Of a trance-doper

My top ten greatest artist groups with the songs that drive me, that are huge reasons for me to live.

EPIC, Progressive, Euro, breakdowns, lift; the terminologies that keep me kicking.

Influencers. Transformers. Spiritually rich and enriching. Mood uplifters. Gods.....

10. Daft punk

Their name is credited by them to a UK based magazine, indirectly. The critic called their music 'daft (crazy) punk'. They picked up well with the single 'Da Funk'. Another amazing album of theirs came out with Japanese animations of alien worlds, named "Discovery". It had tracks like 'One more time', 'Aerodynamic' and 'Digital love'

Funky:

• Da Funk
• Around the world
  

Twisty:

• Aerodynamic
• Harder Better Faster Stronger
  

9. Delerium

Why did the two member band split after they made the album"Karma"? They produced such amazing tracks like "Silence".... I wonder...

Crowd Mesmeriser:

• Silence (featuring Sarah McLachlan)

8. Linkin Park

I won't write much about them, as they are a well known rock band. I wish to attend a live concert of Linkin Park at least once in my life (Are you listening Chester/Shinoda? When are you coming to Mumbai? India at least!).
I have heard most of 'Hybrid Theory' and a couple from 'Meteora'. I don't like "crawling", it is too negative for my taste.

Ramblers:

• Papercut
• In the end
• One step closer
• A place for my head
• A cure for the itch! (freaking awesome fusion of scratchy R&B with Bass)

7. Eminem

Once again, there have been enough dwellings on this artist all over the media and the internet. He has lead-starred in a large scale Hollywood movie for F***'s sake (his style :P ).
That doesn't take away the fact that I truly respect him. His early life is a great example of resilience (fight from going almost bankrupt and losing his wife due to poverty) and devotion (his love for his daughter Hailie).

Rappers:

• Stan
• Loose yourself
• The Real Slim Shady
• Sing for the moment

6. BT

Considered by almost everyone to be the pioneer of Trance music. This guy is old skool in the field of trance music. His album ESCM (1997) had the smash hit "Flaming June". I recommend this track to everyone who want to find out how to seriously dance!

He is known for his stutter technique. He introduced me to the out of this world vocal singer Sarah McLachlan.

'Mercury and solace' had a creepy yet beautifully picturised video of a child apparently hurt by a car crash. He is found by a group of kids in the lush fields nearby and they dance and play around. They seem to be attracted by a shiny object at a distant hill, which seems like metal reflecting sun's light. All this time a model (who's actually the singer, Jan Johnston) wearing coat over a wrapped evening gown(??!!!??) is screaming "reach out for me". I think the kids (or are they time backs of their adult being? Who knows?) are dead and it is a sort of an after-life activity happening.

His other tracks include 'Dreaming' (mixed by Tiesto also I suppose), which is considered to be a classic trance track, in the league of 'Godspeed'. One more was 'Never gonna come back down' which was the epitome of Energy in performance, especially by the Ghetto singer.

Crushes:

• Mercury and Solace
• Flaming June
• Godspeed

5. PVD

This world leading DJ from Germany is a one man army. He has traveled the world, and I was lucky to catch his second coming to Mumbai, live.
His hits include "For an Angel" and "We are alive" which had a video of a huge black trampoline cum couch traveling in city roads (I guess in Germany) and people of all ages/sects enjoying bouncing around. I somehow don't like these songs.

Thumpers:

• Crush mix ('The politics of Dancing') from the Energy 2003 live performance
  
• Times of our lives
• Autumn
• Rapture mix (originally by the group Iio - who derived their name from Sony Vaio!)

4. Deep Forest

Thanks to the creativity of this french duo. Creative because they combined Pygmy chants with Digital (revolutionary back then, in 1992) sounds. Creative because they moved on to Hungarian and Gypsy chants for further projects. Their first album was titled "Deep Forest". If you have heard the title song from the movie "Gupt", look no further for its "inspiration".
Creative as they were considered forerunners in the world of world music.
Creative as they have Australian native lyrics (not Swahili) in their smash song (sweet lullaby)

Makes you wanna groove:

• Deep Forest (title track)
• Hunting
• Savana Dance
• White whisper (have you heard the background music of Salman Khan's presence in "Judwa"?)

