American Hurricane

Today i am here to share with you a historical night. You would be possibly aware that US is a land of tornadoes and hurricanes and i got caught up with one on an eventful nights. I stay in the state of Indiana and it has been severely hit by tornadoes. Every night there are sirens ringing and tornado warning is issued. In deep sleep you don't get up but yesterday was different.

It all started around 6 P.M. The apartment where i stay is covered by forest area on one side and there is a river that flows in through that forest. There is a mesh that separates the living area from the forest. A stream of water started flowing in from the forest end and slowly the water level started increasing. And in next 2-3 hours the water was like half a meter above the ground level . Though our apartments sit high but the water level was threatening ! As would have been expected in India(n) settings the power should have gone, surprisingly in US the power conked off  too.

Night at the Relief Camp in US

Around 9 P.M. there were police officers asking us to evacuate instantly. There were severe warning of more flooding and if inclement weather continued our apartments could face water seepage. I evacuated with all my certificates and stowed my entire luggage on a cupboard that was few feet high . In the dark i managed to collect my certificates using a lighter and even managed to grab a chapatti before leaving.

We got buses that took us to Columbus school. This was a pretty big school and 3 floor high. While i was making my way to safe basement i saw these old Americans in the front of the entrance. They were sick, too old, too obese and in too much pain . I felt pity seeing their present condition and since i had never been to an American home so it was more of a shock . We were asked to occupy a big hall  where Red Cross volunteers gave us a folding cot and blankets. There were water bottles, potato wafers and biscuit packets to eat. The sight of the place was something. So many Indian and American families all huddled up for safety. By the time everyone had just settled water started flooding in the basement. Again the caravan of 1000 people had to me shifted to a floor higher up. The old and infirm people were shifted using wheel chairs and stretchers while others gathered the relief supplies and moved up. Another hour passed and it was 12 PM  by the time we all felt a bit relieved and safe.

The trouble again started now, the entire basement had got filled with water as high as 15 meters or more and the families huddled up on higher floors with all the exits under water. This was already a scary sight and we heard an announcement that there is an eminent danger of power outage and more flooding. We have to move again.  God ! Another shifting of 1000 people; kids, women, old people with adages, some were on emergency apparatus even.  There was just one exit that lead us to the playground at the back of the college campus. The shifting again resumes at 2 30 AM and it was only by 4 AM we were transported to a safer place; another school. This time cots and other relief supplies could not be transferred along with the families.

People could manage to carry few blankets and we spread on floor and tried taking some rest. I tried catching some sleep while sitting and chair and could manage 2-3 hours of much needed rest. It was in the morning we all  were given some cereals and fruits to eat. Everyone was curious to know how the conditions in our living colonies were. There was no way we would walk back as all the entire town and the roads were were flooded . Slowly over the next day water level started receding and some normalcy restored.

Even after repeated warnings the families started moving back. I too asked for a pick up and reached home by 12 30 in the afternoon. The drama still continued ;no power no water. Without power one cannot cook as gases and microwaves don’t work. There was no option but to sleep again for 1-2 hrs. I woke up around 3 30 PM and sat doing nothing, waiting for power to be restored. Around 6 PM power came back and water supply was restored. I took a much needed bath and made vegetables sandwiches and a strong cup of tea. It is the same evening after that fateful night and i am here to a first hand experience with all of you. In the last 25 years of known history nothing like this was ever witnessed by locals in Columbus,Indiana. I think i was a witness to a historical event.

Floods in Columbus , Indiana

Read more »

The Monk who sold his Ferrari

Book Reading : The Monk who sold his Ferrari

Sunday is the favorite day of the week for me guess so. The day started with 20 minutes run on the track, breakfast and reading 'Sunday Times '. A light nap , some good Table Tennis (TT) lesson by Narendra and then lunch.

What is worth mentioning is the evening when i attended a book reading event on "The Monk who sold his Ferrari"  by Robin Sharma . The artistes performing were Dr. Ian Barker and Faishal Rashid and both were excellent in their part.I had read the book 2 years back and after the event ended, all was fresh in my memory again . Those seven principles, the magical fable , the sumo wrestler , the garden, the lighthouse and so many of thought provoking ideas. It was an excellent evening and i felt putting my Sunday to good use. Another small initiative to condition my mind and take it to brighter things in life. I certainly feel life is all about being self aware and seeking answers to questions that puzzle self. To get more clarity about life's purpose and our higher calling we should strive to reduce the clutter and lead a simple life.The purpose of life is a life with a purpose.

Read more »

Dialogue with Self

In past I wrote to raise a silent battle against the circumstances,to put on a piece of paper the sketch of a mind so helpless and so tied . Today when i write the color of my writing is more bright , thoughts more colorful and the need not so pensive. The probable explanation could be a shift in my mindset , a newer approach to see life and a different manner to accept changes. I even write to read these pieces of my mind years later to analyse the short runs of my career.

As i live life the impetus would certainly be on evolving and its heartening to know that i am capturing the thoughts that question my conventional behavior. Wisdom is not in knowing all the good things in life it would be knowing how to implement even few of them. The first step in this present evolution is learning what my heart wants to do. That's a bigger challenge than doing the final act . When I walk alone or with friends, the zest is to make me realize of the missing jigsaw pieces from my life. As a matter of fact many of them are strewn over unknown lands , written over known and unknown faces and links to all of them lie within . This is a really an interesting phase learning how to read my own thoughts , know myself deep within and find time to do what i longed for. Thoughts won't be suffice if i try explaining this state of mind but yes the calmness is setting in.

