Introspection.........

We were discussing the other day on the subject "why do we people change from what we were, to what we are.....?". Is it the people around us, the circumstances, the success in lives........what is it, that makes us change to what we have made ourselves to be.

If we change based on external factors........then, are we really ourselves ?

Why do we harbour feelings like jealousy, hatred and heart burn against other fellow beings or our own blood. Why do we enjoy when some one else suffer, deriving sadistic pleasure out of others misery, with a smile in our hearts and sorrow on the face of it.

Countdown

just 4 more days to go......I now have butterflies in my stomach, eager with anticipation and expectations. This should work out to be the most wonderful outing and I am going ga-ga with excitement.

The gang is however worried of the unknown, with fears of reptiles and what not. Neetu and Divya are worried sick. They had their fears put on the back burner all this time, because of the kids exams, and now that the exams are coming to an end, their focus is now on the UNKNOWN. The fear of the unknown. I am confident that they would need a coaxing, convincing and confusing to pull them out in the open.

Bandipur / Madhumalai - Others, ready or not, here I come........

GP's School / others

Yesterday, we have been to GP's school for the parent teacher meet. The teacher is happy with his performance and his handwriting needs a bit of improvement. He is just 3 years, after all. How better can it be...? He is going to make his first speech at school on this Wednesday and runs as below:

"Good Morning, Madam, Teachers and my dear friends. I am Guruprasad, LKG, Section B. I will tell you Chubby Cheeks Rhyme...."....We need to see how it goes about...?

See the photograph of GP after his glass of milk at school with his moustache. As we happened to be there yesterday, got this opportunity to click. (Nokia 6681, 1.3 MP, No flash)

Talking of schools, it's a shame that students of the Narayana College have been hit the hardest with the collapse of the parapet wall and the death of a few kids and several more serious. Again, the machinery will take its own time, course and ultimately nobody will be held responsible or accountable. It was gross negligence on the part of the management. It will be a serious loss to the parents and I pray god that the children admitted in the hospital, have a speedy recovery. My condolences to the parents who lost their children.

Finally, Pakistan gets a taste of its own medicine. The blasts at the Marriot hotel have proved beyond doubt that, "YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW". So much for encouraging terrorism at all fronts. I hope the Pakistanis learn a lesson, along with Mr. George Bush, President of USA for his remarks favoring Pakistan. It is only now that they have turned a bit Anti-Pak.

Cheers....It's Bandipur finally. I get the holiday, I have been desiring to have. Can't wait until 30th of this month.

Comment my pics

This photo of my son (Guru Prasad) just happened and my cousin (Ranjit Rao- he is a great photographer - while I term myself "AMATUER", I consider him a "SERIOUS HOBBYIST, graduating towards being a ACE PHOTOGRAPHER"), says, "it is the effect of the light, the prop (staircase) and the angle that just happened". The photo is shot from my mobile (Nokia 6681 - 1.3 MP)


This photo was at the Nehru Zoological Park, when the kids wanted to see the Tigers. The Tigers were in a playful mood and the zoom was in place on the camera at the right time. The white tiger population is growing gradually in the zoo. Atleast they are doing well in captivity, have they been in the wild, ........... This photo was shot with the Canon Rebel XT and the lens was 70 - 300 Sigma from a distance of 60 feet.



This photo does not look so great in this version, even when I enlarge it despite the camera being 8.2 MP. I wonder why ? Any ideas, how to avoid it ?

In truth, my wife & son are running towards me and the sprinkler was turned. The guy in the rear is my bro-in-law (Satish) carrying his daughter (Sheetal - you can see her birthday pic elsewhere) and the girl in the pink dress is Madhumita, his eldest. The water drops were captured very well. Them and the droplets were clear, the trees and shelter were blurred to create a wonderful effect. (Shot with Canon Rebel XT with 18 - 35 mm lens).

Change in the plans........!!!!

Eeeks.......change in the plans and that's got me upset. Seriously, this is not correct at all. I mean, we should have still continued to Bandipur and planned for Jaipur later. The tickets, transport and accomodation is all done, and suddenly CHANGE.

It's not just the change that's got me upset. It's Bandipur / Madhumalai which I have been eagerly looking forward to.

