North India Trip!

Now I say to myself, one of the best decisions I had taken is to go ahead with the trip with my class meets… Since I had earlier thought of pulling from the trip… Most memorable trip in my college days… Lots of enjoyment… sight seeing.. photos… fun…

Every event needs some preparations.. So does this.. Indeed more this time.. This is planned as an Industrial visit officially.. Along with it the other itinerary joins.. We had earlier work cut out lots of days before.. We tried desperately for a company in Delhi or Noida.. But all efforts ended in vain.. Then getting the count for the trip.. After my PS end date.. I had one day to prepare of the trip… within that I had to do my final project presentation.. It was a tight schedule.. But prepared earlier and was able to cope with it..

<>Here is short map that’s planned for the trip… Cbe -> Chennai -> Delhi -> Chandigarh -> Simla -> Manali -> Amristar -> Delhi -> Jaipur -> Agra -> Chennai -> Chennai -> Cbe.

Some of most interesting and enjoyable moments of the trip was the train journey.. where we had uno played all through it.. srihari & his map explorations… mysore express… myself and gops photo session… Dum C.. some good videos…

Then on reaching Delhi.. we went to “1 Akbar road” Indira Gandhi memorial… It was inspirational and patriotic.. She was a great leader.. I wanted to get some snaps.. But its prohibited inside the house.. Delhi being the capital.. It was a clean and good city.. The roads were good as far as we traveled.. The same day evening shopping in ‘karol bagh’ [spelled incorrect]. It was a huge street market.. Everything you would like to get is available.. All you need to get things is not money.. But little Hindi.. and bargaining skills.. we made a quick walk to the end of the market and returned back.. Not pre planed to get chosen things.. Though managed to get few small things..

Then early morning travel to Chandigarh… toughest and most tiring part of the trip is to load and unload 60 odd luggage from the top of the bus.. L To say about chandigarh.. It’s the most planned city and a clean city we could ever visit.. All roads were four lane clean.. and good.. I wished BTM layout also could have plan like the same… J

Then to simla.. The temperature had already started to fall down.. In simla we were able to get some good nature photography.. then the large snake.. the yark.. the painful horse journey [not for me! instead the horse]. Then over night travel to manali.. most tiresome part of the trip.. being tall.. it was hectic to sit in the bus for such a long time.. next day was fortunately a rest day.. spent most of the time in the hotel.. One thing I thought I missed in the trip would be manali shopping.. were some of my friends were able to sketch their name on a grain! That was cute and good..

The same night evening was camp fire.. were we had lots of fun.. but the climate did not allow us to stay long.. still we managed to have fun.. I did not participate much, since I was behind the lens! Next day we went to Rotang pass. It was most steepest hill road I have ever traveled. Approx it was 13000 ft above sea level… then one the way we had snow on the roads and was not able to proceed further.. then snow.. and snow fighting.. cool snaps.. towards the end bad luck struck a few of us.. we missed the sumo that was supposed to pick us and we went about 1km and had to walk back to find it.. not last but least.. final blow of snow from one of my class meet tore of my lips… returned almost exhausted.. due to time constraint we missed a Buddhist monastery on the way.. early morning we started to amristar.. on hill journey was the most scenic beauty one could ever see.. There was a river that follows us for most of the hill journey..

Later full day travel to Amristar.. Gloden temple was beautiful in both day light and night.. But the streets we took to travel was bad.. next day was “Jallianwala bagh” and Indo-pak border.. It was honor to witness the flag lowering ceremony.. emotions ran high on both ends as the ceremony went on.. we then have to rush out of Punjab border to avoid tax for the next day.. Then to Delhi.. again shopping.. most of them managed to get bags of things.. but I returned empty handed.. first saying I did not have the patience to stand and bargain.. secondly we were tired..

Jaipur was next on the list.. Great places.. with excellent engineering plan, architecture and craft work in the places they lived.. shopping the pink city in the same evening.. managed to get a kurtha this time.. then the final showdown.. Agra and Tajmahal! No wonder its One of the wonders of the world! It was huge and awesome to everyone.. We reached when it was almost dawn.. Now they started to maintain it from pollution.. no vehicles were allowed hear it.. only battery cars take us there.. each part of the architecture was magnificent.. wondering this was done for a women! J

Back in train.. more fun.. nagpur oranges on the way.. Chennai.. awesome food in dk’s house.. nice sleep.. managed to start from Chennai.. despite of cyclone warnings.. so far so good.. ticket checks in train.. flying squad.. raised a few eye brows.. finally everything went smoothly.. what else “Home sweet home!”

