A pleasant evening, a slight drizzle & lots of traffic along the By-pass road. We, the 11 roadies were heading to Aazhimaala beach, 7kms from Kovalam. By the time we reached the beach, the Sun had cleared the dark clouds from the sky. We climbed over the rocks & were searching for a nice beach to jump into the sea. After moving for about half a km, we found a nice beach.

Then there was no snailing around, everyone threw their dresses on to the beach & ran towards the sea. At first everyone were bit hesitant to venture deep & also the sea water was cold. As time flew people were hesitant to come closer to shore. Had a gala time playing in the waters. We encountered many big tides that came without any prior notice.

I got tired after playing in the waters for about a hour. I Was drying myself, then i saw Paul & Harikri digging the sand searching something. After drying, i walked towards them to know what they were searching. To my surprise they were making sand castle, then without any thinking i also joined them. But i thought of making my own castle. All others were still playing in the waters. I went for some what different structure than the usual conical castles. I decorated them with the sea-shells & about 30 mins later construction of my castle was over.
By this time all others were on the shore & were judging & commenting about our works. After giving a final touch, i stood up & had a look from a distance.

Some kind of feeling suddenly plagued into my mind. Some questions arouse in my mind: When was the last time i made a sand castle??? I think its been long!!! Oh my god!!! When i was child, i used to go to beach very ofter with my family & cousins and we used to have a great time. When was the last time i enjoyed the seas??? But now...!!!

Now the readers reaction to the above para will be: Gone are those days.

I would say a BIG NO. Its we who control our happiness & emotions. If you want to play like a 4 year old kid, just do it. Dont bother about what others would think about you. Its our life...
After all life is everything between a BREATHE-In & BREATHE-Out.

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A few snaps taken by me on my way to Family temple...

Goddess Sisters

The goddess

The mysterious tree

The Poverty

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26th Jan 2009, Karnataka police arrested 17 Shri Rama sena members in connection with attacking a pub & assaulting girls.The founder of the Shri Rama Sena, Pramod Muthalik however justified the actions of the activists while saying that they were trying to protect the women against immoral activities.

Similar attack on 31st jan 2009. Now Pramod Muthalik comes to centre stage justifying their action by stating that this was a spontaneous reaction against those girls who flouted the traditional Indian norms and levels of decency.

Feb 5th 2009, Unfazed by the outrage over its attack on a Mangalore pub, the self-styled moral brigade of the Sri Ram Sena on Thursday threatened to forcibly "marry off" couples dating in public on Valentine's Day. (Thank god!!! There wasnt any Rama Sena Marriage Bureau down here in TVM). Muthalik said that his activists would hold protests at hotels, hostels and colleges where Valentine's Day celebrations are held.

GET MARRIED FREE OF COST
Muthalik announced that he had formed five teams to go around the Bangalore city on Valentine's Day. The team members would have a video camera and also a turmeric stub. If the team member finds anyone dating, they will force them to get married . They will take the couple to the sub-registrar's office and the marriage will be solemnized.

Muthalik doesnt stop here, he termed Valentine's Day as anti-Indian culture. The Shri Ram Sena has also submitted a memorandum to the Bengalore city police commissioner in which they have sought help to ban Valentines Day.

IT'S Time for some action
Pink chaddhi campaign Campaign kicked off on 5 February 2009 to oppose the Sri Ram Sena. Most women in this country have enough curbs on their lives without a whole new franchise cashing in with their bully-boy tactics. Of course, a lot of men have joined the group as well.

Here is what they did as part of Pink Chaddhi campaign.

Action No.1
They planned to send some love to Shri Rama sena. They send them a lots of PINK CHADDIS.

Action No.2
They spread this meassage to maximum people possible, through media, face book & all kinds of sources.

Action No.3
On Valentine’s Day they did a Pub Bharo action. They asked all the people who are part of this campign to go to pub, even if they are not a pub-goer & to raise a toast (it can be juice) to Indian women. Take a photo or video, put it together and send this as well to the Sri Ram Sena.

Some more info, This campaign has not gone of to a DORMANT stage. They are getting more & more active. To know more log on to http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/. Dont keep mum lets act now or people like Muthalik will do some bloody stuffs in the name of culture, religion, community etc.

Come on guys lets join PINK CHADDI CAMPAIGN.

