CHENNAI SANGAMAM – Thannambikkai – Believe in yourself

The Britishers had a simple plan. Make everything British superior and everything Indian inferior. They succeeded. Indians have always had the fascination for the west. Be it goods, services or the people. White skin is the better skin. A friend of mine recently asked me “Why force people to watch art form which they do not want to see? Let them choose what they want. Freedom of choice. Capitalism.Democracy”

I pondered. As an advocator of socio-capitalist markets, i also asked myself  ‘Why should there be a regulator for my choices?’. If cricket is played by more, give them cricket. If people want to watch more movies like Ghajini, give them that. Let the markets decide by supply and demand.

Ms. Kanimozhi. The lady behind the success of Chennai  Sangamam. The first thing you notice about her is the disarming smile.

First impression.She has my vote.

For a just society, we should ensure that effort and talent should always get the same encouragement. Even in the markets, it is wise to spread our investments. Every system run into chaos. Actually, not doing so is a big crime. If you deny ability and effort its adulation and worth, you are taking away that happiness that is due to the artist.

I saw artists from various parts of Tamilnadu, showcasing their culture and tradition. They asked me whether they will be on Television or Newspaper. I told them they’ll be on the internet. I saw the look of disappointment on their faces. Like Nandan Nilekani, i want to see that the benefits of IT reach them. For the first time, i saw Chennai alive at midnight.

I think its our duty to celebrate our inherent ability. Curbing it and subverting it for the sake of others is the act of a coward. Life is finally a matter of choices, not of ability or talent. The choices you make reflect who you are. As Rudyard Kipling said

“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting”

Yes, i believe that when we make tough choices, we should have the ability to back it up with effort and unwavering dedication. Yes, you might not be the owner of millions, you might not have your fanfare. But, it is that when you go to sleep, you shall be able to do so without any regrets.

More pictures…

Filed under: Uncategorized , Chennai, Culture, Face Painting, Kanimozhi, Sangamam, T.Nagar

Picture this.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Beach, Cochin, varkala, Wedding

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALICUT

I am proud to be a part of this institution. Weighing all the pro’s and cons, NITC is synonymous with Democracy. It gave me everything i could ask for; academics,Co-curricular, extra-curricular and besides that a bunch of great folks.

Alma mater.

P.S. There are things which can get better, but its time to appreciate the good.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Calicut, Mechanical Engineering, NITC

Enna D nee?

D…D-60

Filed under: Uncategorized , Camera, Nikon D-60

21 @ Singara Chennai

My first run with the Chennai Runners group. Margazhi Music Month is the best time to run. Had to conserve my energy for a little bit of badminton. This was my first run in the city which went like this

C.P.Ramaswamy Road –> Poes Garden –> Cathedral road –> (R) Gandhi Statue –> Mylapore –> Thiruvanmiyur –> IIT –>CPR

It is great to see your beautiful city early in the morning. A fantastic experience. I paced myself with Mr. Ramesh who was entirely responsible for my completion of the race. Met a few folks who had registered for Berlin.

Running has been a great idea. I have run in various cities in India and there is nothing like discovering a city early in morning. I have learnt so much from running and parallels that it shares with life are quite extraordinary.

My learnings:

1.Run those miles early every morning.

2. Schedule them, plan them but also have fun.

3.Equip yourself with good shoes, not necessarily the split-time RADO on your wrist and Music-MP3 shades.

4. The crucial first 20 minutes.

5. Don’t just keep thinking 42.195, think about next step.

6. RUN YOUR RACE against your last race; don’t go after that Kenyan runner.

7. Talk to people as you go, make friends with the peleton, for when you fall back, they’ll give you strength.

8. Give it your best shot on the race-day.

9. Know your limits. Push for a 30 when you’ve done a 25. Don’t push for 41 when you’ve done 7.

10.Walk when you can only stand, jog when you can only walk, Run when you can only jog, Sprint when you can    only run…and I’ve seen old runners, physically challenged runners. At the end of the day, you run with yourheart, mind and your body.

11. After you finish the run, party hard and sleep like you’ve never slept before and then get up start jogging next    morning.

12.  Don’t keep doing the same thing; you’ll get the same results. Stick to basics, like timing, training but keep trying new places to run, new people to run.

13. Apply Vaseline. It sounds really trivial, but at 32 Kms your nipples and crotch will be really sore

14.  Don’t litter the path with paper cups and plastic bottles. Most runs are so much with mother nature, in green places.

 

These are concepts which i would want to carry it over to my personal life.

The Calicut dream run (CREC–>Kozhikode city–>CREC) on Jan 11th and the Auroville Marathon on February 8th.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Auroville, Calicut Dream Run, Chennai, Marathon, NITC, runners

Allah..Ishwar..Jesus..

I was told that God would answer me in times of need.

I was told that God was mighty and he would vanquish thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy his brothers.

I was told the God worked in mysterious ways.

I was told that God was not human. But, beyond.

I was told that God will give something to everyone.

I was told that God is respected by everyone.

I was told to be God-fearing

I was told that He is one.

I was told I should chant his name when I need strength and courage.

Sachin…Sachin….Sachin….Sachin….

What drives him to go out everyday and play that magnificent cover drive?Nets, ball, bat, fielding, bowling, change-rooms, media, wickets…everyday since he was 17 years old. Pick any record  like ‘who scored maximum runs againts left-arm spinners on the 3rd day of all the test matches conducted in the south-eastern hemisphere’..it would be his. What motivates him to go out there and give it his best? He has seen every stroke, every country, every player, every wicket..in the last 18 years. What makes him to go out for a match with that unforgiving bat of his and play like it was the first day of a new life?

Success, Happiness, Money, Smiles….I can’t put my finger on any. It is something beyond.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Cricket, God, Sachin