Few people to be credited are the bus driver.. He was a machine.. driving all day and night.. Esp the manali route was with twist and turn for every 5^th second.. then long plains to amristar.. Hats off to him.. Then the cook who came along with us.. Great food.. made us feel like in home.. kept us all healthy.. Great work from the three guys! Next the person who loaded the luggage’s for us on the bus.. Just lifting itself is tiring job.. Just imagine around 60 luggage’s.. it was not an easy job.. he was strong to that.. next the faculty who accompanied for the trip.. Even thought some of them had visited the places earlier.. they joined us.. and in spite of their inconveniences they managed to support and guide us all along.. thanks to them.. finally the travel agent Senthi ji and Kalidas ji.. were friendly and fun all along the trip.. kaling comedy was great asset all along! J

Bye bye Bangalore!

208 days! Yes, 208 days in Bangalore. Every beginning has an end! My Bangalore chapter has come to an end. Being a student it was a great opportunity and experience being here. My PS was a great place to work. Lots of up’s and down’s, But still managed to climb up the ladder. I still ask to myself. Did I intent to do the work I was supposed to do when I came here. May be Yes, or may be No. I’m not the correct adjudicator. Missing a lot in Bangalore! Esp Radiocity… Legend of the Rocks… Morning Cab… Ammu’s kitchen lunch… new friends [Haann ji]… Kim [thanks for citing me in your blog]… TT… Sunday Krishna café… KSB… Melodies dinner… Sleepy afternoon… Conf calls… Mail threads… Long coffee talks… CSCM… My crazy team… Remo…

Final day was more memorable… Lots of flashing lights all around! Snaps were taken all around… Said bye bye to all my peers… seniors… saw everyone I wanted to see J… farewell mails… printouts… backups… then one last trip in the office Cab back home…

My Crazy Team!

6 more working days!

Countable numbers!!! 6 more days to end my ps.

A dull spirit starts to conquer my mind... Every place in the campus has a memory to tell me! I don know if I would return here again... Great team... great white collar job.. missing them after these days.. I wanna to get back to college soon.. but don want to miss this careless life of Bangalore.. hoping that I would return back one day...

hmm.. lets have some fun..

Hoping that everything should happen as it should happen..

Zero to Hero [Lance - Man on wheels]

Q: What would you say your greatest victory? 'Winning the Tour de France' or 'Fighting Cancer'.
Lance: Fighting cancer!

Both the words 'Tour de France' and 'Cancer' are frighting for us. Last Sunday (Nov 13) I saw a biography of the greatest sports man this world has ever seen, "Lance Armstrong". It was so inspirational and made me write this blog. Sharing them with you...

Lance was young lad from the town of Texas. He started his childhood career as a triathlon athlete. Then soon he found his Superior bicycling skills and became a professional bicycler. By the time he had a few Junior tournaments under his belt. He was recognised by few teams in USA and was funded. Then he joined team Motorola which was his major boost.

'Tour de France' - Most enduring test for any athlete. Toughest ever in a cyclist career. Tour de France is a 3 weeks race to cover various plains and hills of France. Extreme athlete dare to take it. Each county is represented by a coloured Jersey. The winner of a stage is privileged to wear his country's jersey. Lance won 8th stage in 1993. 18th stage in 1995, but he was not able to celebrate since his team mate 'Fabrio' lost his life in a crash.

Then it was 2nd October 1996, Lance had his first symptoms that he was not well. Then was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed of 'testicular cancer' in his lungs. He was immediately operated the next day morning and was successfully removed from cancer. Then after sufficient rest, he was back on wheels. But things became worse, once during a practice session in France he came to his feet. It was diagnosed as cancer again, but this time in Brain. It was well grown, that the doctors said Lance chances of survival was less than 50%. But he was operated and was removed from cancer cells. Lance also under went chemotherapy thrice. He felt it was the end of his career. His sponsors with drew from him. But he recovered and announced for a need of sponsor. No one turned back.

This motivated Lance to prove them all wrong. His turning point was 'US Postal team' that invited Lance. with the spirits running high,he came back with a bang. He won the 1999 Tour de France for every ones surprise. Then he was able to repeat it on 2000, also the bronze in 2000 Sydney Olympics was added to it. But the media tried to push him down with a doping scandal, which was proved wrong. Then he repeated again, again and again.

He was the Tour de France champion for a record 7 consecutive years. A person once thought that it was end of his life with cancer to come up and win such a demanding race both physically and mentally is miracle. Then he retired from racing. He then found the LiveStrong for cancer victims and survivors and to raise awareness about cancer.

