Resolution 2010 : 6 Pack Abs

“When you want something very genuinely, the whole world conspires for you to achieve it.” When I first heared this proverb, I didn’t really understood the context of it.
Off Lately, I realized and inculcated the customized version of it, which says “ When u want something very genuinely, you meet those people who helps you in the conspiracy to achieve it.”
I too am an emboldened victim of one such conspiracy where I wanted something very badly and I met someone who showed the right way to achieve the same.
Fitness (Six Pack abs, to be very specific) was what I was craving for very badly.
People like me (Marwaris), who have malicious sweet tooth - in their genes, huge bellies - their pride, Samosa – their National Food, aspiring for Six Pack Abs is like swimming against the tide and to achieve Greatness.
But when the going gets tough, the Tough get going. And to achieve Greatness, we must dream, as well as Act.
When acted, I realized that - Earnestness for Target, Energy to achieve it and Perseverance to continue till I get it, I possess all these mantras for success. But the “Right way” to achieve it was one important ingredient that was missing and holding me to achieve the target.
It was March 2009 when I went to London for few months.
In terms of Fitness, i have always found two categories of men in this world. One, who buy new trousers with the increase in their waistline. Another, who inspite of changing their trouser, put effort to keep their waistline intact and fit into their old trousers forever.
Prafulla Rawal (a.k.a. Diva’s Dad), whom i met in London and got highly inspired by his thoughts (about everything, not just fitness) and his inquisitiveness for information, is the one who belongs to the latter group, along with me.
He is the one who helped me into the conspiracy of Fitness. He introduced me to the real and huge world of Fitness. He gave me some very vital lessons on fitness and many more avenues of life.
Krishna Bhagavatula, another burly personality i admire, whom i met in Bangalore, taught me some very vital lessons of exercising.
If you perform an exercise in an incorrect posture, you might grow and develop muscle, but that will be very prone to injury.
Educational Institution is the place where you "Go and Learn". Whereas, Fitness Gym is the place where you should "Learn and Go".

My Resolution for Year 2010 was to attain 6 Pack Abs.
Albeit, i have not achieved the target in entirety, but i am glad, i got the feel of that rugged abs, which enthused me to attain that insanity.






The intent of this post is to pay tribute to my two mentors - Prafulla and Krishna, without education and guidance of whom i would not had been able to attain - not the 6 pack abs, but the right path to the insanity, which i am determined to follow religiously in the coming years, because Fitness is not something which we achieve, its something which we live with forever.

To end up the story, let me resolute for the New Year 2011.

6 Pack abs is the fad of the past. I now aspire for 8 pack abs in 2011.

Resolution 2011 - 8 Pack Abs.

----The Shekhar
31st Dec 2010

RUDY

Toddler Rudy said his dad that he'll join Nostre Dame, Irish football team, and will dress up one day, and will become a football star. His dad giggled and considered it a passing fad in a kid's infant mind. Rudy was the younger son of a total of 5 siblings. Frank being the eldest, followed by Johny, two sisters and finally, Rudy. It was Pete, his childhood friend, the only one in the entire world of this toddler, who takes him and his passion seriously. They grew up together. Rudy being the youngest one in the family, had always been taken for granted. In addition to that, his dream of becoming a football star, made him worthless in the eyes of his family members, including his father, who wanted Rudy to join his factory and be worthfull like his brothers. No one ever takes Rudy's passion seriously, in addition to that Rudy's bad grades aggravated people's beliefs, that he is worthless and will go nowhere.

Rudy's father was a big fan of Nostre Dame and was a dream of Rudy to once get dressed and play for Nostre Dame and prove his mettle. "It’s the dreams that makes life tolerable." It was only his friend Pete, who had faith in Rudy's dream. Pete was more than a brother to Rudy. But, In a drastic accident in the factory, Pete became the victim of the blast that happened and he died. That incident left Rudy aghast. He decided to leave his family, his girlfriend, his home, place and decided to make his dream, on which Pete was having undoubted faith, to come into true. He went to Nostre Dame, an institution for aspiring footballers. It was not an easy task for Rudy to get an admission in Nostre Dame. In the world, where people manipualtes their thoughts, and speak what people wants to listen, Rudy speaks what he believed in and his speech is filled with earnest dedication and promise. Rudy live his dreams.

