Chennai chandramaaa... Nice article

Ikkada Manchu paduthondhi…... ..అని Chicago నుంచి కిరణ్ ఫోన్ చేసినప్పుడల్లా నా కడుపు రగులుతుంది . కారణం - ఇక్కడ మద్రాసు లో నిప్పులు కురుస్తున్నాయి.

2008 లో అనగనగా ఒక నేను మద్రాసు లో వచ్చి పడ్డాను. ఈ మూడేళ్ళలో సంవత్సరానికి 10 చొప్పున 20 ఎండాకాలాలు చూసాను. మార్చ్, ఏప్రెల్, మే నెలలలో ఎవరైనా మద్రాసు కు పెళ్ళికో , బంధువుల ఇంటికో వచ్చారంటే సిక్కిం బంపర్ లాటరీ కొట్టినట్టే. దగ్గర్దగ్గిర 180 డిగ్రీ సెంటీగ్రేడ్ల ఉష్ణోగ్రతతో ఎంతో ఆహ్లాదంగా ఉంటుంది వాతావరణం.

అసలు మాటర్ ఏంటంటే .....'Big Bang' జరిగిన తరువాత మన విశ్వం లో అన్నీ చల్లబడి సర్దుకుంటున్న టైములో 'Small Bang' అనే చిన్న విస్పోటం ఇంకోటి జరిగింది. ఆ నిప్పు రేణువులు పడటం వల్ల మన విశ్వం లో కొన్ని ప్రాంతాలు మాత్రమే వేడిగా అలా ఉండిపొయ్యాయి. వాటిలో ముఖ్యంగా చెప్పుకోదగినవి సూర్యుడు, సహారా ఎడారి , మద్రాసు...

ఇప్పటి వాళ్ళ లాగానే రాతియుగం నాటి మద్రాసు వాస్తవ్యులు కూడా కోతి నాయాళ్ళు . తంగ వేల్ , శరవణ వేల్, బొటన వేల్, చిటికెన వేల్ అనే నలుగురు అన్నదమ్ములు దోమలు ఎక్కువగా కుడుతున్నాయని ఓజోన్ పొర ను చించి దోమతెరలు కుట్టుకున్నారంట. దాని ఫలితం ఇప్పటి జనాలు అనుభవిస్తున్నారు .
వీళ్ళకంటే అలవాటైపొయ్యింది....తలరాత తమిళ దేవుడు రాసి మద్రాసు లో ఉద్యోగం వచ్చిన నాలాంటి వాళ్ళ సంగతి ఏంటి ??

'మద్రాసు ' ను ' చెన్నై' అని పేరు మారిస్తే పరిస్థితి మారుతుందేమో అని ప్రయత్నించారు . అసలుకే మోసం వచ్చి ఎండ మూడింతలయ్యింది. ఆ వేడికి బుర్ర బాయిలింగ్ పాయింట్ దాటి ...మామూలు మనుష్యుల్లాగా అలోచించే శక్తి కోల్పొయ్యి, ఏమి చెయ్యాలో తోచని వాళ్ళు రాజకీయాల్లోకి ప్రవేశించి.. ముఖ్యమంత్రులు, ప్రతిపక్ష నాయకులు అయ్యారు (మీరుగానీ నేను కరుణానిధి, జయలలిత గురించి మాట్లాడుతున్నాను అనుకుంటున్నారా ??? ఐతే మీకు వంద మార్కులు ...నేను వాళ్ళ గురించే మాట్లాడుతున్నాను ).

మా ఆఫీసు లో ఫార్మల్ వేర్ తప్పనిసరి ....మార్చ్ , ఏప్రెల్, మే నెలల్లో మేము పడే కష్టాలు గమనించి మానేజ్మెంట్ వాళ్ళు అందరికీ మెయిల్ చేసారు - "మీకు ఏ డ్రస్సు సౌకర్యంగా ఉంటే అదే వేుకురండి" అని....మరుసటి రోజు అందరూ నిక్కర్లూ, బనియన్లూ వేసుకుని తయారయ్యారు..

కాసిన్ని వానలు పడితే ఐనా భూమి కాస్త చల్లబడుతుంది ...కానీ అదంత వీజీ కాదు ..