Heavily uplifts the mood:

• Night Bird
• The first twilight

3. Planet Funk

Mental patients exhibiting all signs of catatonism (a kind of madness for all you lazy bums) locked in a room. This forms the base video of "Chase the sun". The secret to the wooden radio is revealed in the next released video "Inside all the people", where there is no radio equipment inside the hollow box at all! Perhaps suggesting that the patients are listening to something out of their imagination.
"Inside all the people" goes on to show the chemistry that happens between a man and woman. A simple collision in the crowd is showed 3 times with 3 different results.

Rated 5, automatically ;) (windows media player style):

• Chase the sun
• Inside all the people

Hip turners:

• Who said (stuck in the UK)
  

2. Enigma

Who could possibly think of a positive out of a 12 year old child dropping out of school to pursue a career in music? I am glad Mr. Cretu did.
Gregorian chants, Sexual noises, Thumping dance track, Shakuhachi flutes, can anybody possibly imagine a fusion out of these? I am glad Mr. Michael Cretu did.
Who would get inspired out of falling asleep in a London underground train? I am glad Mr....Yep, you got it.

Welcome to the world of Enigma. The world of mysteries. The world of treasures in terms of musical riches. No wonder the list of bollywood movies that got 'inspired' are countless. From the background music of Tridev to the songs of Akshay - Mamta Kulkarni (mang meri bharo....straight lift from mea culpa), everyone has tried to rake in the success story of this phenomenon.

After 'the cross of changes', their third album was a fusion of these Gregorian chants as well as tribal songs.

Reinventing itself in "The screen behind the mirror" and "Voyageur" proved that the artists have no dearth of soul.

Favourite tracks: Too many to list but will post a few 'toppers'

Mood Transformers/Transporters to different worlds:

• Callas went away (I have written a poem on the visions I get when I hear this song)
• Knocking on forbidden doors (Another vision that I get is of a guy running across narrow paths in the night on high dark barren plateaus, with deep gorges on both sides, to save someone locked in a dark castle...scary?)
• Shadows in silence
• In the shadow in the light
• Push the limits.....It has lyrics having statistics about the MOON! Then linking it with the famous 'Oh fortuna' (remember the background score of the old old spice ads?) chant, possibly implying a connection with the moon and velut luna (like the moon, fortune is very moody and erratic)
• Smell of Desire

Groovies:

• The eyes of truth
• I love you I'll kill you
• Age of loneliness (Carly's song)
• Return to innocence (The reverse video)
• TNT for the brain (Listen to the Table, and listen to the sanskrit chants in this album)
• Voyageur
• Page of cups
  
• The piano
• The gravity of love
• Modern crusaders
• Traces (Light and Weight). This is the song captured in Sony Ericsson mobile handsets' "greetings" alarm/ring tone. Apart from Enigma, I think only AR Rehman can put the sounds of dripping water and match stick lighting to create the effect.
• Silence must be heard
• Turn Around (techno focus, and lyrics straightaway mention titles of previous hits of Enigma)
• Ancient person of my heart
  

Some of the best songs are produced by Enigma collaborating with Deep forest. Two of my favourite artists combining to give awesome music! What more can I ask for? Notable ones are: 'Into Morocco' and 'New Dawn'


1. Chicane

Trivia: All you Bryan Adams fans, read this. Have you heard the song "Cloud no 9"? If you have, then the chances are that you have heard the remixed version of this song, not the original one. Because the original one was so bad, it never took off. It was Chicane's remix that did the trick and the song became popular. Bryan Adams sang for their biggest hit so far (Don't give up) as a gesture for his help.

Their music is described as relaxed, ambient, mood shifting and influenced by Ibiza!!

Anthems, my version of "Bhajan":

• Saltwater (my all time favourite song across all categories of music, to date)
• Don't give up
• Sunstroke (remix)
  
• Offshore
• Autumn tactics

Phew!
What a ride this has been for me. If you have read this far, thank you very much for walking through this with me!