In Nostre Dame, Rudy met the priest, who gave him an opprotunity to get good grades in sibling High school "Holy Cross" and on the basis of his good grades, he'll get him admitted in Nostre Dame. Rudy discovered that he is suffering from Dyslexia, so it was not that easy for him to get top grades. Still, he worked very hard, but he faced disappointment in each passing semester. "Prayers are what we do in our time. The Answers comes in God's tym." Priest tried to motivate Rudy so that he can keep going and work hard to attain good grades.

Unsuccessfully, he was unable to attain the desired grades. His opportunity to get the support from the priest dimmed. "I'll work very hard, i'll not let you down." Rudy gave a last attempt to convince the priest. "You know, in the years of preisthood, i've discoverd two things. One, God exists. And two, I am not God." Priest made his point. Without a good grade, nothing was in his hands and so helpless. But still, priest saw a dedication and Promise in Rudy's words. The next letter from Nostre Dame that Rudy recieved was an astonishment for him. It says he got an opportunity to be a student of the elite institution. Rudy was delirious. He had proved his mettle by getting admission in Nostre Dame. He went to his father. His father proudly announced his achievement in the factory speaker. Rudy was proud of himself for making his father proud.

When a man achieve a milestone, he is faced with another milestone to achieve and prove his mettle again. Celebrations of getting into Nostre Dame was not even over, when Rudy realised that in order to attain his real dream i.e. to get dressed up for Nostre Dame football team, he have to compete with other contemporaries at the instuitution, among whom the final team will be decided. Rudy was not athlete structured. He was a puny among his contemporaries. The only thing he possessed was energetic posture, enthusiastic gesture and passion. More than that, he had an earnestness towards his dream. His contemporaries as well as all other people he come in contact with, fell in love with his earnestness.

"My father want me to once see me dressed up for Nostre Dame. This will be the best gift i can give to my father." Rudy beseeched in front of coach. "Is it only for your father." Coach enqired. "No. Since childhood, i've grown up hearing people say what i can do and what i can't do. I dont want to listen to them anymore." Somehow, by the love and faith that Rudy had grown in the fellow team members and the coach himself, Rudy got an opportunity to once get dressed for Nostre Dame.

The day arrived for Rudy to live his dream in reality. He convinced his entire family to visit Nostre Dame to catch the glimpse of his first game from the stadium."This is the most beautiful thing these eyes has ever seen." Rudy's dad said when he enetered Nostre Dame stadium, glimpse of which he had caught only on TV since years.

Game started. Nostre Dame and the opponent team equalled the score and few minutes of the game was left. Till yet Rudy didnt got an opportunity to enter the field as coach was not having so confidence in him to send him in such a situation of the game, being first match for Rudy. Few team members huddled up, started shouting "Rudy", "Rudy". Soon, the entire team started shouting his name. His parents sitting in the crowd could not believed their ears, that the entire team, the entire crowd was asking the coach in unison, to let Rudy come to the field at such a crucial phase of the match. Rudy had become a lucky charm for the team and the team members and soon of the crowd. Finally, Rudy get into the field. Nostre Dame won the match. Albeit, Rudy's contribution was not that significant, but still the incredible love he had developed in everyone, the faith of everyone in his presence, won the match. That was first and the last time in the history of Notre Dame Football that a player is carried off the field.

----The Shekhar

NEVER BACK DOWN

Watching a good movie is an experience that always leave you with few insightful thoughts to wrestle with, as its a tendency to relate ourselves with the story, situations and experiences of the movie. I try to make every experience, education. So, coming up with my first blog on the movie "Never back Down", which inspires me in many ways, for many things.


The movie starts with a game of a Football. jake was in the white team competing against the black (color of the costume) team. Jake was continuously putting down one of the player of the rival team. Initially it seems that things are cool but, once, as a part of the game, Jake dropped the rival once again. This time the other player said something about his father in frustration. Jake turned around and in anger started confronting him. The referees where trying to stop the players of Jake’s team, but that let few other Black team players surrounded Jake. Jake was left with no option but to confront with 5 of them together. Few excellent stunts from Jake and all 5 of them were on the grounds. Few minutes later, fellow team players were all with Jake and there was a chaos between both the teams.

