3 idiots – Part I

This is not a movie review, just my instant reactions. This post may also not be well written, as are my other posts. All characters are represented by their real life names. (Viz. AK will mean Amir Khan)

As most of the movie starring AK that goes along well with a narration or rewinding the past, 3 idiots also started in the present, collating traces from past and knitting them well to keep the audience guessing. What is new this time? AK who is 44, already looks 22 in the promo, what now?

The movie tries to focus on the morale that routine style of teaching will not help face struggle in life. Scoring high marks neither. It also seemed to carry forward the dialogue from TZP, “Race hi jeetna hai to ghode paida karo insaan nahi”. It contained good sense of humor as well but sometimes the humor got carried away with silly and unrealistic act. The plot to get RM out of the plane seemed purely Bollywood-ish. BI was a hit again. Great body language as always with some similarity in syllable switch by SK (Charlie) in Kaminey. Money and Breast, Miracle and Rape, were made synonyms to make the audience laugh, was not bad. "Find and replace" feature of a word editor was projected which I also use it very often. Objective of using it is different though. The scooter seemed good enough to carry 3 people; paralyzed ones seemed to be mocked upon. It did not seemed sensible from a person who talks revolution in college to behave the way it was portrayed in SJ’s home. If you want to see comic in those situations than its OK. The BW theme was not bad though. The intermission was a great suspense. So what was it? A Ghost ?? Nay!! This is not a ghost movie!! I bet, it made people return early from the lavatory and popcorn stalls. No unzipping and unwinding of your pants to show your bum, also if you lose the bet. Ha ha...

Drinking and proposing was good addition to the movie, both turn by turn. By AK and then by KK. The giggling in between, the flick of eye, the twist of lips has become trademark of any AK movie. The name given to AK’s character both the fake name (I mean the real name of JJ in the movie), and the so called real name “Wangdu” was also interesting as it had been when he was DJ in RDB, Nikumbh in TZP. Chotu’s real name as recited by the Jealous guy reminded me of Padosan, when KK (Kishor Kumar) used to call SD – Bangdu.

The research joke (pen for space) seemed silly and momentarily reduced the heights of content quality at the beginning as it is a very common joke. But when BI reasoned it while presenting the pen to AK, contrary to the use of pencil, made the joke hilarious. The conductivity of salt water was not new, as it is acclaimed practice in many colleges in India (especially engineering). But this time it was used by the fresher which is otherwise in reality. Also interesting was no revenge kind of thing was shown by the seniors. But it is not necessary that there is always a revenge scene. The suicide(s) and the suicide attempt were good addition to support the morale of the story.

Lyrics by Swanand Kirkire were great and the vocals too. Listening to the songs, Give Me Sunshine, Zoobi Zoobi, and Jaane Nahi Denge with the context of the movie made the songs much much better.

AK made the helicopter work, was pretty genius. But no any instances was there which showed them working for their final year project. One may think, hey!! Now this is not happening. You can’t incorporate every detail. The use of web cam, the vacuum pump as suction, the battery for the inverter, the barometer, seemed a bit OTT (Over The Top) and cheap climax comedy kind of thing, provided the flooded scenario. Don’t know about this, but real doctors can comment on the use of vacuum pump. Instant short circuit using a reasonably long wire by the kids in the duration of a pee also seemed unrealistic towards the end. No worries, I got it. Like teacher like student. It was OK in the beginning, when AK made the guy to end up in short circuit as it was a long count. And in duration of 5-6 years 400 patents (I guess I heard it right) was also a staggering numbers. But who cares what is patent here, isn’t it?

Electricity was off. What to do? I thought why not write something on the movie you watched 1 hour before. After Lagaan, I watch every AK movie in theaters, with the notion of innovation and exuberance of well scripted context. So, thought “Ek Post To Banta Hai”, hence this post. So, I end up my post saying: 3 idiots is a good movie but will not end up saying “wow”, “wow” and “wow”. This movie may have a turnover of 100 crores in 4 days, no worries, that’s good and I am not making any hype about this fact. But I will always rate DCH, TZP, RDB higher than this one. Many seems reluctant to compare AK, but who says he cannot be compared with himself??

3 idiots – Part II will also be posted soon. Have patience… Keep chipping into my blog... C Ya...

"Roshan kya jaane uski post ka kya hoga, hit milegi ya saala bakwaas hoga."

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Toronto: 2nd July 2017 - Sunday

The coffee cup was holding my attention. I was in the revolving restaurant on the 21st floor, sipping coffee. My regular hangout, when I am alone. The layout and the theme of that part of the restaurant were changed. But again, the coffee cup was interesting. Not the shape, I was interested in. But the curved text which seemed to me like some calligrapher had written, made me wind back. Zooming in the memory lane, I was rewinding fast. It’s been almost 7 years I left Nepal. And the reason for leaving my country may seem trifling. But for me, it had hit my inner self hard.

I will never forget that day. It is embossed in my grey matters. It was the day when I was walking to my office when it happened. It was day one, 20 December 2009, of the three day strike. The then opposition party, the Unified Nepal Communist Party had called a three day strike (bandh) all over Nepal, for establishing the so called “Civil Supremacy” in the country, against the reinstating of the army chief by the President. It was interesting to hear that the party was not there when I visited Nepal in January 2014. Remains of it were there in the form of three extremist groups (of the many others) fighting for three different autonomous states in Nepal. Anyways, the result of this strike was that public and private transport came to a standstill. Vehicular movement for ambulance, so called press, so called diplomatic missions, so called human rights activists and THE United Nations, and other powerful: you know who, were not restricted. Besides, anyone who plies his/her vehicle got it shattered and many a times the passengers also get good beating. This was the common notion of a strike in Nepal, and no one ever tried to deviate from this interpretation. I was also not an exception to ride my way to work on my Pulsar. I resorted walking to my office as every person does when there is a bandh.

