happy new year!

Hello! its 2012 on the calendar now, means the 2011 is no more. In the words of the rabbit, I'm late!!! It's almost the end of the fifth day of 2012 and I'm late wishing you folks here! How strange it feels to me the post that I’ve written in the January of last year, (2011), where I’ve scribbled my first post of that year, memorizing the events of the year 2010, and now, it’s a yet another year! I feel like time has passed really so dam quick this year, but just yesterday when I told exactly this to a friend, she gave me a pretty philosophical, still convincing answer, – Time has not passed faster. That is only an illusion caused by my hectic, kayotic life. I’ve done so much at a time and so fast that time seemed like passing faster and faster. If I would have stopped for a while and just appreciated the moment, time would seem to pass much slower. I'm kinda inclined to her answer, but still confused how is that possible. Anyways, whether or not I realize, Another year has gone. A very eventful year indeed. We bade our farewell to many people and welcomed many into this world. We made Anna the superhero of today and sang Kolaveri Di for no specific reason. Two young boys lost their lives while protecting their girl friends. People were getting ready to play censors for internet users. Salman’s Bodyguard did what Shahrukh’s Ra.1 and Don 2 couldn’t. etc well so, it’s a new year. Beginning of new friendships and endings of a few.. A ray of new found love with a pinch of being left by an old beau.. Finding new career ways & leaving the old ones.. Smiling in happy times & crying when got burnt.. Learning a new chapter with each passing day & forgetting it the next.. Loving those late night conversations and those all time favorite texts.. Birth of little nephews and nieces.. & the death of those near ones who left us with broken pieces.. Some happy and some hard times.. the happy ones filled love, while the hard ones made me the diamond that shines.. This one year was a lot to handle.. But, Yes I am on for yet another Gamble! Recently, I watched a wonderful ad of Coca Cola that talks so much about optimism prevailing over pessimism, people fighting for good over bad. Yes, the day may not be smoke free yet but hey! we are still wishing everyone on a new year. We are still wishing and hoping and dreaming about an unknown year. There is a sense to optimism in everybody and that is what makes me feel good about it. Its time for us to walk towards our dreams. What a better present for self can be other than identifying your right priorities and work out plans to achieve during the year. No, I don't have anything to quit but I actually want to adopt a few. Some good habits I shall try to adopt. Top amongst them is a better time management, where I believe I’m lacking somewhat. Also, I’m hoping to do better with my IT company, learn new lessons of life and discover some more amazing friends. Actually, the list of things that I’d like to adopt is fairly big, perhaps I’ll do another post on that. What would you like to adopt this year? You can tell via comments section if you like. So much to hope and so much to dream about! So many moments and so many walks! The journey continues as you smile at your past with love and starts flirting with future. Give yourself a present, live to dream, live to be alive. Today is always new. Relish it! May the best happen to all of you always! Spoil yourself with love! Happy New Year, 2012!

truth or dare?

Truth or dare!
Just the lure of lucre seems to be enough inducement for Indians to let their deepest, darkest secrets come tumbling out, never mind if,
in the process, they risk marring relations with friends and family forever.

We, as a rule, are supposed to be very conscious of boundaries and keep dirty linen in the bottom-most drawer of our closets. Which is why one never learns
of the bed-hopping antics of our netas. That said, all that seems to be in the past. Your average aunty, 'happily married with kids' and house-proud to
boot, is on TV admitting to stuff that'll forever shatter the pati-parmeshwar image to bits.

Or, take the avuncular figure in his 60s who admits to paying for sex and says he'll readily jump into bed with a woman young enough to be his daughter.

This is more than just a paradigm shift... it's a frigging bunker buster! And it's on prime-time TV, five days a week...
"Sach Ka Samna",
how's that for a name? Family entertainment that'll shatter, once and for all, our habit of taking things at face value. Nothing is what it seems -- as Al Pacino keeps
dinning into Colin Farrell's head in 'The Recruit' -- is the credo we'll have to go by from now on.

