Turning 30!

Today I turn 30.
It feels so weird to even acknowledge the fact that a third of my life is over because deep down, I still feel like a child!  

I think its a tough age for sure, and the fact that life is on a timeline and we cant control everything (ageing, being the ultimate out of control situation) has put me on an edge!

I feel a little more "grown" but definitely not older, despite having checked a few boxes out of the many I'd hoped to check. Mostly, I still feel like a kid trying really hard at being an adult and now that I'm a parent, I try a wee bit more.

I guess I'm more aware of my impulses (although I hardly do anything to control them) - like when I'm cranky or about to say something rude but prefer to stay quiet or walk away. Or when I'm thinking about a gazillion things but really all I need to do is let go. Or when I'm all senti but in reality just need a vent out. 

With age, I've definitely become more confident when it comes to my appearance, career and other priorities in general (like spending money on the right things and not things that "look" right!)

It doesn’t mean I’m perfect; it just means I’ve lived with myself long enough to know when I’m about ready to take action in a certain way. I also try and not be quick to judge although I love the occasional gossip sessions! 

I've begun to own my mistakes and admit what I don't know. Suprisingly, it just makes life so much more simpler and conversations become easier because its OK to not know everything and it just lets you learn something new!

I've also realised that I need to let go of my past, forgive people, reconnect with old-lost friends because life is not permanent and there's no point living, if you are full of regrets! It doesn't take long to realize how quickly things can go in a different direction than anticipated which makes it imperative to embrace change and make the most of the one life we have.

So here's wishing me a Happy 30! Life, bring it on!!

An Ode to Benaras

Benaras – The City older than tradition, older than even legend and twice as old as both of them put together ~ Mark Twain

The Town of my imagination

I came to this city with a lot of excitement. Anxious to see the beauty, the colorful lanes and those empty ghats on the Ganga, where I imagined myself having long conversations! What I saw was a chaotic explosion of color, drama, traffic and streets filled beyond capacity with people. Those ghats were packed with tourists from all over the world exchanging stories about where they met while looking at life and death in one frame. I was awed by what I saw. People were hustling, screaming to go about their work, and yet happily chatting away at the same time. 

The first thing that attracts the eye are the boats! They invoke a sense of romance, a sense of walking on the waters that you otherwise can’t. In Varanasi, they become a part of rituals, a part of excursions, a part of recreation and sometimes, transportation too.

Boats at the Ganges

The oldest living city of the world, does not have a single ancient monument standing to glorify its age, because of the multiple attacks and raids it had seen. The old and weary buildings are a tribute and bear witness to its suffering.  

My first stop was Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on suffering and how to overcome it. The mind boggling place was a perfect rewind to my school history lessons. The excavations, stupas and monuments are a sight to see and a memory to preserve.

The larger than life Sarnath

The beautiful, holy Ganges is lined with ghats which are much cleaner than before, a difference which even the local “benarasi” can feel. Every ghat has its own mythology and story..  

It was an out of the world experience to witness the Ganga Aarti, which seemed like a seamless blend of faith and spirituality. This is the place where science and religion come together, where human emotion and beliefs are supreme. The emotions on the faces of people and their firm belief that this is the purest river on earth that washes all sins despite being one of the most polluted river body would leave you speechless. 
The sight of thousands of people coming here to offer their prayers, bow their heads to offer respect, perform pujas and float diyas into the river is mesmerizing. 

Benaras, literally is a place which defies death and celebrates life to its full glory! One can see offerings being made to Goddess Ganga and simultaneously see funeral pyres being burnt in a never ending continuity at the Manikarnika Ghat not far away.  These are open places, anyone can go, sit and observe the rituals and contemplate what life means in the end.

  

  

"Death is present here as a part of life"

“Revelation and redemption” is how I define the prestigious Benaras Hindu University, a complete contrast to the vibe from the city. The lush green campus dotted with students and faculty relaxing in the morning is nothing like what you see in the city. Its unperturbed atmosphere leaves people fascinated. The Vishwanath temple situated right at the center of the university is the perfect example of communal harmony between the past and the present. The largest residential university in Asia is indeed a serene oasis.

