United States - Truly diverse states blended into One!

Let me not generalize...However, most of us or people around me while growing up used phrase "America" to represent what truly is United States of America. It took me a while to figure what is United States of America ("USA"), similar to what United Kingdom is. 

When it was planned for me to travel to UK, I always thought that I am traveling to England. I was surprised when I got a VISA saying "United Kingdom". Again, it took a bit of research, and time to conclude that United Kingdom is a federation of countries. Do not want to put a number here, as things change in days & months, and I am referring to my knowledge which is years old.

Okay, while I understood that 50+ states (to be precise, 52 states. you Google it to confirm) constitutes what is USA. However, when I was in India working on several non-USA projects, and then on Nashville based project; there were people who used to ask questions like which part of USA, north, south, east west, northwest, etc...And, I used to think, why does it matter. Then, thought, may be easier to recognize it this way with 50+ states to remember, and exactly know which side the state is located...Finally, I arrived, in USA in city Nashville located in southern state Tennessee. And, I started to develop an understanding of how each state is different from the other state. Be it language or culture, or the weather & nature, completely diverse from the other state and unique in each state. It is like living in a different country altogether...I visited New york city, Chicago, Atlanta, Birmingham, etc; and was puzzled to see the diversity. Now, when I have moved to California; it is a different world altogether...How have they blended so many diverse pieces of land into one unified under the name "United States of America". Truly amazing. 

While, I realize that all of this very  much relates to what we see in India. Where north is diversely separated from south, and east is completely different from west. Everything is different from culture, ethnicity, language & nature/ weather...however I think, the four metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata & Mangluru) kind of unites the nation...Majority of us would relate to what Mumbai is and what Bollywood is.

Here, the urban cities like New York city, Washington DC, San Francisco are very dis-connected for folks living in the remote places of USA...And they do not care to know or there is no need to travel to these cities for them. Each of these states have their own smart cities, and have the necessary source of employment and job generation techniques, which fulfills the basic need of inhabitants...So, they don't move, and retain their specific culture and ethnicity on the very location.

Don't be surprised when you compare northern aggressive working style with the southern personalized greetings. Howsoever for us, whichever place in USA we land, we need to absorb so much variety & difference in such a quick time, that we are instantly prepared for any change, and welcome it with a smiling face:)

You Win, and I don't lose!

Kids teach you! And, they do! I suggest, kids can replace the spiritual gurus; and they can easily be your life guide.

My bad, I spend little time with my daughter...But whenever I do spend some significant time; I get enlightened.

So, today I spend playing football (soccer) with my daughter; and in her dictionary "losing" was not a word. If I won, she said, "You won daddy". And, if she won, she said "I won, daddy".

So simple. She clapped in both the situations. She was happy either way. She was excited either way. That made me happy. I didn't bother to lose...didn't panic to see her losing. It was such a terrific concept that she was giving to me; and to the world.

We need to live our life the same way. Look for who has won, look for who is heading ahead; and enjoy it. Enjoy it for them, and enjoy it for self. No need to lose your morale, there is absolutely no gain in crying for your loss.

Living life on positives is helpful! Enjoying the precious moments of life is crucial! It is an art to cherish others success and take a pleasure from it!

"It is Else", Keep trying!

Keep moving! That's what was in my mind...Keep looking ahead, don't wait for the things to change by itself, at least keep trying, be in motion, and keep moving!

Darkness surrounding me has to end...today...if not today, tomorrow...if not tomorrow, then later! I will see the day of light...I will be out of this darkness some day. I kept that thought alive...in every moment I walked, every second that passed...every step I moved forward.

One negative after another negative...Bad days never seemed to go away...there were times, when I stumbled upon any positive hope...there were days, when I just wished it to let go...there were times when I did not see any options...But, I  persisted, decided to live, decided to try, decided to find a way...and kept moving!

It was important to be positive...not only externally; but internally too. I had to be in stable frame of mind. This is to have rational thinking process, continue to have an ability to make sane decisions...

I went through a difficult journey, crossed mind-boggling tasks, bore criticisms, surpassed disappointments, faced failures; but kept moving!

Once I followed the motto of "keep trying, and keep moving"...I never bothered to worry about failures...In that world, it is a result...if it is not the result you wanted, then it is ahead...apply the "Else", and keep trying! And, keep moving!

Delhi Election Results - Uncertainty in Certainty!

Yes, that is how I have perceived the results from Delhi elections. While the whole of India is inclined and marching towards a particular trend; Delhi people have indicated their intentions to be different.

During previous assembly elections itself, when they voted for AAP so over-vehemently; I realized that Delhi people wants to create a certain and unique impression on Indian mindset...During Loksabha elections, they got carried away with what was happening all over the country in the form of Modi wave.

Now during 2015 Assembly elections, they have come out, and reflected that they represent volatility of Indian democracy, and political set-up. They have shown that they are not ready to follow the norm, but decide the course for themselves.

