Halloween Nursery Rhyme ;)

Everyone was rushing from one place to the other
Not in a mood to talk or explain any further
Looking at the hustle bustle I wonder
Hours and hours spent on the border
Looking as who's coming and who's little later
It made me worry even if someone says - don't bother!
I kept running here and there looking for ladder
I finally managed to hide under the cloth to look like a feather
When I saw they were not the same either
I got scared and removed my feather
And they still in their costume bringing terror
Until they screamed "Happy Halloween" it brought in thunder
I wonder and wonder why they were rushing from one place to the other!!!!

~ Dawn

That train journey turned my taste ... ;)

My introduction to beef, was something when even I didn't know what it is. I remember once in a conversation when I said, I don't eat beef and my mom broke the suspense.

It seems I was 3 year old or so when my mom and my uncle who was in military were traveling from Pune to Tiruvalla in Jayanti Janata Express. This train and the journey I think I always remember because it was right from my baby time till my high school days journey to meet grandma was always fun.

But this trip I don't even know unless my mom described it to me. My mom and her brother were going to meet their dad - my grandpa who was unwell and serious. There was a passenger on the next berth a catholic christian lady who was carrying her dinner with her. As a natural human behavior in India - we share whether we know the person or not - its a mannerism to ask at least the neighbor before eating yourself. Yes, that was the India I grew up. The lady offered the dinner to my mom - don't you want to know what was the dinner? 

It was beef fry and parotta (kerala parotta) - my mom a pure vegetarian who doesn't even eat egg for that reason refused and said I don't eat and she made faces to my uncle. Yes, my mom always shows a vomiting face or as if she will vomit when we talk about beef :-) ...!

The lady offered to my uncle as military men are considered tough and eat anything and everything .. thats an assumption. After couple of refuses still the lady requested saying, you should not have any problem have it, I just made before leaving home.

My uncle couldn't refuse it and hence he took it and one by one he fed me the beef pieces. I don't remember any of this. But even before I could know anything I ate beef.

I am sure after that no one tried to feed me beef. But being in NDA, Pune luckily our neighbors used to be from Kerala and they used to be Christians. Now one think is a must to know that Kerala Beef Curry or Fry is very famous and ONLY Kerala Christians can make it so good and tasty. 

Our neighbors used to know that we don't cook beef. Though mom is vegetarian she always cooked chicken, mutton and fish for dad. Thankfully, I grew up with parents who are totally opposite in many things and hence I feel proud that I got the best of both the world. 

Dad never wanted his kids to be vegetarian like mom, because his teaching to us is no matter where you go in the world, you should not be tied up to a ritual or policy specially in the matter of food. I still remember dad feeding me fish, chicken and mutton explaining the importance of it and removing those thorns and bones away so I can enjoy the meat.

Our neighbors whenever they cooked beef, they would share it with us. I remember those Sundays very well where mom will say with a weird and ugly face, "for you guys there is beef so I am not cooking anything as I have my bitter gourd which I will eat with chappati". 

I still love remembering those conversations. The thrill it used to bring to us and I used to tell my mom, that she is losing lot of good things in life. My mom was raised that way and hence I can understand. But since my neighbors shared their cooking, I never cooked beef until I married a guy who cooks equally good beef.

Nature has its ways to provide nutrients to us whether its through plants or animals - some things should be left alone to nature.

As I resume this post, dinner is ready on the table and today it is beef fry and chappati ...the name itself making me hungry...will be back later until then let me enjoy my dinner!!!

~ Dawn

A country that was secular in thoughts once.....!!!

Sitting here in my house in Niles, looking at the mountains remembering my hometown NDA, Pune. A place where I was only taught about people, unity and love among all. There was no caste, religion or language that separated anyone. 
Parents always supported the ruling government which was then Congress. Being a child who always liked to ask questions, I often used to ask them why Congress? And the usual answer we used to get is about Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru who made all the sacrifices during Independence time frame of India. I somehow never believed all what Mahatma Gandhi said because being a visual person I used to literally think if someone hits on my cheek, I will never show my next cheek rather I will give back. Yes, even today my answer would be that.
But I do believe what Mahatma Gandhi says about people who do crime we should not hate them instead we should hate the crime and not the person. There should be always a chance given to people and everyone has that right. 
When I got my official right to vote in India I remember I was the only one in my house who voted for BJP, not because of Hinduism, but I felt there is some potential in that government, in that people and more over I felt Congress has been sitting on the ruling seat for long and there is a possibility of getting rusted and hence a change is needed.
I was very happy that the government whom I voted won the election and one started seeing the change, a good one.

I still remember my time in Toronto when the nuclear test was done in Pokharan India. The flashing news was all over next day but what was interesting to me was that the world was watching India but India's cautious and well planned strategy helped in completing this test successfully. I was very proud for this skill and smartness that the country holds. 

I had to face many questions from my fellow colleagues and friends who were non-Indian and some who were Canadian but their parents were once Pakistani. I was amazed the way Farooq was aggressive with me and I could see how much hatred he had in his eyes for me. Because I was from India and he was not happy that India did nuclear test. I could see how he was brainwashed because this guy never ever visited Pakistan then why so much of anger? 

