tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239801622023-11-16T16:16:21.827+05:30Just A MinuteWhere emotions start flowing in just a minute!Nelton D'Souzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004404908664684411noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23980162.post-68988353627496191172015-02-10T20:50:00.000+05:302015-03-06T20:50:49.861+05:30Why Delhi was lost!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The universe has a very unique way of maintaining an equilibrium, and we as small puppets in this vast expanse should at best avoid from disturbing this balance.</div>
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From one allegation after another, many <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.bjp.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Bharatiya Janata Party">BJP</a> spokespeople, including our very great PM and another who's best only at laughing at anything on a very popular comedy show, rode the streets of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.61,77.23&spn=0.1,0.1&q=28.61,77.23%20(Delhi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Delhi">Delhi</a> to enlighten people on the ills of its ex-CM. Little did they realize that while doing so they forgot to enlighten themselves with a proper manifesto.</div>
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For all the mudslinging and defining others as Baazaaru, they won, but just the small fry; which, is worth mentioning, is peanuts and doesn't even qualify to stake claim as the leader of the opposition. More importantly, they lost, with such deafening thunder, that it shook the very pillars of 7 RCR. Once upon a time there was a wave, but it's the tsunami that has made the headlines.</div>
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Hence, proving once again, that you shouldn't do unto others what you wouldn't want others to do unto you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLmcGOZ9rfr-PZ-wEPn-Rgwl3vE2YaCxYBhjSCL5IXJcR6bOrvkYd6wZl7jFApKPIklTv13y9LPtxturEcKetp0oNufIev3ZBaCk14rD5aXQrePewuwg33eHzjtB2TEmPAM3LZA/s1600/God+Is+A+Gamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLmcGOZ9rfr-PZ-wEPn-Rgwl3vE2YaCxYBhjSCL5IXJcR6bOrvkYd6wZl7jFApKPIklTv13y9LPtxturEcKetp0oNufIev3ZBaCk14rD5aXQrePewuwg33eHzjtB2TEmPAM3LZA/s1600/God+Is+A+Gamer.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> God Is A <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gamerthemovie.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Gamer (film)">Gamer</a></div>
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<b>Author:</b> Ravi Subramanian</div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Thriller/Fiction</div>
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<b>Number of pages:</b> 324</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.penguin.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Penguin Books">Penguin Books India</a></div>
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<b><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="International Standard Book Number">ISBN-10</a>:</b> 0143421395</div>
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<b>ISBN-13:</b> 978-0143421399</div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ravisubramanian.in/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Ravi Subramanian">Ravi Subramanian</a> always brings to my mind <a class="zem_slink" href="http://abbasite.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="ABBA">ABBA's</a> famous number which goes like this, "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.last.fm/music/ABBA/Money%252C%2BMoney%252C%2BMoney" rel="lastfm" target="_blank" title="Money, Money, Money">Money, money, money</a>; Must be funny; In the rich man's world." It's this lure of money and the power that comes with it that makes the tales told by Ravi intriguing and engrossing, often leaving the reader at the edge of his/her seat wanting more.</div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="God">God</a> Is A Gamer, much like his previous four titles is based on the backdrop of banks and all that's associated with it. In this latest edition he taps on the mysterious new form of currency that took everyone by storm early this year, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bitcoin">Bitcoins</a>. Being a banker himself, Ravi has been able to explain the finer nuances of how this currency works and its pitfalls, however maintaining the simplistic language making it understandable.<br />
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Much has gone into research while writing this book, including bitcoins, online gaming, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_Transfer_Mode" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Asynchronous Transfer Mode">ATM</a> heists and online advertising. To take the suspense further Ravi has also introduced a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Old Style and New Style dates">new style</a> of writing, unlike his previous linear way of writing. Much like a Dan Brown the reader is given two to three page snippets of things happening across the world at the same time. Though this style of writing keeps the reader on tenterhooks but, unfortunately, forces him/her to keep track of every action till the end where it all comes together. The number of characters also is a challenge, some of which get lost along the way while the rest are killed one after another similar to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Song-Fire-Book/dp/0553103547%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Djuami-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0553103547" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)">the Game of Thrones</a> but minus the pity or sympathy one feels for the loss. Another inspiration is taken from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhoom_3" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Dhoom 3">Dhoom 3</a>. The Author makes the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.894465,-77.024503&spn=0.01,0.01&q=38.894465,-77.024503%20(Federal%20Bureau%20of%20Investigation)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Federal Bureau of Investigation">FBI</a> appear like retards kidnapping people for their investigation, arresting people without evidence & even being to lazy to question theories. Towards the end, however, it appeared as though the author was in a rush to finish the book – the last chapter seems to be written hurriedly, almost in bullet points-like sentences.<br />
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Another thing about the characters, that is if you have read all of Ravi's books, is their names. The characters in God Is A Gamer share their names with his previous book 'If God Was A Banker'. These characters in addition to a few new ones introduced rule the roost in this book. Of which some have not been described described vividly, while some have been underplayed. I missed the heroic Aditya and smart Sundeep. And still haven't understood the need for killing Swami. </div>
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However, in this world of conspiracy, money, power and the race to either save oneself or to the top this book is a good read and money's worth. I would have loved if to take the point further it could be purchased using Bitcoins :) </div>
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If you have some time and are looking for a new age thriller in the field of finance give 'God Is A Gamer' a try. Compared to Amazon, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.infibeam.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Infibeam">Infibeam</a> and Ebay, the cheapest I could find it was on <a href="http://fkrt.it/jGRAPNNN" target="_blank">Flipkart</a>. </div>
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More about Ravi: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Subramanian">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Subramanian</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Disclaimer:</u></b> This is a post in jest listing the things that I, as a Christian am accustomed to. It </span><span style="background-color: white;">is neither to promote a particular faith nor to condemn another. Now since we are clear </span><span style="background-color: white;">I shall now kiss my bride :).</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Non-veg on certain days, veg on the other</span></div>
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My non-Christians friends, Hindu’s in particular, follow a regimen where they are vegetarians on most days of the week and non-vegetarians on the unlucky few that are left. While I understand that it’s done in honour of a particular <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="God">God</a> among the 33 crore Gods, who have among themselves amicably settled for a day of the week each, it’s a challenge to plan a meal together as not only the restaurant and time matter, the day of the week does too. It also means that weekend plans involving chicken do not work. Wednesday, whether one likes it or not, is the best day to be a carnivore. </div>
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Even during festivals the logic is different. For Christians, festivals are a time to celebrate and feast on the fattened calf. But the common trend in non-Christian families is the opposite. While we indulge in the best of meat and seafood, my non-Christian friends are strictly vegans.<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A fast is a fast</span></div>
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Though this point is debatable it’s worth a mention. A fast is a fast. It’s not a diet or abstinence. And there is nothing like a hard-fast and a soft-fast.</div>
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While on a fast, which is supposed to be not eating a grain of food or drinking a sip of liquid for a specified period of time, people gulp down juices, eat chips and eat fruits like as if they are on a diet plan. And in all seriousness, this in no way is a fast. If it is, it’s demeaning to all those who seriously keep it. Calling it a fast is like being cat that closes its eyes while drinking milk and thinking that since it can’t see anyone no one can see it.</div>
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Instead of calling this so-called-fast a fast, I would prefer it being called abstinence from lunch or dinner. That would be more appropriate. </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Silence in places of worship and religious ceremonies</span></div>
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The silence in a church fascinates me. No matter the commotion outside, a chaotic mind can be brought to rest only with and in silence. But the bell in a temple, with some over-enthusiastic people having no intention of stopping unless they have rung it a hundred times, makes me wonder if God has fallen asleep and ringing the bell is the only way of awakening Him.</div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Diwali">Diwali</a> is the festival of lights, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Holi">Holi</a> is the festival of colours, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturthi" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ganesh Chaturthi">Ganesh Chaturthi</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Puja" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Durga Puja">Durga Puja</a> are to venerate <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ganesha">Lord Ganesh</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Durga">Goddess Durga</a> respectively. Even though the purposes are clear there isn't a need for noise and irrelevant <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Bollywood" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Music of Bollywood">Bollywood music</a> to be a part of this. I don't think it’s right to use festivals as an opportunity where we can compensate for our lack of entertainment. I have no doubt that Lord Ganesh, with His big ears, is able to listen to the prayers that we whisper; and probably wonders what we are up to with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bollywood">Bollywood</a> item numbers blaring from speakers placed so close to His ears.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Wedding based on kundali’s and mahurat</span></div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Marriage">Marriages</a> are made in heaven. Then why should man come in between two people brought together by God? Isn't it surprising, that we being children of the 21st century still look up to the position of the stars and planets to choose a suitable life partner and to decide an auspicious time to get married, both of which do not hold any guarantee of a long and happy married life?</div>
