Friday, June 30, 2006

Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Ah, its pours generously, without a stop. Makes you feel so wet and helpless if you are a visitor there, but a look around gives you the feeling that this is the main reason which drives the people there. No matter how early you wish to challenge the Poojari of the temple, the 'Deepam' inside the altar will be lit, inspite of the heavy rains outside, as early as 5'o clock in the morning. That gives you a sense of satisfaction, a kind of sacrifice you are making for God, paying a visit resisting the roaring down-pour of rain. Greenery everywhere, streams of water towards the sides of roads tempts you to walk barefoot and be there forever. The beauty is, roads dont get clogged with water or vehicles and shops, schools and offices open as normal as ever.

Hmm...I loved it all... just everything about my hometown, Cochin!

I had totally a different view of Ernakulum until my recent visit there. You may crib about the attitude of people there, the hot weather or the lack of friendliness from the general public etc. But hey, that city is in the right track, it is growing at a slow pace and I bet the foundation is being laid strong.
For example, if you got to lay 3 stones firmly on the ground, In Bangalore, in the urge to match up with the pace of urbanisation that is happening here, they are forgetting to set the second stone strong and laying the 3rd one on it as a result, the thrid one gets shaky after sometime which eventually affects the other two stones laid below. Where as in a city like Ernakulum, people are moving slowly, steadily and carefully. They are laying only one stone at a time, which makes the whole structure stable and long lasting.
The hotels, the reliegious institutions, the educational system, the whatever...is all systematically being run, which makes me pity the state of Bangalore which is thought to be a heaven. Talk about the roads, you keep something on top of your car and drive and besure that it stays at the same spot even after running long. You rarely come across a pit or an unleveled road. And when you eat the hotel food, its does not make you home sick...
Guess, Bangaloreans have to pause for a while and take a look around and realise in what a mess we are in, and work towards laying a strong foundation to build a better city...

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

I passed through the same streets I had walked through for eight years, still couldn't relate to anything around. Watching those school kids loaded with huge bags on their back, some with a raincoat on and some holding an umbrella, brought back some faint memories from the past. I used to be one of those kids living in a village, a real playful kid, who had no worries in life, but only think of the games I had to play in the coming vacation. Always thought that I will be taken care of without realising one day even I would grow up and be a part of the nasty world out here, where you got to earn your own penny, deal with difficult situations and people and take care of yourself.

The temple I used to visit everyday, my school, the small shops I used to buy groundnuts and chocolates from, the trees I spend hours sitting under, the stream I used to catch fishes from all looked the same, somehow I felt different. Everything looked smaller to me. Is it because I have grown bigger?

I havn't gone too far from where I came from, still I looked very distant from what I came across during my visit to my hometown Ernakulum. Sometimes I wish I had remained there but am thankful for the lessons life has taught me and the experiances I have had in my life so far. I must admit that I am changed person now, for the better, ofcourse!

(Lots more to write... don't have the patience right now...So excuse me!)

Monday, June 26, 2006