Today has been cancelled. You are welcome.
Working in the face of such beauty is a crime against nature.
Working in the face of such beauty is a crime against nature.
Even as we speak, someone is trying to hack into my Facebook account rather hard. I'm going to sleep now, smug in the belief that I've always had the necessary precautions in place. However, if you see some unsavoury shares by me over the course of the night, don't be clicking on the links and getting yourself into trouble.
For a change, actually attending an event I've marked as interested or going.
Kavin: China is the best place in the world because it has the most number of people and all the things are made there.
Nilay: But India is the place where the most number of new people are born. Why so?
Me: (dirty grin)
Nilay: But India is the place where the most number of new people are born. Why so?
Me: (dirty grin)
So, umm, this is happening.
British comedy. Always the best.
The wonderful @[610191751:2048:Bindhumalini] is coming to Delhi with Ankit, Vedanth and Ajay. Book your tickets now at https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/khusrau-ke-rang/ET00042874.
It's been two years since I attended their dastangoi performance at Hazrat Nizamuddin, but the music and storytelling are still fresh in my mind.
Please note that @[644286457:2048:Goli] recommends this event.
It's been two years since I attended their dastangoi performance at Hazrat Nizamuddin, but the music and storytelling are still fresh in my mind.
Please note that @[644286457:2048:Goli] recommends this event.
Nilay wanted to know why there are so many pictures of people kissing each other on my Facebook feed today.
I told him someone shot 50 gay people yesterday. Instead of shooting back, the gay community is responding by spreading more love. And being unafraid.
He hesitated.
And I thought. Sure, he has spent an year of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. But what is his level of exposure to gay people? Thanks to #377, he has never met an openly gay couple (or person) in India. Forget gay people, he has seen hardly any couple kissing each other on the mouth.
And that is how, in the name of protecting our culture, we indoctrinate our children. What is unfamiliar makes you uncomfortable.
And then a video of panda bears being atrociously cute showed up. And the kids loved it. In spite of the fact that they have never seen a panda in real life.
And I realised I don't know what I'm talking about. And just hypothesising stuff to fit my own theories/agenda.
So next time Nilay hesitates, I will ask him why he hesitated. Instead of imagining explanations on my own.
Now, why exactly are you wasting your time reading this meaningless post?
I told him someone shot 50 gay people yesterday. Instead of shooting back, the gay community is responding by spreading more love. And being unafraid.
He hesitated.
And I thought. Sure, he has spent an year of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. But what is his level of exposure to gay people? Thanks to #377, he has never met an openly gay couple (or person) in India. Forget gay people, he has seen hardly any couple kissing each other on the mouth.
And that is how, in the name of protecting our culture, we indoctrinate our children. What is unfamiliar makes you uncomfortable.
And then a video of panda bears being atrociously cute showed up. And the kids loved it. In spite of the fact that they have never seen a panda in real life.
And I realised I don't know what I'm talking about. And just hypothesising stuff to fit my own theories/agenda.
So next time Nilay hesitates, I will ask him why he hesitated. Instead of imagining explanations on my own.
Now, why exactly are you wasting your time reading this meaningless post?
PLEASE WATCH THIS.
Yes, I am actually screaming. This is extremely important. All of you should stop doing whatever you are doing and actually watch this.
This is more important than gun fatalities or movie censorship or homophobia or whatever it is that you are outraging about today. (It really isn't, actually. But money makes the world go round. And this is about your money. All your money. All of your life's money. So please please do watch this.)
A couple of things, if you are watching from India like me. I am going to repeat things that I've told people over and over again. If you have ever purchased a life insurance policy that is not a term life insurance policy, you have been had. Your insurance agent is laughing all the way to the bank every time you pay your premium, but you will not be amused when you see what the insurance company pays you at the end of your policy's tenure. If you have ever invested in a retirement or children's education plan that isn't one of the following - bank fixed deposit, PPF account, EPF, government bond, NSC, KVP - then you have been had. Please take all of your money out of your so called savings plan immediately. Do not worry about the fees that the stupid investment/insurance company charges you for leaving. Leave. Put all your money in one of the abovementioned debt instruments. Or in property. Or gold (I hate myself for saying this). Or just put it in an index linked mutual fund (preferably an ELSS fund, so you can't get your grubby hands on your money when you feel like splurging it away on a vacation (I am now properly upset with myself)).
