Eyes With Fire Will See Light Everywhere

As I was falling from the plane from 13300 ft with a speed of 200Km/hr, I felt very much relieved as I completed my bucket list that was created five years back.I became free from it. I was so attached to the bucket list that there was a background process running all the time in my mind to complete the bucket list. Freedom is unexplainable experience. I did not know how to express it and I felt like running running running and running. The moment I landed on the ground, I got an impression that half of my life was over. In the movie language, the first half was over and the interval time had arrived. Bazinga!!! Looking back, life was mostly passive till third year of my engineering education. Life spurted during the final year. Then it started to scrawl then to walk then to sprint then to run. Past 6 to 7 years, life was at a very good rush: Ignorance recognized, ego brought down, confidence unveiled, courage uncovered, love craved, character built, innocence protected, youthful vi...

After spending and traveling in different countries and various cities, staying in some of the best hotels, living in different apartments,houses and homes, I realized one of the best times I spent was the time I spent in the bathrooms. In the bathrooms, I do not need to pretend, feel shy and carry worries.Bathroom is the place that provides me the space to sing, dance , become lazy and finally become me. I do not have to carry the guard with me inside it. There is a significant difference between taking shower and taking bath. Taking bath is altogether is a different experience. It not only cleanses the body but also the mind. PS: Have u ever taken a leisure bath in a tub? If no try it once, before that google how to take a bath.

I always intrigued by the way people communicate. Initially I thought communication can only happen through words. If I have to say even more specifically, I was brought up based on the assumption that communication means talking in english. I lived with that assumption for almost 22 years. I never studied arts. I am was an engineer. I  was taught and I always thought analytically. I vividly remember the day, when I saw two people commuting in the city bus conversing through the hands. I understood nothing but I saw magic in their hands. Their eyes were sharp and focused. I think that was my first conscious observation of human body language. I had a emotionless face. While I was training for the campus placements during my under graduation days, the trainer said to me "you are talking as if you are talking to a stone" (these were the exact words she said). I was stunned. I didn't know how to put emotion into what I said. I never experienced any emotions at that time a...

After my interview for Peer Career Advisor position at my B-school, I was just chatting with the interviewer casually and asked him why americans celebrate special "thanksgiving" day when they should be thankful each and every day. The interviewer said that "that is true, however if they forgot to do so they will make it on the thanksgiving day." This triggered a thought in me; Why should I take this opportunity to say thanks to all my friends as I never mentioned them tangibly. The only concern was, I came from a culture where saying thanks to friends and family is considered over action and it does not mean anything to them So, to avoid that I decided to write genuine thanks notes to each and everybody, sharing what they really mean to me. No exaggeration at all. Real,genuine and straight from my heart content for all. After reading my e-thanks notes, some responded with just thanks, some wrote another thanks notes ,some wrote even lengthier thanks notes than...

Dance forms in south america especially cuba, is a way of life. People walk and talk through dance. One can express so much in dance which cannot be put in words. I really like to dance with people who explains what each step means rather than just say 1-2-3-4. So, I happened to cross this group who were practicing Lezginka dance and over heard the choreographer explaining the essence of the dance. This was the first time I heard someone teaching dance by explaining its essence and concept. I stopped. I watched and then asked them whether I could join; they said more than welcome. Cut cheste, I performed Lezginka dance form last saturday. My second dance performance since joining the MBA college. So what is Lezginka? What it's meaning ? What were we doing ? Lezginka :(dictionary definition) :  a courtship dance of the Caucasus mountains in which the woman moves with graceful ease while the man dances wildly about her. Check out the performance of my team: The men were...

Firing people is a common practice in american culture. It just comes so naturally to americans. This is a way of  eradicating bottleneck, conflict or problem. When ever there is a discussion in the MBA class or a casual  chit chatting with the american students, firing is one of the first answers I hear when it comes to people related problems. Every time I hear firing from my fellow class mates, I wonder do they know what that means. Firing people is the most toughest thing.Many companies will outsource it to third parties. The firing manager must have a strong mind set. The after effect of firing people is so exhausting and disturbing.The top management do not look firing as people thing,they look it in terms of money for the obvious reasons. Firing people gets manipulates into break ups in terms of personal relationships. Eventually you are doing the same thing,sending people out from your life. Break-ups can be with anybody.Either professionally or personally sending...

There was a phase in my life where I was restless, impatience, angry,lazy,inconsiderate, showing lack of commitment/engagement, conflict, unappreciative and fake. You can check the glimpse of that phase here . But two years from then i.e., today I more subtle,funny, real,appreciative and accommodating. What caused the changed in me ?  The answer goes in the lines of the "RoCkStAr" movie. As in the movie, I was looking something that will tear me apart so that the real me comes out of the concealment. The movie showed me, what happens when you put strong emotion into life. A similar suggestion was given by my friend Manoj. I unconsciously started putting emotions into the some part of my life. As time went by, those emotions become stronger and stronger and spread across relationships and goals. There is no unfortunate or fortunate with stronger emotions.One will be on cloud 9 if emotions turns into positive energies otherwise one will hit the bottom.Worst part is one can...

