Cute Song!

tera yakin kyon maine kiya nahi, tujhse raah kyon juda
mujh pe yeh zindagi karti rahi sitam, tune hi di hai panah
tera mera rishta puraana - 3

hai kya tadap hai, hai yeh kaisi saza
tu kyun mujhe aaj yaad aa gaya
bechain din mere, bechain raat hai
kya main karu kuchh bata
yeh mere paanv hi khud meri bediyaan
uss se tu mujhe chhooda
tera mera rishta purana - 4

kya mujh mein hai shaks woh keh raha
aa aab main du karz tera chuka
aankhen hai nam meri, saasein chubhan meri
zakham huwa pir haara, dil ke viraane mein
mere phasane mein, tu hi toh har dum raha
tera mera rishta purana - 4

oh tera mera rishta purana - 2

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Hindi Song Title: Tera Mera Rishta Puraana
Hindi Movie/Album Name: AWARAPAN
Singer(s): MUSTAFA ZAHID
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This song to be a hot favourite with many and has a universal appeal with wonderful lyrics and soulful music. Check the Net and you'll see how people have created their own video versions of the song! Cool !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3YKekDlHuc (original)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnOPc0cplo (remix)

Happy New Year

Hmm... New Year's eve wasn't that bad, though. Managed to leave for dinner and catch up with sister and her colleague at 'Kalash' at Raghuleela (closer to home and safe) and had special Gujarati 'unlimited' thali (though our girlie appetites were quite 'limited'). That's the best place we could decide at the nth hour coz we didn't know when we'd complete our work. But we had our deadlines, so left in a short while. Reaching there took more time than the time we were actually there. While we left, the crowd was pouring in. Mostly families who'd nowhere to go had generally gone to Malls like these, which are multiplying by the day!

We brought in the new year with my youngest brother's birthday (1st Jan). We cut the cake. And like every year it was wishing time at home- New Year and B'day time! We had a family huddle and that gave each of us strength to face the world. Alhamdulillah for such a beautiful family and beautiful moment.

I am sure this New Year's going to be happy.

I have so many plans. Preparation for writing a book. But before that a website of my own, Inshallah!

When the world will be celebrating......

Its the end of yet another year!

Every year comes with a new hope, new resolutions. 'Cause only these things are in our hands! What's actually in store for us only God knows!

This has been a very eventful year internationally.

But let's talk about India.

On the Indian front...

...the stock market boomed

...the rupee value rose

...the Hindi cinema seeing a more realistic approach

...the low budget movies were surprise hits whereas the big budget ones were a disaster!

...Modi's modus operandi was revealed, shocked people, but soon forgotten as people gave him yet another chance!

...Terrorism showed its ugly face in many places!

...Security in Mumbai increased with CCTVs, police at all Railway stations and people getting more alert by the day (or are they?)

...Prices rose and so did Malls, multiplexes and in turn, the economy!

...Four railway tracks finally became a reality on the Virar line

...We had reality talent shows on nearly all TV channels and nearly all channels were churning out singers. Wonder where the present ones will go!

...Himesh transformed from a nasal singer to a Hindi phillum 'hero'

...Abdul Kalam stepped down as the President and made way to the first woman President of India- Pratibha Patil.

...Railways made huge profits and also added a number of 'Garib Raths' (economical trains) and cargo services affecting a lot of truckwallahs!

and a lot lot more.....

Internationally too a lot of events, happenings took place. The US dollar fell, the EURO got stronger... just to name a few. But the year ended with a shocking event in our neighbouring country - Benazir Bhutto was assasinated!

Personally, the year was no good. It was in fact, 'a disaster' disguised as a beautiful dream

But as the New Year 2008 comes closer to us, we all have our share of dreams, hopes and resolutions.

But before that all are preparing for the New Year's Eve tomorrow. Everyone has plans. Some will party, some will go for a late night dinner, some will attend some new year event.