The university with stories enough to be a lesson on its own!

The bazaars are menacingly overcrowded, but a delight to shoppers who want to lay their hands on authentic hand looms and crafts. Market roads overflow with cycles in the famous slender roads of the city, bordered on both sides by littler shops and squat structures offering everything from day to day family unit things to outfit adornments and even shares. The streets are also a haven for the taste buds selling a myriad of culinary delicacies. Be it the chai addas, kachori gallis or the pan-walahs, everyone has a Bhowkal of their own! Benaras me sab guru hai, Chela koi nai! You cannot but notice the playfulness in people and in the air, even though it is the most spiritual of places in the world.

It is a place that has nurtured creativity and allowed numerous arts & artists to flourish on its banks. It is a place where people come to die so that they achieve Nirvana. This is the place Buddha chose to give his first sermon and this is the place where the famous poet Kabir lived. 
What this city needs today is help to regain its glory and live up to its global fame. For now, it is being suppressed and over burdened with excessive immigration and lack of basic infrastructure to contain the citizens and provide them tranquility.

People have different names for the city. Benaras, Varanasi or Kashi – Call it what you like, but the city will not fail to invoke the feeling of being one with the soul. The temples and shores depict the multiple facets of life, giving the sanctuary of never ending peace to its jovial citizens and the mighty Ganges which is a life giver to many a person who is a true Benarasi.

My trip to this city remains unfinished as I missed visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sankat Mochan- the places I left for the next time! As they say, there is something about this place that will always and somehow draw you back!

The Inevitable Change!!

"When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person that walked in. That's what the storm is all about"

Haruki Murakami

Life is so unpredictable! At some point you feel like you should stop making plans. Nothing is going the way you wanted to anyways. Then why waste your thoughts and energy on planning things that most likely will never happen.

In the last few months, I had stopped planning. The will to do things I like was diminishing day after day. I was happy that I was with my family. Happy, because they were happy. The immature me always cried deep within, yearning for my so called "city life", my job, my friends and my accepted loneliness.

What I failed to understand is that change is good. Change makes you stronger in a way you would have never imagined. While I had the freedom to choose the change of leaving back a totally crazy life to settling in a simple, serene town, not everything went "as planned".

I am still learning to accept the change. What is working for me is that I have somewhere down the line understood that the decision on how to cope with these changes is mine and mine alone. I have recognised the difference between where I was and where I want to be. I have learnt to trust my intuition and keep my faith alive. 

I have also accepted the fact that change requires courage. It is uncomfortable. It is curious. But then, thats why its a change. That's what makes you tougher. 

Life will always throw you towards change. How we take it is what it will give us back in return.

It may seem like everything is falling apart, yet everything may just be falling into place. Just learn to look at it the way you want it to be!

Life is all about a Pulsar Ride!

Some farewells are good, most of them are not. Here I am, sitting with a cup of coffee in my hand as I fight back tears thinking of my last few days in this beautiful city.

Bangalore, I owe my life to you. You have made me whatever little I am worth today.

When I first came to the city, it was a mammoth to me. I was a scared little girl, just out of her home town and had no clue of what to expect from life. I still remember holding my mom and crying my eyes out as I did not want her to leave me here all alone. Little did I know that this place never leaves you lonely!  No matter where you are, you will always find someone or something that suits your likes.

So many love Bangalore for the weather and the pubs, I love the city for all that it has to offer!

From the endless cafes to the dazzling restaurants, the simply amazing night life to the beer parlors in the day (We are awesome even though we close at 23:00), the traffic to the bloody autowallahs, the bus conductors to the beautiful big cars, the super chic corporate offices to the lush greenery all around, sky scraper apartments to beautiful mansions to the numerous shopping malls, the Durga Puja to the flea market events. Everything teaches you so much.  The city has the power to turn you into a happy soul. You can love and hate everything about Bangalore at the same time.

