Scribbles

Title - Siege of Mithila Author - Ashok K Banker Genre - Fiction, Mythological  Status - Re-read Few years ago, browsing through the aisles in MJ Library, Ahmedabad, I spotted a book titled 'Armies of Hanuman'. Immediately I picked up the book and thus got introduced to the works of Mr Banker. AOH was the 4th book in Ramayan series penned down by him. Today's topic is the second book of this series - Siege of Mithila. Obviously, the story is well known to most Indians. The retelling however is tremendously different. The foreword itself is huge compared to most other books of the genre. Although, author has used same foreword in all books of the series; the build up is superb. Story in this book starts after Ram has killed demon Tatka and her minions with help of his brother Laxman. First chapter shows Ram receiving some dire news by a mysterious beauty and some conflict stirs between Ram and his temporary Guru Vishwamitra. While Sita is faced with a v...

Winter has peaked in Ahmedabad. Temperature has gone considerably down and it is officially best time to eat and sleep. I don't think many of you would have slightest idea what it feels to wake up and brush at 4.30 am in this cold. It feels I am the only person awake at this hour, however, that's not true. The moment I walk up to the main road, I can see people jogging or walking or going about their business. So, truth is while it is a big deal for me to get up this early; I am not the only one doing that. There are hundreds who do this out of habit or necessity or choice. I feel fortunate to have made this my goal, four days in and I am going strong. Project 21/7 is ON. Today is Uttrayan, one of the most fun festivals in Gujarat. Actually the day is over and I am about to sleep to keep up with the wake up call. I am writing this late is because I was able to sneak in couple of hours of sleep during the day. So, want to take this time to thank a few important aspects of my ...

Hello, good evening. Its a bit late but I have made up my new year resolution. It took me a while to decide what I wanted  it to be so posting it now. My resolution is simple. A project for 21 days wherein I will complete seven set goals or tasks. How I came to fix up the tasks? Well, some I borrowed from motivational video and books and some from personal desire. Day one is complete as I am finishing up the final task for today - to write :). Change is inevitable and people say you can transform your life through small changes to your routine. That is what I am testing. You can check the tasks I have set in the picture. I am also recording some bites in hopes of putting it on YouTube. Hope that on the other side of this 21 day project, you find a changed ME. Wish me luck.

God narrates the importance of Karma in Bhagwad Geeta saying only thing one should focus on is ones Karma. The Fal or result of any karma is beyond your reach. Hindu religion puts great emphasis on karma and it's consequences. Naturally, many of our stories revolve around similar concept. No other story however is as complex as the one told to me during Mata Ki Chauki organized at my aunt's house in March 2015.  Let me present to you this long story in hopes that it will entertain and intrigue you. Tara Rani Ki Kahani King Sparsh was childless after years of marriage. He conducted a Tapa "religious meditation" to appease Devi Mata with hopes of gaining a boon. Mata, eventually, was pleased and blessed that Sparsh shall father two daughters. Soon, his wife was pregnant and in due course gave birth to a beautiful girl. Good omens followed this child. Entire kingdom witnessed divine bliss and prosperity. King's Guru proclaimed that this girl is very lucky as she car...

A young warrior walks into the king's court. He is the champion of annual sports day, an accomplished swordsman as well as brilliant charioteer. King is highly impressed with him and hires the young man as his personal guard. In a manner of months, the young man earns kings' complete trust. King becomes addicted to his company and servitude. One day, king embarks on a hunting trip with only a select group of guards. The young man drives his chariot. Soon, in the middle of jungle, they get lost. King is tired and requests to rest. The charioteer dissembles the chariot, frees the steed and sits below a tree where king rests his head on the young man's lap and falls asleep. He wakes with a start in few moments. When the young charioteer asks what the matter was, king bursts into tears. The young man consoles him but the king continues to tremble and cry. Slowly, regaining some composure, king begins his tale. As a young warrior, the old king was employed with another regent...

Last few minutes to go in the year 2014. Sitting with family, surrounded by laughter and merriment, waiting to welcome next year. A brilliant year is just about to end, paving way for beautiful opportunities in the coming year. This is the time to stop and reflect on the year gone by. Preserve the lessons learned and relish achievements. It is time to forgive and let go of your grudges and make new start. It's time to remember promises, made and broken. And hope to do our best to live up to our own expectations. At this moment, I pray for all of you, friends and foe alike, that you be blessed with greater success in professional and personal lives. Happy New Year

It's been nine months and finally we have managed to organize our monthly meeting. We as in people I work with. See, every month we are suppose to have a gathering at our circle office in Ahmedabad to discuss good and bad of past month, progress of current month and planning for month closure. We are not a big team, I at Surat, another guy at Baroda and three at Ahmedabad. Me and my colleague from Baroda always travel to Ahmedabad. You would think how difficult it can be to organize a meeting for five people. The answer is painfully hard. I remember during first few months when my manager would call me and ask are you ready with your ppt and I would draw blank. He would tell me I should be ready with my material irrespective of whether he tells me meeting schedule or not. You may be inclined to think he has point, I did too. So, I started preparing data that can be added to ppt at moments notice. Even this didn't solve the problem as the notice given was literally of moment...