Be Right Back!!!!

Okies.....I know I am neglecting this space for quite a while...what to do things are so tight and as usual, my life is too dramatic :-) right now am experiencing life in the US...and ya miss India and miss India :D.....am thinking of something to post and will be back with lots of them.Thanks to everyone for all the comments I've received in my mail. I am thankful that you all spend time to read my blog and some of the mails I received regarding the last article were really touching. Yes it is a true incident, not one of my fictitious exaggerations.

Once I start posting, I'll delete this post as usual. And ya comments are always welcome. I still get mails for Koi Kare Kisi Aur Se Pyar and am happy I am the reason for you to smile.....will come back with more humor. I know thats lacking now for quite sometime. The theme of my next story is a love marriage in which knowingly or unknowingly, I was the reason for the girl and boy to meet....am trying to induce a humor element in it and am hard pressed for time...I hope it would be worth the wait...so please be patient, I'll be back very soon...its a promise.

The Auto Driver

This is one day I will never forget. I was to handle a training session for the new joinees in my company but the problem was the training academy was in a place far away from the city. Given the bad state of the roads there, I was pretty reluctant to drive. The travel arrangements had also changed and I was totally unaware of it. So quite expectedly, I missed the bus in the morning and to make matters worse, it was raining cats and dogs. I hurriedly stopped an auto and asked him whether he was willing to drop me there. He asked me how much would pay him and I said "Usually I give 180...what do you say". He requested me to give him an extra 50 Rs as he was in need of money. Well....he was polite unlike the other auto drivers I've seen and I agreed thinking that he might have a valid reason. We had barely crossed 100 meters when he got a call on his mobile. I didnt know what transpired in the conversation bu I could see that the auto driver broke down. Putting bits and pieces together, I could somehow make out what had happened but I wanted to be sure.

When we resumed our journey, I asked him what happened, He didnt say anything but I was asking him persistently. He said that his was a love marriage and his wife was admitted in the hospital as she was expecting their first child today. Because of lack of money, the doctor was not admitting her and he was terribly worried. On top of it, he was an orphan too and his world revolved around her. He was telling me that his friend gave him his mobile asking him to sell it and keep the money as that was all he could do. He was pretty upset that his owner refused to give him a small loan with which he could have taken care of the medical expenses. He showed me his silver lamp which he used to light in front of the Gods saying that he didnt even dream that he had to sell it.

At this point, I didnt know what happened to me. I asked him how much he wanted. He said 6000 but he can manage with 4000. I told him that I will contribute. He was flabbergasted. He asked me I have not even seen you before today, why do you want to help me? I said this is not the time to ask questions. If you need the money, just shut up and take it. We can discuss the reasons later. His emotions took over him as he fell at my feet literally. I told him to stop saying that do that in a temple and do not fall at the feet of a mere mortal like me. I am not God and I dont encourage all this. I asked him to stop in front of an ATM and withdrew Rs 3200 as that was all I had. I came out and gave it to him.

I still maintain that I never knew this man till that day and it didnt even occur to me that he might be lying. All I knew was his world revolved around his family and he was really lucky marrying the girl he loved. Expecting their first kid was a momentous occassion which I wanted him to experience. I got into the auto and he had barely started till this thought struck me. I asked him where the hospital was. He said it was in Royapuram(in the opposite direction of my destination). I tol him that he needs to deposit the money immediately...how will he reach there on time? he said he'll manage somehow. I told him to stop the auto and got down. I was all prepared to catch another auto and go to Siruseri. The only thing that was running in my mind was he should reach the hospital soon. He left me with great hesitation but not before taking down my number. I didnt have a single detail about him and yet I carried on with a strange satisfaction.

I reached my intended destination and started the training but I was unable to concentrate. I was thinking about the auto driver hoping that all's well with him. I called up my mom and told her the entire incident. I even told her that I didnt know whether he was lying or telling the truth but I am happy that I was able to do something. My mom agreed with me saying that in some situations, we have to listen to our heart...we have no choice. I just finished talking to her and cut the call when I saw someone trying to reach me from a landline number, I picked up the call and was pleasantly surprised. It was the auto driver. He was indeed speaking the truth. Earlier, I was cutting that call thinking it was some stupid credit card or loan agent.....I didnt say anything...he said "I am blessed with a daughter.." I asked how are the mother and child? He said "Both are fine. Can you tell me your mother's name?" I asked him why. He said he wanted to name his daughter that as he believes this happened because of me. I was really overwhelmed. I told him my mothers name and promised him that I'll come to see the child one day.....And yes...I did break down when he said that...couldnt help it.....but this incident forced me to think. We donate to temples and other institutions but we dont help the people who really need it. If his owner had loaned him the money he needed, he wouldnt have been driving the auto the enire night and the morning. If I had not given him the money, who knows what would have happened. I am not saying we shouldnt donate to these places. All I am requesting people is to show some empathy to these people. Maybe I was foolish as I did not bother to verify the facts but others can right....do extend a helping hand...you never know what difference it makes to a life.

