Mumbai - A place of hope or a place of forgotten truth!

My heart calls out when I see the state of the families who've lost someone in yet another terrorist attack. How on earth do they get in so easily and hurt us inside our own city, it really amazes me!

Today, as soon as I heard the news of the blasts, the first thing I did leaving all that I was doing aside was to get onto the phone and call family and friends to see if everyone was ok. Some had a lucky escape as they were in the area a while back or even at the time but just about managed to stay safe while some others were back home  but in panic state to find out about their family members.

The blasts occurred in major business districts and whoever did this wanted to make a point! Well whatever the point may be, what is clear is that at the end of the day, we are not safe!  As of now, figures that are shown on National News channels like NDTV say 21 dead and 141 people are injured. The 3 blasts happened at Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar Kabootar Khana which are all very busy areas!

Some shocking pictures and some very sad stories later, I felt like not much had changed since 26/11! And may be, I'm ignoring what one of the ministers said on national television that ' we were more prepared' but the fact of the matter is someone has lost their lives in this bargain!

I couldn't stop but think, are we going to be ok with this or going to forget this or rather take this in our stride as well? I'm sorry but this is not done! We need to stop letting this ruin the lives of our people and also the repute of the city! Make all the changes you want to make Mumbai more cosmopolitan and sophisticated but if such things happen, forget the people from other cities or countries coming in, even Mumbaikars will have to leave the city!

What I fail to understand is if the US can find Osama and kill him, who was one of the most dangerous and wanted terrorists globally, why can't we, having so many intelligence (supposedly) forces, what are we waiting for? For the Maharashtra Government, if I was to make a point, this does affect the economy as well! When no one feels safe, the business, commerce and all that we talk about being the financial capital of the country so proudly, will go down the drain!

Chinese media made a comment stating 'India incapable in stopping attacks, need intelligent people in their intelligence'.

Kasab Ajmal who has been in India's custody for nearly 3 years and are we still investigating? Sorry, this might be a bit harsh, but we really need to get our act together!

A common man in Mumbai when he leaves home, may not be sure if he will come home in the evening and this is really heart breaking!

I have never been as furious and troubled but I just feel we are becoming helpless! We need to do something and something big and soon!!

Here are some prayers going out to all that got affected by the blasts..

Bless!
Paras

Bidding Good bye to 2010... Spread a smile!

In personal terms, 2010 has been a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs in the year.

I had a feeling closer to new year's last year that it wasn't going to be an easy ride. The year started with some difficult times making it very important to have a strong fight back in the series of events. Be it concerning health, professional or my personal life.

But what I've realized is that somewhere this year I have changed.. The way I behave, the way I react to things and may be also how I say or do things.. You can call it maturity or may be the ability to analyse things more deeply. It can be put in a number of ways but best said is that the change is evident.

Every day we all get up with new aspirations and hope about what we wish to achieve. And I feel that's a great thing but in the bargain we should also remember that one of all those aspirations should also be smiling and spreading the smile. You might read this and walk away thinking that its a philosophical thought and it won't make a difference in your every day life. Think about it, at the signal while crossing the road if you helped a blind or less able person to cross the road safely, or if you helped a person with a baby carry the Pram out of the station, the smile you got from them, how satisfying was that? Didn't that make you more hopeful on that day? Didn't it make you more hopeful for life? Its something to ponder on..

We all do make some or the other mistake in life. Knowingly or unknowingly. Always apologize / forgive and try to make it right because life is short, you do not want anyone to stay angry for long. Its not only about singular interactions but also maintaining and building relationships. Mistakes are meant to happen only so that you can make up for it.. If everything was easy, you would not be happy! I'm not trying to be a philosopher here, but just trying to pen down certain learnings from this year.

With 2 trips to Home (Mumbai, India) this year - In Feb and July, I realized and now I accept that yes, its about the home city but its more about the people there! The so planned surprise when I went home in July and the Birthday party and surprise in Feb. are memories that I will cherish for a while. People say distance drives people away and I don't deny that but thankfully my people haven't gone far. I am glad that one call can still get the point across and I love that (I do consider myself lucky for that).

Living in London has not been very easy (not to challenge the point that I am having a great time mostly).
Away from home, I've made a home where I always look forward to seeing this family of friends. Since last year this number has gone down as some have gone back and some have moved around. But they have a space reserved for them! :)

I went through some small and some big changes and challenges this year and these people stood by me at every point being my motivating factor.

I feel the changes that occurred are a beginning to a new horizon and its an uphill in certain matters from here. I must say that 2010 wasn't easy but its clearly done more good than bad.

On this new year's eve, there are some people who in 2010 have made me smile in some way or the other and I would just like to thank them for being there for me in every way possible and only hope that this is a journey on a endless road.

In London - Farha, Mustu, Em, Zahrah, Jigar and Ainee... Priya, Himani, Sakshi, Anshuman, Riya, Kanchan, Andria, Sonal, Rashee, Nisha, Jueta, Sanjnaa, Nosheen, Fatima, Sarita, Priyam, Dwayne and Hunaid..

Lately, these two stars have come into my life bringing positivity most of the time which is a big thing for me - Prachi and Yash.. Just thinking about it, both have some great qualities that have held me up at times .. Kiddish at times, but they are definately headed in the right direction... I wish you the very best... :)

Professionally, I had a rough start to the year, but with some support and vision, it got better. Some people who I would like to thank are - Bharat Vaswani and Mihir Patel.. I've learnt a lot from both and in their own ways they've imparted great knowledge. Bharat has been more like a mentor, guide or I should say even a guardian.. I really look upto him for advice and he's always thankfully been there with the best solutions.. I have always found value in his advice and over the course of the last year, learnt a lot from him..

Mihir on the other hand, has made me realize and brought great light to the way I think and should ideally handle people. Seeing how he's dealt with things and specially people since I started working with him, its commendable. It is generally quite difficult to manage some strong opinionated people, but he's done it brilliantly and most essentially is the way he's maintained the difference between work and personal friendship. That is the biggest learning if I must say.. I have learnt a lot and I truly respect him for it.

Going back to India - Ritesh, Hoshaang, Naasir, Rohan, Ajay, Gaurav, Yusuf, Miloni, Sapna, Sneha bhabhi, Dhruvi and Kinj...
Prakshal, Ruchika, Nikita, Divya, Aditi, Karishma R, Karishma D, Siddharth, Rishabh, Dhwaja, Afsheen, Parzaan, Jignesh, Nishit.. Aabha, Lekha, Dennis and Shagir..

In other parts of the world - Jojo, Sunnie, Nausheen..

Not generalizing it all, you've each made a special difference to this year for me in your own ways which I completely value.. I wish year on year, I can keep writing these names and the bonds only become stronger..

Lastly, I must not leave out the most important people of all, Mom, Dad, Bhavna, Shilpa, Shifa, Shalini Aunty, Alex Uncle, Natalie, Ashley, Padma Aunty, Dada, Nana, Jyoti Masi and Latu Masi.. You keep me and my values to life...

Thank you all for being so wonderful in 2010 and hope the New Year brings you and all your loved ones, a lot of happiness, love and lots of success. Hope you get all that you wish for deep within..

Things only get better in 2011.. Wish you great times.. :)

Warmest Regards,
Paras