Read more »

Do we need words between us

Do we need words ??? I ask you sweetheart this very basic question.......if you need words to reply; the question remains still unanswered. Was ruminating over my past life and found that there was no special significance of a female and if it was .......it was just an infatuation that faded away as neatly as the strength of it in the beginning.Why do i feel something special when i talk to you .....why your presence makes my heart flutter, why do i wait for you like never before. 

Let me reach a time where my existence is because of you, where my thoughts are of you where my life is you. It's not a relationship it is starting of a pure and a beautiful bond.They say love is the most beautiful thing that happened in this world. Am i invited ? Wish you can reply me without words.

Read more »

The Rat Race Begins

I wanted to write when i picked up job after a two year stint at IIFT , when the new year arrived with newer hopes , when i celebrated my 27th birthday but the writer in me turned lazy.Anyways here i am still undecided what aspect of myself to portray this time.A milestone has been reached and another chapter of the same book is going to start. Why i feel there is something else that is waiting for me ?? Some shores still where i have never been, acts which i never did, moments that i never lived.

Vivek.......this is for sure you are not running this time from the world but yes going in a direction which a sensible , ambitious and career conscious person will choose. I feel i am not running for a dream anymore i am running for a cause larger than me, larger than my life. I always felt the visibility in life has decreased and all is shrouded by mystery and you always came in various forms and guided this wrecked ship. This time the ship is healthy the navigator is, but the course is for an uncharted territory. The land of surprises ........the life unexplored.

Read more »

Life at IIFT

24^th March -2005 ,17 23 pm was the moment when truth dawned on me that finally I had got selected for Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). How fervently I had wished to be a part and parcel of IIFT and now when I am an IIFTian how does it feels?

I remember the first day when 118 deserving and intellectual minds swayed their destiny to constitute the batch of 2007 appeared on the horizon. They came in all colors and from all corners of the country. Certainly the dreams were rosy and aspirations running high in all minds. They still are but the corporate thing is creeping in and the sense of calm , poise and grace is gradually descending upon all of us
.

IIFT Bhawan, New Delhi

Though it has been just 2 months of our presence in this institute we have certainly adopted and adapted the rich legacy of the institute. You talk about back to back lectures, assignments, presentations and more scary quizzes, midterms they all are exciting though enervating at all times. The mantra is everybody has 24 hrs in a day but you got to learn  how to put each and every minute to the best use.

Well this article would be incomplete without mentioning the most respectable form of ragging coined as PDP sessions (Personality Development Sessions). Those 15 to 20 days (of our baptism by fire )was the only time we sat together as a batch relaxing, laughing and enjoying under the star lit sky. This induction process into IIFT certainly helped us in knowing our batch mates, our seniors and finally we parted with some unforgettable memories.

On some serious gains we got a platform in form of the institute to interact with corporates, market leaders and trend setters. The Symposiums, Corporate relationship programs (CRC’s) and guest faculties all come packed with knowledge, experiences and insights. It is so much fortunate that we young minds carve our sparkling careers under the tutelage of these industry leaders. To add to more knowledge we have clubs called Cash-a-nova, Blash, Brandwagon, Quentessential and Koshish. The best part about them is they all are student bodies and they will reach where we want them to be. Our interests our visions coupled with a sense of responsibility is all required to improve the visibility of IIFT.

Finally when destiny has brought us together and intertwined our lives so inextricably let us work for a cause larger than our lives. I depart with the only wish Go IIFT Go, Go IIFT Go ,Go IIFT Go.

Read more »

Thoughts when i was a mariner

Life seems to have fragmented into the immortal past and a present that has bloomed out of the past. Taking deep voyages into my past to trace the roots of this tumultuous , anxious and a confused existence shows how late i have been . The lengthier is the bridge between the past and the present the lesser are the inferences drawn at every test of life . The insights into the past vaults me into the dungeons of truth which have prisoners of action who were tempted by inexperience , a spirit to set free , a curiosity for the wrong and finally a step intertwined of all these factors.

Life's Rainbow has all colors

What i could never reconcile with was why in the past the present seemed so colorful and intoxicating , luring us into tunnels of pleasure with no end . The same past i think about now , where the things went wrong?

When the self existence ridicules its own womb , you can sense how unfruitful , misgiving and sporadic the growth has been of our mind and the soul .

The demons of the past and the deities of the present tussle to overpower a wrecked soul .If the past is thought over and fought over life's rainbow will have all its colors  My journey starts now with a treasure and/or a burden called past. The depths are unknown and my plunges superficial ; but i seek solace, peace of mind , some greener pastures and my past and present to be in unison.

Amen....!!!

viviviviviviviviv

Read more »

Smokers and Drinkers are a preferred lot

Smoking goes with Drinking

Smokers and drinkers are preferred lot for me than the rest of the mankind. I have my own reasons to say that; you might have your own not to buy my view point.There are certain very commendable things about these special set of people.

Firstly it takes balls to drink or smoke your money out for sheer psychological satisfaction and to reach an 'enlightened state' where one can be true to own self.
It is not only bold but quite brave to speak your heart out even if you a bit tipsy . I guess only a "MAN" can do so. The rest of the crowd you enthrall are parasites who feed and grow on closely guarded details that have provided to them.
I have often analysed friendships born over mugs of beer , whisky glasses or butts of cigarettes are more enduring and long lasting. 

Hail drinkers and smokers and the spirit that keeps us united.........!!!
                                                                                                        

Read more »

Thoughts close to my heart

It is usually our relationship to a life situation or concern that keeps us stuck, not the circumstances themselves . Our situation may and often does change as our manner of carrying it inside us begins to shift . But the external change springs from an inner shift of attitude or perspective , rather than from the effort to control circumstances or manipulate people.

Read more »