Kaushik's Blog
While I was away for a while, this happened!
Words and Lines was rated as one of the Top 15 Creative Writing Blogs in India by Baggout.
This is very great, and honour for me. Thanks a ton to Baggout, my dear fellow bloggers and friends who inspire me a lot, to blog and to live 🙂
Following is the badge, provided by Baggout.
And also check out this post to find out the other awesome blogs – Top 15 Creative Writing Blogs in India
Cheers
God Bless
In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court of the US has recognized the equal status of its LGBT citizens. It’s nice to see people offering their support by various means. There is so much positivity, hope, warmth shown all around in the social media. But how much of it is genuine? Is India ready for such a change? Are Indians willing to accept such a reform wholeheartedly? All I had to say about this were 5 things, as tweets.
Status updates, profile pic changes, etc are good and give a positive feel, but how many actually support LGBT wholeheartedly? (1)
Constitutions, courts can give mandates, but it’s up to the people to overcome prejudices! (2)
Talking about India, when just tweeting about gay things can fetch rude, ‘well-wisher warning’ messages, miles to go ahead! (3)
Anyway, people judge, hate, love, accept according to their capabilities but one leads their own lives 🙂 Smile and cheers! (4)
Finally, plant rights didn’t make me a plant, hence gay rights won’t make me gay! Thanks and sorry for the ranting-tweeting spree! (5)
Hope i’m clear headed and have summarized my thoughts.
Again emphasizing that there is so much positivity, love and warmth all around. Wishing and praying that it lasts genuinely forever and Love Wins always. Union of souls is beyond the spectrum of gender, orientation, religion, caste, creed, *whatever differences have been created by humans* and we have a long way to reach there!
P.S. Supporting gayness doesn’t make me gay (if i’m not already, actually 😉 ) And the term gay actually means happiness (if you don’t know already) Special cheers!
Cheers
God Bless
It has been a long time since i’d posted anything on animation. It’s long time since I opened 3D S Max and designed few models. High time to brush up. And posting few of my favourite models that i’d been designing over the past few months in 3D S Max..
Cheers
God Bless
Finally, we got time for our long pending, long family vacation/pilgrimage! And honestly I just cannot write about our week long vacation in a post, or even a series of posts! So I go with a summary of my experiences, thoughts, observations and happenings…
Journey is a destination too…
The journey through the dense forests of Sathyamangalam, along the course of the river Kaveri, next to the impressive Bhavani Sagar Dam, over the twisting roads of Mettupalayam, over the rough terrains of Ooty, kissing the bright Morning Glory creepers from the hilly terrains, over the bridges, through the tunnels, overlooking the tea estates, over the narrow roads adjacent to Pykara Lake, on the steep slopes overlooking the scary Frog Hill View Point, though the evergreen forests of Mudumalai, occasional sightings of a variety of monkeys and buffaloes, a rare sighting of an elephant, through the downsloping roads of Bandipur, through the broad regal roads of Mysore, through the sugarcane fields to Melkote, over the rough roads to Belur, on the dusty roads to Halebidu…oh wait! These are just the bus journey routes. Many times in life we forget that, real happiness is not a destination, but found all around through the journey!
Window to the world…
It is the window which shows us the world, as we sit comfortably in our home, or a cosy bus/train. It is the window which makes one enjoy the sightings, like those which were mentioned above, to admire the beauty of nature and sing the praise of the Lord.
One disturbing thing was that people tend to take (dis)advantage of these beautiful windows and the more beautiful vistas outside. And I honestly wish that every bus/train (with openable windows) have a Pleading/Warning in bold letters which says…“Windows are NOT DUSTBINS!”
Fragrance of a river…
Believe me this river has a fragrance, an emotional connect to everyone related to the place though which it meanders, and is considered holier than the Ganga – the Kaveri. The fragrance, the warmth, the peace, the connect could be felt while cruising along its banks through Sathyamangalam, over the bridges at Mysore, over its canals at Mandya, along its banks at Srirangapatna, over the lush green sugarcane fields, the coconut groves, and my praise and admiration for this river can never stop!
Love affair with a city…
Ask me, ‘which is your favourite place?’ and my instant reply would be Mysore! One of the cleanest, greenest, less-congested, regal cities of India. The palaces, wide and clean roads, almost-nil traffic jams, greenery, crispy and mouthwatering dishes, well connectivity, humble and simple people, non-existent water woes, absence of crimes, cheaper lifestyle, and on and on. The list to fall in love with Mysore can be extended to one’s will!
One just can’t stop me from singing the praises for the places that I visited. Such was the mesmerization, enchantment that were present here. So continuing my chronicle in the next 2 posts too…
1) Vacation Chronicles ~ 2 – The stones are alive!
2) Vacation Chronicles ~ 3 – Melkote
***The pictures included in this post were taken by me***
Cheers
God Bless
This was a post pending for long, and finally I’ve got time to post. An office colleague who is also a good friend got married few days back, at her hometown Kumbakonam. Few guys of us not just attended the wedding, but also had a good time roaming about at Kumbakonam.
