Thoughts & After-thoughts !

Recently, I watched the movie Governor , wherein the lead actor, Mr. Manoj Bajpayee, plays the RBI Governor, Mr. Raman, who arguably steered the Indian economy through the BoP crisis of 1991. The protagonist displays exemplary grit, resilience and a never-give-up attitude amidst the turbulent and chaotic political landscape of the country during that period. Seeing that grit, I was reminded of my college days—days which, in hindsight, I think I can cherish for having exhibited some resilience and grit, though towards my personal goals. December 2014 was a testing time for me. I was in the 5th Semester of my college, and we were scheduled to appear for the University Entry Scheme (UES) Interviews of the Indian Army. At the same time, I was among the selected students to represent the University at Mood Indigo , the prestigious annual cultural festival of IIT-Bombay, which was scheduled to be held during the last week of December. We were also to appear for the Major (Term-end) examinati...

       The year 2025 has indeed been a roller-coaster ride for quite a lot of us. Highs and lows came unannounced, often overlapping, leaving little time to pause and reflect. Yet, as the year draws to a close, reflection becomes inevitable. If I were to sum up 2025 for myself in a few words, it would be: Patience, Gratitude, Calmness, Trust, Perseverance, and Health. On both personal and professional fronts, life has been humbling with every passing day. One of the most important lessons I learnt is that when you let go of your ego, carry goodwill, and act with bona fide intentions, the Invisible Hand somehow takes care of you. There is a quiet reassurance in surrendering yourself to the Almighty. Once you do that, you realise that the universe, in its own way, aligns things for you. Of late, many people have been describing me as calm and stable. While I appreciate the observation, my own understanding of calmness is slightly different. To me, calmness is chaos...

 On a chilly morning, while traveling to Leh from Kargil, I noticed a few labourers of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) at the heights of Photu la and Namik la. The temperature was -16 degree Celsius and those workers were on to their daily duties of road maintenance. Among those, I observed one lady (perhaps from the Central India) who was busy with her routine duties. Carrying a broom in her hand she was cleaning the road, of the debris that falls on the road as shooting stones and slides. Apart from the broom, she was also carrying a bundle of firewood tied to her back, perhaps to light a fire by the roadside for keeping herself and her companions warm amidst the chilly weather. I was awestruck and a sense of gratitude took over me ! What conditions would have compelled her and her fellow workers to travel thousands of miles to the harsh conditions of Ladakh to make a living, I thought. Certainly, it wouldn't be a choice she made out of her sheer will ! Our lives are similar...

Whilst the outside temperature is chilling -10 degree Celsius, Satinder Sartaj playlist is playing in the cozy warmth of my room at Leh. As the song Ikko Mikke played, the following lyrics struck to my mind: Sab mitt gaye ne atak adike Dasso ji hunn ki likhiye haaye Hoye main te sajjan ikko mikke Dasso ji hunn ki likhiye... Intrigued about the meaning of the lyrics, I discussed them with my friend and colleague Mohit: all the obstacles on my way have vanished, tell me what do i write now; I and my lover have become one, tell me what do I write now, he explained. What a beautiful song I exclaimed; the philosophy of life is summarized melodiously !  What would our life be, if its not eventful, full of twists and turns, I thought ! What would one have with to write or tell  others about his/ her journey if the life is monotonous, isn't eventful ? Thank God, we have eventful lives, full of happiness, sorrows, anxious moments, heartbreaks, failure, success, accomplishments et...

Life is a journey rich with daily lessons, new experiences, and evolving relationships. It isn’t meant to be static; rather, it’s a blend of stability and fluidity, shaped by each moment's joys and challenges. Just as stagnant water turns stale and breeds decay, a life that resists change can lose its vitality, becoming a source of stress and dissatisfaction. There’s a subtle yet powerful difference between being stable and being static. Stability brings inner strength and resilience, allowing us to navigate the changing currents of life with a steady hand. Staticness, on the other hand, can trap us in routines and limitations, making us immune to growth and evolution. Life, in essence, is about maintaining balance—grounded yet adaptable to the winds of change.   While stability in our purpose is essential, we should remain open to the flow of change. The scriptures emphasize that life is a play of opposites, and one must neither cling to joys nor despair over sorrows. Stability is...