New City

Few drinks, few kisses, few tears and wishes,
Here when I am moving to a new City.
Hopes, Dreams and Expectations I carry,
In this move to a new city.

               Dreamt long of this move and finally the date arrives,

               Here when I moving to a new City.

               Prayers, love and expectations I carry,

               In this move to a new City.

All come and tell me best wishes,
Here when I moving to a new City.
Plenty of love and promises I carry,
In this move to a new City.

               Scared of what the future holds,
               Here when I moving to a new City.
               New bosses, new friends,  Expectations of which I carry,
               In this move to a new City.

-Savio

To my dearest wifee

When I wake up and see you, my wife,
I struggle to believe this is real life.
My heart fills with pleasure,
Seeing you are my greatest treasure.

               No matter whatever I say or do,
               Your love for me never seems to fade.
               To have someone as wonderful as you,
               I wonder what I did for this accolade.

So my love, I promise you,
This is true, what I say to you.
My love for you will never fade,
You can count on me to be your shade.

               I know there’s a long way to go,
               But let us take it sweet and slow.
               Cherishing each and every moment I spend with you,
               Making each day lovely memories anew.

- Savio

An Umbrella of Love

A storm of expectations,
Hailstorm of fears and tensions;
Into this I dare to venture
With you and an umbrella of love.

                A shelter of care and understanding,

                From the troubles of the world notwithstanding;

                I start this great adventure,

                With you and an umbrella of love.

Two imperfect beings brought together,
To traverse this formidable ocean called life;
So I set sail on this enterprise,
With you and an umbrella of love.

                Molded and shaped by life experiences,
                Do we fit together with our differences;
                Fears and worries cloud the path, As I step out
                With you and an umbrella of love.

- Savio

Someone, a.k.a. The One

Some told me there will be ‘One’,
One who would point me towards the Sun.
A person who would make me complete,
I wondered if their heads had melted in heat.

               First time I saw you, My heart just flew.
               My heart had healed, I just knew.
               Tell me girl, could this be true
               That I could need someone, like I need you

You came along and captured my heart,
Making difficult the time we spend apart.
I want to talk to you everyday,
And tell you these feelings are here to stay.

               These words that my heart has sowed,
               It took a while for me to decode.
               I promise to love you; every moment, forever,
               When all else crumbles, my love will never.

- Savio

Hey Soul Sister, will miss you

Hey Soul Sister,

Leaving for your Mister

You will never  disappear,

Ever from my biosphere.

               An angel you are to me in disguise,

               Your maturity leaves me in suprise

               My every thoughts & dreams you know,

               No stronger bond could ever grow.

You are the best confidant I've ever had, 

To lose you would leave me mad

Never a convo where we didn’t fight,

But the fun part sister, We both think we're right.

               No words could ever describe my luck,

               To have you my sister, as my best schmuck

               In life’s troubles, tests and rainy days,

               My sunshine were you in so many ways.

But today, I concede to you day or night,

I wonder when I will again grace your sight

If God could just listen to my prayer, 

And give to you my every share.

- Savio

Love you sis, will miss you :*

Midnight Bicycle tour of Maximum City

Midnight Cycle said the Facebook event invite. Reality Tours and Travels  was organizing a midnight cycle ride around south Mumbai last Saturday (January 24, 2015). Mumbai at night always had a different feel, so I was very much excited about the event.  

The midnight tour started from Colaba at 12:30, We collected our cycles and were introduced to our guides, There were plenty of choices for cycles and we could choose which ever we wanted. When I was a kid I had a non-geared hero cycle, in memory of that I selected a non-geared one which I almost regretted later.  (Why almost? continue reading).

It was ironical that even before the first halt the friend who invited me for the tour dropped out saying he unable to continue cycling. With that mood downer we reached our first halt - Taj Hotel/Gateway of India. Both Taj hotel & Gateway of India is intimately connected with city's history. Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of British Royality to India where as Jamsedji Tata built the Taj Hotel as a taunt to the British after he was stopped from entering a white only hotel. Unfortunately how much this beautiful area has been a favourite for the citizens of the city so also it has been for the enemies of the state also.  

Our next halt was Asiatic Library where the group was introduced to each other and the guides. From here we went on to Flora Fountain, Oval Maidhan, Mumbai University, CST.  It was during this part I noticed a pair of ladies who would be calling out to check on each other as they cycled. I found it both funny and sweet, and I introduced myself to them, they were my unofficial partners for the rest of the trip.

The next halt was Crawford Market, seeing Mohammed Ali Road empty was a revelation. A place where usually you can't stand in peace, here I was cycling. Crawford Market, or as introduced by the guide,  the first mall in India, for it was was the first building in India to be lit up by electricity in 1882. Further after hearing details of Mangaldas Market, Zaveri Bazar and Mumba Devi temple we went on to the iconic Mumbai landmark - Marine Drive.

Marine Drive was our first long halt. We were given tea and snacks. Here I met Sid, an European who was teaching English in India, He has been roaming the world teaching English. I both respected and envied this guy, he's living my dream. Wish I could get the guts to quit my job and roam the world like him.

