Gifting a SMILE….

In a world occupied by billions, how many people manage to stay happy?? How many among the billions get a reason to smile? A world where everyday people suffer from diseases, poverty, lack of food, education and shelter, it’s difficult for them to stay happy and celebrate their life.

Someone truly said, “A little effort of ours can change someone’s life, even if it’s for a day or for some moments”, spreading happiness and gifting a smile on anyone’s face is the least we can do as humans and spread HUMANITY. One morning, I decided to take a step ahead making myself free from the shackles of selfish desires and make this world a beautiful place to stay. And with this one decision, I visited an NGO called “Aakanksha”, in Pune, which works for improving the life of few under-privileged children and believe me, that was the HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE because I gifted a smile on someone’s face, my little friends.




WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY





And, when I returned from Aakanksha, I had tears in my eyes for the simple reason, for the first time in my life I had done something for those small children in my own little ways.That one day changed my whole life, needless to mention, I understood the real meaning of “HUMANITY”. I have believed that every step that we take to help anyone, may be our friends, family or strangers at the time of their need and bring a smile on their face is a small step towards making this world a beautiful place. From that day onwards, I have visited few orphanages and old age homes in Pune and everytime I have been there, it has made me a better human being.

Now that I am going back to Pune, I am excited to meet my little friends again. Indeed, this life would have been so meaningless, if I would not have taken the decision of visiting an NGO. A life full of selfish desires and endless greed is an apathetic life and I am happy to be away from it.

So, the next time, when you wake up in the morning and suddenly something of this sort stuck your mind, don’t be late in your decision. You never know, your presence can change someone’s life.

GIFT A SMILE and TAKE A STEP TOWARDS HUMANITY!!!

BELIEVE in Yourself

A thousand failures and then one success wiping out all those failures and the bad memories associated with it. It takes nothing but courage to face those thousand failures and still stand undeterred. There will be people questioning you, doubting your abilities, laughing on your failures and demotivating you, but those moments will be the testing times for you. Patience and belief on yourself is what you need.Keep on trying, keep on working towards your goal. Let the people criticize your efforts, for their criticism will turn to praise, let them doubt you for their doubt will make you confident, let them question your identity for their questions will make them see your success as an answer. As a child, I have read a beautiful poem by an eminent poet Harivansh Rai Bacchan which I would like to post today as a dedication to the never dying spirit, courage and every little effort that we take everday to become successful. THIS IS AN ODE TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO REACH THEIR GOAL IN LIFE…WAKE UP MY FRIENDS AND BE READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY….

Lehron se Darkar nauka par nahin hoti,
koshish karne walon ki haar nahin hoti

Nanhi cheenti jab daana lekar chalti hai,
chadhti deewaron par, sau bar phisalti hai.
Man ka vishwas ragon mein saahas bharta hai,
chadhkar girna, girkar chadhna na akharta hai.
Akhir uski mehnat bekar nahin hoti,
koshish karne walon ki haar nahin hoti.

Dubkiyan sindhu mein gotakhor lagata hai,
ja ja kar khali haath lautkar aata hai
Milte nahi sahaj hi moti gehre paani mein,
badhta dugna utsah isi hairani mein.
Muthi uski khali har bar nahin hoti,
koshish karne walon ki haar nahi hoti.

Asaflta ek chunauti hai, ise sweekar karo,
kya kami reh gayi, dekho aur sudhar karo.

Jab tak na safal ho, neend chain ko tyago tum,
Sangharsh ka maidan chhodkar mat bhago tum.
Kuch kiye bina hi jai jaikar nahin hoti,
koshish karne walon ki haar nahin hoti.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

You cannot take your boat across the sea
If you are afraid of the waves,
The one who tries
Never fails.


The tiny ant carries a small grain in its mouth,
Climbs up on the wall, slips and falls a hundred times,
The determination in the mind fills your body with courage,
Then climbing up and falling down does not hurt,
Ultimately, its (the ant’s) efforts do not go waste,
The one who tries
Never fails.