Please watch this video. In its entirety. And thank me when you are old and frail but not poor and hungry.
Yes, I am actually screaming. This is extremely important. All of you should stop doing whatever you are doing and actually watch this.
This is more important than gun fatalities or movie censorship or homophobia or whatever it is that you are outraging about today. (It really isn't, actually. But money makes the world go round. And this is about your money. All your money. All of your life's money. So please please do watch this.)
A couple of things, if you are watching from India like me. I am going to repeat things that I've told people over and over again. If you have ever purchased a life insurance policy that is not a term life insurance policy, you have been had. Your insurance agent is laughing all the way to the bank every time you pay your premium, but you will not be amused when you see what the insurance company pays you at the end of your policy's tenure. If you have ever invested in a retirement or children's education plan that isn't one of the following - bank fixed deposit, PPF account, EPF, government bond, NSC, KVP - then you have been had. Please take all of your money out of your so called savings plan immediately. Do not worry about the fees that the stupid investment/insurance company charges you for leaving. Leave. Put all your money in one of the abovementioned debt instruments. Or in property. Or gold (I hate myself for saying this). Or just put it in an index linked mutual fund (preferably an ELSS fund, so you can't get your grubby hands on your money when you feel like splurging it away on a vacation (I am now properly upset with myself)).
Please watch this video. In its entirety. And thank me when you are old and frail but not poor and hungry.
Clearly I know nothing about my country. Punjab is predominantly vegetarian and TN with all its tambrahms has hardly any vegetarians.
Ayyo! Is this why Susu Swamy wants to shut this guy down? He has set the cat among the pigeons.
Oh this is so awesome. Blown away.
Oh my god I'm crying tears of joy!
Such a powerful person.
Spoke to an entrepreneur yesterday. Their product is validated. They're now scaling beyond word of mouth marketing. Some quotes:
I have never worked this hard in my life.
I can't keep going like this. I'll die. It's unsustainable for me.
In every assignment before this, I have been an overachiever and gotten great results without trying too hard.
I'm loving it.
We're getting such good response.
Nothing converts. It's just talk talk talk.
---
Welcome to the roller coaster that is startup life. I can only quote this couplet:
ये इश्क नहीं आसान बस इतना समझ लीजे
एक आग का दरिया है और डूब के जाना है
I have never worked this hard in my life.
I can't keep going like this. I'll die. It's unsustainable for me.
In every assignment before this, I have been an overachiever and gotten great results without trying too hard.
I'm loving it.
We're getting such good response.
Nothing converts. It's just talk talk talk.
---
Welcome to the roller coaster that is startup life. I can only quote this couplet:
ये इश्क नहीं आसान बस इतना समझ लीजे
एक आग का दरिया है और डूब के जाना है
So, super fun entrepreneurs @[100001062284528:2048:Rajat] and @[100001933068141:2048:Madhumita], who created MadRat Games in India, are now in the Bay Area making the SuperSuit! They are looking for kids in the South Bay, aged 6-14 years, to try out their new wearable gaming product. Watch an early tryout video here www.bit.ly/uskidspt2.
Send an email to rajat@wearsupersuit.com if you're interested. Now, imagine what happens if you don't email Rajat, and your kids meet me a few months later, by which time this product is launched and famous. I tell your kids that they had the opportunity to be the first to test this product, but their parents screwed it up for them. Imagine.
Send an email to rajat@wearsupersuit.com if you're interested. Now, imagine what happens if you don't email Rajat, and your kids meet me a few months later, by which time this product is launched and famous. I tell your kids that they had the opportunity to be the first to test this product, but their parents screwed it up for them. Imagine.
Sunday morning misery
Humans torture others in the name of religion
News at 11
News at 11
"satyagrahis fire at police"
The mind boggles how we have gone about redefining terms like satyagrahi and nationalist.
The mind boggles how we have gone about redefining terms like satyagrahi and nationalist.