The 7 Tag

Here I go blowing my own trumpet....thanks to Nas who tagged me here...7 is too less yaar...it should be 11 at least :(( anyways here I go now.......

Seven things I plan to do before I die
... Sing a duet with Shreya Ghoshal ( He He...I know this is too much but I do hope this would happen sometime...and will not mind it if it is more than one..... ha ha ha)
... Drive all the way to Mumbai from Chennai all alone :-)
... Bat at least one ball in LORDS........THE BEST CRICKET STADIUM IN THE WORLD!!!!
... Tour New Zealand(One of my favourite spots)
... Finish my book( Ya ya its started and its goin on :-) )
... Sing a tamil song perfectly (he he being a tam myself, I am not able to do this)
... Buy a Merc E Class (Yup I will and sooooooon)

Seven things I can do
... Be meticulously clean
... Be a patient listener
... Can sing at a high pitch for a very looooong time
... Finish a 300 page fiction novel in one go... I am simply too eager to know the end, ok... and yeah, I read pretty fast.
... Write shayiri(dont ask me how)
... Baby sit (can manage lots of kids at a time - I love them :-) )
... Play a double role on stage(yeah....I've done it successfully)

Seven things I can't do
... Sing classical music
... Dance(Though I have danced on stage once, I am baaaaaaad....seeing Main Hoon Naa reminds me of my friends...how they made me dance :) )
... Cook South Indian food
... Draw
... Watch football( I hate the game)
... Bat right handed in cricket(Always been a leftie...only in cricket)
... Study continuously(even for exams)

Seven things I say the most
... Wowoo...
... Yup
... Amazing !!!
... Perfect
... No Probs
... Hey
... I know

Seven things I say the most on my blog
... Should be the same as above

Seven things that attract me to the opposite
... Speaks impeccable English
... Great sense of humor
... Being Witty, Intelligent, Ability to carry on interesting conversation
... Being just the right height
... Is independent
... Sings really well
... And loves kids a loooooooot

Seven celebrity crushes
... Vidya Balan in Lage Raho Munna Bhai
... Kajol in Fanaa
... Rani Mukherjee in Hum Tum
... Kate Winslet in...what else...TITANIC!!!!
... Tabu in Kaadhal Desam (Duniya Dilwalon Ki - was dubbed in hindi)
... Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally
... Julia Roberts in Notting Hill

Seven Favourite Hobbies
... Singing
... Cricket
... Long Drive All Alone
... Reading
... Shayiri
... Interior Decoration
... Movies(Bollywood)

Seven Songs I Would Die To Sing...(One Per Singer)
... Agar Tum Mil Jaao from Zeher - Shreya Ghoshal
... Tumhi Dekho Na from KANK - Sonu Nigam
... Mun Paniya Mudhal Mazhaiya from Nanda - SP Balsubramaniyam
... Khilte Hain Gul Yahan from Sharmilee - Kishore Da
... Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar from Junglee - The Great Mohd. Rafi
... Kabhi Kabhi from Kabhi Kabhi - Mukesh
... Tu Mile from Criminal - Kumar Sanu

Seven people I want to tag
Alright.....you've read this right...now stop wasting time and carry this tag forward with your 7 things :)).

Happiness always!

AGAR TUM MIL JAAO – MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH IT

It was a horrible day for me. I was pretty irritated with what happened in college today and wanted to get the hell out of that place. Can’t people mind their own business? Why the hell should they poke their nose in my business? I never interfere in what they do, then why do they? I ended up slamming the door of my hostel room in anger and people in my floor were thinking what was wrong with the usually cheerful guy they knew.

I know I can be really bad when I lose my temper and to avoid any unpleasant incidents, I prefer being alone till I cool off( a view endorsed by people who have faced my wrath). Only few people have the courage to talk to me when I am in a foul mood and one of them (my junior Devjit Pal) just walked into my room then. The conversation went like this:

Me: Devu, can you leave me alone?

Devjit: Hey man...could see you're ready to blow up! Chill!

Me: What do you want?