It only takes 35 minutes to reach my office. It was some kind of fun, walking. You cross people and they pass on a smile that was a representation of something like – “Have a nice walk”. You return the smile with an answer within – “Thanks, you have a nice trudge as well”. Children play cricket in the middle of road. Nice pitch they get. 22 yards seemed too less for a cricket pitch during those times. Some kids get hold to play football with the party workers who are on guard to enforce the bandh. Many revolutionists in their late teen, holding laathis in their hand. Anyone violating the rules (their rules I mean) of the bandh, were threatened, thrashed. For many it was a narrow escape by only listening to the complementary mouthful of M-words.  (In Nepal M words corresponds to the customary F word's).  Nice way to take guard of your sentinel, isn’t it? In the main squares you will find top leaders of that party giving provocative speech to tussle the government and instigate the security personnel. Prime Minister and Home Minister were the ones who were attached to the majority of instantly interesting and humorous but very derogatory adjectives.  Party people will dance on revolutionary songs being played on huge speakers. Along with them bunch of blind supporters from public will also dance shaggily on the tune. Nice way to entertain people and get hold of things though. And the railings of the side road also get beaten up. Never knew why? Tires are burnt on the middle of the road. Black fumes from them make the blue sky black. Stones are pelted on the security personnel every now and then to incite them. Most of the time it leads to scuffling and firing of tear gas. Many enjoy basking in the sun listening to the audio (music, slogans, and confrontational speeches) and eating badaam, makai, chana, bhattmaas. Nice profit to the street vendors, I guess. Some play Baghchal – an indigenous game of Nepal, by sketching the lines for the board on the road. This is how the scene goes overall.

On my way to office there was a bridge about 70 meters long and about 2 meters wide, over the Bagmati river in a place called Sankhamool. Only motor bikes and pedestrians were allowed. No cars, no buses, no trucks. It couldn’t. I heard recently that the bridge collapsed last year after the pillars loose the foothold because of the sand smuggling [Diving into the depth of the river and scooping out sand and selling]. On the way you think of the country, your past, your present and murky future seeing the current trend of dirty politics. The political situation had already started triggering in me to migrate to other country. I always thought that there will be a good morning after a long war. But the hope was going grim, at least in my prime lifetime.

I was in the middle of the bridge, and saw a funeral was underway underneath the bridge. I paused to see the incineration of the dead body from the height. Closed my eyes, paid my respect to the departed soul, and started ambling again. The river Bagmati is thought to be a sacred river (in reality it is used as the main sewerage of the capital of Nepal), so funeral and memorial services sermon near the banks of Bagmati. And below that bridge were constructions like shades, cemented sitting area, platforms for incineration, to facilitate these proceedings.

I paced up a little and saw that three people draped all white were in front of me. But surrounding them, I realized there were about eight to nine guys encircling them moving along with them. I understood the reason for the man-made barricade. Those dressed in white were on their way to the banks of the river underneath the bridge to perform some strict routines of the 13-day ritual for their departed ones. I dropped my pace a little and followed them. The person’s performing the 13-day ritual is believed not be touched by others for one or the other religious reasons. Respect the custom, is what I thought of this strict discipline. Suddenly to my surprise, a young guy of the barricade group raised a long stick and targeted my left ankle. My reflex raised my foot in protection, and my back arched in submissively to take the strike. Then in a harsh voice he asked me to stop. I stopped, astonished!!  I regained my senses after about 10 seconds or so. The distance between me and them was obvious now. Now I felt pity on my state. I am in my own country, and a young lad about 10 years younger to me, threatens me for no obvious reasons. Because of the strict "should not be touched" rule, I always had my intentions clear of following them, and not trying to cross or even go near, until they diverted after the bridge ended. Why that animal behavior? I don't know. I was at loss.

I was upset. Reached my office. Shared this incident with my colleagues. Some laughed. Some felt pity for the situation. Then I decided. Not anymore. No hopes remains now. The politicians are becoming hooligans and someone when it is nothing political behaves animal. Where is this heading to? I can’t be an animal. I decided to migrate, only with the reason that if I am suppressed in others country at least I have a reason to justify “You are not in your own country, take it easy man”. If I live in my OWN country, I have nothing to justify.

I sensed something was trickling my left cheek. I sighed. My left shoulder reached my cheek. It reached again. I looked through the sky. It was blue. A jet was flying high. Saw the coffee cup again, which contained the last dregs in it. Saw the same text written on other cups as well. Asked the waiter, about the significance of the text. He justified it by pointing the plane and significance of the view. I realized I was sitting in a lounge specially meant for the sights of Jet passing by. I Smiled. Read the calligraphic text on the coffee cup “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, pondered for a while, and grabbed my wallet to pay my bill.


(c) All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

Inferiority Complex

Friday: 13 November 2009, 8:35 PM.

NB: Please mind the brackets (and the nested ones as well (you may find this very unusual... (but who cares…))). I guess the date 13 will help me finish this...

I realized this or is just an apprehension (or am I sick with this??). I always wanted to write on some issues (and some pre-thought topics) but never completed. Things were initiated, but I never stumbled upon climax (not also accidentally). The result, I am left with a lot of incomplete *.docx files in “My Documents” of my CQ40. Don’t get distressed with the wildcard characters and the alphanumeric codes. I am into these, so can’t avoid using them.  Ignore them; they are just nothing (really??). Some titles (of the all incomplete ones) sounded Hi-Fi to me (not the technical High Fidelity) viz. “Fictitiously True”, “Dying Utterance – From the Death Bed”, “Smoking Heights” and “And The Likes” (do they really sound so?? Or the titles are just an acute result of my bogus literary narcissism).

I have started to jot down my complex in the drawing room with the idiot box flickering by the virtue of the electrons emerging from the CRT. (Its playing “Mr. And Mrs. Khiladi” in Star Gold, Kadar Khan just spoke – paise ko to pahiye hoten hai, kab kidhar ludhak jaaye kya pata... umm… forgot the exact verse) [thinking how to get to the point… (some couple of minutes..)] (Juhi Chawla slaps Gulshan Grover).  Sorry for too much use of brackets the big ones and the small ones, this is some kind of hangover of nested “if-else” in programming...

Come on, I am carried away from the point. The reason, you may think, “this guy is earning loads so must be busy or vice versa” (whatever!!). But this is not what the real problem (to my incomplete write up) is. In fact it is the “Inferiority Complex” within. (mera naam Shalu hai – Juhi Chawla, Raja – Akshay Kumar.. .hu hu hehehe.. the loving Juhi Chaula laughter) You thinking, what happened?? I just listen in some chitchat thing on the idiot box and that was it. My better half (she is my BEST HALF, saying “better” is about staying with the perplexing English for the sake of “THE ENGLISH” touch) came from the kitchen and had already changed the channel. Channel changed… Star Plus... channel changed... Colors… channel changed... **** channel changed… **** channel changed...****… Now I can’t narrate side by side. Forget it… Come to the point... my problem.

