...non periodic oscillations...

“Destiny is a funny thing.” Each one of us must have experienced this in varying degrees. The Sialkot Saga picks up on this and builds a story which weaves through centuries and generations to culminate is a moment which leaves one wishing for more. The story revolves around two protagonists, Arvind and Arbaaz, whose lives are separate yet intertwined in more ways than either of them could have ever imagined or might have been willing to admit. The story starts in the bloodbath of one of India’s darkest hour and takes the reader through a maze of time frames that seem disconnected yet it never loses the plot. The lives of the protagonists are interspersed with love, fear, respect, ambition, greed, vengeance, sorrow, penance and what have you not. As Arvind and Arbaaz learn the ways of the world, each one carves out their own territory and is consumed by the never ending lust for more money, more power and more of that ever scarce commodity, love. While the story of Arvind...

She's twenty years young, bruised and battered, on her fourth piston and yet, she rolls :) I got this beauty a month before my Class 10th Board Exams! Don't ask me how I convinced my parents. She has been with me through the best and the worst experiences in life, and it is a pity that she has to stay far away from me due to dumb legislation.

Lansdowne is a beautiful, quaint little hill station in Uttarakhand and it is the closest hill station to Delhi. Home of the famous Garwhal Regiment, the town is an army cantonment and thus, is spared from the rampant commercialisation experienced by the other hill stations. The ride is approxiamately 280 Km with the major segment in the plains with good roads and the mountain roads are generally alright although they can use some repairs. The mountain roads start after Kotdwar. There are a few "touristy" spots although if you're like me, they are best avoided. Chill in the quaint town square sipping chai or go for long walks in the town or in the forest. Alternatively, just laze and soak in the beautiful nature that you will be surrounded by. Most popular food stops are Cheetal Grand (~99 Km) just before Khatauli or Monty Millions (~125 Km) at Miranpur. Alternatively, there are numerous dhabas and smaller restaura...

When I first heard about Big Magic, I was in two minds. However, I must admit that not only did I thoroughly enjoy reading this book, I felt it connected to my own life in so many ways – and that, for me, is a rare feeling. Big Magic is about trying to understand the creative spirit, about welcoming it into one’s life and about understanding that the “gift” of creativity is not for the “select few”. The author takes the reader on a journey through this ever confusing, misunderstood, mistreated world of creativity by starting with the one thing that holds us back – fear. If you’ve ever dreamt of embarking on a creative endeavour and hesitated then you will instantly connect with the book. The book is pragmatic and focuses on understanding the creative instinct and reactions without pretending to paint a rosy picture. Yes, any creative exercise will be hard. Yes, it might be frustrating too, and yet, at the end of it, there is no joy like the joy of creating something beautiful...

As you turn the throttle ever so gently, she purrs between your legs almost begging you to to set yourself free...to let her take you to places you've never been to before. Her gentle purring is frequently broken by an urgent roar and then, she she just starts to hum a steady tune as the world flies past and it's just you and Her and the Road.

“The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.” Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode at the Indian Military Academy on 10 December, 1932. December 10: IMA'S Red-Letter Day | Jaskiran Chopra | 10/12/2013 | The Pioneer | http://bit.ly/1e1N2wN For most civilians, life in the Armed Forces is characterised by valour, glory and sacrifice. Those soldiers, who give up worldly comforts to protect the Nation and our way of life, live a life full of hardships, struggle and the constant threat of death. Far removed from their families, friends and worldly comforts, they are trained to face any adversity at a moment’s notice and we should thank them for it. However, as true as it is, we often tend to overlook the fate that the families of these brave soldiers face every day. It is not easy to let go of your love k...

Sometimes I wonder how the human spirit endures on. In spite of adversity and pain and challenges and situations which can break one's very belief in oneself. Every day I encounter people who exist because they were born. Each day they go about there lives taking this gift, the gift of life, for granted. Just because they were born? Just because they happened to be present on this planet in a human form? Why don't they not want to use this gift in a more meaningful manner? What's meaningful, you ask? Honestly, I wish I knew. Every day, I try to fill my waking hours with activity and purpose. Each day I look around and wonder how they can just while away their existence in things which add no value to themselves or the world? How can watching "Big Boss" add to the quality of one's life? Why are we trained to study hard, get a good degree and then work hard for the rest of one's measly life eking out a living? If one cannot give one's best in whatever ...