After the shady details of the meet, here's more stuff dished up for you guys.
On 15th I spoke to Maddy and confirmed that the meet was happening on 16th. We talked about how we will recognize each other. Thankfully neither decided to bring a 'red rose in the hand'. Just a lost expression on face would suffice us to recognize each other.
On the day of the meet, I was the first to reach the venue. I went and sat down near a music store looking at people wondering if someone is an O3 blogger. One guy in blue t-shirt walked past me quite a few times, looking for someone. I thought maybe he's a fellow blogger. But it was false alarm. And its never a good idea to stare at men especially if you are a girl sitting alone.
I called up Maddy, who told me that Shady had reached and was parking his car. I told Maddy what I was wearing and so Shady was able to spot me. Meanwhile I thought maybe I should have got some kind of a placard saying 'O3 Blogger'. On second thoughts, it would have got some unwanted attention. Shady recognized me and made me talk to Maddy and so I knew it was the right guy :) First round of introductions happened and while we were talking, his phone rang.
We saw a guy in brown shirt a few meters in front of us, talking on the phone and searching for people. As Shady asked him to raise his hand, we knew it was Abyb. As he joined us, the second round of introductions happened.
As all three of us were talking, Shady's phone rang again. This time it was Maddy. She joined and the third round of introductions happened.
We proceeded to go and sit inside Buzz.
Obviously no one could believe how old was I and I told them I had identification to prove my age and they all said this to me- This is Delhi, yahan nakli identification bhi banti hai :) Oh and Abyb actually thought I was 'elderly'. Now this is one statement I would have gladly recorded because no one in my entire life has called me anything more than a teenager.
After the usual chit chat, Taira joined us and the next round of introductions happened. Now the seating arrangement was such – Maddy, next to her was Abyb and next to him was Taira. On the opposite side, I was sitting in the corner, Shady next to me and a khali seat (where Kamesh eventually sat).
Taira asked me if I would like to have some cocktail and proceeded to tell me names of some interesting ones but I decided to stick to my Shirley Temple mocktail while Maddy proceeded to tell about the toothpaste cocktail which she had created once with secret ingredients (which even the expert mixologists/top intelligence agency/scientists in the world will not be able to replicate).
As Kamesh joined us, the final round of introductions happened. Phew! Next time we should have some kind of stickers on our foreheads so it’s easy to recognize people.
We ordered some food and everyone passed it to me first. Maybe everyone thought I could magically grow (?) if I was fed well.
As Taira began her tirade against men with Maddy joining in, I wonder what was going though Abyb’s head, sitting in the middle of man-eaters :D The man with body parts from different states (Kamesh) was quiet and Shady- well he could only nod in agreement.
I spoke a little but observed a lot (wink). Someone suggested I should sit in the middle and Shady offered to swap places with me which I refused. I didn’t want them to look like bodyguards sitting on my either side.
Abyb did mention about a shady place called national cinema hall behind the national stadium. Hearing about someplace shady our Shady Man’s ears perked up. And he told us somethings about his shady past in college daysJ As SBH messaged him, we all decided to break the party. I was imparted some gyan by the people that I should definitely visit Goa (without folks in tow and with friends in tow).
Dividing the bill was a very difficult task and Kamesh took up the challenge to divide it between us while Shady started to sweat – don’t know if it was the complex calculation or the phone call to his better half :P
After insisting that I could go alone, I was dropped by a fellow blogger.
Here's hoping the next meets happens soon!!!
P.S: I have left out some details because they are already there at Shady’s post and I didn’t want this to be repetitive
Originally posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:05 PM
Monday, June 16, 2008
Independence And Freedom
As I left for work today morning at 6.30 AM (now don't ask what I do), I saw police everywhere.
With the terror threat that we are under, I would say that the security was unprecedented. After every kilometer or so, there were police check posts. They stopped all cars, checked inside the car as well as the baggage, asked a few questions and then let the people go. For the ten kilometers or so which I travelled, I had never seen so many police personnel on the route.
It just got me thinking that even if we are free from colonial rule, we are living in the shadow of terrorism. Which brings me to the question - Is freedom ever absolute?
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And on a completely different note, you all can check out my new photo blog
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Also, check out the shady version of delhi bloggers meet
Originally posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:52 AM
With the terror threat that we are under, I would say that the security was unprecedented. After every kilometer or so, there were police check posts. They stopped all cars, checked inside the car as well as the baggage, asked a few questions and then let the people go. For the ten kilometers or so which I travelled, I had never seen so many police personnel on the route.