I am making it official now, my new nick name would be "Chocolate." Considering the difficulty of people from other cultures having pronouncing my name and to save them of being guilt for unable to pronounce my name correctly,I took this decision. I have even tested my new nick name on children, recruiters at the career fairs and strangers and the results are significantly positive. When I allow people to call me chocolate, there is big relief followed by huge smile in their faces. Couldn't ask for more. If your name makes someone smile, isn't it amazing!!!.The conversation followed henceforth is much more relaxing and engaging. Most of all my new nick name, if not anything else, would be easy to remember. Thanks to my chinese friends who have given me such a memorable name. Initially, I was so pissed off when I say my name almost all chinese got it as "chocolate."I thought of shouting at them that there is a light year distance between Chakravarthy and C...

These are the days of historical significance across the world. Irrespective of which industry one is working, he/she has a high chance of being in the part of the history. For all those people born in late 80s and early 90s, who missed being in part of independence revolution, industrial revolution , IT revolution and who always wanted to be part of the revolution or transformation, this is a best chance to be part of the history. These are the days where earning money is becoming difficult, gone are the days of easy money. Almost all developed markets have become matured, Oil crisis is not far away, Real estate bubble in Asian countries,Computer industry is struggling to make profits, globalization is no more a buzz word, less stable countries are breaking down completely, green house effect is showing stronger impact, many nations and states are on the verge of bankruptcy, immigration to different countries for work permit is getting more difficult etc., I guess we are reaching...

When the VP of outdoor activities announced in a team meeting that we would be hiking for the highest peak in Arizona state, I was excited as a event coordinator and as a participant. As soon as I came to my room and googled about the peak and I decided I should make it at any cost. After the our first module exams and assignments, I had a day off before I can start for the hike. I spent the day off completing relaxing : spending ample time in bath tub bathing, listening to some of my favorite songs and reading books. On the D-day, I rushed to the parking lot at 5:00 AM in the morning, I woke up at 4:10 AM and had slept just 5 hours the last night. We split as per the cars availability and I ended with a mexican born American gal. One of my friend who was supposed to join us, got locked out in the room and had to take the next car. The drive to the hiking spot from my college was two and half hours. I thought of sleeping in the car but as things turned out I not only need to be awak...

Rugby club is one of the most active competitive club at Thunderbird. The day I came to know about it I decided I would be part of the club. After all competitiveness is one of the attributes of the student life. Before Rugby club I joined couple more clubs at Thunderbird, but none of them caught my attention. The sense of participation is there but not the sense of belonging.On my first day at practice, I was surprised. The club embraced me to its heart. The reception was overwhelming. I find the sense of belonging and warmth of the brotherhood and gentlemenship. After the first day of practice I recommended the club to one of my friends and he shared the same experience. Practices were going fine and then one day the club announced a practice match on saturday followed by celebrations party. I was excited. After completing my final strategy exam, I ran with excitement, curiosity and energy to the ground. But soon received a surprise. My captain said that I would be on bench and se...

Has it ever happened to you? While you are speaking to specific somebody and Your eyes start twinkling Your lips start smiling Your cheeks get the glow Your ears raise to pay utmost attention Your heartbeat raises with the excitement Your mind feels the curiosity Your blood pressure raises instantly and you do not know what the rest of the body is doing. Fortunately it happened to me and keeps happening every time I talk to that specific somebody. It is wonderful,delicious and overwhelming.It is liking 'Living' in THE moment.I am very thankful and grateful to that someone.

In the movie Rocky VI,  Sylvester Stallone, who was in retirement after a successful boxing career, lacks something in life and he still thinks he had some bit of boxing left in him. So he goes for a final fight when he was challenged by his junior. I was in similar situation after five years into my consulting career. I felt I lacked something and I needed more. Finally I end up at Thunderbird School of Global Management to pursue MBA. I am glad to be back as a student. Being student has its own advantages.The vigor and valor are back, full time for 'fun-time', personality guards are off, flirting and making mischief are on cards, creativity and competition take the front seat, your perceptions change as you listen from professors, international students and yourself. You become much more receptive as a student. Your brain starts functioning full time. You cherish the time that would become good memories and form friends for your life time. Becoming international student ...