Actually of late I have been reading some books (short story, novel, philosophical ones) besides my regular technical skimming on the recent updates on IT. I started feeling my vocabulary was weakening to its heights. I have been indulged in reading a couple of blogs regularly as well. And to my extreme faithfulness in accepting the reality, here is the real crux of my problem (in addition to the lexis thing), the Inferiority Complex. These kids (or are they???) have such a level of creativity in them that when I think of their writing skills, I feel my fingers not moving above the 101 (let me count for sure…PAUSE), to be exact 86 beveled plastic units. I had started to compare with them, the ones who are incomparable. I guess the ONE whom the OTHER referred frequently (I knew from the OTHER’S comments on the posts of the ONE) as GURU (what philosophy or teaching he refers to by saying this, I can’t understand), was inspired writing in a BLOG by seeing mine, the one and only – INVOLUNTARILY UNCENSORED (or am I mistaken and seeding this complex in falsity). And the OTHER kid (oops!! DAKTAR saheb), who never justified his writing (I am talking about the layout formatting), and hit many return keys, was inspired by the ONE in starting his blog (I guess!!).

Its zee TV on the screen, with the frames of “Jhansi ki Rani”– Gangadhar Rao in the scene.

"I am going to serve, get ready!!" is what I hear. It was fish curry and rice (the home grown brand called Jetho Budo – “Senior and Old”, the literal translation). Let me have my dinner. I will continue later. Some updates (for the OS-Vista Home Premium) are installed, that I downloaded today. It’s requesting some restart. Ok then, will come back after these all proceedings... I will feel good to continue with a filled in tummy.

CTRL+S.

After I finished with my dinner (it was good), I returned to see my desktop of my laptop, with a balloon notification saying “Windows installed new updates. Your computer was restarted to finish installing updates. Click to see which updates were installed”. Silly it is. Isn’t it? Why notify me when I myself instructed it to update?? (Over smart computers not smart all the time). Forget it. Here I am (Bryan Adams also did something… on these phrases) with my file open and ready to continue. My BEST HALF had switched the room heater on (the water has already started unnerving in these time around the start of winter in Kathmandu and she did the kitchen chores tonight, which otherwise, except for Friday’s and Saturday’s is my task for the evening, as she has an evening duty, till 7.00 P.M. in her bank) and so was the channel to SONY. Dance Premiere League (DPL) on the frame. Guess they do it in 28 Frames per seconds these days... not much sure though… Wait!! These guys are doing good on Naina Thak Lengey - Prashant and Kartik - the brother duo, from Western Yoddha’s... Let me take a break…

Am back. I guess these breaks are the reasons of the Inferiority Complex which I have developed of late. The reason is the DAKTAR duo’s blog [. .]. Their write up which I never dare (PROVOKED!!) to miss reading, and that should not be the genuine reason. Whatever!! As I said earlier I repeat again. I had started comparing with their class, and never realized I have a class of my own (now this is called OVERCONFIDENCE).

But now on, I will start again, and will continue filling up my blog with silly writings as always in my past, and that too frequently. Will also start yet another blog, guess, with a title “SE Issues Unclassified” so that I can come up with the other class(not the OTHER) (want to earn some money with AD SENSE also). I will continue with my “Nothing Literary” in INVOLUNTARILY UNCENSORED. Wow more than 1000 words on the screen...  It seems I am back with my writing spree (or its fucking VERBOSE). Some time I guess it would have been better to post a picture which I clicked than writing about my Inferiority Complex (someone said: A picture speaks more than thousand words… is it?? Still not out of it, or what?? Or Nah...)

Hey guys (referring to THE DAKTAR’S) keep writing the bouncers, but no worries, I will read, re-read, will feed “define: the word” in Google, and re-re-read. You are my inspiration on how to continue a blog in one way or the other… I have started maintaining a DATA DICTIONARY (stumped!! This is something softy!!)

Its 9:27 PM now, and the channel has changed to Colors... and it’s Big Boss in the frames… Pravesh and Claudia in a conversation...

I turned to my right, saw my better half, oops!! BEST HALF, who is glued to the frames keenly (it is PAL in Asian countries isn’t it?? Or is it NTSC… I forgot… let it be what it is..,).

I smiled and prepared to save the file...

By the way, will post this only the coming Sunday (15 November 2009)...

After I have written so much, I am out of the said complex. No consolations required.

:-)

NB (again!!): The time zone I am in is +5:45 GMT and weekly holiday is SATURDAY in Nepal.

Low Rise Blues

Low rise blues, you made me shy.

I do want to soon lose this feeling.

And if I could choose a place to die

It would be in your cleave.

Do you want to see me peek across the gap to you?

Do you want to hear me beg you don’t raise it back?

I’d gladly do it because

I don’t want the view fade away.

Give me one more glimpse, please.

I don’t want the view fade away.

In your cleavage I want to stay.

It’s all right, but it’s felt wrong.

The way that people treat you baby.

Once a girl tried a fight, but she couldn’t come strong.

You shouldn’t be another loser.

Chorus

Chorus

Low rise blues, don’t you rise high.

I’m sure we’re gonna meet again,

And if we do, don’t you be surprised

If you find me peeking yet another.

Chorus

I don’t want the view fade away.

Give me one more glimpse, please.

I don’t want the view fade away.

In your cleavage I long to stay.

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay, 2009

Just in case you have not heard the Original, from which I got the inspiration, is here:

Bell Bottom Blues

Bell bottom blues, you made me cry.

I don't want to lose this feeling.

And if I could choose a place to die

It would be in your arms.

Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?

Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?

I'd gladly do it because

I don't want to fade away.

Give me one more day, please.

I don't want to fade away.

In your heart I want to stay.

It's all wrong, but it's all right.

The way that you treat me baby.

Once I was strong but I lost the fight.

You won't find a better loser.