I've spent the last half hour wondering whether "we have swum" would be an appropriate replacement for the statement "we have finished swimming".
I blame Gurgaon's traffic for this state of joblessness. Also, for a change I didn't just find the answer on Google. I actually tried to use my brain to solve a Googleable problem. What a refreshing change.
I started university before Google, Quora, Stackoverflow and YouTube came into existence. I remember having to pedal to the library and pull out the appropriate volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica because I wanted to know more about atheism or amplifiers. Or, shudder, finding the right flesh and blood person on campus because you wanted to discuss something technical or philosophical. I wonder how academics works now!
I blame Gurgaon's traffic for this state of joblessness. Also, for a change I didn't just find the answer on Google. I actually tried to use my brain to solve a Googleable problem. What a refreshing change.
I started university before Google, Quora, Stackoverflow and YouTube came into existence. I remember having to pedal to the library and pull out the appropriate volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica because I wanted to know more about atheism or amplifiers. Or, shudder, finding the right flesh and blood person on campus because you wanted to discuss something technical or philosophical. I wonder how academics works now!
Heartbreaking
तेज़ हवा ने मुझसे पूछा
रेत पे क्या लिखते रहते हो
Ghulam Ali is the best ;)
रेत पे क्या लिखते रहते हो
Ghulam Ali is the best ;)
Hailstorm. Nilay is unsure if he's afraid or excited.
Supreet, never has a gift been more used and loved...
Supreet, never has a gift been more used and loved...
Message received on entering Punjab:
The Government of Punjab welcomes you to Punjab. Please dial Toll Free Punjab Government's help line Number 1905, in case of any help.
Not sure if the Punjab government is offering or asking for help.
The Government of Punjab welcomes you to Punjab. Please dial Toll Free Punjab Government's help line Number 1905, in case of any help.
Not sure if the Punjab government is offering or asking for help.
Himachal, you will be sorely missed.
You might have seen these people and their animals often on the road. Clogging up the road. Causing traffic jams. Who are these shepherds? Why are they on the roads?
For want of a better word, these people are called pastoralists. They move with their livestock from pasture to pasture. They trace their lineage to the first humans - hunters and gatherers.
In the Himalayas, their livestock usually consists of sheep and goats. In the summer they go up high into the mountains, crossing treacherous mountains passes. In the winters they can be found in the plains. They walk the entire distance, up and down, each year, with their flock.
Are they freeloaders? Consuming public goods - roads and pastures - without giving back. Are they refusing to get along with the times? Or are they keepers of an ancient tradition, who will be here long after we have crushed every mountain, silted every river and sipped every drop of oil out of this earth. For them, these highways and cars and all our hurry is just a speck on the vast canvas of life.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, the next time you see them on the road, please don't honk. Be patient. You don't have to be too patient either - they're experts at getting their flock out of the way. And why shouldn't you honk? Because we don't honk at nice people.
If you ever find the occasion to get off from your car and talk to them, do that. You'll find that they're the nicest people you've ever met. And they really really care about their animals. Like family. You'll usually find them carrying an animal around their neck because it is injured or too young or sick.
When we were in the mountains in March, we were stopped by one such shepherd. He wanted us to chase a car that had just injured one of his lambs and sped away. I told him I'm hardly the right guy for a car chase in the mountains. He showed us how one of the legs of the lamb had been crushed. The lamb was limping along. He said he is unable to lift this lamb. It was all very heart wrenching. We asked some stupid questions, such as "what will you do with the lamb now". He gave me a tortured look, as if asking "what would you do if God forbid one of your kids got hurt".
Well I'm just glad I only have two kids to manage, not a hundred.
And oh. Shepherd dogs are the cutest!
For want of a better word, these people are called pastoralists. They move with their livestock from pasture to pasture. They trace their lineage to the first humans - hunters and gatherers.
In the Himalayas, their livestock usually consists of sheep and goats. In the summer they go up high into the mountains, crossing treacherous mountains passes. In the winters they can be found in the plains. They walk the entire distance, up and down, each year, with their flock.