Personally, this city has given me all I could have asked for and more. It has taught me to love selflessly. It has taught me to recover and put myself together when things just don’t go right. It has taught me to wander aimlessly in the millions of lanes and yet be able to smile. I could have never known that long drives amidst traffic on a Pulsar could be so satisfying. The city has taught me how to be a professional and how important it is to be a career focused person.

I have learnt patience and also that where there is a will, Bangalore has a way. I have learnt to enjoy travel and talk to strangers. I have learnt that you can never get enough of this place.

There have been a lot of people who have touched my life in my 6 years here. Today, as I’m about to leave all that behind, I just wish that the people I want in my life stay with me for ever.  All I know is that I (like everyone else in love with this place) can never leave Bangalore completely. 

A large part of my being is because of this city and the people here. 

Like I said, I owe it you and forever will!

Ok, now my coffee is cold and I’m all teary! So long Bangalore! Till we meet again!

Southbounders@Amedikallu!

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends.
You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things: air, sleep, dreams, sea, the sky - all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” 
― Cesare Pavese

There are times when you want to do something just for yourself, no matter how selfish it may seem. This weekend, after a lot of persuasion I decided to do something that I would have never dreamt of. I decided to go on a trek. With a group of 11 unknown people!

To be honest, it scared the shit out of me. What if I’m left alone somewhere? What if the group doesn’t turn up, what if I get bitten by a snake, fall off the mountain, these were just a few thing the evil part of my head was warning me against. I almost thought of drooping out, but then the idea of a boring weekend ahead made me rethink and I though to myself “Jo hona hai hoga, what the hell, lets go!

Next morning, I received a mail from the Nirvana Nomads. A welcome note so well written that I knew instantly that it would be an epic trip.

This is what the email looked like!! Brilliant & Cheesy!!

The journey was brilliant. Started off with half an hour of awkwardness which eventually found it’s way out of the window. After a round of introductions and games (I was so bad at Absolute Nonsense, that I was actually good!!) it was time to catch up on some sleep to prep for the long day ahead. We could hear Anto mutter words like “next” and “correct” which simply proved that he was still hung up on Contact (I learnt so many words with that one)!!

Early next morning, we wake up in a beautiful, small little town, Sishila. The whole place looked so picturesque like a scene right out of a movie! After a quick repack session and breakfast we set out to begin our journey into the jungle.

The smile before the journey!!

The super Adrenalin rush just before the start!!! 

Given that this was by far the most difficult and "adventurous" stint I have ever attempted, saying that I was exhausted mid way to the camp area would be an understatement!!! 

Looking out for leeches, snakes and a 15 minute break for every 10 minutes that I walked, I somehow managed to drag upto the point we settled down for packed lunch. Needless to say, I was always the last one to reach.

A few friends we made en route! Sadly I could not befriend any leeches!

All that kept me going was the mesmerizing view and some great company. It is truly said, travel makes you do things, that are beyond your comfort zone. I could have never imagined myself sitting on a rock talking to a stranger about a different side of me.

Tired, yet posing!!

After a lot of commotion, me sleeping admist rocks and grass (Since I gave up on moving any further), we decided to pitch tents at a place near a stream.

One group got to setting up the camp, while the rest of us went on to fill water from the stream. The sight of the stream was so refreshing. If not for the fear of leeches, I guess I would have slept in it!

Once the tents were in place, we started to prepare our dinner. A brilliant meal of aloo ki subzi, parathe, rasam and rice was just what everyone needed after such a tiring day! The surprise was sweets from Hitesh!

The camp site and our home for the night!

Khana, Pani & our head chef tasting the dishes :)

Dinner on a rocky table sitting under the stars and chit chat among the group- this was a moment to be cherished forever!

Shaky knees and aching legs led us to head into our tents and get cozy in our sleeping bags which resulted in a peaceful sleep.

I woke up to the sounds of chatter and the group heading off for the second part of the trek- The peak!

My only regret in this trip: I did not go! But yes, there is always a next time! (Oh! and also that I did not get a single leech bite)

The view from up there!!