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Going by the mahurat (auspicious time) some are fortunate in having their wedding during the day; but those that are unfortunate have to stay awake till early dawn to commence the rituals of formalizing their bond together. With our big fat weddings being such a harrowing process where the bride and groom are too exhausted even to smile, this odd timing to get married is something thankfully I don’t have to get into.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Wedding attire</span></div>
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Last but not the least; I’m sure every girl out there would love wearing a white flowing bridal dress and walk down the aisle. And every guy would love to officially kiss his newly-wed wife in public at the command of the priest “You may now kiss the bride”. I’m happy I would be able to do it. Sorry my non-Christian friends :)</div>
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<b>Related:</b> <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/09/religion-created-by-god-or-created-by.html" target="_blank">Religion - Created By God or Created By Man?</a></div>
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<i>In 2002, a few days before the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="FIFA World Cup">FIFA World Cup</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Association football">football</a> frenzy could reach its peak in my tiny little state of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=15.563,73.818&spn=1.0,1.0&q=15.563,73.818%20(Goa)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Goa">Goa</a>, my father, frustrated by the picture quality of the TV at home set his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Mind">mind</a> on purchasing a brand new one. Very impressed by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.break.com/c/pop-culture-videos/tv/commercials/" rel="break" target="_blank" title="Commercials">advertisement</a> on a local tabloid of a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lgcorp.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="LG Corp">LG</a> make which was shaped like a football, he sought details and thought of how he could fit it in our budgeted monthly <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Cost">expenditure</a>. He had a plan in mind but only needed a plan to execute the plan.</i></div>
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<i>Still undecided, we broke for rosary, our <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Prayer">daily prayers</a>.</i></div>
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<i>In 2014, a few days before the FIFA World Cup and the football frenzy could reach its peak in my tiny little state of Goa, my father, frustrated by the picture quality of the TV at home set his mind on purchasing a brand new one. Very impressed by the advertisement on a local tabloid of the latest line of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bravia_%28brand%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bravia (brand)">Sony Bravia</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lg.com/us/led-tvs" rel="lghe" target="_blank" title="LED TV & 3D LED TVs">LED TV</a>’s, asked me to procure the details. After pondering over the information I furnished him with, he thought of how he could fit it in our budgeted monthly expenditure. He had a plan in mind but only needed a plan to execute the plan.</i></div>
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<i>Still undecided, we broke for rosary, our daily prayers.</i><br />
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After saying our final prayers, as if history was repeating, he decided to hold on. As though through divine intervention, he chalked out a list of things that assumed priority over the TV. My cousin’s wedding; monsoon-related repairs of the shop and other expenditures tightened our purses and made the possibility of owning a new TV in 12 years a distant possibility. Seeing the turn of events and our excitement of having a new TV come crashing down, my mother expressed indifference; my sister, frustration; while me, dejection. It’s then when I explained to my father the secret of making money.</div>
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During my engineering days, while staying in a hostel by myself, I realized that a rich man is not one who earns a lot but manages his wealth well. Having more does not mean earning more but spending wisely and saving efficiently. No matter how great your ambitions, by saving a little every day one can amass a fortune.</div>
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Every day, the first thing in the morning put a fixed amount of money aside. The amount depends on how much you wish to save over time. E.g. If you wish to save 30,000 in a month, keep 1,000 aside every day. Once you have kept the money aside, promise yourself never to use it till you have achieved your goal, even better, forget about it. If you do not have a safe place to store it, deposit it in a bank or put it in a miller. If you have different objectives to fulfil and working out of one miller is difficult, have a miller for each with a fixed amount going into each of them depending on the amount to be amassed. </div>
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That’s all that’s there to it; pretty straight forward. But if this has to work, it has to be done right. You have to fill your miller the first thing in the morning and every day, no excuses. You have to do it the first thing in the day because it’s important to save first and then spend out of what’s left. Every day, so it becomes a habit and there is very less variance between days. </div>
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Trust me, do this every day and soon you will see you having the resources you always wanted.</div>
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I don’t think I need to mention, but still. Yes, the wedding went well, our shop got the much needed repairs and we finally got a new TV after 12 years. Good days are definitely here. </div>
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While growing up I was often asked this question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Not sure myself, I would say a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_engineering" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Computer engineering">computer engineer</a>, a cricketer or some occupation that held my fantasy at that time. Hearing my answer almost everyone would retort “Wouldn’t you want to be an electrical officer or be in the merchant navy like your <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Father">father</a>?” And I would simply reply in the negative.</div>
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The same was true back then and even today. Electrical or electronics never excited me as they always sent shivers down my spine; thanks to the minor shock treatments that I received while fiddling with live wires and appliances. Regarding a job in the merchant navy, given a choice or not I never would take it. And these are my reasons.<br />
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Being the only son in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_%28biology%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Family (biology)">family</a>, my father was the only one to whom I could look up to for guidance in men-related matters. As a child I wasn’t close to him, though I tried my best, but still never had that bond I craved for. Being away on one posting after another I was forced to turn to ‘Life – the teacher’ to learn the basics of manhood from observation or experience. Since the process I undertook took years to fructify, I had many fumbles and falls. These served as a speed breaker causing me to always be in a state of catching up. When my father was at home, having got used to his absence, inability to understand me and not liking his sudden pushing me to reach for excellence I counted days to his next assignment. The news that he was going was the happiest I could hear at that time.</div>
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Though the merchant navy paid well and in turn let me do almost everything, it prevented me from doing one thing – understanding my father. My father rose from abject poverty to secure a job that paid him well enough to take care of his family. In this process he had to face many hardships, change many jobs and deal with family feuds. Being the eldest in the family and the responsibilities that came along only made it tougher. These experiences made him tough and immensely disciplined, as well as a person not easy to handle and live with. </div>
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My reasons for not joining the merchant navy are valid till date. I would not have any job that would keep me away from my family so much that they get used to my absence and I, in turn miss understanding my children or being a role model for them.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dw.de/image/0,,17492105_303,00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dw.de/image/0,,17492105_303,00.jpg" height="224" width="400" /></a></div>
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The 8 Monkeys</div>
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(This is reportedly based on an actual experiment conducted in the U.K.)</div>
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Put eight <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Monkey">monkeys</a> in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Banana">bananas</a> hanging from a hook on the ceiling.</div>
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Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ice">ice water</a>, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.<br />
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One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_%28TV_series%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Monkey (TV series)">new monkey</a> is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.</div>
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All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why.</div>
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However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.</div>
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A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him.</div>
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This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.</div>
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One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.</div>
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And that is how traditions, religions and systems get established and followed.</div>
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Think twice before following a tradition,religion or system blindly .. it would make more sense if you get your own understanding to it...</div>
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Sourced from the internet.</div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The nice guys at Writers Ezine took me to the top of the world with their July Issue.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><a href="http://ow.ly/z911Q" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/z911Q</a><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WC-2014-Brasil.svg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img alt="FIFA World Cup 2014 logo." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e8/WC-2014-Brasil.svg/350px-WC-2014-Brasil.svg.png" height="320" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="256" /></a></div>
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Within a few hours we shall have 2 teams sweating it out against each other for one last time for the coveted trophy in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-15.7833333333,-47.8666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=-15.7833333333,-47.8666666667%20(Brazil)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Brazil">Brazil</a>, with the final match being played out at the historic Estádio Maracanã in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-22.9083333333,-43.1963888889&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-22.9083333333,-43.1963888889%20(Rio%20de%20Janeiro)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Rio de Janeiro">Rio de Janeiro</a>.</div>
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While some may face terrible withdrawal symptoms after this month-long tournament has concluded, I can't help but think of what this tournament in particular has taught me and all of us.<br />
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<b>Preparedness</b></div>
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Hosting the football (or soccer) world cup is a herculean task, something that can't be done in a few years. Thats why the host nation is decided 8 years in advance, Russia being the host for the next edition while Qatar in 2022.</div>
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But inspite of the timelines Brazil couldn't get their act together. Incomplete stadiums, transportation systems not being in place made the rounds and gave the nation a bad name. </div>
