Hola 2010!

As the year 2009 sweeps right in front of our eyes and we reach 31st Dec, it sure is a time for reflection and think how did the year go. This is one event in the world which integrates the celebrations worldwide. Nothing beats the celebrations and the coverage of this event whether its Sydney, Singapore, Madrid, London or Times Square! Its totally festive to see the celebrations, fireworks , crowd of millions as everyone welcomes the next year at the stroke of midnight.

This is my favorite pastime of 31st Dec each year! As I lie back today and think of all the happening of 2009, it seems that 2009 was an year of transition on personal and professional front. I still remember my extreme hyperactivity on turning 30 in June 09 and ensuring that i do not remember on the day as I turn 30. The only person other than me who has behaved like that in past of I know of is actually Rachel in Friends! And then it was year of travel and flight jinx. I entered 2009 with not much hope of anything spectacular happening but overall it was a good year! Some disappointments, some tribulations and loads of memories!

I look forward to 2010 somehow thinking again that 2010 will be better than 2009 and pray of the same. The greatest part of ending an year is when you can look back and say " yeah it was a good year" For record keeping, I think 2010 will bring lot of stability and freshness with itself!

Wish everyone a very Happy New years!

Hola 2010!

American History or World History- it's all same

I recently spend a great Christmas weekend with our close friends who further motivated me in writing the blog on regular basis. The great weekend ended on a extremely thought provoking and disturbing movie " American History X" making me wonder from where does hatred reap in our lives so much so that we forget what it is simply to be " human". We all are born the same way..we all are taught the same books..we all maybe inspire to have a great career, money and stability in our lives. When most of the things we think and aspire in our lives and characterized by common goals, why is it that some if us get so blown away over the journey from childhood to adolescence? Why is that we loose our goal and something else completely wipes us off the ground we are standing on. Is it passions, beliefs, thoughts or a sense of self fulfillment?

The movie totally spelled out its message loud and bold that " hatred is a baggage" and somehow we see it all around us each day of our lives! Whether you are at your work place or you listen to news and hear about all political upheavals or you go back and open your history books! You look back at all nations and there is not a single nation which has had not its share of wars and revolutions! Its said that we should learn from our mistakes and at the same time it's said that history repeats itself! A paradox..isn't?

Are we living the spirit of Independence Day

Today is Saturday, 15^th August, 2009. Sitting at my desk, logged onto face book as a usual habit and was greeted with flood of messages; happy independence day, Salute our soldiers at Siachen glacier, toughest battlefield, You Tube videos of jan gan man..and more.

Just seeing all those messages I wondered what Independence Day really means to the youth of India: the promising “youth” of India which is the face of emerging India responsible for developing a strong middle class. The youth which imbibes in it all the qualities which “India incorporate” tries to portray and demonstrate in the world forum.

Do we tend to feel any more patriotic on this day? Do we realize and understand what does this day has given to the present youth to celebrate? Do we recall, remember and understand the words or our great national Anthem? Or is it simply a break from school and office for us. Is it simply a day to sit back and fly kites? What does Independence Day really mean to the youth of India? I am again questioned and try to seek the answer within myself.

When I see movies and documentaries like City of joy, Black diamond, Constant Gardner and hear horrendous stories from Congo refugee camps, Sierra Leone, Brazil, I am forced to think and thank for what was given to us 50 years ago by Indian people. Until this date when some part of the world is still fighting for mere existence, fighting for civil rights, fighting for woman liberation, fighting for equality and racists discrimination, I am humbled to thank what I always took for granted : my independence, my nation’s independence. Thinking about the state of the children in these parts of the world and woman who are sexually assaulted and raped, I am shaken and made alive to the fact of the sacrifices our forefathers made for us to see the light of the day today. I am what I am today and I owe that to the soldier’s who fought for our independence 50 years back and also to them who are currently ensuring we live in safe environment.

I am at crossroads today and questioning myself what is that I am giving back to society which was given to me in platter so many years back. I am today asking myself all questions without having any immediate answers. But yes. It’s an awakening to realize to pay back the society in some way. How and what way still remains unanswered and makes my heart anxious and stirred to seek the answers.