ఉన్న కొండలన్నీ పగలగొట్టి KPJ లక్కీ స్టోన్స్ వాళ్ళు ఉంగరాల్లో పెట్టి అమ్మటం మొదలు పెట్టారు ..అశోకుడు మద్రాసు లో కూడా రోడ్డుకు ఇరువైపులా చెట్లు నాటించాడంట . కానీ ఇక్కడ టీ కొట్లనుంచి కార్ షోరూముల దాకా చెట్లు కొట్టేసి, ఫూట్పాత్లు చెరిపేసి కట్టిన ఇల్లీగల్ కట్టడాలు చాలా ఉన్నాయి...ఇప్పుడు మద్రాసు మొత్తానికి 13 చెట్లు మిగిలున్నాయి - అందులోవి ఆరు గులాబీ మొక్కలు...

కొండలూ, చెట్లు ఏమీ లేకపోతే వర్షాలు ఎక్కడినుండి పడతాయి??

అలాగని అస్సలు వర్షాలే ఉండవని కాదు ..అప్పుడప్పుడూ కొన్ని అకాల వర్షాలు పడుతుంటాయి - అది కూడా కేవలం మద్రాసులో ఇండియా క్రికెట్ మాచులు ఉన్నప్పుడు మాత్రమే... ఈ మాట చాలా మంది నమ్మక పోవచ్చు.... కావాలంటే ఈ సారి మనవాళ్ళ మాచ్ ఏదైనా మద్రాసు లో ఉన్నప్పుడు ఇక్కడకు రండి . ఆ రోజు పొద్దున వాన పడే సూచన ఏమాత్రం లేకున్నా సగం మంది గొడుగులు పట్టుకుని కనిపిస్తారు... మిగతా సగం ' అడవి రాముడు ' సినిమాలో వాన పాట డ్రస్సులేసుకుని తిరుగుతుంటారు. మనవాళ్ళు గనక గెలిచే పొజిషన్ లో ఉంటే ఆరోజు మధ్యాన్నానికల్లా తుఫానొచ్చి మద్రాసు చుట్టుపక్కల రెండు మూడు ఊర్లు మునిగిపోతాయి ..

నేను నా స్నేహితులను కలవటానికి సగటున మూడు నెలలకొకసారి బెంగళూరు వెళ్తుంటాను. మద్రాసు నుండి వస్తున్న బస్సు బెంగళూరు ప్రవేశించబోతోంది అనగా ఒక అనౌన్సుమెంటు చేస్తారు - "మద్రాసు నుండి వస్తున్న ప్రజలార...ఇప్పుడు మీరు మీకు తెలియని ఒక కొత్త అనుభూతికి లోనవబోతున్నారు ...దీనిని 'చలి ' అంటారు. సీట్ల కింద దూరడమో , డ్రైవర్ పక్కనున్న ఇంజను మీద కూర్చోవడమో చెయ్యండి...లేకపొతే చచ్చి ఊరుకుంటారు " అని ...

మద్రాసు లోని లోకల్ బొబ్బిలి బ్రహ్మన్న ' చలి ' ని ఎప్పుడో ' గ్రామ బహిష్కరణ ' చేసాడు .. అందుకే ఇక్కడ 'చలికాలం ' అనే మాటకు అర్థం చాలా మందికి తెలియదు ...ఇక్కడ డిసెంబర్, జనవరి నెలల్లో కూడా ఎయిర్ కూలర్ల అమ్మకాలు మాంచి జోరుగా ఉంటాయి...

మూడు నెల్ల క్రితం పేపర్లో వచ్చిన ఒక సంచలన వార్త అందరూ చదివే ఉంటారనుకుంటా - "మద్రాసు లో స్వటర్లు అమ్మటానికి ప్రయత్నించిన దినకర్ అనే వ్యక్తిని పిచ్చాసుపత్రిలో చేర్పించిన పోలీసులు " అని... మొదట్లో ఇదేదో పోలీసులు పన్నిన కుట్ర అనుకున్నారు మిగతా ప్రాంతాల వారు ...కానీ అదే దినకర్ పిచ్చాసుపత్రి నుండి రెలీజ్ అయ్యాక మద్రాసు ఎండలో 'sun bath ' చేద్దామని రెండు చిన్న గుడ్డ పేలికలు కట్టుకుని మరీనా బీచులో పడుకున్నాడంట... ఆ ఫొటోలు పేపర్లో రావటం తో కొంచెం తేడా కాండిడేట్ అని నిర్ధారించుకున్నారు..