But when the world will be celebrating, we will be working as usual. The usual work hours, the usual work, the usual travel back home! Oh, what it is to be a banker these days! Especially those in Operations!

The Increasing Crowd at Andheri Station

Andheri Station is the most crowded Railway Station in Mumbai - most of the crowd starts and ends there! Thats because there are numerous companies both on the East and the West side. Not only that, Andheri extends right till Chandivli/ Powai on the East side and many companies have their offices there because it turns out cheaper cost-wise!

Commuters on the Western Railway line travelling right from Chakala to Saki Naka to SEEPZ to Chandivli to Powai (on the East side) as well as people going towards Amboli to Versova to Lokhandwala (on the West side), all get off at Andheri Station!

So the situation during peak hours at the station is one hell-of-a-chaos! There's nearly a stampede as all try to run towards the staircase at once as soon as their train halts there! And there are also people trying to get off the stairs at the same time resulting in more chaos!!! And women smartly being alert and keeping men at bay by moving behind each other. There's swearing, screaming and loud words flowing as people try to find their way across the staircase towards the bridge above!

But their woes don't end there. Because the 'ticket checkers' stand there blocking the whole bridge adding to the misery of commuters. Everyone likes an easy job, don't they? I dare them to step into the trains and check the tickets like the earlier times. Because checking on overhead bridges has only increased the number of Second Class ticket holders travelling in First Class. People are so confident that no TC will come to check the tickets that they laugh as if those who buy a First Class tickets are fools!

After you overcome this hurdle and move towards the Eastern side, there is a bigger crowd! Some coming into the station and some moving out! The entire situation on Andheri East station through Andheri-Kurla Road is worse, but thats a different story altogether! Let's concentrate on the problems at Andheri station.

But as of now, we need bigger or more staircases at the station. And no TCs waiting on the bridges and blocking the crowd! Please check tickets inside the trains or right outside the respective compartments and feel the problems of the travellers! Earn your living the tough way, man!

Thanks Laloo!

Thanks Laloo for ....

1) The 'New Look' trains with more ventilation and more space..... though they are just a handful now!



2) Increasing the timing of the First Class Ladies boogie from 9.15 pm to 11 pm!

Earlier there was only one Ladies compartment, which was further divided into two, out of which one section was Ladies for 24 hours, whereas the other was Ladies only from 7 am to 9.15pm ! Gone are the days when ladies used to work only from 9 am 5 / 6 pm. Women work same hours in most organisations. And organisations these days have no fixed timings !!!



3) Also increasing the timings of Second Class Ladies boogie adjoining Ladies First Class from 10 pm to 11 pm

This used to create a lot of nuisance for 'working ladies' travelling by train after a hectic and long working day! Many non- regular train travellers (as well as knowing-defaulters) used to stand near the Second Class and used to hop into the adjoining First Class (which itself was half after 9.15 pm) and create a terrible rush! This used to result into a daily fight between the first class ticket holders (who could not enjoy comfort even after 10 pm!) and the stubborn second class commuters! And all this inspite of the fact that there are two more '24 hours' Ladies second class compartments which not so crowded after 10 pm! But everyone looks for convenience as Ladies First Class is always near the staircase on the platform and who wants to walk down to the next boogie?! Damn the law and rules!

This also used to result in a scenario of one section of Ladies First Class becoming 'General Class' after 9.15 pm on one side and the entire Second Class Ladies becoming 'General Class' from 10pm on the other side. And we had men peeking from both sides into a small left-over section of Ladies compartment and passing comments!!!



4) Adding some new trains from Andheri to Virar as well as from Bhayander/Virar to Borivali.

This has helped commuters in a way! Of course, there's still a fight for a train every 5 mins between Virar-Churchgate and back! But for now, this is surely a good beginning! There a was a time when even four lines was a never-ending project!