Chorus

Chorus

Bell bottom blues, don't say goodbye.

I'm sure we're gonna meet again,

And if we do, don't you be surprised

If you find me with another lover.

Chorus

I don't want to fade away.

Give me one more day please.

I don't want to fade away.

In your heart I long to stay.

NahsoRism-13

Maturity is the period of time in your life when you brain stops develping and the physical growth of your lust and unachievable desires starts....

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

This NahsoRism came out during a chat conversation with Raju Dhakal

NahsoRism-12

Edited:
Comparision is good. But when you compare, never let the "Conclusion of the comparision", RULE you....

First Draft:
Comparision is very good. In fact its what we should always do... but one should never let the "Conclusion of the comparision", RULE you....

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

This NahsoRism came out during a chat conversation with Raju Dhakal

Molested Words

The most molested words/phrase by Political Leaders of Nepal: जनता - महान - शहिद् - लोकतन्त्र - गणतन्त्र - बलिदान - संबिधान सभा - सहमति - जनयुद्ध - नागरिक सर्वोचता (recent one) ..... and the list goes on............... Please add to the list.......

Roshan Upadhyay
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Below are Some inputs by Friends (FB):

Suhrid: नया नेपाल, शान्ति प्रक्रियालाइ तार्किक निश्कर्ष
Rachit: प्रतिबद्धता
Anish: samunapatik .BAUNBAADH.......
Binesh: शिशु लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र
Sachin: Mahan Jana Andolan Bhag 1,2 3 !!
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NahsoRism-11

A girl walks without "make up" with the notion that she is simply beautiful.
This is Overconfidence.

The next moment she come across a mirror on the way, and start searching for the "make-up" kit.
This is Lack of Confidence.

NahsoRism-10

Never believe in reaching a Destination, but always keep adding Milestones to your life,,, until you whisper with your last breath.

NahsoRism-9

Many a times Love is just like a Fragile Net, supported by misinterpreted emotions and false commitments. Interprete your love and calculate your commitments wisely.

Screams of Silence

O my dear, what is wrong with me?
For, you are not speaking to me.
Please and please speak something to me,
Don't you know silence is a hatred to me.

Charge me, scold me, slap me and do anything,
But your silence is always stinging.
Please speak something and anything,
As our love is not a plaything.

The echo of silence is beating my heart hard,
Do you think I am having marks on my card.
The other side of the grass is not so green, I heard,
For this cause I may lose you, which I had never feared.

I can make my way through broken glass,
But what is the sense of your silence I ask.
I can stay on fire from dawn to dusk,
But why are you screaming silence, I again ask.

I fear you are thinking the other way,
Mind you, dear, dreams and reality are far away.
But you are sure to face it one day,
But being silent you will never get a way.

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

Fagu in Nepal – A Festive of Colors

This Post Originally Compiled for Tikijhya

The Festival

Fagu Purnima or Holi – The Festival of Colors, is one of the most colorful and playful festivals of Nepal. It is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. The celebration is marked for a special day in which the entire country gets involved in Abir (special color) and get drenched in the colored water. Celebrations are of marked importance at Terai, the low lying plains in Nepal, where families and friends get together and celebrate the occasion with a lot of merry making. Normally this festival is celebrated around February-March on the day of Full Moon Night, and hence the name Fagu Purnima (Full Moon night of the month of Falgun as per the Nepali calendar). One interesting fact in Nepal is that Holi is celebrated ranging in 2 days, the first day celebrated in the hills and mid Nepal, and the next day celebrated in Terai region. The reason for this will be dealt in the legends section of this write up.

The Legends

There are lot many legend associated to this festival. Two of the many have marked association in the way the Fagu is celebrated in Nepal. Other legends will also be talked about briefly.

Legend-Krishna

Though play of colors takes place on the last day (Fagu Purnima), a ceremonial pole called, 'Chir' is installed a week prior. Chir is a bamboo pole fringed with strips of clothes representing good luck charms. The pole is put up in the street at Basantapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu, the festivities and worship commences for the week. At the end of the festivities Chir is taken to a bonfire.

There is a popular legend behind the installation of Chir. The story is about the mischievous nature of Krishna who just loved to pray pranks with the milkmaids (gopis). Playful as he was, it is said that once he seduced all the local girls with his dashing good looks. He then danced with them all and when they fully engrossed in him, and then he thought they were ripe for a tease. He doused them in colored water and stole all their clothes while they were bathing in the water of river Yamuna. Naughty Krishna then hung their clothes on a tree to bug them. Chir symbolizes that very tree.

Legend-Prahlad

The other popular legend associated to this festival goes like this. The demon king Hiranyakashipu (also called Hirankashyapa) who lived in earth prayed to Lord Brahma and got a boon. Because of the power of that boon, humans or animals cannot kill him, nobody can kill him in his house or outside of his house, he cannot be killed in day or night, he cannot be killed in earth or sky. Because of this boon, it has become virtually impossible to kill Hiranyakashipu.

Because of this Hiranyakashipu, become so cruel and arrogant. He ordered that he is the god and everybody should worship him. His entire kingdom agreed in fear except his son Prahlad, who insisted that Hiranyakashipu is a man and Lord Vishnu is the only true god to be worshipped. Hiranyakashipu tried changing his son, but in vain. Angry Hiranyakashipu then tried lot of ways to kill his son, and once, ordered his sister Holika to take Prahlad into the fire. Holika was having a boon that fire cannot burn her. However, fire burned Holika, because this boon could be used only for good deeds. Prahlad, who was chanting Vishnu sutra, came out of fire intact, as fire did not burn even his hair. People started celebrating this day as Holi for the victory of god over evil.

The legend continues; that after some time when Hiranyakashipu was about to kill Prahlad, Lord Vishnu appeared in Narasimham avatar (half man and half animal) and saved Prahlad and the world from Hiranyakashipu. He has taken Hiranyakashipu to the door of his house (not in house or outside of house), kept him in his lap (not in earth or not in sky), and killed him at sunset (Not at day or not at night) with his Strong palm and Lion nails (not by weapons or Mantras).

The legend is taken as good triumphs over evil and people in Terai burn effigy representing that of Holika in a big mesh of firewood stack on the day of Purnima. This ritual is also called as Holika Dahan (Burning of Holika), and hence the name Holi for the festival. People in Terai, play their colors the next day of Holika Dahan, representing the end of the cruel Holika.