The day was then when I used to get on with everyone who ever said negative about India. Being an independent person, I wrote the letter to the news agency who published the article calling India as a backward country where even today bullock carts and fire lamps are used. I couldn't take that insult and wrote to the agency. I believe in expression of thoughts and beliefs and its everyone's right.

Today when I see that same India, feels so sad that people who are living there have to forcibly go through all these government laid out policies... not to do this not to that and seems the country got the freedom from Britishers but not from the indifferences of caste and religion. 

Someone who is considered to be of lower caste went inside the temple and he didn't see the next days dawn or the one who got killed by the mob only because there was a rumor that he had beef. What is digital India project? Bunch of idiots will get internet access and will be connected with the world? 

People ask me who is the best leader you think? And I want to tell them that there isn't one. Out of that if Narendra Modi has got an opportunity then he shouldn't misuse and take advantage of those people who are having their faith in him. I do not have any faith but if at all he has any capability then he must bring peace, solidarity and secularism first and then once the nation is united everyone will understand the language of progressiveness...!

Its a shame to even tell such things are happening in a country which was always known for its progressiveness and intelligence of the mass. 

I can only say India is no longer that country where I happily was born and raised and grew up with independent thoughts and united people of all kinds. 

A story to tell my kids which I cannot make them witness one. 

~ Dawn

This year I will go again to see Ganpati Bappa at a new place with same old feelings ;)

Growing up as a child in National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla Pune is the best thing that can happen to any child and this is not only me saying because I was raised there but anyone who have been in Pune would vouch for this.

When I landed in Canada first and met few Indians they always said you lived in the best part of India so US or Canada is not different for you. What I remember from my childhood is about people and only people. They would be from all parts of the country who will be your neighbors for 2-3 years and then a new neighbor from new state with new language and tradition and the saga goes on.

Ganpati Bappa is one event where no matter what religion or caste you belong to, everyone is excited to see the small pandals (shrines) or the big everywhere some or the other thing is happening. Either people are decorating the pandals or the Ganpati Idol is being created there itself. Late night lights and music, which many times strict dads used to complain about as kids are not able to study, but for us who cares…while studying and revising those chemistry formulas as how to create methanol and examples of Thermodynamics, one of two beats from the dhol always made it more interesting.

Being a keralite never felt that we cannot celebrate this event. It was always that mom, what we making for this festival and then sharing it with friends and family. Every year there was a tradition of a MES (Military Engineering Services) bus loading with all NDA folks and taking them to city for Ganpati Bappa darshan and the best part is to hold my dad’s hand and walk on those busy streets to watch each Ganpati and its decorations where the lightings will dance in the tunes of the music that they played.

As I am writing this, my heartbeat has doubled the rate with excitement as someone has taken that effort to bring the same feeling to my current hometown in Bay Area and that is Praveen Suggala and Neeraj Dhar, the two pillars of our Radio Zindagi who are known for their togetherness in all efforts whether it rains or shine. Long live this togetherness and goodwill gestures!!!

A dream that one sees and another one tries to fulfill it by giving a surprise, how sweet is that bonding? Something that is not done for two people or a media company, its for the mass.

Its for the people who all can make it to Bay Area at Newpark mall from Sep 18th to 20th, 2015 – its for all. A 15 feet Ganpati Bappa murti – I don’t have to say much you can see from the picture below – how royally Bappa sits on that throne, it makes us feel proud and happy with glory.

I feel very proud to say that history has been created right here in silicon valley and I have the opportunity to be part of it. This will remain in history forever that two people came together and brought the essence of Maharashtra’s Ganpati Bappa festival all the way to Silicon Valley – a valley of opportunity for the opportunists. 

I am sure every Indian will enjoy this festival far away from home here at home and our non-Indian friends will rejoice the celebration with all their Indian friends. That’s the solidarity it brings to the valley and all I want to say is this post is dedicated for the people and for those who believe in celebrating such moments which will continue the saga generation after generation. 

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Mangal Murti Morya 

~ Dawn

Happy Birthday Accha!

A man who always taught me 
To live and enjoy the present,
Who very casually asked once -
Whats tomorrow and where is yesterday?
Nothing is constant and nothing as concrete
What is today is what you have
Enjoy the moment and forget it all.
A lesson he taught which I never forgot
My reason to smile and be happy is his advise 
Good or bad I always thank for the present
That my dad gave me stays with me all my life
A man who taught me not to worry
As worrying will waste your present too
Tomorrow if its comes, we will see it then
Live your life for your loved ones
As money you can earn anytime
Its like that dust which comes and goes
But the people whom you love
Will stay with you forever.
On his 79th birthday, I thank him
For being that guiding lamp in life
I only have one wish for him
Think of the best moment of your life
And celebrate that moment every breath of your life
As no matter where I am in life
You are always there with me!

Happy Birthday Accha!

Lets Live And Let Other's Live - even your own life is given to you by someone else - be kind!!!

