TO ACHIEVE A DREAM

"TO ACHIEVE A DREAM: First you must have a dream, second you must start the journey towards that dream, third you must work tirelessly and fourth you reach it. Everyone is great at step one, some stop at step two, most stop at step three and the great achieve. Greatness comes from all four, dream, start, never quit and... achieve your dreams - your purpose!" Mark Quam

 I have completed the first step..........

I dream of:  beware, the list is dynamic... because I am

1. Scale 'dadubhai's ' Karuna soap factory to a 500 + enterprise.
2. Scale 'The Everest'.
3. Go on a world tour.
4. Go Sky Diving.
5. Experience the ultimate state of meditation.
6. Work in a BPO, as a salesman, as a beggar.
7. Build a bungalow for myself in the serene Himalayas.
8. Fire an AK47.
   

When dream comes true

When dream comes true:
For two years I dreamt of this day. And it was finally here ... I have dreamt and it came true.. I hoped, against all odds.. Persisted.waited. prepared and there it came. It came as a surprise and swept me off my feet making me forget all other things. I was sooooo happy.. My dream came true.. It's a moment of great joy. no I can't call it joy... its satisfaction. a triumph. the triumph of all triumphs. It means so much to me... so very much. It's a feeling... a feeling like never before. how beautiful life is. and more so when dreamers see their dreams come true.

This day is the day we (Team Wipro) won the Rootssports 2009 Table Tennis Championship.

I had two dreams : Winning the championship atleast once for Wipro and to defeat Yateesh for the second time.

Links to the news, results and articles in newspaper:

• http://www.rootssports.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:indoor-corporate-championship&catid=17:corporate&Itemid=37
• 14th December DNA Bangalore edition Page 20.
• 17th December DNA Bangalore edition Page 17.

7.5 kms/hour

7.5kms/hour: A Volvo can roll 10 times that speed. I can cycle 5 times that pace, I can run twice that pace, I can walk at that pace.

Today it took me 2 hours to reach office which is 15 kms away. So what did I travel by?

Yes you guessed it right, I traveled by the doomed Volvo.

I sat in on the last row, feeling encased in a glass chamber with other helpless dolls. Being captivated is my one of my worst fears and traveling by a Volvo in Bangalore always gives me that feeling. My gaze wondered to the emergency exits and then to the hammers attached to the frame. I wished to shatter the glass and fly out in the open.
Being in control is a necessity for me. Its also one of the reasons I prefer cycling to office over taking public transport.

Shades of black

: once while cycling on a full moon night

Only shades of black. Framed by black trees, lined by black thick bushes runs the moonlight flooded black road, leading to the unknown unexplored black distance.
The moment I took the right turn from Niladri-Bettadasanapura road, my heart stopped for a moment. It seemed like the open mouth of black monster, the road resembling its sinister tongue leading me to its digestive chambers.

My immediate instinct was to turn back. But I decided not, I decided to challenge the fear. Danger,fear,adventure, challenge gives  me strange type of satisfaction.


Moonlight was bright, but I understood practically what we read in School : "Moonlight is monochromatic". I kept plunging into the black potholes on the equally black road. A huge truck appeared on the road, blocked the entire road and blinded me with it strong flares, I crouched close to the black bushes, the truck crossed me leaving me in even more darkness.
Another fear dawned upon me : human elements, thieves, pilfers, dacoits , robbers, plunders. All elements of dark, only the bright white moon shining above my head. Ironically, the white moon made earthly elements even more black.
Then from nowhere came a dog barking trying to bite my legs, I freak out initially, I recalled the incident in my childhood where I returned home wearing a blood soaked cardigan, I gather my courage, stopped and turned back. The dog turned away its tail between its legs.
Then I confidently completed the last kilometer of the black path and finally emerged to human settlement. It felt so assuring to be back in area of human settlement.

Of course, I'll take the black route again, this time on a new moon night.

One step closer

"Many times in life, in fact most of the time in life you have to do things you don't like. I have done that for 10 years of my career. I don't resent that." - Who concurs? I don't.

I was proud of myself today. I am reaching closer to HIM. Who is HIM? If there is any ideal in my life its HIM. Who is HIM? HIM is ego, I.

Today I took a step closer to my ego. I became a bit more selfish. Being selfish is the toughest thing in life. How many of you out there can call yourself selfish? I can.... well not absolutely though, because I am not as perfect as HIM.

Riding when its pouring

With 2 months of cycling experience I had a some hours of "cycling when its pouring" experience.
Its fun ! Real fun ! But be cautious, Its dangerous too!

Its imperative to remember that not only yours but other vehicle's braking power is also reduced.


So, ride @ reduced speeds, enjoy the spat of rain drops against your face, tactfully position your spectacles so that you can see even if the lens gets moistened.

Its real fun riding in rain, don't fight the rain, love it and surrender to it. I especially love the drizzle. It feels sexy.

Rain or no rain your speed almost remains constants. But during rains streets are waterlogged and traffic snarls are huge. Its really fun to see cars struggling, when you cruise ahead enjoying the cool rain drops.

Next time when it pours just take a ride and write me your feedback. You'll love it, I promise.

