Chetan Bhagat @ Symbiosis - Worth a Read :)

Don't hurry, read it full in free time.

Good Morning everyone and thank you for giving me this chance to speak to you। This day is about you। You, who have come to this college, leaving the comfort of your homes (or in some cases discomfort), to become something in your life. I am sure you are excited. There are few days in human life when one is truly elated. The first day in college is one of them. When you were getting ready today, you felt a tingling in your stomach. What would the auditorium be like, what would the teachers be like, who are my new classmates - there is so much to be curious about. I call this excitement, the spark within you that makes you feel truly alive today. Today I am going to talk about keeping the spark shining. Or to put it another way, how to be happy most, if not all the time.

Where do these sparks start? I think we are born with them। My 3-year old twin boys have a million sparks. A little Spiderman toy can make them jump on the bed. They get thrills from creaky swings in the park. A story from daddy gets them excited. They do a daily countdown for birthday party – several months in advance – just for the day they will cut their own birthday cake. I see students like you, and I still see some sparks. But when I see older people, the spark is difficult to find. That means as we age, the spark fades. People whose spark has faded too much are dull, dejected, aimless and bitter. Remember Kareena in the first half of Jab We Met vs the second half? That is what happens when the spark is lost. So how to save the spark?
Imagine the spark to be a lamp's flame। The first aspect is nurturing - to give your spark the fuel, continuously. The second is to guard against storms. To nurture, always have goals. It is human nature to strive, improve and achieve full potential. In fact, that is success. It is what is possible for you. It isn't any external measure - a certain cost to company pay package, a particular car or house. Most of us are from middle class families. To us, having material landmarks is success and rightly so. When you have grown up where money constraints force everyday choices, financial freedom is a big achievement. But it isn't the purpose of life. If that was the case, Mr. Ambani would not show up for work. Shah Rukh Khan would stay at home and not dance anymore. Steve Jobs won't be working hard to make a better iPhone, as he sold Pixar for billions of dollars already. Why do they do it? What makes them come to work everyday? They do it because it makes them happy. They do it because it makes them feel alive. Just getting better from current levels feels good. If you study hard, you can improve your rank. If you make an effort to interact with people, you will do better in interviews. If you practice, your cricket will get better. You may also know that you cannot become Tendulkar, yet. But you can get to the next level. Striving for that next level is important. Nature designed with a random set of genes and circumstances in which we were born. To be happy, we have to accept it and make the most of nature's design. Are you? Goals will help you do that. I must add, don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order. There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

You must have read some quotes - Life is a tough race, it is a marathon or whatever. No, from what I have seen so far, life is one of those races in nursery school, where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same with life, where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die. One last thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. One of my yoga teachers used to make students laugh during classes. One student asked him if these jokes would take away something from the yoga practice. The teacher said - don't be serious, be sincere. This quote has defined my work ever since. Whether its my writing, my job, my relationships or any of my goals. I get thousands of opinions on my writing everyday. There is heaps of praise, there is intense criticism. If I take it all seriously, how will I write? Or rather, how will I live? Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It's ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.

I've told you three things - reasonable goals, balance and not taking it too seriously that will nurture the spark। However, there are four storms in life that will threaten to completely put out the flame. These must be guarded against. These are disappointment, frustration, unfairness and loneliness of purpose.

Disappointment will come when your effort does not give you the expected return. If things don't go as planned or if you face failure. Failure is extremely difficult to handle, but those that do come out stronger. What did this failure teach me? is the question you will need to ask. You will feel miserable. You will want to quit, like I wanted to when nine publishers rejected my first book. Some IITians kill themselves over low grades – how silly is that? But that is how much failure can hurt you. But it's life. If challenges could always be overcome, they would cease to be a challenge. And remember - if you are failing at something, that means you are at your limit or potential. And that's where you want to be.

Disappointment' s cousin is frustration, the second storm. Have you ever been frustrated? It happens when things are stuck. This is especially relevant in India. From traffic jams to getting that job you deserve, sometimes things take so long that you don't know if you chose the right goal. After books, I set the goal of writing for Bollywood, as I thought they needed writers. I am called extremely lucky, but it took me five years to get close to a release. Frustration saps excitement, and turns your initial energy into something negative, making you a bitter person. How did I deal with it? A realistic assessment of the time involved – movies take a long time to make even though they are watched quickly, seeking a certain enjoyment in the process rather than the end result – at least I was learning how to write scripts, having a side plan – I had my third book to write and even something as simple as pleasurable distractions in your life - friends, food, travel can help you overcome it. Remember, nothing is to be taken seriously. Frustration is a sign somewhere, you took it too seriously.

