The Moonstruck Mystique...

We all from school times knew what a solar eclipse meant and also scientifically why it occured. But nowadays a day of an eclipse is just like any other. Nobody believes in not eating or not going out in the sun during an eclipse. Today was supposedly the longest solar eclipse of the millenium. We went to the terrace of the Physics Department and watched the mighty sun trying to hide behind the moon for more than an hour. Too bad it was only partial this time. There were quite a lot of enthusiasts out there; faculty, scholars, students, family and children. We saw the eclipse through aluminium sheets, X-ray films, the image through a convex lens and holes pricked on a cardboard box. Then we were told that the rays that escaped between the leaves of trees also looked curved like what was left of the sun. Then Saf and I kept taking pictures of it. If we were at home or elsewhere everyone would have ignored us for being crazy but here at the IIT and particularly at the Physics Depa...

A trai n jou rney alone. 11pm. Lights switched off. All asleep. The cool breeze and moonlit sky keep me company. Listening to some stirring music and gazing at the da rkn ess outside, the romantic in me awakens. A million thoughts fill my mind... I pick up my pe n and for the lack of plain paper, I begin scribbling on my ticket. Instead of switching on lights, I choose to use the light from my phone. I am crazy, aren't I? We went for a family dinner at a restaurant with Ghazal nite a fortnight back. I wrote out a few favourites of the family that they sang beautifully for us. Once the main course was over, he got up from his seat next to mine and went up to the singer and said something. Just as I began wondering, puzzled, the singer smiled at me and began singing 'Abhi na jaao chodkar.. ' my most favourite song from the old Dev Anand starrer 'Hum Dono'. I couldn't but stop blushing. He kept his eyes fixed on mine, took his seat and whispered in my ears. A...

The other day I bumped into a girl who falls in the category between that of friends and acquaintances. I smiled and wished her a very good morning. She replied with a bigger smile and said.. 'I really like the way you wear your hair these days.' I, obviously happy at her remark, said 'Thank you' most gracefully when she added, 'Its much much better than before.'

As another year draws to a close, it really doesn't feel as though 364 days have passed since 2009 began. By this time all of us would be looking back at the bygone year and trying to figure out how it went for us. I am. Well... it was a fairly good year on the whole. First, the things I am not very happy with- 1. I haven't put in enough effort on the work-front and the worst part is that it shows. 2. I haven't been in the best of health in the last few months and well, the mess food isn't helping the cause. 3. I have put on weight despite not eating well and it makes me tired quicker . 4. I didn't resume music lessons this past year too when I so very much want to. 5. I have had far more temper tantrums than I would have liked. I have to learn to calm down at times. 6. I did not study to a level than can atleast convince myself that I am not in such a bad shape after all. This by far remains the worst thing that has happened to me this year. or rath...

When you feel down... when you feel blue To see you through... anything I would do.... To keep you happy, to just see you smile I'd brave the world and face every trial.. If you feel helpless, if you feel sad I'm always around for you to go mad.... relieve your heart and clear your soul say anything but give me your whole... When the going isn't good and people don't understand just remember... on your shoulder there's always a hand... Through good and bad, through thick and thin I will be around, as I have always been... To quarrel, to fight, to just hold you tight To tell you that everything's going to be just alright... Lets share our troubles, yours and mine Just hang in there and we'll be fine.... P.S. This one's for you etta....

Wish all of you a splendid and safe diwali.. and good wishes for the whole year.... This year I somehow feel the excitement and festive fervour is running low.. I thought only I felt this way but many of my friends feel the same..This isn't my first diwali away from home. Last year it was the first time but it was by far my most adventurous diwali!! I missed the train to go home (well... for those who want to know how read an earlier blog that explains the experience to the minutest detail.), felt heartbroken and, more importantly, felt like a loser, had my sis and jeejs surprise me by booking me a flight ticket the next afternoon, and finally making it home for diwali !!! But diwali for me has always been best enjoyed with SCARANUS - with a few pluses and minuses every year ... those were the best parts of childhood... We'd wear our best ethnic wear (well... at that point in time many of us didn't know how it really differed fro m our daily casuals, did we?) run off t...

I just don't get it. Yesterday the newspaper carried an article which said that the entire sanctum sanctorum of the Tirupati Balaji temple is to be gold plated. This is a huge scheme estimated to cost around Rs.1000 crores. The article claims that this amount of money is to be generated by the temple's internal revenue and gold donations. It goes on to say that since the project was inaugurated a few weeks back there has been a steep rise in gold donations not only by business tycoons, charitable trusts etc but also by ordinary devotees who offer their gold ornaments. I am too a religious (or must I call myself spiritual) person. I visit temples though not every other day and do like it too. I strongly believe that religious sentiments are purely personal. I can accept the fact that temples spend a considerable amount in renovation work in trying to reduce chaos and confusion within the temple premises and so as to ensure a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. But I don't see ...