Adieu 2010...Thank you very much..:)

A new year is reaching our door steps…. May be the coming year would give a lot of good experiences. For me the year 2010 is very special. It has taught me a lot of lessons. In other words, my life has gone through a lot of changing phases in 2010. This year’s first months only, I lost my label as a student which I carried with me for long years. Now everyone is looking at me as if I am a mature person, who should be more responsible…yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well…Hi 2010 thanks a lot… You taught me a lot of lessons which is very much important in my life. I started to earn in 2010…Gosh… I started to spend my money, became more responsible daughter and a responsible sister this year… I saw a lot of different “faces” which taught me the tricks of life.

From the day I reached Chennai to join NT, the life also start teaching me nice, sweet and bitter lessons. Earlier I had only one face... I was a innocent, pretty close to friends and playing prank on the people whom I love and care. But here, for many “Shahi” is terrible and violent, and for some I am so silent. I have seen people who speak so smart and sweet in front of me and backbiting me at the same time.

2010 has gifted me new friends also. Athira, a girl in the PG where I stayed for two- three months was really nice. The late night chat with her on the terrace which would go up to 2am, roaming at nights with her in the name of evening walk, having cone ice cream from “jai” and hot samosa chats from the crowded “Thattukada" etc ...(more things are there, but better I wont write it)are unforgettable in my life.

Another friend I got from Chennai is Nandu… sorry Nandu Uncle… On my days in NT, I loved Thursday to Saturday just because of him. He was the one who taught me how to write, though I didn’t develop my writing skills much. He corrected me whenever I make a mistake, not only in writing, but also in whole aspect of life. When I make a mistake in my talk stories, he will just shout my name from his cabin, fully annoyed, but I will go with a smile on my face… On seeing my face he would say… “Don’t smile ok… Coz of your smile only I am not able to shout at you”, hearing that my smile change to laugh.

Oh yea another avatar is there in my room… One of my roomies- Vandhana Krishnan, a girl who had a lot of misunderstanding about me and Arya, from NT, but once she got close to us, she understood that we are really NICE people and so joined with us in room . She looks like a poor soul, but she is exactly like me only… giving me company to do all naughty things…Lol….: P

N yea now I know how difficult is to manage a family within certain budgets, I know how to bargain and get things in cheap rates… I am now aware of things from the per unit charge of electricity to the price of provisions and vegetables. Thank you 2010, you taught me all this lessons, which I can take along with me for my life time

I had been to Chennai a year before for my internship, that time I was so scared about the city… what all roads...What all confusing ways… now at least I am aware of the routes in the city, have got an idea about, which route will take you to what place…

Sorry forget to tell about another friend… Merlyn John, a shy guy in NT, who became my prey in office. We became pretty close just because of the “centre fresh chewing gum” and the long g-talk sitting aside me … plus Sony Erickson.

And talking about our house –“Dora” that is what we call it… The small house is full of fun always… There will be some or other reason to laugh always…now we three weird characters are there... Arya, Vandhana and me (Actually four were there, but one left) All the three are crazy… keep on pulling each others legs for some or other reason and experimenting in kitchen. Sometimes we have nice food n some times horrible!!!!!! No matter how the food taste, “our money, our provisions, our food so don’t waste” is Dora’s policy. With “Slum dogs”, “Australia” and “landlady” as our neighbors, life is full of fun there.

Again 2010, gave me an opportunity to experiment with PR- New office, new colleagues and a new life in all the way.

Roaming in city till late night, bugging and making fights with the sellers in T.nagar is another funny part which I never ever want to miss in my life.

Lot of things I am missing…and some other things I don't want to mention -especially the bitter part of my life in 2010….just coz I only wanted to remember the happy moments in my life. Happiness is what we should share with others not sadness, so left that part… I hope 2011 will give me a lot of wonderful experience to keep in my mind for ever. Though I hate New years as I feel by every year we are getting closer to death, I am looking forward 2011..full of excitement… just waiting to see how it will be…!!!!!!!

Incredible India!!!!!!!!

Three more days left behind for this year to end. If we look back, 2010 have seen a lot of growth as well as a few drawbacks to our country. The year saw India’s industrial output expansion by 17.6 per cent in April. The manufacturing sector that accounts for 80 per cent of the index of industrial production (IIP) grew 19.4 per cent in April 2010, as against 0.4 per cent a year-ago.