Forget the bulls and bears, JB students chase leopards

Thanks to Kunal for the title. Disclaimer: This article is purely a spoof

POWAI, MUMBAI (9 pm):
It was a usual routine game of Volleyball at the annual sports festival of a rival school in Powai, when the students of JBIMS turned it into a nature related activity. Joining the spectator list of students from SIMSR, JBIMS, NITIE and SPJIMR was a yellow, 4 foot long leopard. It is widely believed that the leopard was attracted at the sight of the best planners of India gathered together so close to his home.

As a token of respect for the leopard the students of JBIMS engaged into a case based discussion on 'Ways to spread awareness about leopards among Mumbaiites'. Among the various suggestions provided, a few innovative ones were using campus radios and visiting thejijamata udyan (zoo) while visiting the Ganpati of Lalbaug. The closing statement of the discussion "We look forward to hosting you on this campus again" was substantiated just 30 minutes later as the Leopard gave a second appearance in the same ground.

"The value of conserving nature is ingrained in us in the very first year through courses like CSR" says Neerav Makwana, a first year student of JBIMS. "Being at Churchgate, the closest we get to animal sightings in nature are those of the dolphins near marine drive. So we thought that the current situation presents to us a wonderful opportunity to practice what we learn".

When asked about the number of prizes that JBIMS won at the sports festival, he replied "Most B schools take part in these events to win, but Bajaj is different. We come here with the primary purpose of enjoying, and we have successfully ensured that the enjoyment quotient is achieved at the end of the day. We also provided a value addition in terms of leveraging upon the existing resources of our rival institute. Also, when it comes to maintaining a consistency, we have proved ourselves yet again as we reached in the semi finals of all the events we took part in".

Ramblings of the connected kind

1>We are a part of the Universe. We are one with the Universe. We are no different.

The Hydrogen present between the stars and in the Nebulae and the Carbon present in the Sun is the same that is present in our bodies.

2>The Universe has a plan for all of us. The world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.

If we discover the plan that the Universe has aligned for us, it will do everything in its power to help us start it. To complete it takes a little effort from our side. The Universe doesn't make plans and assign it to those who don't have the capability to complete it.

3>The Universe is intelligent. If it can create an intelligent mind that can ask questions, it is more intelligent than us.

Instead of questioning or doubting life, God, the world, it is our duty to search the plan that is the purpose of our life. Then to work to finish it.

Our planet is teeming with life. All living beings are living and working for the higher purpose, aligned with the one soul. Hence it is imperative to have respect for life.

*On Revolution (Terrorism):
How can the purpose of one's existence be abruptly ending the purpose of living of one hundred others?

The return to innocence

Then: You felt elated just because your parent looked at you sideways and gave you a short chase over the flight of stairs. You were in sheer ecstasy when you were finally caught and tickled on your tummy.
Now: You have been on the couch cycling through 104 channels for the third time in the last 10 minutes but still haven't found "anything" worthwhile. You put a potato chip in your mouth thinking about your "growing" tummy and how "Jerry" used to have one and still outrun "Tom".

Then: Any gift you received gave you double excitement. One was the pride of showing off the gift itself, no matter how common or simple or cheap it was. The other was the plethora of things you could do with the boxes/covers. Like building triangular tunnels for your toy train, makeshift rain houses for "Jackie" your puppy, cutouts in the shape of stars.
Now: The USB stick you got just 6 months ago doesn't seem interesting enough. Yes it still serves the "function" but you could have got one with FM/MP3/MPEG4 playback with a 30 GB storage. Is there an exchange offer for gadgets nearby?

Then: It's a birthday! There will be cakes, wafers, samosas, comic hero masks, cone caps, big balloons, toffees inside, coloured papers, agarbattis to burst them, games like 'hide and seek' and 'dog and the bone'. You hope that the friendly game of "Uno" cards you have brought as a gift will be used for entertainment in your friend circle in your summer holiday nights. You also hope that you get some comics as a return gift. Even a "Billoo" or a "Kar Bura to ho Bhala"-Bankelal will do.
Now: Sigh. Another senior member of the project is getting released. There goes a string of long speeches, especially by our Project Leader. Achievements, legacy, dependency, motivation, blah blah blah. My legs are aching. Hey that team member lady is wearing a nice pair of shoes. Wonder if there is a rum cake at the end of this.

