At twilight, it's not the day that bids adieu,
It's the night that is young, and that waits for you..

Wishing you happiness in whatever you may do!
Happy Birthday

Hope SKM sir liked this greeting...in these morose times, i cant think better of that anyways...

My friend Atul, he dropped in to meet me yesterday. He's back from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

It was nice getting to hear about a far-away land. About those stories and sites, those myths and legacies, you have only heard of otherwise.

Okay, this time again, it was only a hearing-out. But listening that from a close pal, whose been one among the adventurers, beguiles us more.

He has brought me a nice key ring from Nazareth. And some lovely candles, too.

XXX

Oh my God, how could i waste such time on this blog. It just slipped out, i have to write some nice greeting for him.

SKM Sir. It's his 65th b'de!

And it has to be a good one. After all, he's one of those very few people i admire.

I must slap myself for this.

What will he think of me now?
The St Michael's Principal who is also a minister in the government.

I just presented him a used lip-balm and some torn napkins on his birthday!

Only i could have been so stupid!

Earlier on the day, I had been so careful at choosing the pen-set. It had to be the most sleek one. A beautiful black pen, with some silver motif adding to its allure. After all, i wasn't presenting that to anybody. It must suit the rank of Father Peter, my Principal at school.

But then, it all capsized.

Somewhere during the journey, i used those tissues and put up some balm on my parched lips. And the forgetful person that i am, i had to put that back on the packet in which lay the gift.

Had he been at school, i would have obviously taken the present out to personally give it to him. Averting, thus, the embarassment.

But the guard told me he's been out already. When i called him up, he asked me to get into the priests' cottage, and keep that at Room No. 3- his residence.... Unlike others, who were asked to leave the presents with the security personnel.

I happily obliged. Left the packet with a note, and came back. And now, i realise the slip-back. Oh God, i only hope somebody should have stolen that.

I know they are honest people. The guards, the servants, and the carpenters working out there. But all of that aside, if somebody does steal it, i shall be so obliged!

Why I want to be a journalist?

The palace was resplendent with lights and made noisy with applaud of a jubilant crowd. Arrayed in all their finery, the princes waited in line for her to arrive. All of them anxious, restless, and yearning to win. She approached them with a coy smile. Greeted them. And exchanged a word or two in kindly courtesy. And just when her relentless father assumed she would make her choice, the princess walked to the end of the hall and garlanded the statue of Prithviraj.

That was an audacity that saw the end of two mighty empires. But why did Samyukta have to do that?

Simple.
Sometimes the heart beckons, and the enthusiast in us happily nods.

I, too, have nodded to the idea of journalism from a young age. Born with a gift of writing and always looking for ways to improve that, literature engulfed the better part of my childhood. This aptitude found motivation at home, as my mum gave me the best grooming that money could buy. Not only did she help me polish my writing, but also prepared me well for elocutions and debating.

By the time I reached high school, I was already being recognised as an effortless writer and fine orator. Becoming the editor of my school magazine, Xavier Life, and getting elected as the student-in charge of Xavier- Spic Macay society, observed me more into media related activities.

That was also the time I was reading avidly in international relations- an interest lent by the 9/11 Twin Tower attack. A comprehensive study of modern world history, which was part of our Social Science curriculum, added to my efforts meaningfully.

And upon this time, I realized, unambiguously, I should be a journalist. Choosing anything else, however lucrative be the prospects of it, would mean bartering my dreams away for a little comfort. I would not do that.

I pursued BA Honours in Political Science, so that I might gain insight of the world around me, and the issues that face it. I coupled that with a PG diploma in journalism from Asian College of Journalism- a lifetime’s experience I can proudly tell.

I now look forward to practicing my craft in a knowledgeable environment, and I am happy that the Confucius quote has come true for me: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

They called me for a hang-out again, and I responded this time, too.
It was a nice chitto-chat at Coffee Cafe Day.

At Connaught Place- in which ACJians see a blur yet joyous reflection of Bessi hideouts.

One girl and the seven of us boys!

The logical inference of this merry-making tells me I'm trying to change. Or is it just that im falling short of suitable excuses?

I have never been a hibernating animal, although I have been choosy at seeking comapany. But it's time I adjusted my ways and imitated- if not imbibe- models on behaviour.

You just need to adapt, there's no escape.

For experience has it that you would not find those perfectly-bonding people at all, or should you find them, they may not befriend you for long.

But I'm so inamenable at changing my ways. I know it's an honest start. But will it also remain a persistent one?

There's hope in the tunnel again!

He's asked me to mail my resume with a covering letter there. And he is willing to stand referee.

That is all very Good, but I cannot comprehend how i could have been so stupid as not to have approached him earlier. Why am I naive, always?

Anybody in my place, who knew he had been thought of well by this man, would have exploited this good-will already.

It took me 45 days to do that, and may be another one month has to be spent waiting, while others ardor at work impassionately!!

Why is life not a grimm brothers tale?