Autos should run on meters in Chennai !

I wonder how Chennai city is given Metro identity. As far as my understanding goes a city with almost all the facilities such as proper sanitation, pucca transportation system, less crime rate etc are given Metro status. We cannot expect more on sanitation and crimes but why do we have such a bad transportation system? Does constructing flyovers alone make the city look posh? Why can’t these ‘yellow criminals’, yeah I meant the autos, run on ‘meters’? When other metros has autos running on meters why not Chennai? I really do not know the answer for it.

A week back I had to reach a shop at besant nagar before 8 pm, and I was at Adyar bus stand at 7:45 pm, I did not get any direct bus to besi so I decided to take an auto. When I asked a auto man ‘besant nagar poganum, evlo’ (how much u charge?) without even thinking he said ‘aaruvadhu ruba kudunga’ ie. Rs.60/- OMG I got damn irritated, how dare he can ask 60 bucks? It hardly takes 5 minutes from adyar to besi by auto. I was thinking whether I should bargain, as I was sure he will not come for 20 bucks which is actually more if there was meter system in autos. Yet, I started to bargain; to my surprise in Chennai every auto man speaks economics to me. They speak as if they are the only community in this whole India who suffers from fuel hikes.

There was no limit for my irritation, felt like slapping, but obviously I could not, I reserved all my anger and turned around, I got a direct bus to besi. Thank god. I am lucky; I spent only 2/- bucks to reach besi by bus.

But sometimes I have faced situations like I will bargain for 50/- from 70/- and the whole way, the auto man will keep blabbering as if I stole his whole life with that difference of 20/- rupees, you will really feel like jumping from auto rather than to hear him speak economics and politics. But actually even that 50/- bucks which I give is more.

Chennai brought helmet system, now I see almost 100 people in the city driving without helmets, they also had seat belt system, I can spot 1000 people in the city driving without wearing a seat belt, they had yet another law ‘no smoking’ in public, I find about a lakh people in the city who fags on road. In the same way, Chennai also once had this meter system, but none knows when they implemented and when they lifted, for that matter you can see two sets of autos, 1. There will not be anything like a black box fitted in left side of the auto known as meter or 2. There will be a meter but it will be covered with a plastic cover and sealed. So, the point is anyway it’s useless.

In few years we can see auto fellows holding some big companies if they keep asking for money like this.

Chennaites know the plight of this situation and get away from these people somehow, imagine people coming from outside Chennai, its a real treat for auto men when they get to know the person is not from Chennai, they will ask as they wish. Indian part 2 movie should be made based on punishing auto men if they don’t run on meters.

I remember one of my friend’s grandparents who came from Bangalore, took an auto from nungambakkanm to mandaveli and the auto guy asked Rs.110/- if they put another 110/- to it, they can reach Bangalore itself safely by train.

If Chennai autos runs with meters I bet the city people will crown the government, but I don’t see such a thing happening or even will happen anymore. Till now I have not seen one auto driver charging based on meter, let me see how many years it takes.

Maybe my auto fare from adyar to besi will become 120/- in another two years time. I should not be shocked.

'SORRY' makes a difference !

I am a regular visitor of Thiruvelikeni Parthasarathy temple, two weeks back I had been to kovil with my Amma during a Saturday by car. Usually in Vishnu temples Saturdays will be much crowded than any other days in the week. I reach temple by entering into a small street where two vehicles cannot pass through from opposite directions. It is a very narrow street where car will not proceed to even second gear.

On a Saturday around 4:50pm when I entered that narrow street, the place was crowded with people, vehicles and to make things worse two calves and a cow was also there. My mother was all tensed and started to advice me, ‘go slow, go slow, go slow’ in an increasing volume. None except drives know how it feels when they get advices when they drive. It’s completely annoying, but in my case I am used to it.

With great difficulty I almost crossed half way, yet I could not proceed further as an auto was coming in the opposite direction with great speed thinking he is driving a BMW. I was so much irritated to keep moving inch by inch. I could have over took in that road but I did not dare to, as auto drivers would rash on my car and not mind to see what they have done. So this inch by inch continued until I turned to right.