“One man shoots and the whole world watches.” This is the main theme of the movie. One man from the spectators shoots all this and the whole world watched it on Internet, You tube, cell phones etc. Jake was famous.

Jakes mom was not so happy with his stunts and his anger. She had grown grouchy after death of her husband. Jake and his younger brother get shifted to another place as his younger brother got some scholarship for lawn tennis and was aspiring to be a tennis star. Jake accompanied him and joined the high school in the same city.

Jake met Baha the very first day and started liking her. Baha invited him in a party. Jake couldn’t refused as he was bound by her charm. He reached there with Max, one of Jake’s mate, he met on the first day of the high school and get friends with. There they met with McCarthy who is the hero of the high school. He is the star wrestler and have won many championships. He is the kingpin of the college and use to bully, but surely was the cynosure of all eyes. After a few confabulations, he revealed that the whole high school have seen his vdo of fight in the football game and according to them it was awesome. First they insisted Jake to fight, but Jake was not interested.

“If u want to be the best u hav to take out the best.
” Said McCarthy. Means if Jake want to be the best in the high school, he have to defeat the best i.e. McCarthy.

“I don’t want to be the best.” Said Jake.

“Then why are u here” asked McCarthy.

Jake looked at Baha, McCarthy gave a smirk and went towards Baha and kissed her.
Jake was set up. Baha set him up as his boyfriend McCarthy wanted to fight him and defeat him to prove that he is the best. Baha wasn’t able to make eye contact to Jake as she was ashamed. Max was completely unaware about the whole set up thing. Jake was disgusted. He tried to go, but was stopped by other bully friends of McCarthy.

“It means the whole internet stuff was fake” teased McCarthy.
“Even the story of ur old man who hit into the tree inebriated and u kept ur ass in the adjacent seat and did nothing” he continued.

Clearly McCarthy was trying to stimulate Jake and he got the nerve. Jake was infuriated. McCarthy got what he wanted, fight.

Fight begins. Jake was just a gifted one but never brawls and McCarthy was the champion of the brawls. Undoubtedly, McCarthy broke Jake into pieces, physically as well as mentally.

Next day, Max visited Jake with an invitation to join a gym “365 Combat Club” which teaches Marshal Arts operated by its originator Jean Roqua.
According to Max, Jake can achieve what he or many others cant - Greatness, as Jake was undoubtedly gifted.

But, Jake was not interested for the proposal.

“Nobody can get their ass beat lyk that and not care.” Max tried to persuade.

“I can” replied Jake.

Max left disappointed.

Next day Jake visited the gym. Max was astonished to see Jake there. He introduced him to the coach “The Jean Roqua”.

Jean Roqua, as per the procedure, asked Jake to join the beginner class with Max but Jake insisted to join the Advanced class. Jake justified that he is a quick learner and will be fit into the class. He impressed Roqua and joined the Advanced class. The only instruction Jean Roqua stressed upon was “No fight outside the gym.”

“If u wanna learn something, first u have to empty ur glass.” You will always meet few people in ur life who are more excellent than u. Inspite of feeling jealous or inspite of feeling inferior, we shud learn from them. We shud keep our window open to learn.

Jake did mistake here, he was too conceited to learn. He did improved and learned skills but was not able to achieve the excellence due to his attitude.

He was constantly harmed by Jean Roqua’s instructions to improve. At one instance, Roqua tried to explain Jake that “Its ur responsibility to control the outcome.” Something flash backed into Jake’s mind, he ill-mouthed with Roqua and left the gym infuriated. On the way, he had a self initiated a confrontation with few tough guys and crushed them in a stunt which Max took vdo of and again Jake was a star as “One man shoots and the whole world sees.”

McCarthy was infuriated by the popularity of Jake. As Jake had improved and have not achieved excellence, McCarthy again bullied on him and showed Jake his place i.e. Good but not the Best. McCarthy was still the Best.