Some use of the torches we made :P

The trek to the peak. Amedikallu: Next time, I promise :)

Listening to the whistling thrush, the monkeys call and a lot of other sounds from the jungle got me thinking about the world out there that I have not explored. The things that I need to do in life and the things that I can stretch myself to do.

After a good breakfast, once the others were back and packing up all the stuff that we had carried, we started the journey downhill.

The one thing I loved: We took only memories, left only footprints and nothing else behind.

The journey downhill was much faster (One because I had a brilliant rest and second because I kept telling myself not to stop)

The journey downhill

We kept walking and walking and walking waiting for the sight of the road.

Some lost their way, of course managed to find their way back too and the others just kept on going.

The touchdown was worth every aching muscle. Once we threw off our bags, the guys went on to de-leech themselves and all we could think off was the bus and the food awaiting us back at the homestay!

A small detour to a beautiful temple and lake seemed like a bad idea. But once we were there, none of us wanted to get out of the water. With playing Absolute Nonsense in the water to Anto mimicking god knows who, it was all just worth it.

The Hanging Bridge and the spectacular view behind it!

We headed back to the home stay for lunch which was so amazing that even Shalvi who doesn't eat rice, asked for a second helping.

Engineers at work!!

"Aunty ka haath ka khana and aunty ka gaana: both so amazing"

While leaving, I felt so proud of myself for doing this trip. I was heading back to my busy life but with a sense that I am carrying back some great memories and of course, a great group of friends. (Who I will never forgive for voting me out in MAFIA)

And the smile at the end of it!

It was a noisy ride back to Bangalore and definitely a horrible Monday Morning!!

Parting thoughts:

I know I have not done justice to the trip with this article. It was much much more. You need to live it to know what I am talking about.

Its true, travel gives you perspective, it brings out in you feelings and emotions that have for long been subdued. It gives you a lot of answers. It brings out the truth.

You connect with yourself in a way city life will never permit you to. You feel good about being selfish. You feel a sense of disconnect with every material thing you are surrounded with everyday of your life. That disconnect gives you peace of mind, something that every person needs.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” 
― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

The Joy of Shopping online

Ok Ok, I know the first thing that would come up here is that Im from the e-commerce field.
Online shopping is something that I preach about, and hence should practice.

But for those who don't know me and my random shopping sprees, I'm a person who started shopping online just around three years back. It of course started with a book that I had purchased from www.flipkart.com. Before those days, I was as skeptical about shopping online as a lot of people still are. What would I do if my book did not reach, what if they took my money and sent me something else (there was no option of Cash-on Delivery where I was put up), what if the payment did not go through, what if this, what if that. There are a thousand doubts, but then its just like all the crap you hear about everything before you actually try!! The trick is that you just got to do it right! And its the most amazing experience you'll ever have.

                       A few purchases..:)

Oh the joy of seeing that your product is available, that it can be added to your "shopping cart' just by a click..Availing a coupon that strikes off 30-35% of the price..Can it get any better?? Apparently it can..with services like nest day delivery..same day delivery..the waiting period has been reduced to hours..probably the same amount that it would take you to get home in peak traffic hours after a day of shopping!

                                                   Always something on my wishlist :P

I once had my heart out on a pair of golden stilettos from Tresmode..found it on 3 different websites..chose the best deal..and ordered it on a Saturday night..Before I could wake up the next day..my shoes were delivered! Can you imagine the joy when you wake up with a package containing glittering new heels..waiting to be taken out and tried on!!

                                          I told you they were awesome!!!!!!!!!

I have come to a stage where I just cant shop at a retail store. I like a product, I try it on..fits great..the Fashion Consultant is cute and friendly..everything seems just perfect! But then that urge of checking on any online portal (Of course I have all the apps..DUH!! ) is just something I can't resist. And when I see it online..cheaper of course..how can I ever allow myself to shell out a full price for the same stuff!

For people who say that online portals sell fake stuff/ low quality products. Point taken..Of course some of them do! The intelligence lies in selecting and shopping at the ones that don't!