What is freedom to you? Many talk about freedom and freedom of speech and sometimes they go further to talk about the free country etc. I believe the basic right to breathe in a free environment is something we all bring in as our birthright.

No matter to whom we are born, our parents also let us to grow with certain freedom and they control to some extent only to be more careful and be protective towards their kids. Yet we as a grown up try to live a life that we desired for, whether its to eat, drink or even to travel. It’s all about the freedom of choices that we love to make and we are able to make. If someone is not making these decisions for them because of financial elements etc. then its still understandable because one needs to save money and then make those dreams fulfill and live their life.

But what would you call, when you think you are bringing your better half – whether it’s a guy or a girl doesn’t matter in today’s world. All it matters is if two people irrespective of their individuality, character, likes-dislikes they should not control each other. I mean imagine the life, where a kid is controlled and disciplined to an extent that he or she is looking forward to that day when he or she will be independent and living by earning making a living out of it. The first candy that one buys of with his or her own earned money has a immense happiness and feeling of freedom and satisfaction as supposed to someone buying and allowing you to eat an expensive chocolate.

I am extremely sorry to share a story here where the person has been so much controlled and been taken to slavery that the person didn’t even feel that they are taken away of their freedom. They do not even have a freedom to eat certain food that they want to eat, drink or even do what they would love to do.

If you are not living a life that makes you happy then you are not living. No matter how much you make, how big house you own, the ultimate happiness is in living with freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to share your opinion, freedom to eat what you want to eat, and freedom to what you want to drink, freedom to breathe basically.

I am totally against women or men who try to control their better half’s to show their power or satisfy their ego – I want to tell them one thing that you are ruining your own life and the person’s and if you have a kid then the kid as well.

People have relationships and people do break off from relationships. In Indian society and some conservative thinking people do believe that it’s a crime to divorce which itself is teaching that no matter what you have, no freedom once you have tied the knot with the other person. This even sounds like a jail.

I mean every relationship doesn’t have to end up into divorce but basic rights of living every human has that right and as a man or woman of the family you must rise and shine to live a life that you got.

I am a feminist yet, I am against those women who boast about their control on their husbands. Its sad and shameful for such women to boast and feel pride in it.

But then, I also believe that the one who suffers is more at fault than the one who is making you suffer.

Being a victim knowingly is no solution and no way to live your life. I believe when you live in a free country, with freedom of speech how worth is to live if you don’t have freedom in your own house?

Wake up people, you have only one life and that too at someone else’s mercy? Shame!

Think of those people who have all their life fought for their freedom, for their rights till the end to make their point across. This is in your home, no one should control you what to do and what not to do as long as you are not harming anyone. For me if I want to drink a glass of wine, or an ice cream its my freedom of choice to make but if I am trying to have these in the middle of the night and my husband is saying its too late to have it – I understand and respect because he cares for me. But if he is saying, you cannot drink because I don’t want you to, then you need to find out what it is? Is he trying to control you? Or is he trying to impose his rules on you? End domestic torture.

"The world is already yours - why try to conquer it?"

Many of them just spend their life in the assumption that they are in control of their life actually everything is controlled by their other half. Whether two individuals earn or not, nothing controls them to live a life with basic freedom such as having vegetarian, vegan, non-vegetarian food or say, having liquor – everything has to be in moderation, even the freedom and the controlling...!!!

"Control is the inner disease of those who need stability and order to function."

~ Dawn

Let everything happen to you Beauty and terror Just keep going No feeling is final... ;)

The other day I had a chance to watch Mission Impossible in Tulare, California.

When you are out of town, mostly you think watching movie is supposed to be a task that you should do in your city.  But, I think if you have time and you are a movie lover then place doesn’t matter.

I had a chance to watch “Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation” at Galaxy Theater. Something that I had experienced in India and was surprised to see the seats with all the automatic settings for all your comfort along with the tray to keep your popcorns and eatables. I remember long time I had written an experience in India and literally felt that this is how one should enjoy movie.

I had my pleasure of the same and that too watching Tom Cruise – one of my favorites once upon a time.  Yes, when I say that his movies have always made me to like him.

This time, I was wondering how Tom Cruise would be as he crossed 50 and to tell you the truth he looks younger or rather I would say he doesn’t look older.

The movie started and I was thinking the previews are still on, as I was engrossed on the upcoming November release of James Bond.  I am a Bond fan and always watched James Bond on the first day it gets released. As I was watching the preview of James Bond, slowly the movie turned on and as soon I see Tom Cruise jumping and catching the flight… I was just glued to the screen.

Through out I enjoyed every scene of the movie as it was getting deeper in to the story. The best I loved the motorcycle chase as the chase was going on I was remembering how I used to race and I only remembered my friend Mic.

We enjoyed racing and we always discussed different techniques of the motorcycle race.

I love action movie and I loved every bit of it. If you love action then this is the one to watch.

I thoroughly enjoyed as the theater was awesome and so were the seats, I had rolled back my seat such that it was kind of laying on the bed and watching the movie. Its an experience with the thriller packed action movie – Mission Impossible – every possible way the movie was fun.

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."