My favorite quotes

1. Passion is the secret to persistence. Once you fall in love with a vision, it's not possible to give up.
2. Everything will be ok in the end. If its not! its not the end... ~Coelho
3. Don't take too much credit when u do well, coz if u don't do well..you don't wana take too much blame
4. Don't take rest after your first victory, coz if u fail in the succeeding ones.. people might call it off a sheer luck!
5. If you make friends with yourself, you will never be alone ~Maxwell Maltz
6. When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. ~Coelho
7. Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. ~Coelho
8. Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering. ~Coelho
9. One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. ~Coelho
10. No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone's eyes. ~Coelho
11. Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act. ~Coelho
12. When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It's very simple. ~Coelho
13. You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle. ~Coelho
14. The wise are wise only because they love. The fool are fools only because they think they can understand love. ~Coelho
15. You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it. ~Coelho
16. “Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away” ~Will Smith

Alone at the cafe

My body quivered when I entered that cafe. It was a while since I last visited that place. Apparently, the place didn’t transform much with customers relishing the food, waiters gossiping other than serving, lovers exploring a new world in each other eyes, and family(long pause). I don’t think I can do this. 

(The man wipes out his tears with the tissue laying bare on the edge of the table and rushes out of the cafe) 

He feared going back into that cafe where his wife and child were murdered brutally. He somehow believed that to let go, he had to face the reality of happenings. So mustering up all his courage he went and failed. Failed to accept the truth.

You want to forget bad past but you can’t. It creeps up in your head, into your soul. Takes a portion of exuberant you and makes rest of your life even difficult to spend. They say “Cherish the moment with your loved one’s while you can, you never know when that can crumble.” They are right.

My trouble being a writer

Searching for a story to write, lots of random thoughts strike and fade away. It becomes difficult to stick to one, simply because I tend to weigh various thoughts (with pros and cons). This is wrong.

Being a writer, I should understand that it is my responsibility to garnish even the meekest of thoughts and present it in a fascinating manner. Now, how can one develop that quality ? Is it possible to learn it ? Yes, very much. Only condition is that you keep your mind wide open and rely on originality rather than plagiarism. You become best by having been the worst. Take small steps. You cant become great overnight. But, you can see yourself growing a little. 

Friends.. why the bloody heck do i care?

Coz of the warmth thou poured in my sullen life 

Coz of the patience thou showed in the times despite

Sometimes knowing my acts

as nothing but a slime

Yet u chose indulgence n

Became partners in crime

When hopes were shattered n I became hyper tensed

Thou boosted my confidence n gave my life much needed sense

For it was thou who showed me what I can be

Thy love n patience played a part which I couldn't foresee

What a sweet conspiracy I muse it was

You know! I still don't believe in god

Kudrati Karishma

aankhon ki nami chupa leti hai
wo barsaati paani
dil ki dhadkan tez kar deti hai
wo aandhi ki vaani

Har din ek nayi umang lekar aati hai
wo surya ki pehli kiran

Aur dhalte dhalte kar jaati hai 

Humari aashayein safal

ye kudrati karishma hai
jo humari ruh ruh choo leti hai

wo mitti ki sugandh
sheetal hawa ka aagman
wo chidiya ki khilkhilahat
patton ki narmahat
wo baadalon ka garajna
mayusit ko khushiyon main badalna

ye kudrati karishma hai
jo humari ruh ruh choo leti hai

Autobiographical Statement of Vasant Prabhat Raghav

The following autobiographical statement was written when I applied for masters course in social work. Most of us don't accept our failures and hence never learn from them. This work made me pen down the failures I underwent and also how I accepted and learned from them. I would encourage you all to do such a work at some stage in your life. More importantly, when you want to find answers to the mishaps happening with you or around you.

ps. I got selected for the above said course.

I belong to a middle class nuclear family of four, which includes father, mother, sister and myself. 

My father is an IRTS (Indian Railway Traffic Service) officer, presently posted as Chief Project Manager, FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) in Northern Railway, Delhi.

My mother is a postgraduate in Sociology and Hindi who teaches  Hindi in a Senior Secondary Govt. Girls School  namely Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, in Delhi. 

My sister who is three years younger to me is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Hon.) from Hans Raj College, Delhi University. Presently, she has entered into her final year.

Education: 

2010 - 2014 IIIT Delhi 

B.Tech (CSE)

CPI 6.5

2009 The Banyan Tree School

CBSE (XII)

84.4 % (aggregate)

2007 The Banyan Tree School

CBSE (X)

81.6 % (aggregate)

The certificate of appreciation that each student receives after completion of schooling read the following about me:

“Dedicated and responsible. Vasant has a very focused outlook towards life. He is forever striving to achieve perfection.”