Coming back to the aunty... she was the guest on the very first episode of our desi take on 'Moment of Truth'. Introduced as Smita Mathai, a research associate,
she looked so propah, so middle class... saree, bindi, hair neatly done in a ponytail. Her hubby, mom, sister and brother-in-law had come to watch...but,
man, were they in for a surprise.

After a few looseners, host Rajiv Khandelwal (of Aamir and serial kahin to hoga fame) asked her if she loved her mom-in-law more than her mom... YES, came the reply. Mommie dearest
looked shattered. Then came a biggie...did she ever wish her hubby dead? YES again. Hubby's turn to look crestfallen. But wait... there's more. Did she
ever think of sleeping with another man? YES came the pat reply. Hubby looked like he'd explode. A trick follow-up: would she sleep with another man if
she was sure her hubby wouldn't find out? She took her time... and then said NO. Bang flashed the screen: FALSE. She'd lied and the polygraph that she'd
undergone prior to the show had caught her out. Bet her life won't be the same again... and she hadn't won any cash to go solo -- liars walk away with
zilch.

As for uncleji, an actor by the name of Yusuf Hussain. He's been married thrice and is currently with a girlfriend. In the audience -- daughter, GF, one
of his ex-wives and his brother. I'll just stick to the juicy stuff. Have you found your ideal woman? NO came the reply from the marrying man who's been
hitched to girlfriend Jezebel for six years. You should've seen the look on GF's face. Have you ever paid for sex? YES. Have you slept with a woman young
enough to be your daughter? YES. Daughter's shattered. Did you try hard enough to make your marriages work? NO... there goes the stereotype of the macho
male who can do no wrong. In comparison, a tame one got him -- Do you think you've been a good dad? He thought long and hard and said YES...big screen
flashed false. Off he went with not a penny...and he was close to taking home 25 lakh.

Missed the Vinod Kambli episode... hope to catch a repeat though. It seems he's blamed best bud Sachin for not doing enough on his downward spiral. That's
probably curtains for that friendship but Kambli does need the cash... he'll always get a few pals once he's got the dosh to blow.

So, these were just a few examples, and lot more are there like this. Ok, we have accepted reality shows as great entertaining substance, but i never had idea, that it’ll become that deep personal.
Now, Methinks the 'khandaan ki izzat' and 'parampara' bullshit is over for good and we're quite happy letting it all hang out...showing our warts, bunions and
all.
People at starplus argues, that they have never forced anyone to come on the show, and even the person already know about the questions which are going to be ask. So what? Aren’t you offering a carod rupees to the person who dares to speak truth?
Actually that itself is a great component that forces the people to partake in show.
Seriously guys, you have no right to be that severely personal, and specifically to bombard someone’s life.
Whatever I might be plugging about the value of truth, but this time I don’t support it.
Ok you can hail me as double standard if you like, but sorry, i’m pretty clear in my views.
As an outset, they have now got an official notice from government as well, let’s hope if they can do something instead of behaving in anesthetized manner.
What you think by the way?
Why don’t you tell whole world by your comments below to this post?
So, Whole world including me will be waiting for your expression on this susceptible issue.

how real reallity shows are?