Unfairness - this is hardest to deal with, but unfortunately that is how our country works. People with connections, rich dads, beautiful faces, pedigree find it easier to make it – not just in Bollywood, but everywhere. And sometimes it is just plain luck. There are so few opportunities in India, so many stars need to be aligned for you to make it happen. Merit and hard work is not always linked to achievement in the short term, but the long term correlation is high, and ultimately things do work out. But realize, there will be some people luckier than you. In fact, to have an opportunity to go to college and understand this speech in English means you are pretty damm lucky by Indian standards. Let's be grateful for what we have and get the strength to accept what we don't. I have so much love from my readers that other writers cannot even imagine it. However, I don't get literary praise. It's ok. I don't look like Aishwarya Rai, but I have two boys who I think are more beautiful than her. It's ok. Don't let unfairness kill your spark.

Finally, the last point that can kill your spark is isolation. As you grow older you will realize you are unique. When you are little, all kids want Ice cream and Spiderman. As you grow older to college, you still are a lot like your friends. But ten years later and you realize you are unique. What you want, what you believe in, what makes you feel, may be different from even the people closest to you. This can create conflict as your goals may not match with others. . And you may drop some of them. Basketball captains in college invariably stop playing basketball by the time they have their second child. They give up something that meant so much to them. They do it for their family. But in doing that, the spark dies. Never, ever make that compromise. Love yourself first, and then others. There you go. I've told you the four thunderstorms - disappointment, frustration, unfairness and isolation. You cannot avoid them, as like the monsoon they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die. I welcome you again to the most wonderful years of your life. If someone gave me the choice to go back in time, I will surely choose college. But I also hope that ten years later as well, your eyes will shine the same way as they do today. That you will Keep the Spark alive, not only through college, but through the next 2,500 weekends. And I hope not just you, but my whole country will keep that spark alive, as we really need it now more than any moment in history. And there is something cool about saying - I come from the land of a billion sparks.

Thank You।
Chetan Bhagat

BLESSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Friends,
Long time.....felling to write something today...so just jotting down some of my thoughts as a post....

I feel blessed....blessed because when I see my past, I feel that I have come a long way...and journey was not that smooth.....Recently I went to NJ...to meet my cousin .....The easiest route from Syracuse to NJ is a direct 30 mins flight..but I took GreyHound bus (5 hrs)....to be frank...it was a last moment deal and didn't wanted to waste too much money on flight tickets......

People here feel Greyhound to be a hectic and trying journey with not-so comfortable seats, lot of stops etc....but frankly I enjoyed every moment of it....While traveling....I was just thinking about my great old days..in Modasa....the place where I did my engineering...not sure how many people know about it..but yes it has been a memorable place atleast for me.....

Modasa is just a small town in North Gujarat around 100 Kms from Ahmedabad. I still remember and most of you won't believe that...at the time I was doing my engineering there was not even a single rail track to Modasa...and not even Express buses....me with my four friends......used to commute using...State Transport (ST) bus from Surat to Maodasa....It takes almost 8-9 hrs...for the journey.....ST buses used to be crowded with local passengers....at times no place to sit...people stinking, spitting on windows....broken seats...noise...and much more.....
but it was all fun....we all enjoyed it...

Nirav and I used to sleep comfortably...without caring much about things...brihadish as usual used to be busy..chatting with people in bus..making new friends.......and Rajat used to listen to his walkman....few more things were quite fixed...enjoying a flavored milk at Baroda...and a cup of tea at one of the stops....(I do wanna mention that Great Brihadish used to brush his teeth 4 AM in the morning before having tea...frankly god has give this guy lot of strength and patience...)

From there I am here in Syracuse...traveling in Greyhound...with full conditioned with push-back seats..isn't this great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


Thats why I say...I am blessed and Life is Beautiful....


Regards,
Navit Saxena

Movie Reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Guys,
Watched some of the movies recently...actually watched all of them..posting my reviews...

SOAL : Shootout At Lokhanwala....: Was ok....I did like the plot....but I think casting could have been better.Tushar Kapoor still looks like a college boy and is not at all impressive as a Gangster......

Songs really..tear apart the whole story....no idea why these people put them in...

But yes..worth to mention..performances of Sanjay Dutt...Sunil Shetty and Vivek Oberoi...they add some value to the movie...


Life In a Metro: Simply Awesome... A realistic movie like Page3...brings reflection of todays society...accept it or not...but we all know whats happening these days...

