highlight shit when nothing else works. Here, I would like a special mention of the guy called Rakesh. He was the one who started airing the news of Natha’s possible suicide…………by the end he realized that what they are doing does not make sense………he represents some of us who gets awakened in the middle of everything……….but still continues to carry on (simple reason – fight for earning and basic living). His character is similar to that of an ambitious actress who does not have any idea about “Casting Couch”.
4. Politicians – We all can write 100 blogs on them. Excuse me for not breaking the parallel thinking to write something so redundant.
5. Farmer Mahato – These are the people who are typically tagged as “Hard Workers” across industries. One feels sad for the guy who dies working. But, did he have any option? Our economy is so much driven by the agriculture sector that one bad monsoon makes the poor poorer. Then, either he suicides or dies off trying to work extra. None of the politician or reporter actually talked about his state of mind, so ironic !!! But, that’s reality. The difference between him and Natha is that of a worker who works hard to earn incentives but gets them only when he announces his resignation !!!! Not saying that Natha ended up with the incentives, but on a lighter note, he atleast got a hand-pump and free nation wide publicity :)
6. Natha’s wife – Her character is beautifully summarized at the end, when Budhia returns with the information about money (following Natha’s death), she first serves him water and then asks about the proceedings. Respecting and following a culture is different and justifiable, but just imagine the amount of traditions Indian women needs to follow……..she actually holds Budhia responsible for the entire tragedy, lost her husband……..and still no clue of money………you would expect her to grab his collar but instead serves him water when he returns home. Really, worth giving a thought !!!!
7. Budhia and Natha – Can we really blame Budhia for the entire episode ???? Even at the highest level in the Indian industries, brothers have fought for business and money……….these two were just farmers for whom earning daily living was the biggest challenge. The greed for money entices Budhia to entice Natha to announce his suicide. But, was it really greed for money ???? Or just a step to ensure that the future of his family is secured. And, just give a thought to the fact that Natha did not even realize what he was going to do………when he realized, it was already late. The possibility of getting a lump sum money had eaten a major share of their brains.
One can feel Natha’s happiness when the CM announced the cancellation of his suicide. The twist thereafter made him run away from his home. Assuming he never returned, he still continues to work as a construction worker……….he strongly represents the section of villagers who leave farming and migrate to cities. In a country where agriculture drives the economy, this is a shame !!!!
I am not sure about the developed economies, but for a developing one like ours (where problems only increase because of corruption, over-population, unemployment, child labour, and many others), it is safe to say that “ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY, HONEY”
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Planning a Euro Trip ?
Acknowledgement:
One of my dear Consultant friends gave me this idea of jotting down everything that might be of help to all those planning a Euro Trip.
Few tips:
The first and foremost thing is to book the flight tickets. Preferably Emirates. Dubai duty free shopping is something worth experiencing. So, ideal route would be Mum/Del/Kol/Chn -> Dubai -> Paris. Please make sure your flight reaches and leaves Paris at night.
Once this is done, you should book accomodation. For that, your itinerary should be fully planned and you should book youth hostels (google "Hostelling International" and do your bookings).
The most important task now is to get a Visa. Apply for Schengen Visa. Get in touch with the closest "Alliance Francaise" office, call there and get the details for applying for Visa. There are two types of Visa - short term (<=90 days) and long term (>90 days). For all tourism purposes, short term visa is issued. Apply for the same, fix an interview date with the "Alliance Francaise" office. Please keep in mind that there are specific photograph requirements for the Visa and that should be met otherwise Visa processing might take a longer time.
Europe cannot be enjoyed without the Eurail paas. Once Visa is stamped, apply for a suitable Eurail paas (chk out the options in the net). Train reservations are very expensive in Europe, so it is mandatory to have a Eurail paas.
Approximate budget for a month trip for one person would be 2-2.5 lakhs depending on your lifestyle and priorities. This includes the flight tickets and the Eurail paas expense. Keep some Euros in cash and some in the form of Travel Debit Cards, ICICI Card has good features.
Be physically fit and mentally ready to eat anything !!!!!
Main Menu:
The actual itinerary:
Well, it actually depends on how much time you have for the trip. I will assume a 2 month duration and proceed. You can prioritize based on your interests.