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<i>Start early and stick to a well-thought of plan with proper audits along the way. It saves time, effort and ample time at the end to do as one pleases.</i></div>
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<b>Putting differences aside</b></div>
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While going into this tournament, news reports of violent clashes and strikes in Brazil against the staging of the tournament made the headlines world over. Police forces were called in and curfews imposed at many places to keep the protesters at bay. Some thought that even during the world cup enforcement agencies would have to face daily challenges to keep the event going on. But somehow as the event went on, clashes reported kept decreasing and the focus shifted to the event.</div>
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Also the stadiums were completed just in the nick of time and all other amenities were in place.</div>
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<i>No matter what the odds may be, when people come together for a common purpose the purpose turns into a mission and even the impossible becomes possible.</i></div>
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<b>Can't live on your laurels</b></div>
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With the quality of football played in Europe everyone expected them to do well but that was not to be. The reigning champions Spain were among the first to exit the tournament without making it to the second round. Italy, Portugal and England too followed suit. </div>
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<i>Actions and not words that speak louder. All these teams were world renowned but when it came to delivering in those make-it-or-break-it 90 minutes they fell short.</i></div>
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<b>All start from scratch</b></div>
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While the major teams kept exiting the tournament, lesser known teams from Africa and Latin America surprised everyone. Even <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="United States">USA</a> joined in the action winning their first ever match at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-26.2347972222,27.9823527778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=-26.2347972222,27.9823527778%20(2010%20FIFA%20World%20Cup)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="2010 FIFA World Cup">the World Cup</a> and qualifying for the 2nd round. </div>
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<i>This showed that while these teams didn't have big names they toiled hard in peacetime to be ready for the biggest tournament in the world. The results were for everyone to see.</i></div>
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<b>Team first, player second</b></div>
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While going into the tournament, one question that did the rounds was "Who is greater - <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.cristianoronaldoofficial.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.leomessi.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Lionel Messi">Lionel Messi</a>?" After 63 matches played the time tested golden rule was proved right again. Football is a team sport and not an individual one. One man cannot win a match, at best he can inspire his side to do well. </div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldo" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ronaldo">Ronaldo</a> tried his best but with the opponents marking him at all times there was not much he could do - scoring just 1 goal in 3 games. Messi faces the same challenge. Luckily Argentina have been able to float through tense moments. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.neymaroficial.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Neymar">Neymar</a>'s and Silva's absence in the semi-final match too showed how their absence left the team high and dry. But the same is not true for Germany who are clear favourites for winning the cup as they have a complete team and not a star individual.</div>
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It's also important that players believe in being team players. Suarez from Uruguay and Pepe from Portugal lead their team down with their on field behaviour denting their teams chances.</div>
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<i>The team is more powerful than what any individual can be.</i></div>
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<b>Finish well</b></div>
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Many matches have been close encounters resulting in the more deserving team losing while those not so deserving winning due to goals scored. In football, like in life, the sad truth is no matter how much effort you put in its the one who finishes well is crowned the winner. No matter how many times the ball was dribbled or tackled or how much was the distance covered, the only count that mattered was the ball hitting the back of the net.</div>
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<i>Finishing is as important as the effort, without which there is no victory.</i></div>
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<b>History can be rewritten</b></div>
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When Brazil took on Germany in the semi-finals, they had an unbeaten record of not losing a competitive game at home which spanned more than 60 years. Little they knew that along with that record many more were about to be shattered. With their 1-7 loss the streak was broken. Also it set a new record for the most humiliating defeat in the semi-finals and brought them close to the most ever goals conceded in the history of the World Cup.The 0-3 defeat to Netherlands for the 3rd spot confirmed that. </div>
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In a more positive sense, USA and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=9.93333333333,-84.0833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=9.93333333333,-84.0833333333%20(Costa%20Rica)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Costa Rica">Costa Rica</a> proceeded to stages never reached before.</div>
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<i>With belief all things are possible, even re-writing history.</i></div>
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<b>Have plan A, B, C ready</b></div>
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In the semi-finals, when Neymar went down due to a brutal challenge which ruled him out of the World Cup it must have left the Brazilian coach <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Felipe_Scolari" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Luiz Felipe Scolari">Luiz Felipe Scolari</a> pondering over whether his plan of building his team around Neymar was a good idea. With Neymar out of the team and no plan B or C in place his team was looking towards disaster and disaster it was. His decision of leaving out Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka from the World Cup squad backfired. </div>
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In 2002 when Brazil lifted the world cup they had a complete team and not an individual. The likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Kaka among others added a lot value in every department - defense, mid-field and strike. If a player went out there was a fitting replacement. The result was a convincing victory in every game and a record 6 time coronation. Scholari forgot his mantra used and had to bite dust. </div>
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On the opposite side, the Holland coach <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_van_Gaal" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Louis van Gaal">Louis van Gaal</a> played smart and put in his penalty-specialist goalkeeper Krul to take on the decider in the quarter-finals against Costa Rica. That move saw his team make it to the semi's.</div>
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<i>Having a backup plan is as important as having a primary plan. You may never know what hits you when and where.</i></div>
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These are some of the lessons I learnt. Did you learn them as well? Is there something you learnt not mentioned here? Would love to know it in the comments.</div>
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</div>
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Once upon a time there was a young man called Nelton D’Souza. Nelton believed he had a very special gift of writing stories that moved one and all. This craving to write didn’t let him sleep at night. Every time and everywhere, be it on the bus or while doing mundane things or when he was by himself, his mind would wander to lands unknown where he would meet people unseen. Those people were like any other, but beyond their faces lay immense pain from the battles they fought on a daily basis. When Nelton didn’t write he would be enveloped by sadness but whenever he did, inspite of a tiring twelve hour workday and another four hours of travel, he would find a new sense of joy and vigour. Nothing made him happier than writing. After all it was writing which allowed him to escape into a world which was not judgemental and where he could be the hero slaying beasts, demons and fire-spitting dragons alike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIq4xCSPP715aDwfMA7GXr-a_eIo1F4wLAs6ywM2ZfCxX9szJZq6rGUc4VmJbtkwB5DqdWw0vzfX6cy8KeGLZCzNvB0PkeCygfWt2Oi3nxIVJeI7dDIfYzDBLIu0wsWE2odcFGg/s1600/SOTH+Report+Card_Slanting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIq4xCSPP715aDwfMA7GXr-a_eIo1F4wLAs6ywM2ZfCxX9szJZq6rGUc4VmJbtkwB5DqdWw0vzfX6cy8KeGLZCzNvB0PkeCygfWt2Oi3nxIVJeI7dDIfYzDBLIu0wsWE2odcFGg/s1600/SOTH+Report+Card_Slanting.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unable to bear the craving anymore and to escape the resulting torture, he decided to pen down his stories. The addiction to write was so much that he decided to pen his first story on addiction itself, but with a twist. Need all addictions be bad; Nelton didn’t think so. One became two and two became four. Slowly people came to know of his hidden talent. They appreciated his stories and encouraged him to write and have his stories published. The encouragement he received was like oxygen to the dying and caffeine to the energy-sapped. Hence Nelton set forth on his quest of having a collection of stories worth publishing. He based every story in a different setting, be it in the over-crowded local trains in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=18.975,72.8258333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=18.975,72.8258333333%20(Mumbai)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a> or an imaginary world where love, intelligence and boldness got personified. The stories also touched upon sacrifice, strength in the face of death and best friends turned strangers. Mixing fact and fiction he made himself a character and put in elements of suspense, emotions and relatability. Staying up late into the night writing his stories and thinking of plots and characters for his stories while travelling to and fro office, he pushed himself to no ends to make this collection a reality. At times, to save on time while travelling, he would type stories on his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://licensing.symbian.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Symbian">Symbian OS</a> based <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N8" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Nokia N8">Nokia N8</a>. Even though at times the entire sentence would appear on the screen after he had moved to the next one, the lag didn’t make any difference to him. He was too engrossed into the story to notice anything except his stop. </div>
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One by one, story by story, after about two years Nelton was done with his collection. But he couldn’t rest; because he knew that though the tough phase of penning the stories was over, the most difficult phase of finding a home (publisher) for his stories had begun. With no one in his entire family (extended family included) having any sort of experience of publishing, he understood the challenge would be tougher. But he didn’t let that deter him. After all no one in his family had even done engineering or survived hostel life which was about 2,000 kms away from home. With the internet by his side, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:GOOG" rel="googlefinance" target="_blank" title="NASDAQ: GOOG">Google</a> as his tool and his best friend, the all-powerful <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Jesus">Jesus Christ</a>’s assistance he wrote and sent his stories to every well-known publisher he could come across. After having done the hard work, he waited anxiously for a reply. Days passed into weeks, weeks into months but there was none. Finally, after an arduous wait, the replies started coming in. Out of all the publishers he sent his manuscript to, most didn’t reply, while the few that did sent in the most polite rejections he had come across. Nelton had his fingers crossed as he waited for a reply from one of the top Indian <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publishing" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Publishing">publishing houses</a> – the one that had made investment bankers and entrepreneurs’ household names; the one he had most of his hopes pinned to. The day came when he received a reply but it was not on expected lines. The timing too was bad. While in office, Nelton was migrating a major feature on the production environment. The news hit him so hard that he forgot to deploy a major piece of code. The slip-up caused the entire site to crash directly impacting 20,000 employees and the matter getting escalated to the highest powers. Needless to say, he had to sit into the night setting things right and hear a mouthful the next morning.</div>