The diver dives into the water of the sea,
He returns empty handed a number of times,
Not easy it is to find a pearl in the deep waters,
But this in turn doubles his enthusiasm,
His hands are not empty every time,
The one who tries
Never fails.

Failure is a challenge, accept it,
Recognise your shortcomings, rectify them.
Till you are successful, shun rest and sleep,
Never run away from the battlefield of hard work,
You cannot get praise without working for it,
The one who tries
Never fails.

I was a DONKEY…

When we sometimes say, “Tu GADHA hai(you are a donkey)..”, we literally mean it..So, like every human being, even I was a DONKEY at some point of time. A boy with no brain, no thinking capability and used to blindly follow/listen to what others say. And, the result was SUFFERING!!!So, here goes my part of story when I was a literal DONKEY.Time and again, I have proved it and that too with a vengeance :)

During my 10th Pre-test exam, I like an innocent child sitting in the bus was mugging up all the hindi proverbs, author’s name, poems and prose for my HINDI exam. When we reached school, suddenly we came to know that due to the sudden demise of Chief Minister’s death, exam has been cancelled and the day has been declared a holiday. Like all students, I was pretty happy and merry making inside the bus and thanked the Chief Minister’s soul for passing away on that auspicious day. But, unlike all students, I forgot to ask whether the next exam would be HINDI or it would be conducted last. So, for the next two days, sitting at home, I only studied HINDI (we had breaks after every exam). Studying Hindi for 4 days had made me a master of Hindi Literature and I was in a position to talk anything and everything even in my sleep. Now, the D-Day arrived, the next exam day!!

I touched my maa’s feet and promised her that I would score the highest in Hindi paper in my class and like every mom, my MAA was proud of me thinking “MERA BETA KUCH KAR DIKHAYEGA!!”. Feeling proud of my achievement, I entered the class smiling and suddenly got a shock of my life. The whole class was busy turning the pages of SCIENCE book and I was the only one who entered with my HINDI book. I felt as if an earthquake had come, my legs started shaking and my whole body trembling and tears started rolling down my eyes. Seeing me crying like a woman who has just lost her husband, banging my head on the table, all my teachers came and started consoling and motivating me. They said, “Ashutosh, you can do well!! You have 15 mins for the exam to start” and I was like, “What the F***!! 15 mins and I had to complete Physics, Chemistry and Biology!!”. But, being an optimist since the day I was born, I started preparing for my science exam. Trust me, those 3 hours of exam were like 3 ages. And, then the big moment, facing the wrath of my PAPA.

Papa: Beta, how was your hindi exam?? I am sure, you would have done well (within a smile on his face)
Donkey Myself: Today, we had SCIENCE exam

And suddenly, the expression changed and if by any chance, I was not his son, he would have killed me that day for my stupidity…

Papa: Great, no wonder you would fail in SCIENCE exam this time and that too, 10th Pretest exam….

Days passed, and the results were declared. I took the report card and approached my father..

Papa:So, how much did you score in Science exam? 10??
Donkey Myself: NO
Papa: 20?
Donkey Myself: N0
Papa:30??
Donkey Myself: No
Papa: Did you pass the Science exam??
Donkey Myself: I scored 54 out of 100….

And, then, I could see a big smile on my PAPA’s face!! Can you believe and imagine a father hugging a son for scoring 54 out of 100 in Science exam?? But, that day, this miracle happened!!! My Papa was proud to have a donkey son!!!

So, you see, the donkeys can be unpredictable too…

And, then, in one of the organizations, like every other employee, I was doing timepaas with my colleague bitching about my project manager in office communicator in one window and chatting with my project manager discussing about the release of newsletter in the other window. Taking the legacy of donkeyness ahead, the donkey in ME couldn’t have done good to myself. So, here it goes….

This is something I wrote in the chat window

” You know HE is a DOG, bloody, he has screwed my ass like anything. He thinks me as a donkey and asks me to take up the responsibilities of others. Am I a donkey?? If at all I get a chance, I will just shoot him. He is a big time ASSHOLE…”

and pressed ENTER!!!