Just then a car which was going properly in front gave a sudden brake. I did not have an option but to do the same. I was happy that I did not bang on that car, immediately within no span of time, a man in bike dashed my car from behind.

I was damn furious and was all set to blast him once I turn. I stopped the car in the turning not allowing others to proceed further and screamed at the fellow who banged.

The guy, who was about 35 to 40 years old, calmly stopped his bike, said ‘sorry’ for what he did and also said ‘if there is any damage in your car because of me, I would surely replace, you can check the car’s rear’. I immediately went and checked, a screw was broken, and the bumper was shaking a little bit. I did not feel like asking him any payment for the small smash up he made. The main reason is, I have never seen any person who would accept his mistake when they gaffe during their ride, also I have not seen any person who speaks so politely and says ‘I will compensate for any dent occurred because of me’ that too during much traffic.

After checking, I just gave a smile and said ‘nothing has happened’ and moved from that place.

I really appreciate that gentleman for his amazing attitude and honesty.

The lesson I learnt is to always remain calm whenever you drive, never lose your temper and accept mistakes if at all you have made any. It solves the problem more than compensating with money.

I hope every person who drives make sure they drive carefully and give respect to others who drive on the road. If such a thing happens there will not be any fights or unnecessary traffic and wrangles on road. Every person can drive with a smile :)

Pure Inspiration !!

   Lance Armstrong – It’s not about the Bike – My Journey Back to Life

 The book It’s not about the bike-My journey back to life, by Lance Armstrong reveals the adversity by the author who is an amazing bike racer; who fought against nonseminomatous testicular cancer and strived tough to win the championship of Tour de France.

“The truth is, if you asked me to choose between winning the Tour de France and cancer, I would choose cancer. Odd as it sounds, I would rather have the title of cancer survivor than winner of the Tour, because of what it has done for me as a human being, a man, a husband, a son and a father, says the racer after his glorious come back.

 Lance says he did not know what fear is until he heard the words “You have cancer”. But it did not stop there, his body condition moved from bad to worse. Doctors finally said, he has to undergo a brain surgery and that has only 40% chance of survival, lance dint give up there either. People say if a man’s skull is open for once, it’s rigid to get back to normal life. Hearing all these as well, Lance was strong enough to accept whatever was written for him. With many things running in his mind, he just had one word clinging in his thoughts which is to “Move”

A person who reads this book will get to know more of medical terms and almost the whole thing about cancer and chemotherapy. One chapter thoroughly deals with difficulty which chemo causes and how pathetic a man’s physique gets spoiled. Lance, being a racer, had an urge to know what he is undergoing exactly, hence he collected many books which talks about cancer and its several stages. Readers would feel, it’s the end and nothing worse can happen to a person who wishes much success in his life.

The book clearly focuses on lance’s will power, courage, strength, determination; urge to be back on track and foremost about optimism. Millions in this world face problems, but the art of coming out of any crisis is being optimistic, Lance stands as a great example for being optimistic in his career and life. There where many disappointing reports which completely put him off, also many people who did the same such as sponsors, who thought Lance would die and it’s not of any good use in having his contract.

His come back includes effort of many others too, first being his mother who showed him what true champion is. His teammates Kevin, Frankie, George and others, Dr. Nichlos oncologist and a real angel LaTrice Haney oncology nurse. Kik, his wife who was supportive till he won the title. The list goes on and on.

The book almost completely covers a series of serious medical aspects from chemo to surgical procedures. Lance is frank and delightful on his relationship to wife Kristin (Kik), and goes into surprising detail about the technology that let them have a child.  

Lance sees cancer as a part of life that is meant to improve us by making us focus on our difficulties with courage and indominability of spirit. Through his book, he completely relates to the reader and makes them feel what he underwent in those stages of 16 months. Any person who reads his book will surely have tears and makes them sit through his whole life in the form of a book. He compares his cancer and his bike racing, he says both are same, both relates to lungs, as his initial cancer affected his lungs and to be a world class champion lungs are most important to control the breath.

