Kashif's Escapade

A page from my diary!

2006-03-05T22:41:00.000+05:00

Its been a mixed bag this year with lot of lows and small number of highs. Its distressing just to look back and see that how much my life is been dominated by the sadder part with all kind of sorrows and distress. I shouldn't be cursing others for the situation that I am in, a lot has been done on my part as well. But I expected a good turn out this year but this just wasn't to be. I guess I always am expecting others to understand my point of view but it somehow it evades me that why don't they? I mean I may look innocuous at times, not serious but certainly not stupid. Maybe it has to do with the way I think. I am more sort of a guy who thinks in a broader sense, may be thats because of the influence I have from West and not that preoccupied demoralizing thinking of the east. I believe in freedom of expression which is our birth right. May be I'll have more to say some other time.

After A Long Wait

2006-02-28T23:48:00.000+05:00

My dear friends it seems such a long time since I posted but with all the fuss I was in it was difficlut, and to make matters worse I forgot the id and password of my blog. But everything seems to be fit now and hopefully my blog will be up and running in no time.

National Geographic Inside Mecca

2005-10-05T23:52:00.000+05:00

Perceptions!

2005-09-18T11:12:00.000+05:00

I read a wonderful thing which I'd like to share. There a lot of things which I can relate with myself as well which are written by him.

People think it''s obvious. That I''m frustrated with not getting anywhere, but its not just not getting anywhere but that I''m trying and not getting anywhere, even being set back in places. It''s not just a job or school or what I want, but that I don''t know how to get it or even why people just push my attempt aside. People only see how I am from the appearance I give, but they don''t know what I think or why I do what I do. They assume it''s this or that. They have their own reasoning of why I do things. People think they have me figured out, cause surely they think they have been through what I''m going through. It''s not the world that I am going through, but my own self and they are not me so they cannot know what I''m going through. People think I don''t look at them when they are talking because I don''t care and I''m not listening. I cannot listen fully if I''m busy maintaining eye contact and concentrating on that. They think I don''t care cause I do not respond to the questions they ask. I don''t respond because I don''t know what to say in a way that would be appropriate or that would make sense to them. I have learned it is better to look the fool then to be the fool. It is better to stay quiet then say something that someone might take the wrong way. It''s not easy for me to speak how I feel, because I''m not even sure how I feel. I have to think of what it is I feel and why I feel it so that I know that what I feel, that way I am able to name it, rather than wondering why I feel a way with no name and no reason behind it. It''s easier to tell things or describe things outside that have no connection to anyone or anything. I don''t have to rationalize why they are that way or even what they are. So I have tried living a life as to the best of my ability that mimics the actions of others. But I have finally "burnt out"; I pushed myself too far. I''ve grown tired of putting on this act; it has "taxed all my reserves" and left me with no sense of self. I force myself to talk, I force myself to go out and be with people. I force myself, when everything that is me does not wish to. I wish I could just go and live alone out in the middle of the woods and be left to daydream all of my days, but that is not possible for anyone to do. Instead, many a times I''ve observed how others acted. Let me give an example of what my life is like. You have an elephant and you have a little guppy fish. Both see and live in the same world, but they do not perceive things the same way. The way they each perceive water, land, and the measurement of small, are where they differ greatly. I feel the same way in many respects. I can''t go on living with these differences in perceptions as they go about leading me to failure, because although I may be right in my own way, it doesn''t matter. Society believes their way of seeing things is the only way, to see otherwise it''s wrong and even incomprehensible.

Choice!

2005-09-13T23:04:00.000+05:00

“Life is but a choice”- Bernard Shaw

Beginning with the time of birth until the time of death, people have to make choices everyday on how to achieve the goals in their lives. One can imagine life as a long winding road with millions of other roads branching off in many directions. The only problem is that life is too short to explore every single road. In addition, the essence of time will not allow anyone to go back to a road that was passed. Everyone must choose his/her own roads through life regardless of what other people might think. Robert Frost wrote in The Road Not Taken, “I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference "(Frost 423). By managing ones time efficiently and making clear rational choices, one can achieve a healthy mind, body and spirit.

One important choice in life is having a healthy mind. The key to achieving a healthy mind is to be open minded. Since the day we are born, we are bombarded with information from television, radios, books, magazines, and what we observe personally. The world is filled with a vast amount of information and each individual is responsible for obtaining, understanding, and making value judgments on this information. One must understand the world around him before he can understand himself. Each individual must find where his/her interest lay whether it is engineering or a rocket scientist. Everyone is different and that is what makes our world so interesting.