And, then happily working, I wondered, why my friend has not replied to my innovative ways of bitching my manager. I opened a new window (since I closed the window the last time I spoke to her) and asked

Donkey Me: What happened? You didn’t reply…Do you love the manager or what?
Namrata: I didn’t receive any message
Donkey me: How can it be possible?? I just sent it to you.
Namrata: Are you sure you send it to me only??

And, when I checked, the other chat windows, BANG, I had sent that innovative message to my manager as an answer to the release of Newsletter. No wonder, my manager called me to his desk. I knew, that day was going to be my last day in HSBC.

My Manager: Was the message for me??
DONKEY Me: No. Not at all….
My Manager: AM I A DONKEY?
Donkey Me: That remains to be seen if you believe my words(thinking in my mind). Well, I was actually talking about the Professor in my college. You know, you are a nice manager, don’t you?? I mean common, you are the one from whom I have learnt a lot. How can I say bad things about you??You are an example of perfection to the whole team (HARAMKHORI at my BEST :) )

Manager (A big smile on his face): Thanks Ashutosh!! I am proud to have you in my team

No wonder, he proved me right believing me. So, as I said before, every human being was a DONKEY at some point of his life. Now, if you think, it’s a behaviour of a DONKEY to publicly accept being a donkey in the past now infront of everyone, then it remains to be seen…

“Dimaag hai khaali aur soch aadha,
papa se kiya tha maine jo wadaa,
bana na main koi doctor ya engineer
reh gaya banke sirf main GADHA!!!!

Why we LOVE our MAA???

When everyone was busy waiting for the New Year to come and embrace them, partying with friends, dancing in pubs and freaking out on roads, I was busy packing my bags. I had to catch a bus early morning to my papa’s place. So, sharp on 31st Dec, 10 pm, I closed my eyes and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning at 5 in the morning, I was shocked to see an array of messages and missed calls on my mobile. Well, not bothering much,I boarded the bus.

When I got down from the bus and started walking towards my papa’s place (he is currently posted in a very small town in Chittoor district), I saw an angel standing on the balcony with a smile on her face. There is an aura in her face, an angel whom I have been seeing since my birth. Neither with a magic wand nor with feathers, this angel is very much like us. I climbed the steps, approached towards her, and touched her feet. Seeing a smile on her face was enough for me to rejoice. Yes, I was in a mood to celebrate my new year with the angel. Undoubtedly, my day has begun with a special person, and I was sure that having seen her in the morning will surely make this year a memorable one. Needless to say, the ANGEL is my MAA.

If there’s one reason for me to live in this world, then it’s surely is my MAA who teaches me to be a better human being with every passing day. Life would have been really difficult if she would not have been with me constantly driving me to do good everyday. My MAA has taught me few lessons in my life which I would like to share with you all in my first post in this new year:

1. People die, if anything remains after death, is their words. Not everyone is capable to help the people who are suffering, but the only way we can make a difference in their lives is through our words. We should never hurt anyone with our words for soulful words can bring a smile on others face. You can be a leader, an inspiration, a guiding force, a mentor…only through your words……

2. EGO can never be an answer to any constructive relationship. A humbled life is a life worth living. That’s probably the reason behind the humbled attitude of great people. A life with baggage full of egos is a life filled with loneliness.

3. There is a time in everyone’s life because of some incident, people stop believing in GOD. But, my MAA says, “That’s the time when your faith in GOD should be stronger“. Everything happens for a reason, may be we are not able to visualize the good while suffering but definitely there is some good stored for us in the future. Every single suffering that we undergo makes us stronger and help us becoming a better human being.

4. It’s difficult but always try to be happy. In a life, where every second people suffer due to some or the other reason and sometimes have to face a cruel destiny, it’s very necessary to be happy with what we have and live those small moments which brings happiness in our lives rather than constantly cursing our destiny. In a race to become successful, we sometimes forget humanity. Humanity is all about loving people around us and spreading happiness in their lives and it is only possible when we are happy with ourselves.

5. Respect is the greatest thing that we can achieve in our life. Not every human being is born with a silver spoon or build a million dollar fortune in their life, but one thing which every single human being can earn is RESPECT and truly RESPECT is something which cannot be commanded. It only comes the way we live our lives and the way we behave with others everyday.