It can also be perceived that Delhi elections has set the motion for future; and what India might follow in the days to come. They have set the precedence, and defined the next steps for Indian political establishment. However, scanning the other states, it does not look like the trend set by Delhi has many takers.

It is only with time, we will know whether Delhi has done right or created further problems for themselves! Let us wait, and see!

New India - Truly connecting to world!

World has seen how Modi is in hurry to prove that a new & able leader has arrived at the world stage; and in particularly how India has its own world leader!

After becoming Prime Minister, he established that he is here to change the norms, bend the rules, and establish things that will go long way. Inviting all of SAARC leaders including that of Pakistan indicated that he goes beyond restrictions and reservations, and looking for newer dimensions in existing relationship with foreign countries. Although just in few months, he demonstrated the strong determination when he & his team did not blink an eye in cancelling the foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan.

Modi continued his aspirations to establish contacts and relationships with all foreign countries. He made trips to various foreign countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Australia, France & USA. He not only established contacts with foreign dignitaries, but also mesmerized Indian audiences with his charismatic personality, and inspirational speeches. Many key foreign leaders made visits to India, and those made headlines. They signed key deals, made promises, and indicated transformation of India at world stage.

One, who has been following Modi's visits, and acts with respect to foreign policies; can easily conclude that those have been huge hits. It is important for any country to establish contacts with partners at regular intervals to demonstrate continuous trust in the relationship.

Modi played a masterstroke in inviting Obama to Republic day celebrations. Would have preferred to keep it minus the hugs, and use of first names. Never the less, it transformed and added few more steps to India becoming a true leader at world stage.

It is still a long way to go, and only such steps can make India an influential leader in the region; and in the world!

Being at Smoky’s!

Mountains calling!

I never had a reason to visit mountains unless I wanted to go for hiking, or friends have planned a picnic. Been lived near a National park (Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai); mountains have never fancied me much. It is like easier the access, the lesser the respect for it; and more difficult it is to achieve; you become more interested in it.

Anyways, let me come back to Smoky. Since, I came to Nashville, USA; I have been hearing a lot about Smokys… Smoky Mountains in Tennessee State, USA have always been the center of many discussions that I have been involved. People talked about how beautiful it is, and how colorful it is during falls…And, animals present in the mountains, in particular bears…It had fascinated me for a long time, and had decided to visit it some-time.

Finally at Mountains!

So, within two weeks, I planned every-thing, and I was at mountains along with my family! My Smoky’s trip turned out to be awesome…

I reached there Friday evening after a drive of four hours, and straight away went for Roaring Fork Motor trail…That was awesome…Driving the Car amid slopes, and narrow roadway was good experience…And, then some of the points showed a good display of colors on the mountain!

I realized that I have booked a very good Condo…This was located very close to Ober Gatlinburg on the top! It was very good view of mountains and downhill from the top! We could click pictures…

And, then by evening; things changed drastically…Snow fall began sometime in the evening…and then it continued till 1 PM the next day…It was awesome view experiencing Snow-fall on the top…Watching trees and mountains covered with Snow was great!

On Sunday, things got better…covered a lot of attractions in the downtown (Skylift, Trolly, Ripley’s)…and then went for Sugarland Visitor Center thinking that Cades Cove loop road is closed…However got to know that it was open via White River Road…We did not face any traffic during the entire journey until we got into Cades Cove loop road…But this place was called scenic loop for some reason…Mountain was clearly visible with minimum 5 range of colors with snow layer at the top forming one of it…That was awesome view!

Overall it was fantastic journey…Going to make it again during summers.

Can I Fly? Why not, if I can swim...

Thoughts often fly, and don't swim...They fly at a speed, which cannot be measured, cannot be defined...One just have to think...Fortunately every human being is possessed with mental power at some capacity to think. And, the speed of thinking can take the man to Moon, and takes it back to earth on the very ground he is sitting. In no time, and at no price. That is the power of thought.

By the way, I have been bourgeoning an idea for a long time...and have been questioning myself for a long time. Why can not I fly myself, and need the help of equipments/ instruments?

Don't I swim...A human body is not supposed to swim...at least that is how we define animals to be...However, we realized our internal strengths, and capitalized on it; and have developed the skill of swimming. Other animals living on the ground, who can walk and run, also have developed the skill of swimming.

So, why is that only birds can fly. I understand, they have the body structure having wings, and other supporting things to allow them to fly. However, I am sure, there is that hidden thing, and we ourselves are unaware of that sense; which if we exploit correctly, would allow us to fly.

In Hindu mithology, there is a lord named Hanumana, who was able to fly, and reach distances in no time. It is on us to realize that strength, and identify that hidden power in us to utilize us to fly. If we can do so, it will remove the need for us to utilize any travel options.

Simply imagine how many of the problems in the world will simply go away, if human beings start flying. I will not describe those things here, and leaving it to your imagination...

So, here I am challenging the scientists all across the globe to study this phenomena, and uncover that science which allowed Lord Hanuman to fly!

I am excited with that very thought...