Other Legends

The Story of Dhundhi

It was also on this day that an ogress called Dhundhi, who was troubling the children in the kingdom of Prthu was chased away by the shouts and pranks of village youngsters. Although this female monster had secured several boons that made her almost invincible, shouts, abuses and pranks of boys was a loophole in the armor for Dhundi, owing to a curse from Lord Shiva.

Radha-Krishna Legend

Holi is also celebrated in memory of the immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. The young Krishna would complain to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply color on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. In the legends of Krishna as a youth he is depicted playing all sorts of pranks with the gopis or cowgirls. One prank was to throw colored powder all over them.

Unholy Holi

You are in a jolly mood, spring is in the air and you are walking with the sun on your back, a song in your heart and ….splat!!! What was that? Sure sign that Holi is here again: that a wrong practice of the festival when Lolas start raining down from nowhere. Worse, some fill lolas with engine oil, paint and dirty water. How and why did this abominable trend seep into our culture? Why do we import the worst forms of behaviour from the neighboring country, the big whale?

Holi has traditionally been the only time girls and boys were allowed to flirt blatantly, douse each other in water and colors, symbolizing passion. But some have turned the color and water festival into a war of the sexes. Over the years the harmless fun of Nepali Holi has been invaded by the sinister culture of taking this festival as for granted as a license to flirt stretched to sexual harassment. People hardly play Holi with family and friends anymore; they gang up instead to bombard female passers-by, giggling at their own cowardly audacity.

The local administration maintains that spraying colors on unwilling persons even on the very day of Holi that falls on March 10 this year, is punishable under the law. But people go scot-free even after flouting the law right under the nose of the police. "No one can spray colors on others without their consent and the offenders can be tried under the Public Offense Act and slapped a fine of up to Rs 10,000," says Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Bhola Shivakoti. (As reported on 7th March 2009, in http://www.myrepublica.com/)

Let's boycott harassment and save what remains good of the festival. Play Holi with your family and friends, not unwilling strangers. Let it be a celebration of spring and a joyful occasion and not to harass someone. Happy Holi to you all.

Compiled By: Roshan Upadhyay  Also posted in Tikijhya.com

NahsoRism-8

If you are irritated don't go on saying "What the F***"? with those asterisks. Better go and get a dictionary (an urban one), scan it, find all 4 letter words starting with this syllable, and choose the best.

Love That....

(A Poem, is it??, written way back in early 2002. In fact I compiled this in 15 minutes flat, on top of the content provide by my friend Pritam Shrestha, now in British Gurkha. He wanted to submit a poem on 'Theme Love' in a poetry competition.)

Love that starts with the opening of eyes,
Love that begins when one enters this world with cries.
Love that is blessed with the kiss of mother,
Love that blooms with the paternal touch of father.
Love that grows with the praise of near and dear ones,
Love that thrives in the glowing eyes of one.
Love that remembers the beatific smile of someone.
Love that feels the words in the breathing warmth of one,
Love that makes the soft corner think of only one,
Love that breaks with the decision of someone.
Love that feels the shadow of god,
Love that shows the way to heavenly abode.
Love that has only four letters, yet so important,
Love that makes life full of reward and entertainment.
Love that starts with the opening of eyes,
Love that never ends even after the closing of eyes.

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

NahsoRism-7

Selective interpretation is the basis of Bad judgement!!
People try their best to avoid the former, but tend to fail most of the time and end up with later.

NahsoRism-6

Dreaming about success is good, in fact, it is the first step to success.

But "Only Dreaming" is the first step to failure!!

(Courtesy: A short chat conversation with Mr. Subas Ghimire triggered my cognition, and hence the result, this post!!)

Maha Shivaratri: Great Night of Lord Shiva

Festival of Hindu’s in Nepal

Festivals: The rationale

Every festival in Nepal traditionally begins with something religious and proceeds with spontaneous spirit. Our festivals are rooted in history, mythology and religion. They honor and propitiate the multitude of gods and control malicious spirits.

A festival is a social occasion. It is an affirmation of the ancient and strong bonds of religion and culture. Festivals in Nepal are reckoned not only as occasions to indulge in eating, drinking and making merry but also as occasions when one is to devote some of one’s time to the worship of and meditation upon gods and goddesses in different forms.

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri or Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Phalguna (Normally later part of February, but not always) in the Hindu calendar. According to Hindu mythology Maha shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva himself was created by his own divine grace. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bel (Bilva or Wood Apple) leaves to Lord Shiva, fasting and all night long vigil. This popular festival dedicated to Lord Shiva is celebrated by Hindus all over the world and in Nepal it is celebrated with great fervor and gaiety at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Any temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a place to mark this festival, but as Pashupatinath is one of the highly placed Hindu shrines not only in Nepal but all over the world, it gets most of the anticipated attention. It is an incredible spectacle, with devotees paying tribute to Lord Shiva on this moonless night with ceremonies continuing late into the night. According to Hindu Mythology; Brahma is the creator, Bishnu is the preserver and Lord Shiva is the God of Destruction and thus is sometimes described as God of all Gods. In Maha Shivaratri, the devotees in their prayer ask Lord Shiva to sluice away all the sins they have committed.

At Pashupatinath

Hindus all over the world celebrate the festival with zeal and enthusiasm. The devotees from all parts of the country as well as neighboring countries throng to Pashupatinath. Literally ‘the lord of animals’ Pashupatinath is one of the many forms of Lord Shiva, and as mentioned earlier it is one of the highly placed Hindu shrines not only in Nepal but all over the world.

Legend say, most of the devotees go to worship literally to wrangle with the God for their wishes to be fulfilled. At Pashupatinath, in the dawn devotees take a holy bath in Bagmati River. Thereafter, they wear clean clothes (preferably new) and apply vibhuthi (sacred ash) on the forehead making a special mark of three horizontal stripes called tripundra. The three stripes symbolize spiritual knowledge, purity and penance. In a way, they are also said to represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva. Many people also wear a Rudraksha Mala (bead made with seeds of the Rudraksha tree). The Rudraksha tree is said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva and is considered holy for the Hindus. And then they stand in a long queue for their turn to enter into the temple for worship. Since early hours, the vicinity of Pashupatinath is seen bustling with the crowd of devotees and spectators. For those who are not in the vicinity of Pashupatinath temple, they too perform these rituals locally and visit a local temple of Lord Shiva and do their prayers and offerings.