Someone have truly said, that GOD cannot be everywhere, that’s why he created “MOTHER”. If ever you have hurt your parents knowingly or unknowingly, make it a point to apologize to them later. Their tears can awfully spell doom in your lives. Trust me, a mother’s blessings and prayers can do wonders in their children lives.

Feel blessed if your mother is besides you, the way I am. She is the one who makes all sacrifices throughout her life to make you a better human being and give you a life worth living, isn’t it our duty to make her happy in the smallest possible ways we can in her times of need??

For your EYES Only!!!

Your eyes speaks thousand words, those sparkling eyes have a lot to tell. Sometimes when lips are sealed and words fail, it’s your eyes which emotes and it emotes beautifully…




And, sometimes, your eyes just plays with mine, a constant hide and seek between our eyes. There’s a never ending thirst in your eyes, an endless search for me..




And, then your eyes reveals a mystery!! Those mysterious, scorned looks makes me feel your pain. Your eyes narrates the pain of being stranded in a loney journey, those deserted looks makes me wonder your apathy!!!



And, sometimes, your eyes makes me feel on TOP of the WORLD. Your eyes gives me the feeling of a victory!! Indeed, you have the most beautiful eyes in the world…



Sometimes, your eyes have been an inspiration!!! Your eyes reveals all the wordly woes of life!! Your eyes makes me realize the worth of GIVING!! Without your eyes, I would have never understood what it means to be with the people who are not the blessed ones!!!



And, then seeing those tears in your eyes, my heart sinks. Some pain pricks you day and night and that brings those pearls flow from your eyes, trust me, those pearls are precious to me



If BEAUTY lies in the EYES of the beholder, then your EYES makes me beautiful. If ever I adorn myself with all my glory, then it’s for your EYES only to see!! it’s your EYES which makes my world beautiful…



Every morning when I wake up and open my eyes to see you sleeping with your eyes closed, my eyes glitters!! There’s a sense of belongingness in your eyes…and truly, IT JUST TAKES ONE LOOK and I AM blinded BY YOUR EYES!!

My Tryst with FAILURE

I still remember the joy of getting a job in one of the biggest brands of the world after completing my MBA. I could visualize a picture perfect career and a picture perfect life. Staying and working in a city like Pune, that too in such a big company was a dream come true for me. 3rd July 2006 was the D-Day for me, when I took those baby steps inside the organization to build a strong foundation for my career.Right from the first day, I knew where I had to go and once I reach, nothing can deter me to stop and achieve success.

Right from day one, I put my blood and soul to my work, took initiatives for the team which perhaps no one would have taken in that team before, took part in major organizational initiatives, yes, I was one of those few people who managed to maintain good relations with all the BU Heads and even with the CEO of the company, constantly giving my feedback and involving myself in those initiatives. 1 year passed and because of my good work and my relations with the BU Heads and most of the senior managers, I was nearing to my goal, joining the most prestigious group of the organization. Yes, even the BU Head showed interest to hire me because he could see potentital in me to make it big. After nearly 1.5 years, my manager came to know about it that the BU Head of the other group is interested to take me in his team and by then, I could see the fruit of my hard work.

But things were not so simple as I thought. My manager probably had other things in his mind. My transition process to the other group started. I was introduced to the client, briefed on my roll, my VISA process started for UK Travel for 6 months and the joining date was given to me (14th August 2007). I was so happy seeing my dreams coming true. I was on the seventh heaven, feeling ecstatic of my success. The day I was about to shift to the group, my manager wrote a mail with just one line to the BU Head “Since the day, Ashutosh have heard that he is shifting to the other group, he has stopped working for my team and taking initiatives” which was so untrue. A team for which I had given my blood and soul, made sure to achieve more than 100% customer satisfaction, how could my manager do this to me?? Suddenly, my process got stopped. Things went haywire. Suddenly, I was so helpless, all my career dreams got shattered, I was in the midst of nowhere. I was stranded alone on a journey which had no destination. The FAILURE was so deep that till now, it has left ugly scars on my career. Yes, it was a humiliation for me, a defeat to my hard work and confidence. I had no option but left the organization after 2 months. Since then, I am leading a nomadic life in search of success, but everytime I had a rendezvous with failure. After leaving job, I went to Mumbai, joined a very small firm, but then I was asked to leave after 5 months. I was one of those first victims of world recession.

