The journey has begun ...

The Journey Has Begun...

[... to borrow from Diana Tholoor, founder, Chrysallis Performance Arts Centre for the Challenged]

The Journey's begun - from Bangalore, where the event kicked off in Mount Carmel College this Saturday. About 250 children, both with and without challenges, came together, and found thier special friend in one another - this was an experience which would stay with them for their lifetime :). And I was really fortunate to have been a part of this activity :).

Do have a look at the various articles and snaps of the event here:

The Deccan Herald Friday, March 4, 2007 Supplement
The Hindu Sunday, March 4, 2007 Page 4
The Times of India Sunday, March 4, 2007 Page 2
The Indian Express Sunday, March 4, 2007 Supplement
The Vijay Times Monday, March 5, 2007 Supplement
The Malayalam Manorama Sunday, March 4, 2007
The Eenadu Sunday, March 4, 2007

Some pics are here.

Also, please, please do forward it to your friends, family, loved ones - it'll make a big difference to their lives.

adios for now,
luvv!!
~me.

Heylo there!! I'm back :).

Hi all!! It's been an awfully long time away from blogging - lots of work in life, trying to figure out some meaning in an otherwise mundane existence... and then, didn't find anything too exciting to write about since the last event. so, here I am, with the latest :).

I am here to tell you about the 'Power Of One'. Read on, and then pass on the link, spread the word, join, contribute - in short, do anything that you can to help a wonderful effort:

For the First time ever .. a 180 day nation wide campaign ... mass awareness through a human chain ...

A journey of integration across 34 state capitals ...

Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkatta, Chennai, Pondicherry, Jaipur, Srinagar, Raipur, Shillong and every other state capital city.

Touching hundreds of thousands of lives ..

YOU have the Power to integrate children with and without challenges ..

It takes only one person to make the difference ... you can make the difference!

Thanks a ton!
signing off for now,
~me.

PS: I'm going to try to be regular here, so, don't miss it !! ;)

Poster for Hope Floats

Poster for Hope Floats
Originally uploaded by s_s.

here's a poster for the earlier post...

Hope Floats: An Exhibition cum sale of original sketches by the Tsunami Affected children

Hi All,

I know I've been really erratic in doing new posts - but not without a reason. am a bit involved these days with an event, and for this, I would require complete support from all of you - oh my friends from the virtual world.

"Hope Floats" is an event through which we hope to create awareness about the pain that the Tsunami victims have actually gone through via sketches done by the kids from the affected areas. It is an exhibition cum sale of the 58 pictures that were sketched by the tsunami-affected kids.

The proceeds of the event shall be used for the educational purposes of the children who have done these sketches. Also, a part of the sum shall be used to build a school at Puddupattinam (one of the affected villages) in co-ordination with an NGO with global presence called Hope Foundation worldwide.

Those interested in contributing to the cause by Purchasing the pictures (which will be mounted) can come over for the event on 19th March,6:30pm at ING Vysya Hall, MG Road, Bangalore OR if u can't make it to the event, can contact Mayank (mayank.rungta@hp.com) or me (sumu.ss@gmail.com) to arrange for the purchase.

The Pictures are priced at Rs 2250. From the art point of view, these are just pictures made by kids - but if you have a closer look at them, you can really see what the kids have lived through.

Some of the pictures may b viewed at http://community.webshots.com/album/285744669BOyfCw

If someone wants to make a contribution to the cause and not purchase a picture, that is also welcome.

It would be a great help if you can spread the word to those whom you think would be able to contribute.

More importantly, please just come over for the Event. From the point of view of a person who has been to the Tsunami hit areas and has seen the pictures drawn by these innocent children, I can assure you, it would be a revelation.

You can make a lot of difference to someone.

God Bless n happiness Always,
~me.

Hi All !! :).. loong time no see

Hi All!!!

I know, I know its been a lllooonnggg while since I've been able to write anything on this blog of mine - guess the cyber ego of mine had to go into deep slumber coz of the need of the 'real me' to get on with a set of things.. more about that, but later.

for now, here's a request to people in Bangalore: [ you may pass this on to those whom you know are in Bangalore ]: It's an announcement about a play, to create awareness about the needs of special children and people, and what we can do to help them. I would say a 'must-see' for anyone who can be there :)..