Devjit: Well...I think I have something to cheer you up.

Me: It better be good!!!What do you have?

Devjit: Your favorite singer has sung a song in Zeher and it goes like Agar Tum Mil Jaao..something of that sort.

Me: Hmm...wait pls dont sing it..I will start hating it before listening to it. How is it? I hope you mean Shreya Ghoshal (it was no secret how much I admired her voice)

Devjit: Ya Ya the Jism singer...I didn’t like the song at all...but it is your type of music. I am sure you will love it.

Me: Alright! If you don’t like the song, I sure that I will love it...leave the cd here...I will hear it. Tomi Paagol...you don’t know what real music is!!!!Anyways thanks.

He knew that the only thing which could make me feel better was music and he also knew what sort of songs I listen to. I could trust his judgement. But today, I was in no mood to listen to a new song. I always prefer my tried and tested combination (a cd of songs by the greats Rafi and Kishore) whenever I am in a foul mood. I thought a long drive would be THE THING for me at the moment and I left the hostel in my car.

Being a post graduate student, I never had any restrictions on timings and I knew that I could come whenever I please. I drove a long way to the beach all alone (usually I like long drives alone with my music). I stopped the car near the waters and searched for my tried and tested combination.

To my dismay, I had forgotten to bring it with me and I had brought the zeher cd by mistake. Cursing my luck, I thought now that I have no choice, why not listen to the song my junior said.

The song Agar Tum Mil Jaao was the first song on the cd and it was sung by Shreya Ghoshal...one of my favourite singers. It was a dream for me to meet her once atleast...But today was a totally different situation. The song started on a slow note and once her voice was on air, I was totally transported to a different world. Everything about the song was perfect…the music, the background, the lyrics (I really adore them) and of course, the female voice. She was emoting every word(something which is a rare quality in female singers – I thought after Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhonsale, no one could do it - listen to the line teri surat na ho jismein woh sheesha tod denge hum – the way she stresses on the Tod Denge Hum part…I could literally imagine her doing it)

Imagine the situation...me all alone at 1 in the night near the waves and this song is playing in my car....I wished that the waves immediately rise and take me away...I was in a state of bliss. This song had not only made my day, it became a part of my life. It’s been my airtel caller tune since the time I heard it. I have changed my number a couple of times but not the caller tune. I had decided that if at all I get to meet Shreya Ghoshal, I would sing this song for her (I too have a decent voice folks :-) everyone say so) as a token of my appreciation.....

A Page from my diary……………………

@vrvivek@gmail.com

A Rendezvouz With Shreya Ghoshal

There are singers who are born for music but in this singers case, music was born for her. This was how this young singer was introduced by the announcer to us and fittingly so, she deserved a standing ovation which she got. Yes! I am talking about the supremely talented Shreya Ghoshal. She had flown down to Chennai for a musical night on the 17th of February 2007 and gave the crowd much more than they expected. Before the concert, Shreya had the image of a romantic singer who could not set a stage on fire(pre concieved notions of people who know nothing about music) but at the end of the day, she had the crowd dancing at her feet literally.

If Barso Re drenched the crowd with melody, Dola Re swept them off their feet. Salaam-E-Ishq was her tribute to the crowd and Parde Mein Rehne Do had them wanting for more. She left silencing most of her critics who had always harped that she can never sing item or pacy numbers. She handled them with elan, and romantic numbers which were her forte had all of us mesmerized. Waada Raha promised that this was just a trailer and there is more to come. She kept up the promise by delivering the knockout punches with Munbe Vaa and Agar Tum Mil Jaao( my all time favourite) which she had sung like a woman possessed calling out her lover. The dholak which was played at the end of the song to make it a fast number was excellently executed and Shreya had us swirling around her in no time. Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalen took us to the skies and Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai was intoxicating enough. That doesnt mean that the rest of the songs were not good enough...I am not good enough to talk about them :). Pal Pal Pal and Piyu Bole were really cute we enjoyed listening to them. She took us to a fantasy world with Leja Leja where everything was perfect. Overall, it was really a night to remember.