Jake resumed the gym the next day, trying to assume as if nothing happened. While Jean Roqua was highly infuriated by Jake’s fight. His clear instructions was “No fight outside the Gym.” Roqua discarded him and forbid Jake’s entry into the Gym.

Jake’s mother too was pissed off as Jake’s younger brother was trying to emulate Jake and got hurt in a fight. According to his mother it was all Jake’s fault. “He wants to be lyk U. U r setting an example for him.”

Jake was out of the gym, his mother forbid him to fight. Jake couldn’t do what he really wanted to do, training.

“NEVER BACK DOWN” as the name itself suggests, Jake didn’t gave up. He looked an opportunity to meet Jean Roqua outside the gym. He spied on him and got an opportunity in a Supermarket when Roqua was out of the gym for groceries.

“I lied to you the very first day. I had all intentions to fight outside the gym.” Jake started.

“Is this ur apology?” Roqua was confused.

“I lied coz I wanted to pound this guy who pounded on me. This guy has got the perfect life, perfect car, perfect girlfriend. I lied because I am pissed off. I am angry all the time. My dad was inebriated and he insisted to drive, and I let him. He went off the road and hit a tree. I made it, he couldn’t. I put my mom down, my brother down. We are into fight all the time. I don’t want to be angry ne more. And I m not only when I am in the gym, training with you.” Jake tried to convince Jean Roqua.

After a silence Jean Roqua picked up his bag and said “See u in the gym tomorrow at 6”.

Jake was touched that he made it in convincing Roqua.
He shouted “Thank You.”

“You wont be tomorrow.” Roqua replied.

From the next day Jake’s training starts. This was the most inspiring part of the movie when Jake gets trained. How he achieved excellence was commendable.
Now Jake had everything. Perfect training, perfect trainer ‘Roqua, perfect girlfriend ‘Baha, perfect friend ‘Max, perfect mother, perfect brother. Now he didn’t wanted to fight.

Jake came close to Roqua and came to know why Roqua was strictly against "Fighting outside the gym." He lost his brother in a confrontation of his brother with a bully guy in a local bar. He shot his brother and he could not do anything. He lost his brother and the trust of his father, as he was unable to "Control the outcome". Since then, he started sulking and restricted his life inside the gym.


McCarthy was infuriated by the word on the street that Jake wud hav kicked his ass if is in the tournament.

McCarthy wanted Jake to be in the tournament. So he picked up Max to his place and beat him up inhumanly.

Jake wanted revenge, so he decided to participate in the tournament and have a confrontation with McCarthy. But Roqua tried to stop Jake.

“You fight outside, and never come back to the gym. I forgive you once, but will not forgive you again.” Roqua shouted.

“I am fighting now so as to not fight again.” Jake tried to convince.

“Just let it go.” Roqua said.

“I did it. I let go my father to drive, I didn’t even tried to stop him. I cant do it again. Ur brother died, u let go ur father, and started sulking here.” Jake said.

“You know nothing Jake. I wake up every morning in this gym, wash my face and look into the mirror, disgusted. You know the last time I heard my father, he said – “That nite I lost both my son.”

“Everyone has his fight. I have to fight so that I need not fight again. You have to fight for his forgiveness. Letting go is also a consequence.” Jake said.

After a silence, Roqua said – “Whatever happens, try to control the outcome.”

Jake got the confidence required. He went and after few excellent stunts, he crushed McCarthy.

----The Shekhar

Brain Vs Mind !!

What’s the difference between Brain and Mind?

Whats the difference between Car and Driving?
Whats the difference between Pen and Writing?
Whats the difference between Brain and Thinking?

Answers to all the three above questions are same. But whats the relation between Car and Fuel? Whats the relation between Pen and ink? Same is the relation between Brain and Mind.

Pen is useless without ink and Car is of no use without Fuel. Similarly Brain is useless without mind. “Mind is the fuel of Brain.” Ink helps the Pen to write, fuel helps the car to go places and similarly mind helps the brain to understand.

Car is what manufacturer builds and fuel is what we insert in order to get the car working. Similarly, Brain is the organ constructed by someone who created us, but mind is what we instill in our brain since childhood until we stop learning. Brain with the help of mind do all the thinking.
If there is an Open Skull Surgery, one can point that “This is Brain” an Organ. But nowhere is mind in our body exists. It virtually exists inside the brain which makes the brain function, and provides it inputs to create outputs.