Nope....I don't like being emotionally blackmailed. Yeah, I think Divya should grow up. A wild life excursion is definitely something to look forward to than Jaipur. Okay, I admit, I know nothing of Jaipur and Mount Abu, sure, I can dig up tonnes of info on the net, but changes at this stage is not for my type.

Okay, let us see what the deviation has in store and what we can look forward to, but let me most importantly, ENJOY myself.

A day after the blasts

The photos of the blast victims were gut wrenching. The pain, agony and suffering is traumatic. The images shall haunt the sane for several days to come. This is a result of the inefficiency and incompetent attitude of our political leaders, who can never arise out of their slumber. They shall be prompt in announcing ex-gratia and visits to the hospitals, photo sessions with the victims.

Do not expect any positive action from these politicians. They are birds of a flock irrespective of their political parties, agendas, promises and assurances.

Our country needs a tough decision maker to enforce proper accountability amongst all quarters. We are such a large country with such large population (next to China) and we are unable to tap the human resources in a positive way. This is only because of our petty level of thoughts and ulterior motives.

Do we just have to throw up our hands and say "GOD SAVE US".....?

Blasts

It hurts, pains and my heart bleeds, when this sort of news of bomb blasts rips the very thread of national integrity. This is my country and it is being shattered, torn to pieces and being screwed.

Beyond it, is the pain which I feel, because of the inaction, dis-interest, couldn't careless attitude and the crocodile tears shed by our great politicians. Why can't our politicians learn a lesson or two from countries like Israel and the USA? None dare lift an eye at them because their policy is very clear....an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

We should change our policy to some thing more aggressive. Like both eyes for an eye, all teeth for a tooth. Only then our enemies will learn to keep off. It is known well and clearly is the hand of Pakistan, behind these blasts and they support these militants in all quarters - arms, logistics, finance and what not. None of our politicians have the balls and the courage to face them despite repeated kicks in our groins. Yeah, what do they have to lose.....it is not their kin, their parents or children. Oh...yes, when one of those politicians daughter is kidnapped, they are eager to release the terrorist captured by our Armed services, just to please a handful. I abhor this attitude.

Why are we not treate equal....? Are we not paying taxes regularly, respect and abide the law. Those politicians on other hand enjoy special coverage when they move out. We the public is made to wait endlessly at the cost of our petrol, time, money and energy.

Yet we say, we have a government which is FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE......how sarcastic.....how shameful.

Sheetal's B'day Party

The party last night was an absolute washout. The restaurant SUCKS and the food YUCK....Do not try this place above Crystal Bar and Restaurant at RTC X Roads, even if they offer to pay you. It's to be avoided like plague.

I did not prefer to venture far from Satish's place because of his leg. This guy seems to be jinxed, gets hit on his left knee time and again. He does not understand the importance of getting a thorough check up done and does not take advices either. The pain and discomfort can be tolerated now, but as he puts on age....he will face the music then.

Wanna see the birthday girl........? I should have carried my canon. Remembered at the Nth minute, but did not want to ask Satish. He should have had let me have his camera himself. Thoughtless, atleast I shall ensure to click a minimum of 5 pics a day of my family everyday. You can't get these moments later.

Tomorrow is the Ganesh Nimajjanam. The lord shall be seen off and once again we wait for his arrival eagerly next year. In my opinion POP should be banned and only clay should be used to make the idol of the lord for an eco-friendly Ganesha. As such thre are no fishes in the Hussain Sagar lake, thanks to zero level of dissolved oxygen and now add the chemicals as well. The authorities do not bother to clean the tank....never did....not now and never will.

CITIBANK, or is it SHITTY BANK.....he he he

Got this song stuck in my head since morning...........b'cos I love you.....Shakin Stevens. you wanna hear...........?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrEishGQr3g

Upcoming trip

I am just waiting for the end of this month. With the upcoming trip to Bandipur / Madhumalai forest, it is a long dream come true. Had been planning for quite some time (Six years to be precise), it has now materialised. The dampner has been D all this time.

Got my Camera cleaned and all ready. Just need to pick up extra cassettes for the Handy cam. I am certain that it will be a good trip.

It's been raining a lot with the depression in Bay of Bengal. Trust it will continue for another couple of days. Praying that it will not disturb the vacation. The party in the evening (its Sheetal's birthday today) will also have to be trimmed down I suppose. Tomorrow shall post a few pics of the birthday girl.