Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Thought this Morning


This morning there was this flash of thought - that man is always struggling to keep ahead of the pincer movement of bills and expenses. No matter how much you have, it just doesn't seem to be enough. I am not thankless, yet at the same time I live in a world surrounded by hungry dogs and the only way I feel I can survive them, is that I have more. Now myself having written it, there seems no logic to the statement but I believe thats my natural instinct kicking in - eat or get eaten.

I believe you have to engage with this wild pack of dogs for you have to learn and evolve with their techniques, that is to say, to stay current (as the pilot terminology goes) and if not, at some point or the other you would be hoodwinked into a state / position of loss. So while one is at it, why not make a buck or two or even more - that is the whole logic. 

There are days when you see the ugliness of it and you question yourself, do you still need to continue doing this ? But then everyday, things are only getting tougher / tighter economically and morally; there is always some new expense around the corner, some unanticipated money dole out which was never there in all your years of existence. So yeah it's a race, and an endless one that only culminates with this life. There are no complaints, but writing this out is a form of acceptance of the facts that are; grass root reality is ugly and there exist no civility in dog eat dog world - there are only pretensions.

I am not a hoarder, yet I believe to be ahead of the financial curve such that there is enough to maintain decent buffer between my family pack and the wild dogs. So yeah, bring it on I could have a tiring moment but not a defeating one.


PS:    Much thanks to the provider of all, for giving strength and guidance to navigate these times and abundant fruits while I am at it.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Bottle of Lies

One of my most listened to, or rather the only podcast I listen to - Joe Rogan Experience has introduced me to so many different conversations about varying subjects, that it's a treat for inquisitive mind. Many a people walking on this planet who have stumbled upon some information/fact have had their word beamed out to audience such as me, all thanks to the podcast. Thats one boon of the information age.

Listening to one such episode with Brigham Buhler of https://ways2well.com/ I picked up on a book named ‘Bottle of Lies’ which details on deceit of pharmaceutical industry. Amazon app, is now the new google and soon enough Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban was in my hands.

What followed was page after page of astonishment as the author details on how the pharmaceutical industry in race for money, played with health of untold victims (their consumers) - case in point Ranbaxy. Myself coming from a Sardar family, I would say that I had a soft point for the two Sardars of Ranbaxy - Malvinder & Shivinder; but just as the fact of matter is, the outlook does not depict what lies within. Having their maternal side from the most known/wealthy family of Punjab (Dera Beas) and themselves starting off as scions of Dr. Parvinder Singh, it left me wondering as to what their motivation might be to commit fraud on such a grand scale - and not just fraud, rather criminal act of providing poor to dud medicines to wanting sick patients across the globe.

Yes, there exist people with conscience and the book details on multiple of those (https://dineshthakur.com/) - but in the end, it's the money that is winning. Had heard the term Generic Drugs but never got to detail of it just like so many other things; the book cleared my fundamentals on the subject with a fine comb. Revealing as it was about prevalent practices in drugs industry, it did make me recall my parents advice - at first instance avoid doctor and try traditional remedy, and in our case more than 90% of the time it did the job. The whole system is rigged and getting into all the nitty gritty of all the details, you realise that sum total is zero.

Thankful to the author for raising my awareness and for JRE for spreading the word. I now know, that our beliefs that education system gave us have to be updated with time and cannot be held in perpetuity. That despite the call of ruling government of our country for Amrit Kaal, we are nowhere near and short term gains with the adage “DEKHI JAAEGI” rule the roost.

So take care of your family and friends and do not buy cheap version of drugs. If you can, get a handle on the said book and read cover to cover.

God Bless.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Kathmandu

Year 2024 has started with a short and sweet work related trip to Nepal. There was a one day conclave being held at Kathmandu and decision was made without much to think.

Not going much into details for which you can yourself go and visit - I found Kathmandu to be relatively cleaner than our average joe streets in India. People are still humble and joyful, there is life in there and not all seems to have gone down the rabbit hole of money chase. Nepali’s are sensible in the way that they seemed to obey rules, there wasn't much of honking and aggression on roads was absent. North India these days - one really has to lookout for such characters which, by the day are increasing in numbers where a lot of testosterone is laid out on road driving.