It was true that I was focused, dedicated and responsible. But there was more insight to it, and merely the above token of appreciation doesn’t portray the real picture.  I have always acted too hard on myself. I completed most of the home works in class or during bus journey, made friends based on their previous aggregate and my decisions were always centered around on selfish reasons. This method of functioning brought me success on academic front (Swami Vivekananda Award - Class VIII). Moreover, due to my academic success and also because of my participation in co-curricular activities such as sports(cricket, tennis, kho-kho), music (represented India in Hindustani classical choir singing overseas) and dance(took part in a traditional group dance "bihu"), I landed up with the responsibility of Vice Captain (Class XI) of my house. Though the whole experience of becoming the vice captain was overwhelming for me but unfortunately I couldn’t deliver the needful as per my standards. There were three prime reasons for it:

First, while contesting, which I did brilliantly, never had I imagined the magnitude of the responsibilities it would confer upon me. Theoretically convincing is one thing and pragmatically evaluating is another. 

Secondly, which brought troubles to my strong personality was myself getting diagnosed with a higher degree of acne called acne rosacea. This occurred after my win. In this disease, the whole face swells up into reddish hue resulting in an ugly looking face. Being a teenager, I was apparently affected not only physically but also socially. On top of that the responsibility of a leader was extremely difficult to handle. There even came times where I had to miss school for several days, just for the disease to subside. 

Thirdly, like all other science stream students, I also joined coaching classes to clear the IIT exam. This further created a disparity between my role as a vice captain and as an aspirant.

It was the amalgamation of above three reasons that made me realize of some important life learnings:

1. It is important not only to realize your mistakes but also to learn from them. I took a while to pin point and combine the missing pieces of the puzzle. But it was worth an effort as it made me more practical and realistic.
2. With the disease, I faced the lowest tide of my times as I lost confidence in myself. Slowly and steadily, I worked upon the problem and in one year after my schooling got over, I was free from acne rosacea. Witnessing my worst time soldered my nerves to that of steel.
3. Failing to clear IIT exam twice, came as a shell shocker to me. It was a reality check indeed. I understood from this debacle that there is life beyond IIT. Luckily I also appeared for other entrances, that ways my haughtiness didn’t overpower me and so I got into IIIT Delhi as a CSE undergraduate.

Eventually after lot of hiccups and learning started my college life. I had already promised one thing to me, no matter what comes may, I’ll make up for earlier mistakes. It wasn’t so easy as it sounded because I had become a parochial person and to break from the clutches of past was a challenge I undertook valiantly. I pledged that apart from academics I would focus on relationship building with my peers not on the basis of their scores but on ideas of trust, honesty and integrity. Meanwhile, I rediscovered my long lost passion for music and got immersed into its realm so much that my academics took a backseat and I ended up screwing my first two years with a mediocre gpa. Though I had fair amount of success on making friends on the above said ideals, but I always felt that insecurity of getting betrayed which resulted in me losing friends easily than making. Also social media played a part in further aggravating the situation. I was in utter state of imbalance. Directionless, clueless and helpless by all means. All this tension coagulated and gave birth to yet another problem. This time it was migraine. I use to get severe headaches, which made it very cumbersome to think the least, let alone do something average. I vividly remember those dark times where I use to stay inside my hostel room for hours patiently waiting for the migraine to subdue. Somehow I managed to finish my Vth semester. 

Came the December holidays and I desperately needed an effective remedy. It was my younger cousin who came to the rescue. She made me understand the reason of my problems and advised me to join ten-day course of vipassana meditation, which she already undertook six months back. I had already tried every other treatment, and this was the last beacon of hope. I without any second doubt went for this course. Vipassana is one of the most ancient techniques of meditation. Vipassana means to see within self, as it really is. Siddharth Gautam who achieved Bodhi and became Gautam Buddha started it. It was the biggest life transforming experience for me. My migraine came under control. But that was simply a by-product of the real actualization of the inner self. For ten days we were supposed to follow certain necessary rules :

• Not to talk among each others (Noble Silence)
• Not to kill any living creature
• Walk slowly, keeping eyes down
• Not to read and write (only observe)
• Strictly follow the mentioned schedule
• Not to exercise or do yoga, rather meditate on internal self

These rules or sheelas made the journey of knowing self a more intriguing experience. I understood my inner problems and fear which were :

• Being easily affected and influenced by others 
• Pondering too much over past and future 
• Human actions and emotions being controlled by my speech and body rather than my mind
• Staying in a group out insecurity
• Favoring someone to receive something in return

I was able to resolve each of these issues during my meditative state and emerged as mentally and spiritually bold and mature personality. It’s a common saying that proof of the pudding is by eating. Well to walk the talk, I not only felt the change from within but it also got reflected in my grades during the last three semesters. I overcame my inner insecurities by taking constructive action like:

• Living in the present
• Acting peacefully and in a balanced manner applying a rational approach towards influential personalities that wanted to overpower my presence
• Standing by for causes, issues, and rights. Peers with alike features became true friends.
• Most importantly, giving help without any expectation of receiving it in some form. (For unexplainable reasons, I felt the greatest satisfaction. More even so, when I saw a change in them through my good deeds.)