A magnificent light is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva and the Shiva Lingam is considered to be the symbol of it. Hence, the formal worship on Maha Shivratri consists of bathing the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva is said to be burning with the fire of austerity and so only those items are offered to him that have a cooling effect. A cool water bath is believed to propitiate him best. The devotee baths the Lingam and prays that to get wisdom. The Linga is decorated with flowers and garlands; incense sticks and fruit are offered; and devotees “Ring the Bell” around the temple.

About trifoliate Bel leaves offered to Lord Shiva

Also known as Bilva or Wood apple (Aegle marmelos), the Bel is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It has thorny branches and trifoliate leaves. Its fruit is large and round with a greenish-grey, woody shell. The Bel has medicinal properties. Its leaves make poultice for the eyes and are good for diabetes and the roots help reduce fever. Its fruit is a remedy for dysentery. It is also believed to promote fertility.

Its leaves are an important offering to Shiva, for their trifoliate shape signifies Shiva's three eyes. Since they have a cooling effect, they are offered to the Shivalinga to soothe this hot-tempered deity. Even a fallen Bel is never used as firewood, for fear of arousing Shiva's wrath. Its wood is used only in sacrificial fires.

Highlights

One of the highlights during Mahashivaratri is the number of sadhus who throng to Pashupatinath, not only from across the country but also from the neighboring countries. Smeared with ash, away from the everyday concerns of the world, they can be seen all around the vicinity, and are rare sights for many. They, naked with no sense of shame, have mastered cold and heat, hunger and sensual desire. These wanderers, thin but powerful, with fierce intelligent eyes, live a life detached, seeking union with Lord Shiva. They spend the night lighting sacred fires, singing praises of the deity, and keeping a constant vigil to greet his descent to earth on the grassy hills around the temple. HEMP, an intoxicating substance that Lord Shiva is touted to enjoy the most is considered to be prasad (a blessed or divine gift from God). Hence people believe that it is one of the constituent of holy prasad and some could be seen around in search of it – most of them requesting around the sadhus as they are supposed to be the main possessors of this holy prasad.

Concluding with Namaha Shivaya

'Namaha Shivaya (नम: शिवाय)' is Lord Shiva's five lettered (panchakshari) mantra. In a subdivision of the Yajurveda the Rudradhyay begins with these words. The mantra is taken from here. When it is prefixed with the sacred syllable (pranav) Om, it becomes 'Om namaha Shivaya (ॐ नम: शिवाय)', the six lettered (shadakshari) mantra. The spiritual meaning of each letter of the five lettered mantra is as follows:

n (न) : The foremost deity of all the regions (lokas)
m (म) : The bestower of supreme spiritual knowledge (dnyan) and destroyer of the greatest sins
Shi (शि) : Benevolent, serene and responsible for the initiation by Lord Shiva
va (वा) : The representation of a bull as the vehicle and the Vasuki and Vamangi Energies (Shakti)
y (य) : The auspicious abode of Supreme Bliss and Lord Shiva.

Compiled By: Roshan Upadhyay

Also posted in Tikijhya.com

मन का कुरा, प्रिये शेलो लाई,,,

(This post is written in Nepalese context!!)

फाल्गुन ४, २०६५
काठमाडौं, नेपाल

प्यारी शेलो,
फाल्गुन महिना को पहिलो साता मा छौ हामी र अङ्रेजी महिना हेर्ने हो भने फेब्रुअरी को केही भाग अझै बाँकी छ। हिजो प्रणय दिवस को दिन (१४ फेब), मैले तिमी सँग दिन को धेरै समय बिताए, लगभग दुई तिहाइ। अविस्मरणिय पल हरु थिए ती। यस् दिन को सम्झना सधैं रही रहन्छ मेरो स्‍मृति पटल् मा। आउने हरेक बर्ष मा तिमी सँग बिताएका पल हरु सम्झने छु। खरानी भएर गये पछी पनि मेरो आत्मा मा तिमी रहनेछौ, त्यो दिन को याद ले मलाई सधैं काउकुती लाई रहेने छ। तिमी सँग बिताएका दिन हरु, जहाँ धेरै भोगाइ र नियती देखे मैले, कती अनौठा कुरा हरु को आभास पनि भयो मलाई, ति दिन हरु म कहिले पनि बिर्सिन्न। तर, आज कता कता सुन्न मा आयो, फेब्रुअरी महिना को अन्त तिर हाम्रो भेट्घाट अली कम् हुन्छ रे। के यो सत्य हो प्रिये? साह्रै नरमाइलो लागी रहेको छ। तिमी सँग धेरै समय मैले बितायी सके। तिमी बिना म कसरी बाँच्न सकुँला? किन र, तिमी जान्छौ? कि कुनै अर्को देश जादैछौ? तिम्रा अभिभावक हरु त भन्चन यो बर्खे झरी पछी तिमीलाई, सदा का लागी अन्माउछन् रे, हो र? कती सजिलै भन्छन है। तिमीलाई सोधेका त छैनन होला। के तिमीलाई साचीकै जान मन छ त? मलाई छोडेर? यो जीवन को कल्पना पनि गर्न सक्दिन म तिमी बिना।

प्यारी शेलो!! तिम्रो साथले मेरो जीवनलाई एक अलग पहिचान दिएको छ। मेरो सपनी मा तिम्रो म्रिदु मुस्कान देख्न थालेको छु मैले, के मध्यरात, के मिर्मिरे बिहानि को ४ बजे; म झल्यास्स बिउँझीने गर्छु। मूसुक्क हास्चू, र सोच्छु, कस्तो कहिले न मेटिने छाप छोडेकी छौ मेरो जीवन मा तिमीले। म गर्व गर्छु तिमीलाई पाएकोमा, र गर्ब छ मलाई, तिम्रो त्यो आगमन को पाइला हरु को पद्चाप् लाई मेरो जीवन को गुन्जन बनाउन।

