Birthday gift from Anjali

This sweet kid's gestures always make me smile. I love the gifts a lot. Thanks Anjali for the gifts.

Happy Birthday Shashaa Tirupati

Kabhi neem - Yuva| A.R.Rahman Humming

On loop with this humming

It seemed just a week back but 5 months passed.

Met mounika after 5 months and still the memories of last meet up were very fresh. Mounika indeed remember who paid the food bill. God bless her!

It was a quick plan. We decided to meet soon and not thinking much further we asked if we could meet this day itself and hour later we reached the place and hung out for hours sharing all the stories that happened in our lives. 

Mounika is one of the persons whom I love to have conversation with. We don't delve into superficial, social conversations but honest, heartfelt and learning conversations.  While she was sharing about her life at US, I was updating her about what all happened in life. I was very excited to speak about Shashaa. I started narrating the way I met her. I couldn't say that she understood my excitement but she surely acknowledged it by listening well.

Smiles and silences were always there making our conversations special. We are very comfortable at the own space we created. We can recall everything at the drop of  a hat. I love it. We also spoke about our first meet. 

As I loved the gesture she always do, I requested her to write something for me on the tissue paper from that place. And people there changed in shifts but not for once we shifted from the place. We sat there nearly for 5 hours.

TED Idea- Why these prisoners are getting law degrees behind bars

https://ideas.ted.com/why-these-prisoners-are-getting-law-degrees-behind-bars/

This reminds me of the story of Rajmane, the person who was cornered to visit jail and later goes to jail by the choice to help a lot of other people.  It's good to read about Mclean who is striving to bring a change in the society.

I got to know about various people like Rajmane who are helping prisoners to change their life through legal advice. It's heartening to see such a change. Ideas worth spreading.

How often we consider prisons to be the punishment centres rather than as rehabilitation centres. I loved the idea of  McLean who says,

 “Often, when people think about what happens to ex-prisoners and how to re-integrate them, it’s ‘How do we help them to use their hands?’ I think, ‘How do we let them use their brains? ’”

https://www.ted.com/watch/ted-institute/ted-state-street/alexander-mclean-imprisoned-potential-restoring-hope-and-dignity-to-the-justice-system

Fault in our stars- Book

Fault in our stars

Many spoke about “John Green” and his books. I’ve people who praised him to the clouds. Never ever I tried to spend my time on him and his books but, recently I could get my hands on “Fault in our stars”

John Green has written absolutely with lot of wit and wisdom. It’s not a sick lit novel but it’s more of a realistic story with lot of subtleties. I totally agree with my friend who said, “Got to love his writing. Reading it now (20+) won’t be the same as reading it as a teenager. He primarily focuses on writing for young adults.”

I don’t know If i would love his stories if only had I read them during my teenage. There are few lines which I quoted to reread them. Well written book.

Prateek Kuhad - Oh Love | Official Audio

One of my favourite musicians. Prateek Kuhad has his own style. Love this song.

Nice link- Al-Nour wal Amal Orchestra by Fernando Moleres

https://www.madamasr.com/en/2012/10/12/panorama/u/al-nour-wal-amal-orchestra-by-fernando-moleres/

One more gem! Piya Bin

Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan Jaiyega | The Kroonerz Project | Feat. Shashaa Ti...

When I deliberately search for classics, I won't find one but, randomly I came across this one. This is a gem. And Shashaa's cover is icing on the cake. Loved the cover. 

Cold water showers in winter

I've started taking cold showers since Oct 16. First three months were quite tough. In the chilled winters, I've taken cold showers and I started enjoying them. Months passed and as soon as Summer hit the city, cold showers became a need from luxury.  I enjoyed cold showers all over the summer.

Again in august, I felt being tested of my conviction and determination. As days passed, cold shower is what I look for, on a chilled morning. Now, cold shower in winter is the best thing of my day. Cold showers are definitely stress busters. They make my mood all set through out the day. Cold showers at morning is the perfect start for a great day. 

Good perspective to view from- Nice link

http://harimohanparuvu.blogspot.in/2017/12/anjali-on-contentment-and-abundance-in.html

Not So Serious Interview with A.R. Rahman and Jonita Gandhi

Quote of the hour

Lines

SAHE Stories- Live the lakes.

I just realised, it's important to share what's happening with one idea that a person got, with one decision that she took.  Kalpana Ramesh a.k.a water lady is very calm when she speaks about the issues she's dealing with.  She initiated Live the lakes to clean up the lakes in the city.