Are they freeloaders? Consuming public goods - roads and pastures - without giving back. Are they refusing to get along with the times? Or are they keepers of an ancient tradition, who will be here long after we have crushed every mountain, silted every river and sipped every drop of oil out of this earth. For them, these highways and cars and all our hurry is just a speck on the vast canvas of life.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, the next time you see them on the road, please don't honk. Be patient. You don't have to be too patient either - they're experts at getting their flock out of the way. And why shouldn't you honk? Because we don't honk at nice people.
If you ever find the occasion to get off from your car and talk to them, do that. You'll find that they're the nicest people you've ever met. And they really really care about their animals. Like family. You'll usually find them carrying an animal around their neck because it is injured or too young or sick.
When we were in the mountains in March, we were stopped by one such shepherd. He wanted us to chase a car that had just injured one of his lambs and sped away. I told him I'm hardly the right guy for a car chase in the mountains. He showed us how one of the legs of the lamb had been crushed. The lamb was limping along. He said he is unable to lift this lamb. It was all very heart wrenching. We asked some stupid questions, such as "what will you do with the lamb now". He gave me a tortured look, as if asking "what would you do if God forbid one of your kids got hurt".
Well I'm just glad I only have two kids to manage, not a hundred.
And oh. Shepherd dogs are the cutest!
If it weren't for our annoying, stressful trip to Manali this evening, we would never have valued the rest of our trip as much as we will now.
Come to the mountains. Just stay away from the 'hill stations'.
Come to the mountains. Just stay away from the 'hill stations'.
Can't have enough of the Beas
Baaaaaa
Good morning
Good morning
Cooking our own food on a camping trip after a long long time.
If I keep floating around in the mountains, achievements like this are bound to happen :)
#Fitbit
#Fitbit
Parvati Range
हम आबादी पीछे छोड़ चुके। मगर यह कमबख़्त शहर हमारा पीछा नहीं छोड़ते।
बड़े अच्छे लगते हैं
यह धरती, यह नदिया, यह रैना
और तुम
तुम इन सब को छोड़ के कैसे कल सुबह जाओगी?
मेरे साथ इन्हें भी तो तुम याद बहुत आओगी
यह धरती, यह नदिया, यह रैना
और तुम
तुम इन सब को छोड़ के कैसे कल सुबह जाओगी?
मेरे साथ इन्हें भी तो तुम याद बहुत आओगी
Then it rained. And all our plans went haywire. But we were only too happy for it.
We are ready for the night!
A beautiful Sunday morning read.
The mind is a fantastic place. It is surprising people don't talk about it, share about it, think of it more often.
Even in the social media age of extroversion, we do not talk of our mental and physical experiences enough. Maybe we are scared of being labeled.
When I was thirteen, I shared an experience with my classmates. I wondered, what if the whole world were a setup. A stage. And I the main character. A prince being brought up in a foreign land. A planet created for the purpose of bringing him up.
Turns out, others had had the same experience. And there were ancient stories about it. We all laughed. It was over. An idea that had become an obsession for me, gone in a few minutes. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't shared with my friends. As an adolescent, my world revolved around me. I was self obsessed. I imagined myself a genius, unique. What if I'd grown up still imagining that, until one day I watched the Truman Show or read THGTTG and it all dawned on me.
We were in Nainital when this discussion took place. One of the facilitators talked of entire monasteries waiting for the chosen one. A world built for a prince yet to be born. A reincarnation of the Buddha. Two years ago, I'd all but finalised a trip to Spiti, to visit such a place myself. The trip never happened. Twice an year, every year, I run into the Himalayas. Yet I never make it to the monasteries. Perhaps this year.
PS: I know I'm rambling. But you're the loser Facebooking on a Sunday morning.
The mind is a fantastic place. It is surprising people don't talk about it, share about it, think of it more often.
Even in the social media age of extroversion, we do not talk of our mental and physical experiences enough. Maybe we are scared of being labeled.
When I was thirteen, I shared an experience with my classmates. I wondered, what if the whole world were a setup. A stage. And I the main character. A prince being brought up in a foreign land. A planet created for the purpose of bringing him up.