Lance says “I am happy with the way my career went and I am happy with the way it ended.” It shows how brave he was when he underwent his 16 months of torture. He also feels cancer was infact a best thing to happen in his life. He further says “It gave me a chance to re-evaluate my life and my career. Cancer certainly gives things a new perspective. I would not have won the Tour de France if I had not had cancer. It gave me new strength and focus.”

Almost everyone asked him not to look back to his career. They said, he would strain more and catch up with more complications. Lance was confident enough to say “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

Throughout the book Lance talks about self belief. He feels any person should believe to the maximum, there will be so many who dashes your hopes. Despite the consequences one should believe that he will be alright. More than doctors saying a patient will be alright, a patient must feel that he will overcome his illness. He says “Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.” These lines boosts up the reader and feel confident and positive.

The Book talks about passion and how to hold to your passion and struggle achieving it in anyway. Lance feels the whole of his life was carried away with a simple passion towards his racing career. Once he over came his problem he says “For me it was always a simple passion.”

The book is a complete inspiration for readers and also heightens confidence among cancer patients. Media houses such as Guardian says “Having nearly lost his life Lance Armstrong serves up his story for the rest of the world to wonder at shudder at and learn from” Scotsman says “Pure inspiration”

One of Lance’s appealing quote - “It's ironic; I used to ride my bike to make a living. Now I just want to live so that I can ride.”

His road to success was a difficult one, but hard work, perseverance, and lots of training helped him to achieve his dream. He had become one of the best, at the age of 25 and on top of the world. It’s a highly recommended book for those who live to aim and every chapter of the book makes the reader believe winning needs heart with full of confidence and courage to break all the barriers which lie on road to success.

"Idhuvum kadandhu pogum"

Few days back I was talking to my dad about things I hate the most and those which irritate me and put me off, thoroughly. I was constantly talking talking and talking and whining as far as possible, dad was patiently listening, he did not speak a word in-between my jabber. Just then I finished he said one sentence in tamizh-it goes like this,

“Idhuvum kadandhu pogum”

It means, even this phase of problem/worry/crisis will move on. This really encouraged me. The sentence looks so tiny but has an incredible meaning to it. It boosts a person so much, further it makes us think in a wider perspective as the phase will move on. From then on whenever I face some crooked situation, I remember his words, it makes me look forward and hit upon solutions.

I wanted to share this piece of information for those who think troubles always exists and never goes from us.

So whenever you are down, say this sentence to yourself. It really works...

Keep smiling :)

Cooking Cooking and more Cooking !!

Panner butter masala, Gobi manchuriyan, Dal fry, palak panner, aalo Gobi masala etc etc. sounds delicious right? Yes! Eating all these is not a big deal, but how to make all these? Always we cannot rely on restaurants. Off late I developed little interest in cooking, but never wanted to try out in a full fledge as I am scared of kitchen work. Initially I had this impression that kitchen work is all worst, its one big time headache blah blah. But nowadays I started liking it. Currently the time has come to show my cuisine talents.

One evening I walked into Spencer’s daily grocery to buy some butter to make ghee, suddenly my eyes stopped to an attractive packet of panner, the cover of that packet had a print of panner masala. It really looked yummy! Immediately I took it and placed it along with other stuffs I bought. On my way back home, I was thinking why did I buy it? I don’t know how to make it, and my mom will also not like doing north Indian dishes. What to do? I never tried north Indian dish by my own.

Then I reached home, without my mom’s knowledge I kept the panner deep inside the chiller. I desperately wanted to have panner masala but I did not know the preparation method. After sometime I opened the chiller to see whether there is any method of preparation behind the pack. Wow!! To my surprise I saw the method, it all looked simple. I needed few extra things to make the dish. Since it was around 9pm, I could not go out and buy the missing items.

