अर्ज किया है.....

सबके कर्जे चुका दू मरनेसे पहले ऐसी मेरी नियत है
मौतसे पहले तू भी बता दे जिंदगी तेरी किमत क्या है

आजकाल रस्त्यावरून चालताना चिडायची अजिबात सोय उरलेली नाही. कोपऱ्या-कोपऱ्यावर भक्तांच्या घरी जायला तयार असलेले बाप्पा आलेले आहेत. आज संध्याकाळी घरी येताना बाप्पांच्या मूर्तीकडे पाहू का रस्त्यावरच्या गाड्यांकडे लक्ष ठेवू असं मला झालं. मोबाईल bagpack मध्ये होता म्हणून फोटो काढता आले नाहीत. एक मूर्ती तर खुपच सुंदर आहे. बालकृष्णाच्या रूपातला बाप्पा जवळच्या मातीच्या मडक्यातून मूठभरून लोणी घेऊन खाताना भारी गोजिरवाणा दिसत होता. कृष्ण आणि गणपती ही माझी दोन आराध्य दैवतं एकाच मूर्तीत. क्या बात है! मोगेम्बो खुश हुआ :-)

Mahabharat, Star Plus, Last episode

This episode simply rocked! The scene between Krishna and Gandhari was beautifully written and beautifully picturized. I especially liked what Krishna says to her after she breaks down and apologizes for cursing that his entire clan will soon perish. He tells her - 'I am your enemy but I am your friend. I am your son as well. I cursed Ashwathama but I am the one who is experiencing his pain'. And then he adds 'Over the years I have accepted the blessings from mothers. So today I accept a mother's curse'.

I am not much given to theatrics. But it was as if the dialogue brought out the very essence of Krishna. Hats off to the person who wrote the lines! And hats off to the actor who played Krishna's role. :-)

Hussainiwala, Punjab

I had never heard of Hussainiwala before I watched the cookery show in which the participant mentioned the place. I knew that Bhagatsingh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged in the evening to make sure that there are no riots or protests. But I didn't know that there remains were cremated at this place. A memorial is erected there in their honor. The lady also mentioned that a lot of people visit the place on the days of Rakshabandhan and Bhaiyaduj with a rakhi and during Diwali with sweets. I hope I can visit the place on a Rakshabandhan or Bhaiyaduj to pay my respects.

It was a routine trip to the nearest bank branch. I had multiple errands to run on that Saturday morning so I was in a hurry. As I collected the slip for the transaction the bank employee asked me sweetly if I had any plans for investment.

'With a bank? Over my dead body!' I would have liked to tell her.
But out of politeness I added meekly 'Not for the moment'.
'We have a great product' she said, undeterred.
'Do you now? What a surprise!' I thought to myself but didn't say anything.
'----- will explain it to you' the lady smoothly handed me over to her minion. I felt sorry for that young guy. He knew and I knew that I wouldn't buy the product even if my life depended on it. But he had to carry on for the sake of his job. And I had to listen because I didn't want to be rude.
The plan turned out to be a combination of insurance and investment, as expected.
'I am not looking for any insurance' I blurted out. The guy looked momentarily taken aback. Probably he was trying to remember the counter-argument to that, if he was taught any.
'That's okay, there is the investment part'.
'Huh? Why would I want to pay for something that I don't need?' I wanted to ask him. But I held my tongue and listened.
'If you give me some time, I will be able to explain in detail' he said and I jumped up with joy. 'Sure' I said and got out of the bank as fast as my legs could carry me.
The next week the guy called me.
'Hey sorry, but I am not planning on making any investments in near future. But if I do, I will surely get in touch' it is easy to lie on phone, isn't it?

A couple of days later I ended up at another branch of the same bank for an altogether different transaction.
'Do you have any plans for the surplus amount in your account?' the guy at the counter asked and I had to try hard not to roll my eyes all the way into their sockets!

Monica Halan has written an excellent article on similar experience - A hunt for PPF that leads to toxic sales pitches

छत टपकती है उसके कच्चे घरकी
वो किसान फिर भी बारिश की दुआ मांगता है

(Forwarded)

When I read about the option of opting out of the subsidy on the LPG cylinder, I thought it was a great idea. Then I read this - How not to cut LPG subsidy.

2 great ideas for your next vacation :-)

Dinner In The Sky

The Ice Hotel

Vedanta Treatise  - A. Parthasarathy