Everyone had got the organ called Brain constructed at the same factory with absolutely no difference. What differs is mind, and its mind that makes human beings different. All the brains on Earth sees the same insurgency among the humans, same input goes into every brain, but output is not same from all the brains, coz the inputs reacts with the mind inside the brain which is different in each and every human being and so the outputs to the same input differs. Else all women on Earth would be Mother Teresa and all Muslims Osama Bin Laden.

----The Shekhar

Vodafone Saga !!

Frustration is the state of mind which occurs when you are been f***** by somebody and you are unable to reciprocate coz u just don’t wanna mess up, so something within you burn your hard gained calories and what is left is, just, Frustration !!

Vodafone, in collaboration with Accenture, provides a corporate sim to Accenture’s employees. I got relocated from Mumbai to Bangalore and as per Accenture’s relocation policy, I was enjoying the privilege to have a stay of 15 days at the company’s guest house. It was 19th August 2009, when I flied from Mumbai to Bangalore. On 20th, I bought the same corporate sim from Accenture Bangalore’s office. Vodafone had a separate stall at each Accenture’s location throughtout IDC. There is an indigenous kiosk also present at each location for the employees so that they can pay their phone bills at ease by not effecting their office work.
On 23rd August, Vodafone did temporary address verification at the guest house.
On 26th August, my sim displays a message “Sim is barred” whenever I tried to make an outgoing call. I didn’t got frustrated. It was not a big issue. I just dialed 111 for tele assistance. They informed me that my permanent address verification is pending, so the sim has been barred. I was unable to refrain myself from laughing. I said “Boss, let me complete my 15 days stay at my temporary address, then only I’ll be able to provide you my Permanent address. So kindly activate my sim and update your system that the customer is still in the temporary address. “
If you are providing a corporate sim, mind my words “Corporate Sim” not just “Sim”, u’ll have to customize your policies in sync with that corporate’s policies. “How can I provide the permanent address for verification within 7 days when its Accenture’s policy to stay in the temporary Address for 15 days” Neways my logics effected the tele-caller and he apologized and somehow activated my sim.
On 28th August, the same error message on my mobile screen was acting as a clown and teasing me by those 3 frustrating words “Sim is barred”. But this is not that frustration I was initially talking about. I am still not F*****. I went to the stall of Vodafone at the cafeteria of my office and very warmly let the vendor know about my issue. He did something on his laptop and said with a smile on his face that “Sir, your sim is not barred due to Address Verification, it had been barred because you have crossed your credit limit. “Whatz my credit limit?” I asked with an astonishment.
“Rs. 500” he said lunging towards his another pending case.
“Are you insane, why is it just Rs. 500, I was using the same corporate sim at Mumbai and my credit limit was Rs. 3000/- over there, then how can it be reduced?” I said this with no frustration, believe me !!
“So brother, kindly coordinate with the responsible person, and increase my credit limit, so that I can make few very important pending calls” I continued.

“Credit limit can only be increased after the permanent Address verification !! “

After listning to this statement, I stood their still for few seconds. Believe me, this is also not that state of frustration, I am talking about.

But that statement made me mad, but I somehow kept my cool, and did not bothered to again explain him that whole restriction of providing the permanent Address before 15 days. I asked him if I can do the interim payment to get the services flow once again. He agreed and again somehow I got my sim activated.

30th August, Sunday, I woke up and saw few missed calls on my mobile screen. I immediately clicked on the call button to know if I missed something urgent. Guess what, the same 3 killer words were flashing on my mobile screen “Sim is barred”. “Might be I have again crossed the credit limit which seems very unrealistic to me. Still I made a call to 111 and they informed me that “Your sim had been barred coz ur permanent address verification is in pending state.” Thanks for informing me Mam !! I am obliged !! Do you think this is the frustration I was talking about. NO. Still Not Pal !!

