Truth is stranger than fiction

Some movies tend to instil faith in life and yourself. Soul Surfer is one such film which gives a heart-warming message. Based on a true story, it’s about a girl named Bethany Hamilton who aspires to be a professional surfer. She is all set to participate in the competition to win the title. However fate takes its cruel turn as she loses an arm in a brutal shark attack. The story goes on to narrate how she copes up after this traumatic experience. Her courage and grit propels her to take a plunge into the waves again. She takes part in the competition and manages to score points for her highest wave. However due to the incompletion of her surf within the time limit, she loses out on the title. The beautiful dialogue follows this climax where she says even though she didn’t win, the last wave did make a difference. The movie teaches one a lot. Winning isn’t everything in life. What matters is whether the attempt makes a difference to our state of mind. Despite losing an arm, Bethany do...

Often road journeys and travel to exotic locations makes one discover a part of their personality which was probably oblivious to them till that moment. It takes probably one of many moments for that realization to dawn. Zindagi na milegi dobara is one such film which takes you through that soul stirring journey. The story begins with three friends from College deciding to go on a trip as a Bachelor party as one of them is tying the knot soon. The entire adventure in Spain brings out the inner demons one is fighting with and how they conquer it by the end of the trip. The movie cruises through its fine moments and embarks some thrilling adventures. Scuba Diving in the Mediterranean Sea makes Hrithik discover a whole different world altogether which enables him to feel the magic in his life. Sky Diving sends a whoop of delight amidst the viewer’s tempting them to indulge in the same. The tomato festival in Spain is highlighted in a vibrant manner as well. Lastly, the traditional bull fi...

Whoever said growing a year older meant doomsday? In fact, progression with each stage means an opening of a whole new world altogether. It means reflecting on your past experiences with feelings of nostalgia and a wistful smile, gearing up for newer experiences that life has to offer. It even gets better just like a bottle of wine. Every year sure does signify the ability to know yourself even better, come to terms with who you are and what you want out of life. It means more surety, more confidence and a certain amount of grace that adorns your persona like a piece of velvet clothing. That symbolizes a certain amount of soul searching that one tends to do and needs to stay in tune with your inner self. So here is the million dollar question: Who am I? 5 Years ago, my answer would have been that of an impish 24 year old who had hardly seen the world. However today I can proudly say, I am someone born to make the most out of life. I am someone born to bring about a difference in other...

They say breaks are rejuvenating!! It sure does feel good to be back after a two month hiatus. The last couple of months have been pretty eventful. Travelled to Egypt and had quite an educational and adventurous trip. After which the IPL tournament got me hooked on being the cricket buff that I am. Being a staunch supporter of Mumbai Indians propelled me to go to every game of them and enjoy the stadium atmosphere. They played really well and it was disappointing to watch them lose in the finals. After which the Mumbai heat took a toll on me making it impossible to even think, leave alone write about something. Now that the monsoons are here, the weather has finally bestowed its kindness upon us. It feels like a station out here and my School has started. So its back to work again. Also I had visited this Tiger reserve last weekend called Tadoba which is in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. It was a wonderful experience spotting a tiger. So have a lot of travel write ups to work on. ...

Swimming deftly in schools, the colourful species seemed to exist in a world of their own. Yet they didn’t appear lost to an extent where they failed to recognize a masked stranger in their abode. They were probably used to seeing the cylinder hooked species with false fins occasionally haunting their aquatic town. However it still didn’t deter them from that initial reaction of being startled or wary. Reassurance by merely admiring them from a safe distance through a series of bubbles gradually instilled the confidence in them to get used to us visitors. As we wandered about in the world of corals and vertebrates, it was indeed hard to break away from this enchanting spell cast upon us as the pressure gauge often nudged to us the time limit underwater. No sooner did we get to know the water folk than it was time to ascend to the surface. They were immersed in their own bustling activities not paying heed so much as we bid farewell to this mesmerizing marine world. It almost felt like...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=7e7c3f88-e243-43ca-93bf-22b00ca491d1 She tossed her mass of curls behind her shoulders as she looked at the mass of waves crashing on the shore. They seem to be restless, underlying with currents just like her current state of mind. It’s been six years she thought. It seemed like a long time ago yet the memories came flooding back to her just like it all happened yesterday. Who would have thought that she would return to the same place which depicted traces of her past? As she stared at the stormy sea, her mind took a trip down memory lane as an image of her bubbly twenty one year old flashed in front of her. Naive and oblivious to the realities of the world, she had lived in a world of her own. Blissfully and madly in love, she envisioned nothing except flowers, candle light dinners, sunset and long walks by the sea. Little did she realize that the candy floss romance she was engulfed in would ironically lead he...