గంట సేపుగా కంప్యూటర్ ముందు కూర్చున్నానేమో ...వళ్ళంతా చెమటలు పట్టేసాయి.. ఈ రోజు చెయ్యవలసిన నాలుగో స్నానానికి టైమయ్యింది...

Super.........!

Mana Bhadhalu maname enjoy cheselagunnay mari !!

THE TALE OF A DATE

THE TALE OF A DATE

(Please read till the END.....................)

She is my first and the only love till this point. Her name is Nivedita, a software engineer by profession. She is turning twenty-five shortly and she is undoubtedly the most beautiful lady on earth. I made it a point to share my feelings today with her, hoping this letter would do it all. I have not written any letters in my life till now, and this is perhaps the first time I pen down my thoughts and expectations for the person I love the most on earth.

Its been four years since we met each other and a strong bond has grown between us through these years. I was unaware of her love for a long time. In fact, I hadnt spoken a word with her till about a year I had seen her for the first time. It was in one long journey in train, I understood her love for me. It happened a year ago.

It was a trip from Kanyakumari to Chennai in Kanyakumari Express. We had passed Vizhupuram and it was 3 am in the morning. I thought I was the only one who was awake in the whole compartment in that early hour. But to my surprise, she was also awake.

I didnt know then that it was for me she had got up that early. Hardly had she seemed to move her sight away from me. She smiled at me very often and every time I encountered that cute smile, I started eagerly awaiting the next battle with her smile and shining eyes. Her smile had everything in it, the story of unbelievable affection, care and what not.

From that moment, till now, I too have loved her to a great extent. We have never exchanged words about the love we have towards each other, but words are too less to reflect the amount of affection and love we share. I have always thought that the love would remain throughout our life and it happened to be the same till three months back.

Vivek had come into my life three months back. In fact I myself had waited his arrival for quite a long time, but from the moment he arrived, he has been the worst enemy in my life. Nivedita and he had grown close over times, and the fraction of time she spent with me got lowered to a great extent. Even the latest Sensex fall would be less compared to the fall in her affection for me.

I have wondered how it could suddenly happen, after near to four long years of understanding and love amidst us. At times, I have felt like killing that guy Vivek, but I have not had that much strength or braveness to do that. Still, what can he do? He did no mistake to his part, except for being born charming, cute and fair.

Two days before when I saw her, she was feeding food for him and I was hurt to the core on seeing the incident. My anger had boiled down to tears, and I broke. It took almost close to three hours for me stop crying, I felt I had cried more than how much I would have cried when I was born.

I have been trying to understand where it all went wrong, but to my fortune, till now, I havent been able spot it out. Once for all, I decided to tell all my feelings to her, no matter how she is going to deal with it. I have heard my dad saying a lot of times Something is better than nothing! and I made up my mind to do something.

I fixed today to be the DATE for throwing open in front of her the TALE of my pure love for her. I dont know whether I will get a positive response from her, but I pray God that only the best happens.

Trrrrriinnnnnnggggg

My school bell has rung. The lunch break is over. My UKG classmates would be ready to welcome me with the same cute smile as ever.

I hope my MOTHER Nivedita will be alright, understands me and shares some time with me also, apart from that she spends with my three months old rascal BROTHER Vivek.

Understand Before Judging

A teacher teaching Maths to seven-year-old Arnav asked him, "If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"Within a few seconds Arnav replied confidently, "Four!"

The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. "Maybe the child did not listen properly," she thought. She repeated, "Arnav, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"

Arnav had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly he replied, "Four?"

The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered that Arnav liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?"

Seeing the teacher happy, young Arnav calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed. With a hesitating smile young Arnav enquired, "Three?"

The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, "Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?"

Promptly Arnav answered, "Four!"