One more request :

A lot of us take 'first class compartment' passes fearing the crowd on the Virar line by paying 3 to 5 times the price of a general compartment. But there are a lot of defaulters and law-breakers who get into a first class compartment when they see even an inch of space! Please help!

Long time, no post

Long time, no post. Work and life's again keeping me busy. But I did post something on my Girlie blog (check link to the right)

It was a eventful last week with Diwali fervour all around. This week has brought mixed feelings to me. It has brought memories and meetings with old friends. It also brought fun this weekend since all were at home due to the extended weekend due to Diwali holiday. The past week was not only about old memories of childhood, youth, previous work branch etc; it also set me thinking about what the future held for me!

We had a small party on our office terrace on Wednesday (7thNov) in the evening. Even the office was decorated with mini kandeels and usual festive stuff. We had also made rangoli in office like every year. But this time 80% of the staff in our department were new! For them it was their first Diwali in our bank. This was also the first time that I didn't help with the rangoli. It was time to give the younger, fresher staff a chance to feel part of the team. There was a time, when my earlier neighbours from RBI quarters used to approach me to make rangoli at their doorstep since I am at creative art. People adored my work. Its been 5-6 years since we moved to our new place now. Still miss the excitement of that place!

On 8th Nov, we all dressed in Traditional attire in office with females in sarees. This time again I could not wear a saree. Every year I look forward to this one day where I can wear a saree. But due to hectic schedule and so many things on my mind, I couldn't manage to stitch a blouse. And thus I lost the chance to wear a saree. Maybe I'll get many such occasions in the future. But I went in my traditional best in a salwar khameez. Same evening I was called to attend a party filled with games and competitions at my previous Fort branch. I had to complete work at the earliest and rush there. It felt great to meet old friends-cum-colleagues. There were many new faces there too. I was happy and at the same time my mind was saying- 'I am slowly becoming part of the older generation now'. Everthing old has to finally pave path for the new! The return journey with two old colleagues in the train was filled with talk of old times, funny anecdotes from our respective branches, usual office cribbing and sharing some latest events of our lives.

The next day, i.e. 9th Nov, was a bank holiday on account of Diwali. But again there seemed no chance of rest. The morning went in cleaning up my cupboard. I was following what life had been pointing at in the last few days- the old should make way for the new. So I removed my old or unattended clothes and packed them up for giveway to some needy. Unless you clear the old, how will the new come into your life? The same evening I had to attend a good old friend's wedding. And our old group (named SCAMS) was meeting up! And yeah my sister is also part of our group and my youngest bro is also known to all. Don't wonder how someone could marry on Diwali day, coz that someone happens to a Catholic. The meeting of our gang after ages at the wedding was again lots of fun! We unmarried girls were discussing the pros and cons of marriage and being single. We wondered where life would take us from there.

10th Nov was a Saturday and half day for us. The Diwali mood was still on. There was hardly any work at office and we all left early. I wanted to revel in the holiday mood. So I called up my sister in office and decided to meet at a nearby Mall to eat, enjoy and shop! It was fun as we hogged on pizzas, garlic bread and also enjoyed a fun egyptian ride filled with eerie effects! We enjoyed getting little scared like kids! Then we shopped like all girls do!

Sunday was again fun as we had ordered 'Yakhni' (mutton pulao) and later we siblings (my sister and two brothers) went to watch 'Om Shanti Om'. The movie's fun if you enjoy the 'puns' and the projection of the exaggeration in Indian cinema. Most of it is intelligent humor. Not much stress is laid on the storyline. And neither does it have the usual melodrama. All in all, it can be labelled as a spoof on Indian cinema.

Finally its Monday today and everyone in office seemed bored after the fun filled weekend! Luckily today was US holiday on account of Veteran's day and Forex market was closed. So I could leave early again! Tomorrow its back to hard work and dull boring routine!

Cute memories

Not only is this picture cute, but it also has cute memories of a sweet place!

The picture is of course clicked by me! :)

Eid wishes!