Next day morning around 8am I went to market and got the absent ingredients. I was all set to surprise my mom and brother. I told my mom not to come to kitchen as I am going to surprise her. (Thou she does not like these dishes, I wanted to show that I can make what I like and eat happily). This is the foremost time I am trying a north Indian dish completely by my own. I started to cut vegetables; onion, tomato, ginger, coriander. Eyes went real red after cutting onion. After a while I washed my face and continued to do my work. With the help of few links from internet I somehow finished the dish. I am all set to garnish the panner masala with some coriander and ready to serve.

And this is how my recipe looked :) (camera mobile, clarity will be little low)

Now I am yet to taste the recipe and all set for the first taste of it. Trust me; I was really scared how it would taste. I was praying all God’s before I was about to go for the initial tang… oops! I am afraid to taste, what if it tastes bad:(. I decided to give to my brother first, let him taste and give me the remarks.

I quietly went to my brother and showed him the dish and gave a spoon to taste; I closed my eyes when he went for it. There was silence for 10seconds and then I opened my eyes, he was so damn amazed and said “I never expected you to do such a wonderful thing in the first shot! Wow!” my face was brightened with joy, and then I felt like tasting, yipeeeee, it was awesome; next mom had a savor of it and was happy to know I can cook well. I felt very proud of myself.

Later I was all tired after doing the recipe, it is not a big work but for the first time it was bit hectic; and then I realized how mom used to feel tired after doing so many dishes. Really great. Hence I learnt one thing; eat what you like by cooking on your own, it will taste better and the best. :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the method of preparation !

Heat butter in a kadai and add the onion puree and fry till they turn light brown in color. Add Ginger-Garlic paste to the brown paste mixture and saute for sometime. Then add the chillipowder, coriander powder, tomato puree, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and salt and saute for sometime. Now Add the soaked paneer cubes, some water and allow it to cook till the gravy becomes semi-solid. Finally garnish with coriander and fresh cream. Panner butter masala is ready :)

Sand conversation!! Lovely Bessie

“Hey frds 2day pucca at 5.pm Bessie; barista meeting point”…. This is the SMS which goes to divi, pri, cr, chand, anu from me, as I am the Bessie planner… friends are too studious in such issues, lol.. They will reply immediately for confirmation… I used to organize and usually I will be the last to come.

By the time I reach barista everyone would have come and they would blissfully be chatting (obviously veti talks). There I see my gang, I usually spot my gang by cr’s smile (not that she has smiling face, but her bunny teeth will strike you for sure)lol relax cr ;)

From there we go to our usual place ie: round sand conference ;). Here the conversation starts by our genie anu “hey temme some gossip” actually there won’t be much to gossip but we will speak some crap, on the other end cr will be quietly listening, but beware she is up to something; what is it?!?! Yeah, her ususal masala kadala and molaga bajji. We all have to go with her to eat molaga bajji else she will kill us ;)

I would not prefer going to the stall as soon as we enter beach, hence I generally drag her to water, cursing me she will come, most of the times madam would take care of slippers but every time I pull her to water. Oh yeah!! Here comes our yap yap girl, pri!! “Hey lets take a foto yar” her standard dialogue, hearing this I generally try to run away, as she will grab my mobile and asks to click for her posses. By and large her posses are similar either tilting her head to right or left and EEE her teeth ;) not to forget that she is glued to cr while taking pics.

In all this hungama anu will be in one corner; doing what?!!? Well madam will be over phone, I used to wonder why she came to beach?!? With lots of expressions she will be talking, talking and keeps talking, till when!? Till either her charge gets over or the other persons credit gets over, which ever is earlier ;)

Now comes divi, almost doing nothing but operating her mobile, she is never on call as she will not call any single soul on earth, she only messages. There comes a future predictor, she sees divi and says “madhavan mari unaku paiyan varuvan ma” she will be fascinated by it and gives her few pennies. (This is what I call business tactics) ;)

Usually divi and anu will not come near water. Myself and pri are the brave girls to stand in water; cr will gain the poise after seeing us. Standing in water is real fun, especially when cr is there, she will go backwards when tides come in some 100km, for that she will jump and go back, comedy only she does. Hehe...

