A year to remember

A year to remember
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Today is 31st December 2014, last day of the year 2014. Today, the year will end, today's sun will set for last time in 2014 and tomorrow's sun rise will bring up new year 2015. Actually, it is just the change of date. But, year change increases it's value, and world celebrates the moment to welcome upcoming year.

I feel bit upset on last day of every year. I don't know why but it is true. The thought of leaving an year's of time in a day could be one of the possible reasons. I mean time passes but we never think of an end until it is very close. I start remembering things happened in current calendar year. I remember my achievements, my failures. The day passes with these memories and at the 12 O'clock in midnight, fire crackers outside announce the beginning of new year. Exchanging new year wishes with friends continues for some time and I go to sleep by praying to God for the fruitful upcoming year.

Today, I will try to write down the summary of this year which will contain my achievements and my failures. While writing this, I am thinking of all these things but not able to remember them properly. This problem I have faced during many vivas. I think, I should work on it next year. I can think of it as a resolution. Let's see how it goes.

January to March - Year began with a Wednesday. So my resolution for this year was to ppst something in English on each Wednesday. It went well for all these three months. I had created a blog as well. I had faced some troubles in my personal life including fights with friends, family and relatives. But at the end it was sorted well.

April to June - The Wednesday posts continued for few weeks. Since, I was promoted and joined senior team, it was hard to maintain pace of these weekly posts. So, my resolution broke like every year. We moved to a new place in the month of June. I went to Lohgad trek with my friends and enjoyed it well.

July to September - Rainy season started late this year. These three months went well. A trek with office colleagues to Peth, near karjat was an ultimate experience. I was in heaven that day. My birthday was in the same period and it was good too. Enjoyed it with wishes from friends and family. I had enjoyed trip to Vangani with friends and it gave me immense pleasure. Lord Ganesha festival was rocking this year and I enjoyed it like every year.

October to December - These last three months of the year were awesome. Two treks to Pratapgad and Raigad with my beloved friends was an ultimate experience. One out of them was night trek, which I liked very much. I could not enjoy Diwali festival this year due to heavy work load in office but that is ok. At least I could enjoy Bhaubij, last day of Diwali with my sisters. I had joined Guitar classes and tried to learn some music. I would like to keep on going.

Did I specify failures? Yes, I did; but, none other than fights. Is it not good to remember only good things happened in your current year and forget bad things? It is indeed. Time comes and goes. It never stops. The year went as it was meant to be. I wish upcoming year will be better than this year and it will give me the opportunity to finish my goals, at least my resolutions. Amen!

I tried to pen down summary of year 2014 in my way. How was it for you? Good or bad? Will you share it with us?

Sunit S. Pendse
31st December 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Superhero

Superhero
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Dear Dad,

How are you? I remember you every day, very much. I am going to school daily and finish my home work on time. I am behaving like a good boy. Mom never shouts at me. She allows me to play in the ground whenever I want. She also let me watch cartoon movies on the television. She is the best Mom.

Dad, I watched a movie named Captain America. In this movie, USA makes an experiment on a man to make him superhero so that he can fight for them with such a great strength. And I remembered you. I remembered the stories you told about war, the stories you told about your attack and about your safe escape from the enemy’s homeland. Dad you are my superhero.

Whenever grandpa tells me about war, and I hear about our army’s brave job, I feel proud of them. I feel proud of you. Whenever grandpa calls me “Chhota Jawan”, I feel proud of myself and feel like I am ready to stand a post like you and defend the country. Dad, I also want to be like you. I want to serve our country the way you are doing. I want to protect our men from external threats. I want to defend our nation from terrorists, from our enemies. I want to keep our nation peaceful, just like you guys are doing.

Last week, I saw mom crying in front of grandpa and grandma. She was telling grandpa and grandma about upcoming war. She was saying that you are leading a group of soldiers and you are very close to enemy. She is afraid of your failure. She feels that you will never come back. I feel sorry for her. But, I know, that you will win the war. You will not fall, and you will return to tell me more stories about soldiers, about your fight and about enemy’s defeat.