Again... Sharman Joshi, KK, Irrfan Khan,Konkona sen and Shilpa shetty are all upto the mark..and I do feel they did a great job...

Movie is worth a watch...if u miss..u regret later...


Chenni Kum: Light Comedy Movie...At times too boring...Amitabh and Tabu are gud on screen..but again the movie was not that interesting to make someone sit and watch for 2.30 hrs...


Quarter Life Crisis: Gud Movie...Indo-American knid of.....Worth a watch....funny and interesting...


Ek Chalis ki last Local: Time Pass movie....wanna have some fun..do watch it..but yes..don't take ur brain..u won't need that while watching.....movie goes with simple style..let everyone do what ever they want....finally u will get something interesting to watch...


Full and Final: Really I watched this movie...We have everyone in this movie..Sahid Kapoor..Ayesha Takia....Jackie Shroff...Sunny Deol....Om puri...Sharmila Tagore...Gulshan Grover...Vivek Oberoi....Chunky Pandee...and many more... Again Funtoo movie...No brain needed...just sit and watch and don't think abt it...

Later u might feel to say.."Why the hell I watched this movie..."

Love words.....

Hey,
I didn't knew .....blog members are so busy that they don't even have time to post something.........i thought i had few creative members....but it seem spirits are going down with the pace of life....sab buddhe ho gaye hai...


I didn't want to do this..but now I can't resist...


Rajat Agarwal (Chasmish)....Hello...Sir.....Hello....are u still alive? Dude we all know u are the laziest person on earth...(people can consider me as second...)......rightly said for you...in the race of one ..u still will be the last to reach...saale..kuch to likha kar.....atleast kuch internet se hi taap ke post kar de.... :-)


Brihadish(Anna)....u do visit blog at time..I know this....and years back u did post few messages...so can't say much to you..but yes definitely I wanna read something gud from u...


Nirav (Jadiye / Mote / Battery): Tune aaj tak blog bhi dekha kya...?????? Professor don't get too much in studies...spare time to write something and do tell people about ur current gf..(You asked me not to say this ..but its ok...we are all friends..so people should know abt her too).....
;-)


Hey....I forgot there are two girls too....


Saumya Ratan (Manu) : Hey dear...remember u said u wanted to post in something??????? I thought ki aap 2007 mein hi post karne ki baat kar rahe ho..????? Girlie...move out of ur cubicle...and books and get some fresh ideas, write..something about ur ILP or recent experience in TCS?....


Ruchika (Kicchu)...Oh sorry can't say anything to her..she is too busy..busy...busy..I know she won't even check this...so why to waste my time...huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


Sorry..for this...but I just wanted to speak out...Whatever I have said goes for me too...My creativity is far off these days...not able to think and write much..still I promise to keep posting...

Friends Lets Get Back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

Hello Friends,
The days are hectic, life is so busy, it seems we don't even have time to remember each other...

But I am still nostalgic about my old days..my friends...my loved ones...Life hasn't been smooth for all of us.., still fighting against all odds to get the very best... and it seems it will continue for a while...but Friends thats what we call LIFE...

We started this blog, to keep posting some ideas / memories / articles and to be in touch....I am again trying to take an initiative and request everyone of you to please post in to keep the Blog alive...


Regards,
Navit Saxena

Love........

Friends…
“Love” a four-letter word that defines the most beautiful relation in the cosmos. “Love Is God” and “Love Lies In Eternity” figures the importance of love in ones life and so I hereby present my next composition, dedicated to someone very special in my life. This composition is an effort to phrase the story of a simple person(not me)in some beautiful words…

I regret for mistakes if any…

Your comments are always inspiring and are eagerly awaited….


The story is about…

Life of a man, with nothing to share…
Days passed by, no joy no cheer.

I was all alone, no friends in years…
It was their departure, that all I feared.

Things were changing, the nature was awesome…
It was her love that made my life blossom.

Darkness all around, never believed in divine…
You took me out of tunnel to the bright sunshine.

Simple as jewel, innocent in deed…
She was a holy divine, my love indeed.

Red suits you, black rules the rows…
It’s not the colors, but your beauty that glows.

You can hurt me and can make me cry…
But don’t ever leave me, as I will surely die.

At times I was broken & Days were in fear…
You brought a smile to the falling tears.

Eyes were wet & the life was down…
You stood besides me, to make me go on.

I still remember your eyes stare…
When in my arms, you said your last prayer.

I was silent & my eyes stare…
Watching you turn ashes, in the burning flare.