From Marine Drive we continued onwards to Chowpatty and then 

Ducks in Banganga Tank

on route to Malabar hill we stopped at Banganga Tank. I had never been to this place before though I had heard of it. It is said that Lord Ram had stopped at the spot in search of his kidnapped wife Sita. As the legend goes, overcome with fatigue and thirst, Rama had asked his brother Lakshmana to bring him some water. Laxman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water from Ganges gushed forth from the ground. Hence the place is called Banganga, the Ganga created on a baan (arrow). Next to the tank area  there is still an old Hindu cemetery consisting of samadhi of various Advaita gurus. Walking next to the dimly lit graves, surrounded by Banyan Tress in the quite of the night is a creepy experince.

Next came the difficult part of the journey, the climb to Hanging Gardens. It was here where I initially regretted that I had taken an non-geared cycle. But after making the entire climb without any stop, the sense of achievement I felt was unmatched.  At Hanging Gardens we had our next well deserved break, where we were fed samosas and bananas.

We had already completed half our trip, from Hanging Gardens we continued to Peddar Road, Antilia House and Haji Ali Dargah. Cycling at full speed in the middle of the road is an experince which can't be explained in words. 

At Haji Ali Dargah, I heard of the tale of the Dargah for the first time.  According to legend, once Haji Ali saw a poor woman crying on the road, holding an empty vessel. He asked her what the problem was, she sobbed that her husband would thrash her as she stumbled and accidentally spilled the oil she was carrying. He asked her to take him to the spot where she spilt the oil. There, he jabbed a finger into the soil and the oil gushed out. The overjoyed woman filled up the vessel and went home. Later, Haji Ali had a recurring and disturbing dream that he had injured Earth by his act. Full of remorse, he soon fell ill and directed his followers to cast the coffin carrying his body into the Arabian Sea. The casket carrying his body got stuck in the string of rocky islets just off the shore of Worli. Thus, the Dargah was constructed there.

Idli @ Worli Fort

The penultimate stop of our midnight tour was Worli Seaface. By then majority of the group was showing signs of fatigue, but I was so full of adrenaline that I just wanted to continue cycling. We then left our cycles near the entrance to Worli Koliwada, from where we walked to Worli Fort. Yet another place in Mumbai which I was visiting for the first time. Here while waiting for the sun rise we had our breakfast of idli and chai. Unfortunately the weather being hazy we were not able to see the sunrise properly. 

After reaching home, I could do nothing but spend the entire day in bed.Thank goodness it was Sunday. But I have to tell you, the trip was totally worth it. The cycling through empty streets, the conversations with people, seeing Mumbai in a new light and learning more about its history. It was joked in the group that it was the healthiest Saturday ever.

The trip cost Rs. 1500. I would really recommend the midnight cycle tour to every Mumbaikar.  Reality Tours and Travels gives 80% of its profits back to the community. The guides who come from improvised background are so knowledgeable, that on all stops I was learning something new about the city.

To sum up, its not that we have never been to majority of the above places. But trust me roaming Maximum City in night on a bicycle is something to be experienced.

Maximum City at Dawn

Your Hands are the Reason I am Me

Your Hands held me when I took my first Breath,
Your hands held me when I took my first step,
Your hands fed me when I took my first bite,
Your Hands wiped my tears after my first fall.


No Foods more tastier than those cooked by your hands,
No Sleeps more restful than falling asleep in your hands,
Never scared when my arms are in your hands,
What makes the house a home is your hands.


Your hands gave me a million things,
Your hands taught me a thousand things,
Your hands held me when sickness struck,
Your hands guided me when I lost my path.


When I ran away, you called me with your hands
When I hurt you, the love never was lost from your hands
You Guided me, consoled me, held me, fed me with your hands
Your hands are the reason I am me.

- Savio

Happy 60th Birthday Mummy,  Love you :*

Change!! Nothing you can do...

Long ago, but not so very long ago
The world was different, oh yes it was.
Fears & Worries were far away,
The distance seemed so long.
Yet time rushed, and brought the day,
Nothing you can do...


Time goes by, time brings changes, Change is what we do,
Change brings fear, with fear comes perplexity.
Nothing comes that you can't handle, so on you go,
Never see it coming, the world changes  on you.
Nothing you can do...


Sun comes up each morning, Just like it's always done.
Telling you what changes, stays the same.
Its what doesn’t, that vanishes,
Vanishes like the childhood dreams.
Nothing you can do...


Good or bad times, neither one lasts
Its just the Sun asking the stars to show the way,
Behind the dark cloud is a big blue sky waiting,
Waiting for the winds to change for you,
Nothing you can do...

-Savio

Humanity!! Where art thou?

Humanity :- noun,

1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.

2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.

3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

I started this post by explaining the meaning of the word "Humanity" cause the new arising from all around us I get the feeling we have forgotten what it is to be human this week.

On 14th Dec 20 children were killed in Connecticut USA, closer home on  16th Dec a student was gang-raped and thrown out of a moving bus in Delhi. These case were widely reported in the media. It chills me to think of what else has happened in this world, how else has weak and unfortunate people been exploited.

I wonder what makes us, Humans behave like animals. Why does our sense of compassion, pity and mercy go for a toss? I agree it is not right to paint the entire human race with the same brush because of a few rotten apples among us. But as they say "A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel".