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Nelton was filled with sadness and saw his dream of being a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Author" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Author">published author</a> crumble into pieces. But his never-say-die spirit and his blood with an attitude - B+ve didn’t let him give up. He started contacting lesser known publishers, where he came across <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=22.5666666667,88.3666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=22.5666666667,88.3666666667%20(Kolkata)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Kolkata">Calcutta</a> based <a class="zem_slink" href="http://power-publishers.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Power Publishers">Power Publishers</a>. It’s then where things took off. He sent them his manuscript and after a brief exchange of phone calls and emails, the deal was through. The book began to take shape. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_cover" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Book cover">book cover</a> came out better than he had expected; and soon after the printed book with his name on it was in his hands. He felt the title of the book and his name on it by gently moving his hand on the cover. The joy was so much that he just kept gazing it as if time had stood still. Though fatherhood was years away he felt the joy as if he was a father. His book was nothing short of his baby. </div>
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People around him bought his book and shared their positive feedback. He became popular in his organization and in the local reading circuit. The book soon became the best seller on Amazon and got sold out many times on various portals. In the end, Nelton’s efforts paid off and he established himself as a published author. All’s well that ends well.</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1pRCv85">Click Here</a> to read the published book.</div>
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If yes, please leave a comment.</div>
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My grandmother visited me yesterday. Having passed away nine years ago she chose to pay me a visit in my dreams. Her visits, being few and far in between are always pleasant. Even though I knew her to a far lesser degree compared to my siblings, there was something about her that always caught my attention and has ever since stayed with me.<br />
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Being my mother’s mother she paid us a visit daily till we shifted base from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_to_Goa" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bombay to Goa">Bombay to Goa</a> in the mid 90’s. Balancing herself as she carried her <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_obesity" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Abdominal obesity">pot-belly</a> on her frail legs through the lanes and bylanes and up the four floors of my building, she made sure she got us our favourite sugar pills, which we used to call white chocolates.</div>
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Having been educated only till the fourth in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konkani_language" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Konkani language">Konkani</a> medium, she didn't let her lack of education come in her way; because she, at a very young age had learnt that conviction is something that can take you places and is something that our books or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Education">educational system</a> can never teach. The hardships she faced while she was young reinforced that belief in her. Always wanting to be well informed and not dependent on others, she would make the most of what she had, which wasn't much. Using the state owned <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ddindia.gov.in/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Doordarshan">Doordarshan</a> to her advantage she would switch on her <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Black-and-white">black and white television</a> at 8 pm sharp to tune in to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="News">news</a>. For the next ten minutes she would be glued to the happenings on the screen absorbing every single detail and trying her best to comprehend what the anchor read by translating the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Hindi">Hindi</a> into the best of English she knew. After ten minutes, when the news segment made way for the segment <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_poetry_in_English" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Indian poetry in English">in English</a>, she would sit through the English news as well. She did this for two reasons, to confirm what she had understood was right and to make sure she was abreast on all the happenings as some topics covered in the news in Hindi were not covered in the news in English and vice versa.</div>
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Continue reading this article on <a href="http://www.parentous.com/2014/06/02/remembering-grandma-mai-mai-mothers-mother/" target="_blank">Parentous - Fastest Growing Parenting Community</a></div>
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<b>1. We're having great sex but it seems that every time we see each other, we're naked. Have I just become this physical thing for him?</b></div>
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<i>Depends. Making love is great but only making out is not. If along it with you spend quality time talking about everything under the sky then it’s not bad at all. No place can be better than being in the arms of your loved one. But do make it a point to indulge in other activities as well. Limiting yourself to only one thing makes it boring. </i><br />
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<b>2. I broke up with my <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyfriend" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Boyfriend">boyfriend</a> of two years, three months ago. He keeps calling and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_messaging" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Text messaging">texting</a> once a week saying he wants to talk. Even though I was very attached to him, our break-up was pretty ugly. Should I consider taking him back?</b></div>
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<i>Depends what the text says. But don’t assume texting and talking means getting back. No harm in a casual meet. But if getting back is the case then give yourself ample amount of time to think through it. Last time was bad, this time may be worse. Give time time for some maturity to kick in.</i></div>
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<b>3. I've been seeing this guy for a couple of weeks now but he never has time when I want to catch up. He's a lawyer, and works long hours and says he can only meet up on certain weeknights. Is he into me or am I being played?</b></div>
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<i><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.6415,77.2483&spn=1.0,1.0&q=28.6415,77.2483%20(Mohandas%20Karamchand%20Gandhi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi">M.K. Gandhi</a> said, “Lawyers are liars” but that need not be the case always. Give him the benefit of doubt and some time and see how it goes. If he puts in a genuine effort to spend time with you then stick around, however if he makes you wait for too long to catch up then leave him. If he can’t make time for you now then probably he never will. </i></div>
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<b>4. I'm meeting my BF's parents for the first time; they've invited me over for dinner. I'm super nervous, what should I do? Should I take a gift or cook something? Help!</b></div>
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<i>I would suggest neither. The best thing you can do is to put your <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Foot-Forward-Joan-Bauer/dp/0399234748%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Djuami-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0399234748" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="Best Foot Forward">best foot forward</a>. Look great and wear a million watt smile. A wonderful, warm and charming personality is all you need to sweep someone off their feet. The gifts and cooking can come later as a surprise slowly and steadily. That will keep them looking and wanting for more eventually deciding things in your favour. </i></div>
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<b>5. I've been kinda seeing this guy on and off for a couple of months now and his birthday is coming up. What can I get him without seeming like I'm going overboard, but still letting him know I care?</b></div>
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<i>Guys all around the world crave for someone to understand them and be there with them through the thick and thin. Give him that assurance. Probably if being vocal is difficult then let a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeting_card" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Greeting card">greeting card</a> do the trick. A lifelong friend/companion is the best gift you can give anyone. </i></div>
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<b>6. I've been my boyfriend for five years now. Whenever I bring up the idea of our future and marriage, he changes the topic or gets upset and says I don't trust him. Should I keep waiting or throw in the towel?</b></div>
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<i>For many reasons than one, men no matter how strong they may be are very afraid of commitment esp. marriage. So this reaction is but natural. Try speaking to him casually about these things and understand why he reacts like this. Hear him out and decide accordingly.</i></div>
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<b>7. I've had this <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_fantasy" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Sexual fantasy">sex fantasy</a> about my boyfriend for a while now but I'm too shy to share it with him because I think he'll assume I'm a freak. What should I do?</b></div>
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<i>Then don’t tell him as a narration. Present it to him like a game that could be both fun and immensely satisfying. In this way you could live your fantasy while he knowing none of it.</i></div>
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<b>8. This colleague at work keeps stealing my ideas and presenting/emailing them to the boss before I can. Basically she gets all the credit at the end of the day and I look like an idiot. How do I get her to stop?</b></div>
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<i>Apply the ‘Iron fist, velvet glove’ funda. Come up with a dumb idea that would drive your boss nuts but camouflage it as the coolest thing ever. Let her steal your idea and watch the show. Given the outcome she’ll never tread that road again. </i></div>
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<b>9. My BFF and I got into an argument a week ago and we haven't spoken since. We were both at fault so I could be the one to apologize, but I just don't want to be the one who gives in, again. It's always me. She never buckles. How do I make this work? Not talking to her is upsetting me a great deal.</b></div>
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<i>Don’t let ego ruin a great and deep friendship. You should apologize, to put an end to your misery and partly because it’s your fault too. Once things are on the right track talk to her about it. Probably she has never seen things through your perspective. Your talking to her could strengthen the bond you’ll share and make it unbreakable.</i></div>
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<b>10. I've been best friends with his guy for 5 years now, we went to college together and remained friends after. Recently, after a very drunk night, we hooked up and enjoyed it. But neither of us wants a relationship. Is this dangerous territory or can it be managed?</b></div>