One tip: Take the local map and "Tourist attraction guides" from the hostels that you put up in.
Very Important - Keep the number of the Indian Embassy in France with you and never lose your passport anywhere. Keep adequate photocopies of your passport.
Desserts:
Once your trip is done, you would like to shop and get loads and loads of stuff back home.
Do remember to see the Indian customs website so as to what all stuff is banned and what are the limitations on the purchase of alcohol, perfumes, etc. This is important as the Customs in India will check your bags and charge heavy duty if any such thing is found. Alcohol can be bought from the duty free shops in Paris/Dubai.
Also, keep a check on the weight of the stuff purchased, if ots more than the allowable limits of the airline, they charge a very heavy amount.
You can be rest assured that if planned meticulously, this will be the most enjoyable and memorable trip of your life.
Get in touch with me for more specific information.
One of my dear Consultant friends gave me this idea of jotting down everything that might be of help to all those planning a Euro Trip.
Few tips:
- Suitable time: September - November or March - May
- Suitable duration: 3 - 4 weeks
- Suitable landing and take-off destination: Paris (at night)
The first and foremost thing is to book the flight tickets. Preferably Emirates. Dubai duty free shopping is something worth experiencing. So, ideal route would be Mum/Del/Kol/Chn -> Dubai -> Paris. Please make sure your flight reaches and leaves Paris at night.
Once this is done, you should book accomodation. For that, your itinerary should be fully planned and you should book youth hostels (google "Hostelling International" and do your bookings).
The most important task now is to get a Visa. Apply for Schengen Visa. Get in touch with the closest "Alliance Francaise" office, call there and get the details for applying for Visa. There are two types of Visa - short term (<=90 days) and long term (>90 days). For all tourism purposes, short term visa is issued. Apply for the same, fix an interview date with the "Alliance Francaise" office. Please keep in mind that there are specific photograph requirements for the Visa and that should be met otherwise Visa processing might take a longer time.
Europe cannot be enjoyed without the Eurail paas. Once Visa is stamped, apply for a suitable Eurail paas (chk out the options in the net). Train reservations are very expensive in Europe, so it is mandatory to have a Eurail paas.
Approximate budget for a month trip for one person would be 2-2.5 lakhs depending on your lifestyle and priorities. This includes the flight tickets and the Eurail paas expense. Keep some Euros in cash and some in the form of Travel Debit Cards, ICICI Card has good features.
Be physically fit and mentally ready to eat anything !!!!!
Main Menu:
The actual itinerary:
Well, it actually depends on how much time you have for the trip. I will assume a 2 month duration and proceed. You can prioritize based on your interests.
One tip: Take the local map and "Tourist attraction guides" from the hostels that you put up in.
- Paris - 2 days and 3 nights. Day: Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, Opera area, Saint Michelle, Louvre Museum, Jardin de Tuilleris. Night: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, L'avenue de Champs Elisee.
- Belgium - 1 day in Bruxelles, 1 day in Brugge. Have HOT CHOCOLATE WAFFLES in Belgium.
- Amsterdam - 1 day and 1 night. Its a different city, enjoy !!!!
- Scandenavia - 10 days. Cover Kopenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Interiors of Norway and Finland. There is a cruise from Sweden to Finland over the icy cold sea. Dont miss that.
- Berlin - 2 days and 1 night. City of Modern history.
- Prague - 2 days and 1 night. Have an excellent old city look. Dont miss out on the Prague Castle, Tyn Cathedral, Charles Bridge and the astronomical clock.
- Austria - One week. One of the most beautiful countries. Cover Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck.
- Munich - Go if and only if October beer fest is taking place at that time.
- Switzerland - One week. Needless to say; awesome, awesome, awesome. Cover Interlaken - Jungfrau, take a PANORAMIC train from Interlaken to Lucerne. Spend 3 days atleast in Lucerne.
- Italy - One week. Venice and Rome are a must. You just cant miss out on Rome. You can cover Milano, Cenque Terra, Napoli, Mt Vesuvius if you have plenty of time and if Italy excites you.
- Greece - Acropolis makes a trip to Athens worth the time and money, but train and ship route takes a lot of time, if you can afford a flight to and fro Athens, its worth watching. There are other islands like Mikonos and Santorini which makes the Greek proud. But again, take flights if you do want to go to these places.