Dad, I want you to come home. Not early, but after finishing your work. Please come with long holidays. It is been long time we went to beaches and rode the horse. I want to play with you and mom together. I want to eat our Anna’s famous Jalebi with you and also want to listen stories from you.

Dad, come home soon. Fight bravely and return as winner. Jai Hind!

Your son,
Chhota Jawan

Sunit S. Pendse
24th December 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Sunset

Sunset
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I like Sunset more than Sunrise. It is hard to know why, but not getting up early to see Sunrise could be the reason. It does not mean that I didn’t see Sunrise any day, but it didn’t impress me as like Sunset. Sunset is more pleasant than sunrise. Sun is calm while setting down. And it shows many more colorful combinations in the sky which attract us.

Today in the evening, I was looking outside the window, thinking about my career and planning few things for future.  Suddenly the beautiful scenery of Sun, saying good bye for a day distracted my mind and unknowingly I folded my hands. It reminded my own lines in Hindi –

रंगीन शाम और हसीन सुबह, दोनो भी मजा देती है,
फिर चाहे वो दिन की बात हो या जिंदगी की ||

(Meaning in English – Colorful evening and beautiful morning both are pleasant, in the case of a day or human life)

Can we compare our journey of life with Sun's daily routine? How can we do that? If yes, then can we learn something from the Sun how to live our life? I started finding the answer.

With a cup of coffee in hand, brain starts digging up as much as possible to get the answer. If we will compare the Sun’s journey from Sunrise to Sunset with human life then it tells us a lot of things. In the morning, when Sun rises, our routine starts. Similarly, after birth, our human life routine starts. All organs start functioning and keep our body alive. Till it comes to the midday, the Sun becomes brighter. So as our career should be. We shall learn a lot in the early years of our life and take as much as knowledge we can get from many sources which will be helpful in later years. Knowledge never gets wasted. We must develop our skills to do something viable for our future. Here our career actually begins. And at this stage we may become overconfident due to less or no experience.

Later from midday till the evening, the Sun’s brightness stays as it is but its heat effect becomes lesser time by time. Similarly, from the start of the career till few more years, as with age comes wisdom, our overconfidence will be converted to good understanding. Till this stage, knowledge with experience taught us a lot in life. And we shall start giving this combination of knowledge with experience to youngsters. They will grow better than us and will make good future.

From the evening to the Sunset is the resting period. Till this time, we have worked a lot and compromised too. Since, we have squeezed much more life juice from our body, it may become weak. This time, it is necessary to take care of yourself. We can enjoy this time with nature, with being at peace, visiting many places, doing something for us if we haven’t done anything till then.

And at the end, at the Sunset, this journey is about to end. We shall remember all good things which have happened till now and forget bad memories. Only good memories should be with us. Our horizon should be enlightened with such colorful memories we had and smile should be there on our face.

When I came to the end of comparison, I looked at coffee cup; there were no more coffee left. I was feeling good about myself as I could compare human life’s journey to the Sun’s journey throughout the day with my tiny brain. The Sunset brought smile on my tensed face.

Sunit S. Pendse
5th November 2014

Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Mistakes during Job Interviews

Mistakes during Job Interviews

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During recession period, I left job as I was sick of doing same work for long time. Later till a month I have appeared for several interviews and I failed. I failed due to my own mistakes. I would like to share those experiences with you.

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Scenario 1 –

“Ok Sunit. So you will be having a telephonic interview tomorrow morning. Mr. Shadab will be taking your interview. So be ready.”

“Great. Thank you Salma. Thank you so much. Bye. Have a nice day!”

“Bye.”

She hung up and I was very excited to attend this interview. Even though it was far from home, I was ready to take the opportunity. Next morning, I was fully prepared and was enjoying snacks along with TV. My phone rang. I picked up the call and proceed,

“Hello, am I speaking with Sunit Pendse?”

“Yes please.”

“I am Shadab calling for the job interview. Is this right time to speak?”

“Aah, yes it is but I am having my snacks right now. Can I call you back after 5 mins on same number? Then we will discuss. Ok?”

“Yes sure. Why not? Thank you. Bye.”