Finally, its Eid day!

Had a proper breakfast in the day time after a month! The body had got so used to getting up at 4 am for 'sehri', that I woke up suddenly at 4.30 am today even without an alarm ! Then went back to sleep after having water coz everyone was going to get up by 5.30 am.

By namaz, I was very hungry though it was only 8 am coz the body clock had got used to breakfast at pre-dawn!

Now I sit at my PC after lunch donning pretty pink clothes and matching accessories .

Some cousins expected in evening. Tomorrow will be 'our' day. We, siblings, will go for outing as we have all taken a day off!

On the Eve of Eid (13th Oct)

On the eve of EID (13th Oct), I went shopping with my brother for his kurta- chudidaar followed by dinner at Spenta (good restaurant at Singapore Plaza, Mira Rd) at 11 pm. The place and road were filled with people and there was illumination all around. People were shopping for last moment items like matching bangles, cosmetics etc. Apart from that some people were out for essentials for the next day- Milk, meat and stuff. The security near Shams Masjid (the main masjid in Naya Nagar) was tightened in the night, following the Ajmer blast. No vehicles, even bikes were allowed in the surrounding area.

Enjoyed late night dinner with Chinese chicken crispies, chicken fried rice and manchurian and finally with 'kesar kulfi'. Had a heavy meal in ages!

Thankfully, this year Eid day was unanimously agreed as 14th Oct, without any confusion about the sighting the moon (as it happens many times in India)!!!

(Pic : Illuminated Shams masjid)

The essence of Ramzan

Ramzan and Fasting

Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Lunar) calendar. ‘Roza’ (Fasting) is one of the 5 pillars of Islam (1). During this month Muslims around the world observe fast for the whole month. Fasting during the day means abstenance from food, water and sex. Apart from this, there are several do's and dont's which validate/ invalidate a fast. Fasting begins before dawn (Fajr) and continues till the break of dawn (Maghrib)

Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 29 or 30 days (depending on the sighting of the moon). Fasting is compulsory for every Muslim. However women in their menstrual periods are free from this obligation.

Essentials of Keeping a Fast (Roza)

1. Sehri

The fasting period starts from an hour before daybreak till after sunset.It starts with a pre-fast meal called 'suhoor' or 'sehri', without which a fast cannot be kept. Getting up during pre-dawn hours and having something (even water, if nothing else) is important in order to observe 'roza'. This is followed by an intention (Niyat) to fast for the day. The intention should be from the heart or could be spoken out aloud. In predominantly Muslim areas, some messengers get up early and move about with mikes or Dufli (a kind of drum) waking up fellow Muslims asking them to get up for 'Sehri'.

2. Iftar

Iftar means breaking the fast with a post dawn meal. Many Muslims break the fast with 'khajoor' (dates) and water before having a proper meal later.

Importance of Ramzan

It was during this month that the Holy Quran, the word of Allah to mankind, was revealed through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), on the night of ‘Lailatul Qadr’.

During the month, Muslims try to read as much of the Qur'an as they can. Some spend part of their day listening to the recitation of the Qur'an. Special night prayers (Taraveeh) are offered in a congregation which include Quranic recitation.

Other Important Acts to be performed during Ramzan

1. Zakat

Ramzan is incomplete without charity. 'Zakat' or wealth tax is the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim whose finances are above a certain specified minimum (7.5 tolas gold or equivalent savings) must pay 2.5 percent of it annually to a deserving fellow being.

2. Fitra

Every Muslim has to pay 'fitra' or a small amount of charity for himself, his wife and children before Eid. This 'fitra' should be around 2.5 kg of wheat or the money equivalent. This ensures that even the poor can join in the joy of Eid by buying clothes and preparing food and sweets.

Several poor families pour in Muslim dominant areas or near mosques to collect zakat or fitra. Apart from that Islamic educational and charity institutions also collect them for their charitable activities.