Capital goods production grew by 72.8 per cent against a contraction of 5.9 per cent a year ago. Consumer durables output continued to grow at a fast pace of 37 per cent, mirroring higher purchase of goods such as televisions and refrigerators. The development in technology up to 3G is another highlight of the year; the tech savvy generation may be the most benefitted by the innovations.

India is the second largest two wheeler market in the world. Not only a major automobile player in the World, it is the second largest in telecommunication network. One can be a proud Indian on looking through the angles of technological innovations where as on the other side the condition has become worse. One cannot survive with a two wheeler and a mobile phone. To survive, one has to care the appetite properly (What to do, the world is yet to innovate technologies to control the appetite!!!! :)).

Vegetable prices have risen across the country on the heels of the much-decried hike in fuel prices. The price of vegetables keeps soaring, for the last one and half weeks, put up the common man into trouble. The prices of vegetables, especially tomato and onion have gone up drastically around Rs 80 per Kilograms, with a hike of 25 percent, affecting the family budget of commoners, especially those who prefer eating at hotels and restaurants frequently.

Enjoy Rain to the Fullest

It is raining heavily in Chennai for the past two days. It looks like the city itself has got stuck in it. With water logging in each nook and cranny and “jaadus” with raincoat on the streets and the puzzled pedestrians busy to find their way to escape from the dirty water… the rain is lashing in the city. I personally love rain in my home town… rain means fun there. But in Chennai the case is a bit different. The color of water on the road itself will make one feel like puking... still I love the rain. :)

But how many in the city are spending a single day without blaming the rain in monsoon? Think!!!!!! Yea may be one or two....that’s it. Rest would be having time only to blame it for spoiling their beautiful day! I agree rain might be throwing life out of gear, but can one imagine a life without rain? Can some one can imagine living a year without any rainfall… always under the hot sun? No one can right! This thundershowers are essential for our life… rain is a bless of God for humans- It is a token of love from him-It shows how much he care for us!

After it rains, just observe your surrounding …Wow!!! How nice the trees and plants are looking!!!! They could not have happier than this… With a big smile on their face, they are enjoying… If they can enjoy, why the so called most intelligent creatures can’t enjoy it? It is just because the human being always give importance to themselves, they just want to fulfill their needs. But we should know that if there is no rain there will not be any life on earth…So instead of cursing the rain enjoy it to the fullest!!!!!!

Wanna try a home stay!

Remya don't like to remember about the hostel which she stayed last month.'It was such a stupid place'. That is how she explained her hostel in T.Nagar. "Not only the hostel,but also the inmates were horrible. Some girls used to steal clothes...I lost my jeans - a brand new one" she complains.

In Chennai one can find ladies hostel in each nook and corner.Some specify for working class and some for students. For most of the women who come from outside the city, the baffling problem is to find out a good place to stay. Many 'new comers' depend on internet to find out a stay, mostly hostels.

Most of the websites about the hostels will have description worth to please one's mind and only after join the hostel,they would get its real picture.

'We did not have any idea about how to find a nice hostel, and nobody was here to help us, so from the internet we found a hostel which appeared as good place.But after joined here, we understood this is such a horrible place without even proper water facility. ' says Rekha, doing her internship with a hospital. 'They have mentioned in the website that 24 hours water supply and night security, but I didn't find any watchman yet in this hostel.' added she.

Most of the hostel rent starts at Rs 3000 for a month for a 4-5 people sharing room plus advance amount which depends upon the hostel. 'We are ready to pay the money, if we will get at least good food. This so-called sambar and half boiled chicken is hectic to have.' says Soumya about her hostel in Nungambakkam.

Hostels are providing rooms varying from single to five people room. Some have dormitory room with around ten people accommodated in. At glance most of the hostels look good with the attractive tag lines like ' hygienic and homely food', 'home away home'.

'When I saw the placard of an hostel,it was really attractive, said homely food,calm and quite place and the affordable price with branches all over Chennai.But when I went there,it looked like a tent with cardboard separation for each room without any proper roof.I wonder how people stay there' reminds Deepika about a hostel.

It does not mean that all the hostels are horrible.'The hostel which I stayed was good,with nice food and water but the owner was a weird kind.When a fan or light gets damage, we have to request him a hundred times to restore it,says Sathya about her previous hostel. 'Now I shifted to a house, so no worries' she smiles.

Only the ladies hostel have the problem is a relevant question in this context. 'Though there are mansions for men are plenty in the city,most of the time they will be roaming with friends, having outside food so they won't feel this much comfortless compared to us' opines Anitha, a student.