तर हरेक दिन, जब तिमीले केही छिन् को लागी मलाई एक्लै छोडेर जान्छौ, म अनायास कराउने गर्छु। प्रिये, तिमीलाई थाहा छ, तिमीले गर्दा मेरो दिनचर्या धेरै नै ब्यबस्थित बनेको छ नि। तेही भएर म भन्छु तिमी बिद्रोह गर, र सधैं को लागी मेरो सामु बसी राख। म साथ दिने छु तिमीलाई। तिमी बिना को जीवन म कल्पना पनि गर्न सक्दिन, यो कुरा म दोहोराइ रहने छु।

पहिला म जती खेर मन लाग्यो लुगा मा आयरन लाउथे, जती खेर मन लाग्यो खाना बनाउथे, जती खेर मन लाग्यो टंकी मा पानी चडाउथे, मोबाईल चार्ज गर्थे, कम्प्युटर चलाऊथे, टि.भी हेर्थे। जे काम पनि मन लागे मात्र गर्थे। तर प्रिये, तिम्रो आगमन पछी मैले मेरा काम हरु (माथि ऊल्लेखित र अरु सबै काम हरु) निस्चित समय मा गर्न थालेको छु। म बडी नै उत्तरदायी भएको छु मेरो जीवन प्रति। यो मेरो जीवन को सम्बन्धमा ठुलो र अती आवश्यक पाटो रहेछ, जुन मैले तिमी आउनु भन्दा अघी न त बुझेको थिए, न त आफ्नो दैनिकी मा आत्मसाथ गरेको थिए। कस्तो तुछ् कुरा गरेको भन्लाउ तिमीले तर म ब्यक्त गर्न चाहन्छु तिमी प्रती को मेरो अगाढ प्रेम, यहाँ सम्म कि, तिम्रो आगमन अगाडि म सबै काम सकेर तिम्रो पर्खाइ मा बस्ने गर्छु। अन्धकार होला तिमी आउँदा भनी तिम्रो स्वागत को लागी इन्भर्टर चार्ज गरेर राक्छु। तिमीलाई गीत सुनाउन सकौ भनेर मोबाईल लाई चार्ज मा राखी, गीत हरु भरेर राख्छु। यहाँ सम्म गर्ने गर्छु कि ल्यापटप चार्ज गरी तेस्मा नयाँ नयाँ फिल्म हरु राखी बिजुली न भये ता पनि तिमीलाई देखाउने गर्छु। मोटर न चल्दा धारा मा पानी न होला भनेर, बाथ्रुम को टंकी मा पानी भर्न को लागी इनार बाट पानी तान्दा, तिम्रै लागी त हो मैले ढाड सड्काको, आशा छ बिर्सेंकी छैनउ।।

यो स्वार्थी दुनियाँ मा मैले आफ्नो लागी केही न गरी आफुलाई तिम्रो लागी समर्पित गरेको छु। तिमीलाई कहिले पनि दु:ख न होस्, आसुँ तिम्रो आँखा बाट कहिले न बगुन, मेरो हरदम यही प्रयास रहन्छ। अनी के कमी भयो र म पागल बाट, म अज्ञानी बाट, तिमी म सँग टाढिन लागेकी। न जाउ न प्रिये, म तिमी बिना बाँच्न न सकुँला अब।

मलाई थाहा छ तिमी आउछौ आज बेलुकी म सामु, धेरै बेर को लागि। तर तेती खेर तिम्रो अगाडि म यी कुरा हरु शायद ब्यक्त गर्न सक्छम हुने छैन। तेहि भएर यो पत्र लेख्दै छु। आशा छ तिमीले मेरो आसय बुझ्नेछौ, र सही निर्णय लिने छौ। अन्त मा, त्यो ८३,००० को गणित ले तिमीलाई निर्णय लिने बेला झुक्क्याउलान तिम्रा अभिभावक हरुले, त्यो सबै मिथ्या हो, तेस्लाई न पत्याउनु बिन्ती छ तिमीलाई।

तिम्रो जे निर्णय भये पनि मलाई सिरोधार्य छ। मेरो सप्रेको बानी लाई फेरी बिग्रन दिन्नौ भन्ने सोचाइ का साथ, कसैले कोरेको भावना का केही शब्द हरु तिमीलाई समर्पण गर्दै,,

“तिम्रा सम्झनाका तरङ्गहरु खहरे होइनन झरना हुन
जो निरन्तर छचल्किरहन्छ, अविरल अनवरत रुपमा
तिम्रा कल्पनाका लहरहरु खोला होइनन हिमनदी हुन
जुनसुकै मौसममा पनि निरन्तर बगिरहन्छन
नदेउ दुइदिने साथहरु, म तिम्रो काखमा अस्ताउन चाहन्छु
वर्षौपछिको हजारौं वर्षसम्म केवल तिमीमै हराउन चाहन्छु”

तिम्रो उही,,

————————-

Also Posted in EverestUncensored with the same title, and the author goes by the name Mr Sensible :-)

Poem Courtesy: अविरल चाहना

NahsoRism-5

Reflection in the mirror may look genuine to you, but in veracity these are fantasy.

In fact, faithful manifestations are portrayed by lavatory fixtures and these impressions (though a bit warped) are louder, real and larger than life.

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay

NahsoRism-4

Hypothesis-I
Frequency of post (FoP) in my blog is directly proportional to the no. of LOUDER comments-LC (I need to speak out loud that I visited your blog, you may not be tracking my IP).
Hypothesis-II
Frequency of post(FoP) in my blog is directly proportional to the no. of SILENT comments-SC (I visited you, and hope u noticed that in your traffic statistics, so why comment?).

Thanks to all who post LC and to those who despite their busy schedule post their SC.

TPT Protocol

I got up one morning, and am in a great hurry (as always). Looked for the toothbrush, and the toothpaste tube. The tube is fully squeezed. Arrrg!! “I had this in mind yesterday morning, but forgot to bring a new one when I returned home. I will bring it today”.


But what to do now? No choice, but to squeeze the completely flattened tube, and see some color peeping out. Its some kind of hide and seek game. It pops out, and with an immediate breath it’s in. My thumb is in pain." It was not that tough yesterday", I thought. Whatever, with great skill and coordination I moved the toothbrush (which was in my mouth the other way round, as both my hands were busy squeezing), and got some color stick to the bristles. Ahhh… I managed. I got a mouthful of brushing, but can feel slight pain in my thumb while brushing.