---

---

Every one needs

"Someone to dry their tears"

And we say

"I am here - I volunteer"


EMPATHISE

the Social Service Division of 5E Serpraise

presents


The Call

a 40 minute inspirational piece of music, song and movement

performed by 65 children from

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Sheila Kotwal Institute for the Deaf, Kutumba Home for Disabled Girls, Kadesh Children's Happy Home and Avinash

and Sweta Poddar narrating through Sign Language

Prashant, Sudhir, Gautam, Dolly and Shashikant

volunteers with very special hearts

supported by the Chrysallis Performance Arts Centre directed by Diana Tholoor

Date: February 12, 2005

Time: 6:30 pm

Venue: Gurunanak Bhavan, Queen's Road

Donor Passes: Rs.49

Passes available at

Landmark – Forum, Steve’s Gym Cox Town & Airport Road, Super Market – 5th Avenue, Café Paradis – Alliance Francaise, Grace Gift Centre – opp KFC CMH Road

Call 98455 08547 / 98802 90134 or mail me at sumu.ss@gmail.com

---

---

Thanks a ton, and ciao,
spread the word !! :)

Help Tsunami Victims...

.. In whatever ways you can - money, clothes, volunteering for relief activities - whatever.

For details, please see the tsunami link in 'My Fav Links' - ok ok, here is it, or visit Suhail's.

Me? trying to visit some affected areas in TN, and see if we can help in the relief program - won't be able to take any leaves etc, but guess can spend the weekend there... Lets see..

And friends, I know you all have, but still, pray that those missing are found to be safe, and those departed may rest in peace..

amen.

god bless n happiness always,
~me.

XMas celebrations....

Hi all !!

We had some early X'mas celebrations last weekend - it all started on friday, with a visit to An Old Age Home - 'Little Sisters of Poor', from my company's foundation. It was really great to be there, singing some carols with them, giving away some gifts, participating with them in sooo many fun events - singing, dancing.. was wonderful. and extremely touching to see the smiles on their faces - the pleasure they had from the attention they got from us. The oldest person there was made the Santa - he was 97 yrs of age !! and one uncle, all of 91 yrs, took great pride in showing us his engineering marvels, small useful things made from the waste... Was an un-explanable feeling to be there - very close to bliss !!

Somehow, these visits to Old Age homes leave me with a very irritating sense of helplessness - I mean, can't really fathom how, just how can people leave out their elders, specially when the 'need' factor is most prominent ?? I mean, it's one thing for someone elderly to be staying at an old-age home simply because (s)he doesn't have anyone at all, and its entirely another thing for them to live there even though they have a family, living elsewhere, just not having time enough to be there?? hurts a lot.... :(

Then on saturday, there was another celebration, for the underprivileged children of Bangalore, wherein we had a gathering of around 1800+ children, from all walks of underprivileged society - the mentally challenged, the physically challenged, or simply the orphans or the poors. It was real fun being with them, and the show stealer of the event was a dance performance by some people from the AMC [ Association for Mentally Challenged] - It was spectacular to say the least !!! truly amazing... Was an eye - opener as to what they are capable of doing !!

Had lots of fun last weekend, and this weekend, we're off to a 2-day trek in the Nilgiris - gonna be an interesting way to celebrate X'mas. Incidentally, last X'mas, we'd gone on a Beach trail - Konkan beaches.. *sigh*, the memories ... :) :P

Have fun all of you, EnJoI your x'mas, [ new year wishes will be sent separately !! :) :P]..

Take care,
god bless n happiness always,
~me.

Life's roller coasters

First of all, my heartfelt condolences to Angel - her kiddo bro died around 15 days back - I came to know today only, when I was visiting her blog. Luv and hugs to u, Angel dearie, and I *know* god will give u strength in one of ur worst parts of life. Just, hang on gurl.

The heart cries out for u.. There's a request - If I can help you in any way, do let me know.. okie?
god bless. lotsa luv n hugs.

Hmm...

Life for me has been a roller coaster in the past 1 month...

Spent almost 3 weeks in different hospitals.. taking decisions - of the 'life-n-death' kinds... thankfully, they proved to be just right,and just on time. It has been an extremely stressful, at times emotional time.

Dad, who's been very careful with his diet habits, and his lifestyle after being diagnosed a diabetic, had no history of Heart ailments. and then suddenly, diwali day, he had a major attack, stayed in the ICCU for 5 days. Later, the doc told us how close a shave it had been - how very close to fatal.

He insisted on an angiography the next day, saying he suspected some blockage, which could be cleared up using small surgical procedures - either angioplasty,or stenting. It was when the angiography happened, and the cardiologist called me in to show the damages to the main arteries and the Only possible procedure - an open-heart bypass surgery, that I understood the implications. And the dangers involved. He wanted it to be done ASAP, coz dad is what they call a 'A+ high risk patient' - extremely critical.

Luckily, again, we managed to get an appointment with Dr Naresh Trehan, who saw his angiography CD, endorsed the view for earliest possible bypass, and agreed to do it for us.

Dad got his surgery done, and he's back home now, recovering. Though the near-normal state will come not before 2-3 months, he's fine now - thanks to the wishes of sooo many friends, family and people we know. Thanks to all of them.

