अंतर्नाद

A place to feel intimidated, to let you know that you are just a tiny spec, all engrossed in our own worldly wars. But, the truth is we deny to look around, to understand that there can be so many other things that are running unanimously to make our universe so warm and cozy. Just some self introspection and the reality dawns upon - we are minuscules all trying to fit in!

I have always found sand timers fascinating! As a kid, I couldn't see that sand timer sitting there idle all day long flowing at it's own pace. It was as if he never bothered or made any attempts to go faster. He was at content with it's own pace. And there was I, desperately wanting it to obey my command to have a quicker flow. I must have tried tapping, flicking or shaking the timer thousands of times, failing in every other attempt, and then eventually gave up upon him to make it flow faster.  Little did I understand then that the methods I was implementing were creating a gap between the sand and the neck of the hourglass, eventually reducing the amount of sand that could get through the opening. Now, I know that for an efficient flow, if I could have vibrated the timer at just right amplitude I could have been successful! This would separate the sand from the side walls without creating a large upward force on the sand. Just like the timekeeper, at time...

Howdy! So, it's been quite a while that I am in Texas, looking back, it has turned out quite well. Till now, it has been an adventure ride. I have met so many new people, new acquaintances and new ideas. Made some good friends, more like a family; yes, I am happy. A nostalgic post - No! Missing home - No, umm, yes, a little, happens! An inspiring one - Not sure! An impromptu write up - Not really, it's one of the assignments! This post is for the blog of one of my friend's interesting start-up Mentor Buddy 's blog , which uses a communication platform for aspiring students to interact with the existing students or alumni of the universities they want to go. No, I am not going to talk anything even remotely related to the exam preparation, university short listing or the application process; nor about immigration, airport pick ups or adjusting in the new surroundings. Ok, even I agree, it's enough of a prelude. At times, ma...

These chilly winds, never take a moment to cease. Are like an open book, ready to read,  with some blanks,  ...to dot the I's and cross the T's. Find a purpose they seem to tell thee! Brave. Strong. Wild. And, somewhat lost. Don't they inspire us to follow our heart? Jovial. Mischievous. And, grand. Aren't they at their best when the sun is all set to meet the sand? Happiness. Grief. Sadness. Humor. And, anger. I wonder how can they somehow always manage to have a story to chant.

#Hangouts#Laughters#Life Conversations! They are so much fun. They make you feel alive and spirited. Those small talks, those caring words make you feel special, make you feel protected. In a single word, they are life! And the best part of them is that they never keep you lonely. Some of the best conversations make you drift into different ideas, various topics and altogether varied emotions; all this without the feeling of incomplete talks. There is a certain certainty in the switch of the subjects and it feels just so normal and so right. We feel like the talks are still incomplete, but then they are not. Unknowingly, they complete their purpose. Figuratively, they are all open ended talks, with not a definite answer or conclusion, just like some of those Agatha Christine's short stories! After an interesting talk, it all ends in a high point, a peaceful silence, from where we can pick up anytime for the next conversation, because they are fun, right?

Prisoners. That's right. It is what we are. Prisoners of thought. Prisoners of action. Prisoners of words. Prisoners of society. Prisoners of faith. Of all the religions, pressures and the games. There are so many threads which bind us. Something or the other, pulls us back. Whenever we decide to go beyond our comfort zone, that little panic is always there to see that we go right back. Some words, some situations or some memories make sure we don't move on. There is this unknown fear which always keeps us engulfed, keeps our mind occupied, so much so that, we start getting confused. The reality seems so unreal, so unsure and so uncertain that we are too much overwhelmed to respond or to interact. We get scared of the unknown. Try to figure out the solutions, all are in vain. Too much vulnerable, indeed. We stop living. Literally. Forgive. Forget. Move ahead. That's all is required.