This business is not about a day or two. It continues sometimes for a week. And the good part of it is that, you always end up with mouthful of brushing, with gleaming teeth and fresh breath, and overall a packed smile of satisfaction.


What’s the point? Its not that toothpastes are costly (some deviations in the cost may be there, but is affordable, i guess..) but mainly, its carelessness. But again, have u ever noticed that when we are towards the end of something, we tend to work harder to accomplish the task. Yes, when you see a deadline, you try finishing the task. In this case you need to get a good brushing, that too in a hurry, you manage to squeeze the tube from every angle (forget the pain) and get good amount of colors.


I say to this, that we the humans most of the time follow this “TOOTH PASTE TUBE Protocol” (TPT), whenever we reach deadline, and in many instances we manage to be successful with flying colors…hehe..

(Excuse me for not posting it soon, though I said coming soon on 11th Jan 2009: I was waiting for my TOOTH PASTE TUBE to finish..hehe…)

All Rights Reserved: Roshan Upadhyay, TPT Protocol

NahsoRism-3

Why on earth there is 70% of water, and only 30% of land?
Because its tough to drink neat!!





the keeper of society, who drinks all its poison to keep it safe and acknowledge the great service that he is providing to humanity.....

NahsoRism-2

Do not believe in your friend. Rather make him/her believe you.
(Is this possible??)

NahsoRism-1

Where there is a wheel, it is not mandatory that there must be a way. But one can make the best of his/her will to make a way...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who says, "Where there is a will there is a way", is paraphrased???
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NahsoRism

I finalized this title...
Will post my gossips with a strange creature called "LIFE", in the shortest possible manner, under this title.

Inpired by Nepuism....

Inflammable Tears

It was late, very late, chilling too. I was awake till 4 AM to finish a review report regarding a bussiness deal. Thanks to the power cut schedule, for this abnormal nocturnal routine. I was about to sleep, yawning, I opened the window for some fresh air. Far accross the countryside, I saw a small window open, with a silhouette of an old man in his mid 60's I guess. My intuition was advocating that he has dampness in his eyes, which must be sponsoring the sadness within him.

This was the same old man who had 2 sons and a daughter. Both the sons were abroad for the last 30 years, and never ever visited home thereafter. They though used to send some amount every 2 years to the lonely father. Everyone knew about the money, as the old man always hurried towards the bank for denominations of 1$ each, when he recieved the money from his sons. The only daughter, who is now a widow with 3 children is busy upbringing them, though she comes to see her father very often. His dear wife was only the one who was with him, as she regularly visited him, in his dreams.

I was about to retreat to bed, I saw a flame in the old mans window. The intensity of the flame increased, and I heard a faint sound of pain coming across the flames. I tried reaching the hut of the old man with paved stone roof in the countryside but could not manage. I was trapped inside the elevator of my apartment. Thanks to the power cut schedule again.

Later I read the news over the Internet, "An Old Man in his mid-60's burnt himself alive. Half burnt denominations of 1$ were found in abundance.....". I never read the whole story. But why he flammed himself is what I still ponder. I think of the old man whenever I move around in my Mercedes, Whenever I am having a tea break during my bussiness meetings, Whenever I am not asleep (why???), but could not find an answer.

A roundabout fact I conclude is that "Dollars can burn someone alive, but can't wipe the tears!!".

Whatever be the reason, It Hurts!!

(Open to interpretations)

VULG*R VIBRATION's

I heard something musical in the lavatory, when I was in the corridor, going to the printer room to collect, my prints (from the network printer) @ my office. It was टिप-टिप बरसा पानी, as I paused a bit to clarify. The sound of the release was finding a synonymous musical theme. Controlling my cackle, to my extreme musing I laughed for a while within, which came as a outburst as soon as I reached the printer room. I can guess what the insider must have gone through. It was interesting to see his embarrassed face when he came out, and way he hurried toward his desk. Later I heard him saying, यो मोबाइल पनी बेला न कुबेला बज्छ (this mobile just rings every now and then when not expected), just to ease his tension of embarrassment. I don’t know how many people heard the ring tone (excluding me), when he was relieving, but his reaction showed that he was indulged in the illusion of people groping the toilet door, when he was in. I was asked by people about the outburst, but I kept the interesting incident within (now when they read this post, they will probably get the clue of my outburst).

From then onwards I always put my mobile muted when I go to relieve. My ring tone normally is Woh Lamhe by Jal, and fear that if its starts playing when I am peeing; my face will not be different from what my colleague had. वोह लम्हे, वोह राते, कोई न जाने, थी कैसी रातें, वोह बरसातें, वोह भीगी भीगी रातें (the wet part of it.... haha…..)

Very recently, when I was busy doing the business, someone called. I had mad sure that silence is what people will hear outside, but to my extreme annoyance, it was in vibrating mode, though silent. And the scoundrel (though he is a good friend of mine), was calling repeatedly, and the vibrations continually offensively tickling my inner left thigh. God must be mistaken and transferred the punishment of someone else iniquitous deeds to me in the form of these vibrations, that too when I was on high time making myself comfortable. Or may be, it was the fallacy of the mobile network, which delayed the call from my friend because of congestion, and hit me hard later at that instant. Whatever be the cause, guys, always beware of these inopulent sensations during wrong times, as it disturbs the cadence of the sprinkle making it extend over a wider scope, making the edges of the crapper translucently mucky, and mystifying it with the sprinkles of water.

Here is what I call these vibrations as VULG*R VIBRATION’s.

LOOK OUT, WATCH OUT, TAKE EXTREME CAUTION, or whatever, but keep these VULG*R VIBRATIONS away….as it’s really annoying to see the supple flow strewing from its regular pace.

“Arrggg… its too vulgar”- u may think so, and I will not mind if you are not using the asterisk (*) in your thoughts..

Happy New Year 2009

Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year 2009.

My new year resolution: "Not to make any resolution!!"

नव बर्स २००९ को हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना।
रोशन उपाध्याय, काठमांडू, नेपाल।