I don't want to write anything about the Connecticut shoot-out, not because my heart doesn't bleed for the loss of innocent life. But because I can't understand a culture which is obsessed with Guns. It is not right nor fair on my part to be sitting miles away with no understanding of the culture to pass any judgement on them. My prayers go out to the children, and I hope USA passes a stricter gun control rules before further such incidents take place. Coming to the Delhi Gang rape case, I am guilty again for being a arm-chair critic of the system and society and there has been enough written about the disease and the cure for the evils of rape. 

But being an Indian male, I would want to apologize to not only the victim, but also to all the rape victims in India. (I hate using the word victim, but don't have a better word). I would want to apologize to all my sisters in India for the guys who stare, for men who make it uncomfortable for you to use the public transport, For the inequalities suffered by you at various stages in your life. I know my apologize to you nor this blog post is going to make a drop of difference But this is my way of telling you that all the apples haven't rotten yet.

Coming back, to the question where has the humanity in humans gone? Why do we keep hearing such cases? What will it require for all of us to live and let others live? People might give various answers like the  loss of humanity is due to the effect of drugs, alcohol, loss of morals and drifting of humans away from God. But none of these answers justify why a child reached home today, why a girl can't walk freely in a so called free country. why there are statistic individuals still living among us?

It is said the culprits of the rape were confident that they wouldn't be traced or punished for the crime. This calls in question our laws, laws are required not just to punish the guilty but also to deter people from straying form the correct path. For e.g Singapore is said to be safe due to the strict enforcement of rules. But looking at the shootout in USA, its clear that the guy knew he would be punished or killed yet he went to kill 20 kids. My take is that rules / laws are important but what is more important is change of mindset and thinking. Its not how you act when you are watched but how you act when you are alone shows the maturity of the society.

My hope is with education and more empowerment of people the thinking of society will change. In the future with better rules and enforcement young frustrated individuals get a chance or dare to go on a gun rampage or destroy a innocent girls life. My prayers are that this day comes soon. My prayers are with all the oppressed in the world.

The End of Poverty? Possible?

Being an Indian and if you havn't seen Poverty you are blind, you see it all around you, beggars on the roads  a row of slums by the rail tracks, even if you travel by air, when you land in any of the major Indian cities you will see a poverty surrounding the airports. We all know that India is not the poorest country in the world. There are countries in the world which fare much worse than India.

If in India there is so much of visible poverty, wonder how much poverty is really there in the world? So have we taken poverty as a part and parcel of human existence. From when history begins there has always been inequality existing. The Kings / Pharaohs / Emperors lived in absolute comfort while ordinary folk toiled under their yoke. A kind of extension now where Industrialist and Capitalist enjoy from the labor of workers.

But it can be said, a normal individual now is living in more comfort what the King of England had lived in the 18th Century.  Life expectancy in western Europe in the 18th century was about 40 years. Right now according to CIA world fact book there are only 3 countries in the world having a life expectancy of less than 40 years (Zambia 38.63years, Angola 38.2 years, Swaziland 31.88 years).

Basically what I trying to say is that that every generation is living a better life than a generation before. We might have experienced it, our parents talking to us about the hardship they faced, studying in candle light etc. But we don't experience that much hardship as they did. On a whole how much ever war destruction is there in the world Humans have been marching into a better quality of life slowly but steadily.

Given here is a Map of world poverty by country, showing percentage of population living on less than $1.25.
Its noticeable that majority of the poor is concentrated in Africa, South America & South Asia.

If you are reading this post, I can safely assume you are not a part of this population living on less that $1.25 (About Rs. 70) daily. But just because we are living in comfort is it that we can forget about our poorer brothers? But as I said above Poverty is a part and parcel of life especially if you are living in the developing world. So what do we, a normal average individual do? Apart from the few helps we can give here and there to the poor we go on with our daily lifes


I was also thinking the same until I read the book "The End of Poverty" By Jeffrey Sachs. He has defined how it is possible in our lifetime, basically by 2015 which I feel is not possible as the world has been able to pursue the Millennium Development Goals properly but considering the way he has explained I have high hopes of the end of poverty by 2030. Thats in less than 20 years. Cool Right?

Reading this book, I have got hope. From my earlier thinking of Humans, do we only try to survive and reproduce  to my feeling now that humanity has a chance, its not by fluke that we are the dominant species on this planet.

A Situation where all developed countries just contribute 0.7% of their GNP that is out of every $ 100 earned by a developed country if they contribute just 70 Cents we will be able to remove extreme poverty within next decade. Given the amount we spending on weapons for each others destruction I really feel this is not a very difficult amount.

More-so Right now the major threat the world is facing is not from enemy countries going to war, but from non state actors, i.e terrorists. Further if its noticed terrorists are not born, they are made. Poor improvised youth are brain washed to become terrorists. So if poverty is reduced, education is available for all then I am pretty sure we can win the war on terror. The way to end violence is never more violence.

So, End of poverty, can a day come where poverty is just a word in the dictionary? Jeffrey Sachs gives me hope, I hope I am not wrong.....

India a Peaceful Country: A Misnomer?

From our youth we have been brought up studying that India is a a peace loving country (well truthfully which country loves war?) But India has always tried to show itself as the most peace loving country in the 21st Century.