The teacher was aghast. "How Arnav, how?" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice.

In a voice that was low and hesitating young Arnav replied, "Because I already have one apple in my bag."

"When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't think they are wrong. There maybe an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion."

A software Engineer Feelings.....

A Software Engineer's feelings.....

It was raining heavily outside. Dark clouds gathered in the sky and nature was in its ominous best. I took a break from my work and went to the pantry to grab a cup of coffee. I had a sip and went near the window to see the rain pouring down heavily outside the glass structure. I was inside our huge office building, unruffled by even the fierceness of the nature. Through the heavy transparent glass, I could see a small girl trying to hold on to her umbrella which the wind was snatching away from her. I felt sorry for the girl, and was happy that I was not in a similar pathetic situation.

Yes. I take pride for the fact that I am a software engineer. I have everything which a common man would envy; money, status, respect, you name it I have it. I always wanted to be software professional and here I am, working for one of the best firms in the world. But then, am I really happy? Now, I could see an imprint of my palm on the other glass window, through which I reminisced my past, basked in the warmth of the sun shine. My childhood was so much of fun. I vividly remember those rainy days, when I hugged my mother tightly during sleeping listening to all the stories told by her. Now, I have a big house here, but then it is just a house, not a home. My parents are pretty far away from me now. I have a cell phone to talk to them everyday, but then I really miss those dinners which I had with my family everyday. I could easily afford to taste all the different cuisines these days, but the best of food there, lack the love and affection which is present in the food prepared by my mother. I threw a lavish party for my colleagues for my birthday, but then they would never replace the birthdays when my friends secretly brought a cake and at the end, half of the cake would have ended up on my face. The couple of hundred bucks that u save for a long period just to give a treat to your friends in the road side chat shop can never give the pleasure even after spending a few thousand bucks these days. The scene of me crying and refusing to have dinner on the day when I fought with my best friend came to my mind.

Today, she has gone far away from me, taking away my love and with it my life, but I am sitting and coding here with a false smile on my face. Everyday I meet new people, but then I long ceased to make a new friend. It's true that I have a lot of things now. I have a nice bed, but no time to sleep. Lots of money, but no friends to spend it with. The latest designer clothes, but a worn out body . Awards for technical excellence, but no reward for the crave for peaceful ambiance. A confident demeanor, but a reluctant and apathetic mind. Full of rain, but no sunshine even in the farthest distance. Now, I could see the small girl on the road enjoying in the rain with her umbrella firmly in her grip. She might not have all the comforts which I have, but then she has the innocence and fun which I lost a long time back. I have decided to come out of this false fantasy, even if it is at the expense of losing the tap of the software engineer. I am going to again enjoy my life. I am going to go out in the rain and play with the small kid now. I removed my tie, and went near my computer to shut it down. Just then, I saw a new mail alert in my mail box. I slowly opened outlook and I found a message from my manager with an attachment saying that there was a critical defect in the code and I have to fix it soon.

I convinced myself that I am not going to get bogged down again by these pressures and stick to my decision. I ignored the mail and went to the rest room. After a couple of minutes, the software engineer in me came out, his shirt tucked in with the perfect tie knot, sat before the computer, and started typing, Hi XYZ, I am looking into the defect and will send the patch files before EOD.

Regards,
Software Engineer.

Feelings of a Arranged marriage girl - Excellent story

The woods were lovely dark and deep. Walking slowly beside her, in the damp mud road, was her husband whom she barely knew. He was very relaxed, happily watching a group of kids playing at a distance. Her "mehandi" was still dark and smelling fresh, reminding of the excitements and tension 2 days back. "It cant work this way mom...please stop this", she kept telling her mother till the last
moment, who wouldnt listen but carry on with beautifying her. She had been crying all night and her make-up had to be patched up twice or thrice to hide her awkwardly swollen face.

It was too late now. She had to get married "NOW" to the guy...The guy whom she had seen once and talked thrice. The guy about whom she knew nothing at all but for his name and work. Everything happened in a hurry and everthing was over before she could breathe again... here was she with this guy, all alone in this hill station... how can anybody send their daughter such a long distance with a stranger???

"Hey look at that....!!!" he shouted in excitement... she shrugged and looked where his finger pointed...

