Farming is not for the faint hearted

 We all have heard farming is not for the lazy and that it is heavy physical labor. Of course now we have equipment and tools that get it done faster and easier, but that's for the ones with deep pockets. Farming also teaches you patience and if you have even been a small time kitchen garden farmer you would know how much it breaks your heart to have a caterpillar have a meal on your green colored baby. Farmers are resilient, they'd spend a day or two sulking and then pick up the losses and probably shed a tear then start all over again. Plough again and sow the seeds again with the same passion as ever. Seeds of hope and a great harvest. Some farmers do give up due to heavy debts, but I have learnt first hand that if you aren't motivated enough to toil and see it get destroyed for nothing, farming is not for the light hearted. As I write this I am seeing my first ever crop of rice, full with grains, about to be harvested in 20 days get flattened by heavy unseasonal rains overnight. I am hopeful of some ROI and not a complete wipeout. Que sera sera, whatever will be will be. It's not up to you or me. I sowed and I will reap but Its beyond my scope to regulate taps in the heavens above.

First International Travel...Yaay!!

3rd May 2017 saw my travelling on my first international trip, although unplanned by me.
Left home at around 845 pm, reached CSIA by around 11.
A long wait of 3 hrs saw us draining our energies until around 3 am the check in starts, boarding pass, security and emigration saw me at the Mumbai duty free area by 5, we dozed in the boarding area for some time and finally started the lined up at 550.
Gulf Air 575 Mumbai to Bahrain took off on time from CSIA leaving behind the sleepy slums & my less fortunate colleagues just awaking to another hectic day at work. Minutes later and miles above the Arabian sea i entered the international airspace for the first time in my life.

Surprise!! I have been bumped to falcon flyer ... businesses class, awesome welcome drink, then a hot towel and a Date, Arabian coffee. Pleasant service and wonderful staff served me a sumptuous breakfast with proper cutlery and Crockery. By 745 my stomach was done and I settled to an in-flight movie.
After a one hour stopover in Bahrain we departed for Amman in Jordan. Again Gulf Air, however this time experiencing the economy class service

Reached QAIA by 1 local time and then post our emigration work we proceeded to a restaurant for lunch. Wonderful and much awaited food, light on the stomach. We then went to mount Nebo. Where Moses was shown the promise land before he was buried by God.
After this we checked into hotel olive and retired for the day. Good spacious rooms . Day max temperature not higher than 25. Night dips to 15.
Next day morning after an early breakfast we moved toward the Jordan River valley. Got to the Israeli border near the king Hussain bridge managed by the JDF. Borders opened at 9. We entered emigration office by 10. Post scans of baggage the busses dropped us in to Israeli border and returned to Jordan. The beautiful Isareli border and customs divisions gave us visa and we took another bus. We went first to the village of Cana, where the first miracle of turning water to wine took place.

RIP APJ Abdul Kalam

In His Time...

In His time, In His Time
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord please show me every day
As You're teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say
In Your time.

In Your time, In Your Time
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord my life to You I bring
May each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing
In Your time.

Happiest Day

17th October 2014 0630 is probably the happiest day or rather hours of my life. I have never felt so much inexplicable happy ever before. I cannot reason why and feel so greatly thankful and indebted to Yahweh God. I can never forget this experience and hope it's for ever and never ebbs.

Mumbaikar's Local

Mumbai local Trains are a part of almost every Mumbaikar.
Almost everyone who needs to commute to and from work requires to take the train as a part of the travel itinerary. It's faster that any other means of transport though it involves a lot of hassle. People travel as short as 3 km everyday and the longest as long far as Virar to Vashi. The Train travel easily could take up to 2 hours of the journey. Some even commute from Pune to Mumbai CST and some from Valsad to Dadar. 

The time spent everyday is such an extensive part of ones daily routine that it becomes a part of your life. The friendship made during this time are probably the only friends one has. Some spend this long durations by catching on some sleep, playing a hand of cards, reading a book or newspaper. These relations are so strong that they actually call themselves a group and name it on the train time and destination. Some of them sing Bhajans or simply chit chat.  Many a times small individual achievements are celebrated by having a light breakfast. During festivals like Diwali or Dusherah,  people have a party complete with decorations and snacks. On new years day such daily travelers chip in and garland the train or break a coconut as a mark of blessing.

Great Game India: Mechanics of Narendra Modi's PR agency : APCO Worl...

Came across this while reading about MH370. Since its Election time in India i think this is good food for thought.

Great Game India: Mechanics of Narendra Modi's PR agency : APCO Worl...: In this dynamic and ever-changing world, Apco Worldwide stands tall as the giant of the lobbying industry. The firm, in its own words...

 
"  The best way one can surmise the working methodology of APCO Worldwide is aptly portrayed in the Bond movie Quantum of Solace’s character Dominic Greene and his Quantum organization.

Dominic Greene : Well, look at what we did to this country. The Haitians elect a priest...who decides to raise the minimum wage...from 38 cents to $1 a day. It's not a lot, but it's enough to upset the corporations...who were here making T-shirts and running shoes. So they called us, and we facilitated a change.

General Medrano : The difference is, my country's not some flyspeck...in the middle of the Caribbean.

DG : But we've already begun destabilizing the government. We'll supply the private security. We'll pay off the right officials, and we have 26 countries...ready to officially recognize...your new Bolivian Government.

You want your country back. My organization can give it to you...

within the week.

You should know something about me and the people I work with. We deal with the left and the right, dictators or liberators. If the current president had been more agreeable, I wouldn't be talking to you. So if you decide not to sign, you'll wake up with your balls in your mouth and your willing replacement standing over you...if you doubt that, then shoot me, take that money and have a good night's sleep.  " 

Memorable Bike

This is the Last Picture with Prakash's Bullet  :(.

Félicitations Sachin

Sachin Priolkar, a colleague and good friend finally tied the knot with long time girl friend Supriya yesterday.
Sachin was introduced to me by Pradnya Shenoy- another wonderful colleague, around August-September 2010 when i had applied for an IJP at workplace. Sachin gave me insight in to the job role i had applied for which i was able to clinch it a few months later. Thereafter he has been my mentor and a person to whom i turn to for advice.He helps clear the haze around and see things in a different angle.

On occasion of your marriage Sachin, i wish you all the best for your married life along with  your spouse Supriya. May you always feel as close as you do this day. May your lives be graced with good health. May you always find happiness in your home, and may it be a refuge from the storms of life. May your love grow ever stronger as you share your lives together, and may your future be even more wonderful than you dreamed possible.

Congratulations and wish you a Happy Married Life!!

1st Anniversary

We have completed 365 days of married life....Its My wedding Anniversary!!!