Use full links helped me are
http://www.lancearmstrong.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong
[P.S: If some of the statistics provided in my post are wrong, please bear with me. Its up to my knowledge.]

Few Good Snaps after a Long time!

My Name plate!
Get-together Lunch on Ethnic day!
This was taken on the day of Second review, from left myself, Pradeep (MCA alumini), Dk (myclass). Finally we were able to get this when the battery was running out!

Count down Begins!

Every beginning has an end. Its November and time to say Good bye! From now on 13 working days more to end my PS. :(

It was beginning of March '05. We burnt the late night fuel in preparation for the Interview. We learnt how long the rabbit hole goes. CPP was really interesting and awesome. Lots of materials and books. I was in the 8-9 group. Judgement day, March 18th. Then joined on May 2nd. New place, new people, all was new... Hence to sum up with certain words between dots.. here it is...

lazy life... morning shuttle... ksb... Sunday Krishna cafe, curry leaf... occasional cricket... conf calls... mail threads... cafe vetti manga... carom board ;)...

Most Memorable Day In My PS!

It was Friday October 21st 2005, reminders beeping in Dk's mobile I woke up. Dressed up for office, and was about to start. Something strikes my head, "My dress did not look good". What to do? A change in last minute. Removed my shirt in a flash and took Dk's shirts in the staircase grill and started to button up. Reached office and checked mail, something serious. Yes, I was assigned a critical job to be done on Monday. The approval document was the most frightening thing I have ever read. Lots of formal procedures. Also its was a farewell day!

Clock ticked away, not in a mood to work. So opened my usual stuff's to browse through. Then the buzz began to come to my ears. I could hear lots happening around me, people are busy moving here and there. Then a guy came near me and asked if my packing is ready. :-( no I was not ready to move. I even did not start to pack my things! I knew I had only a few things to pack, so carelessness. Then something happened. Some else was also in my bullpin. I could see those bright eyes. Those bright eyes, bordered with a lining of eye liner. She carried a bunch of papers in her hand. Then a smile stated to spawn in my lips. Some one stood before me, she wore her usual dress. Seeing her soo close of the first time.

I started to work as though, I dint notice her. But something happened someone calling "Vijesh" I turned back. "You are Vijesh right?" I responded immediately "yes". Know what, I even noticed her coming near from my monitor screen. Then as though committed serious to my work, I listened to her instructions. I did not talk back, then she left. Did lighting strike me. I turned back, looking at my monitor I started laughing. Mean while some one asked me something, I replied laughing. Then thought started to fall in my mind, will I be able to talk to her again?

Then I was worried by the frightening document that came on that morning. Then read the document concentrated, humm there struck a clue. What clue? What for? Simple, to talk to her again. Stood up glanced my surrounding. To my surprise it was deserted. No one was there. Then waited and wished she comes back. clock ticked again........ Now could hear papers shuffling around, stood again. Humm there she stood. Then waited for the moment she would come again. Then she came, I said," Excuse me!" oops she did not hear that in the conversion she had. Then again, but still in a louder voice, "Excuse me!" She turned back. I had already framed my question, So I asked it in one flight. She said a little answer. Then I stressed further in my question, then she gave a long sentence as that it would be done. But I noticed that she stammered in between. Humm she stammered!!!

Then new things around me. I knew I would have some change. But it was different after reaching there. It was a silent, remote and dull :(. But the ambiance of light was good and good to have a change too. Then had a little work to be done and finished it. As usual my evening mails were sent. Then with a dull spirit started to cafe with my friends. Then returned back, with smiles all around. Had a nice loud laugh of conversation with my friends. Then plans changed radically. We did not go to BTM that day, else decided a different place to rest. So will be starting my 8.30 cab. Before that I had one job undone, What job? I have to join Gym today. I gained lots of weight after coming to bangalore. So decided to get on some fitness training. Got the NOC from doctor in the afternoon. Then walked to Gym along with Dk... After desperate effort to try to get some help in opening the door. Since the door had an authorised access. Finally a EE entered in, so did we...

Entering in I had a shock of my Life. I saw those bright eyes again. Could stop myself from laughing, So I have to turn back and laughed. She was working out with the help of the instructor. Then I stood there until the instructor arrived near us. During the first time I went to the Gym, my eyes started to explore around and could see nice steel equipments. I can remember them all well. Also the previous time, my food tapped for the music that blasted inside. But this time I was not able to recollect anything except [...]. Then was told to come on Monday for one more fitness test. Left the place with a heart full of memories.

Opps! Whats time now? 1:40 am! What am I dreaming or What? :-)