India gained independence from the British rule by a non-violent struggle lead by one of the most peace loving man ever born, our Father of our nation: Mahatma Gandhi. But the birth of this great nation was  not so very peaceful as every one knows, The partition of India filled the country with violence, riots, butchering of people and other atrocities a peace loving country will never tolerate.

But independence of India was a time of great change, and all great change are preceded by chaos, But then also we can't thus say and forget about the violence during the partition of India. But to continue on independent India fought 5 recorded wars, 

• Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
• Indo-Sino war of 1961
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1999 (Kargil war)

We have learnt that India was never the aggressor in any of these wars which may or may not be true, I also may conceded that these wars might have been necessary to keep our hard won Independence. But here I need to mention the borders of India are not yet peaceful, and the borders with some of our neighbours are not yet well defined which might lead to the cause of the next war.

Still these are issues between nations and a lot of high politics and one man ship happens between countries, so lets not consider these to decide if India is a peace loving country or not, Because I agree how much ever you love peace, you need a strong Army to protect yourself in this world. Which is why I agree to India having a nuclear weapon and am also proud of the fact that India has said "No First Use"

But that still doesn't explain why India as a whole is not the peaceful, it is said 40% of India is under grip of naxalites, a area know as the red corridor. Schedules of trains are changed so that trains don't run through these areas at night. In no way would I call this as a sign of a peaceful India. 

There have been more than 50 riots in Independent India, (get the full list here) with the latest being the 2002 Gujarat riots. These 50 doesn't include the minor fights/riots which happen in India like the latest set of violence in the North-East. These again prove that we living in a sudo peaceful country. 

Another thing which I would like to point out is the fascination with guns majorly among the northern states of the country. Even thought there is heavy regulation against carrying guns in India, Guns can easily by procured in the states of UP, Bihar. where carrying guns is actually a status symbol. No where in the world is Guns a Peace symbol.Still I haven't talked about the violence against women or any of the weaker casts, cause lets face is no country anywhere in the world is completely at peace, even Vatican has its own police. 

India is the worlds biggest film maker, but again when I look at these films violence is glorified and only if the hero shows violence does the film gross numbers. Consider film from the south (Rajnikath films) main stream films (Dabang) or any bojpuri films from the north. Violence is always there. And as these films actually are successful I would only say that India actually loves violence.

In the latest concluded Olympic games 5 out of the 6 medals were in boxing, wrestling & shooting. Sports which can be considered as violent sports (if there is something like that).

Seeing all this I begin to wonder if peace is really in India's genes, Lets look into the history. Its said India never attacked any other country but herself has been a target of many invasions. From Alexander, to the Moghuls to the British. But what if all these invasions took place just cause India was always in war within itself, history teaches us that India has always been ruled by Kings/Princes who warred among them-self. A house divided within is always a happy hunting ground for invasions. 

But my point being considering the history present India has never been a peaceful land, so is India a Peaceful Country: A Misnomer?

Happy Birthday Nitu

Class Topper and parents Pet,
Without her support am as good as dead.
How much she a hates a peg,
That much she loves to pull my legs.

Wisedom gathered beyond her years,
Flows from her eyes, mouth and ears.
19th century principles in my mind you try to Drive,
Sorry dear but I have only a life to live.

Who is the girl you may ask,
My sister is she behind this mask.
Bossing and nagging me is what she loves to do,
Teasing and bugging you is my reply to you.

Hurtful things to each other we say,
In jest we take it and go our way.
Cause our hearts know and feel,
Love for each other is stronger than steel.

Happy Birthday Nitu, My dear,
Your Brother wishes you a wonderful year.
Flow to you  happiness and joy,
Like a baby running to her toy.

Satyamev Jayate - Just another TV show??

Majority of my friends know that I am not a guy who watches TV much, Yes plenty of people have expressed surprise how a modern day Indian boy doesn't watch Television. But then it is also true that I don't like cricket. Go Figure!!

Anyhow, the show Satyamev Jayate of Amir Khan has been getting some good reviews online, in Newspapers and my friends raving about how different the show is I had to watch it. I am writing this post after watching 2 episodes  Well I agree to the fact the the show is different, and if there are more shows like this might be TV won't remain a Idiot Box.

But the question is still is it all just a talk? What is Amir doing? He is talking on various issues in India which are common knowledge but still people want to keep it hidden. Everyone knows the laws against female foeticide and Dowry, but still its common knowledge that these things are still practiced in India.

So is Satyamev Jayate just another show to gainer eyeballs, push up the ratings and earn money for the big entertainment industry on India? Or does this show make a actual difference in the life of an actual Indian?

Its said the donations to various NGOs working against female foeticide increased after the 1s episode of the show, An awareness against various evils in our society like dowry, malpractices by trusted doctors, the crime of falling in love is being highlighted. What remains to be seen is if this awareness is transferred to actual action on the ground, or will it remain just a Sunday afternoon wakeup call for people.

What I am scared of is if this hype will become like the Anna's anti-corruption movement and the Jan Lokpal Bill. Populist rhetoric does not generate nuanced solutions. On various issues, Satyamev Jayate chose a populist ‘truth'; but failed to push the envelope and convert it to a difficult, deeper, much needed conversation with India.