- South France - 2 days. Monaco, Cannes and Nice. Amazing beaches.
- Barcelona - 2 days.Amazing beaches with the hottest girls.
- Back to Paris
Very Important - Keep the number of the Indian Embassy in France with you and never lose your passport anywhere. Keep adequate photocopies of your passport.
Desserts:
Once your trip is done, you would like to shop and get loads and loads of stuff back home.
Do remember to see the Indian customs website so as to what all stuff is banned and what are the limitations on the purchase of alcohol, perfumes, etc. This is important as the Customs in India will check your bags and charge heavy duty if any such thing is found. Alcohol can be bought from the duty free shops in Paris/Dubai.
Also, keep a check on the weight of the stuff purchased, if ots more than the allowable limits of the airline, they charge a very heavy amount.
You can be rest assured that if planned meticulously, this will be the most enjoyable and memorable trip of your life.
Get in touch with me for more specific information.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Why India can never be France !!!!!
2023: THIS POST WAS WRITTEN IN 2009...NOT APPLICABLE TODAY
Ok, got a really interesting topic to write on.
Phhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, and I landed (for the first time) in foreign soil. Everything around was different and new, it really looked like "Phoren". And Finally, we had made it, after a real struggle back home.
So, why does this place look like foreign ????? Whats different ????? And why ?????
Exactly these questions drove me to write this.
The first noteable difference was the amount of automation and organization everywhere. Especially so in the public transport systems. Right from taking Bus Tickets, display of time left for the arrival of next bus, the entire Trains system, seats, high speed trains, even the trams.
"The public system here makes US look piteable" quoted by an American here. Why is it so remarkable ????? Well, the histroy goes back to the Industrial Revolutions. But, how is it so sustainable. The answer is "Managed Population". The labour cost is so high here that automation is automatic.
First comparison with India.........Hugely populated..........High unemployment..........Anything automated, killing even more jobs, what the hell ???????? So difficult to maintain this balance in India.
Lesser the automation, lesser the organization. But hey, who questions systems in our country to be unorganized. Lets make a realistic comparison. The Metro connections in Paris is one of the best in the world. Equivalently, Local train connections of Mumbai. Now see - population of Paris is 5 times lesser than Mumbai but area of Paris is 5 times that of Mumbai - in effect, the population density of Mumbai is 25 times that of Paris.
And we are comparing two systems that are equivalently optimized, leave apart the crowd thats there in Mumbai local trains (thats to do with the "Unmanaged population").
Let me now talk about something more interesting...........culture. Everyone here is cool headed. Example - so much respect for pedestrains, wow !!!!! U dont need to always check left-right while crossing a road (but ya, only at zebra crossings), they will stop 5-10 metres before and when u have crossed the road, will give a smile and then only, advance further !!!!! Well, this follows from the fact that France is a PEBME. Working more than 35 hrs a week is illegal here. What will the company do with the extra profits, already everything is developed, where to invest further ???? So just chillax, be cool - headed, no frowning manager sitting on your head, so whats the hurry, enjoy guys, take a break, have fun, get into a relationship, out for a holiday - net effect - no hot-headedness, "smiles" to all the pedestrains, no need to honk anytime. And the climate here makes sure there is no error term in the assumption "everyone is cool headed". Coming back to our "Hot" country, working 35 hrs a week might lead your manager to fire you. Its a highly competition oriented economy which reflects in our culture............the other guy worked full night yesterday..............I have already missed the deadline...........Performance Appraisal is just round the corner...........getting late for office..............honking honking honking............feel like breaking the ****ing Signal, will some day drive over these zebra-crossers !!!!!!!!!!
That was just a small example............so much difference in culture but the underlying reason remains the same.
What do you think then, can India ever be France ????? The answer is "No" in my opinion just because of the huge huge population we have and we dont see the rate of population explosion decreasing in near future. Does that mean India can never be a developed economy ?????? Thats a really tricky question, but I got some pointers from the session held (by Dr. Indu Shahani, the Sheriff of Mumbai) in IESEG, Lille. She presented a McKinsey report stating that in 2020, all countries will face a shortage of manpower (even after the high degrees of automation) except India. India will supply labour force to all parts of the world, they will gain strategic positions in companies everywhere around. The untiring efforts put by the Indian population to increase the population will ultimately pay off. Feels better !!!!!!!!