Life is so idyllic, without you my dear…
Nights are sleepless, waiting death without fear.


Yours
Navit Saxena.

Friends..........................

Hello Friends,

“FRIENDS” one of the most beautiful words in English. We all have friends but I still think there are only a few who really know what a “True-Friend” means. As others I too faced ups and downs in my life but I was not that tough for me as my friends were always there on my side. As Individually I considered my self as a failure in terms of friendship but I really consider my self to be lucky enough to have “True-Friends” all my life.

Trust me without them my life is not possible…

I have only a few “Friends” (I can't name them but each of them knows about it) and I admire them all. I take this opportunity to thank them all and try express my feelings in few thoughts or phrases composed by me…


I regret, if I ever hurt any of my friends feelings………


I still cherish the days I spent with my Friends,
The days have perished but memories will never end.

Friends are all around that lingers,
But “True-Friends” are always a few on your fingers.

In the river of life when I was wrecked and drenched,
It was my Friends that took me to the end.

I express my gratitude to the God, Divine,
For giving me my Friends who always made me shine.

I failed as a Friend and nowhere is the time,
To feel sorry for them as I pay the fine…

Some friendships perished as if drops of rain,
It seems to me, time will never be the same...

In the Life Of Friendship there was a hard time,
Friend got departed but I still consider him to be mine...

The moments have come for us to Depart (July),
But do remember, I will always be your part.

Not much to say but there exists a hope in time,
That the three will surely meet the fourth line.


These are few lines from my heart. If you like them please appreciate with ur comments.


Yours,
Navit Saxena.

SMART ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Friends,

Not only our technical knowledge helps, but also the presence of mind and the right answer at right time.
Even if u don't know the answer for a question just confuse the questioner

Question and the Answer given by Candidates oh sorry they are IAS Officers now.

Q.How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
A. Concrete floors are very hard to crack! (UPSC Topper)

Q.If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
A. No time at all it is already built. (UPSC 23 Rank Opted for IFS)

Q.If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples
and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?
A. Very large hands.(Good one) (UPSC 11 Rank Opted for IPS)

Q. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
A. It is not a problem, since you will never find an elephant with one hand. (UPSC Rank 14 Opted for IES)

Q. How can a man go eight days without sleep?
A. No Probs , He sleeps at night. (UPSC IAS Rank 98)

Q. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become?
A. It will Wet or Sink as simple as that. (UPSC IAS Rank 2)

Q. What looks like half apple ?
A : The other half. (UPSC - IAS Topper )

Q. What can you never eat for breakfast ?
A : Dinner.

Q. What happened when wheel was invented ?
A : It caused a revolution.

Q. Bay of Bengal is in which state?
A : Liquid (UPSC 33Rank )

Interviewer said "I shall either ask you ten easy questions or one really difficult question.

Think well before you make up your mind!" The boy thought for a while and said, "my choice is one really difficult question."

"Well, good luck to you, you have made your own choice! Now tell me this. "What comes first, Day or Night?"

The boy was jolted into reality as his admission depends on the correctness of his answer, but he thought for a while and said, "It's the DAY sir!"

"How" the interviewer asked,

"Sorry sir, you promised me that you will not ask me a SECOND difficult question!"

He was selected for IIM!

'D' - Beware he is not an Epitome

Hello Friends

It been a long time I was waiting for a good issue to write upon and today I got one ‘D’- Company at work. Yes the “RGV-Productions” new movie ‘D’ where ‘D’ stands for an underworld don ‘Deshu’ (We all know to whom the character ‘D’ points out in the tarnished Underworld). Definitely the director has given justice to the titled character and made a true and sincere effort towards making of a reality movie. But after watching it I was strained up in a dilemma. What message the movies brings to the public? I am sure that every person who has watched the movie justifies the decision taken up by the aggressive and hotheaded character ‘Deshu’ after he is grasped up in an unwanted turmoil between the police and the gangsters. The movie inspires (paradox) the public and this is where the things will go wrong.

It should be understood by the public that despite of any number of framed up causes it is the same person responsible for a numerous ‘anti-social’ activities the caused lives of hundreds and thousands of people round the globe. He holds a Master degree in “Crime” and has link up with many terrorist groups molding up hundreds of other devastating crime plans. If he is an outcome of misery he is equally responsible for the misery of others and such a character is not worth any sympathy can never be justified. I hope that my message is conveyed though the article, I request u to watch the movie but beware he is not an “Epitome”.

Your comments and suggestions are awaited.........