“Bye.”

In next 5 mins I ended up eating my snacks and called him. But no one picked up. I called number of times same day. But no one picked up the phone. Damn. Why did it happen? It happened because of the ignorance. By saying “I am having my snacks right now. Can I call you back?” I have shown least interest in talking to him. Opportunity knocked my door and I ignored. I missed it.

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Scenario 2 –

“So, here we go. Tell me something about yourself.”

As I had practiced the answer number of times, I told him everything whichever was needed confidently.

“Good. Your resume looks good. Have you worked with Microsoft Outlook? Can you troubleshoot problems related with Microsoft Outlook?”

“Well, I have the knowledge but never did it before.” Since I did not know even “o” of Outlook, I have answered him safely.

“Ok. Then tell me if user is not able to send mail using outlook, what will you check?”

“Sir, as I said, I have not worked with it. I have the knowledge but I have not worked. So, I cannot answer.” I was speaking confidently.

“Okay. Let’s look at other technical skills.”

Then he asked me few more questions. At the end of the interview, he asked me to leave saying their HR will give me a call with the feedback. I was feeling relaxed from the tension. But, I didn’t get the call back. I failed in the interview. What was my mistake? It was lying. I lied in my resume stating I can troubleshoot outlook related problems but couldn’t answer the question. From the same day, I never lied in my resume. Just written whatever I know and I have worked with. I didn’t fail later.

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Friends, I have shared two of my failure experiences here. I would like to ask you to share your own experiences, in which you have realized your mistakes and fixed them during further interviews. So that, freshers or job seekers in this group will be able to take a note of such mistakes; and they can avoid them while appearing for job interviews.

Sunit S. Pendse

10th September 2014

Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Lord Ganesha: A Family Member

Lord Ganesha: A Family Member
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It was Saturday, 2nd day of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in India. I was visiting my friend's houses for Lord Ganesha Idol darshan! In the afternoon I had Ganesha darshan at Uma aunty's house. It had followed by lunch and gossips. After leaving aunty's place, I caught an autorickshaw to reach Goregaon railway station. By looking at those people carrying Lord Ganesha Idol in cars towards the Arabian Sea for visarjan, rickshaw driver said, "dekho na bhai, Ganpati kal aaye the aur aaj ja rahe hain. pata hi nahi chala kab din gujar gaya (Look bro, Ganpati came yesterday and he is going today. Didn't come to know when the day is passed.)" And I nodded. I started looking at people who was chanting and shouting one of the favourite mantras "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya (Lord Ganpati, come early next year!)" with claps and an enthusiasm. A sad moment passed. To avoid sad mood, I started checking Whatsapp messages and informing friends about my visit at their places in the evening. But mood became sad somehow!

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, most favorite festival in India, moreover in Maharashtra, for which people wait every year for long time. The actual date of first Ganesh Chaturthi Festival celebration is unknown but it was being celebrated during the era of beloved King Shivaji Maharaj and Peshwas. Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had initiated the public celebration of this festival at large scale in the year 1893. The idea behind making it a large scale event was just to unite people together in British ruiling India. Nowadays, it is most famous festival and Indians celebrate all over the world.

Lord Ganesha is the most favorite God of Indian people. Despite of religion, every Indian celebrates this festival with complete devotion. It is close to their heart. Hence, they start preparations quite early to make this festival the best one every year. Workers of Lord Ganesha Idol factories start working 24/7 to build beautiful sculptures of Lord Ganesha. As the festival dates come closer, people start planning for building pandals. Pandals are designed in such a way that they will give either a social message or they will be copy of any specific building in the world mainly from India such as Shaniwar Wada in Pune, Taj Mahal in Agra, Golden Temple in Punjab and Dubai Airport.

Pandals are not only designed at large scale in Public but also they are designed in private celebrations at homes. People start planning for selecting favorite flowers and preparing food items such as modaks which are favourite of their beloved Lord Ganesha. Despite of the poverty, people try hard to celebrate this festival by adjusting their finances to give the best to their God. As families staying far from each other unite for this festival, right from children to elders in the house is eager to welcome Lord Ganesha. They are ready celebrating it in the best way they can.