A town known for temples and festivals, it also had some of the warmest people i’ve ever met. The town, its streets, temple, people, their hospitality, wedding, food, ponds, fun, etc, etc could be elaborated over a series of lengthy posts! So rich was our experience in a short stay of two days. And here goes my short picture chronicle on our Kumbakonam trip…
As stated earlier, it’d take a series of lengthy posts to talk about the rich and awesome experiences we had at Kumbakonam. And these pictures talk about few of them!
Cheers
God Bless
As I was typing my previous post on women, a sudden thought led to the creation of this post too. I wanted to publish on three of my favourite fictional women from movies. (Please don’t ponder or question on ‘why three’? For some odd reason I love the number three, and making a short list in three’s 😀 ) And here I go…
Shanichari – Rudaali
This movie depicts the life of a Rudaali – profession mourner, played by Dimple Kapadia. I watched this movie on a women’s day, telecast on Doordarshan, few years back. (I still remember, my annual exams were a week apart, and I was going to watch an ‘old and boring’ movie) The movie is a slow moving one, but deeply touching. Shanichari (character portrayed by Dimple) faces a lot of trouble in her life – she loses her husband, falls in debt, her son deserts her, but nothing can dampen her spirit. She wonders throughout the movie, how can someone(referring to the profession mourners) mourn for some unknown and unrelated person, until an incident changes her life. Shanichari from the movie Rudaali is still one of my favourite fictional character.
Madhura – Sringaram
This movie portrays the life of devadasis, set in the pre-independence era. The character Madhura (played by Aditi Rao Hydari) is a bold, young, beautiful, talented devadasi. She loves and craves for a life of freedom, which is denied to her, given her profession and status in the society. All the riches that she possess doesn’t bring any meaning to her life. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she moves away from the clutches of the society, to lead a life that she wishes. The story unfolds as a flashback story heard by Madhura’s daughter, Varshini (also played by Aditi Rao Hydari) Madhura is one character gracefully portrayed, that i’d love watching her again and again.
Elsa – Frozen
Queen Elsa is a bit more popular, that she needs not much of an introduction. She is my favourite Disney character after Mickey Mouse. Elsa didn’t need a charming dude to make her life beautiful, she had to fight evil and demons within herself, there were things she had to Let it Go, she had powers that were amazing but fearsome too, and these make her a queen, and not a princess! And ‘Let it Go’ could be listened to a thousand times, yet bring out the emotions, powerful every time ~ (The song of judgement)
A common thread that connects the story of these women is that, they wanted a life where they could be themselves, not hiding anything of theirs, just because the society didn’t accept or approve of the facts! They never let fate take over, and fought back to lead a life of their own.
Cheers
God Bless
Today is March 8th – Women’s Day. There are many posts about women making rounds. Yes, it is special to be a woman, so it is to be a man. We need to celebrate women, we need to celebrate men, and we need to celebrate the people who don’t fall under these spectrums too! Celebrate life, including all your near and dear, irrespective of where you fall on any of the ‘scales’ created by ourselves or God.
Women have the ability to create life, from within them. Men have the ability to create life, from outside of them. Let’s not get into debate on which is the greater ability. Both are awesome and needed to work in unison to sustain life.
A very happy and awesome Women’s Day to all wonderful women. And tons of thanks too.
There are umteen ways in which i’ve been indebted to many women, who have helped me, either directly or indirectly.
My grandmother, mother, sister, aunts, cousins, bff, relatives, teachers, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, the aunty who supplies milk to my home every morning, the flower selling granny who smiles at me, the aunty who sells tender coconut near office, the aunty at office pantry, the authors who enlighten with their books, the singers who bring peace with their mesmerizing tone, the artists who amaze with their skills, the aunties who sweep my street every morning, the aunties who help in maintaining the cleanliness at office, my English teachers who made me strong in the language, my history mam who brought out my love for history, my maths mam who eradicated my aversion to the subject, Mother Goddess, and the list can only stretch to infinity…i’m indebted to them. I’ve got some opportunities to thank them directly, but unfortunate often for I couldn’t do it. Every one of them command respect in their own way, and keep the (my, our) world moving!
Sharing lines from a poem in my older blog that I had written on Women’s Day, two years back…
Cheers
God Bless
It’s long since I posted here. Past few days were hectic, with some work to be done. With severe writing block now, really had no idea of what to post about, and then came a flash! Why don’t I make a post on few of my latest tweets, and what made me post tweet them. Maybe an expansion of the short tweets. And I logged into Twitter immediately!
I really don’t understand why some people consider ignorance a cool thing! Probably they take ‘ignorance is bliss’ too seriously..