One more question before you leave.

Isn't beating up women, AGAINST INDIAN CULTURE???

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Operation code name: Golden Arrow

Men on Mission: Happy Nuts as THE CUPID
: Rockstar as THE PRINCE OF HEARTS

Mission day: Feb 14th the Valentine's day
Mission: To unite the Romeo & Juliet ( Due to security reasons real names have been censored)

Romeo: The close friend of Happy nuts & Rockstar.
Juliet: A good friend of Happy nuts & Sister-like for Rockstar.

History:

Romeo was in madly in love with Juliet. He did all kinds of stuffs to get her love. Within a few months they became lovers. They lived happily for next one & half years. After that both got separated as they went in different directions to pursue their dreams. Had no contact with each other. Romeo got worried & thought that she had forgotten him & gone forever. After about one year they meet and just like Karan Johar film, a colorful climax.

No guys, its not the end of the story. It was not a colorful climax, just their reunion was a colorful one. Infact interval just started. So lets get back to second half, they continued their love life. Both at different places in the map. Slowly the Romeo starts to feel that this relationship is not gone have a HAPPY ENDING, so why waste the time. He starts acting strange, their relationship starts getting worse. Here comes the entry of Ms.Flirty, the classmate of Romeo. Romeo & Ms.Flirty became very close FRIENDS. The Juliet starts suspecting Romeo. Romeo makes use of this suspicion to get rid of Juliet. But the Juliet's love was true, she never hated him. But she never lost her hope, she tried to persuade him again & again. As the days passed, situation got worsen & Romeo declared that " We are breaking up, you are on your own now, live a happy life". The Juliet was heart broken...

Mission Golden Arrow:
Heart broken Juliet seeks the help of the Romeo's friends Happy-nuts & Rockstar to persuade Romeo & to mend their broken relationship. After a few thinking & calculations Happy-Nuts comes out with a plan. They made all the arrangements & managed to make Romeo believe a lie.

Lie: Happy is going out for lunch with a special person & asks Romeo and Rockstar to accompany him. Romeo thinks Happy-Nuts has found a girl friend & he is going with her. As the Rockstar acted well, Romeo had no room for suspicion.

The V-Day or The D-Day:
After a lots of tension, heart beats & nail bitting. Both Romeo & Juliet see each other eye to eye. Romeo turns to Happy-nuts & Rockstar. His face was really red, reddish eyes & he was really angry with both Happy-Nuts & Rockstar for lying to him. After the second's needle made a few circles & few PJ's from Rockstar, the Romeo comes to stable state. Finally, both Romeo & Juliet starts to talk after a long silence. In the mean time Rockstar & Happynuts were having a nice lunch & were examining the beautiful girls sitting around in the Restaurant. After lunch, when Romeo went to wash, Happynuts & Rockstar enquired Juliet about the current stand of Romeo. She replied with a sigh, no change.

After lunch all proceeded to the Valley of Love, where Juliet's friends & Rockstar tried their best to persuade THE STONE HEARTED Romeo. But no use, finally Juliet returned to her kingdom, with a heavy heart. On the other side, Romeo had no feelings or was he hiding all his feelings???

Mission Status: Failed

Will they unite again??? Lets hope for the best.
Anyways Happy valentine's day to all...

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This picture was taken on 1st feb from Sooryakanthi ground, Kannakunhnu, Trivandrum. Rock concert of the budding band of Art of living org, Rock 'N' Soul. If you have a close look at the picture( It is advisable to click the pic to get an enlarge view) you can see some white circles.
These white circles are not any work of photo editing or due to any lighting effects.

This is an extraordinary unnatural phenomenon, even science & technology can give an explanation. Its just a miracle...


"This is a hard world to be ludicrous in, with so many human beings so reluctant to laugh, so incapable of thought, so eager to believe and snarl and hate. So many people wanted to believe me! Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile!"

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The sun was setting at the east
& the sky was red.
She was playing with the misty waves,
she the the reincarnation of sea god,
My lady love.
I called her back, i wanted to gift her something.
She came running to me.
I held out an exquisite sea shell to her,
a wide smile seemed between her dimpled cheeks.
She held it close to her heart.
Then came those beautiful words from my heart,
I said I love her.