People welcome Lord Ganesha with fireworks and various bands. They play songs written for Lord Ganesha on loudspeakers till the festival ends. Priests are invited to worship the God and install the idols at home or in public Pandals. As idols are installed, they send invitations to their friends to visit houses take Lord Ganesha darshan and see the various kinds of decorations. People just roam around to see public pandals and private decorations. As Lord Ganesha is most favourite God of Indian people, they can even stand in queue for number of hours to take mukh darshan of God just like in Lalbaugcha Raja at Lalbaug, Mumbai.

The climate is full of Joy. Excitement is everywhere. Lord Ganpati brings happiness to our mind and we pray to him to take away all the sorrows as he is also called by names sukhkarta and vighnavinashak. Every single idol of Lord Ganesha, makes us smile becoz of his peaceful eyes. Celebration of the Ganpati Festival continues till the very last moment. On the last day, it is hard to say such beloved God a goodbye. Even though we are yelling "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya" with full of energy, our heart is sad inside. Final aarti is the one which seems to be never happened. While singing it, tears start rolling down over the chicks. It is not because of love for the God, but it is because of he is nothing less than a family member. Every year, same situation occurs, when he comes brings joy; when he goes, leaves sadness with us.

It is very hard to write more. Because, end of celebration of this family member, left tears in my eyes. I just pray to God to come early next year so that we can enjoy this festival again by keeping away our sorrows!

Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!!!

Sunit S. Pendse
3rd Sept 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

War: Good or Bad?

War: Good or Bad?
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"You know who's going to inherit the earth? Arms dealers. Because everyone else is too busy killing each other. That's the secret to survival. Never go to war, especially with yourself."

The final dialogue of movie "Lord of war" starring Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke was absolutely stunning. This dialogue tells us the ugly truth and gives a piece of advice. I hear this dialogue every day since then and whenever I watch war movies. I watched a couple of war movies after "Lord of war" named "Saving Private Ryan" and "Pearl Harbor". Both were awesome. I liked the way soldiers’ fought. I like such movies. But after looking at all that destruction, I felt bad.

I was thinking lately, why do these wars take place? What is the reason behind it? What do they achieve after fighting with each other? Do they want to prove their superiority? Do they think of their loosing? Do they even care about it?

Damn. So many questions and answers are hard to guess. But as my thinking process went on slowly, answers started getting unfolds. The basic answer which is got is Ego. I heard a dialogue in Hindi movie, "Anything can be hurt, but never hurt someone's ego." Hurting ego causes only destruction. Very less chances are of hurting ego causing construction without destruction. If we will take a look at wars taken place from ancient ages till date, they all took because of hurting someone's ego. Country A makes some statements against country B to prove their superiority and hurts its ego. With hurt ego, country B makes statements against country A. It continues till the actual war gets started.

Wars are fought with weapons. Weapons can be physical or logical. Physical weapons cause physical destruction such as human bodies, buildings, roads etc. Logical weapons cause mental destruction. Logical weapons are nothing but the words we speak. Is it hard to understand other and adjust yourself if needed? I don't think so. Then why do not we give a try?

Another reason is greed. When man becomes greedy, he never thinks of anything. Whether it is good way or bad, it doesn't matter. What matters is the ultimate goal. It also causes war.

When war is about to begin, no one thinks of loosing. Everyone thinks of winning. Even though you win, you lose something to win it. Because, to get something you have something is to be given away. And after losing anything, we start blaming others or even sometimes the destiny because loosing is painful. If loosing is so much painful then why don't we think of avoiding the basic thing which causes it, war?

Superiority is fond of all of us. But we need to understand that, a construction should not be made based on destruction 'coz such construction is less appreciable!

Till this thing is understood, I think arms dealers will surely inherit the earth and everything will go beyond control!

Sunit S. Pendse
27th August 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

A Journey To Heaven

A Journey To Heaven
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One day, I received an email from our HR Department mentioning an Invitation to a Trek. In the beginning of month of May'14, I had decided to attend at least one adventure organized by our company. Hence, as I received this email of trek, I jumped in, immediately started the process. On the very 15th minute of receiving trek invitation, I had booked my seat for this adventure. Trek day was 2nd of August, there were 12 days to go still. I was pretty excited about it.

