This sign (at the Wagha Border) makes me proud! Even though there is still a long way to go before we can call ourselves the largest and the BEST democracy in the world... I feel that we are well on our way. We only need to hold our nerves... and play it till the end.

Called by God...

I have just returned from Amritsar.
The city (very close to the Indo-Pak border) is famous for a couple of things.
1) The Golden Temple
2) Wagha Border gate (between India and Pakistan)
3) Jalianwalla Bagh

The Golden Temple is the holiest of all the Sikh shrines. Their holy book the Guru Granth Sahib resides here. After having been there and felt the atmosphere I can only say that God does indeed live within the Golden Temple. The first time I saw it through the arched entryway a line popped into my mind 'I present myself before thee O God'. I must have read it somewhere but for it to pop into my mind the very instant I saw the temple for the first time. For a second time did stand still and all was at peace. I felt like a sick child being comforted by his mother where in that instant all pain is forgotten and all weight lifted off your shoulders.

It is truly an amazing place and I suggest everyone should visit there atleast once in their lives. I for one plan to go again next year!

On a lighter note, people say that you only go to such holy places when you get the 'call of God' . For example if people make it to Vaishno Devi shrine they say that 'Vaishno Mata called us so we went' and if for some reason trip gets cancelled they say 'Mata did not call us this time'. I feel like reminding them that Gods dont run an outbound call center and such changes in programs are luck. No God can be that selfish to deny the devotees an audience. Although who knows the greater truth? Is there even a God? Maybe God does run a call center and the only problem is that the inbound lines are all jammed up.

Another thing thats amazing to see is the Wagha
Border gate between India and Pakistan. This is one of the few border crossing points between the two countries. Here in this pic you can see the Indian soldiers (Border Security Forces) with their backs to the camera and their Pakistani counterparts (Pakistan Rangers) in black facing the camera. The Pakistani flag can be seen on the other side.
Every day at sunset the ceremony of closing the border gates and lowering of the flag is carried out by both sides. It is a spectacle which attracts hundreds of people on both the sides.

Everyone with Varun (all dressed up for the wedding ceremony). 

My first time wearing a three piece suit. Im looking like a monkey wearing a dress and feeling even more uncomfortable in it. 

Me (right) with Varun on his engagement day. I dont like wearing formal clothes as you may or may not be able to make out. 

Another shot of the mountains from the plane (at 35,000 ft). 

Taken from a Boeing 777 on my way home. Somewhere over the Middle East. Its hard to believe that the plane was at cruising altitude (35,000 ft - typical). I had to use the full 12x optical zoom to capture the road going through the mountains. 

Warm Hearts on a Winters Day!

I used to think winter would be tough!
But right now I am feeling so warm and happy that I could be living in Siberia and yet enjoy it!

As the last month of the year dawns I think we should ALL feel lucky to be alive.
Whether we are feeling down or up, happy or sad, angry or calm lets just take a step back from it all and look at the past year and the good things it bought us. We should also not think about the bad things which happened rather reflect upon the lessons they taught us.
Next year will be amazing too. Another blank slate another set of seasons to go through. A dozen new beginnings and a dozen old endings. A thousand roads travelled and hundreds of stories exchanged. New people met and forgotten and then remembered again!

So people SMILE and be HAPPY TO BE ALIVE whether you are alone or surrounded by loved ones. Whether you walk back home through a freezing winter evening or drive back home in a warm and cozy car!

Remember a warm heart beats central heating hands down! :D

In fact I think there is a reason every year ends and begins (in the Northern Hemisphere) with winter. Winter reminds us about the end of good times and beginning of new ones. While we shiver at the first snowfall of winter we also think about the spring of next year!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TIME THIS DECEMBER WHATEVER THEY END UP DOING!

ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!

"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree / Jingle Bell Rock"
Lyrics from: LINK
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Everybody tries to stop

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some caroling

You will get a sentimental feelin' when you hear
Voices singing let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way

You will get a sentimental feelin' when you hear
Voices singing let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
That's the jingle bell rock rock rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and mingle in the jingle bell rate
That's the jingle bell rock

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
That's the jingle bell rock

Mix and mingle in the jingle bell rate
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell rock

It was snowing and I was waiting for the bus (no. 70) at UWE Frenchay Campus!

City of Bristol Museum from afar. The magic of optical zoom! 

Me and Amol at his convocation.28th November 2005 

The central chamber at Bristol Cathedral, UK 

Arches at the Bristol Cathedral, UK. 

A Winter Garden 

Snow in November! 

The Path behind the house...

The cycle path connecting UWE to Filton Avenue.

One of the songs I love the most!

Cowboys and Angels by George Micheal
Lyrics from: http://www.loglar.com/

When your heart's in someone else's hands
Monkey see and monkey do
Their wish is your command
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same

All you do is love and love is all you do
I should know by now, the way I fought for you
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same

I know you think that you're safe
Mister
Harmless deception
That keeps love at bay
It's the ones who resist that we most want to kiss
Wouldn't you say?
Cowboys and angels
They all have the time for you
Why should I imagine
That I'd be a find for you
Why should I imagine
That I'd have something to say
But that scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
In your heart there's a trace
Of someone before

When your heart's in someone else's plans
Things you say and things you do
They don't understand
It's such a shame
Always ends the same

You can call it love but I don't think it's true
You should know by now
I'm not the boy for you
You're not to blame
Always ends the same

I know you think that you're safe
Sister
Harmless affection
That keeps things this way
It's the ones who persist for the sake of a kiss
Who will pay
Cowboys and angels
They all take a shine to you
Why should I imagine that I was designed for you
Why should I believe
That you would stay

But that scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
Don't you think that I know
They've hurt you before

Take this man to your bed
Maybe his hands will help you forget
Please be stronger than your past
The future may still give you a chance

Lovely weather!

Its been foggy and VERY cold lately. Since it is winter time it also gets dark early. Here is a shot of Bristol at 5:10 pm (taken on 21st November 2005).

A Sign to home... and fellow travellers