The way Ma took it all, has been a real eye-opener - although we've known her to be tough, she's proved a pillar of strength for all of us.. and the positive attitude that she's infused, was a wonderful influence. Love u ma !! :) .. and I know u know that.

Days have been extremely full of anxiety, and enormous stress.. Though am back to work, still my heart is there only.

I believe it WAS kinda lucky that I was there when it happened - otherwise, dunno how it might've been.. for dad, and for me. :(..

That also set me thinking about this whole idea of working soo far from home - Am I right in thinking of a career for myself, doing what I like to do and therefore do it well, no matter how far it is from home OR should I be content working in some company, doing something which I can do, but do not enjoy doing, to stay closer home and with family?? That's been a huge debate - within myself. hmm, guess it's time to revisit the question.

Well, friends, especially those who have waited long for this post, my frame of mind when I left for Delhi, and now when I am back, is hugely different. Guess will need to give it some more time before settling into writing regular posts. This one is just to let u know what's been happening, and why I've been away.

I know ur wishes are with me, as much as mine are with you.

god bless n happiness always,
take care,
~me.

Off for Diwali !! :)

Hi frens !! :)

Me am off to home for diwali holidays - we're also gonna visit Vaishno Devi shrine.

So, here's wishing all of us a wonderful Diwali, may goddess Lakshmi bless us all, in cash and in kind :P, and may god bestow upon us Happiness, and peace at heart.

chalo, ab aish karo :) ... [ translated - let's go, have fun !! ;) ]

~me.

here's wishing...

.. A very Happy Dassera / Ayudha Pooja to all !! :)

~me.

its been a long time...

... since I last managed to do a post.. days have been running away in a jiffy... last weekend, went to Pune to see off Sandy... was tooo great to be back there, and too disappointing to have to return sooooo sooon..

my bros came down from Delhi, and are riding 'Ooh Baby' these days.. now now, don't get any nasty ideas - that's the name of my prized possession, the Bullet. ;) :P ...

And, this being a long weekend, we all are going off to Wayanad, a wonderful hill station in Kerala...

some thing completely off the track now - When I started this blog, wanted to write about things that I observe - in the world, in people around me etc etc.. to hear from people, to exchange ideas.. and sometimes about the teenie - weenie things that happen in my life..
Of late, I've realised that the posts have become more emphasised on Me.. hmmm... time to come back to the original intended use :) .. will shift back the focus from the next mail onwards.

till then, lets all EnjoI the long weekend,

Have fun guys, EnJoI,
God bless n happiness Always,
~me.

Another News - got My Bullet :)

Doston !! :)
I got my BraNd NeW Bullet Electra - Silver - and I'm gonna have a Roll !! :) ...

It was a childhood dream - to own a bullet.. the majesty of the bike, the royal touch that it exudes, the feel of raw power - just about everything.

It came amidst protests from almost all quarters - atleast initially - friends, parents, brother, cousins, family - everyone was of the opinion that I should rather go for a car.. and the car lease facility available here in my organisation made it really very lucrative too - but I stuck to the bike for 2 reasons:

1. I don't need a car here.. B'lore is too congested, too crowded for owning a car. Really.
2. It's been THE ChildHood Dream yaar !! comeon !:)

It feels especially great to have been able to buy it off my own money - its just an AweSome Feeling :)..

Rest Laterz,

May God shower His blessings onto each one of us :).

God bless n happiness Always,
~me.

kuch bhi about my life :)

hi all !!

Don't know where time flew in the past 2 weeks... *still* don't realise I am here :P .. okay okay guys, no need to pinch me.. chillax yaar !! :)

It has all been an overwhelming experience - am the youngest one [ yet again :P ] in the team, both age and experience wise - rest all are 4-5+ yrs of exp.. not even a single remotely decent looking babe around on the whole floor... :( :((

People around you are either patent-holders, or co-holders, or applicants !! guess I'll have to think of atleast *something* to get a patent on - maybe I'll patent the way I tie my shoelaces ;) :P .. or the exact sequence of my tea making.. ;)..

jokes apart, its a very humbling feeling.. really.. some thing similar to what you feel when u read up "ZenC"'s blog - the sheer knowledge is soo enormous !!... don't have words to express it..

anyways... hhuummpphh... lets leave that aside.. one more great news?? yeah.. :) .. Gonna get my brand new Bullet Electra on Thursday :) :) .. yippie .. yuuhooooo....

what else?? hmm.. sandy's flying to Belgium on a long - term assignment, and when I talked to him, he hurled the choicest of hindi-marathi abuses at me [ trust me, coming from his mouth, they're a golden collection ;) :P] - coz had I not left my job, we both would've been going together, and it'd have been a lottt more fun.. sachchi.. but then, I am not complaining ;) :)..