Now, if you combine this fact with the fast growth rate of the Indian economy, one can see India gaining the status of a developed country, sooner or later. But, unlike France. This level of automation and organization will still not be possible. Probably, the very concept of a developed country will change with time....................India and China will be the two leading powers (as is famously quoted everywhere these days)............a developed country would then imply huge populations with everyone getting more than what is needed rather than a country with low population with everyone getting the best possible !!!!!!!!
Ok, got a really interesting topic to write on.
Phhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, and I landed (for the first time) in foreign soil. Everything around was different and new, it really looked like "Phoren". And Finally, we had made it, after a real struggle back home.
So, why does this place look like foreign ????? Whats different ????? And why ?????
Exactly these questions drove me to write this.
The first noteable difference was the amount of automation and organization everywhere. Especially so in the public transport systems. Right from taking Bus Tickets, display of time left for the arrival of next bus, the entire Trains system, seats, high speed trains, even the trams.
"The public system here makes US look piteable" quoted by an American here. Why is it so remarkable ????? Well, the histroy goes back to the Industrial Revolutions. But, how is it so sustainable. The answer is "Managed Population". The labour cost is so high here that automation is automatic.
First comparison with India.........Hugely populated..........High unemployment..........Anything automated, killing even more jobs, what the hell ???????? So difficult to maintain this balance in India.
Lesser the automation, lesser the organization. But hey, who questions systems in our country to be unorganized. Lets make a realistic comparison. The Metro connections in Paris is one of the best in the world. Equivalently, Local train connections of Mumbai. Now see - population of Paris is 5 times lesser than Mumbai but area of Paris is 5 times that of Mumbai - in effect, the population density of Mumbai is 25 times that of Paris.
And we are comparing two systems that are equivalently optimized, leave apart the crowd thats there in Mumbai local trains (thats to do with the "Unmanaged population").
Let me now talk about something more interesting...........culture. Everyone here is cool headed. Example - so much respect for pedestrains, wow !!!!! U dont need to always check left-right while crossing a road (but ya, only at zebra crossings), they will stop 5-10 metres before and when u have crossed the road, will give a smile and then only, advance further !!!!! Well, this follows from the fact that France is a PEBME. Working more than 35 hrs a week is illegal here. What will the company do with the extra profits, already everything is developed, where to invest further ???? So just chillax, be cool - headed, no frowning manager sitting on your head, so whats the hurry, enjoy guys, take a break, have fun, get into a relationship, out for a holiday - net effect - no hot-headedness, "smiles" to all the pedestrains, no need to honk anytime. And the climate here makes sure there is no error term in the assumption "everyone is cool headed". Coming back to our "Hot" country, working 35 hrs a week might lead your manager to fire you. Its a highly competition oriented economy which reflects in our culture............the other guy worked full night yesterday..............I have already missed the deadline...........Performance Appraisal is just round the corner...........getting late for office..............honking honking honking............feel like breaking the ****ing Signal, will some day drive over these zebra-crossers !!!!!!!!!!
That was just a small example............so much difference in culture but the underlying reason remains the same.
What do you think then, can India ever be France ????? The answer is "No" in my opinion just because of the huge huge population we have and we dont see the rate of population explosion decreasing in near future. Does that mean India can never be a developed economy ?????? Thats a really tricky question, but I got some pointers from the session held (by Dr. Indu Shahani, the Sheriff of Mumbai) in IESEG, Lille. She presented a McKinsey report stating that in 2020, all countries will face a shortage of manpower (even after the high degrees of automation) except India. India will supply labour force to all parts of the world, they will gain strategic positions in companies everywhere around. The untiring efforts put by the Indian population to increase the population will ultimately pay off. Feels better !!!!!!!!
Now, if you combine this fact with the fast growth rate of the Indian economy, one can see India gaining the status of a developed country, sooner or later. But, unlike France. This level of automation and organization will still not be possible. Probably, the very concept of a developed country will change with time....................India and China will be the two leading powers (as is famously quoted everywhere these days)............a developed country would then imply huge populations with everyone getting more than what is needed rather than a country with low population with everyone getting the best possible !!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
City of Joy - Kolkata
2023: THIS IS STILL ONE OF MY FAV POSTS :)
Thought of starting my blog with something about which I need not think much.