Oct 13 2013, Dusherra! Today I booked a ticket for India! Home! Enough said, isn't it? This would be my first visit back home after shifting here. You bet, I am ecstatic! Strangely, I wasn't so much excited as I am right now just by the thought of going home. It has been just ten months that I am here, was never going to return so soon, but then all of a sudden, had this feeling - need to be there, need to go, and I just booked the ticket! Yeah, was so much apprehensive before booking it, firstly because was using a friend's card, then, wasn't sure will I do it properly, as everyone knows how careless I am! I am still not sure, whether I am doing it right or not, whether I should really go or not, yeah, the money matters, but sometimes I guess, some things hold much more meaning and it is better to let some things go. If it has to happen, it will happen. No superstitions or something, I believe that at a certain point all pieces fall in their respe...

"We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."   - Charles R. Swindoll Be it seasons, situations, thoughts, people, relations, places, almost every other thing changes, the only constant being you. So many times we fear the changes. But why? Change is inevitable and almost everything comes with an expiry date. We fear to accept this fact and forget to move on. We cling on to the people. We cling on to the memories. Even if people have hurt us, even if the memories were not worth remembering, we hold them to our heart, silently praying that it was all false. In this process we get so dependent on the memories that we fear to be alone. We fear to be independent again. Unknowingly we fear the unknown. And within moments we get apprehensive and scared of the next phase. Isn't it something we all shoul...

The whole summer was indeed a different experience for me, new people, new experiences, new views and lots of fun! So I lived with a different roommate for the summers and now I am friends with some interesting people. It was an adventure ride, a learning experience, overcame some of the prejudices, beliefs and no doubt some fears too! And yeah, somewhere in between, I found myself back! So many times, you feel lost in the huge crowd and just forget to live life, try to behave what you really are not, basically, stop being true to yourself. All the while, go on living the life of which you never thought of. I remember myself telling Manjiri so many times that, this is just not me! This is someone different. I have been cloned or something! Now I get it, it was what they fondly call as “Cultural Shock”! Really, a big word, with a magnificent meaning! I am glad that, it is over! And how! Firstly I met so many new people! More than half of them I know only by their names; ...

And I said ‘Love you Baba’ and ‘Love you Aau’ today! (From zenpencils.com ) It was as surprising for me as it was for Baba (Dad)! No idea about Aai’s (Mom) reaction! Well, wrote in a text, still, it’s a huge unpredictable event! Surprising because – amchyat asa nasta (it is an uncommon gesture) ! Well, ours is a typical Maharashtrian household, where even giving compliments is a big issue! If you hear – you did a good job, you scored good marks, it was a decent dish – be assured that it was really a great achievement, just because it is their attempt to keep everyone grounded! No doubt, everyone will be proud and happy to discuss about it with others but yes, a direct compliment – a strict no! Not possible at all! Saglach kasa agadi mojun mapun! Kahi urala asel tar tyat ajun urvaycha! (Everything is measured! Be it the talks, gestures or emotions.) Being brought up in a strict household, it has always kept me grounded and yes these ‘not complimenting/ expressing enough’...

Yet another night ride to the lake. Somehow, I love going to this place. It reminds me of that little lake near my home. The two scenarios of the lakeside are completely opposite; the one back home was at its colorful best and this one is just too mute, yet both of them strike the chord. This visit was startlingly different. Damn! Forgot to bring the camera, again! A little moist climate due to the little showers in the afternoon, gentle breeze and the waves like the silent sea had their day. And alas, no thoughts troubling the mind! Not a single word to think of. I just sat their chatting with my friends and enjoying the breeze. No other things even bothered to touch me. I closed my eyes couple of times, absolute silence! I was able to concentrate. I was not forced to open the eyes by the clamoring thoughts. And the best part, suddenly the awkward silences just vanished. Yes, they found their peace. The unknown and the invisible barriers were broken quite magically. J...

A silent night. She sat there all alone. It was so dark that she couldn't even see the clear reflection of her vociferous self. The only sound she could hear was of the occasional flights and small little boats. She was just staring at those small consecutive ripples, lost in her thought, fighting all the wordless wars deep inside. She even overlooked those beautiful stars playing mischievously with the clouds which assured that there will be rainy days ahead. But, did she care about those rains? Did she care about those tiny fishes, circling around the wooden platform on which she sat, who knew they will be caught in the net when it will be pulled up and they might not escape, that it might be their last night together? Did she care that the lake had a lighting silhouette, an amazingly beautiful and serene view? No, she did not. She was just engrossed in her own thoughts so much so that even if she have had a company she would have felt lost. How much she wish...

