This, I share a wonderful experience of discovering Pune through the event named “@PAR 2013” organized by TCS! :)
For those who are wondering what is “PAR”? That is Pune Adventure Race.
I know this is a bad start, but really don’t know how do I express! Just an awesome experience. In typical Puneri style…BHAARI! :D
We started at around 5.30 in the morning from home, to reach the start point (Mangaldas Office) in time (so that we should not get disqualified ;)) and then some formalities, followed by team photography and breakfast. Seeing 63 teams altogether, was really the one, seeing which you actually get that “competitive feeling”.
Later, when the questions or the clues for the Pune places were given, the excitement and fun rose! Yeah, the clues, kept me stunned. No wonder, my helping committee (the backend – family and friends) could find any except say, 3 to 4 out of 21. Rest all we managed finding ourselves! Yeah!
Oh yeah, the clues for IUCAA, Wadeshwar (a restaurant in front of the tree planted by the Chief Minister, of which the fruits were sent to the Prime Minister), Katraj Snake Park (for the Tanaji confusion), & the ‘Half of Shakespeare’ (Ram Ganesh Gadkari) were the ultimate ones! Hardly one or two teams could crack these. Sadly, even we couldn’t crack. Once we were done with the clues, and the watch warned us that it is high time, start riding, we started our PAR, with covering places from Mangaldas to Magarpatta to East Street to Swargate to Laxmi Road and Mandai to Karve Road to Aundh-Baner to Balewadi, and finally making it to SP (Sahyadri Park, Hinjewadi) through the hustle and bustle of the city and so many other PAR riders to be overtaken through!
We also did crazy things like wasting around 8 kms. over some wrong clue, of course realized later :p Also, getting the team clicked in front of McDonalds’ was funny, because, later when seeing our answer as McDonalds’, there was nothing but giggles! :D Not just this, but we also visited an auditorium, just to see what is the instrument kept at that particular location, at the eleventh hour! Anyway, we reported with the answers at sharp 4:54 pm with a satisfying smile!
The sunny climate, the 100+km drive along with the souvenirs, the awesome team photograph and the fun-filled moments filled our PAR experience basket with smiles and joy! :)
The clues for the treasure hunt led to discovering some key location/ monument of Pune. And the best thing for photo-crazy person like me, was to click & get clicked at every clue! No wonder in front of every place, of all my team members, I was the default one :P
*I am ‘Made in Pune’ ;) but discovered quite a lot of Pune during the race!
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Written Media
Written media has this magic! You get to write and confess everything; you've been hesitating to speak about! Take an example of blogs ;) Or remember all those messenger or g-talk chats where one went on to talk to one’s friend for hours! One doesn't speak so much to his/her friend probably on phone (besides, one has to worry about horrifying bills, right?) or in presence, too. Be it any emotion, happiness, joy, guilt, sorrow, forgiveness, confession, fights; *text* magic has always worked! And does it not feel very special, when all of a sudden; you get a message from your friend at midnight, saying something, which gives you an emotional high? :)
Thursday 3 October 2013
Not so funny
We frequently come across jokes, posts, articles, incidents (at meetups, parties, etc.) on women. I read quite a few posts, where people have actually written with concern. Have just clubbed them, added my views and here it follows.
We often hear jokes about women, girlfriends and wives (more often the last two) shared in the workplace. The punch line is usually something to the effect of "Women shop, men pay" or "Women have fun, men work" or "Girlfriends = Time x Money" and so on. It's usually dismissed as a joke and a woman who objects of finds it offensive and is considered to not have a sense of humor or of being too serious a person because after all, it's "just a joke".
I've also noticed so many jokes being passed around via SMS, Whatsapp etc. targeting women and funnily most woman except it. They feel that if they voice out their dissent, it would seem like they don't have a sense of humor. So the message that gets passed around is that females are "weak, dumb, and frivolous" and I'm not surprised with what is happening around us in society today.
Consider this however. Would we share a joke demeaning a person of a certain ethnicity (in front of them)? We have learnt, thankfully, that it's not right to make fun of people just because of their genetic makeup or place of origin. Yet when a sexist joke is made, most people seem to think it's the women who need to be less offended! Some of which I've heard over the last few weeks (paraphrased).
Yeah, I have also observed that women jokes are universal - even in cartoons. Many women laugh along when such jokes are cracked (not sure why).