After all water joy we dust our pants and head back to the pavilion. There cr yaps for molaga bajjai, certainly even we love eating it, but she always gets enthu when she sees those long long molagas hanging like designer pearl, till we get our royal plates we will be seated in plastic chairs and again we will start chatting, nearly it will be some love stories or about our class… usually when our sand conversation ends the mighty girl chand will come, number one lazy I must say, darling loves to play truth or dare. She is a pucca sport and does anything, but we should be equally ready to play with such a sport. Madam is our standard sponsor especially for ice creams.

Skies gradually turn to dark blue and we are forced to draw a closer to our lovely sand conversation. Now it’s really time to get back home, most of the times Myself, divi and chand use to walk back. When we cross frankiee shop, I will look at divi, she such a cutie pie understands from my face and offers me a frankiee. We both owe so much to each other may be crores ;)

Some how 2 to 3 hours will go with all these fun and joy don’t know how it goes just like that. CR, pri, divi, anu and chand the most precious friends I earned during all these three years of my college life. Thanks to all of you.

But there is always a special mention for CR and PRI for being there whenever I needed them. Thanks sweeties. :)

Sigh!! What a great fun we had in beach, ragging each other, laughing for silly jokes, talking everything from A to Z and always being together and united. It’s always blissful and such memories always have a special room in all these young hearts today, tomorrow and forever.

Now all are waiting for next Bessie meet and there goes the SMS……….. 1 message received :):)

Morning journey in 29C !!

Green dusty and smoky bus getting out from the fog at around 7:15am what is it? Yeah obviously it the well known ‘MAJESTIC’ 29C starts from besant nagar and reaches Perembur. What is so special about this bus? well, its nothing but the college rush which you can see from 7am to 8am in that bus. At sharp 7:15am a 29C will come the entire bezant nagar will enter into that bus, behind that another one will come but none will go in it. The reason is previous one is white board and the next one is express, it costs two bucks extra to reach your usual destination. Uuuff.. too much, people cant even spend two bucks extra and travel comfortably. Yet, the fun is same in the bus. Almost all my friends travel in that bus and we catch up at every stop.

Starting from divi she is real cute teddy friend who enters the bus first in the journey to college. Most of the times she will get seat as her bus stand is one stop before the terminus, madam will comfortably sit and give a missed call to me, which means ‘she got the bus and its coming my way, wherever I am I should reach the stop and get in’ that’s the indirect message from that one missed call.(waaat a communication nah :P) The wonderful chariot will come and I will get inside to see where divi is sitting, there I will see this girl sitting in the other end with the window seat empty, it’s reserved for me, she knows I like to sit there. From bessi we will start our usual chat “hey you know what?” this will go on for sometime and the bus will reach adyar, there my another lovely friend will get in, pinky she is one ultimate big time chatter box, keeps on saying something or the other, me and divi will not have a choice but have to listen to her, but many a times this girl is very sweet and tells us heaps of gossips… uuuuff… one day will not be enough to listen her talks, yet we do lend our ears as she is our lovely chatter box… our talks will go on till mandaveli, there gets in another friend of mine CR, my best friend in class by the time she gets into the bus the bus will be half sliding and she will be in some corner of the bus but will try to reach where we are sitting by pushing all others..hehe.. she will give that sparkling smile, it conveys almost everything… now its four of us in the bus, its enough to make some noise, giggle, scream, sing and what not. We start chatting from new movies, to posters stuck on compounds, to banners, commenting about people in bus, cursing people who irritate us in bus and lots… Now our chariot will turn towards cathedral road, there gets in another friend of us anu, she is our news bulletin, but more or less she will be standing in steps but will some how manage and come and join us.

Great!! now all are present in the bus, the chariot will enter Gemini…aaahhhhhhhh. Fun and enjoyment comes to an end, time to get down and climb five floors :(

With all those joy, however the bus may be we love the journey in 29C :)