Monday, December 31, 2012

As the wheels of time rolls on...

It is again that time of the year - the time to bid bye to the current year and welcome the new. As always, one cannot help feel how inconsequential one is in front of time!!! As this giant wheel turns in its own rhythm, we try to run fast and match steps with it; only to find that no matter how fast we run, drive or even jet-set, we cannot catch up with the time. It waits for none and continues its cruise, no matter what!!!

As I look back on 2012, I can conclude that personally, it has been a fruitful year. Though it started in a laid back manner, once I got into the groove, there was no moment to pause. 2012 would remain a special year as it witnessed few special moments in my life - likhitam, our content solutions firm took off formally... It was a long cherished dream that became a reality... I am happy that my family and friends were equally thrilled with the birth of this new entity. And the fact that likhitam is a joint venture with Malini, who is not only a blogger (at Travellenz) and a full-time dreamer (in her own words), but also close family, makes it extra special. And another person who rendered unconditional support and guidance in this venture was Jaji, as we all lovingly call him. My thanks to them for making me believe that we can do it!!! I know we have a long way to go, but the solid first step that we took towards this journey has filled new hopes and dreams in me....

2012 also gave me my few seconds on the silver screen - something that was never there even in my wildest dreams!!! When CHAPTERS happened, I was more than happy to be able to visit the set and meet the crew. Never did I imagine that I will be a part of the movie in this unforgettable manner. The thrill and joy of being a part of such a wonderful unit is something that I would cherish for ever. The conversations with Sreeniyettan, as he is fondly called by all in the industry, is something that one can never forget - it all seems surreal sometimes. But, I know it really happened and I am thankful to the entire team of CHAPTERS for the wonderful experience.

2012 also gave me the chance to meet some wonderful people - of them, Krish Kymal, the DOP of CHAPTERS is one person whom I feel very lucky to have got an opportunity to be acquainted with. He stands out in the crowd with his humility and dedication. Watching him at work was a humbling experience and I would cherish those moments for long...

Other memorable moments include making new friends - the blogging groups on Facebook gave me the opportunity to interact and learn from my fellow bloggers. A few good words and a few criticisms helped me to evolve into a better blogger - a big step into the journey towards good blogging! So, here is my big thanks to all the friends in the blogosphere for providing me the necessary motivation to continue blogging - albeit in fits and starts.

On the other hand, the demise of certain loved ones reminded me once again that people can touch your lives even through their deaths. While I mourn the loss, I also realize that my life was enriched by them in ways that I never knew before!!! I bow my head in their memories...



On the social front, this year certainly looked like the end of the world - or as I knew it. Day by day, my nation seems to be drowning into depths of inhumanity and intolerance. The recent brutal incident that took place in Delhi was beyond anything that one ever heard of!!! It showed that while man prides himself as the master of all, the truth is that he is not even the master of his own emotions and actions. In fact man has proved himself to be lower than animals...

As the girl suffered and after a valiant fight, breathed her last, the nation's soul was stirred to an unprecedented extent. It was heartening to see people across the spectrum speaking in one voice - for once, caste, religion and politics did not seem to divide us!!! As I watched the thousands protesting against the atrocities, I couldn't help feeling a little optimistic about the nation. The youth of the country seems to have their hearts at the right place and I do hope that they will propel the nation towards a better tomorrow.

So, 2012 being a mixed bag of eventualities, I do hope that we will learn from our mistakes and avoid them. Lets all resolve to make that little change in us and be more considerate towards the feelings of others... After all, when one thinks of it, one realizes that one is not even a small cog in the wheel of time!!!

I think it befitting to end this post and year with the lines of Rabindranath Tagore:

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high 

Where knowledge is free 
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments 
By narrow domestic walls 
Where words come out from the depth of truth 
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection 
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way 
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit 
Where the mind is led forward by thee 
Into ever-widening thought and action 
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake 

Best Wishes!!! Have a fruitful 2013!!!!

Of Little Trips and Great Learnings

The other day, we (some staff, volunteers and service users of Mary Seacole House, Liverpool) went on a day trip to Llangollen. This wasn&#...