Then I walked towards the beach,
she came from back
& asked to hold her firmly.
I felt she wanted to tell something.
I bowed down,
she whispered in my ears not to leave her ever.
I promised...
the silent sea & the setting sun witnessed it.
She was firmly holding my hands,
her golden hairs were dancing to breeze.
I kissed her chubby cheeks.
A gleam of love sparkled in her brown eyes...

Then came the evil tide,
he came from nowhere
& nabbed her from me.
I was firmly holding her hand.
My eyes met hers,
they were alluding my promise.
I fought with the evil
to rescue my lady love.
But the callous tide triumphed...

I was left alone in the blue sea with a guilty heart.
Now i walk alone
haunted by my broken promise
I walk alone...

-H@pPy NuTs

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18th Jan 2009, day started normal. Sun rised from east, birds were chirping, suprabhatam was being played in some near by temple & i woke up at 5:45 am. Got ready & reached ashram by 7.

As usual Sreelal chettan was the first to reach & as usual was yelling i reached here by 6, i m coming 30 kms away, but those who are staying near by are the ones who always come late & blah blah... within another 20 mins alomst everyone reached & we headed to Eashwara vilasom(Its the residents colony in Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum). We had a warm welcome by the executive committee of Eashwara vilasom residents association(EVRA). We waited for few others from our side & for the councilor in the meeting room/library, a car shed was converted for this purpose.

7:45 am the councilor inaugurated the function, our mission to clean the lanes of the largest residents association of tvm, comprising of 560+ houses & an awareness campaign. We entered the lanes equipped with broomsticks, pick-axes etc. We started cleaning the lanes, even the executive members were involved. We had a good back-up & motivation from colonel uncle. We started cleaning the lane no.19, just opposite Azad bakery. BY 8:30 we had our breakfast call.

We had nice idli-sambar-vada. After that we proceeded to lane no.18 & so on.
The executive members escorted us to everywhere, they made all the arrangements so that we got timely refreshments. We had good entertainment at times by Pru's PJ's, Roshan chethan's jokes & Visakh's mandhataram's which should be specially mentioned. Two other special members of EVRA who lend there helping hands were Meghna, colonel uncle's grand daughter, the beautiful young, naughty girl who followed us everywhere & did her best to help us. Second person is the Flirty president of EVRA, we had to suffer to his PJ's also...!!!

By around noon, the Asianet cable vision(ACV) news channel came for the coverage of our cleaning drive. All those who were lazying around till them, became very spontaneous & were not moving away from the camera(Lol... i m not gonna mention the names...;)). Then we had a small break at colonel uncle' house, spend some time talking & sharing his experiences & all. After that we continued our work. By around 2 we had cleaned each & every lane of EVRA. All were really tired & exhausted after the day's hard work, but all were content from what they have done.

After that we returned to ashram & proceeded to their respective places carrying a feeling, thats definitely hard to explain. Winners dont do different things, they do things differently.

Jai Guru Dev

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8th January 2009, 7 AM, at home:

Was reading the newspaper, came across the news that civil supplies minister says that there is no reason to panic we have enough stock of fruits, vegetables & all other essential commodities for the next 1 week. Hope the strike will be withdrawn soon. I thought what happens if its not withdrawn soon & stocks gets over.

1:15 pm, at a hotel in Kullathur:

I was having lunch with The pilgrim, suddenly my mobile rang. It was mom, she asked me to fill full tank petrol in Activa cos there is a shortage of petrol in the city, i took it casually and said ok. After lunch i dropped The pilgrim at home & was returning home, heavy traffic block at Kesavadasapuram. Somehow managed to tackle the traffic & crossed the Kesavadasapuram junction, i saw a huge number of cars, bikes & a big crowd infront of the petrol pump, even there were a of lot of police personnels. Out of my laziness i thought i will refill in the evening. Same scene was at pattom also. Reached home & had a nap.

6:10 pm, Pattom:

Started my activa & the indicator was pointing towards E( Less than half litre of petrol left in tank). Oh my god...!!! I must refill it now else i would have to push the Activa all the way to home. Thinking that i went to the petrol pump in pattom, not the same scene as it was in afternoon, but the density of people have increased a lot from what it was in the afternoon. I thought for a whie, there a lots of petrol pumps in the city na, so will get refilled from any one of them.

