Random Thoughts

Kerala society was an agrarian society till recently. The paddy fields, the coconut groves, the river, sea and other water bodies were integral part of the lives here. Another significant part, though not a direct one in many cases, was played by the cow. Cow? You may ask. Yes sir, the humble cow (and the bull). So, what is the big role of this ordinary animal in our lives, one might wonder! To start with, the cow gives us milk (someone recently said - no it doesn't we have to extract it; which is technically right, but let’s not get into that right now). Now, in spite of the White Revolution and the Operation Flood, pure milk is something hard to come across. As the cow sheds have disappeared from the house compounds, so has the accessibility to pure milk. And those who are used to drinking fresh milk, right from their own farm, finds it hard to adjust when even litres of milk don't suffice where a few glasses would have been enough f...

Very often in life, doing something for the sake of it takes the fun out of it - blogging is no different. Now, I am not for a moment suggesting that I am fed up of blogging or am not enjoying writing in my blogs... What prompted me to make such a statement is what I read in some other blogs. Now, what did those blogs contain to make me feel like this? Well, that is the gist of this post. There was (rather, is) this blogger with a good command over language, who used to write on different topics. Whenever I read those posts, I used to find something unique in them. The thoughts came along with ingenuity and sincerity. One could feel that the author has poured his soul out and the joy of writing too reflected in those lines... Even when the posts were sometimes about nothing in particular, it used to exude a certain degree of freshness. But now when I read the same blogger, I find that the person has lost it... Gone is the way with words, the freshness and the sincerity... E...

First and foremost, this is not about how to write a blog. I am of the opinion that one should write according to one's own style and language, should not imitate anyone else. Each writer has a unique style and his /her aim should be to continuously nurture it.  The other day I happened to come across a comment on Facebook. A blogger had written that nobody reads him and so he has lost interest in writing. The first question that came to my mind was: 'why should I read you?’. I checked the blog of that person and found nothing much interesting (as far as I am concerned) in the few posts that I read. I would probably not return to that blog again because of the feeling that there is nothing in it for me.  I had, in fact, written such a response to that person - but then deleted it; I did not want to hurt his feelings. And it got me thinking. The result is this post. Though I am not a veteran or an acclaimed blogger, here I am trying to highlight some tricks o...

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 ...

This time I am going to tell you a story - of a friendship that has dared to go through hitherto untrodden paths. Most of us carry wonderful memories of our campus lives and a few fortunate among us retain those friendships even after we leave the campus. But, our circle of friends form the college days may be around four or five, or maximum of ten people. And they tend to dwindle as time pass by... This story of friendship is unique because it is the friendship of people from the college days. What is so unique about it? You may think - wait a sec! What if I say that these friends passed out of college in the mid 1990s - 1995, to be exact??? Interesting, isn't it? What if I say that these friends are around 50 in number and are currently living in different parts of the world like India, USA, UAE, Singapore and Canada among others??? Not quite what you expected, right? What if I tell you that these friends have now come together to co-produce a movie - yes, you heard it rig...

दीपावली दीपों का त्यौहार हैं। दीपावली बुराई पर अच्छाई  की जीत का सन्देश देती हैं। This (essay of 6 to 10 sentences during the school days) was my only connection with Diwali till I ended up in North India post marriage. As such, the memories of Diwali brightens up my life the same way the diyas would be lighting up the homes of people in the north. Diwali brings to me the memories of the wonderful times I spent in Lucknow, the land of the Nawabs. Known for its Tehzeeb, or good culture and manners, Lucknow was an alien land when I first landed there. Soon, the city charmed its way into my hearts. I met many people there, learned new lessons in culture and living, celebrated many a wonderful moments of my life. Diwali was also special because in the later years, we used it as an excuse to visit relations in Delhi and celebrate the festival together.  During Diwali, we lighted the diyas at our home, burst few crackers, ate stomach-full of ...

As the day withered and the night bloomed I got caught in feelings unexplained Life churned like a whirlwind of emotions Then I lost my hold to its deep craters... A picture painted in lovely colours Faded into grey in front of my eyes A face that was etched in the memory Was drained in the whirlpool of activity As images fell and shattered into pieces, The mind struggled to be whole and alive; As the feet crushed my aspirations and dreams The heart yearned to be up and beating... As the silent cries it uttered went unheeded The poor heart bled and drained out... And the crimson droplets that fell upon the Earth Sung a thousand hymns beautiful out loud. Those who cared to listen could know the pain; A shattered soul, a wounded heart, a fragile body - All cried out loud - but the world seemed not to care For it was lost in the din that crushed many more!!!