How much is too much?

How much does a man need to lead a normal, happy life?
A “dhoti” (traditional men's wear in India - unstitched white cloth wrapped around waist and legs, like Gandhi wore) and a towel, is all that’s needed, going by one particular example.
Can see you grinning. But I used to know a guy who called himself “Basha” and “Partha” in Chennai. This 60-plus senior citizen lived in a tailor shop at our street and the two dress pieces were all the property he had, besides a rusted dumbbell to do exercise. The tailor had left a bicycle for him and allowed him to stay in the shop. His job was to deliver clothes to the clients. After returning from school, I used to play volleyball/kabbadi and chat with this simple man. When I finished college and went to great Amchi Mumbai in search of a job, my parents had shifted from that street in Chennai, but I continued to visit him and give him whatever little money I could whenever possible. He had a ready smile always as much as Bill Gates had. So I always used to wonder, is life all about money? Can money buy happiness is a never-ending debate. As I always say, what I look forward in life is good friends, healthy lifestyle, wonderful books and great movies. Of course, a happy family circle. Am I asking for too much?

A symbol of affection

Here comes another award, this again dedicated to all the wonderful visitors of this blog. I am lucky to get this award as it comes from a very popular blogger Avinash.

Tough nut to crack

“Slumdog” is good, but then “Lagaan” deserved Oscars too, I told a friend.
“Shut up, you peanut,” he reacted.
“No hassle, peanuts are poor man’s cashew nuts,” I replied.
“But a peanut is a peanut by whatever name you call it.”
“Well, do you know that peanut is an ingredient in the making of a dynamite?” I asked him.
“In that case, I will drop the pea, but you are still a nut,” he joked.
“Certain qualities are inborn while some are acquired from friends like you,” I said. “You are a hard nut to crack,” he shot back and we both went to canteen for a hot cup of tea. We ignored the peanuts lying in the tray.

Holly, here comes Bolly

It was on expected lines. “Slumdog Millionaire” swept eight Oscars at the 81 st Academy Awards including Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song, Direction and Motion Picture. Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman brought home two awards with his Jai Ho... composition. My wife rang up early in the morning to declare the news from Chennai, while my colleagues decided to pool some money and celebrate with cakes, which we did. I liked this particular comment from Madrasi Mozart (Rahman): "All my life, I had a choice of hate and love. I chose love, and I'm here." The news has been all around the globe. So I do not want to take more time on this subject as I cannot add anything new.

Great to be back

Hi
Great to be back with you all. Missed you all everyday. This blog landed in the intensive care unit and all that was needed was: create a new blog under same name, change the URL a little, import files from old blog to new..and bingo..bounce back. Great Soul Searcher suggested it the first day. But the dumbo that I am..well, let's forget the past..and get going..
Take care and keep your smiles, dear friends..

This blog in ICU

Hi dear all, I am lost for words by your love and affection. Please do not post any comments on this blog anymore. I had requested my nephew who is doing engineering degree in Chennai to check out and he had posted "Hello Chennai" yesterday. The problem persists and the only way out as Soul Searcher says seems to be to change the URL. I will reach all of you (at least almost all) through your blogs and for sure we will stay connected. Will keep you posted on the new name but for god's sake forget me not. I never knew the virtual world had such powerful bonding. Wish you all a wonderful time. There we go, we catch up soon, cheerfully. Like we discussed, when doors close, let's not panic but face it with a smile.

Hello Chennai

My frequency of talking to you may be less...
But the frequency for which i am thinking of you is simply gargantuan..
Good night

Blog technical trouble

Hi everyone, have been experiencing serious trouble with posting stories. Unable to reach the dashboard for three days. Funnily, there is only one computer at office which flashes New Post sign. Here too I am unable to reach dashboard. Have tried everything, changed password too. If somebody out there can tell me how to save the blog, copy the files somewhere else or create a new one in the same name, would be grateful. If the postings are interrupted or the blog disappears, will reach you all through some other way. You all have been a great source of strength. Wishing you all the best.