Hey, did ya know, in past 2 -2.5 months, have read soooo maannyyy novels!! something like 8-10 novels !! an indicative list:
* LOTR,
* The Company Of Women, Khushwant Singh,
* Memoirs of a Geisha,
* The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown,
* Detective,
* The Family, Mario Puzo,
* Five Point Someone, Chetan Bhagat,
* The Bridges of Madison County, Robert James Waller,
* Nine Stories, JD Salinger,
* The Fifth Mountain, Paulo Coelho,
* The Rainmaker, [Again]

and a few more... btw, while listing down these, got surprised myself... !!

am reading - 'Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman', and boy, its a MUST READ... Just too good... !!

hota hai, hota hai - mujhe reading fits aate hain ;) ..

anyways, bahut bantering - chattering ho gayee, now lets get back to work - tomorrow is the full day induction for new joinees, with the Indian head also speaking for around an hour.. should be interesting.. :) [ can anyone see the dark undertones? guess not :) ]..

take care guys,
god bless n happiness always,
~me.

Hi guys !!

Hi guys !!

I know I know, its been a really really long while, but I was genuinely busy - there have been lots of changes in the life in too short a time, and it has really taken up most, or rather all, of the time I have.

So, lemme begin with giving you all a great news: I have joined one of the world's premier MNCs, also voted "#1 place to work in India" last year.. :) .. ohhh mann !! I really cant STILL believe it - u know, it used to be a place not even 'dreamable' about ... I mean, even in my wildest dreams could I never imagine being here.

just 1 month back, I used to see the people working here, and used to really look upto them in awe.. and suddenly, I find myself, sporting the same badge, travelling in the same bus, working in the same place as them... its sooo unreal abhi bhi - seems like I am in a trance !! :)

so, here are all the reasons for me not writing in:
1. preparation for the interview - yeah, I did study n prepare for it - took almost 2 days off..

2. the project that I was involved in in my last company, suddenly seemed to get all the interest showered onto it from the higher management.. agreed it was a 'cutting-edge' implementation, but still.. this, unfortunately for me, meant no or little time to have a 'honeymoon' period... [ we used to call the period between resigning and joining the new place, the hoenymoon period - u don't necessarily have to work, no late nights, no overburden...]...

3. some smallish problems at home, and my desire to meet my folks led me to Delhi on a 2 day quickie trip.. I travelled by Air Deccan both ways, and, must say, the service was decent.. leave apart the fact that whatever you eat or drink had to be purchased... but comeon yaar, what do you expect from a low-cost airline which makes air travel possible for people like us??

4. got clearance from the old office on friday evening 5 pm.. which meant hardly any time for leisure..


hmm... but had total masti in Delhi - it was my kid bro's birthday too, so it was all the more fun !! :) ..

guess I have written enough of 'non-sensical-to-others' things... but can't think of any 'sensible' things for now :P .. :) ..

Arre haan, forgot to mention - met a delhi blogger Ruchika in Delhi... before meeting her, we'd had a smallish exchange of mails in which she'd claimed she'll bore me up.. and I bet her that she can't be a bigger bore than I am...
and I know I won ;) :P ... in the end, she was bored to death ;) .. so the plan succeeded... :P ... all this, despite me having had to wait some 35-40 minutes for her... in Delhi's garmi these days... hmm.. but never mind, mission accomplished... ;)

rest laterz guys,
take care,
god bless n happiness always,
~me.

will need to wait a bit longer...

Hi guys !!!

Am quite busy with work, so can't write a long post - soo many posts are pending :( .

. but they'll have to wait.. as zoya puts it, 'there is a need for quietitude for writing'... guess ditto for me :) .. anyways..

just came to tell that there won't be any posting till end of this week, maybe longer... please bear with me !! :)

NEWS FLASH: I got a hair cut :) ... back to the almost-crew-cut days, from the got-long-tresses look :) ...

adios amigos [ don't know plural for a friend in spanish],
god bless n happiness always,
luv,
~sumu.

Happy Independence Day !!

Hi !!

Wishing a very Happy Independence Day to All Indians, and South Koreans !! :) .. yeah, just came to know from a korean colleague of mine - we share the same Independence day !! :)

am planning up a post on 'The Da Vinci Code' ... will take some time though, so bear with me ! :)

god bless n happiness always,
~sumu.

.. And the waterfalls now .. :)

Kundluteertha waterfalls - 2

Kundluteertha Waterfalls

The Water falls - believe me when I say that the picture is not at all doing any justice to these falls. :)

Some pictures from the trip

..and here's the path to the rafts : organisers included ;) :P