Another important choice in life is having a healthy body. The key to achieving a healthy body is diet, exercise, and rest. In the world today, doctors are constantly reminding us to watch our body fat, cholesterol, and nutritional intake. In addition, eating a well balance diet can greatly reduce risk of disease and live longer lives.. Also, doctors tell us that smoking and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages can be extremely harmful to our health. Making a choice to exercise is very important also. Doctors tell us that exercising at least thirty minutes a day will reduce the risk of a stroke and heart disease. Not to mention, exercising is a great way to cope with the stress of everyday life. The most important way to stay healthy is to get plenty of rest. The body needs a break to the mind and replenish cells in the body so the body can function properly. Without rest, one is more likely to make mistakes and even have a higher level of stress.

One more important choice in life is spirituality. Everyone has to question what is this world we live in? Why are we here on earth? , is there life elsewhere? These questions have been around since man began walking the earth. Regardless where one comes from he/she has to make important choices everyday. Whether the choice is as obsolete as which pair of shoes to buy or what television show to watch. Everyone spends every minute in life is making a choice about one thing or another. By acquiring a healthy mind, body, and spirit, other choices throughout life will be much easier.

Final Day!

2005-09-11T22:10:00.000+05:00

Passions were running high, excitement was boiling over and patience seemed to run short as the final day of the University approached. Much was expected of the final day considering the facts/events that previously took place. Earlier in the week, a string of rallies were carried out by each of the respective department in which we participated actively. But the things got a little out of control as the university property was damaged which prompted the higher authorities to take precautionary measures. Inspired by the final year students, F.E also charged up their power batteries and yahooed around which costed each on of them 500 bucks. A rumor spread like fire in the woods that 5% of the B.E marks would be deducted which quieted everybody up and things got even scarier for them as another rumor spread that not 5 but 10 % marks would be deducted and then a note from VC confirmed their fears but there was a catch; It was said that this step is under observation and could be imposed. Time for preemptive measures! As the case appeared, so nothing happened for the next couple of days. But to their joy they were notified that no action would be taken on the Final Day and they can do whatever they want.

When I woke early in the morning, I could feel the ad relining pumping with joy. The sky was clear not a cloud with nice cool breeze blowing. But just then from no where dark ominous clouds lingered up in the sky and as expected it rained with great venom. As I reached the university, the mood seemed slightly dull but it improved as the day went on. Everyone was taking snaps of their loved ones, friends and teachers and taking autographs to preserve the everlasting memories. I was also asked to write a few which I obliged very gracefully. By 2 P.M, we had gone weary and hungry so we headed to get our tummies filled and get our much needed strength and firepower for the final bash. By quarter to 3, everyone gathered around and marched towards the gate. The scene was set for a perfect setting. Everyone stared dancing and clapping and shouting. I wasn’t going to miss out as I too had to practice for my final year.

Just to add in that this B.E rocked! I had many friends and most of them were really nice chaps. So to continue on, there were “Dholak Waley” which rocked the whole arena alight as we danced to their tunes. Colors flying all around! People everywhere, fire crackers just sublime. I never wanted it to stop but all good things had to end sometime and soon it was tome to go.

I also made great friends just at the end (hope Sanjeev could have been there to witness it) which was icing on the cake. I was called “The Nicest Bloke and A Very Sweet Guy”. Its always nice to hear good things about oneself. A great great Day!