'If the government should implement strict rules on the hostels about the hygiene and food may be by making arrangements for monthly inspection,then the condition might go better. Now no rules like that and so people are adjusting to the pathetic conditions, as no other way for them.'says some hostelers.

Beggars all around

How will they define life if some one ask them what it mean for them?Are they happy with the so called life? Always these questions came to my mind whenever I see beggars in the city. They can be find mainly in railway stations and bus stops, which are the crowded places and also near the shopping malls.

For many beggars Railway stations are their home. If one passes by Chetpet railway station after eight o' clock in the night, one can see the third and fourth platform crowded with beggars--busy with their works in their own world - some would be having a chat with friends and some cooking food and some others simply lying down and gazing the sky above... They don't care what is going around them...

The authorities had declared certain laws in the city to rehabilitate the beggars and to make Chennai a beggar free city. According to the new rules so many beggars were disappeared from the city but it was for a few days.'On that particular week, there was a great decrease in the number of beggars coming to beg money but after some time their number increased,' this is what some shop keepers said about the issue.

Whenever I see them, I always feel pity seeing their face always gloomy, but when I asked one beggar 'Are you happy with this life' he just smiled and said,I am getting money to have food every day, am happy with that. Another vendor family who stays in Saidapet station also gave me the same answer. 'We are not begging, we are selling veggies and fruits to earn a living and we are satisfied with that'.But they have dream to have a small house of their own,which one day will come true they hope...

It seems there are some rich beggars also in the city.. Let me share one of the story that I experienced. It was a Saturday morning and I was sitting in Saidapet railway station to catch a train to Guindy to meet one of my friend. Since it was so early, may be around 615, there was no one expect me in the station. After some time a beggar woman came near and asked me to give her money for tea.She was literally begging me saying "please ma..give me money for tea.. please ma..." I did not have any coins but on seeing her face, I searched my bag, which gave her some hope I think..Finally I said, "I have no coins, just 500 rupees is there." She replied: "OK ma give that I will give you change for the money" BLOODY HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got a shock... The lady who told me who doesn't have money for tea now have enough to give back the change for Rs 500. I started scolding her like anything in whatever Tamil I know and she also said something back and left the place.

One thing I understood about them is though we feel that they have a horrible life without even a proper stay, they are happy with their life and there are some among the group who are richer than people like me! :D

It’s going to rain!

Again a monsoon is going to start off in a few days and the people are busy to prepare themselves to welcome the rain… yea they need a break from the hot days….. Everyone likes rain, but the only problem is their routines might get slight changes. ‘Yea I like rain only in holidays. Otherwise to travel in the wet clothes in the jam-packed buses and trains in the rainy season is horrible, ‘this was the opinion of many commuters when I asked about the rainy season.

Even I agree with them with their view, as now, after coming to Chennai, I also don’t like rain much, it is not because the rain is not much lovely as before but because of the roads and traffic in the place. Even the authorities have built up lot many public toilets for the sake of public; the so called public is interested only in open air toilets---namely foot path.

When it rains all the sewages get mix with mud and water leading to all kinds of health hazard. Another problem is traffic. Already there is traffic problem, and it will get increase in rain. Let me say it in a geometric way--The degree of traffic would be directly proportionate to degree of rain.

Take a little care and enjoy the monsoon:

• Get out for your works a 10-20 min early than usual
• Take bath twice a day
• Care more about your skin and hair
• If the fever lasts more than two days, consult a doctor

Care your sweet heart!

Another world heart day has came... Take an oath today that you will care your one and only sweet heart. Don't confuse yourself with the word 'sweet heart'-- I meant your heart - one of the most important organ in your body , beats for you all the time without any rest, telling "I am with you always"

For its caring and love , you have to give it back a little care as a token of your love. Studies show that every year around 12 million people throughout the world die of a heart attack or stroke.

Know your heart

Human heart is the strongest muscle in the body. with every heart beat, it bumbs blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Human hearts beats about 70-80 times a minute in a person at rest.

What is heart attack ?

The heart gets oxygen and nutrients for its needs from through the blood vessels called coronary arteries. Sometimes the blood flow to the heart may cut off due to the clot (formed by the cracks of plaques, which is build up of fatty material) in the arteries, blocking the flow of blood which is enriched with nutrients and oxygen, cause damage to the organ.