Calcutta, although being a metropolitan city has been looked down upon by a lot of people. When compared to Mumbai or Delhi, its obviously much less developed but its surely not a city which should bring a frown on your face. Its just negative biasness that many people have about this city.
Agreed that because of a few leaders, there have been a big hue and cry over certain issues off late which just deteriorates the image of Calcutta, but that does not give anyone a licence to generalize it as an unpreferred destination for residential and industrial purposes.
As the famous saying goes about this city, "Either you love Calcutta or you hate it, you just cannot ignore it". This very statement should ring a bell in one's mind. Now let me start with my views about this city. I have travelled a lot in India but have not found a city like Calcutta. Its unique, it runs in its own lethargic way, it has still not lost its old-city charm.
If India is considered to be a diverse land, Calcutta is the culmination of diversity. There is diversity in everything. On one hand, it is the least expensive metro city if one chooses to while on the other, it has come up with India's biggest mall (South City Mall). There are well planned places like Salt Lake and Rajarhat where the real-estate prices are at par with those in Mumbai and Bangalore and there are places which are cheaper than the cheapest areas of any of the other 5 metros. An article in Telegraph talked about how one can gradually go back in time if he just takes the route from South Kolkata to North Calcutta. To illustrate how poor and rich, both are an integral part of this self-sustainable model, I would like to talk about the transport facilities available inside Calcutta. The rail services include Locals (inside and around Calcutta), Underground Metros, the age old Trams; roadways include the very famous yellow taxis, autorickshaws, buses, mini-buses, normal rickshaws, hand-pulled rickshaws, Tanga-rides; waterways consist of small boats, Ferries. My point here is that there is a different feeling altogether when one gets to be a part of Calcutta. There is a lot one can experience in this lovely city.
There is a great beauty in simplicity. The smallest of sweet shops in Calcutta serve the best "Sondesh" in the country. The roadside tea served in "Kullad" which costs you Rs 1.50 will just make you feel "WOW" and if its evening time, you just cant afford to miss the special tea which includes ginger and cardamom, but alas costs you 50 paise more !!!!!!! Most parts of the city will give this oldish and a lazy first impression but then, you will understand the real essense of the first sentence of this para.
This city has preserved its culture which is visible in everyday life. I would just like to mention a certain aspect of culture, i.e. sports. Its a crazy city when it comes to Football and Cricket. I consider myself unlucky to have not watched any live football match in the Salt Lake Stadium. But, I have experienced Eden Gardens, live and animated to the maximum. Just imagine a full house of cricket-crazy junta in a jam-packed stadium which has the largest capacity in the entire world. To add on that, imagine Shah Rukh Khan cheering his KKR team dreassed in all black and golden. Further, imagine speakers all round the stadium which plays the KKR song "Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re". Scintillating !!!!!!!!!!
Ok, moving forward, lets take a look at the options for weekend masti. Being a metro, the city is full of malls, pool-bowling joints, some of the best water-parks in the country, movie multiplexes, food-joints esp those around Park Street; and if you choose not to spend more, please do not get disheartened. Just take a ferry ride in the evening, or a couple of hours in parks in front of Victoria, a tanga-ride round the same area, a visit to Dakshineswari temple, or just spend some time in City Centre. You can woo at those who spend on the routine masti stuff which you can find in any other metro. But hey, you cant win over late night party animals. The discs start late at night, after 12 and goes round till 3:30-4:00, just go there with your friends (if you dont have a gf) and have a blast.
Well people, this city is much more than I have tried to mention here. Its a typical city. You will always find people fighting for 50 paisa, some unforeseen rain causing flood and bringing the city to a standstill, some celebrity and band performances, people waiting and preparing for Dusshehra, some real HOT girl with one of those chamanest guys (which actually gives a lot of confidence to me ;)), some really irritating and money-sucking house-owners and you can always estimate India's population by standing at Howrah station.
Personally, I have spend some of the best times of my life here. Will always have a soft corner for Calcutta and thus, this was an attempt to show a better part of the city to those who havent ever visited this place and still dislike it !!!!!!!!