Turns out, others had had the same experience. And there were ancient stories about it. We all laughed. It was over. An idea that had become an obsession for me, gone in a few minutes. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't shared with my friends. As an adolescent, my world revolved around me. I was self obsessed. I imagined myself a genius, unique. What if I'd grown up still imagining that, until one day I watched the Truman Show or read THGTTG and it all dawned on me.
We were in Nainital when this discussion took place. One of the facilitators talked of entire monasteries waiting for the chosen one. A world built for a prince yet to be born. A reincarnation of the Buddha. Two years ago, I'd all but finalised a trip to Spiti, to visit such a place myself. The trip never happened. Twice an year, every year, I run into the Himalayas. Yet I never make it to the monasteries. Perhaps this year.
PS: I know I'm rambling. But you're the loser Facebooking on a Sunday morning.
So I'm looking at @[564198067:2048:Balaji Sampath]'s old photo here, and I'm laughing so hard because he looks like a total nerd. Then I dig up my own photo from 2002, and I was quite the geek myself.
@[681991399:2048:Meenakshi], see see.
If you're an entrepreneur, you should read this. This is the India you heal, one job at a time.
This is so horrifying! I could not go beyond the fourth item. The sight of my favourite actress, Juhi, in one of these movies, was too much for me to handle. Tell me how far you get.
What is the most hurtful thing I've read today? That the met office's announcement of a delay in the monsoons will make the stock market jittery.
Millions across India will go thirsty longer. Not without a bath. Literally thirsty. And of course, hungry. Those that are farmers will be pushed closer to destitution and suicide. Crops covering areas much larger than all our big cities put together will be destroyed.
But we don't care about the human cost of this catastrophe. We care about the economic impact. We care about our portfolios. I say, screw the stock market. And to hell with the economy. Maybe then we would realise that water is a basic human need, not just an economic need. Maybe then our headlines will express the true impact of drought.
Millions across India will go thirsty longer. Not without a bath. Literally thirsty. And of course, hungry. Those that are farmers will be pushed closer to destitution and suicide. Crops covering areas much larger than all our big cities put together will be destroyed.
But we don't care about the human cost of this catastrophe. We care about the economic impact. We care about our portfolios. I say, screw the stock market. And to hell with the economy. Maybe then we would realise that water is a basic human need, not just an economic need. Maybe then our headlines will express the true impact of drought.
This is very important. You should read this.
It's unbearably hot here. Am I in Madras yet?
An exhibition of my mother @[100001467904279:2048:Sadhna Jain]'s paintings is currently running at Triveni Kala Sangam. Do drop by if you can. It's too hot to go anyplace else anyway ;)
Made my day. Enjoy! Thank you @[659898581:2048:Matthew Brand] for sharing.
Received this from Pallavi Phatak. If you are interested in education and pedagogy, this looks like a wonderful opportunity.
Call for Applications
Full Time Resident Mentor
Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
Azim Premji University offers a fully residential undergraduate BA/BSc programme which aims to promote the integration of academic study, extra-curricular learning and emotional wellbeing. We invite applications for full-time Resident Mentors from individuals interested in supporting the academic, physical and mental development of university students. Resident Mentors live on campus and work with faculty members to create a variety of structured and unstructured opportunities for student learning and growth.
Interested applicants are requested to write to ug.residences@apu.edu.in for a detailed job description.
Call for Applications
Full Time Resident Mentor
Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
Azim Premji University offers a fully residential undergraduate BA/BSc programme which aims to promote the integration of academic study, extra-curricular learning and emotional wellbeing. We invite applications for full-time Resident Mentors from individuals interested in supporting the academic, physical and mental development of university students. Resident Mentors live on campus and work with faculty members to create a variety of structured and unstructured opportunities for student learning and growth.
Interested applicants are requested to write to ug.residences@apu.edu.in for a detailed job description.
A good weekend spent in the company of friends and colleagues.
Peaceful, elegant ambience. The food is to die for, plus they keep experimenting with the menu. Try to drop in when there's live music.
This is the most depressing thing I have read in a long time. I suppose at some point we have all tried to fit in with the hipper, richer crowd. But to do it at the expense of one's health and mental peace? Insane.