Bright colored balloons dotted the sky. Children were jumping in joy and he seemed to be completely absorbed into it...colors are always exciting...but not now. She was not with her friends, not with her team mates, not even with her parents. This was not a 3 day tour or team building trip. This was her life and she has been forced to start off with this person.

Loneliness and discomfort with this stranger was sickening...She looked at him in wonder... does he even realize that he has married me? Does he understand that he has to love me, protect me, care for me, a new girl, a stranger, all his life?

The marriage morning started like a daylight nightmare for her. The first time in life she felt she should have fallen in love and then married somebody. some man who she would have felt more comfortable
with, someone whom she could call by name and introduce to friends, someone whom she could trust. But marriage morning was obviously not the time to think all these.

Her parents would never have said "no" if she had declared that she was in love. But she was not emotionally attached to anybody she met, especially guys. She was very friendly, playing, teasing, but never
had second thought for any man around her. That brought the entire responsibility of looking for a groom on her parents' shoulders. Her parents had had a very bad time with this entire process. They started
their groom search with unending "&" operation. The concatenation of "Horoscope matching" & "Decent family" & "Good looking" & "Good pay" & "same cast" & so on... that always gave 0 output. Now after all that 8 months hunt, they were not ready to hear her "ifs" and "buts" for this 'good guy'.

She had explained to her father. She does not feel anything for this person. He is nothing more to me than any other software professional. Like list of names she sees in the chat rooms. Distant and usual...Her father asked her to talk to him and even meet him and discuss their likes and dislikes. That meeting started like the induction programme self introduction and ended like a 3 hour seminar.She was waiting to get away from that place. "So did you talk with him?". "yes". "was he polite and decent". "yes". "Oh he got that special flavoured tri-color icecream...!!!".OK. All her family and relatives discussed...She was given the chance to "understand her life partner" and that they have understood each other "well" and she is ready for the marriage now.

All arrangements geared up and it was 24 days after her first meeting that she was getting married to her man... perfect match as everybody else described. Marriage hall was full with excited people, kids got the chance to play, ladies got the chance to wear the silk saree. The smell of rose and jasmine filled the hall. Different poses for thephotographer and artificial smiles for the videos. The moment he had
tied the sacred thread was unexplainable vaccum in the head. It was over.She was his wife. Accepted by the society and law. Her proud parents were relaxed. This was their duty they had been planning to
fulfill since she was born. All this crowd will fade away, leaving her to explore her new world...

He pulled her hand gently to sit on the stone bench. The bench was wet and the chillness was indeed enjoyable. "So what are you thinking about?"... that was an unexpected ball. should she reply? should she be silent? She remembered the two hour presentation she had taken last month. Bold and confident, she kept answering all the queries with a broad smile. Now she remained silent. "Do you know honey... I was not for this marriage too..." Oh my God... what did i hear??? did HE tell that or did i think aloud? what does he mean? didnt he like me? was he forced into this? He must have noticed the quizzical look on my face...with a gentle smile he continued..."I wanted to look for a girl myself, buy her everything, care for her, argue with her, laugh and crywith her, then get married to her... Anything otherwise would be a drama. Traditional drama and i was not for it anytime. But my love for my work and also my stress would not give me time and mind to search that girl...When your parents talked to me 2 weeks before our marriage, about your fear of getting married, to a stranger, i could completely understand your mind. I could see myself in you and that was the moment i decided i will marry you. There was no time to prove myself to you, make you trust me, everything happened in a hurry.

But there was the entire life before me, to please you, to love you, to make you trust me. This is no less than what i had dreamt, the girl i was waiting for, is you. Now tell me... will you love me???" Tears came down her cheek. Her parents had done more than their duty. They had found her the perfect guy. Thank you Mom!!! Thank you Dad!!! His question remained unanswered yet both knew the answer....

A small touching story mainly for professionals

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?" replied the man.
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"
the man said angrily.
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an
hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour."
SON: "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?"

The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that Rs.50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

"Are you asleep, son?" He asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man.

"It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you.. Here's the Rs.50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father
grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have Rs.100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.

Do remember to share that Rs.100 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.

But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.