Anyhow, back to Kathmandu - a lot of religious places to visit around. We managed our time well and were able to visit Swayambhu Temple (or Monkey Temple) and then Bakhtapur which lies outside of Kathmandu city limits. Our stay was pretty decent and budget friendly, staff was polite, rooms were clean, food was delicious and place was easily connected - not much to ask for remains. Owing to a lot of visitors from fair skinned countries, the overall tourist scene is abuzz with decent cafes with open sittings and good food. Liquor is expensive in Nepal.

at Bakhtapur

I am so glad that this place is non glamorous for all the SM influencers of these days and hope it remains so. It reminded me of Old Manali cafe settings, but in an advanced place and lesser crowds.

I shall visit again.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

2023

The year comes to an end and damn I have aged another round around the sun ! Time Flies is a cliche that could not mean enough and as all life is whizzing past by - today I have to go through my phone pics to recall the year that was 2023.

January

January

Workwise - our visit to Leh yielded a glorifying satisfaction certificate from our client for the first of a kind installation for MEI. Those days they still used to allow superbikes on expressways and on Republic Day did a solo ride to Lucknow. Randeep Singh Dhaliwal - my classmate from standard 6th visited.

February

February

Completed a Chandigarh half marathon with Milind Soman and then there was wedding of my nephew. Visited Pahalgam for the first time ever.

March

March

Both myself and Sonia went to Taj Mahal together for the first time and that too on our bike - it was fun trip. A small work trip to Mumbai (with major un-related ramifications) and then India visit of my Massi Ji after a decade. A fun family trip to Manali and Kasol.

April

April

Visit to black dunes triggering a subconscious set of events which were to unfold in last month of the year.

May

May

Routine graced by the occasional wildlife visit at 28 residence; this time Maa’s BHOORI BILLI.

June

June

Much awaited overseas furlough to Malaysia. Had fun self driving at Langkawi and Sonia is a good travel companion. End of the month had a great mothership experience with Bikky and Boxy.

July

July

Pretty much at base marred with heavy rainfall - hence did a few addons at home. Had a few tense days after persistent downpour in Kasol and no contact with my sister and family. Sonia had her US visa interview and they were happy to have her visit.

August

August

Life and rakhdi

September

September

Was just life

October

October

Was the month of months. Followed by a lot of mental turmoil from the end of September entered October for a trip to Cape Town SA - its a beautiful place, nothing else that I had visited before compared to it. Had a long story of returning due to flights cancellation and turmulous uncertainty - my wife thereby hates Ethiopian Airlines for no apparent fault. What followed post return was a month of bad bad sickness and recuperation - never felt this weak in my life before. That was October.

November

November

Was the month of Diwali, however it started with demise of Mami ji. My Mama ji is a good man and I stood by him. Diwali was most fun and what followed was onset of events triggered by Abohar trip in April. Endeavour was sold on 23rd November and Q7 booked on 30th. Fun evenings with Vibhor, Dubi and Tony on the latter two’s visit to India.

December

December

Before December 17th (i.e. delivery of Q7) wait and post December 17th - party.

All in all - lived through 2023 and hope to continue the streak in 2024. This effort is to pen down the highlights of the year gone by and give credence to life lived and time spent by articulating the events rather than 2023 being a number.


Happy New Year all - wish you health and happiness !

Monday, December 18, 2023

Q7

In the month of April this year - on a family trip to Abohar - a pebble hit and put a crack in middle of glass of the Endeavour - my first post response - HUN EHDA TIME AA GYA

They say thoughts become things, while I said what I said, but it was in a completely non meaningful manner. Although reasons were building up, the crack in screen was just another one piling up the lot. Outrightly I would say that Ford Endeavour did give me outstanding service in my years of ownership and it was always a treat backed with confidence when I took it on countless Himalayan trips. Major blow was when Ford decided to quit India - although there was an immediate panic in terms of future resale value, but Endeavour really pulled off well. The top model that I had, continued to garner solid demand and surprisingly increased prices in used car market since it was no longer coming in new. That was about 2 years ago, and I continued with my ownership relentless as service was seamless.