Things have taken a about-turn once I reached the US of America.Like in a movie where the ill-fated gal kisses a boy and her fate takes a drastic turn leading to all good things. Similar drastic turn had happened in my life after reaching US. First thing: I got a dorm at the starting of the block. Which means I do not have to walk much.So what ? It is a very very very good thing happened to me. In the last twelve years wherever I stayed at a rented house/ hostel or wherever I worked, I used to walk a lot of distance. My house would be corner one in the lane and my office would be the last building in the tech-park or in the office campus. I used to walk walk walk and walk(sometimes two kilometers at a single stretch). Now I just don't have to do walk more. KEWL. Just imagine a thing which was bothering you for so long and suddenly it gets disappeared. How do you feel? Another best part, library is just beside my dorm and gym is just behind my dorm so more less walk. Second thi...

As my every travel includes a surprise, traveling to the US of America has set of surprises. Surprise 1:As soon as I reached the Hyderabad international airport, famous music director "Devi Sri Prasad" passed by me. Nice !!! Surprise 2: As I went to check-in my baggage it turn out that I was carrying  seven kgs more than the allowed limit. I end up paying  18K rupees just because the weighing machine at my house showed me wrong measurement. Damn!!!! Suprise 3 : Teju came to meet me at the airport in her car ( she just started driving so its a big thing ). Wow !!!  Floored. Suprise 4: Film actress Kangana Ranaut and ME got into the same flight from Mumbai to Germany and she was just standing in front of me while boarding the flight. She was pretty and beautiful in complete contrast to how she appeared in the movies. Cool!!!. Suprise 5 : As soon as I landed at Pheonix international airport a old american couple came to receive me. I just love someone receiving me. The cou...

Tests after tests, edits after reedits, discussions after discussions, efforts after efforts, interviews after interviews, negotiations after negotiations, hurdles after hurdles, phone calls after phone calls, rejections after rejections and finally thinking after thinking I decided to pursue MBA @Thunderbird School of Global Management.  But behind the decision there is almost one year of unwavering "one last effort” to pursue MBA, five years of continuous failed attempts to get over the idea of MBA desire, ten years of a dream to study in a top notch college and to have a decent sleep. All these factors contributed me to look over different B-schools across the world. I searched and applied for different schools in CANADA, EUROPE, SINGAPORE, INDIA, Africa and USA. During this process I came to know about different educational systems in the world and where more scholarships are available and how education is taught across the world. One thing I can conclude is if ...

It took me almost 5.5 years to make a profit of one million Rupees. Not that I saved everything even I had my share of lavish spending and decent losses. As per the money norms from here on it should not take 5.5 years to make another one million. I am eager to experience the norm.

When should one consider a difficulty as a Omen or a Hurdle ? Or Is the question about How ? Let me elucidate my question more clearly. Consider a scenario where you wanted "something." In the process of achieving that something you are welcomed with bunch of difficulties or setbacks. Do you consider those difficulties a bad Omen and give up what you wanted or you consider the difficulties a hurdle and cross it to get what you wanted? Whatever you chose you cannot UNDO it. You have to live with it. That's irony of the life. The choice becomes even more difficult depending upon the intensity of the something you want and the costly risk residing beside that something. Adding to this there would be fear of failure, different opinions, one's own limitations, social pressures and finally sarcasm. How do we go about this? If we sit and think about it , we will break our heads. If we talk with the people about it we will be bombarded with different views like be op...

Even after 9 years of the song release, I am able still able to connect with the lyrics of the song. I still sing this song every now and then.I feel like this song is written for me. kudos to Javed Akthar saab. My current state of ming exactly suits to the lyrics of the song. Main aisa Kyun Hoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you name a person whom you know personally in the following criteria? A Person cracking CIVILS on his/her own without any coaching. A person leaving his/her job and starting his/her own business. A person getting admitted into top universities. A person earning 15 Lakhs in one day from stock market. A person who became very rich from real estate business. A person made it into film industry. A person who participates in IRON MAN Competition. A person who just takes break every 2 months in a year and travels exclusively. Till couple of years back I used hear about the people listed above either through media or through some random third person. I never met them before or never seen them before. But today as I write this post I know those people directly. They are some of my friends. We all started from same colony or in same class or in same company. I just remained as a spectator while some of my friends performed miracles. Being a spectator s...

One of the best inventions that the ‘man’kind should be proud of is the invention of Boxers. The comfort, the flexibility and the designs in which they come make me feel great inside. This is the best alternative for the facing the scorching heat during the extreme summers and normal summers. Who ever invented this Kudos to you boss. Though people wont remember you name your invention will definitely be remembered.

It took nearly three and half years to get the new tattoo inked on my body. This tattoo has a special significance to me as it represents me psychologically and emotionally. The inception of the idea of getting tattooed has begun when I met Aparna Sarepaka (alias Appy) who is an amazing artist (One of few best artists I have known till date) and was amazed by her designs and sketches. I asked her whether she could help me out in sketching myself for a tattoo. She agreed and asked me to fill a template about likes / dislikes and interests /disinterests. She actually sent me some designs but those are cluttered and needed some modifications. I requested her to do the same. Meanwhile she got busy with her exams and then with her life and the project went on HOLD.Then I worked independently looking lot of designs in different cultures and trying to match to my philosophy in life.Nothing got materialized. After sometime I met Tejaswi Damaraju , an architect with immense interest in des...