Soon I came to the absolute realization of my calling which were helping people, society etc. I started by taking small stepping-stones, which later on paved the way to bliss. I knew I was a changed man now, but I wanted this position to reach to others for maximum benefit of mankind. 

For this, I started engaging my peers into spiritual talks, sorted out their life issues, encouraged them to do this course once in their life. To see the change in others, Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said that one has to be that change. That is precisely what I did. 

• Gave way to the public inside metro before entering in, no matter how late I was. 
• Fixed the fences at central park CP that were taken down by the mighty dust storm. 
• Considered others problems as my problems and tried solving it to the best of my ability.

Small things like these always kept the teachings intact and enabled me to grow as a social being. 

During my last semester when everyone was worried about their placements and package, I decided not to sit for the same as I realized my goal in life. It wasn’t to earn materialistic pleasures but to earn social capital by investing my energy in social service of others. Gandhi ji once said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”

I did two prominent activities that me understand the nature of the work to some extent:

• Working with REACH(rural entrepreneurship for art and cultural heritage) helped me to connect with the rural India.
• Conducting a social experiment on a hot topic “Gay Marriage and its possibilities in India” enabled me to apply the concepts of sociological enquiry and comprehend locals view on the subject.

To conclude in nutshell as to why I want to pursue social work as my career is because:

• It gives me a platform to bring a constructive social change in the lives individuals, communities, families, groups, organizations etc.
• The work is not confined to simply a desk. On the contrary a social worker is always on the move, meeting new people. 
• It is quite a varied job where no two days are the same. 
• Social work is not isolated in the sense that it is done having a diverse team of psychologist, doctor, counselor etc.
• At later stages, social worker can also add qualitative inputs to government’s policy making and even go on to head an integral component dealing and striving for social justice. 
• I want to grow for the cause of humanity and serve the society so as to prove my life. 

ONE SHOULD NOT ONLY LIVE FOR SELF BUT FOR OTHERS TOO.

Dayar e Ishq Mein by Dr. Iqbal

Dr. Iqbal is one of the greatest and finest Urdu Poets. To me, he is one of the best source and inspiration to learn about Islamic Philosophy. Such a beautiful medium is poetry to portray thoughts of indelible persistence. (Just began reading his work!)

Here is a very inspirational poetry by him, Which questions us to find our identity in this Universe.

Dayar-E-Ishq Mein, Apna Maqaam Paida Kar

Nayaa Zamaana, Naye Subah-o-Shaam Paida Kar.

Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye Hai, Na Aasman Ke Liye

Jahan Hai Tere Liye, Tu Nahi Jahan Ke Liye

Khudhi Ko Ker Buland Itna Ke Her Taqdeer Se Pehle

Khuda Bande Se Khud Pochey Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai

Khuda Agar Dil-E-Fitrat Shinaas De Tujhko

Sukoot-E-Laalaa-O-Gul Se Kalaam Paida Kar

Uthana Sheesha Garan-E-Farang Ke Saath

Safal-E-Paak Se Meena-O-Jaam Paida Kar

Mera Tareek Ameeri Nahi Faqeeri Hai

Khudi Na Baich Gareebi Mein Naam Paida Kar

Tundiye baade mukhalif se na ghabra aye ukaam

Ye to chalti hai tujhe uncha udha lene ke liye

Mauje sarsar se darata hai use tu bekaar

Phukh chuka hai jo naseemai se sehmi sau baar

Nahi tera nashaiman kasre sultani ke dilman par

Tu shahi hai basera kar paharon ki chattanon mein

Khuda tujhe kisi toonfaan se aashnaa karde

Ke tere behar ki maujon mein istaraab nahi

Tujhe kitaab se lekin nahi faraar ketu

kitaab akhwa hai sahibe kitaab mein

Khudhi Ko Ker Buland Itna Ke Her Taqdeer Se Pehle

Khuda Bande Se Khud Pochey Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai

Dyar E Ishq Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Kar...

English Translation :

The angels began to speak behind Iqbal

'This creation of clay is of heavenly nature

He taught the angels the restlessness of Man

And taught Man the mastery of angels...'

Set your own standard on the soil of love!

Neither are you for the earth or the skies

This world is for you,

not that you are made for it

There are worlds beyond the stars that are seen,

The trials of Love are still to be seen

Create a new world,

Create a new morn and evening!

Set your own standard on the soil of love!)

Create a place for thyself in the world of love;

Create a new age, new days, and new nights.

If God grant thee an eye for nature's beauty,

Converse with the silence of flowers; respond to their love.

