2 States in Marriage

I recently completed reading Chetan Bhagat's newest book "2 States". One thing I feel like appreciating about this guy is that, no matter whatever he writes, he duly admits that he sticks to his protocol.

All his books are titled with a number. 5 point someone to 2 states.

The male protagonist in the book bears one of the several names of Lord Krishna.

His books are always priced 95 bucks which provides an access to a large section of the society.

It begins with 2 students from 2 different states in India, (one of the several factors considered in Indian marriages), falling in love. I feel, it is a must read for people in love and their families, especially applicable to the ones, belonging to different states, caste, etc... The story goes about their attempts in converting their love to a fruitful marriage. Easier said than done, the Tam Brahm girl and the Punjabi boy realize it is no incing on the cake convincing both sides.

When a guy proposes to his girl-friend for marriage, he must ask her - "Do you speak my language? Are you from my state? If yes, will you marry me?"

I wonder how many Ananyas and Krishs in our country have to face a similar situation everyday! However, not all undergo this. But their percentage is far less compared to the former. In the era of globalization when different cultures, economies, societies are integrating, and denationalization is becoming a trend, why should Ananyas and Krishs have to suffer in the process of the marriage.

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara To Sur Bane Hamaara!

Nearly all Indians during the early 1990s who had access to televisions at home must have listened to this wonderful "National Integration" song at least once. Moreover with limited or no access to Cable TV, and DD1 the only source of entertainment, one would hardly want to miss this program. Agar mera sur aur tumhara sur nahi milega to hamaara sur kaise banega??

I feel, the multiple language system in India is more of a bane than a boon. It is high time we became less chauvinistic about region, language etc and developed the feeling of Indian-ness. The book "2 States" is more of an educative than an entertaining one, thanks to Mr. Bhagat!

Pursuit of Dreams

After 24 years of my life, I wonder how many years have I spent leading my life the way I wished!

Dil hai chhota sa chhoti si aasha :-)

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most meaningful songs I have ever heard. Nearly twenty years old, I find this number so fresh and everytime I listen, it reverberates in me - What are you doing to chase your dreams? Our lives are so heavily filled with desires. But I wonder, how many of us dare to fulfill them.

I feel most of us are trapped in the boundaries laid by our ancestors, society that is constantly watching us, fear that, we may see ourselves in the extreme left of a success measuring scale in the pursuit of our dreams. We fail to understand that, we are forgoing our happiness making our lives more miserable in not crossing the red-boundaries. We are letting our dreams wither away in leading the monotonous lives.

I was trying to find answers to a maelstrom of questions continuously bothering me
- what you wanted your life to be?
- how far have you reached from your dreams?
- have you reached a stage where is no looking back?
- given a chance, will you start living your dreams? etc. etc...

If only, for once, we listened to our hearts without giving a damn about the external factors which have been so harsh on us, trying to dictate our lives, making ourselves lose our identities!

Crisis Management

It is common for anybody to face a crisis. But dealing with the crisis, conquering it is a big challenge. Any crisis be it finance, family, health, or education is bound to hit your confidence levels. By dealing the crisis courageously, you can come out it. Easier said than done, for a person whose confidence levels have nose-dived with the crisis , how really is it possible to face something courageously. More than dealing with the crisis, I guess you should try to boost your confidence levels which could help overcome any barrier. Few things like, remembering one's past, being in the company of people who admire you for what you are can offer a great help.

I strongly feel your past plays a vital role in boosting the confidence levels. When you think about some events in your life, be it childhood, school days, college life etc, which made you feel proud about yourself, or others appreciate/notice you, it makes you realize that, you still have those qualities in you which you have forgotten or not realized so far that they are few of the highlighting points in you, and incorporating them in your life will rejuvenate you. Those positives in you for which you were known will definitely help you become the person you were. This kind of self-realization will re-assure you that, you are still the same person, which for some reasons like current circumstances, situation you are in, and people around you to a certain extent might have made you feel low and not be yourself.

When you are doing low in your life, people around you can either be a back-bone or a hindrance to you. At these times, the ones around you mostly de-moralize you by to high-lighting only the negatives in you. One way to deal with them is by giving a deaf ear to what they blurt though it is difficult to do. Instead, if you have somebody who can admire you and can provide you some emotional support, highlight the positives in you, and help you deal with the phase you are in, you can be indebted to them for being your biggest source of strength. Emotional support can conquer any everest-like crisis. If only you had someone like that!!!