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<i>‘<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fwb-movie.com/site/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Friends with Benefits (film)">Friends with benefits</a>’ no matter how convenient it may seem at the start doesn’t land up being so later on. Security, feelings, emotions, guilt all mix up to create one terrible cocktail which is terrible to taste and difficult to digest. It’s best to say bye now rather than being sorry later. But yes, if the relationship part could be given a second thought then there’s no reason why you’ll should be separate. </i></div>
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<b>11. I think my boyfriend is cheating on me. He's been working late, which is unusual, seems distant, and has been going out of town a lot. Do I have reason to worry or am I being paranoid?</b></div>
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<i>It’s not right to doubt someone without some evidence. Today’s work pressures are sufficient to exhaust someone to the core. Probably an urgent assignment or tight timelines are keeping your boyfriend busy and distant. Call/text him when possible to know things better. Speaking directly to him is the best thing you can and should do. </i></div>
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<b>12. Every time I get into an argument with my boyfriend, he just shuts down and changes the topic. He doesn't even want to participate in discussing our different opinions or try to find a solution to the problem. He'll just brush it under the carpet. I just feel like he's trying to shut me down every time I have something to say. How should I handle this?</b></div>
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<i>Identify whether this is a new development or usual. If it’s a new one then there must be something bothering him. If usual then try getting your point across without an argument. Understand his reasons and fears. A nice, relaxed, healthy discussion can work wonders. However if things don’t improve after umpteen attempts then it’s time to move on.</i></div>
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#1 Best Seller in Short Stories on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Amazon.com">Amazon</a> (February 2014). Some of the stories will drive you to tears! The writing does justice to the little things in life that add to its beauty and mystery – <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.goodreads.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Goodreads">Goodreads</a>, Average Rating: 4.<br />
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Many of the stories are heart touching which the state of every heart can relate to. An enjoyable read – <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.flipkart.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Flipkart">Flipkart</a>, Average Rating: 5. </div>
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Must <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Book">Read</a>! Keeps one on the edge of their seat wanting to read more and more... – Amazon. </div>
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Relationships, love and life are like the three legs of a tripod. Without any one, there is no balance. The same hold true for every human being. State of the Heart, through its collection of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_story" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Short story">short stories</a> on these key aspects, cuts across the social spectrum to present to you the lives of people whom you didn't think could be so interesting, but actually are. In short, it could be a story about you or someone like you. </div>
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Every chapter of this book reveals a different aspect of love and life. While some of them are very touching, some are very humorously portrayed, some throw up a surprise at the very end while some of the stories even have a hidden social message. This book is recommended for everyone who love a light read. They are sure to have a smile on their face when they reach the last page.<br />
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You may also purchase the book at a 50% discount. Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/its-time-for-congratulations-and.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to know more. </div>
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Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/state-of-heart-app-for-windows-phone.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to download the FREE mobile app for Windows Phone.</div>
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I created a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_app" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Mobile app">mobile app</a> for my bestseller book 'State of the Heart' for #<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.windowsphone.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows Phone">windowsphone</a>. Through the app one can read 3 of the best stories from the book and have access to exclusive content as well. The app is free and can be downloaded from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.windowsphone.com/store" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows Phone Store">Windows Phone Store</a> at <a href="http://bit.ly/1iq7wKf">http://bit.ly/1iq7wKf</a><br />
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You may also purchase the book at a 50% discount. Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/its-time-for-congratulations-and.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to know more.<br />
Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/praise-for-state-of-heart.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read the praises for State of the Heart.<br />
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Few screenshots given below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQTAxNNkkzzZieuqY3y1GphfIhOPN4qOGAos3yjU929O-PKQA_c7tf-3P_xN22DgnJBdyQzL367uRSgOk27kzYSnc_3MbhUeED0c2alOgU6kCRR6f2rcLd1RkXi2tQNdF-YnawQ/s1600/wp_ss_20140504_0001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQTAxNNkkzzZieuqY3y1GphfIhOPN4qOGAos3yjU929O-PKQA_c7tf-3P_xN22DgnJBdyQzL367uRSgOk27kzYSnc_3MbhUeED0c2alOgU6kCRR6f2rcLd1RkXi2tQNdF-YnawQ/s1600/wp_ss_20140504_0001.png" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
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It's time for congratulations and celebrations. State of the Heart is now available on every major <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="E-book">eBook</a> in the world including <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Barnes & Noble">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.33182,-122.03118&spn=1.0,1.0&q=37.33182,-122.03118%20(Apple%20Inc.)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Apple Inc.">Apple</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Amazon.com">Amazon</a>, Page Foundry, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_%26_Taylor" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Baker & Taylor">Baker & Taylor</a>, Oyster & Scribd. For all those in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.6133333333,77.2083333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=28.6133333333,77.2083333333%20(India)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="India">India</a>, we're coming soon to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.flipkart.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Flipkart">Flipkart</a> as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRGnKiSGwPKs5IQJrMjfzz7IcoUHAVb-9VR0EuhY_lmcRa_Cn0Dd-vcUAcTsPTahtIkOE0AbZZewrdtZhyphenhyphenH7ipXPFNrlplKkqYwCtPR-r5Vk9TToabc_DFVyzEAyaGcbxQsuGsg/s1600/smash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRGnKiSGwPKs5IQJrMjfzz7IcoUHAVb-9VR0EuhY_lmcRa_Cn0Dd-vcUAcTsPTahtIkOE0AbZZewrdtZhyphenhyphenH7ipXPFNrlplKkqYwCtPR-r5Vk9TToabc_DFVyzEAyaGcbxQsuGsg/s1600/smash2.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
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As part of this celebration, we are offering our #1 Best Seller at a huge discount. By using the coupon YW63U on <a href="http://bit.ly/1l3DfTj">http://bit.ly/1l3DfTj</a> you can get the ebook at USD 0.99 as compared to USD 2.99. </div>
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The Paperback, which comes autographed, can also be got at a never before price at <a href="http://bit.ly/1uC1ZK6">http://bit.ly/1uC1ZK6</a><br />
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Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/praise-for-state-of-heart.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read the praises for State of the Heart.</div>
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Click <a href="http://justamin.blogspot.in/2014/05/state-of-heart-app-for-windows-phone.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to download the FREE mobile app for Windows Phone.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Namibie_Himba_0717a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Namibie femme himba" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Namibie_Himba_0717a.jpg/350px-Namibie_Himba_0717a.jpg" height="525" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Namibie femme himba (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Namibie_Himba_0717a.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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There is a tribe in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Africa">Africa</a> called the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himba_people" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Himba people">Himba</a> tribe, where the birth date of a child is counted not from when they were born, nor from when they are conceived but from the day that the child was a thought in its mother’s mind. And when a woman decides that she will have a child, she goes off and sits under a tree, by herself, and she listens until she can hear the song of the child that wants to come. And after she’s heard the song of this child, she comes back to the man who will be the child’s father, and teaches it to him. And then, when they make love to physically conceive the child, some of that time they sing the song of the child, as a way to invite it.<br />
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And then, when the mother is pregnant, the mother teaches that child’s song to the midwives and the old women of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Village">village</a>, so that when the child is born, the old women and the people around her sing the child’s song to welcome it. And then, as the child grows up, the other villagers are taught the child’s song. If the child falls, or hurts its knee, someone picks it up and sings its song to it. Or perhaps the child does something wonderful, or goes through the rites of puberty, then as a way of honoring this person, the people of the village sing his or her song.</div>
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In the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them.</div>
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The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another.</div>
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And it goes this way through their life. In marriage, the songs are sung, together. And finally, when this child is lying in bed, ready to die, all the villagers know his or her song, and they sing—for the last time—the song to that person.</div>
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You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn’t. In the end, we shall all recognize our song and sing it well. You may feel a little warbly at the moment, but so have all the great singers. Just keep <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Singing">singing</a> and you’ll find your way home.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/vijaykumar.ayangar/posts/10152388748978728?stream_ref=1" target="_blank">Sourced from the Internet.</a></div>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blessed_Virgin_Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="19th century painting of Our Lady." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Blessed_Virgin_Mary.jpg" height="320" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="241" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 278px;">19th century painting of Our Lady. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blessed_Virgin_Mary.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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It's very common for a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Christian">Christian</a> to say the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelus" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Angelus">Angelus</a> - the Christian devotional <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Prayer">prayer</a> in memory of the incarnation of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_%28mother_of_Jesus%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Mary (mother of Jesus)">the Blessed Virgin Mary</a>, at 7 PM everyday. But there's something wrong we do here. Nothing wrong with praying or the prayer. Neither how we say it. The problem is what we say. That too we go wrong in the very first response. </div>