Then: It is 5 pm. You hear your surname being shouted in a very crude way in the street below. Your sleeping father moans and gets irritated. You think "How many times do I have to tell my friends to use my first name? How hard is it for them to call me 'Ravi' instead of 'Singh'? At least they are not doing 'Kaalu' anymore. I'd rather put on my canvas shoes and take my bat or else this shouting will continue like everyday".
Now: The idea of a physical workout involves walking. From house to the bus stop, from platform no 6 to 1, inside a shopping mall, and if lucky, a garden or a sea face.

Then: The term "Adrenaline" meant a visit to the nearby mountain temple during monsoon. Who is interested to go for a Darshan? We go inside the premises only because of the laddoos we get for prasad. We are more interested in exploring the muddy and shrubby mountain and if lucky spotting a snake and running for our lives.
Now: I can feel the testosterone in me. Let me flash the message on DC++ : Anyone interested in a 2 hour game of Counter Strike 1.6? No? What about Halo? Thankfully I paid for LAN in this connection as well.

Then: Finally! 3 months of saving pocket money. Finally got my hands on the new "Savage Garden"/"Kaho na Pyar hai"/''Jagjeet Singh" cassette. I will listen to it at least 5 times a day on my walkman. Would my crush Pooja/Sumit like to listen to it with me?
Now: Who is this Amy Winehouse who has been on page 3 all the time? Lemme see what youtube search sputters? "Rehab"? Sounds more like her addiction problem than a video to me. Anyways, let's see how the first 30 seconds are. Or else it's back to "Race" for me.

After the journey of "Then"s from your 2 year old phase to being a teen: When was the last time when the words "simple" and "pleasure" seemed synonymous? Was it your last visit to the sea beach? Was it the friendly game of ball you played with the 3 year old in your society? Was it the melting of chocolate on your tongue? Was it the head oil massage you gave to your mom/grandma? Yes we have moved far ahead with the times. Is it time to return to innocence again?

3 letters

You are now over one year into the software "industry". You have crossed over from being "enthusiastic" to "complaining" around 4 months back. The words that describe your job now are "boring" and "monotonous". You are still here because you earn a little more than your "core engineer" friend, there is a possibility of you going "onsite" and the IT sector is hot right now. Most of your friends are already stamping their visas for US for their MS degree. But you think that it is just a passport for earning in dollars doing pretty much what you would have done in India anyways. Now the situation is of a "saturation point". You now want to "get out of it". Suddenly working as a boss rather than a subordinate fills your fantasies. You have been hearing about the 3 letter entrance examinations that test only high school level aptitude since college. You have also been hearing about the 7 digit annual salary figures that the passouts from these 3 letter "institutes" are paid, from your colleagues. So you decide, it is time to enter the race. Welcome to the world of lakhs of aspiring MBAs across India.

Now even though the beginning of the paragraph starts with my story, the motivation does not quite relate to me completely. But I can claim it as a fact that it is the story of 3/4th of the candidates fighting for a seat in a good B school in India. I have already validated it during the "personality development" sessions of my class, where blatant honesty of the entire class comes in. I have also experienced it while interacting with fellow aspirants during my "calls" so far. Among the 8 of my group mates in SCMHRD, 6 were from Software industry, where 4 were from my last company. My purpose here is not to beat around the bush. My purpose here is to share with you a few observations and trends gathered over 1.5 years of my "endeavour". Not only for the "aspiring candidates'" benefits, but also as an opportunity for the "already aspired" candidates to reflect. Let me begin with a few stats through a visual element. The figures are rough but collected from very reliable sources.

Name of the test	No of applicants (2006)	No of applicants (2007)	Percentage increase
CAT	1,91,000	2,30,000	20.4
SNAP	97,000	1,39,000	43.3
MH-CET	52,211	74,622	42.9
JMET	21,000	28,000	33.3
IIFT	42,500	47,500	11.8
NMAT	32,000	37,000	15.6

(The figures for XAT and FMS were around 70,000 and 52,000 last year (january 2007). I still haven't found a reliable source for the 2008 figures of these exams)

Observations:
1) The success story of India Inc is inspiring more and more educated/employed youth to take up the B path.
2) People are not shy of taking an exam multiple times. "Creme-de-la-creme" prize motivates even the highest paid "labour". The concept of one exam, one path, one job career has long gone now.
3) Tests that offer multiple application opportunity (more than one college) grew far more rapidly than single college tests. Everyone wants to pick and choose rather than relying on only one aim.
4) The seat to applicant ratio for well known colleges will keep on decreasing insanely as long as there is no upper limit for the age/attempts. We saw a fall in the no of applicants of JEE last year only after the IITs established a "maximum 2 attempts" limit.
Advice:
If you are waiting for 1 or 2 years to start the race, I suggest you to jump in right away. The selection ratios of colleges like FMS, JB, SIBM are already in the 1:500 mark. So out of the 500 people applying, only one makes the cut.