वदनि कवळ घेता नाम  घ्या श्रीहरीचे । सहज हवन होते नाम घेता फुकाचे ॥  जिवन करि जिवित्वा अन्न हे पूर्ण ब्रम्ह । उदरभरण नोहे जाणिजे यज्ञकर्म ॥   I remember reciting this prayer before my meals ever since I can understand. In simple terms it means, moderate intake of food, that is, neither too much nor too less, is healthy as it allows proper digestion.  I hate it when people leave food on their plates. A quick visit to any wedding/ function, you are amazed by the quantity of the left overs. I have never understood this concept. Technically, arranging the buffet means - eat what you like. If you are in a hurry, there is no need to wait for the Pangat where all traditional foodstuffs (read too many items) are served and you are supposed to finish the plate. I mean, you have arranged a buffet, when people are supposed to eat what they like, but then, the "Let's try this, looks yum!" "Oh no! It doesn't seem like it. Throw!" thinking spoils its sol...

Sitting alone, sipping a cuppa coffee, reading, writing, doing work, whatever, bliss. Period. Coffee has always been the trigger, it's so easy to get high on a single cup of coffee! The hot brewing cup or just an ice chilled one is enough to do the wonders! For so many days, I had waited to come up with a good write up, but somehow the words always failed me, not today! A lone campus lounge near the dining area, my cafe  choc  chip frappe, the peaceful ambiance, the perfect chair overlooking the green campus through the huge glass wall beside and behind me, a perfect sunny and cloudy climate, a little rush of the staff or the students at the back or the front in the hallway, a distant television in the dining area showing a football match when I entered and now some movie, nearly empty surrounding with a silent cool air, few guys practicing their hip-hop moves and the dim lights adding a little song of their own, a perfect combination and no wonder I am onto my...

इतक्यातली नवीन गोष्ट म्हणजे मी इथे ये ऊ न मराठी लिटरेचरची खूप मोठी ‘ फ्यान ’ झाली आहे .  मराठी तारकांची तर आधी पासून होतीच पण आता तर साहित्याची पण झाली आहे .  इतकं सुंदर लिहून ठेवलय लोकांनी आणि ते पण अगदी साध्या शब्दांत .  आता पु . ल . देशपांडें चच बघा ना .  भावनांची किती सहजतेनी मांडणी करतात ते .  किती अभ्यास !  पुस्तकी नव्हे ,  तो तर त्यांचा होताच ,  लोकांचा अभ्यास ,  त्यांच्या भावनांचा ,  त्यांच्या स्वभावाचा !  शब्दांचा कसला कठीण अर्थ नाही ,  आहे तो फक्त शब्दांचा खे ळ !  जड जड शब्द वापरून तर कोणी पण लिहितं ,  पण तेच जर कठीण भावना सर ळ  सोप्या शब्दांत लिहा म्हंटलं तर ते किती जड जातं !  आणि पु . ल .  ते किती सहजतेने करतात !  एका क्षणात हसवणं आणि एका क्षणांत रडवणं इतकं सफार्इदारपणे करतात की एका क्षणापुर्वी गालातल्या गालात हसणारे आपण असे कसे डो ळे  टिपून राहिलो आहोत किंवा इतके गंभीर कधी झालो क ळ तच नाही !  खरच ,  असे लेखक आपल्या डो ळ यांसमोर एक जगच उभं करतात .  अगदी ज...

They always said, you are up for a lifetime learning experience once you reach here, now I know why! Yes it is an excellent learning opportunity, but I will like to go a step further and say that it is the phase where you actually realise your growth, your potential and your endurance. At every step you fight with yourself, you prove yourself that you are worth it and at the end of the day trust your decision that you will be able to survive in this crazy, weird, huge and different world. No doubt when you leave home you eventually grow up but trust me this is all together a different experience. Here you are not in your comfort zone; rather you have to make this as your element. You are literally on your own and may have trusting issues. Yes, you will have companions who will be more like a family and a home away from home, but you will have to get used to the idea of not waking up after your mother’s wake up scream and actually not snoozing the alarm. You will have t...