Her meticulous planning and intense drive to clean up the lakes is making her dream real. In the journey of making her dream real, she is sharing what's happening with the work.

I feel privileged to listen to the stories.  Here's one video which is so heart warming and inspiring to do bring smiles around us.

The little kids are  thanking Kalpana and AE Nagasmitha for getting them one street light at Gopi cheruvu.  Kalpana says, "Want to clean up this place for them to play😊
This is something that I will push myself for every single day 😊"


Isn't wonderful to bring a smile in someone's life. More power to you Kalpana.

Counting the blessings.

To count blessings is to be grateful. With mere conscious thoughts, I could see how wonderful my life is. Looking back in my life, I feel grateful for all the blessings and wishes I received. There were so many things which I took for granted but, as I retrospect, the time people have give for me is something I feel grateful all the time.

Movies I've watched- 2017 review

1. Pompei
2. Viceroy's house
3. One Heart
4. Annabelle
5. Six Moon and the Pence
6. The Court(Marathi)
7. Hacksaw Ridge
8. White(Malayalam)
9. Ayalum Njaanum Thammil(Malayalam)
10. The man with seven second memory
11. Ninnu Kori
12. Million Dollar Arm
13. Finding Altamira
14. Guru(Telugu)
15. Prisoner of Conscience
16. Beauty and the Beast
17. Offside(Iranian)
18. Queen of Katwe
19. Ghazi
20. Fida
21. Arjun Reddy
22. Rhythm
23. VikramVedha(Tamil)
24. Invisible Guest
25. Rescue Dawn
26. Lipstick Under Burkha
27. Nene Raju Nene Mantri
28. Lovelace
29. The Man from the earth
30. Going In Style
31.  Your Name
32. Kaatru Veliyidai
33. Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru
34. Forrest Gump
35. Victoria and Abdul
36. After Math
37. The Mountains between us

Books I've read in this year- 2017 review

1. Shantaram
2. Veerappan
3. Diary of Nobody
4. Man's search for meaning
5. Roots
6. The Swimmer
7. A little book of serenity
8. This Way is Easier Dad
9. Jonathan Livingston Seagull
10. Invisible People
11. Sounding Off
12. Siddartha
13. The Spirit of Lagaan
14. I Woz
15. The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister
16. When Breathe becomes air
17. Feast of vultures
18. Out of the Dust
19. Fault in our Stars

Discover the Three Keys of Gratitude to Unlock Your Happiest Life!: Jane...

This talk always reminds me to seek the best in everyone. Jane Ransom shared the idea well with anecdotes and engripping narration. She talks about gratitude.

Practicing gratitude is helping me to seek the best. To spend few minutes everyday for myself is helping me alot.

Article on water lady- Kalpana Ramesh

https://www.thebetterindia.com/122564/water-conservation-hyderabad/

Beauiful story- I have a message for you

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/opinion/auschwitz-israel-holocaust.html

Attitude of Gratitude.

The time I introspected myself about being grateful is when my friends claimed that they feel grateful every day for whatever they got. I was honest. I sometimes ignored what all I'm privileged of. That's when I became conscious of being grateful. 

After that incident, there were many situations, chances that hinted me to be grateful in life. Be it a conversation or ride or little things that were given to me by others. I had the sense of gratitude to be at the receiving end.


After a series of incidents, when my friend was complaining all the time, I felt more grateful for what all I have. I kept sharing with my friend about how I'm grateful for what all I have.

Just being conscious let me see what all I was receiving in life. Be it in hitchhiking or conversations or little help, everywhere I was at the receiving end. And I felt grateful. 

After sharing a few experiences with Harimohan, I became little more conscious whenever possible to feel grateful and say thanks. 

After a few weeks, I was given a gift by Harimohan. The gratitude circle. He introduced me to this gratitude circle, where we follow the practice of writing a gratitude journal and a few more exercises to be more grateful. 

Sahiti's blog on A.R.Rahman encore concert.

https://amysteriousmess.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/ar-rahman-encore/

Quote of the hour

Aaqa by Abida Parveen & Ali Sethi, Coke Studo Season 9

That one hour!

Waking up early is helping me to write morning pages. It's also helping me to reflect and write my gratitude journal. 

From past few days, I've decided to stay away from the phone for the 1st hour after I wake up. And also to stay away from the phone for one hour before I retire to sleep. This habit is helping me to regain my peace. 

All my random thoughts float at this time. I'm letting them swirl in my mind without disturbing the flow of my thoughts. One hour after I wake up, I'm sorted with my work and daily activities. And I get on to my phone then, to see what's waiting for me. 