But like its said, something is better than nothing right? Hopefully due to the show an awareness is created and India changes for the better. Hopefully Satyamev Jayate stands for what it is "Truth Alone Prevails" and doesn't decent into a program only for eyeballs, touches real issues and discusses solutions to these issues. 

Broken Window theory

Broken window theory was put up by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, in an article titled "Broken Windows".

Basically the theory is explained as follows

“Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside”

Basically if something appears to be uncared for there is greater chance the destruction will be more. If I feel no one else cares for something even I won’t care for it.

Put yourself in this situation, “A small fair girl of 5 years old, well dressed but roaming lost in a mall with tears in her eyes, what do you do? You mostly will ask the girl whats wrong and try to trace her guardians”

But now consider another situation, "You are at a traffic signal, a small girl of 5 years in shabby clothes is sitting across the road with a look of hunger in her face, what do you do? Roll up the window?"

Why this discrimination? Is it just cause of the location? Think about it, in both cases the child was a 5 year old girl.

Not convinced about the theory? You wondering what if the broken window is in a upscale location? Rich people don’t go about breaking windows, do they?

Let me put another extract from the same article

“We arranged to have an automobile without license plates parked with its hood up on a street in the Bronx and a comparable automobile on a street in Palo Alto, California. The car in the Bronx was attacked by "vandals" within ten minutes of its "abandonment." The first to arrive were a family--father, mother, and young son--who removed the radiator and battery. Within twenty-four hours, virtually everything of value had been removed. Then random destruction began--windows were smashed, parts torn off, upholstery ripped. Children began to use the car as a playground. Most of the adult "vandals" were well-dressed, apparently clean-cut whites. The car in Palo Alto sat untouched for more than a week. Then we smashed part of it with a sledgehammer. Soon, passersby were joining in. Within a few hours, the car had been turned upside down and utterly destroyed. Again, the "vandals" appeared to be primarily respectable whites.”

Basically its not the location, Humans just enjoy breaking stuff (how much ever you deny it). The difference in reactions was explained in the article, I quote

“Untended property becomes fair game for people out for fun or plunder and even for people who ordinarily would not dream of doing such things and who probably consider themselves law-abiding. Because of the nature of community life in the Bronx--its anonymity, the frequency with which cars are abandoned and things are stolen or broken, the past experience of "no one caring"--vandalism begins much more quickly than it does in staid Palo Alto, where people have come to believe that private possessions are cared for, and that mischievous behavior is costly. But vandalism can occur anywhere once communal barriers--the sense of mutual regard and the obligations of civility--are lowered by actions that seem to signal that "no one cares."

How’s it we humans with our superior intellect still governed by the basic instincts (Humans, do we only try to survive and reproduce?) ? Why is it that if a message No one else cares is conveyed even I won’t care? Can't I think for myself?

It is often complained about India that we keep our homes clean but dirty our surroundings, Isn’t it possible we keep our homes clean only cause we care and dirty our surrounding because no one cares. If you have noticed all India is not dirty, there are islands of clean neighbourhoods.

Which can be explained by  considering  this examble of a pavement.

If some litter accumulates and its cleaned at once the road remains clean but if its not cleaned, soon more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash and the whole road becomes a garbage dump.

In Mumbai, Take Powai for e.g. In the Hiranandani complex everything is clean but step outside, just near IIT campus you will see the litter. It’s the same people who pass through both areas but why the difference? I belive its cause of the above Broken Window effect. No one bothers to clean up outside IIT but Hiranandani complex is always kept spick and span

But why am I rambling this? I don’t know, Might be cause of the Broken Window in my head which needed fixing :P

Un-selfish good deed: Do they exist?

Ok! This topic has been running in my mind for quite some time, Is there a Un-selfish good deed? In “Friends” one episode Phobe tried to prove to Joey that there is a unselfish good deed. The question again came up in a talk with a girl that love should be like the sun; always giving out warmth and energy getting nothing back in return.

So the question of this blog  is, “Is there a Un-selfish good deed?”. Starting out scientifically 

Theory of Evolution states that some behaviours are encoded into our DNA, Animals feel discomfort when they're hungry, signalling it’s time to eat. A plant might shed its leaves in winter to create a protective barrier for the winter. Both plants and animals survive by looking out for themselves. By this logic, an Un-selfish good deed shouldn’t even exist.

Basically what I mean to say is that helping others at a cost to us goes against the order of natural selection. Why improve the life  of another living being at cost of something to us? After all natural resources are limited, so the lesser competition the better chances I have of surviving, Right? 

Let’s take the most quoted example of an un-selfish good deed i.e of a mother caring for her child, but isn’t that just a motherly instinct; something I feel a extension of the genetic code that forces us to procreate so that the species as a whole can survive. Some or may be majority of mothers may be of the thought process  that the child will grow up and take care of her in her old-age.

Or yet another example of giving "Alms" (something I absolutely disagree, better to teach a man to fish than give him fish for a day), The money I could have used on myself I am using to help someone else in need. So amn't I doing an un-selfish good deed heret? No, I say. You are giving alms to feel good about yourself and might be sometimes even with religious reasons thinking "I will sacrifice now and  give alms now and my sins will be forgiven securing my future in heaven". Which again makes it a selfish deed?