About 2 months back, one front side lamp gave up and no sooner I had it changed the other side lamp demanded equality. Two front lamps replacement is a decent money as Ford Endeavour owner, however I got saved thanks to my good relationship with dealership. Then, at last service (around Diwali) I was told that boot lock would demand change in times to come and I should be prepared for it. Seven plus years of ownership and 141k on odo - these replacements were due coming.

Diwali was on 12th November and on 14th I visited Audi. I wanted a 3 litre engine and Q7 was in budget. Slightly over a month now, and today on 17th - Q7 is home.

Hoping for a good ride Q7 and thank you Endeavour for the delightful service.

Q7

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Malaysia

It had been four years since been to foreign shores - it was due and the place to be at; flashed as Langkawi. The Malaysian island long recommended by Vineet for I don't remember what, but just the impression that he spoke highly of it.

We left on the 2nd and found ourselves in Kuala Lumpur the next morning. It was my second visit to Malaysia after 14 years and I had no recollection of the view from airport to KL city. Anyhow, it was well spent two days roaming the city and revisiting a few places for me while all new for Sonia - she really enjoyed the birdpark. MRT was the preferred transport and we averaged 9-10 kms of walking everyday, thanks to our means of commute. Stark difference in then and now - earlier we used to carry maps and figure our way through stations to reach places - now; no need - google maps does it all with remarkably precise instructions. All you need is a smartphone with data access.

Petronas Towers

5th evening we landed in Langkawi and the place of stay for next 4 days did not disappoint. By the beach, quaint, lush green and well serviced - all we could ask for - and of course superb plumbing. Hired a self driven car for the duration of our stay and it was my first experience of driving in another country. Enjoyed it. We roamed the entire island clockwise and anticlockwise to make sure that no road or view was missed. It was fun. Fuel is cheap - half than what it costs in India, people were cool and most visibly - SPARSE. Population has really done it for our country India - every other possible comparison derives from this very cause.

Yellow Cafe

Found a wonderful place for evening - Yellow Cafe at Cenang Beach. The view, the food, the music and the drinks - it all just came together right there. Good times to the extent, that we spent all our remaining evenings out there.

It was a good break - a pause to reflect - a hold to stop and see. Hopefully all for good.

Until next time.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Agra

As I write this post its 1100 hrs on Wednesday March 8th 2023 - day of Holi. Sitting on 9th floor I have many DJ's blaring to bothersome levels juxtaposed for their crowd moving skills. No choice; have to take it for another 3 hours or so till the time drunks start getting wobbly and fally.

It occurred that should I take off on 6th and 7th I can plan a trip. We left on 5th (Sunday) and returned yesterday, well before commencement of Holi mayhem. It was a good trip. Hotel treated us well and the stay was comfortable. Visits to Taj Mahal and Itmad-ud-Daula tomb were profound as one can just sit for hours, ogling at their magnificence whilst trying to figure how they would have made, what it would have been like. Many souls visited, visit and will visit - but Taj Mahal stands. It speaks to the boldness of Shah Jahan's vision in his day, that long after he is gone and gone are the traces of his existence, people from world over come to visit his and his wife's tomb to this day.

Itmad-ud-Daula which I googled before the trip is referred to as Baby Taj and is equally intricate and beautiful but on a smaller scale and with much much less crowds - which makes it really worth the visit. Amazing craftsmanship and Arabic calligraphy in black stone, attention to detail and how in the Lord's name did they do GUNIYA - beats me. India has so much to be seen into. Will do. 

Too many Goras visiting - which is very good for everyone - people moving out and about helping each other. Hotel had 9:1 ratio of fair to brown skin. The ride was perfect - third time through and within Agra in last few months. I love this route and baby doll looks forward to eat up its kilometres.  Enjoy the pics.

waah Taj


for the books


Itmad-ud-Daula


safe and secure baby doll