Laughter Is A Serious Business Part 2

2005-09-07T22:33:00.000+05:00

When we laugh at something, whether it's an idea, a person, or an absurdity -- we destroy it. Like any powerful weapon, therefore, laughter must only be directed against an appropriate target.
Of course, it's cruel to laugh at a crazy person. But go right ahead and laugh at crazy ideas. For example, laugh at the idea of "dying for success." Think of the absurdity of so many people wasting their lives chasing after money and material possessions, long after they have much more than they need. Laugh at evil and at the worship of artificial values. This will distance you from such false values, and keep you from getting caught up in it.
Laugh also at jealousy, pettiness, and fighting. Whenever you're surrounded by insanity, laugh it off, and you won't fall under its spell. It's a way of saying: "Oh pardon me, I stepped on the god. I hope I didn't hurt it."
Laugh at the absurd ways people waste time. On a long flight, hundreds of passengers sit with their eyes glued to a tiny screen, watching a boring movie that they wouldn't pay a nickel to see at home. But since they're stuck on the plane, they keep watching. Isn't that a ludicrous way to spend precious hours of life? A person could otherwise be studying, thinking or having a worthwhile conversation.
Look at your "life goals," and realize how little time you spend pursuing them. Isn't it absurd?
Not all laughs have to be happy laughs, but they provide perspective just the same. There is more than enough food in the world to feed everyone for at least a decade, yet tens of thousands of people are starving. Why? Because of politics and greed. It's absurd! The first step in changing craziness is to recognize it. We need to laugh just to acknowledge the absurdity of the situation, so we can take action.
When you see these ridiculous things, laugh at them so you won't get caught up in it. Do you understand? When you see insanity, have a good solid laugh and you will be released from it.

Abusing the tool of laughter is dangerous and destructive. Stay away from:

(A) Ridicule
Laugh "with" people, not "at" them. Ridiculing someone hurts his soul. It's embarrassing and makes him feel worthless. "You are a bozo, a nothing." Ridicule is the most terrible way of hurting another human being. People feel this deeply.
So the next time something "funny" happens, make sure not to direct your laughter at the person, but rather at the funny thing he did.
Similarly, never laugh at another person's worries. Since the person may not see things with your same perspective, your sense of joy at his problems only makes it worse. (Unless you can get the person to laugh about it, too.)

(B) Excessive Laughter
Laughing for laughter's sake is just an escape. Jokes alone don't equal happiness, and too much laughter gives an artificial feeling of joy. You can have a great time at a two-hour comedy show -- but experience an empty feeling afterward. That's because you got worked up high, but it wasn't real. And the reality always comes back.
Silliness, too, is often a sign of running from the realities of life. Life is serious business, and frivolity destroys meaning. That's why excessive laughter and misplaced levity can lead to immoral behavior.

(C) Negative Laughter
Certain types of laughter -- like cynicism, sarcasm or a nervous laugh -- reveal a more deep-seated emotional problem. Dirty and ethnic jokes are especially problematic. Watch out for these "negative laughters" in yourself and in others, and distance yourself from them.

(D) Off-Limits
There is an old saying: "Never laugh at Motherhood or God." That means to say, don't be disrespectful by laughing at serious subjects.
Never poke fun at idealism, on the need to help save humanity. If someone is giving up material pursuits in order to serve the needs of others, don't snicker and say, "Nice guys finish last." You've injected a destructive energy into society. This is serious and you have got to keep it serious.

Laughter Is A Serious Business Part 1

2005-09-07T01:06:00.000+05:00

Jokes have the power to grab our attention and focus our mind. Laughter can snap us out of melancholy, put things back into perspective, and provide the momentum to make the best of life.
B'miyut s'chok literally means "minimize laughter." Understand the dynamics and use laughter wisely. Laughter is a double-edged sword. When used improperly -- e.g. insulting others or causing light-headedness -- laughter can be destructive.
We need to define our terms. Why do we laugh?
Laughter is when the unexpected occurs. A toddler puts on her father's big shoes -- and we laugh. The president forgets his lines in a speech -- and we laugh. When two contrary elements are juxtaposed, the sudden surprise catches us off guard. And the more unexpected, the funnier it is.
Laughter is an integral part of emotional health. You don't have to watch TV to release tension. You just need to know a good joke, or have the comical sense to see absurdity in daily life and ... bang! You're smiling and can parlay that positive energy into movement, growth, and power for something meaningful you need to do.
Having a sense of humor is a sign of maturity, because it demonstrates a sense of proportion about what's truly important.
Growing and maturing is a process of learning to see all of life's issues in context. It is human nature to lose focus and get emotionally wrapped up in our day-to-day concerns. We can laugh in everyday life when we recognize the absurdity of a skewed perspective. Someone who breaks a shoelace may think his world is falling apart -- until he meets someone without a leg.
Children don't have this sense of proportion. They cry over trivial matters, and bear grudges over little things. An adult who does the same thing is acting childish. "Somebody stepped on my shadow, or somebody insulted me." It is out of proportion.
Try mocking your hang-ups and idiosyncrasies. When it is clear how ridiculous and ludicrous our situation is, the joke is on us.
"Laugh at your problems" does not mean ignore them; that would be irresponsible. Of course you have to deal with the source of your depression. But while you're stuck in it, trying to analyze the reason makes you even more depressed! If you can laugh at yourself for making too much out of something trivial, then you've achieved a necessary distance from your problems. That in turn will give you energy and perspective to deal with the more serious underlying cause.
Each day should be fresh. Don't come with preconceived notions. Laughter helps clear the air. So break out of it and have a laugh. Enjoy life. Don't pity yourself.
Laughter is a subconscious release of tension. Laughter gets rid of gloom, aggravation, depression, worry -- all forms of tension.
So use laughter consciously to break tension in yourself and others. In today's world, everyone is worried about the economy, nuclear missiles, taxes, corporate downsizing. These worries have made us so uptight that many people walk around like time bombs, ready to explode.
Laugh to release steam and uplift yourself. You don't realize how much tension you walk around with every day until you've had a good laugh to release that tension.
When speaking to someone who is tense, smile and tell a joke. Did it ever happen that you are in a terrible argument with a friend, with bad feelings and bad vibes, when all of a sudden you start laughing? Something struck you as ridiculous. All the bad feelings disappeared and you saw how absurd the whole fight was.
So use it consciously. To dispel anger during the middle of an argument, just start laughing. It will put everyone at ease. It is a powerful little gadget, this laughter.
Or if you're nervous about taking a test, laugh about it and say: "So what if I fail. Maybe I'll break the world record for the lowest score!" That sort of joking will relax you and make you more likely to pass the test.
Even just feigning laughter can lift your spirits and relax you. Get yourself a favorite joke that will work at all times and laugh. Remind yourself of that joke and you will start laughing. Laughing when you don't feel like it can itself be funny!