So does un-selfish good deed exist? My explanation : Before doing any deed we think, we might be aware of some thought process; but before other deeds our thought process may be completely sub-conscious. But there is always a mental calculation which sees some or the other positive return for any action of ours before we take it. 

I don’t feel there is any human interaction which is an one way exchange. There will always be some or other expectations of a return favor.

I feel every human is Selfish in his/her own way. But even if we are rewarded/ or expect to be rewarded one way or another by performing an so called unselfish act, it still remains up to the individual whether or not to perform one. 

The main question to answer is "If by helping someone we feel good, does that make that action any less worthwhile?"

The 10 Mins Life

"You can take 10mins of your time to do ........" fill in the blank with anything someone else wants to improve in your life.

It might be the priest saying "You can surely give 10mins of your time for God", The Yoga instructor saying "10mins of these assans a day you will live a healthy life", Your Girl-Friend telling you "Can't you spend 10mins talking to me?", Your best friend "Dude, you can surely take 10mins to hit the Gym." , Your professor saying "You should read your lessons everyday for 10mins atleast", Or maybe your Boss "This work will take only 10mins of your time"

All these 10mins in the end I feel is more than the God given 24hours in a day, What say?

The main problem with this "10 Mins life" idea is that these things these well-wishers would want us to do might be a 10min job, but the stuff to do the "10 mins stuff" properly is not 10mins. 

Take an e.g

Girl-Friends asks you to spend 10 mins with her, do you really thing it will be only 10mins??

Boss asks you to do a 10min job, but the time to end your current work, start the 10min one and do it properly goes for more than 10mins.

Hit the gym for 10mins?? Joking, hello it takes 10mins to go till the gym.

Seriously people 10min life doesn't work, Its like trying to live your life in fast-forward all the time. Stop the 10mins life, Live life slow, enjoy each moment, Life's not a race my friends.

Spend an hour with your girl-friend and don't hit the gym, if she really loves you she would like you spending time with her and won't mind you fat (P.S if you really want to lose weight, life her up, multiple times :P)

"Its better to spend time doing what you love rather than doing what others want you to do",

I am sure everyone will agree to this statement.

But the question now is I am advising everyone, can I follow my own advice?

I fail at all new-years resolution anyway so this time me taking a Christmas resolution to not hurry through life and enjoy life to the whole.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Laziness - Moving Mankind Forward

The dictionary definition of Lazy - averse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion; indolent.

But I guess none of us ever had to actually look up Lazy in the dictionary, Majority of us have heard that word used countless number of times, I guess 1 of the real words you really learn as a baby will be lazy or laziness (not in English but surely in your mother tongue). Your mom calling your dad lazy, or your dad calling your elder brother lazy or basically everyone you know calling you lazy.

Being called lazy has such a negative connotation to it, I wonder why? Now that I think of it if someone is calling you lazy they are actually recognizing your inner potential. If you really think about it, the world around us wouldn't be the same if it was not for the contribution of some real Lazy people.

It's the lazy people who invented the wheel & the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things. Its the lazy person who said lets fit a motor into this bicycle and thus the Motor-Cycle was born. A baby Diaper is an invention to not keep cleaning up after a baby again and again. These new age industry with all its automation and robots, ever thought the concept of a Robot came into being just cause of a person too lazy to do his own work.

Don't denounce us lazy people, its said "The best way to get any difficult work done at the shortest time possible is to give the work to a lazy person, He will surely find a way to get the work done in the shortest time in the most efficient way"

{All you bodybuilding hunks who get the girls, thank us for reducing your competition by being too lazy to hit the gym, ever wondered how much more guys you would have to compete with if we all left our lazy boys and hit the gym}

So all you workaholics and hard working idiots next time you see a lazy person don't abuse him but try to learn from us, what can you learn

Efficiency :- Like I said above, we the lazy people will always find the most efficient way of doing something at the shortest time possible, after all if we are working too hard we can't be lazy right? Think about it, if you people didn't have lazy people like us searching for doing things more efficiently you people would still be stuck in the stone age.

Delegation :- what better way not to do work than to delegate? Ever looked at your Boss and wondered, this guy doesn't do anything yet earns double than me, well here is you answer, he is a better manager as he knows to delegate.

Stall and Eliminate :- Learn how to stall and procrastinate stuff, the more you stall and procrastinate work you might end up seeing someone else doing that work, or that work itself becoming unnecessary, thus you don't waste time doing stuff which is unnecessary in the end.

Quick Work :- Sometimes when you stall (see above), it turns out that the thing you are stalling is really important, and needs to be done. If so, you will find this out when someone else who needs it done gives you an urgent call and 10 emails, asking for it to be submitted. This is when urgency comes into play, and it is a great motivator. You will get the thing done. But that urgency didn't exist until you stalled for a week. So the trick is to wait to do things until the absolute last minute, when you will be super motivated to do them. So don't schedule some of your tasks until the last possible time you could start them and still get them done before deadline.

Don't laugh at us you time-starved people of the 21st Century who find that even 24hours of the clock is too less. Learn from us the above qualities and you will find you  have plenty of time to do things you actually love. Learn from us, the lazy people, the actually smart people how to do things efficiently and you will find you have got enough time to stuff that actually excite you and not do the boring stuff only.