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Below is what should be said:</div>
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V. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_of_the_Lord" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Angel of the Lord">Angel of the Lord</a> declared unto Mary. </div>
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R. And she conceived by the power of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Holy Spirit">Holy Spirit</a>.</div>
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And here's what we often land up saying:</div>
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V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. </div>
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R. And she <b><u><span style="color: red;">WAS</span></u></b> conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.</div>
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Mary was not conceived, but she conceived. Mary was born of natural causes, but the fact that she was able to bear a child still being a virgin makes it 'she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.'</div>
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I hope we realize the mistake we make on a daily basis and correct ourselves. I have often corrected people on this and been a witness to their facepalm moment. The irony with the world is that we hardly pay attention to what we say, but are critical of what others say.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLFtHiIseKyrE1R9cyuroYZfP2rCk10ksPx16uRzo2BfQlbneS9Q7X8ZHk-XJmTDEjYsnwpTnIE_KSgp-PmC-zmmxYhuLvcTCvVTyxUodmEajhjW5_ADn4Krb2W_Rb7HggoZacA/s1600/Hunt+For+Kohinoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLFtHiIseKyrE1R9cyuroYZfP2rCk10ksPx16uRzo2BfQlbneS9Q7X8ZHk-XJmTDEjYsnwpTnIE_KSgp-PmC-zmmxYhuLvcTCvVTyxUodmEajhjW5_ADn4Krb2W_Rb7HggoZacA/s1600/Hunt+For+Kohinoor.jpg" /></a></div>
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The joys of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_%28process%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Reading (process)">reading a book</a> are manifold. The fact that language could be used in such a variety of ways to describe the same old mundane thing is refreshing. This is the feeling I got while reviewing The Hunt For Kohinoor by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.manreetsodhisomeshwar.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Manreet Sodhi Someshwar">Manreet Sodhi Someshwar</a>, an opportunity I was given by Westland Publishers.</div>
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The Hunt For Kohinoor is a book that revolves around its main character – art historian and fresco specialist Mehrunisa <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosa" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Khosa">Khosa</a>. The half Sikh half Muslim girl, who played a pivotal role in cracking the first book of this series, The Taj Conspiracy, is pushed into war ravaged and ever hostile plains and places on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AfPak" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="AfPak">AfPak</a> border where war can break out just at the fall of a match, to crack a case that hardly has got anything to do with her trade. </div>
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Reconciling with the disappearance of her father, who she later realizes is a an Indian Intelligence agent, while she was just five, she comes face to face with him after sixteen years as he is being treated for injuries from a blast that killed the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Pakistan" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="President of Pakistan">President of Pakistan</a> just as he was to seal a treaty of peace with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.6133333333,77.2083333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=28.6133333333,77.2083333333%20(India)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="India">India</a> by sharing the Kohinoor - confidential information abiut the location of a 26/11 type attack in India by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Taliban">Taliban</a> within the next 96 hours. Unable to send in his most trusted spy – Mehrunisa’s father, commonly referred as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Snow leopard">Snow Leopard</a>, Harinder Singh Khosa or Harry, Jag Mishra – The Chanakya of the Indian Intelligence Pakistan Desk sends in his daughter as the bait to get Harry back into the field in no time. It’s the same Chanakya that Mehrunisa learns who kept her father away from her while he suffered a memory loss in one of the operations.</div>
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While Mehrunisa goes from pillar to post trying to decode the clues she finds on the way she finds herself in the constant battle with herself over the sudden disappearance and appearance of her lost and found father. But the case doesn’t give her luxury to ponder further as she and her close aides encounter ghastly attacks carried out both by the enemy and from within. Constantly fighting and losing accomplices on the way, she is kidnapped by the infamous <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Babur">Babur</a> Khan, an American soldier who switched to the other side to connect to his roots. Well versed in American tactics he galvanises the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_people" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Pashtun people">Pathan</a>’s and Taliban of the region, imposes strict Islamic laws where girls are buried alive if they speak to any unknown males, and becomes their supreme commander. </div>
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If you haven’t read a book in a long time, then this book is a good place to develop the lost reading habit. Its language is good and keeps you in the midst of what’s happening. At some places you will find pearls of wisdom just thrown in which could make for a collector’s edition.</div>
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<i>"Peace is a bloody business, wherein the seeds of war are sowed; terror is then reaped in abundance."</i></div>
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<i>"Trust no one, not even mirrors."</i></div>
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<i>“What the mullahs forget is that when a woman wears a burqa, it hides her looks, not her brain.”</i></div>
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<i>“The only time a snow leopard might become aggressive if its cubs are threatened or it is.”</i></div>
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<i>“The Americans have a chronic weakness: they believe they are the centre of the world.”</i></div>
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<i>“The biggest enemy of this country were its leaders”</i></div>
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<i>"With love you could persuade a Pathan to go to hell, but by force you couln’t even take him to heaven."</i></div>
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<i>“Because Naxals wore police uniforms.”</i></div>
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However, it would have been better if the title was changed to something more appropriate. Half way through the book the Kohinoor has been hunted, which is sort of disappointing if you have a Da Vinci code at the back of your mind. What’s left is averting the attack on India and rescuing Mehrunisa from the clutches of Babur Khan hidden in the lawless and rugged area of North West Afghanistan. Certain parts could have been done with to make the book shorter. However certain parts could have been extended to give a more gripping feel. I couldn’t focus at the climax, more so because I lost interest by the time I reached there.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35581095@N00/4677210823" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Mahesh,Dharani" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4677210823_53d6440a8f_n.jpg" height="266" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="320" /></a></div>
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“Excuse me, I’m here to meet Nisha”, Mahesh Shah said with a slight flutter in his voice. Used to making and breaking deals with total suave, control and assertiveness, he wasn’t his usual self today. This was probably the first time that the ball was not in his court. In fact, this <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Tennis">tennis match</a> was a two-sided game where a rejection from the other could lead to a game set match in a single go.</div>
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“Mr Shah, you may go in now” the receptionist said, pointing towards a door that read <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.0,-90.0&spn=3.0,3.0&q=33.0,-90.0%20(Mississippi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mississippi">Miss.</a> Nisha Karamchandani. </div>
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Mahesh walked towards the door and stopped just before opening it. Adjusting his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_wear" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Formal wear">coat and tie</a> he checked himself in the vague reflection off the door. Using his fingers as the teeth of a comb he put the few strands of hair in place that had violated their <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.9333333333,76.7666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=34.9333333333,76.7666666667%20(Line%20of%20Control)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Line of Control">Line of Control</a> and disrupted the parting of his hair. Clearing his throat, he turned the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door_handle" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Door handle">door knob</a> and spoke, “Nisha, may I come in?” </div>
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With a smile on her face, Nisha replied, “Mr Shah, please come in.” </div>
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Extending her hand forward, she welcomed him and asked him to be comfortable by pointing to the seat that lay before her. After the exchange of pleasantries she said, “Mr Shah, welcome to IndiaMatrimony.com”. </div>
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“Thanks, but please call me Mahesh.” Nisha smiled in acknowledgement. </div>
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“So Mr Shah, I’m sorry Mahesh, let’s get started.” </div>
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“Yup, let’s start”.</div>
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Going through the file that contained the set of questionnaires Mahesh had filled and brought along, Nisha gauged the person Mahesh Shah was, and the kind of girl he would be interested in. When she was almost done, she realized one thing. In all the cases she had handled, this would be, if not the toughest, one of the toughest.</div>
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Mahesh was not a usual client. He was different, better said, very different. He had topped every exam he took, went only to the best schools and institutions and stood out from the rest in every way. He was tall, smart, good looking; a fabulous singer and loved horse-riding. He had his own business, and that too, just like his academics was among the best. In other words, Mahesh was perfect in every way.</div>
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Getting a girl that matched all these qualities would be a find. Still, hoping for something different Nisha asked, “Mahesh, what kind of girl would you want?” </div>
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She held her breath as Mahesh opened his mouth to speak. “Just like me, perfect in every way.” Mahesh said with pride and a smile on his face. “We should be able to connect. She should understand me, even without any exchange of words. No matter what the topic of discussion, she should be able to contribute. She should love only the best of things and places and be a class apart. She should be able to do everything and be the best at it. In short, perfect.” </div>
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Nisha waited patiently for Mahesh’s impromptu speech to end. At one point, she wondered why she had asked the question. </div>
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Read the complete story in <a href="http://bit.ly/1hSflty" target="_blank">State of the Heart</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80460384@N06/7846945826" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Diamonds" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" src="http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8308/7846945826_9c2a1efd74_n.jpg" height="206" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="320" /></a></div>