Thought of starting my blog with something about which I need not think much.
Calcutta, although being a metropolitan city has been looked down upon by a lot of people. When compared to Mumbai or Delhi, its obviously much less developed but its surely not a city which should bring a frown on your face. Its just negative biasness that many people have about this city.
Agreed that because of a few leaders, there have been a big hue and cry over certain issues off late which just deteriorates the image of Calcutta, but that does not give anyone a licence to generalize it as an unpreferred destination for residential and industrial purposes.
As the famous saying goes about this city, "Either you love Calcutta or you hate it, you just cannot ignore it". This very statement should ring a bell in one's mind. Now let me start with my views about this city. I have travelled a lot in India but have not found a city like Calcutta. Its unique, it runs in its own lethargic way, it has still not lost its old-city charm.
If India is considered to be a diverse land, Calcutta is the culmination of diversity. There is diversity in everything. On one hand, it is the least expensive metro city if one chooses to while on the other, it has come up with India's biggest mall (South City Mall). There are well planned places like Salt Lake and Rajarhat where the real-estate prices are at par with those in Mumbai and Bangalore and there are places which are cheaper than the cheapest areas of any of the other 5 metros. An article in Telegraph talked about how one can gradually go back in time if he just takes the route from South Kolkata to North Calcutta. To illustrate how poor and rich, both are an integral part of this self-sustainable model, I would like to talk about the transport facilities available inside Calcutta. The rail services include Locals (inside and around Calcutta), Underground Metros, the age old Trams; roadways include the very famous yellow taxis, autorickshaws, buses, mini-buses, normal rickshaws, hand-pulled rickshaws, Tanga-rides; waterways consist of small boats, Ferries. My point here is that there is a different feeling altogether when one gets to be a part of Calcutta. There is a lot one can experience in this lovely city.
There is a great beauty in simplicity. The smallest of sweet shops in Calcutta serve the best "Sondesh" in the country. The roadside tea served in "Kullad" which costs you Rs 1.50 will just make you feel "WOW" and if its evening time, you just cant afford to miss the special tea which includes ginger and cardamom, but alas costs you 50 paise more !!!!!!! Most parts of the city will give this oldish and a lazy first impression but then, you will understand the real essense of the first sentence of this para.
This city has preserved its culture which is visible in everyday life. I would just like to mention a certain aspect of culture, i.e. sports. Its a crazy city when it comes to Football and Cricket. I consider myself unlucky to have not watched any live football match in the Salt Lake Stadium. But, I have experienced Eden Gardens, live and animated to the maximum. Just imagine a full house of cricket-crazy junta in a jam-packed stadium which has the largest capacity in the entire world. To add on that, imagine Shah Rukh Khan cheering his KKR team dreassed in all black and golden. Further, imagine speakers all round the stadium which plays the KKR song "Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re". Scintillating !!!!!!!!!!
Ok, moving forward, lets take a look at the options for weekend masti. Being a metro, the city is full of malls, pool-bowling joints, some of the best water-parks in the country, movie multiplexes, food-joints esp those around Park Street; and if you choose not to spend more, please do not get disheartened. Just take a ferry ride in the evening, or a couple of hours in parks in front of Victoria, a tanga-ride round the same area, a visit to Dakshineswari temple, or just spend some time in City Centre. You can woo at those who spend on the routine masti stuff which you can find in any other metro. But hey, you cant win over late night party animals. The discs start late at night, after 12 and goes round till 3:30-4:00, just go there with your friends (if you dont have a gf) and have a blast.
Well people, this city is much more than I have tried to mention here. Its a typical city. You will always find people fighting for 50 paisa, some unforeseen rain causing flood and bringing the city to a standstill, some celebrity and band performances, people waiting and preparing for Dusshehra, some real HOT girl with one of those chamanest guys (which actually gives a lot of confidence to me ;)), some really irritating and money-sucking house-owners and you can always estimate India's population by standing at Howrah station.
Personally, I have spend some of the best times of my life here. Will always have a soft corner for Calcutta and thus, this was an attempt to show a better part of the city to those who havent ever visited this place and still dislike it !!!!!!!!
My reason to be here
Keeping it short and simple, just wanted to try my hand at the latest buzzzzz !!!!
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