What I meant by the title is just reading is not enough; we have to live the principles in the book to experience superior life indicated in the books. I have read so many books in the last eight years but none touched my conscience as strongly as the following three books: Seven habits of highly effectively People Four Agreements Leadership and its self-deception Personally I feel the latter two books addresses the issues that the first one has not considered and keep one from not getting carried away. The latter two books show us the strong opposing residing within us for leading a superior life. I am not telling it would be easy to start living the principles suggested in the books. But we can give a try. While I was readings these books I encountered the ugliness within me and how there are lot of forces within me that are hindering me without allowing to lead a simpler and superior life. What I meant by superior life is to lead life in a way wher...

One of my architecture friends is fighting against all odds to make her own space and gain respect. One of my budding actor friends is pushing himself very hard to make big in the movie industry. The iron walla at the end of my street is working day and night in different jobs so that he can able to meet the needs of his family in this inflated world. One of my friend’s friend inspite of his disability does one thing or another in order to prove a single point  “ disability is not to the mind.” One of my friends who work in a night job travels to Hyderabad every weekend just to spend one day with his family and make them happy. One of my friends at work stretched himself every day from 7:30 PM to 12:00 am for the past three months to give a dance performance for 20-30 minutes. Lastly one of my friends who took the responsibility of his family (of 5) thinks, works and stresses himself very relentlessly to meet their needs and desires and neve...

The only thing that I had been doing constantly in the last one year apart from eating, sleeping and working is reading, reading and then again reading.  I read biographies, autobiographies, extreme philosophies, fiction, non-fiction, and interesting stories about history, politics, religion, economics, and sports. After digesting all the views, opinions, arguments now I cannot subscribe to any of the those ideas :P.  After the intense study I feel everybody’s point is correct and there is nothing like wrong or incorrect. Now a days I am not even arguing with anybody as there is no point because people are right in their own ways.  Realizing this made me lose the unnecessary burden I had in my head. The Point is not to abandon different views but to embrace them, as they are all part of the truth. When a white light (truth) passes through a prism it diverges into seven colors. The person looking through the one of the color thinks his/ her version of trut...

After almost working on a goal for 12 months I felt like taking a break and finally decided to visit Auroville for 3 days. After coming from Auroville many people asked me what is Auroville. It is very difficult to tell what is Auroville. Most people wont get it at the first place. Even I do not have a clear idea about it. One cannot categorize it because what is happening over there is some thing, which cannot be categorized and should not be categorized. One can only use analogy to explain Auroville  : If it  were a door, it would be a door opening onto another door which opens to another door, which then opens onto yet another door and each door is larger than the one before. Got it? If no please stay at Auroville and do not just visit it.   Coming back to  my experience, after  initial hiccups for finding accommodation we finally ended up at Youth camp, fortunately this is  one of the best place to stay for various reasons. Firstly t...

PS: The only way is always to move forward. PPS: This is my 100th Post :) 

Being marriages season coincided with valentine’s eve most of the people at office took leave, the population is very meager. I asked one of my colleagues for lunch outside the office. He agreed. Initially we thought of going to any near by dhaba but due to my colleague mood swings we ended up at the “Dialogue in the Dark”, the darkest restaurant in the city.  I initially thought it would be any other restaurant but when we opened the doors I was surprised. It was decorated completely with heart shaped red balloons and bunch of packed gifts on the desk , the staff taking the pictures of the couples who came into and in short  it was in the festive mood of  valentine’s day. The staff are expecting couples. We were the ODD Couple out there.  Obviously we did not receive any special attention from the staff thus got saved from their artificial social niceties or they say customer experience. We waited for our turn to pay the bill. Yes you heard it right. We need t...

Sufism is neither a religion nor a cult. Hazrat Inayat Khan, a Sufi philosopher and practitioner himself, describes it as, "Any person who has knowledge of both outer and inner life is a Sufi.” Sufism, as the mystical dimension of Islam, preaches peace, tolerance and pluralism, while encouraging music as a way of deepening one's relationship with the Creator. Based on the mystical branch of Islam, Sufi music seeks to unite listeners with the Divine. The pain of separation from the Creator is at the core of Sufi lyrics and music; and hence the intense longing to dissolve the physical realm and transcend into the spiritual universe with Sama's, the practice of listening to music, chanting and whirling, and finally culminating in spiritual ecstasy. Sound and music is thus central for the core experience of Sufism, since music is regarded as a means for the believer to get closer to the divine. Sufi music therefore is the music of the 'soul' by...