There arent enough words to praise Shreya's voice in any language. So I will safely stay away from describing her voice for the time being. We all know that she is a wonderful singer and has already scaled great heights at such a young age. But on that day, I noticed a side of her which I never knew. She is not only an excellent singer, but also a very nice person. I had the good fortune of meeting her after the show and we spoke for maybe about five minutes. The way she handled the people who were fawning on her(well.....I was guilty on this count too) was simply amazing. I started the conversation by saying that she was mindblowing but I expected her to sing Yeh Kya Hua and Ek Pal Ke Liye. She said those were her favourites too and promised that she will sing them next time. We spoke for some more time and I requested her to take a pic with me. I didnt expect that she would readily agree for that. We did take a pic together but much to my dismay, it didnt turn out well. I was feeling sad and went to her saying this didnt come out well. To my astonishment, she was really sweet enough to pose for another one. I was literally bowled over by this gesture. Not many people do that, especially if they reach where she is today.

That night, she made me feel really nice. Like all good things had to come to an end we shook hands and parted ways. This was a side of her I never knew.I left the place completly overwhelmed by her smiling demeanor as this was something I didnt expect at all. It will be really great to see her again whenever she performs here.

I also noticed a childish streak in her when she took stage for her first solo concert in Chennai. Her love for kids was clearly evident when she called out to them to dance with her for Barso Re Megha and all the kids had a gala time. Well, I am someone who has spent half of my life with them and it was really a treat for my eyes watching all the kids dancing on stage. Even the way she reacted when the audience wanted more before singing Parde Mein Rehne Do does make me smile everytime when I see it or even think about it. This particular quality is very rare these days and I was really happy to see this in her. I can only wish that she doesnt change at all and continues to be like this. For people like her, sky is not the limit. It is just the beginning. I pray to God that she achieves greater heights in her career and also has a happy life ahead.

Before closing the topic, I have made a list of 15 of her songs(one from each movie) which are really good, but were not given much publicity. If you people find time, please do listen to them.And Shreya, if you are reading this(I should consider myself extremly lucky if you are), please please please sing them too :-). There are lots more to mention but I guess this is good for a start.You people listen to them and I will add more to the list. Ya, Tere Bin from Bhagam Bhaag(a light hearted song) and Bhor Bhaye from Bandish Projekt( now if anyone has not heard this one...go and hear it NOW!!!! Dont waste time reading this!!!)

01. Tango Charlie - Dheere Dheere(A romantic duet with Sonu Nigam - a must hear)
02. Ankahee - Ek Pal Ke Liye (Easily my favourite and a beautiful solo)
03. Nazar - Mohobbat Zindagi Hai(Minimum music but her voice will reverberate in your ears for a long time)
04. U Bomsi And I - Tu Kahan Kho Gaya( A sad song in which she gives her best)
05. Wajah - Sapna Koi( Another sad song which she carries on her shoulders)
06. Dhoop - Yeh Dhoop Ek Safar(A Cute song which will give you hope in life)
07. Aryan - Jaaneman(A romantic song which will make you feel good)
08. Saaya - Aye Meri Zindagi(This song will haunt you)
09. Sitam - Pyar Tumko Hi Kiya Hai(This song makes me slightly nostalgic- sounds like an old kishore lata duet but well done)
10. Kasak - Saansein Madhdham Hai(Her voice modulations are terrific and her voice was really alluring)
11. Main Meri Patni Aur Woh - Doob Jaana Re(Sab gaane mein doob jaayenge :) DONT MISS THIS)
12. Woh Lamhe - So Jaaun Main(Touching)
13. Krishna Cottage - Suna Suna(This song is unforgettable)
14. Fun - Jal Raha Hai Badan(She has put life in this song..only a few singers can do it)
15. Khakee - Yunhi Hum Tumse Pyar(Simple - no comments - this song is way above that)

My Most Cherished V-Day

Well...here comes the much hyped valentines day again. One thing I continuously fail to understand is what is the need to celebrate a day for love? What about the remaining 364 days?? Now having read this, you must be wondering why did I name this "My Best Valentine Day"??? Read on and you will know.

Unlike my other stories, this did not happen long long ago...just last year. The day started with me bunking office and going to watch the movie Rang De Basanti with a lovely lady (now dont get any ideas...tickets were not available for the rest of the days and the fact that feb 14th was v-day had totally slipped out of my mind). This was the first time I was going to watch a movie in a theater alone with a girl and that feeling was pleasantly strange.....I went with her to watch the movie and thankfully, the movie was excellent...we had a good time watching it and I escorted her back home like a perfect gentleman(well...this is the only place I can call myself one :D).

I returned home only to realise that I had forgotten to have my lunch and was feeling really hungry. My bad luck...that day my roomies had finished all the snacks that were left at home. I had to satisfy myself with the top ramen curry packets which I successfully dug out of nowhere.