— Kaushik (@KauGov) February 21, 2015
I’ve known many people with this kind of attitude, who consider ignorance a very cool thing to possess, and good to flaunt it around. It could be a different perspective from mine, or something which I don’t know to value, or some good thing which I don’t know at all (okay i’m ‘flaunting’ my ignorance now 😉 )
It’s good to follow any religion, many religions or not to follow any. But keeping it to yourself is awesome! (1) — Kaushik (@KauGov) February 18, 2015
I’m religious, spiritual and as you know, awesome too 😉 (2)
— Kaushik (@KauGov) February 18, 2015
I think I don’t need to elaborate much on this. Many are more bothered about spreading their religion, picking issues/criticizing religions that they don’t follow, and so on than actually practising the religion that they identify themselves with. And there are the ‘cool’ guys who proclaim that they’re spiritual but not religious. Being religious is not such a bad thing at all. But not keeping the religion to oneself, is such a big one!
Everyone sees the world with their own eyes. Let’s accept all of them atleast, if we can’t agree to them! (1) — Kaushik (@KauGov) February 16, 2015
Variations can create many a collage, and many a conflict too. It’s upto us to choose between them. (2)
— Kaushik (@KauGov) February 16, 2015
I’ve always dreaded the idea of a homogeneous society. How boring it would be, if everyone looked same, had same behaviour, same thought process, everything same-to-same?! A society is like a collage, the more colours and textures, the more beautiful. Just as the sections of a collage, everyone in a society must be unique, yet complement each other.
On the other news, i’ve crossed 300 tweets 🙂
— Kaushik (@KauGov) February 15, 2015
India had scored 300 runs in the India-Pak Cricket WorldCup’15 match, and I reached the mark of 300 tweets on that day. So, to celebrate the moment!
Cheers
God Bless
It has been three years since I registered in my blog here, and thanks to WordPress for reminding me of it!
Though I had registered three years back (used Blogspot previously), I’ve been active in WordPress only for the past two years (+ few months) and it has been an amazing journey!
I have met new people, made new friends, read amazing blogs, won great prizes, had great experiences, influenced some through blogging. I never thought I’d come this long when I start to blog initially.
Blogging is one form of letting the world know, of one’s emotions, opinions, thoughts, or anything our mind wants to yet and our hand wants to type. Some are successful in it and now I think I’ve got a taste of it too, all thanks to God, my good teachers and dearest blogging friends.
With a month more to complete 2014, new journeys to make, new vistas to visit, new people to come, life move ahead with lots and lots of hope!
Cheers
God Bless
Temples are treasures that our forefathers have left behind. Many sciences, marvels, facts are spoken about these temples, some true and some not. But whatever, the serenity and comfortness that the temples offer is the same one experiences at home, and at times beyond!
One thing I love in temples are the temple tanks. Temple tanks are present in many big temples. These tanks are usually rectangular/square shaped artificial ponds. These ponds serve to harvest rainwater, add beauty to the temple, mesmerize the wanderer, and the list could keep extending.
I wanted to display three of my favourite temple tanks in Chennai and around, and here are they.
Cheers
God Bless
Last Friday evening, I was making plans for the weekend, when I received the following message over WhatsApp from my good friend..
I always observe my speed on stairs getting up or getting down, it will be better on Fridays than on the week days. Guess why ? the shoes and the dress makes the difference. Today afternoon I got an idea that can I beat the speed of the lift either downwards or upwards. Just an idea hmmm.
Evening while leaving home I went to EB 2 to see my friend, when I was about to enter the lift it was filled but little space was there but they didn’t move and didn’t give way.
Excited to beat the lift. Took the stairs crossing two steps at a time, non stop till 6th floor… When I checked the lift it was in 4 th floor and coming up… May be it would have stopped in every floor, but I won 🏆. Felt great with lot of gasping.
I don’t know what you would think about me after reading this, but I was happy that moment… and thought of sharing it…..
I don’t really give lengthy advices, but say just this thing..Happiness is something that should come from within and not outside. Our life is ours. Happiness and sadness, we must live them. We should live only our life, not anyone elses’ And no one can or should be allowed to disrupt us from living our life.
I was very happy that he found happiness within himself, with deeds to himself, even if insignificant to anyone else. And much more happiness because i’ve got a friend who could share his happy moments with me.
My reply to him was..
This is really awesome 🙂 life is like this..finding and living the happiness within ourselves rather than relying on someone else. And relishing every moment that happens in our life. Our life is ours and only we can live it.
Thanks so much that you wanted to share it with me :):)
Cheers
God Bless
Here’s my wish list on 10 things I wish to do, before checking out of earth…
1. Travel to remote places in India
India is a land of million colours and there are so many unexplored, less-crowded exotic places where I wish to not just travel ,but also stay for a few days. Some such places in my list are Orchha, Somanathapura, Netala (I won’t disclose the rest 😉 )
2. Create a mystical artwork
I’m awed with works of geniuses like Leonardo daVinci, Michelangelo. So some day I want to create an artwork with some hidden codes, over which some one can ponder over.
3. Sing National Anthems of at least 20 countries
Some assume that singing the National Anthem of a country to which we don’t belong to, is disrespectful to both the countries. But I feel that the admiration and respect that I have on a country makes me learn its National Anthem. Right now I can sing 4 National Anthems (inc my nations’). I just want to expand it.
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