Two days before the trek, we received trek schedule from HR along with do's and dont's during trek. On 2nd of August'14, early Saturday morning, we all gathered at meeting point. Our journey started after receiving instructions from the organizer. Some of us started getting introduced with others; rest of us started playing Antakshari. The journey by Bus ended near village named Ambivali. The organizer introduced us with the trek instructors who are going to be with us whole day, assisting us, guiding us, taking care of us during the second phase of journey.

From Ambivali village we started walking towards village named Peth which was at the feet of the Peth fort. We reached photo point where we clicked some photos of awesome greenery and ourselves. We managed to reach Peth village. We rested for some time. And then next journey to the Fort began.

It was raining and climate was awesome. The road towards the top of the fort was going through rocks and tiny waterfalls. We were traveling through the jungle. We were climbing slowly and helping each other to climb. All of us were going on path showed by our mentor. Due to non-stop rock climbing, I started panting. We reached at a point from where we could see cave and top closely. I managed to find a dry rock and sat over there. I started feeling like I won't make it 'coz suddenly I started feeling unwell, unconscious. I drank some water and closed my eyes. I wasn't the warrior who could lose. I just wanted to reach at the top even though no one will be able to make it. That was my aim. When my eyes were closed, I was telling myself, not to worry, just try hard, don't lose yourself, you can do it, you can reach the top.

I opened my eyes and looked at my left. My friends, colleagues were coming and looking at me. They smiled at me and said, "Let’s go. There is a much to see." These words gave me strength to continue the journey. I started walking again. I started finding again the best route through those rocks and steps to reach the top. I started following our mentors. We reached cave and took some rest there. As next group reached the cave, we started next journey to the top of the mountain. The steps were hard. We had to take support of rocks on one side to climb up. Our mentors were also helping us for going up. They were showing us right spots where we can put our foot and go ahead.

And finally, we reached at the top. When I reached there, clouds gathered us all over the place. Top floor of that fort was surrounded by white fog. Suddenly started raining. My heart stopped for a moment. "This is good man. This is heaven!" I murmured. I was looking at those clouds and I don't know why but felt like crying. I just didn't want to leave the place, didn't want to go anywhere. In our life, we come across many moments where we are at peace. Those moments are precious where you don't need anything. You just want to stop the time and live the moment for some more time. I was feeling same at that very moment. I could spend my whole life just being there; even I have nothing to do, even when I am alone.

Life is a strange journey where there are ups and downs indeed. But it gives us such precious moments for short time. And may be since they last for very short period, their value is more or even invaluable. I got my moment just now, and I want to live it again by visiting same place or the other one. How about you? Did you have such moments in your life?

Sunit S. Pendse
6th August 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Dream

Dream
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Last week, I was watching a movie named “The Ultimate Gift” starring Drew Fuller, James Garner and Bill Cobbs. The movie is based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall. In a scene of late Christmas in Texas, a conversation about dream started between Emily and Jason.

“What about you Jason? What’s your dream?” Emily asks quietly
“As long as I can remember, all I wanted to do is to have fun. Now I don’t have a clue” Jason replied
“It’s ok. Guys are clueless.” With this Emily’s expressionless dialog, Jason chuckles. Even I did.

In some time, movie was over. Later that midnight, I was just seating on couch and watching outside. It was quiet outside. Somehow, this scene was playing in my mind over and over again. I couldn’t sleep. It made me think, what’s my dream? What is a dream actually? What if I am with no dream? Why everyone has a dream? Why everyone must have at least a dream?

Dreams can be of two types, either the one which we see during our sleep, or the one which we see and we are unable to sleep. The one which can be seen during sleep is nothing but the series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in our mind during sleep. This kind of dream we may like or we may not. We hear that these kinds of dreams are signs of what might be happening in future. They may be related to future somewhere. We just need to do a very difficult task of guessing meaning of such dreams.