So what basically learn this

"Work Smart, Not Hard"

But what am I doing here trying to teach you people what it means to be lazy? I got to go and catch some shut-eye.

Contradictory Proverbs: Exposing hypocrisy of our Elders quotes

Remember your school days and when the teacher told you the story of the "Hare & the Tortoise" and used to end with the proverb "Slow and steady wins the race." Then when you reached back home and you were idling on the sofa watching TV arguing with your mother there is plenty of time for you to do the homework she would lecture you saying "Time and tide waits for no man."

I know its for two different situations but have you ever thought that both these age old sayings are telling you two contradictory things? One is telling you being slow and steady will get success and the other tells you to hurry as Time doesn't wait for anyone. "All good things come to those who wait." is another proverb that contradicts the saying "Time and tide waits for no man". Like I said I know both apply to two different situations but if you really think about it, the quotes that our elders and even their elders liked to quote so much to us are contradicting to each other.

Silence is golden. BUT The squeaky wheel gets the grease. / Crying child gets the milk.

"Silence is golden" I have never understood this statement, how can silence = gold?(or silver?) I never got a chance to ask this as whenever I was quoted the above statement it was for me to become silent (and asking questions is not silence!). But then as the other proverb puts it unless you make noise things won't get done. Only if a baby cries does the child's mother know he/she is hungry and gives the child food.

Birds of a feather flock together. BUT Opposites attract.

A magnetic north pole attracts the south pole, "Opposites attract" is a oft used phrase to explain why two very different people become a couple. but consider this, you always tend to be in company of people like you, majority of your friends will have some similarity with you. Yet again here we have two sayings that are exactly opposite to each other.

Practice makes perfect. BUT All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

"Practice makes perfect" how many times have you heard this, to make you do things repeatedly this is a very often used proverb. Practice again and again till you get achieve perfection. But practice = work right? but all work and no play makes jack a dull boy, remember? (I don't remember any elders telling me this proverb and sending me to play. Hypocrites!!!)

Look before you leap. BUT Strike while the iron is hot.

Attack the iron while its coming out of the furnace, tackle the problem when you come to face to it not 10 days later when the problem has morphed into 20 more problems, absolutely agree to that. But what is this "Look before you leap", Isn't that telling me to consider the problems from 15 different angles and then to tackle it? Spending my time looking at it from different angles, isn't that letting the problem go cold before I get around to tackle it??

To quote some more

The pen is mightier than the sword. BUT Actions speak louder than words.

Wise men think alike. BUT Fools seldom differ.

The best things in life are free things. BUT There's no such thing as a free lunch. 

Do it well, or not at all. BUT Half a loaf is better than none. / Something is better than nothing

Don't cross your bridges before you come to them. BUT Forewarned is forearmed.

Doubt is the beginning of wisdom. BUT Faith will move mountains.

Great starts make great finishes. BUT It ain't over 'till it's over.

You're never too old to learn. BUT You can't teach an old dog new tricks

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. BUT One man's food is another man's poison.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. BUT Out of sight, out of mind.

Too many cooks spoil the broth. BUT Many hands make light work.

So what do we take from this, that our elders and their elders didn't know what they are saying, or being human actually make them hypocrites, making and using saying / proverbs as and when it fits them? Well actually I don't know. But what I know is that even I will be using these sayings as and when situations suits me (which makes me also a hypocrite, doesn't it?)

I am going to end this post by saying :-

Hold fast to the words of your ancestors. BUT Wise men make proverbs and fools repeat them.

There and Back Again: Savio Story

Some time in July 2008:
After 4 years of B.E  I was waiting for the day engineering would end. Was tired of the boring lectures, faculty droning on and on about something (seriously I don't remember a word what I had learned in 4 years of Engineering). I already had a placement in my hand from a MNC so was chilled about that part too (its another thing that due to recession the MNC called us for joining only 1 year later, of-course I didn't join the MNC cause of obvious reasons). So was pretty tension free was looking to enjoy a long holiday.But fortunately or unfortunately my friends were not so tension free as me they were going around knocking on company's doors for jobs. And yours truly being as sporting as he always is (another thing I was looking for timepass) went with these friends of mine to Zeus Learning Tech and again  fortunately or unfortunately I was the one selected from all my friends (these friends of mine congratulated me but also gave me gali's :) )

30th July 2008 onwards
I went from being a student to a tax payer. Well seriously let me tell you it was not real fun for me becoming a salaried guy. Why you are asking? Well!!

1. In the 1st One and half years it was real slog. Late nights in office, later nights in office, all nighters in office you name it. There were days in which we spend more that 40 hours in office. Not fun dude. Not at all fun.
2. Money in the pocket at the end of the month was good no doubt. But it was my hard earned money. I really had second thoughts before I spend it. (seriously you don't feel the pinch as money running away when you are spending your own toil)

So was it all work and no play, Nope here was plenty of play, Best thing about Zeus was it didn't have a formal structure to it. Suited absolutely well to a guy fresh out of college. You could go to your PM put your hand around his shoulder and tell him something is wrong. Or you could remove your frustrations by beating him  up on his Birthday. No formals, go to office in a t-shirt jeans no one would say anything. Team Mates were great, made a lot of friends. :)

Well if everything was so great, why did I quit? Wait lets put the question in another way. Was I happy with the job? Straight answer NO. I was not seriously enjoying what I was doing. Everybody said I was doing great, got good appraisals,promotion etc (didn't mention before, I was a Senior Software Tester). The job didn't feel suited for me, wasn't seeing any real growth in the company. Seniors (I mean the PM's) were real good but seriously I had a inner feeling inside me that I can and will do a better job than them (Not trying to hurt anyone, but that was the feeling inside me). In 2 years I felt I have learned what ever the company could teach me, both the good and the bad.