Television is the biggest hub of entertainment for every one.
Viewers have a great variouty of programs like News, views, dramas, information, sports, travel, music, and so on, so on, so on.
With the hundreds of channels available, viewers can choose the programs of their inclination.
With the tremendous amount of variouties, a new trend started from several years call “reality shows”
STAR TV, Zee TV, Sony are some of the established and popular entertainment channels. They have everything for their viewers, ranging from sagas to comedy to horror.
A new range that has come up is that of reality shows. The channels make it a point to show the clippings of the contestants fight throughout the day. Many tabloids refer to these acts as scripted and mere publicity stunts. But, what’s wrong in using these stunts if viewers are enjoying it?
Coming to reality shows, everyone is in the spell of these nowadays. You ask for it and they are ready with everything in the form of reality shows based on singers or dancers or comedy. There are shows showcasing the talent of children, to shows based on celebrities. It’s not just great performances but one also gets to enjoy the difference of opinion between the judges and contestants.
The pioneer of these shows was Indian Idol. Though there were some other reality shows before Indian Idol, but the spell of reality shows on the the Indian audience began after Indian Idol. It was a new concept in our country, because the final decision was in the hands of the viewers ie the winner was decided on the basis of voting by the viewers. The viewers had the power to make or break the future of the contestants.
Now, a obvious question crops up, do viewers are intelegent enough that they can make or break anyone’s future?
Are they smarter then those high profile judges like anu malik, sonu nigam, sukhvindar singh, etc?
If yes, then don’t they should have on the place of those stupid judges?
Music which was a way of adoration at a time, has now became less important then a kids toy.
The concept where kismet gets decide by voting is nothing more then just subornment. Since everything depends on votings, it’s very easy to win the title of winner. All you need to have a is lot of pennies in the pocket.
Now, mind raises, is it fair to buy a title?
Is it fair to debase the talent in such a vulgar way?
Is it talent hunt in real?
Certainly not, it’s just a case of “money is honey.” isn’t it?
There might be many questions similar to these, but answer might not anything.
The entire idea of Indian Idol was copied from American Idol and the concept was successful in marking a new beginning in the Indian television scenario. After the popularity and success of Indian masses, other channels did not lag behind in launching these reality shows for their channels. Today, these reality shows are ruling the market.
Reality shows seem to be the new age entertainment recipe. They might be selling controversies or cashing upon peoples emotion; but at the end of the day, they are the most popular shows with the highest TRPs.
In fact, it doesn’t matter in whatever way they are crushing the actual talent, but they want money, and no matter it comes by good way or fake.

a night that changed my life

A night that changed my life.
you might be amazed to read the title “ a night that changed my life”.
Yes, it was a night that proved turning point for me.
It was a night which gave me the feeling of reincarnation.
It was a night which was out of the ordinary.
The year was 2007 and date was 12th june. I remember the date exactly, because it was the birth day of my best friend utkarsh.
It was heat all around, and whole india was burning in hot season. As I told that it was the birth day of my best friend, I was busy in the preparations of birth day party which he and his family was going to give to all his friends.
Whole day passed in preparations and partying, but actual action was yet to come.
Now, here comes the night of which I’am talking about.
When party got over and my driver tried to start the car, oh, the back tire was puncher.
As it was around 10:30 pm, there was no chance of getting mechanic. The only and best alternative was to stay at my friends house, and that’s what I did.
In fact, me and utkarsh was going to sleep in same room. We did so. There was contradictory situations with us that utkarsh was feeling very sleepy, but I was not at all feeling so.
He slept in next few moments, but for me it was not possible at that time.
After moving here and there on bed for 5 minutes, I decided to take a walk of house.
While walking, I heard a strange sound.
“what’s this?”
After bit more concentration, I discovered that it was a sound of Moving paper of a book. “book? Who is reading book at 12:30 at night?”
Without thinking anything else, I started to follow the voice. The voice was coming from harish uncle’s (utkarsh’s father’s” room.
Before I could knock dore or say anything, he saw me and said “come in sun”
I asked While entering in the room, “uncle, what are you doing?”
He said: “I was writing diary”.
Oh, fantastic, here let me tell that harish uncle use to talk very litil, so that I was amazed “what he writes in dyry?”
Wanted to ask, but I knew that it’s not good to look inside of someone’s personal life.
Before I could say anything, uncle said “sun, writing dyry is one of my old hobbies. This is my very own friend since I was all alone in the world”.
I got shocked. “all alone?”
Uncle continued, “yes, you might not knowing my sun, I am a nonparented child” “
then? How you built your life so well?” I asked with curiousness.
Actually, he was a very rich man, and it was hard to believe that a nonparrented can achieve that much.
Uncle said, “it’s all because of my good fortune and hardwork.”
I was kind of a mad now. Just wanted to know on any cost that how he did all that. I said, “uncle, please tell your whole story of success”
Uncle agreed, and here is what he told.
“I was around 11-12 years old at that time. I used to live in child care home. Once, when I was standing on road, suddenly I saw that several people are coming to me with sticks in their hands. I was stunned, that why they have sticks have I done anything wrong?
When they came more closer I got to know that a thhaila wala who was standing just in frunt of me had blamed that I have stolen his 20 rupees. Hard to believe, but all they got convinced by him.
They came more closer, and started to abuse and beat me.
Though I have said so many times that I haven’t stolen anything, but nobody listens to a poor child.
The incidence strucked me a lot and I said in innocence to that thhaila wala that one day I will make a hotel just in frunt of your thhaila.
Every one laughed and forgot, but not me.
I started doing hard work from that day. I worked in dhhabas for approximate 24 hours of day. After few years I started my own thhaila. Then a few years after my own dhhaba, and then a hotel.
You know, Right now I have 3 hotels in jaipur city.”
I was breathless after this rousing story. In fact, I had no words. It was 2:45 am, and still enough dark in sky, but a sun of hope had already rised for my life.
I made my way to the room without saying any word. Again I was on bed but could not sleep further because this time I was filled with inspirations.
I was saluting his determination, and in this way this mysterious night ended.
Next morning, I was feeling a change in my self, and all that was because of last night which drastically changed my life.
---
prateek agarwal.
visit my website at
www.prateekagarwal.webs.com