The other kind of dreams is because of our ambitions, goals which we want to fulfill. A dream is something that all of us to have. It is what we want to do in future. If you are with no dream, you will be able to live a goal less life. You may enjoy it or you may not. But at certain point of time, when you will turn back and take a look at what you whole life did, you will come to know that it was meaningless just like Jason’s life was meaningless till Emily asked him the question about dream.

We must dream for getting better and better every day. We shall dare to dream, dare to fly, dare to be ever the chosen one to touch the sky. Imagination of touching sky is something which will never happen, but even this imagination gives us hope to do so. Dream defines what we want to gain in life. Dream is made up of hopes. An American political leader Eleanor Roosevelt says, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” We must believe in our dreams. They may not get fulfilled someday, but we must believe in them to get better than today.

Have you ever attended a show of musicians and seen a guitarist who is performing amazingly? Have you ever imagined yourself being there and people clapping for your performance? Was it your dream? Then go for it. Have you seen your son or daughter sketching well at such a small age? While acknowledging him or her, did you imagine yourself sketching same way? Was that your dream? Well, why don’t you try then? Trying to fulfill your dreams needs no specific age. The greatest cartoonist ever, Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Just have courage and pursue it.

Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them. With dreams, we get better and better every day. Like the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho says, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” The only reason one doesn’t go for it, try for getting into the dream is nothing but the fear, fear of no time in future, fear of losing something, being afraid of comments from society. Even laziness could be the reason of not trying. Better not be afraid of anything, try to go for dreams. Let’s gain something rather than gaining nothing.

Dream is an illustration from the book your soul is writing about you. My dream is to spend peaceful life with my loved ones. What’s your dream?

Sunit S. Pendse
9th July 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Need a break?

Need a break?
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“Hey”
“Hi, how are you?”
“I am doing great. How about you?”
“I am ok.” Reply came with sad smiley.
“What’s wrong? Why so sad?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on. You can tell me. What happened?”
“I am bored of daily routine having just home and office. Nothing new is happening.”
“Oh!” I was shocked with this reply from my happy to go lucky friend.
“I do not like living robotic life. I need a break.”
“Well, then take it.”
“Not possible at all. A lot of work load! And it’s getting harder to tackle it. What should I do?”
“Ok. Then bring change to your routine. You will feel better.”

I was talking with one of my best friends and above conversation went on. Someday, in our life, we all feel need of a break. We feel our life is getting boring. Nothing is happening new. And we can’t get off the routine also. Question comes, what to do now? How can we fill our life with excitement? How can we bring something new all the time? What should we do to continue enjoying our life?

When I think about it, I remember the statement of an American author Wayne Dyer, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” When you look at the routine and when you think it is boring, just change the way of looking at it. We often ignore few things and take interest in things only which we like or which are easily acceptable. Ignore this ignorance when routine gets boring. Try those ignored things someday. You may feel good.

As we are human, we need change every time. Every day is new for us. And we must do something different after each span of time. Were you playing guitar during college days and you didn’t play it for long time? Then, it is the time to play again to feel good. Were you sketching long time ago? Then try it, just don’t be afraid of not getting the same output was like before. Just do it. Didn't talk to old friend from long time? Call him. Have a happy chat! Try to learn something new. Learning new things also can bring change.

Change brings excitement back to life. If you can’t change routine work, then you change the way working with it. Try some new way of working. Boring routine will be interesting again.

When I think of change, I remember words of an American politician Dr. Dennis O'Grady, “Change is necessary in human life, to keep us moving, to keep us growing, to keep us interested. Imagine the life without change. It will be static, boring and dull.” Hence, when we need a break, we need a change.

Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable and remove yourself from the unacceptable. That’s the key to enjoy life!

Sunit S. Pendse
4th June 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Blood Donation

Blood Donation
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"Are you willing to donate blood tomorrow?"
"Where?"
"At Kalyan, in my classes."
"What is the timing?"
"It's between 10 AM to 3 PM"
"ok. I will let you know."
"Alright."