Observation of exam and entrance trends:
1) GK is a thing of the past
No not all tests have done away with GK. But almost all tests seem to follow suit. FMS did it away after 2003, XAT in 2006, and it was NM's turn to do it this year. Reason? Colleges don't want the GK section to skew results. They can test the general awareness of a candidate during further rounds, GD, PI. Besides, the ultimate focus of a B school is its placement, and lately the role of GK as a deciding factor for the companies has gone down.
Advice:
Read newspapers regularly. But don't waste your time mugging up the who's who of orgns/govt bodies that you are not even remotely interested in.
2)Reasoning is the "in" thing
It is an open secret. B schools don't want philosophers or mathematicians, they want candidates who can think effectively under pressure. So all the traditionally compartmentalised sections have got mixed profusely with reasoning. Verbal has shifted from knowing the meanings of a word and knowing where to apply them to critical reasoning. Quant has moved to caselets (cat, jmet, xat), an effective way for "integration" of a problem.
Advice:
Instead of preparing for specific type of questions focus on the "why" everywhere possible. Even during the interviews the "whys" are the most frequent and the most impostant ones.
3) B schools want half made managers
Thanks to the RTI and the curiousity of a challenged lady candidate, IIM B has opened its weightage for selection to the public. Is it a surprise that a CA gets 5% more marks than a candidate from another stream (She/he has already done many subjects that form a part of the curriculum)? Again, is it a surprise that most B schools give more preference to the work-ex people (They already know the "corporate culture" and the nuances of how to make a mickey out of people for the benefit of the orgn, at least they know what their bosses did)? How can the B schools make their exams, the so called "Aptitude tests" separate the half baked "managers" from the rest? By introducing Business decision making in their paper of course. IIFT did it in 2007, XAT followed suit in 2008. Actually XAT just increased those "subjective" type of questions introduced in 2007 from a set to half a section.
The group discussions are moving from the "creative/abstract" to general and Case studies. All 3 of SIBM, SCMHRD and SIIB used case studies for group discussions this time as opposed to "creative topics" and "visual presentation" based GDs last time around. They are utilising their priveleges to separate out the potential manager material from the bookish candidates.
Advice:
Now even the non-elite B schools have 60,000 to 85,000 students to choose from (for their 120-180 seats) instead of the 4,000 they had before. E.g., SIMC received 67,000 applications this year. To make their training job easier, to increase their placement figures, they want people who are coming with a pre-wired mind ready to transform to a manager. So right from the beginning of preparing for these tests, keep a "managerial" attitude. As the cliche goes, try to see the "bigger picture" instead of preparing for tests. Be sure of your goals, problem solving methodology etc even while preparing for your mocks. Read up simple case studies with the point of view of an organisation even before exams.
4) It is becoming more and more "open"
Just 3 years back it was only the CAT paper (among all MBA tests) that was open for scrutiny, analysis and post mortem. I am talking about the right to take the question paper home. They threw it open to the public. Almost as a challenge. They have twisted and modified the paper beyond recognition every year since then. So even if it is open, no one can actually use it to ensure success in the following year.
IIFT and JMET went public in 2006. XAT followed step in 2008. I think that the dynamics of the game are changing so much that the paper setters are sending out a clear message. "We want people who are prepared for any surprise. We will change the paper next year. You can analyze our paper as much as you want, but you will get in only if you have it in you".
Advice:
Don't make your mindset fixed on a "pattern" of an exam. Try to practice as many variations as possible. Try to maximise your score in an exam instead of speculating about the cut offs.A score of 60 in JMET 2006 resulted in rank 1300, the same score got one a rank 300 in 2007. I have personally seen all the papers change from 2006 to 2007; in terms of no of questions (SNAP, NMAT, XAT), difficulty (CAT-enough said, JMET, XAT, IIFT), sections (XAT-always stumps the junta, FMS, IIFT), type of questions (CET, XAT, IIFT, FMS)

Enough gyaan for now. Awaiting comments and your 2 cents

How to make 9.5 million dollars in one stroke

Woohoo!! My dream has finally come true! U know, the dream that I had since childhood, the dream that we all share. To inherit a huge amount of money by the way of an untimely (timely for us) demise of a rich, anonymous, generous relative.