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The city of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=18.975,72.8258333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=18.975,72.8258333333%20(Mumbai)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mumbai">Bombay</a> woke up to a news that sent shivers down the spine of everyone who read it. Super cop Surjan Singh, one of the best <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_officer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Police officer">police officers</a> to lead the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Police">police force</a> of the maximum city was caught red-handed with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Diamond">diamonds</a> worth crores of rupees in the wee hours of the morning. Newspapers and tabloids, having no other bones to chew on, didn’t relent and shot every spade they could in delivering the news. No matter which paper you picked up or wherever you went, it was the same news that was the talk of the town. </div>
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<b>‘<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="President of the United States">President</a> Award recipient Surjan Singh caught red-handed with diamonds’.</b></div>
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“Nowadays you can’t trust anyone. If people in the police force itself act like this then who is the common man supposed to turn to?” “This country is going to the dogs; only <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="God">God</a> can save it” was the gist of discussions at every street corner across every section of society. Scams and other news of corruption had always given their daily attendance, but this news was different as it was about an officer whom people looked up to and regarded highly. It was about Surjan Singh – a man you could bank upon.</div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_broadcasting" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="News broadcasting">News channels</a> leaving no stone unturned broadcasted the live happenings as and when they happened. “Surjan Singh has been taken to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=19.054444,72.840556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=19.054444,72.840556%20(Bandra)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Bandra">Bandra</a> Police Station where he will be questioned. The police will file for a fourteen day custody to investigate the matter further” a middle-aged, suitably well-dressed but with an unkempt beard correspondent reported.</div>
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“Surjan Singh has shamed the entire police force. It’s a sad day for all of us serving this city with honesty and pride”, a senior police officer replied on being questioned. </div>
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“Such people should be flogged to death, only then will they understand” was the reaction of a few commoners.</div>
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‘BREAKING NEWS: Surjan Singh to be presented in court’ flashed across the TV screen. Though the courtroom proceedings wouldn’t be covered live, this news made sure that the interest of the audience was kept intact and would prevent them from shifting focus to other topics or channels. However, in the courtroom, things were different.</div>
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In the midst of the tsunami of people, a simple maroon <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-shirt" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="T-shirt">tee-shirt</a> clad man wearing loose fitting jeans made his way or rather was pushed to the front section. Unless seen carefully, you wouldn’t be able to recognize him as the Surjan Singh everyone knew. Always seen in his uniform, with an upright posture and no-nonsense demeanour he carried out his duties to the very best of his abilities. Be it any case and of any complexity he was always there with his force, even putting himself in the line of fire. It was always service before self and not vice versa. So much so that even his own family life was in peril with his wife feeling ignored and no kids, even on the anvil. However, today was different. The aura around him was missing; his face was pale and eyes droopy. You could easily see that he was lost in thought with anxiety, irritation and worry causing multiple lines to appear on his forehead. The crisscrossed nature of those lines somehow reflected the state that he was in - nowhere to go and no solution in sight. Things had happened too fast for him to react.</div>
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Read the complete story in <a href="http://bit.ly/1hSflty" target="_blank">State of the Heart</a>.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0T88S9FTLjIEqcKcU5ETgegtc47JDGVW6RYjgKKxtdvSjMUQ-TFlXxZI1vfw97LvcKHegy_9kpaexWFJIJt9LmbFVeF9TYGRRCY7prBFCK7mTLT6No9b-92RUIpbPcJ-hejAg/s1600/WritingAdvice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0T88S9FTLjIEqcKcU5ETgegtc47JDGVW6RYjgKKxtdvSjMUQ-TFlXxZI1vfw97LvcKHegy_9kpaexWFJIJt9LmbFVeF9TYGRRCY7prBFCK7mTLT6No9b-92RUIpbPcJ-hejAg/s1600/WritingAdvice.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credits: <a href="http://www.policymic.com/" target="_blank">www.policymic.com</a></td></tr>
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A casual <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google">Google</a> search could give you many results on advice to newbie <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Author" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Author">authors</a>, but nothing beats this.</div>
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One mistake every author or blogger makes is he forgets the audience he writes for. Some write for their friends, some write for an organization or group of people while some write for the world. But let me tell you, that if you write for any of the three mentioned above then you will get utterly disappointed. </div>
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Against common convention, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Writing">writing</a> was never meant for the world or masses, unless of course you're satisfying a dying man's wish or trying to record a message for future generations. The only person you should be writing for is yourself. Period. If you ask me why, here's why. Because writing gives you something that no other thing can. It gives a sense of joy which only you can enjoy, feel and understand. It emancipates your soul like no other. Have you anytime observed children closely? You play some music and they're on their feet moving to the beat. Do they dance for an audience? No. Do they care if there's an audience? No. Then whom do they dance for? Themselves. Why? Because it gives them immense joy.</div>
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When you write for yourself, you'll never get disappointed if people don’t read or comment on your work, since you have already got what you wanted. If people do comment or appreciate your work, take it as a bonus but not as the objective. Secondly, when you write for yourself, you are writing for the one single person you know the best - YOU. If you try to write for the world, your <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_audience" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Target audience">target audience</a> is so jumbled up that it's likely to fall more on deaf ears. Simply put, if you try to make love to the world you’ll only get pneumonia.</div>
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Another piece of advice one should heed, which is closely related to the first is being true to yourself. Write what pleases you. It’s only when things come directly from the depths of the heart it touches the heart of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/reader" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Reader">reader</a>. Challenge yourself to convey the exact emotions that you want the reader to feel. If need be Google, read, ask people, visit websites like www.dictionary.com or http://www.merriam-webster.com or simply Google any word by prefixing 'define', but make sure you find the right words to describe the precise feeling - nothing more, nothing less. Till then keep hunting. Once it’s out on paper, use your mind. Format it well so the style is gripping and it makes the reader want more. Blatantly review it and get it reviewed for grammar, sentence construction, punctuation, etc. Edit, re-edit, write, rewrite, crop it & polish it. After all it’s only after a shinny stone is polished it’s called a diamond. </div>
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<u>Tip:</u> This is something I have learnt the hard way, which I wish I had learnt from day one. </div>
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One thing that I do is after I have written a piece I take some time off it to concentrate on some other unrelated stuff and come back to it after a couple of hours or days. Normally when we write, we are filled with the emotions of the moment that words just flow from pen to paper. But while we are in that zone, we often miss out on the right words or the grammar. Getting away for some time helps us to reset our brains and see the same <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Document">write-up</a> from the eyes of a reader. Automatically the errors begin to show. Remember, when you're too close to a project, loopholes become too obvious to miss.</div>
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Once you've done this, you have done your best and have been successful. Remember, success is user-defined. If you have done your best you are successful. What happens post your hard work is beyond your control. All the best for writing that bestseller. </div>
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Is there any advice you follow which has helped you? Please mention it in the comments.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT37zrKRsG0ZCppjHptRFTGIOyepzLN5YzkCtdI6NDaXvfJWNmNeqVgej9_Fib2fxgZ0Sx01rPOrLrauXwRfQkemm2YflqKjBLV_nCg2np9dj3Zr3Z2moWffMXKB1QTtXJHiqy1w/s1600/LoveLetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT37zrKRsG0ZCppjHptRFTGIOyepzLN5YzkCtdI6NDaXvfJWNmNeqVgej9_Fib2fxgZ0Sx01rPOrLrauXwRfQkemm2YflqKjBLV_nCg2np9dj3Zr3Z2moWffMXKB1QTtXJHiqy1w/s1600/LoveLetter.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.spinachandyoga.com/" target="_blank">www.spinachandyoga.com</a></td></tr>
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“Even if someone wishes to forget this day, he will never be able to”, I said to myself as I glanced through the various pages of the newspaper which were covered with advertisements of the oncoming Valentine’s Day. Special gifts, offers, discounts and related news made the task easier for people who either had run out of ideas or time to mark the day. Love articles and some news write-ups of a few cultural groups protesting against the day of love filled the remaining space. Though the newspaper resembled an advertiser’s paradise, it helped by giving a break from the ‘Sauna Belt’ and ‘Height Plus’ advertisements that featured on other days. Also love stories made for a far better read than articles on murder, theft and this country going nowhere. </div>
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Husbands would be happier if reminders of their anniversaries could also be flashed in the newspapers. Not necessarily to celebrate the love that existed between them and their spouses (if there was any left) but more importantly to avoid the All India Radio-type sermons and uncalled for expense on gifts which had to be bought as damage control in case they forgot, I wondered. </div>
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Personally speaking, I hated Valentine’s Day. Not because of any other reason but because to celebrate it you had to be in a relationship and have the prerequisite – a Valentine. I was single and wasn’t in one. And because I wasn’t, the heartburn was more. I would love to be in one but thanks to my work schedule I hardly had time for myself, having time for another was way out of the question. I was happy being single but not on Valentine’s Day. Seeing so many couples around sharing warm moments together, the heart, as irritating it can get, cites a need for someone. The heartache then transcends into something way bigger that’s easier felt than explained. Hence, all these years I locked myself up in a room with no access to the internet, TV, radio, newspapers or any other modes of communication so the day just passed by without my heart knowing about it.</div>