As a female, I find these jokes offensive. I work as hard as my male colleagues to earn. Homemakers give up their own careers to take care of their families and make their husband and kids to focus on their own lives. Marriage is meant to be an equal partnership not a punishment for men. I have a unique and quirky sense of humor myself (euphemistic terms for geeky/ cheesy) and I'm as interested as the next person in a good joke. But sexist jokes in a professional setting unsettle me for many reasons:
In my opinion, sexist jokes are like the proverbial broken windows. They're easy to stop and correct and they set the tone for a culture.
My post is about jokes on women here because I feel they're more common. Obviously I might be wrong. And yes, I do agree this many a times happens with men also. Men might laugh at it but they would be living in embarrassment inside. Well, it's when one's wife cracks jokes about the in-laws. There are occasions when, wives have an indulgence in such jokes making fun of their in-laws’ families, sisters do that to the brothers-in-law, and so on. Most of the time, the jokes are hilarious to listen and an embarrassment to admit!
It will be great if men can come forward and acknowledge that their wives-sisters-mothers are equally supporting to run the family and that they are independent. That kind of honesty will go a long way to bring about a change in mindset. People who compose such jokes on women must realize that their mother-sisters-wives are women too!
We often hear jokes about women, girlfriends and wives (more often the last two) shared in the workplace. The punch line is usually something to the effect of "Women shop, men pay" or "Women have fun, men work" or "Girlfriends = Time x Money" and so on. It's usually dismissed as a joke and a woman who objects of finds it offensive and is considered to not have a sense of humor or of being too serious a person because after all, it's "just a joke".
I've also noticed so many jokes being passed around via SMS, Whatsapp etc. targeting women and funnily most woman except it. They feel that if they voice out their dissent, it would seem like they don't have a sense of humor. So the message that gets passed around is that females are "weak, dumb, and frivolous" and I'm not surprised with what is happening around us in society today.
Consider this however. Would we share a joke demeaning a person of a certain ethnicity (in front of them)? We have learnt, thankfully, that it's not right to make fun of people just because of their genetic makeup or place of origin. Yet when a sexist joke is made, most people seem to think it's the women who need to be less offended! Some of which I've heard over the last few weeks (paraphrased).
- Men die earlier than women because men pay the shopping bills
- Marriage is like a hurricane - both natural disasters waiting to happen
- Marriage is a workshop because men work and women shop.
Yeah, I have also observed that women jokes are universal - even in cartoons. Many women laugh along when such jokes are cracked (not sure why).
As a female, I find these jokes offensive. I work as hard as my male colleagues to earn. Homemakers give up their own careers to take care of their families and make their husband and kids to focus on their own lives. Marriage is meant to be an equal partnership not a punishment for men. I have a unique and quirky sense of humor myself (euphemistic terms for geeky/ cheesy) and I'm as interested as the next person in a good joke. But sexist jokes in a professional setting unsettle me for many reasons:
- They demean half the human population in one go (men or women)
- They promote insensitivity towards women (why are you offended? it's just a joke!)
- Often passive aggressiveness is masked as a joke (Someone once said to me, "Oh, we all know women only work so that they can go shopping. That's their real job. Lol")
- They provoke retaliatory comments which leads to more ugliness
In my opinion, sexist jokes are like the proverbial broken windows. They're easy to stop and correct and they set the tone for a culture.
My post is about jokes on women here because I feel they're more common. Obviously I might be wrong. And yes, I do agree this many a times happens with men also. Men might laugh at it but they would be living in embarrassment inside. Well, it's when one's wife cracks jokes about the in-laws. There are occasions when, wives have an indulgence in such jokes making fun of their in-laws’ families, sisters do that to the brothers-in-law, and so on. Most of the time, the jokes are hilarious to listen and an embarrassment to admit!
It will be great if men can come forward and acknowledge that their wives-sisters-mothers are equally supporting to run the family and that they are independent. That kind of honesty will go a long way to bring about a change in mindset. People who compose such jokes on women must realize that their mother-sisters-wives are women too!
ROAD SAFETY!
A small post I had written on a private network. Thought of sharing! :)
Well, the post goes as follows,
"The moment I read about this, "BLOG IT" A Blogging Competition on "Road Safety", the first thing that struck my mind – everyone would write about driving and traffic! But there is something else also that falls for ROAD SAFETY, which includes – Mannerisms, Cleanliness and similar. It is every day, that I travel 2 hours long, through greenery, bushes, city roads, village roads, and also the highway! And everywhere I see people spitting, throwing garbage and other stuff directly on the roads. Spitting on the tree trunks, splashing pan on roads, that goes on the coming vehicles (behind). And these things, undoubtedly, divert others’ mind and concentration and hence, lead to accidents and all. It has been observed that the learned people also follow this! Sigh! People are so stubborn that in spite of giving them hard looks or explaining them, they do not change these habits. Worse you can see is, people using the roadside bushes for “toilet purposes”. If such things are looked into and if steps are taken towards “Green City-Clean City”, road safety would definitely rise, in a good way, of course!