One of my childhood friends, Girish pinged me on Whatsapp on Saturday and asked me whether I am ready to attend a blood donation camp or not. He asked me number of times before and I couldn't join him because of many reasons. Even we had blood donation camps in our office but I couldn't attend them either since working in night shift or having a week off. So, I think over it and decided to go with him this time.

Next day morning, we caught a train and reached Kalyan. I was pretty excited about this as it was my only second experience of blood donation. We reached his classes and filled up enrollment forms. The camp was about to begin. In the meantime Girish was giving me information about camp and his classes. Then we stood in a queue and we have asked to visit a desk where weight checks, hemoglobin checks will be done and noted on our cards. After this, we visited another desk where the nurse has checked the blood pressure and asked a series of questions to ensure we are eligible to attend this camp or not. It followed with actual process of blood donation.

I lied down on bed and doctor gave me rubber ball to keep pressing so that blood comes out. She injected the steel tip of blood bag tube in my vein. I was calm and pressing the ball slowly. I was observing other people who were being part of this camp. Till the time, I was feeling well as I was doing something good for society. At next moment, I got shocked when I saw two blind men entering the room. Did they also come for the blood donation? Yes, they did. I was amazed. And certain questions started striking my mind. How will they go through it? If they can't see anything, then how will they come to know what to do next?

I was just observing them closely. The camp assistants helped them to go thru' every desk and then doctor started taking blood from them. I finished with my work and then got out of bed. Assistants asked me to sit down and offered me a cup of coffee. I and Girish finished our task and came out of the room. My curiosity about those blind men was still there. I went again inside and asked the camp in-charge about both of them. I took the permission to click both of them. And he gave me amazing information of them. Also, he allowed me to share it on social websites.

Their names were Mr. Hozefa Tambawala and Mr. Zujar Kanchwala. They were relatives of each other and it was their 7th time doing this. I was amazed. Another question struck my mind, if these blind people can donate the blood, then why not us who are fit and fine? It was quite inspiring. I have decided to donate blood after every three months and provide such a service to our society. What you think?

Sunit S. Pendse
21st May 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

A Note

A Note
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Dear love,

It's been long time we have seen each other. This war has started only 2 years ago but I feel like I have spent millions of years here. From your last received note, I could just see the way you cared for me and wanted to come back as soon as possible because, you are afraid of my failure. To fight for our beloved country and to see you again, I fought hard and took many of their soldiers down. This war is about to end in any minute and I will be home very soon.

Last night, as we received orders to prepare ourselves for final battle beginning after a couple of days, we were much happy and excited to finish it. We started preparing plans for the vacations just like kids. Everyone was happy and laughing after hearing plans of our own. Then I returned to my bed and I picked out your photograph from the bag just like every night. I smiled and went into memories. After hearing the word "the final battle", somehow I started missing you so much. I don't know how, but its happening. I was thinking about us. I remembered the places we had visited and the time we spent. It was a great feeling last night.

Later, I was thinking about this war. Why it has started? And what we achieved from this? We achieved nothing but just killing people and destroying their state with bombs. We destroyed a lot including many structures, sculptures and human lives. We destroyed families. Till now I was the one who was enjoying it, who was ready for anything to do for his country and so I am still. But after seeing so much of blood and destruction, I feel like I should quit this job and do something constructive for our country.

When I think this way, I remember your voice saying "By destroying them, you are making your people safer to live peacefully. You fight for them and it's your job to do so as you are on front." These words give me an ultimate strength during such emotional moments on the battlefield.

When I kill people and see their blood, a human from my body comes out and I start feeling sorry for them and their families. I pray to God so that they will rest in peace. Our commander commands us for being just a fighter and not the human. Sometimes I don't like that and I can't stop being human again. I become weak during such situations. But your memories make me strong. The stories you told me about ancient wars, they give me strength to fight. And it becomes easy for me to become soldier again.

As this is going to be the last battle, this will be my last note written to you from the battlefield. Don't worry dear, I won't fall and will fight hard so that I will be able to see you again. And we will be able to have fun and live life peacefully. I want to tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me in this world! I roamed around the world but I never saw prettier face than yours. I feel your presence. It always encourages me. You are my energy, you are my strength. Our memories make me feel better whenever I am down. And I will be home again to create new of them.