Before switching on the gas, I noticed that the window of the apartment directly opposite to my kitchen's window was wide open. Well...like all guys, I wished a beautiful girl would look out and smile at me..but having said this, I would like to point out that I am different from the rest. I dont believe in just dreaming...I wanted to live my dream.

I started singing the song "Mere Saamnewaali Khidki Mein Ek Chand Ka Tukda Rehta Hai" from the movie "Padosan" and believe me guys...I always hate my voice...but on this occassion, even Kishore Kumar would have conceded that I was better than him that day(ok ok...I know this is too much but I have to live my dream na ;) )....I was so engrossed in the song that I started emoting it literally (danced around with the noodles packet in my hand imagining it to be a girl) no bothering about my harried neighbours or my stomach's grumbling).............

Once I was done, I heard someone clapping. I peeped out of the kitchen window only to find an old lady in my saamnewaali khidki applauding my performance. The sweet lady gestured that I sing really well and I acknowledged by blowing out some kisses for her. She laughed and invited me ove for a coffee......I got back into the gentleman mode (Ya I am like a switch...sometimes naughty and sometimes too good to be true....the naughty side dominating me), hurriedly made myself presentable and got a box of chocolates for my DATE before leaving.

I reached her place in five minutes and I could find out her flat from the smell of fresh coffee reaching my nose. She ushered me in, accepted the chocolates and ya .....gave me the coffee...man...simply the best I've had till now. I asked her about her family and she said she was here for a vacation and will return to the US where her son is posted now.

I could make out from her voice that she is very lonely and wanted some company for the day. Well... the nice side of me surfaced and I decided to make the day memorable for her. I did entertain her for a long time and even cooked dinner(smart lady na ;) ) for her...

Like all good things come to an end, this day had to end. When I was leaving, my DATE said "Thanks a lot! In this one day, you gave this old lady so much happiness".....I felt very nice and wishing her well, I left.

Even today, when I look out of my kitchen window into my saamnewaali khidki, I still relive that day...I dont know where she is today(must have gone back to the US) ...............but she's a chand ka tukda at heart...dil se!!!!

Guys, do spend some time with elderly people who are alone....you will get so many blessings that your life will be really smooth and satisfying...believe me!!!!

Adoption...Why Not??

It was september 3rd 2006. I wanted to do something different on my star birthday this year and thought why not spend it with the little kids at the orphanage? Little did I know that this would remain etched in my memory for good. Four days back I had met with a severe accident badly damaging my ribs in the process. Naturally I was not in the state of mind to go to the orphanage which was somewhere in Thiruvanmiyur but thinking about the kids made me change my mind. So despite the doctors orders of being strictly in bed, I got my ribs heavily strapped for extra protection and somehow made it to the place.

I reached there grumbling about the weather and that I had committed to them earlier but the moment I reached there, things changed a lot. One look at the small kids filled my heart with so much pity and sympathy that I forgot what I was undergoing at that point. We had our early morning prayers and I served breakfast to them. In the meantime, I started a convversation with the governess there asking how do they find these kids. The stories I heard were really pitiable....some parents throw their own kids in the dustbin leaving them to survive on their own and some abandon them because of poverty or social issues. Some were just shunted away just because they were girls.....how do people have the heart to do this??

I always believe that we can see God in children. When a new born is placed in a parents hands, the parent feels that he has got what he wanted and that the entire world is at his feet. Believe me its an amazing feeling. Watching a kid grow up, spend time with him, not every movements, the first words and smile etc...how can the parent just abandon a part of him just like that??These poor kids do not get what they actually deserve. Though people in the orphanage are really caring, it is mandatory to get parental love.

I left the place a changed man and this had me thinking for a long time. What is the fault of these hapless children?Their parents abandon them, carry on with their lives and it is these kids who as ostracized as ophans...poor things. They are treated as if they are a burden on earth. I lost my heart to them and was never the same. I then decided why not try to make a difference and adopt a child?Anyways you need to have kids...then why not adopt them?They are so lovable and caring and would do anything for you. Yes, I need to consult my better half when I take this decision because for a man, this is very easy but for a woman, lots of things are to be considered. There are very few people who can give the same amount of love to an adopted kid. Whatever it is, they were not born in their womb so understandably, it is a very difficult decision.

I pray to God that the girl who will marry me will support my decision in adopting a child. I came across a couple who had their first child which was a girl and they adopted a boy to complete their family. Seriously, these people deserve a huge round of applause....they have begun to make a difference and thats how we can make a difference. If everyone of us think the same way, the future for such kids will be really bright and more than that it is really a great difference we will be making for a life....I hope reading this people will think of this option.