Mumbai in a day

Started @ 10:00 am from Kharghar, ended @ 1:30 am Vashi. This is the mad fully-packed hectic terrific visit of the terrific city called Mumbai. Its the place to be in India, a strong fast confident and truly cosmopolitan city MUMBAI. I had a long pending wish to visit the financial capital of India which has been realized today.
The very look of the city tells why its been touted as the city to make a fortune. The skyscrapers framed skyline; the only city in India.

There is sign of massive wealth and stark poverty where ever you see. The railway tracks are lined with two layers of residential constructions, the skyscrapers and then the hovels. Let the frames speak for themselves.

Mumbai has been shaped by the British colonial rule exactly like Kolkata. You'll find colonial constructions every where in South Mumbai, but these are part of everyday life of Mumbai and have amalgamated with its essence.
We started off with :
CST (VT), South Mumbai , taxi to Gateway of India, Taj , 30 min on cruise waterfront of Mumbai. The cruise gave a picturesque view of the economic and military might of India. It gave me a pride to be an Indian.

Facts:

• The streets of Mumbai are mostly made of brick! But they are all in top condition; advantage of brick is low maintenence costs.
• No overhead electricity cable. All are underground and survive Mumbai's nototrious urban floods.
• The legendary Leopold cafe established in 1871 was first attached in 26/11 Mumbai seize. We had dinner here later that night.
• Celebrated diwali with Slum kids.

The local train system of Mumbai is its lifeline. A near perfect system with trains running at 3 mins interval with no delays, bang on time is really commendable. Contrast the railway system in place in Kolkata.

Juhu beach, dirty but happening and lively. Its full of life, chats, golas and people. Its the confluence of the Arabian sea, black sand and people of all ages, religion and stature.

Band Strand the residences of Cinematic Superstars. Jalsha of Amitabh, Basera of Rekhaji, SRK's Mannat and Salman's Galaxy. We spotted enthusiastic crowds in front of Mannat and Galaxy.

We couldnt dine @ Amassador, the rotating restaurant overlooking the Marine drive, because it was colsed for renovation. So, we dined @ the legendary Leopold cafe behind the Taj.

Having finished our dinner Prem took leave; me and Samik went for a stroll on the Marine drive and the adjacent chaupati. It was here that the mighty Mumbai overtook my senses. I spent more than 3 hours mesmerized by its charm. The city that never sleeps, truly. There was life, action and happiness all around, there was wealth finely embedded with abject poverty. The city kept zooming past me, fast and never stopping. I just sat on the ramp lost in the city.Around

12:00PM armned police begin vacating the Marine drive. I played hide n seek with them to cling to the drive for another 1 hour. At 1:30 am I was among the last and then I had to leave when forced by the police.
I'll return to the Marine drive and Queen's Necklace time and again.

1 and half months of cycling

What has it given me?:
Lots... it actually exceeded my expectations :

1. lost more than 5 kgs
2. reduced waist line amazingly
3. Developed strong leg muscles.
   
4. stamina increased manifold; I could feel this during the recent Kingfisher Table tennis tournament
   
5. Made new contacts and really enjoying the group rides during weekends.

I am fit and fiddle once again. I feel my descision to cycle has been a great answer to all the problems faced by anybody in a sedantry job.

There has been a flip side which I had to overcome:
You get a lot of attention and also discouragement from friends, colleagues, relatives and also strangers on the road. Most think its a crazy idea and will discourage you thoroughly. Its then I kept reminding myself that: all new/unfamiliar ideas are initially opposed and face a lot of criticism. The key is to stick to what you have chosen.

Encourage you all to try it out.

How and why I started

By the time I completed 1.5 years in IT industry, I had developed a well built tummy(popularly known as 'Family pack'); aka sedan tyre, lorry tyre, tractor tyre etc. depending on the time you spend in this sedentary job.
Bangalore posed another dreaded problem of traffic deadlock. 1.5 hours to cover a stretch of 17 km. And this is normal, if there is a jam then, GOD help you!

I was contemplating buying a motorbike with a low - medium budget. It was then I came to know about a colleague who was cycling 29 + 29 km to and from office. Initially I was plain amused; but suddenly it struck me : "Why cont I give it a try?" In fact, I can fix both bugs with the same trick!
Thus my planning for cycling to office began. It took me 2 months to finalize the model (Cannondale Adventure 5 : http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-8AS5.html)after visiting a handful of outlets and groups in Bangalore.

I tasted success on my first ride itself. I covered the stretch of 10 km from TracknTrail (the Cannondale and Binachi outlet @ Koramangala)to JP Nagar 1st phase in 38 min whereas my friend traveling by bus simultaneously took 1 hour 10 mins :). I was elated!

Next morning onwards I started my 35 km cycling to office adventure. I am initially doing it every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; its never good to jump start anything ;). Once my stamina is built up I'll cycle daily to office.

After a tip off from my colleague I joined GoGreenGoCycling.org and had my first adventure ride to Bettadasanapura (http://picasaweb.google.com/PrabhakarRao.CM/GoGreenExpeditionRide22Aug09Bettadasanapura?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzoqazZ463seg#). I am waiting for my first Critical Mass. I am enjoying this.

Well! there are unexpected by-products of this descision. I (or my cycle) get a lot of media(metaphorical) attention. I have an opportunity to know lot of interesting people thanks to my Canondale! I am loving it.