Zeus gave me chance in designing of some projects, give juniors to delegate work to, responsibilities. Anybody looking from outside would feel like I was in a perfect setup. But "Dil Mange More", feeling I can and do something better kept growing inside me.

Jumping jobs was a option but then again I would get stuck in the same rut some other place, wanted a good jump. Had time on my side to take risk, So MBA, why MBA? 1 word answer - MONEY

Well a MBA is much more than a money, its a chance to get a good role in a organization, go from being a follower to a leader, what it means to be a leader, how & why leaders take some decision. It seems like a good bus to climb on to. Well so here I am

1st July 2011:
2 years 11 months of travelling the corporate ship called Zeus am jumping to a PGDM ship of Welingkar B-School. Searching for directions, searching for new horizons, good lucks and wishes in my ears off I go. Well follow me right here saviojosev.blogspot.com to see which shores this Ship is going to deposit me on :)

All the best to me

Review - Immortals of Meluha

I have read many books but never have actually written a review of any book, don’t ask me why I chose this book to write my first review but here it is.
I would like to warn readers here if they haven't already read the book “The Immortals of Meluha” that this review contains plot details and may spoil the fun/mystery of the book if you are planning to read it later.




The “Immortals of Meluha” is the first novel of the ‘Shiva trilogy’ series by Amish Tripathi. The series is based on the premise that “Gods were once human beings; it was their deeds in the human life that made them famous as Gods”. A thought which the analytical part of me really accepts. My Analytical/Scientific part of my brain really has bit difficulty in the concept of Gods/Superior beings. It’s easier for me to believe in Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection. (That doesn’t stop me from calling out God's name when I faced with a difficulty, Hypocrite amn’t I?). Any Indian will love this book, the books Bollywood style story telling will really interest Indian’s


The story takes place in the imaginary land of Meluha. -  A near perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram, one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived. The once proud empire and its Suryavanshi rulers face severe perils as its primary river, the revered Saraswati, is slowly drying to extinction. 

They also face devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis (reminded of present day India-Pak) who appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracised and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills. The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend – ‘when evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, when it appears that your enemies have triumphed, a hero will emerge’ (Sounds like a typical Hollywood film tag-line right??).


The story begins with Shiva’s tribe moving into this country on the invitation of the present King Daksha who has been inviting tribes to join his Kingdom in the hope that this hero will be found. When Shiva’s tribe reach the city of Srinagar they are received there by Ayurvati, the Chief of Medicine of the Meluhans. On their first night of stay at Srinagar the tribe is given Somras after which the Gunas woke up with a deep fever and sweating. All except Shiva but his throat had turned blue. The Meluhans announce Shiva as the Neelkanth, their fabled saviour and take Shiva to Devagiri their capital city.


En-route we meet our hero’s heroine Princess Sati, the daughter of Daksha and is a vikarma, an untouchable in this life due to sins of their past births. (I have never understood the concept of caste / untouchability but this is a discussion for another time). She rejects our hero’s advances but ultimately Shiva wins her heart and they decide to get married, even though the “vikarma” rule prohibits them from doing so. Enraged by the so called obsolete law, Shiva declares himself as the Neelkanth and swears to dissolve the vikarma law. Daksha allows Sati to get married to Shiva, amidst much joy and happiness. (Note here how a King allowed the change to a law for his/his daughters benefit, he agreed to change the law standing behind the Neelkanth Shiva, reminds me of the corrupt Indian politicians who know some laws are wrong but still don’t change them till they them self are benefited or they have someone else to take the responsibility for them).


The turning point in the movie (Oops! Book) come when Mount Mandar where the legendary somras is made is attacked and scientist there are killed. Shiva declares war on Chandravanshis. Using his tactical brilliance Chandravanshis are defeated and The Chandravanshi king is captured and brought in front of Daksha. He becomes enraged seeing the Neelkanth and is taken away. It is the Chandravanshi princess, Anandmayi, who tells them that they had a similar legend that the Neelkanth will come forward to save their land by launching an assault against the evil Suryavanshis. Hearing this, Shiva is dumbfounded and is utterly distressed. With Sati he visits the famous Ram temple of Ayodhya, the capital of Swadweep. There he meets the priest from whom he comes to know about the karma, his fate, and his choices in life, which will guide him. After talking to him as Shiva comes out of the temple, he hears a scream. Running to the location he sees in horror as a group of Nagas kidnap Sati and run with them. (Thriller end which makes you panting for the sequel).


I liked this book for the way the story is told a Bollywood potboiler: fast-paced action, flashbacks and, definitely not the least, romance between Shiva and the princess of Meluha, Sati. (The movie based on the book will be coming soon). Also how in many ways a book set in 1900BC reminds me of the modern world. I would really recommend this book to everyone.