Not in my wildest dream had I imagined that such a huge sum would come to me in this form. That too, from some other country altogether. That too, without any hassle involved, especially the tax part.

This moment is so special that I want to share it with you all. So here lies what made today an unforgettable one.

FROM MR ABDUL SAMAD. AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT. FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT. UNION TOGOLAISE DE BANQUE,(U.T.B) LOME- TOGO.

Togo? All that I knew about Togo till today was that it is a small footballing Nation in Africa. Arsenal's in form striker Manu Adebayor hails from Togo, and is apparently unsatisfied with their handling of the sports. That it qualified for the world cup last year but failed to do it for this year's ongoing African Cup of Nations. Hmm, interesting that I have acquaintances there.

Dear Abhishek,

I am Mr Abdul Samad,Auditing And Accounting Unit,Foreign Operation Department Union Togolaise De Banque Lome Togo. With due respect and regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction


Woah!!! Somebody pinch me. Not only does my benefactor from Togo know me, he is a big man there! Auditing and Accounting Unit? Foreign Operation Department Union Togolaise De Banque? And here I am, a measly commoner in this country of 1.13 billion, who has to waste 5 hours just to get someone from the Govt to attest his admit card of an entrance test, only to prove that it is indeed him in that photograph. Moreover, he has kept my interests (unknown to him till 2003) in his mind while taking such an important decision!! My days have surely changed!!

During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person Mr G.C Badran who died on the 26th of December 2003 with his wife and their only daughter.They travelled to IRAN on holiday and unfotunantely, they were involved in an Earthquake which occoured in Bam on the 26th of December 2003 in IRAN which claim about 25 thausand lives in the Earthquake . Since then I have made several enquiries to their embassy here to locate any of his extended family relatives, but all efforts proved abortive.

Mr. G.C. Badran... let me check my family tree... Oh heck, who cares, as long as he was rich and generous... R.I.P. Mr. Badran. May you get salvation. How ironic that you died on the day that a new India was born. Maybe this is a sign, an omen (remember the Alchemist?). That a person from India should get his hands on the riches. How lucky that it was me!! I am still blinking in disbelief!!

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the business directory in our chamber of commerce, trade and tourism, to locate any member of his family hence my contacting you. I contact you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$9.5 million left behind before it gets confiscated or declared unclaimed by our Bank where this huge amount was deposited.

I can understand how frustrating it must have been Mr. Samad. Searching for his relative among the hundreds of billions of Togolese. Perhaps that explains why you shifted your gaze to this country of a few dozens, and picked me!! I am so thankful to you. I am so thankful to the universe! For conspiring for my desire!!
I am still in a shock. Can you imagine? US $ 9.5 million?
Yes you are right Mr. Samad. I should hurry up and get that money and convert it into my country's currency as soon as possible. Or else the rupee might rise and make those dollars a little less. I wish that you had been a little early in sending that mail. Just a few months ago I would have converted that amount at 48 rs per dollar instead of 32....never mind....I will make do with those 9.5 million.

Our Bank has issued a notice to provide his next of kin and Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over one year , I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased deposited sum in our Bank so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