If in case, you hear any news about me before receiving this note, take care of yourself and give strength to my parents. Please don't cry and never be sad. I can't see tears in your eyes and I am always there around you. Just pray to God so that I will be back soon! Amen!

Absolutely yours,
A soldier of our country

Sunit S. Pendse
7th May 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Cartoon Shows

Cartoon Shows
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Look, there is Tom. He has just bound Jerry to the rail track with a rope. What Tom is going to do? Oh my god! Tom is riding a train and he is coming closer to Jerry. Will Jerry die? No, come on Tom you can't do it! See the cruelty on Tom's face. He came closer and???  Oh look, there is Jerry's cute little friend Tweety who is carrying a big black colored iron ball with a rope in his mouth. Tweety thrown it down and it made a big hole on rail track. It fell down just before Tom reaches it. And before getting any idea what's happening, Tom and his train goes into the hole. Hush. Tweety saved Jerry. Now Tom comes up and runs behind them. Even after this accident, Tom had no injuries. Jerry and Tweety runs to save their lives from Tom and we are laughing. Oh my god! What an amazing experience it was! Every Morning of my childhood vacations I spent with Tom and Jerry.

Not only Tom and Jerry but I remember some more of them like, Popeye the sailor man, Richie Rich, Scooby Doo, Duck Tales, Dextors Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Mickey Mouse, Chip and Dale, The Flintstones, Roadrunner and the list goes on. I and my younger brother were glued to the Television set for watching all of them. Our parents used to shout at us for always watching it. Just like every kid, we use to fight with them for getting permission to watch it. Sometimes we had to plead for it. Those were golden days!

This morning I went to my friend's house and saw his cute kid debating with his mom on Shinchan (cartoon). I and his father (my friend) were laughing after listening to those innocent comments from kid. I felt a bit nostalgic and went into memories of our times cartoons. I and friend started discussing about our childhood and same fights and cartoons. We were missing all those cartoon shows. We were missing our childhood love.

From the argument of the mother, few questions strucked my mind likes, do these cartoons teach something to children? Are they affecting their lives? Are they affecting children's behavior? Which cartoons are better, our times old ones or new ones like Shinchan? And better in what sense they are?

When I was returning from friend's house I started finding out answers of all of them one by one. Cartoons resemble human beings, animals, birds which kids watch outside. Kids relate them with each other. They teach children, how to talk, how to react, how to think. They want to try all actions of those cartoons. We used to tie one side of our towel to neck and pretend like it is Superman's red cape and open both hands on each side of body and fly like him. We were fans of them and still we are.
After watching each show of Popeye, we had even enquired about Spinach in several retail outlets. That was fun.

Cartoons affect children's lives. Kids are always dreaming. They enjoy them. Kids get new ideas. I and my brother used to build a rope way between two cupboards using a rope and toothpaste box. And we were transferring soldiers from one place to another. Children learn a lot with these cartoons. Have you ever saw a kid repairing Batman's bike with a screw driver? Have you ever seen a cute little girl making up her Barbie? They are so concentrated in this work and they never want anyone's help until they become clueless. They will come to you with same innocence to show you how they did it or to ask for assistance. This way they become independent too and learn how to do things on their own.

When I compare cartoons of old age and new ones, I prefer old ones. I think they were far better than Shinchan, oggies and cockroaches, Pokemon, Doremon etc. Because those cartoons were simple and innocent. There may be or may not be dialogues sometimes but we enjoyed them. We used to get everything which was happening in their lives. We did not understand English, still we were getting everything. We were having multiple options but nowadays kids are having very few options from these cartoons. We still remember most of our times but I am not sure how much today's kids will remember their cartoons. I may be a bit selfish by saying our times cartoons are best, but it’s my opinion and it may vary person by person.

At the end, I am still searching those Cartoon episodes on the internet so that I can download. My plan is to sit back on a weekend and enjoy them with my niece. I would like to show them to her. Are you planning same for your kids?

Sunit S. Pendse
30th April 2014