Annual Dinner 2005

2005-09-05T00:15:00.001+05:00

There was tension in the air but excitement as well, fear but courage at the same time, joy but a taste of anguish with it, a real perplexed situation all in all as the night of Annual Dinner approached. We arrived at the university just in time to catch the real stuff. The lawn was already filled with students of all Classes, some of them coming with their parents. There were colors all around. Everyone was well suited for the occasion. I arrived precisely on time when the skids started. T.E rocked the whole arena with their tremendous screenplay and awesome performances especially by Jiwani. He was just brilliant in his act and so was Fahad acting as Dean of the department. Then it was Dinner time and after that the usual photo session started. Everyone was taking pictures everywhere. I stared in them myself but not a lot. I took a few as well. Then the real fun started. All boys started dancing and clapping outside the university and it was a real fiasco. All of them were dancing like addicts. There was a huge traffic jam but no one seemed to care. We joined in the fun for a little while then we (most of my friends including myself) headed off to “Sea View” just to have a cup of nice warm tea in the fresh and windy air near the sea side. It was a very long drive and tiresome drive but enjoyed thoroughly. Then off we went to our homes having a good night out.
Well it’s not the end of the story. There’s always another side to it and it’s the real deal. Since we live in South Asia and here people have cultural background, ethics and moral values which are very significant. But human nature is same whether you live in Asia or in Europe. The only difference is that in West, the one (he/she) interested in someone asks one (he/she) out usually within no time. “Do like to have coffee?” But here it’s a totally different scenario. It takes at least 5 to 6 years to do the same thing. Well it was a perfect setting for those daredevils. They had prepared themselves for this ordeal for many a month now. All that practice was to be put into use. Most of them fared well and the others failed and there were also who he had their mind made up and had gathered all their courage but didn’t say a word when the time came. So, all in all, a very good dinner for some and a poor one for others. As for me it was a mixed bag. I did get to talk to my sisters who rock by the way and had a great fight with my “once” best friend and there was this other thing too which some people will never know.
Just a reminder that I wasn’t involved in the whole getting hitched up matter because “My heart belongs to someone else”.

After a long time

2005-08-29T14:41:00.000+05:00

Its been a long time since I've posted and the reason being obvious. Its the end of session and all the teachers seem to have woken at the same time. There's hardly any day when there is no test or viva so it was pretty hard to write something. But hopefully now I will be more consistent in posting my views.

Success!!!

2005-08-01T12:15:00.000+05:00

Finally I was able to create a blog for myself after endless failures . The system seemed to be screwed as it was unable to detect the pin which I am pretty sure I was entering correct, as I did showed it to a couple of friends of mine, who agreed unanimously that th enterd pin was correct.
I was really furious but kept on trying and eventually my persistance paid up as I finally, was able to create a blog and here I am with my first post.