And, then I again shifted to Pune to work for a mid sized organization, but then, my destiny seems not to favour me, since it was a major automobile and manufacturing concern and things were not so good in the Automotive and Manufacturing scenario, I again had to leave Pune and finally I am here in Chennai. I still don’t know where am I heading, but sometimes I feel, had I got a chance to work for my dream group in my first organization, things would have been so good. Like every other young guy who join their first organization with aspirations in their mind and see it getting successful, I was not one of them.

Last 4 years, I am roaming, here and there with a hope to meet success someday. But, failures seems to be a part and parcel of my life. A nightmare which never seems to end, haunts me till now and perhaps, will continue to haunt till I die. This is one failure which I can never wipe it off from my life!!!

The Eyes that YEARN(Nayan Tarse)-Story- FINAL PART

31st December 2008 10 am, Tuhin's House

Tuhin lying on his bed and doing some sketches of Tretya. Suddenly, someone from behind comes and close his eyes. There is a smile on Tuhin's face :) and he is ecstatic that the day has come when he can say all his feelings to her...

Tuhin: Great to see you here, Tretya
Tretya: This is not fair, everytime, you recognize me...even if your eyes are closed
Tuhin: I don't need eyes to recognize you...You are one whom I know since childhood. We have shared almost everything, our successes, failures, joys and sorrows...
Tretya:Seems as if it's yesterday...

Tuhin gets up from his bed and hides the sketches behind his back.......

Tretya: That's why I wanted to share the biggest moment of my life with you. I have a SURPRISE for you!!
Tuhin: Well, well..even I have a SURPRISE for you!!
Tretya: Okay, let's close our eyes and say together that we have been waiting to say....
Tuhin: Okay, 1, 2, 3 GO....
Tretya: I love TAPISH Tuhin: I love YOU

Suddenly, both of them open their eyes in a shock!!! There's tears in Tuhin's eyes and the sketches that he was hiding from Tretya are lying on the floor. Tretya can't believe her eyes that Tuhin loves her because she considers him as her one of the great friends....

Tretya: I am sorry Tuhin, didn't know that you....
Tuhin: No, it's OK. I am happy because you are happy. Hey, I am a cool guy, why am I crying??

Saying this, he wipes off his tears...

Tuhin: I am happy...very happy. And, this is not fair, when are you introducing me to TAPISH?? I am such an idiot..You are one of my best friends. We are so different from each other, I am an idiot..I am sure, since you have chosen Tapish, he must be a perfect man. You always looked for perfection!! You tried to so hard to bring a perfection in me, but I always turned out to be a carefree....
Tretya: Tuhin, I know, when you are emotional, you talk a LOT....I am sorry TUHIN.....

Tuhin: I want to be alone...Can I meet you later??
Tretya: Yeah Sure..Take care TUHIN...(saying this, she leaves)

31st December 2008, Lucknow University, 11:30 am

Inside the college campus, somewhere on a bench, sitting alone, Trishna is waiting for TUHIN to come...

Suddenly, Tuhin comes from back and puts his hand on Trishna's back...Trishna turns and shocked to see tears in Tuhin's eyes...

Trishna:What happened??

Tuhin hugs Trishna and breaks down....

Tuhin: My first love remained incomplete....She loves someone else.....Treyta is not mine...

Listening this, Trishna couldn't help but speechless..There's tears in her eyes....

And, someone else sees Tuhin hugging Trishna. He cannot believe his eyes that the only lady whom he loves is in somebody else's arms. He is fiery, angry and in a mood of revenge. He cannot take INFIDELITY as an answer.Everything is upside down for him. He has only one thought in his mind, "If Trishna can't be HIS, she cannot be anyone else's LOVE"...He leaves the place...

Trishna: Tuhin, just be calm. It's not necessary that the person we love should also love us...If we have loved any person truly, then we should be happy for him/her.