Err, you were searching his relatives only for an year? But that means that the bank must have made a huge amount of money by investing his 9.5 million dollars (that rightfully belong to me) for 4 years before you started your search. Never mind Mr. Samad, I am ready to forgive and forget, just get to the part where I get this money. The suspense is too much for me to handle.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for the transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for the claim which i payed greatly to acquire.All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.I guarantee that this attract no risk at all for it will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Like we say in India, "Neki aur poochh poochh?". There you are waiting for my response and here I am, raring to come to Togo. I have already booked a discounted Air India ticket to Dammam. Because I couldn't get a direct flight to Lome. I guess I will have to hitch a ride from there. Can you please tell me the preferred mode of transport? We don't have that kind of information in India. I am sure Mr. Badran would have been so ashamed of my ignorance if he were alive today.
Regarding your share, I am ready to shell out a huge sum for your cooperation (you have already made all the legal documents for me, after all). So in return for your huge favour, I will part with a magnanimous sum of $2 and 39 cents. I am so happy with you that I will also remit to you the charges for the documents that you "payed greatly to acquire" or 47 cents, whichever is lower. What's more, I will even give you a discount for your payment of my air tickets.
Regarding your concern about the law, don't worry Mr. Samad. We are all corrupt here. Even if you can't get me out of the trouble, I'll ensure that with my newfound riches, I will get myself out.

On the receipt of your response via the above email address ,I will furnish you with a detailed clarification .

Sincerely,



Abdul Samad.


So that's how my life changed and I went on the path to riches!! As a gesture of sharing my happiness with all of you, I have decided to give all of my friends a grand treat, in the finest hotel in Lome, Togo. So be there, I will truely appreciate it.




P.S.
1>The credit for the idea for this entry goes to a blog I read today.
2>I did mark the mail as spam. I hope none of the receivers falls for it.

Respite

It was a little after 7 pm. I was going back home. I had to change trains as usual. I was lucky enough to get a (relatively) less crowded train for the first leg; so it couldn't have been stress. It is Mumbai; so it couldn't have been the weather either. My flu has also been cured, so it wasn't the fever. Yet, while waiting for my connecting train, on that crowded platform, in the absence of any wind, I shivered.

I was one with my sub-conscious a moment before that. My mind was doing what it's best at; when it is left to wander by itself. It was revelling in my near-past experiences. It reached an intense incidence that happened less than two weeks ago. The incidence that had left my ego hurt and years of trust broken. It triggered a chain reaction that was over in a few, but vehement seconds. A pain, that subsided in a matter of seconds, probably because it had been experienced before, more than once. A surge of confused anger towards the one who caused it, which again died, because something inside me said that it wasn't anybody's fault. It probably wasn't. An overwhelming sense of awareness, of losing my equanimity. A strong guilt, for losing my peaceful balance, which was why I shivered...... Finally, peaceful empathy.

It was in this state of peace that I was sub consciously searching for a familiar face, to share my compassion. In that sea of bodies. Somebody who could understand me. Somebody who was not closed inside his or her mind. Who could take a little time out of his or her busy schedule. Somebody who could converse with me. Not necessarily talk or listen, but somebody who could just share..... Somebody.... Anybody.....
Then I saw her.

The purest being in that place. The living example of selfless love. Innocent. Candid. Shy.
I had met her before, once, at that very place. I hoped that she would recognise me. She did. She acknowledged my presence and responded to me reaching out to her. She greeted me. The affection was definitely growing. Then I did something that I normally don't do to others. I ruffled her shiny hair. I went ahead and stroked her fair cheek and neck. I was hoping that she won't mind that, after all, she was too young to be self conscious of such public displays of affection. Her body language said that she liked it. That in this lonely world full of stress, she found that simple touch soothing. Her eyes closed in a kind of acceptance.

Her actions were the only means by which I could gather her thoughts, for she didn't speak my language. In fact, she couldn't speak at all. She was born with this impairment. Her kins here have the same "disability". But time and again she and her kins have taught me that words are not required to communicate the essential. That the most meaningful of all feelings can be conveyed by a simple touch. Sometimes a nudge. That is what she and her kins have used with me as a communication tool all these years. That is what I have used to befriend her. To strengthen my bonds with as many four legged "man's best friend"s as I can.

They always end up giving more affection than getting. Today was no different. Today a street dog feeding off leftovers at a platform of Kurla station gave me pure, expectationless love. Much more of it than what the sea of people could give me, even if I were a celebrity.

They experience many complex emotions that the "superior" humans do. They have their own way of expressing them. Whether it is a twist in the neck combined with raised eyebrows showing surprise at the comfort that we humans show at the presence of a new guest; or it is the grabbing of a human's arm with their teeth, lightly, and putting it across their belly, to announce their acceptance of friendship; it is all there.