If the price is too good to be true..it probably is! Don't buy them!

My addiction has got to a level where now I have finally shopped from an international website! One thing off my bucket list!

                                            That's how my order list looks like! Always :P

Some points that might just help!! Atleast from my personal experience!

1. Always..always check reviews before paying outright when shopping at any portal for the first time..
2. Try and make your first purchase a Cash on Delivery. It reduces risk and helps increase your faith in shopping online
3. Compare!! Thats why you have multiple portals selling the same stuff. 
4. Read descriptions..Zoom into images..check..be satisfied before you buy.
5. Save purchases that you are sure of for the weekend. The best deals are available then.
6. Add the email ids of portals to your inbox list. You may get spammed with mailers..but you hit on great offers too.
7. Know your website and the products they sell.
8. Look for mobile app deals. Some websites offer brilliant deals just to make sure you download the app. Trust me..its faster and easy.
9. Take a risk once in a while. Its ok! The return policies are super customer friendly in most portals
10. Check coupon websites from time to time
11. Save shopping for the festive seasons, Amaxon shopping festival, Myntra and Flipkarts EORS and other special days like ladies nights, weekend sales etc. 

A few must try websites..

Myntra, Flipkart and Amazon are on the obvious go to websites for clothing, accessories, footwear and literally just about anything!

For some quirky stuff check out The Quirkbox, Indiacircus, Chumbak, The Souled Store, Propshop21 to name a few! This is a rapidly growing segment!

Women you absolutely need to check : Koovs, Femella, and 20dresses.

For sexy lingerie visit zivame.com!

For all you make up necessities: Nykaa is simply brilliant!

       On my to- purchase list!

Ok..Now I gotta go! I hear the door bell ring. It must be the delivery guy :)

Times change! A lot of times for the good!

March 19th, 2013 marked the start of a new tradition at The Oxford College of Science and Arts. We had our very first Alumni Meet! Invitations were received and personally, I was excited to go back..I knew it was a chance to meet batch mates, faculty and seniors.
Last year, the Alumni meet was in typical "Oxford" style. A classical dance, our Director's address, a short cultural program and a standard lunch! We had fun reliving the college days, catching up with people we knew and making new friends as well.

So this year, when I received the invite, I knew I would go..again to relive the same experience.
Undecided on whether to wear denims and a shirt or a suit, I settled in for something mid way, knowing that I could not possibly wear a dress!! Oxford afterall!

Some people I was sure of meeting, others quite no so! So wen my favorite senior turned up, it was not so much a surprise! But when I saw my own classmates, I was taken aback..I had not met them in years and seeing them again was a sweet walk down the memory lane. 

We were yet to witness a few surprises..So when we settled down to witness the cultural program..none of us could believe we were at Oxford! 

A super team of hosts and girls dancing to the tracks of Sunny Leone and Ishq wala Love duets is not what you expect at Oxford!

Neither do you expect that a girl is addressed as the "Beauty Queen" and when you hear " She can move, cant she! "..you know that things have changed! Visibly and for the better! It was a happy change, atleast for me.Nothing could have felt better than to see my juniors wear denims and dance with guys on stage! (no..Im not sarcastic!!) 

Then came another jolt! Our Director wanted the alumni to self nominate candidates for President ( I am the official President of the Oxford Alumni Association, Science & Arts) VP ( Devi Bhaiya, my super senior) Secreatry ( Prasenjit Dey, My fav Senior) and Treasurer ( Varun Gowda).

It was shocking but still satisfying to see that your faculty still has faith in you! That I can walk up to the stage that I love and speak! 

The memories are still fresh..and to see our college change, was unexpected but good!

Yes one thing was definitely from our memory..The food! I have been through the same food ever since my induction in the college..Its true..some things never change!

So here's to having a great many more alumni meets, positive change, new friendships and the same food!!

(My Fav lab..My Fav Senior)

( Meeting someone who stays 5 minutes away from my place, at College :P)