This
मेरा कुछ सामान तुम्हारे पास पड़ा है
सावन के कुछ भीगे भीगे दिन रखे हैं
और मेरे एक खत में लिपटी रात पड़ी है
वो रात भुला दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
पतझड़ है कुछ ... है ना ?
पतझड़ में कुछ पत्तों के गिरने की आहट
कानों में एक बार पहन के लौट आई थी
पतझड़ की वो शाख अभी तक कांप रही है
वो शाख गिरा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक अकेली छतरी में जब आधे आधे भीग रहे थे
आधे सूखे आधे गीले, सुखा तो मैं ले आयी थी
गीला मन शायद बिस्तर के पास पड़ा हो !
वो भिजवा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक सो सोला चांद कि रातें एक तुम्हारे कांधे का तिल
गीली मेंहदी कि खुशबू, झुठ-मूठ के शिकवे कुछ
झूठ-मूठ के वादे सब याद करा दूँ
सब भिजवा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक इजाज़त दे दो बस, जब इसको दफ़नाऊँगी
मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी
मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी
Do you believe that Ijaazat, Saath Saath and Masoom were not just movies, but ghazals in theatrical form. If so, I'd like to invite you for a night of binge watching movies like these. I provide the venue and popcorn for the mehfil. You provide the ambience, and perhaps copies of the harder to find movies.
This saturday night?
सावन के कुछ भीगे भीगे दिन रखे हैं
और मेरे एक खत में लिपटी रात पड़ी है
वो रात भुला दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
पतझड़ है कुछ ... है ना ?
पतझड़ में कुछ पत्तों के गिरने की आहट
कानों में एक बार पहन के लौट आई थी
पतझड़ की वो शाख अभी तक कांप रही है
वो शाख गिरा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक अकेली छतरी में जब आधे आधे भीग रहे थे
आधे सूखे आधे गीले, सुखा तो मैं ले आयी थी
गीला मन शायद बिस्तर के पास पड़ा हो !
वो भिजवा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक सो सोला चांद कि रातें एक तुम्हारे कांधे का तिल
गीली मेंहदी कि खुशबू, झुठ-मूठ के शिकवे कुछ
झूठ-मूठ के वादे सब याद करा दूँ
सब भिजवा दो, मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक इजाज़त दे दो बस, जब इसको दफ़नाऊँगी
मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी
मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी
Do you believe that Ijaazat, Saath Saath and Masoom were not just movies, but ghazals in theatrical form. If so, I'd like to invite you for a night of binge watching movies like these. I provide the venue and popcorn for the mehfil. You provide the ambience, and perhaps copies of the harder to find movies.
This saturday night?
जय जवान जय किसान
औद्योगिकरण और पूंजीवाद की होड़ में हमें जवान तो याद रहे। मगर किसानों को हम भूल गए। कैसे?
औद्योगिकरण और पूंजीवाद की होड़ में हमें जवान तो याद रहे। मगर किसानों को हम भूल गए। कैसे?
This highlights how terrible a singer Bryan Adams really is. I wonder why I liked his music so much back in college. Maybe his husky voice. I'm so embarrassed now 😑
So how does जी work in India? सोनिया जी को जेल भिजवाओ। You're asking for someone to be sent to jail yet using a honorific.
I've seen this on the media too. Our media will often talk of Mr. Osama Bin Laden. What does it take for someone to be universally regarded as a public enemy?
I've seen this on the media too. Our media will often talk of Mr. Osama Bin Laden. What does it take for someone to be universally regarded as a public enemy?
So long since I've listened to El Ron's smooth voice. Do listen to @[216124:2048:Zachariah George]'s album when you can.
The World Music Ensemble yesterday was simply amazing. Thank you Diya for referring us. We had to leave early coz the kids got sleepy. Hopefully they'll have another one soon.
Wilder and wilder
Come
Stalking artists on the streets of Delhi. This is Mallika Dua. If you haven't seen her work yet, you should - @littleanarky
YouTube.com/alittleanarky
YouTube.com/alittleanarky