'It's the simple things in life that keeps us from going crazy'! Came across this while going through one of Ruskin Bond's books who happens to be one of my favourite authors. His descriptive style of writing is indeed appealing to the readers, transporting them back to the lush green planes of Dehradun where most of the authors' works are based on. Coming back to the thought provoking statement above, I couldn't help but think that how true and pertinent it was. With external issues existing in abundance in several aspects of our lives, resorting to the simplest things acts as a stress buster not to mention the immense solace that it provides. Since my professional life consists of a great deal of cerebration, resorting to simple things becomes a necessity. Here are a few things which work wonders for me and makes me feel like a magic wand has just cast a spell on me. Catching up on a movie: This is usually a must do every weekend/week day at times either on ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=082ccd88-8c02-43ab-a14d-c4ebe0c9b053 What began as a casual conversation ended up as one that instigated thought provoking questions within me. After the exchange of the usual pleasantries and polite inquiries, the topic somehow took a turn that delved deep into the human psyche. Being a Psychologist, human behaviour, thoughts, actions, words uttered never fail to evoke fascination and curiosity. A few experiences narrated by those conversationalists made me realize how common such instances were and probably occurred in most people’s lives including mine. One of them chose to narrate an incident in a social set up. Apparently amidst a group of friends, discussions taking place range from tongue in cheek remarks to intense ones which give rise to pertinent points of heated arguments. And if it is not ended amicably, it could result in a lot of resentment and bad blood, especially when unwarranted labelling happe...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=0891773e-8596-4171-8ecc-5bc17d61eccf Life comes in varied colours. How humans perceive them in different shades is what makes it interesting and mystifying at the same time. Some view it as a spectrum of the rainbow. While others view it in black and white interspersed with shades of grey. It’s surprising to note certain not so privileged individuals’ ability to view it as a reflection of paradise even if fate did not seem fair to them. These are ironies which make one marvel at such optimism and pity those possessing the grey shades of bitterness and pessimism. Majid Majidi's‘The Color of Paradise’ is a simple yet endearing story of a visually challenged motherless boy and how destiny unites him with his father. The film starts off with 8 year old Mohammad waiting for his father eagerly to go home for summer vacation. As the boy reaches the village, he is received with immense affection by his grandmother an...

The last few weeks have been unbearable. The weather hasn’t been kind enough with its temperatures so high that it feels like Mercury has descended upon earth. Not to mention the monotony and the usual routine that makes you long for a good getaway. What could be more heavenly than that of being near the sea side? Added to which this is one place not many seemed to have explored or visited. So looking forward to yet another travel expedition into these lovely islands. The pictures seem to indicate a promising venture into more than what meets the eye. A list of to do activities have been made and I sure hope that I don’t come away disappointed or accompanied with feelings of regret. The time factor is bound to be a hurdle of course. But like my other trips I hope to manage to make the most of my limited resources-time solely. For some strange reason I have never been so excited about a holiday, considering the pre-vacation syndrome of my earlier travels. Guess the 26/11 incident increa...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=a4dc3d3f-14c0-4ec9-b741-4cc0d5d2c2cf It’s not every movie which makes you draw inferences from what was mistaken for a light hearted entertainer at least from the promos. However when it does, it ceases one to indulge in cerebral rumination marvelling at how similar the scenarios depicted in the film are to real life ones. ‘Barah Aana’ may not have gotten rave reviews. Neither does it live up to high expectations. However certain instances with its twists and turns did make me ponder about the ironical stance that was brought out eventually. The story is about 3 men belonging to the under privileged section of the society-a driver, a watchman and a waiter who are thick friends. The film showcases the frustrations exhibited by each character and their cynical view to life. All three lead a simple living until an unexpected turn of events bring about shades of grey, succumbing them into a trap of treacherous crime ...

It’s true that travel is no doubt the best teacher. Indeed it opens your mind to a gateway of experiences making it seeming almost surreal and yet portrays a reality that leaves you awe inspiring. Exploring into various parts of the world, right from remote corners of poverty, to plush locales of silver sand beaches amidst the heights of luxury denotes an exhilarating experience in different ways. Over the past few years I have travelled like never before on a frequent basis all over the country and abroad. Intriguing and enthralling experiences is what I come away with as souvenirs with each location leaving its imprint in a firm manner. It’s astounding to realize that there’s so much to see and so little time. Every time I return from a vacation, my mind traverses back to the list of to see places already planning for a next getaway. Call it impatience, restlessness or morbidity as it makes me want to live life like there’s no tomorrow. But isn’t it true that while one day everything...

Received this via email... This is so true (for many of us growing up in the 90s too).... life does come a full circle. Though I do wonder what this generation is going to say to the next abt what was hard for them??!! Of course for the technophobic...life was probably way easier in the 80s When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking Twenty-five miles to school every morning Uphill... barefoot in the snow. BOTH ways Yadda, yadda, yadda And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it but you kids today don't know ...