With a good start, I don't gouge on phone unless and until I'm asked to perform some tasks. 

With little input of trivial stuff into my attention, my concentration is turning towards my work and words. 

That one hour at morning and night is helping me. The phone free hours are setting my whole day tempo and I'm loving it. Peace out.

Siddartha by Herman Hesse

Finished reading "SIDDHARTHA" by Herman Hesse. 

Thanks to @poor_bjorns_notes_to_self. His review pushed me to pick this book. And also thanks to Harimohan for suggesting me this!

There are few books which can be enjoyed depending upon the knowledge of reader rather than the content of the book.

This book is a classic. It can be enlightening as well as misleading. It all depends upon what you wish to take. 

Nothing can be stated as better as Gary's words on this book "This books is a scripture posing as literature and is a best read after getting what you thought you wanted." Herman Hesse was brilliant in weaving a story along the stuff he wanted to say. Brilliant writing indeed!

Do not try to read if you don't like contemplating or not prepared for lot of contemplation.

My favourite quotes are,

📝"I see value and meaning in each of it's fine markings and cavities"

📝"The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish"

Sharayu's new ARR Mashup.

If I'm right, It's her first ARR full Tamil Mashup. This is the first thing I've heard today and I love it. I feel terribly disappointed for not keeping up my promise with her. I promised to buy her the stand for the new mike and couldn't buy it in time. 

Quote of the hour

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses."

- Alphonse Karr

Attitude of Gratitude

For once and all, unlike all my birthdays, I've decided to be receptive and be more conscious of all the wishes, gifts and blessings I receive from everyone.

Generally, I don't celebrate birthdays. Since, I've been practicing to be grateful, I've decided to be more conscious of all the wishes I receive. 

Being grateful is helping me to be more conscious in life. Consciousness is helping me to live a better happy life. Let's try it.  

Invisible Guest- Movie

Contratiempo- A Spanish movie.

A rich, young business man, Adrian is caught by the police on charges of a murdering his mistress.  He is visited by the famous lawyer before time, telling about the new witness that would change the case.

He narrates the story of how he got into the crime scene. Months back, he tried to end the relation with his mistress and was returning from a trip. They get involved in an accident and another whole story evolves out of it. 

It's an edge of the seat stuff. I loved the plot of the movie. It's quite interesting. 

November buy

November Buy

After a long time I’ve visited the D-Mart place again. This time, I tried to pick up whatever seemed interesting. I didn’t go as per any genre. Here’s the list I bought.


The Face You Were Afraid To See: Essays On The Indian Economy by Amit Bhaduri

Merchants of Tamilakam: Pioneers of International Trade

by Kanakalatha Mukund, Gurcharan Das (Editor)

The Spirit of the Game. by Mihir Bose

Five Queens Road by Sorayya Khan

The Long Song by Andrea Levy

Curses In Ivory by Anjana Basu

Breath by Tim Winton

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin

Teaching Smart People How to Learn by Chris Argyris

What Becomes by A.L. Kennedy

Of a certain age by Gopalkrishna Gandhi

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

Backwords Forword: My Journey Through Dyslexia by Catherine A. Hirschman

Raga 'n Josh: Stories from a Musical Life by Sheila Dhar

It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business by Bob Burg, John David Mann

Ship of Fools: How Stupidity and Corruption Sank the Celtic Tiger by Fintan O'Toole

The Swallow and the Dark by Andrew Matthews

Forget the Elephants, Watch Out for the Fleas by Justin Herald

U and I by Nicholson Baker

Effective Teambuilding by Donald H. Weiss

Effective Meetings in 7 simple steps by Barry Tomalin

The Girl At The Farmhouse Gate (The Land Girls #2) by Julia Stoneham

The 7 Triggers to Yes: The New Science Behind Influencing People's Decisions: What Drives People to Make Decisions by Russell H. Granger (

The Stuarts: A Study in English Kingship by J.P. Kenyon

Anybody Out There? (Walsh Family #4) by Marian Keyes

Sound of water by A. Sherlal

Centurion The Father The Son and The Journey of Cricket by Pramesh Ratnakar

The Power of Ethical Management by Norman V. Peale

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly by John Kay

Forever Healthy: Preventing and Treating Disease Through Timeless Natural Medicine by Kumuda Reddy, Stan Kendz

The Power of Positive Thinking in Business: 10 Traits for Maximum Results by Scott W. Ventrella

Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Revive by Joan Borysenko

February by Lisa Moore

Walled City by Esther David

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Bridget Jones #2) by Helen Fielding

Tales from the Puffugees by Jaspar Utley

A Catalan Dream: Football Artistry and Political Intrigue by Tim Hanlon

Emotion Marketing: The Hallmark Way of Winning Customers for Life

by Scott Robinette, Vicki Lenz, Claire Brand

Karthik's Birthday

November 16

Life is great when one can find joy in simple things. Karthikeya a.k.a Kiddo is joyous kid who finds happiness in music, painting, workouts and little bit of memes. Called as Data base for the kind of knowledge he has on people who are in college. Called as Kiddo for the unblemished smile he has and also for the child like curiosity he has. 

I remember the random walks with him. I remember his burdening budget plans. His words assure a support. His smile assures happiness.  I love to spend time with him. Indeed, everyone in the gang loves to.

This gift says it all about him. 

God bless Kiddo.

Rahmaniac Moments of One Heart: The A.R.Rahman Concert Film (2017)

Stories on wheels

It’s funny how people perceive Hyderabad.  While I was hitchhiking in Karnataka,  one person gave a ride on his two wheeler. Sharing about my whereabouts, he asked me, “Where do you stay? Banjara Hills or Purana Hyderabad?”

Clueless about what was running in his head, I told my place and then we talked about how Hyderabad is well connected to all other places. It’s funny how this person classified dense populated Hyderabad into Banjara Hills and Purana Hyderabad.

Lipstick under Burkha

Though movie has 4 lead characters and 4 stories, It’s a story of every woman.

Be it a college going girl, be it a girl in love exploring her career, be it a wife fighting for freedom or be it a old woman trying to uphold her respect.

Everyone in the society is depicted through these stories. No one is wrong, no one is right. They have their choices and they accept the repercussions. Though hard to believe, it’s a story of  every person. One can easily relate if they acknowledge character's choice.

I’m glad director made this movie. These kind of movies need to be produced to shatter the stereotypes. Though a lot of prejudice is shown, it wasn’t hard hitting.  This movie left a question to me, “why not? Why not it can’t be their choice.”

This movie is not for everyone but, adults.

Book Expo- TEDx Diaries

TEDx Stories

I believed that books can be the best gifts.

Meghana came up with the idea of gifting books as gifts. Vineeth voted for it.

It was during december 2016, at the Akshara bookstore, Meghana decided to continue gifting books. Besides gifting, she came up with an idea of Book Expo.

It seemed an interesting idea. No sooner, she shared the idea, we discussed on how to execute the idea. As time went by, we looked at every possible opportunity.

As time passed by, the idea was put at bay, focusing on many important things. We thought of an idea where people can pick up the book and gift others. With the high chances of people missing the gift, we discarded the idea.

The team came up with lot of plans and finally decided to pick up the book whichever they like. We wanted to put the best in the expo.

Now, the best of all can be the worst of someone. We decided to go with the near and dear’s favorite and asked everyone to make their favorite list of books. I asked a few of my friends including Harimohan.  We pooled all the favorites and the team picked up 100 books that have to be bought.

It included fiction, non- fiction, poetry, biographies, auto biographies and many more.  We also picked the 100 keeping the budget constraints in mind.

Amazon.in was considered to be the best place to buy the books but, still, we tried our luck at Abids and Koti, the famous place to scout for books. One night, Ved and I successfully failed in buying books at Abids after visiting many bookstores.

After a few attempts, it was the team’s decision to buy books at amazon.  It was heartening to see the books placed as beautiful monuments. Every book seemed special in its own way.

Shreya announced to pick a book for themselves. People were shocked, surprised. They didn’t understand what she meant.

Attendees started enquiring volunteers about the announcement.

“Is it for sale?”

“No!”

“Is it an exchange?”

“No!”

“It’s for you! Take a book and have a good time.”

People loved the expo. And we received an immense response to this idea. I remember CK sir doubting if the books were for a sale or a giveaway.

Many people couldn’t believe that we were giving away new books to the audience. They have a choice. They can pick it up and take it. Very simple.

People didn’t expect brand new books for give aways. Everyone loved it.

Prashant Dhawan picked up, “Inner Engineering” by Sadhguru. Carolyn picked up, “Eat. Pray. Love” Amulya picked up, “Krishna's key”

Book expo turned out to be the best thing at the event. Cheers to Meghana for the fabulous idea. And cheers to the team for executing it in a brilliant way.