I talked to the floor manager, explained her the entire history with calmness (which was difficult to maintain). She was intelligent enuf to understand the lacunae in their policy. But she is helpless and I’ll have to go to the Vodafone Store in person and submit a request letter if I want my sim activated. But just imagine, today is Sunday, I am alone, not feeling to step out of the house, just want to relaxe and catch some good movies on TV. So I decided to spend a day away from kiths n kins, in solitude. But still I was able to receive incoming calls.

On 31st morning, I mailed my permanent address to the responsible person as I was goin to shift on 1st September to my permanent Address. I was informed that my sim will be activated today and verification will be done later on. I was happy and trying to call Manas intermittently just to check if I finally got rid of those 3 killer words. The whole day passed like that, but still believe, this frustration is not the one I stated in my opening statement. The “F” word is still to occur.

Today is 1st September 2009, I got shifted to a PG nearby to my office. The day still passed by trying to get rid of those 3 irritating words. I was informed that from 2nd September, I’ll have to work in shifts. So the cab facility will be provided to me and the CAB DRIVER WILL CALL ME TO LET ME KNOW WHEN TO MEET AND WHERE TO MEET. I was not worried coz still I was able to get the incoming calls and so can easily coordinate with the cab driver. I was on my way to my PG and surprisingly I saw that there was no network signal in my phone. I tried few things then finally restarted the mobile phone to get back the network signal. To my astonishment I got rid of those 3 killer words, but you know what, I am attacked by another 4 frustrating words “Sim card Registration Failed”. THIS IS THE FRUSTRATION, I was talking about. I am screwed. Now I lost the incoming facility too. SILENCE.

The frustration was burning my calories inside, on my way to the PG. It was all internal process goin on and my co-passenger in the bus was not even able to sense the heat within me.

“I am not goin to pay my outstanding phone bill. Neways I am getting transferred, how is it goin to affect me. They will never be able to locate me.”…….Shekhar, 17th August, Accenture Cafeteria, Mumbai.
“True, might be they will never be able to take the money out of you, but you are goin to face the effect of it in some other way.”………….Shantanu Kaushik.
I don’t know why I just paid the outstanding amount of my phone bill and deactivated my Mumbai sim before flying to Bangalore. But that might not be the case with many others who definitely might not have followed my path and might have saved their few bucks.
Vodafone might have introduced such stringent rules due to many such incidents.
I got my lesson.

----The Shekhar
1st September, 2009

ROG

Peechle guruwar ko…maine apni jaan lene ki koshish ki…
Koi khas wajah nahi hai…Koi tanav bhi nahin hai..
Mann uuub gaya hai…
Wahi shor, Wahi aawaazein…
Ghar-daftar…Daftar-Ghar…Ghar-Daftar…
Outlook, Gym, Cafeteria, Bay,work station, phir Cafeteria…
Roz apne system ke samne baith ke e-mails delete karna….
Koi shikayat nahi hai…Ab software industry me job kiya hai to itna to hoga hi…
Ajeeb sa ehsaas hai mann mein….Ajeeeb !!
Har Roz naya din nikalta hai…Mein wahi purana hu…Duniya wahi purani hai…Waise hi chali jaa rahi…
Mujhe laga ki bhai ye jo zindagi ki gaadi chal rahi hai, iski mein chain kheechta hu aur main utar jata hu….

Par aisa kiya nahi…

Iski teen wajah hai..

Pehli…Mein mar gaya to Accenture ka key resource chala jayega aur company doob jayegi..
Ab apna sukun pane ke liye sala Accenture ka nuksaan kyu karu….

Dusri….Meri friend hai Pastaria…..Uske kuch relative aye hue the Indore se. Next day Rakhi thi. Agar mein mar jaata to uski Rakhi kharab ho jaati…

Teesri….Jaise hi maine Google mein Marne ki easy technique search mari aur implement karne ko hua…Tabhi mera dhyaan gaya khidki ki taraf….Aur khidki ke bahar ek bahut hi sundar indradhanush tha…..Maine socha yaar isko dekhte dekhte to nahi mara jaa sakta hai…Main utha kidhki band karne k liye….Khdiki band ki maine aur wapas lauta to.…Wo MOMENT chala gaya…Wo toot gaya…Wo Moment nahi raha….Uske baad mera marne ka dil hi nahi kiya !!

----The Shekhar