31st December 2008, 5pm

Phone rings....

Trishna: Hello

Tapish: Tapish here..

Trishna: Long time...How are you?? I came to know about your father's sudden demise..sorry about that..good to hear you..
Tapish: There are lot of things because of which we feel sorry!! Even, I am sorry for something. But, you know, somethings happens for good. I am organizing a small party at HOTEL PASSION tonight to celebrate my success and want you to be there..
Trishna:Tapish, I am sorry, but I am really not well and I don't think, I will be able to make it..
Tapish: We are talking to each other after almost 3 months, I have been through HELL in those 3 months. Can't you come for sometime to be with me and celebrate my success..
Trishna:Okay, I will be there!!

Tapish hangs on!! Takes out the revolver from his drawer...
Tapish to HIMSELF: Don't worry Trishna, I will not make you feel SORRY henceforth.....

31st December,2008 HOTEL PASSION, 11:30 pm

Everyone is having a good time at the party. Trishna is standing alone in a corner. Tretya and Tuhin are standing together. Tretya waiting for TAPISH to come so that she can tell her feelings to him and introduce TUHIN to TAPISH...

There's a song playing....

"AAJ KI RAAT, HONA HAI KYA, KHONA HAI KYA, PAANA HAI KYA" (DON)

Suddenly, TAPISH enters the hall, approach towards Trishna, hold her hand and drags her...Trishna tried to free herself from his clutches but helpless. She tries to revolt but by the time she can do that, Tapish forcefully takes her towards the lift. Tretya and Tuhin notices Tapish dragging Trishna and follows him...

31st December,2008 HOTEL PASSION,Room No. 301 11:45 pm

Tapish along with Trishna enters the room and TAPISH takes out his revolver.

Trishna: What are you doing, TAPISH?? Are you mad??
Tapish: Yes, I am MAD. I loved you, yes, I loved you..but you betrayed me.
Trishna: What are you saying? Leave me..or else I will shout..
Tapish: HAHAHA...who will listen to you?? Everyone is busy enjoying for new year..there's loud music..no one can hear you...
Trishna tries to get up and goes near the door but is stopped by TAPISH...
Tapish: How can you even think of loving some other guy in my absence? I cannot see you going to someone else leaving me. I will KILL you and myself...

Suddenly, Tuhin bangs the door open and enters the room with Tretya...

Tuhin: Stop man...Put that gun down...
Tapish: OHH, so, Trishna, you have brought your lover with you in the party...
Tretya: Tapish!!! Don't take any bold step in anger..put that gun down...
Tapish: Who the HELL are you?? I am in LOVE with TRISHNA..And, I cannot see her loving someone else...
Tuhin: You are mad..and suddenly, Tuhin approaches Tapish and there is a tussle...there is a gun shot...

Trishna: (shouts) TUHIN!!

As soon as she approach towards TUHIN..running....there's another gun-shot...

Trishna falls on the ground...

Seeing all this happening, Tretya tries to snatch the revolver from TAPISH....

TAPISH: Leave me Tretya...
Tretya: You are a killer!!! I am not going to leave you...Give that gun to me...

Tapish: F*** Off!!! And, Tapish pushes Tretya on the ground....and fires a gun-shot on her too.....

Tuhin is unconscious lying on the bed, Tretya lying on the ground with blood oozing out from her body and Trishna screaming with pain. Suddenly, Tapish realizes that he has actually killed TRISHNA....Trishna's eyes are full with tears and she is gasping for breath....Tapish run towards Trishna and hold her in his arms...

Tapish: I am sorry TRISHNA....forgive me...I had become mad seeing you in Tuhin's arms..I couldn't see the sight

Trishna: Yes, you are true that I love Tuhin but Tuhin loves Tretya...and, Tretya loves YOU!!! It's unfortunate that though everyone loved each other, whatever remained in the END is only HATE!!

Tapish is shocked to hear this..He cannot believe his ears... Police enters the room and asks Tapish to surrender...

Suddenly, THERE's ANOTHER GUNSHOT from Tapish's revolver.....