Once the organ becomes damage, it will lead to heart attack. Another reason for the heart attack is the tightening of the coronary artery (spasm), cut off the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Main cause

The main reason for the blockage is the fatty deposits in the arteries, which narrows the arteries leading to the blockage of flow of blood.

The fatty deposits could be build up by smoking or use of drugs,emotional stress or pain, unhealthy diet, not staying active.

Symptoms

Major symptoms are pain chest pain, pain in the left shoulder, arms, elbows and back, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, and becoming pale.
Care your heart

You have only one heart, so take care of it.. It is prevention better than cure, especially in case of heart.. here are some tips to keep it healthy.

If you smoke cigarette or use drugs-QUIT! Spend just a 30 minutes daily for some physical activities like gardening or walking or even house work will do. It gives you healthy body plus a relaxed mind. eat fruits and vegetables daily, reduce fat content food. No need of much salt for your sweet heart! As it is already 'sweet' heart, much sugar is not needed. And finally ... once you cross the age 40 check your weight, blood pressure, blood fat and blood sugar every year.

Social service in the villages

The Madras School of Social Work , Egmore, has proved that it does not help the inhabitants of Chennai but also those all over Tamilnadu.The first year students organised a rural camp at Yercaud last week.

Students coordinator Ashish said: 'We conducted a six-day camp there and 44 students participated.The camp covered five villages: Manjakuttai, Karadiyur ,Kakkambadi,Kelayur and Murugan Nagar.' The focus was on the major problems 'the people living in these remote places faced and how we could help them.'

The students organised the camp in collaboration with Deepam People’s Society and Tribal Dalit Women's Development Society of Yercaud. 'The people of the village were ignorant of basic hygiene. The children used the open spaces for their toilet, it is doubtful whether they washed their hands before eating, half the time they were playing in the dirty surroundings.'

The volunteers impressed on the people the importance of sending their young to school, told the menfolk of the bad effects of drink and tobacco and stressed the need to get themselves vaccinated or inoculated. 'It was a tough task making them realise that their children should be given anti-polio drops and other such immunisation measures.

The students organised a rally at Karadiyur to make the men, especially, aware of the perils of AIDS and distributed pamphlets and posters related to the disease' said a volunteer. Students conducted cultural events like street plays and puppet shows as a part of it to promote the importance of healthy life in the villages. 'All these were well received,' the volunteers told this reporter, and they were happy and proud of what they had done.

The camp gave opportunities to expose the talents of the school students there.'We organised various events like dancing and singing competition among the students and conducted lots of games namely basket ball,kabadi,running race,walking and frog race and everyone participated well in the competition' said Ashish.'The winners of the competitions were rewarded prizes and certificates' he added.

The camp not only encouraged the young but also the old. 'As part of the camp, we conducted a cookery competition for the villagers which aimed to promote the idea of healthy and nutritious food among them' he added.

(Courtesy: Nungambakkam Talk)

Realize the value of relationship

The world is moving from modernism to post modernism.The change is not only in the lifestyle of the masses but also in relationships. How many of the present generation know the real meaning of the word relationship? The question needs a thorough study....

If the present world knew the real value and importance of family, the number of old age homes in the country didn't have increase this much. If one knew the real meaning of what the word 'mother' and 'father' means, they couldn't be able to sleep nice every night after dumping their parents to the old age homes. The number of old age homes in our country is increasing day by day. Have you ever thought what is the reason behind it? Its we-- the so called modern society is responsible for that.

Parents gave their children good education, fulfilled their needs dreaming and expecting a lot about them... and yea the child with his/her hard work and blessing of parents reached heights... When he gets a family of his own, parents become a burden. This is not from a story but from the real life. This is what happening in our surrounding.

Some says parents themselves choose the retirement homes as it would be more easy for them to get medical help and care. They can spend time with the same aged group which would make them feel more comfortable especially when the children working abroad or faraway places leaving no choice for the old people .More over to hire a servant for their help is senseless until and unless if they know all the details of the servants.

But for many, they don't have time for their parents. The new trend of nuclear families are giving importance to their privacy, making the parents
isolated.

Now where is the traditional values of India gone? Where is its refined culture? Culture taught us - 'matha(mother), pitha(father)guru(teacher) daivam(God)' .The path to reach God is through your parents and teacher. Respect the living gods, get their blessings.. It will take you to God.

You must understand that today what you are...is all because of your parents. they are the ones who corrected your each and every step of life. And remember- - one day vicious hands of aging will catch you also.