6:45 pm, Petrol pump at Althara Junction:

After visiting many petrol pumps in the city, i reached Althara junction. There was hardly any petrol left in my activa & if i didnt get the fuel from here, i have to push the vehicle from here. No way...!!! i will get the petrol from here, with this attitude i went inside. My jaws went down on seeing the long long queues of people standing with empty bottles & cans. On one side a big crowd of motorists & another side long queues of cars stretching for about a km. Another problem arise then they were giving petrols in bottles only & i dont have one. I stood there scratching my head, just then i happened to see an old friend of mine, some how with the help of that guy i got one bottle. Then i also joined the queue, just then a fight started between police & motorists. Then police dispersed the queue [people carrying the bottles] & started filling on the two-wheelers. Then another fight broke out & a new queue was formed & i was pushed back from my former position...!!!

After about 1 hour, i was still in the queue. The queue was hardly moving. The queue consisted of youngsters, auto drivers, office workers & all kinds of people. It was a nice experience waiting in the queue, i think i have never stood in such a queue for more than 10 mins. There were usual scenes of jump queues, exchange of words, small fights etc. People were really frustrated & agitated. Two wheelers were honking, people were also making sounds, passing out comments, those who got the petrol were celebrating like anything. The atmosphere was really at high energy level. At 1st they were giving people the amount of petrol they demanded, later it became Rs100, Rs80 & finally became Rs50 of petrol. At about 9, a few employees of petrol pump came & measured the stock of petrol left. Just 500 liters was left. I felt little satisfied to know that, cos i was 10th or 11th in the queue & there was cent percent chance that i would get 0.98 litres to reach back home. Finally by 9:20 i got the petrol , what a feeling it was...!!! I fled the scene as soon as possible and reached home.

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You must be wondering whats this Masakali is all about...!!! Hey guys its not any biscuit or any tropical island but its the title of a song from Delhi 6. Music by the Legend A.R. Rahman, Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra[Rang De Basanti]. Abhisekh Bachchan & Sonam Kapoor(beautiful young lady) are in the lead roles...

Let me come to the song, its a beautiful melodious song from ARR, first movie from him in 2009. The song has been pictured well in the busy walled city of Delhi, better known as Chandni Chowk. You can also see a lots of pigeons moving around in this song, which leads to another interesting thing about the song. Yeah its about the word Masakali, its the name of a pigeon. A.R.Rahman said it in an interview that this pigeon plays an important role in the movie, yeah its the Cupid's role.

Pigeon is a very cute & gorgeous bird, ofcourse every one would love to own one or see the beautiful flight of a group of pigeons. This bird has been used a symbol of peace & in olden days as a messenger. I wish i had a pigeon(as a messenger) as a substitute for the mobile...

So lets wait & see how the movie turns out. Its releasing somewhere in the mid of January. Till then Masakali... Matakali...

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First of all a Happy new year to all...

2009- The year of OX, The basic characteristic of an Ox is methodical and calm, hardworking, dependable and patient, materialistic and an ambitious character.(Says Chinese) Lets see whats in store for us in this year.

Following is a speech Given By Sri Sri Ravisankar on 31st december 2008

"The last hour of 2008. The time on this planet for us is a gift. Time is a gift to ourself. When we consider time as a gift our whole outlook towards life shifts. Like every year,2008 also has offered you many gifts. With it’s thorns it has made you strong, with its petals it has given u joy.

Any event has the good and not so good. The not so good has made you strong and realize you can handle it. Good part gives you peace and tranquility. This Last hour is good to reflect how you welcomed 08 when it came and how it swept you and swirled you and passed you on to 09.

2008 has made many rich people poor. Those who never thought they could come down from their ivory towers had to smell mud. Many who have cheated got exposed. The flaws of capitalism laid bare before our eyes in 2008, like 20 years ago, in 1989 the bubble of communism burst.

Through all this time we learned one lesson- we should never compromise on human values. Love, compassion, sense of gratefulness and vision for everyone has to dawn in our life.

2008 also saw terrorism, loss of life, Sudan, Iraq, Gaza, India had the worst ever terror attacks.

2009 we have a great responsibility to uplift the planet from the ashes of the disasters of 2008. New hope, new creation has to made.

It is easy to get swept away in a negative mode. It takes courage to move out of it. I am sure all those who are here have this capacity … And all those who are listening (and reading this) also have that capacity ..."

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