still it teases me

Sometimes, it seems that all your astuteness is dead.
Mostly, it happens when you feel that nothing is working for you.
No no, neither I’m talking about love, nor frustration.
Even in general, when things stops working for you, you feel very disappointing. Ah, it’s not strange, and probably it happens with every one.
Though Being a programmer, many times I feel similar situations. Sometimes, a very tiny mistake in my whole long code stucks like a huge hitch.
I am sure all the programmers will agree here, but what I am going to talk is not programming actually.
It was 13th October, and I was all set to give my exam of algorithm.
Since our exams helds online, one needs to verify a link from his e-mail ID which was been provided earlier while filling the form.
According to rules, one need to verify the link in 10 minutes of given time to appear in exam.
I was all set. When time triggered, the first step I had to do was to open my e-mail account.
Since I’ve verified my gmail account with them, I open
www.gmail.com
in my brouzer.
Entered my username and password, and pressed sign in button.
Oh, oh, oh, it prompted “user name and password doesn’t match”
I was stunned. “doesn’t match?”
I’ve typed again, but result was same.
I was hundred percent sure that I haven’t forgot my password. Then?
“Is there any bloody problem with gmail’s server? But it might have produced any error message in case of any problem in database miss integrity.”
Ah, the 10 minutes limitation was plummeting every sec, and my heart was sincking at the same time.
“what the hack is this?”
Now, I got frustrated after typing again again and again.
It was only 1 minute left, and I was sure that thanks to my horrific luck, I’ll miss the chance of giving the exam.
This was a exam for which I’ve studied overnights, I left movies for several days, I circumvented the hangouts with friends, in short I’ve prepared so much, so I was absolute ready and excited for the exam in a sense.
Never the less, now 10/ 15 seconds gone more, and it was 45 seconds remaining to verify the link.
Suddenly, a divine voice spoke to me.
“have you checked the caps lock?”
Hmm, I said it was divine voice, and you might have understood the problem ttoo.
Yes the caps lock was on, and I was typing the user name and password in big letters every time.
I quickly fixed the problem, entered the username and password, opened the mail, clicked link, and finally, at least I got the question paper for me.
The paper I found very easy, and I remember I’ve secured 94 percent marks in that exam.
Though I was happy with the performance in exam, but this prior incidence was agonizing me so much.
“man, as you are feeling proud after getting 94 percent marks in exam, but are you capable enough?”
“where was your whole brain while entering the username and password?”
“even you didn’t ghought meanwhile that caps on may be a reason?”
There were lots of questions which were teasing me, and I didn’t even had a single answer.
Even those questions embarrasses me until now, but it taught me a very important lesson, that
One should never complicate simple problems in life, they may certainly ruin the task.
---
prateek agarwal.
visit my website at
www.prateekagarwal.webs.com