- By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=fa3181c3-e68f-4762-b6da-24d36792614e He screeched his brakes to a final halt and jingled his keys as he got out. Entering his lavish residence, he was greeted by his housekeeper who had laid his tea. Munching on the gooey macaroon, he was soon lost in deep thought over the day’s events which had consisted of continuous teasing by his gang in college. The same old label of a ‘spoilt rich kid’ was tagged repeatedly accompanied by remarks of not knowing the real world/ having it too easy in life. Driving his car had been the last straw. Such remarks seemed to be the latest fad that was doing its rounds. It was similar to that of the torn jeans that were once a rage and which nobody wanted to tame. It was a pity he realized that he of all people proved to be a guinea pig for tickling others’ funny bone. True that he possessed unlimited resources, latest gadgets, exotic vacations including his cool demeanour; thin...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=50230cb5-a128-4d59-bbef-2a8de3b72ce9 Often I found myself wondering what a real home would feel like. I often encountered fatigue as I roamed about aimlessly on the crowded streets of the busy city. My mother’s face felt like a distant image making me ruminate whether it had all existed in reality. I was mercilessly estranged from her for no fault of mine and immersed in solitude. Homeless, helpless and hungry I prayed earnestly hoping that my begging eyes would touch a kind soul to spare me a few crumbs. However all I encountered were a few grumpy shopkeepers who found me to be nothing but a nuisance. It was those big bins; I recall which provided a scarce meal of remains thrown in by the neighborhood folks. Nights were spent in lonely barns, with the hoot of a hunting owl startling me out of my wits. I missed the cozy warmth especially when the fleeting winds pounded furiously in an eerie manner. I strolled on t...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=f9f9c01a-89ac-4753-8c09-49ece0a850d0 “So where are you from?” Payal looked up startled from her contemplation mode which she usually indulged in while watching waves crash ashore. It was her friendly new neighbor out on her evening walk who paused on seeing her. It was a question she had been asked several times. Where did she actually belong? It had been three years in this city and yet she felt she had lived all her life here. She had learnt the street smart ways of getting her way around, well settled in her career with a decent social life. Never once did she feel the pangs of the infamous ‘homesickness’ that she had seen innumerable times amidst her fellow migrants from various parts. There was more than one reason for this. She cringed as she often did on thinking back to her past experiences which often stifled her like a plant trapped in a box room. All through her life mountains seemed to have been creat...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=8131298d-cc3d-4c8d-840b-646149fe5ccb It isn't every phone conversation usually on a casual basis that leaves one in contemplation about life. While one side of it portrays colors of vivacity, it certainly doesn't hesitate to show its shades of grey many a time. To an extent where its bonded souls ponder over the unfair treatment meted out to those who in the least deserve it. It was on the way back home after an arduous day at work, that I punched the numbers furiously to catch up with my mom after ages. Our busy schedules often trespass our ability to communicate often. It was a quiet hello that greeted me which I assumed to be a result of a taxing corporate drone. On exchanging our usual banter, a sudden spurt of news jolted me out of my wits. "Do you remember my friend?" As I carelessly stated a yes, glancing out of the window at the passer by folks, little did I realize that I would be met w...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=20750d14-a7e7-487a-8f24-e2f977fb7288 He swam furiously through the unusually hazy waters looking frantically for Leonard-his one and only son. He flapped his fins, each which depicted an unmistakable anxiety as his search grew vigorous with every passing moment. Never could he leave his little one alone, he thought as a puzzled octopus sleepily looked at him in bemusement. “Has anyone seen Leo”, he asked every passer-by as they shook their heads in amazement. Darcy will never learn they thought. Laughter and squeals were soon heard in the vicinity. It seemed to come from the amusement coral park nearby as he turned sharply in that direction. There he was-dear old Leo, his nine year old son who was found in the company of his fellow mates-the sea horse and the notorious turtle. Embarrassment followed suit along with the pursuit of a sound scolding for wandering off carelessly as Leo hung his head. Partly due to be...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=4c5e76f4-f0d7-4af0-a754-fd89f7db58ab “Good job. I trust that this presentation will go well with the clients. Good luck in your venture Saahil.” The words acted as a stimulant like his morning cup of tea which would jolt him out of his lethargic mode of the morning daze. Nothing like your boss’s encouraging statement which feels like you have emerged as a winner even before the job is done. The last five years since he moved to a new city spelt a different him as his growth spurt shot up like Jack’s beanstalk. As he packed his bags to go catch his flight to his hometown, thoughts reflected to and fro between his past and his present. After his graduation he migrated to a new city to start afresh. Indeed it had turned out to have been a lucky charm in terms of his career and his personal life as well. So much had happened that he viewed life in an entirely different light unlike the starry picture he had back then...

Why is it that one always has to lose one thing in order to find another? Is it synonymous of the saying “you win some, you lose some’? Or is it the fact that in order to gain something one must realize the significance of loss and wonder if it turns out to be insignificant after all. I cannot help but ponder about these thoughts that usually find their entry into my cognitive space as the year begins to gradually bid farewell to its beloved folks. Reminiscence is often a key thing for an individual just like an annual report of an organization. 2008 started out with a bang as January 1st had a breaking dawn on the sandy beaches of Goa. The sight of the glistening sand by the rays of the sun for some reason gave me a ray of hope that ’08 would indeed turn out to be a new year in more than one way. It signified hope, change and enthralling discoveries that would make me gape in wonderment. Nevertheless it did but not without the usual bumpy roller coaster ride that one undergoes, this ...