Not only this, but also, people are really bad at crossing roads (including myself ;)). We see people crossing roads, anywhere, and not through the zebra-crossing or when the signal is RED! :( This makes the driver panic, and because of losing control, hits the person crossing! Care and measures, for road crossing is a must!
To add more, I would also mention, for security and safety, generally measures are asked to be taken by the females. But, I ask, why not for the males too? Because, even the males are in danger, on the roads! You never know, who can do what to whom, any moment!
To sum up, I’ll mention, I agree this is bit different than the expected ROAD SAFETY posts, but yeah, some small things are very much needed to be seen into. And I'll be super glad, if the above mentioned points, spitting, toilet, garbage, splashing pan, etc. is stopped! :)"
Well, the post goes as follows,
"The moment I read about this, "BLOG IT" A Blogging Competition on "Road Safety", the first thing that struck my mind – everyone would write about driving and traffic! But there is something else also that falls for ROAD SAFETY, which includes – Mannerisms, Cleanliness and similar. It is every day, that I travel 2 hours long, through greenery, bushes, city roads, village roads, and also the highway! And everywhere I see people spitting, throwing garbage and other stuff directly on the roads. Spitting on the tree trunks, splashing pan on roads, that goes on the coming vehicles (behind). And these things, undoubtedly, divert others’ mind and concentration and hence, lead to accidents and all. It has been observed that the learned people also follow this! Sigh! People are so stubborn that in spite of giving them hard looks or explaining them, they do not change these habits. Worse you can see is, people using the roadside bushes for “toilet purposes”. If such things are looked into and if steps are taken towards “Green City-Clean City”, road safety would definitely rise, in a good way, of course!
Not only this, but also, people are really bad at crossing roads (including myself ;)). We see people crossing roads, anywhere, and not through the zebra-crossing or when the signal is RED! :( This makes the driver panic, and because of losing control, hits the person crossing! Care and measures, for road crossing is a must!
To add more, I would also mention, for security and safety, generally measures are asked to be taken by the females. But, I ask, why not for the males too? Because, even the males are in danger, on the roads! You never know, who can do what to whom, any moment!
To sum up, I’ll mention, I agree this is bit different than the expected ROAD SAFETY posts, but yeah, some small things are very much needed to be seen into. And I'll be super glad, if the above mentioned points, spitting, toilet, garbage, splashing pan, etc. is stopped! :)"
Wednesday 2 October 2013
It is special to be ordinary!
Do read it properly:
1) Name the 5 Wealthiest People in d world
2) Name the Last 5 winners of Ms. Universe
3) Name the Last 10 People Who won d Nobel prize
1) Name the 5 Wealthiest People in d world
2) Name the Last 5 winners of Ms. Universe
3) Name the Last 10 People Who won d Nobel prize
How Did U Do?
The Point is, none of us remembers The Headlines of Yesterday.
Even Though These People Must be the Best in Their Fields,
Applause Dies, Awards Are Tarnished and Achievements Are Forgotten!!
Even Though These People Must be the Best in Their Fields,
Applause Dies, Awards Are Tarnished and Achievements Are Forgotten!!
Here’s another quiz!
Let’s see How This Goes:
1. Name 5 Teachers Who added your Journey through School?
2. Name 5 Friends Who Helped U Through Difficult Times?
3. Name 5 People Who Taught U Something Worthwhile?4. Name 5 People Who makes U Feel Special?5. Name 5 People U Enjoy Spending Time with?
Let’s see How This Goes:
1. Name 5 Teachers Who added your Journey through School?
2. Name 5 Friends Who Helped U Through Difficult Times?
3. Name 5 People Who Taught U Something Worthwhile?4. Name 5 People Who makes U Feel Special?5. Name 5 People U Enjoy Spending Time with?
Easier...right?
The People Who Make a Difference in your Life Are NOT the ones with Most Awards and Loads of money!!
Life is full of ordinary People who have made the World a Better Place for U!
Cherish them!
Hold Them Tight!
Perhaps sometimes it is Special to be ordinary!! :D
Hold Them Tight!
Perhaps sometimes it is Special to be ordinary!! :D
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