Do not be beholden to the West's artisans,

Seek thy sustenance in what thy land affords.

My ghazal is the essence of my life-blood,

Create thy elixir of life out 'of this essence.

My way of life is poverty, not the pursuit of wealth;

Barter not thy Selfhood; win a name in adversity.

Timeless Infatuation with Time

She has surely synchronized with me on both joyful and gloomy occasions. Yet our relationship is a complicated one! Don't you believe me ? I guess I have a point to prove to you then.

She walked into my life when I came into existence to this wondrous planet called earth. Earth, the only planet known for inhibiting intelligible creatures like us. No, I'm not talking about my mother. Oh wait! it is TIME. Okay coming back to what I was saying. From the get go I discerned her aura around me as my heartbeat synced with her repetitive ticks. I knew then only, that we would make great friends and even more. Though she was older than me but she acted at my age or perhaps imitated me, not so perfectly as a mirror though! It was the sound of tick that drew me closer to her. Moreover I wanted to explore her, know her. Whereas for her it was my child like curiosity and simplicity that gave her the tickles.

The fondness grew by each moment. We interacted on lots of issues. In particular, my issues. She never had anything to tell. Her life was that perfect. God had bestowed her with immaculate listening skills which I lacked completely. But at times I wondered why she kept silent. Did someone play foul to her ? Did she actually listen to me ? Did she find me boring now ? I was in my teens so the questions arising were naturally but apparent and they certainly weren't all hunky dory. I soon got lost and sunk in a deep state of sorrow since I got no responses from her side. And then started the rebellious period.

Forgetting her was never on my agenda but when I learnt of her, having very close interactions with others, I had to culminate it for my betterment. She never bothered answering me and that's what hurt the most. Though it never felt right, even the intensity of my heart slowed and I was drowned in a cosmetically designed happiness of alcohol. This remedy only worked when i was under its influence. Waking up with bad hangovers became a usual sight. Remedy which I considered it at first, soon became poison ivy alluring me with her precarious looks. That was the moment when she came to my rescue by battling out the deadly poison ivy. She subtly hissed some powerful words which acted as a potion in eradicating all the negativity. Those magical words were "I'll be constant as I am, it is you who has to change, not for anyone else but for yourself". And she was right. I am indebted to her even more now.

I learnt from her a great deal and would cherish her indirect teachings forever. She taught me how to move on in life. How  not to hold onto things for long as they are meant to be appreciated and not possessed. How to admire beauty and not envy it. How to be true to yourself because it is you who would call the shots and no one else.

Thank you Miss
Much Love

Plight of women through the eyes of a man

So I went for a pompadour cut the previous day. In this hairdo,  the hair on your sides and back are trimmed off to bare minimum leaving only the bouncy hair on top of your head ready to be styled. Apparently I was inspired by those south African pacers flaunting the same look. Little googling up culminated my search and I got this hairdo the next morning itself. It came out nicely as you may see.

Let me first tell you a bit about my self. I come from india, a nation which is not only famous for unity and diversity but also conservatism and orthodoxy. I'm an enginneer by profession, musician by passion and an observer of humans by heart. Being a male I was never sidelined on any front but what happened last night was an eye opener for me. Never had I imagined such an event transpiring in my life. I was eve teased. Yes! You heard it right. While walking back home, a group of barbaric guys approached me and started yelling out foul words. They even went on to generalize my persona to a big boss candidate VJ Andy who is gay and presumably deemed as an emotional and physically weak person. No! i'm not gay nor weak nor do I believe that gays or anyone falling short of 10/10 masculine attributes are in anyway weak. Everyone is nature's own unique creation. Well, that's a totally different discussion altogether but then, coming back here to me.
All my life I have been a masculine and sporty personality. Most of the times I got what I wanted and most certainly gave it back explicitly if someone behaved rudely. But I don't know what came upon me that evening that I lost myself as if the powerful me had never existed. Was it due to my tangible appearance or was it the manner in which I was teased. I think the former triggered the event from the outset whereas the latter jolted my soul. For the first time I felt unsafe and hopeless. I could have raised my voice and hands upon them but I didn't or rather I couldn't. Instead I kept walking hastily trying to figure what just broke out. I felt different from inside as if all my manly characteristics were taken away by god. For the almighty wanted me to face the tyranny that the girls face every single day.
It has been rightly said that you can only empathize things if you have faced them yourself or else you only have the capacity to sympathize. Always it is felt as someone else's misery unless it happens to you. I now empathize with those girls who are scared to go out at night, frightened to take an auto or even a cab and clobbered with nightmarish thoughts till they reach their destination safely.
Though this trend of styling one's hair may be common in the west but here in India, society assumes and constantly gives a stare at whatever odd you do.
I learnt an important lesson here and wanted to share it with everyone so that you too can understand the plight of women through the eyes of a man.

Ciao