Lailat-ul- Qadr (Big/ Special Night)

The night on which the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad, known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month, although the exact day it falls on is not properly known. It is believed to be in the last ten days on one of the odd (21st/23rd/25th/27th) nights of Ramzan. Those who wish to seek the blessings of the night spend the entire last ten nights in prayers. Some believe that it is the 27th night and pray for that entire night.

End of Ramzan

The month ends with the sighting of the moon for the next month - 'Shawwal' and is followed by a feast called the 'Eid Ul Fitr' (Ramzan Eid). It is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawwal and marks the end of the fasting month.

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Notes:

1 The five pillars of Islam are : Shahadah (profession of faith), Salah /Namaz (ritual prayer), Zakat (alms tax), Sawm/ Roza (fasting during Ramzan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca

I am Back!

Yes, I am Back after a unpredicted and forced absence.

The rains seemed to have hidden my blog in water logging!

My blog missed the quite a few topics due to my PC ditching me without warning -

• The inauguration of 4 lines between Borivali-Virar line (More trains still awaited- expected in Oct)


• The rising of the sensex


• The falling of the dollar compared to the rupee


• The extended rains


• The start of Ramzan


• The winning of the 2020


• And a lot more......

But there's never a dearth of topics... So keep watching this space for more

Come, feel the rains!

I came across this pic and it reminded me of the Saturday rains ! Come experience the rains (though virtually- esp those can't enjoy the real thing)!

Rains thru our Windows

Yes, like I said earlier, rains pour on Mumbai especially during the weekends! Last weekend we had Stormy Saturday-Sunday and this Saturday we had the rains raging on us, beginning Friday night. Since it was holiday in most offices and half day in others and many parts of financial market were closed, people didn't take much of a chance and preferred to stay back home.

But soon after, they lost touch of what's happening as water levels kept rising up and areas where Reliance Energy provides electricity, were stripped of power (only to be restored late in the night)! No television, no radio, no light (it was cloudy and dull), only the force of the rains provided excitement. And so did the cool breeze!

Though I was at home only, I kept clicking through all our windows and captured many rainy pictures on my mobile.

Presently the 'HEAVY RAINS THROUGH MY HOME WINDOWS' :

Some Valuable things I've learnt

Don't let someone become a priority in your life

When you are just an option in their life

Relationships work best when balanced

Never explain yourself to anyone

Because the person who likes you, doesn't need it

and the person who dislikes you, won't believe it

We make them cry who care for us

We cry for those who never care for us.

And we care for those who will never cry for us

This is the truth of life, its strange but true.

Once you realise this, its never too late to change.

Time is like a river

You cannot touch the same water twice,

because the flow that has passed will never pass again

Enjoy every moment

Don't make a promise when you are in joy

Don't reply when you are sad.

Don't take a decision when you are angry.

Think twice, Act wise

Stormy Sunday!

Look at these pics taken on Sunday, the 24th June, 2007.... the trees outside our window are more green and lush than the previous pic (in earlier post) taken on the onset of monsoons!

Sunday saw heavy rains and stormy weather with thunder and lightening in and around Mumbai. There was water-logging in many parts of Mumbai. Its was super cool and fun! Suddenly everything was back to normal on Monday. As if the rain also had better things to do than just thunder and light up and cause things to fly in the storm! All that 'dhamaal' was only for the weekend beginning Saturday evening!

From Monday onwards, climate's been changing after every 10 mins, which is bad! Suddenly it rains for a while, suddenly it stops while the weather's still cloudy but very humid causing all to sweat, then suddenly its sunny and hot! And just when you're wondering wat's happening, its cloudy again and a cool breeze is blowing, then the rains.... then again something out of the previous options! But this sort of climate is playing games with people's health as well!

But enjoy the rains while it lasts! And like Dad always says that Mumbai's monsoons are reserved for the weekends.... Its on rare cases when it rains like crazy on a week day!