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My thoughts were broken when I saw my train chug into the station, that too when there were still two minutes for the train to arrive as per the display. Caught off guard and not having much time left, I folded the newspaper and rolled it up. To keep it safe, I held it between my thumb and index finger as I reached for the door beating a few hundred passengers who expressed greater interest in catching the same already crowded local as me. Irrespective of the capacity, ‘find a place and fill it’ has always been the mantra in India. We never shy of it and live by example. We can proudly claim that we can fill any mode of transport to at least three times its capacity with ease. On some days, we beat our own record. In addition to carrying people way beyond capacity, the local trains in Bombay have this special state-of-the-art system for picking up and alighting passengers. The beauty of this system is it works best during peak hours. All you need to do is position yourself near the door. The rest is taken care of, all thanks to the system made up of the ever-in-a-hurry people who will do anything to get in or off the train. </div>
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As I made another successful entry into the train and continued a dream run so as to say I chose to head to the seats on my right instead of the left. Activating my mental radar, I began the search for a seat to sit. But along with the seats I observed my fellow passengers as well. </div>
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Man is a complex animal. No matter how much you study him, it’s never enough. In fact, he will continue to throw surprises. The more you study him the more amazed you shall be. As a pastime, I’ve always enjoyed observing people - the way they think, behave, act, and talk. Animals learn a lot merely by observing. That’s so correct in the case of humans too.</div>
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A trio of college boys were around who seemed more interested in their virtual mobile world than the real one they lived in. They kept passing around a BlackBerry phone...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Read the complete story in </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1hSflty" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">State of the Heart</a>.</span></div>
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikhil_Sharma" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Nikhil Sharma">Nikhil</a> was not his usual self. A sense of uneasiness had gripped him. If there was ever a doubt, his sleep laden eyes bore witness to the fact that he was disturbed at least for the last few hours. In fact, the uneasiness was so much that there was no need for the couple of cups of coffee he used to have daily to put him into gear. He picked up his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Telephone">phone</a> to check if he had received any message or call. There was nothing. “Damn it” he said. </div>
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There was no new notification since the last time he checked his phone, which was just two minutes ago. Unable to suffer the agony anymore, he dialled the first number listed in his favourites. The recipient’s phone rang and continued to ring. Finally a voice spoke, “The number you are calling is not responding.” </div>
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“<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Heaven">Heaven</a> Megs, answer the bloody phone” he thought. </div>
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Tapping the ‘<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last-call_return" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Last-call return">Call Again</a>’ button on his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/ios.html" rel="tmobile" target="_blank" title="iphone">iPhone</a> 3GS, he held the phone against his ear hoping that at least this time he would get a better response. The phone at the other end rang once, then twice…he waited with bated breath, counting each ring but before the entire cycle of rings could be done, he got a reply, that too a different one but still not convincing. </div>
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“The number you are calling is currently busy. Please try after some time.” </div>
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“Megs…” Nikhil let out his frustration. His irritation was increasing. </div>
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“Can’t she just reply to my messages or pick up the damn call?” </div>
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He decided to try a third time. He needed an answer. Things were getting out of hand and fear was taking over which would soon lead him into doing things, not in his control. This time again the rings went through and again, he got a different reply, “The number you are calling is currently switched off or not reachable.” </div>
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Nikhil couldn’t take it anymore. Placing his thumb, middle and index fingers on either sides of his forehead, he brought them towards each other hoping to quell the slight headache that had started its way into becoming a full blown migraine. Mental peace was at a premium and he was losing it fast. It was nearly two hours since he had walked into office, but it had been many hours since the anxiety had begun to creep in. Never been used to this kind of worry, he didn’t know what to do. He had loads of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Middle class">office work</a> pending and timelines to catch up with, but with most of his mind blocked with thoughts of Megs he just couldn’t concentrate. To avoid unnecessary eyeballs, he sat at his desk and stared at his screen with his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.outlookindia.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Outlook (magazine)">Outlook</a> open. Using the direction keys on his keyboard, he moved from one mail to another. He didn’t read a line in the mails, all he needed was some solace.</div>
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Read the complete story in <a href="http://bit.ly/1hSflty" target="_blank">State of the Heart</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f1xegdmts_rqG2yrYVBHiU0mQ3Qe5Las2Nc1gmmP_Jxhjgf88Cf4M16QEpuu0nIiiDMsCeZto31H4nB7nFB51idwFxRRim2bSzoPvrMuuT9jVwAMgIgSbBc84zba8wwUCgLTRw/s1600/SOTH+ranked+1+on+Amazon+screenshot+CROPPED+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f1xegdmts_rqG2yrYVBHiU0mQ3Qe5Las2Nc1gmmP_Jxhjgf88Cf4M16QEpuu0nIiiDMsCeZto31H4nB7nFB51idwFxRRim2bSzoPvrMuuT9jVwAMgIgSbBc84zba8wwUCgLTRw/s1600/SOTH+ranked+1+on+Amazon+screenshot+CROPPED+-+Copy.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Over the last few days, my book State of the Heart became the #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the 'Single Authors Short Stories' category.<br />
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If you wish you can purchase the eBook at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7983PW">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7983PW</a> or the Print book at a 35% discount at <a href="http://bit.ly/KHJfpY">http://bit.ly/KHJfpY</a>. Proceeds would go to charity in the buyer's name on Valentine's Day.<br />
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UPDATE:<br />
Needed to make the Valentine's Day charity a success:<br />
SIGNATURES - 82 at <a href="http://chn.ge/1ifqkOB">http://chn.ge/1ifqkOB</a><br />
THUNDERCLAPS - 96 at <a href="http://bit.ly/SOTHCharity">http://bit.ly/SOTHCharity</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">DAYS LEFT - 9.</span><br />
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Please get your family, friends and colleagues to join in.<br />
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It was a beautiful night. The moon in total splendour generously spread light on all who sought it. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="River">river</a> that flowed with its rhythmic motion accepted the moonlight with all humility and shone like a river of stars. In gratitude, the river painted the moon with a slight hue of blue. From a distance, it seemed that the moon and the river kissed each other; their passions taking over after not having met for over a month. The small cascades in the river seemed like eruptions of joy while the sweet melody of the flowing river provided for the right background score to make the setting perfect. With no peeking eyes, except the stars to add glitter, some fireworks and a few night birds and animals to keep guard, it was love in paradise. The other creatures, having done their bit for the day retired to sleep and regain the energy needed to battle the oncoming day. Life, though challenging, was peaceful in this quiet little jungle.</div>
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At a distance, the cries of wolves were heard. Did they wish to join in and add some overtones? They never did, but then why today? What began with one soon transcended across the pack. What had awoken these sly animals that sensed things before they happened? Was it a human intervention, a hunter on the prowl? The cries of the wolves woke up the entire forest. Mothers made sure their little ones were safe. The adults grouped together prepared to face any attack. The emergency bugle had been sounded in their land and their master strategic plans had been kicked in, but least did they know, no plan had been created for this kind of emergency.</div>
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It was as if the Gods were having a duel of their own, the spectators being the stars above and the earthlings below. At first, words were exchanged resulting in deafening thunders. One after the other the replies kept getting louder, each side trying to make his point by overpowering the other. When words failed to prove a point, weapons were drawn. The skies trembled with fear and cracked open to reveal streaks of lightning. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.allsparks.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Sparks (band)">Sparks</a> began to fly and the poor animals below hid their faces in the earth. Suddenly all this celestial drama came to an end, ending with three gigantic shooting stars crisscrossing the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_sky" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Night sky">night sky</a>. Where they would fall, was not known. But it seemed like the worst was over, at least for now.</div>
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“<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouch_%28song%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ouch (song)">Ouch</a>, I can’t see a thing. The sand is all in my eyes” </div>
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“Forget seeing, I can’t feel a thing” </div>
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“You can’t see a thing, you can’t feel a thing. I don’t deserve to be here. But…all thanks to you both”</div>
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“It’s not my fault; I never started it.” </div>
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“Mine neither”</div>
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“Enough! Both of you. We are already suffering enough. The Gods unable to bear us anymore have banished us from heaven. Unless we get our act together and resolve our differences, we won’t be welcomed back. So let’s work on that in a calm manner, which I hope we can do and get this sorted quickly. Or you never know, we may have to make this earth our home, the thought of which itself, is disturbing. Let’s dust ourselves of this sand and get this done right away.”</div>
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The three beings in conversation were Love, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_intelligence_%28intelligence_collection%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Human intelligence (intelligence collection)">Intelligence</a> and Boldness. Leaving no stone unturned in trying to prove their supremacy over the other, they were always at loggerheads. Their news had spread far in the heavenly kingdom, much to the anxiety of the rest who lived amicably. They had been warned many a times, but all it did was quieten them for a few days. The days that followed saw an increase in momentum surpassing the previous heights reached. The last fight involving the three went beyond the limits of tolerance, both in temper and destruction and had widespread implications threatening to divide the entire kingdom into sects. Using all his powers, Love played with the emotions of the people and blackmailed them. Intelligence, using all his wit, played games and laid traps. A favourite of all the intellectuals, he had a strong following beyond compare. Boldness drew fear away from the minds of the people and made them believe that they could win over any calamity that threatened them, no matter how small in number they were.</div>
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Read the complete story in <a href="http://bit.ly/1hSflty" target="_blank">State of the Heart</a>.</div>
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