It just got me thinking that even if we are free from colonial rule, we are living in the shadow of terrorism. Which brings me to the question - Is freedom ever absolute?
--------------
And on a completely different note, you all can check out my new photo blog
--------------
Also, check out the shady version of delhi bloggers meet
Originally posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:52 AM
Changing Profile Of Terror In India
Islamic Terrorism in India at one point of time was just confined to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The terror spreading elements were from the other side of the border and some who were locals either helped under pressure or were lured to work for the terror groups.
But slowly terror started spreading to different parts of the country. This happened because many radical/fundamentalist Islamic organizations and Islamic educational institutes not just imparted education but also started taking a political flavour.
They talked about the atrocities on Muslims not only in India but also in other parts of the world. Young impressionable men were told to fight for the rights of the Muslims, to avenge what they were told was ‘religion under siege’. Thus terror started taking a new shape as pan Islamic issues emerged.
Local sympathizers and support for the terrorists came about. The number of such people is still little as compared to the entire Muslim population but their actions are what the Indian Muslims paying for.
The question I ask is how do we stop this changing profile of terrorism? Because if it is not curbed now, it could prove to be harmful and deadly in the long run. National policies have to be put in place to deal with this relatively newer shape of terrorism.
Before I start the rhetoric that the middle and lower middle class Muslims needs to be integrated into the main stream, we need to focus on the issue of educating them. One sided education (brainwashing in simpler terms) cannot allow a person to make an informed choice or decision. Education is also a stepping stone into the ‘integration process’.
Long term plans have to be drawn at both Central and State level such that the Indian Muslims feel part of this country without the burden of them proving their loyalty and changing their mindset that they are been ‘victimized’. But how do we bring about these changes? And whether they will be effective and if not then what else can be done.
As Islamophobia is seeping into the Indian psyche and creating a divide between communities, polarization of society and statements and actions of religion based political parties are making sure the gap widens.
Making the chasm smaller will leave us less vulnerable to terror attacks and hopefully this changed profile will be substituted with peace and safety again.
Also read this
Update: Can the commentators please discuss the issue at hand instead of trashing one religion or the other. Please don't force me to delete comments which go completely off track
Originally posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 2:03 PM
But slowly terror started spreading to different parts of the country. This happened because many radical/fundamentalist Islamic organizations and Islamic educational institutes not just imparted education but also started taking a political flavour.
They talked about the atrocities on Muslims not only in India but also in other parts of the world. Young impressionable men were told to fight for the rights of the Muslims, to avenge what they were told was ‘religion under siege’. Thus terror started taking a new shape as pan Islamic issues emerged.
Local sympathizers and support for the terrorists came about. The number of such people is still little as compared to the entire Muslim population but their actions are what the Indian Muslims paying for.
The question I ask is how do we stop this changing profile of terrorism? Because if it is not curbed now, it could prove to be harmful and deadly in the long run. National policies have to be put in place to deal with this relatively newer shape of terrorism.
Before I start the rhetoric that the middle and lower middle class Muslims needs to be integrated into the main stream, we need to focus on the issue of educating them. One sided education (brainwashing in simpler terms) cannot allow a person to make an informed choice or decision. Education is also a stepping stone into the ‘integration process’.
Long term plans have to be drawn at both Central and State level such that the Indian Muslims feel part of this country without the burden of them proving their loyalty and changing their mindset that they are been ‘victimized’. But how do we bring about these changes? And whether they will be effective and if not then what else can be done.
As Islamophobia is seeping into the Indian psyche and creating a divide between communities, polarization of society and statements and actions of religion based political parties are making sure the gap widens.
Making the chasm smaller will leave us less vulnerable to terror attacks and hopefully this changed profile will be substituted with peace and safety again.
Also read this
Update: Can the commentators please discuss the issue at hand instead of trashing one religion or the other. Please don't force me to delete comments which go completely off track
Originally posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 2:03 PM
Scotland Diaries
This is the final part of the Travel Series where I visited the Braveheart's country.
I saw a cloud making factory while I was traversing through the English countryside on my way to Scotland. Yeah you read that right- a cloud factory. There was smoke coming out of a factory which was the same colour as clouds above. As the two met with each other, it looked like clouds were made here!
I reached the city of Edinburgh only to find a cow parade happening there. The only difference being these weren’t real cows like India. The parade has traveled across many countries and the cows are sold for charity proposes.
And what is Scotland without men in tartan and Scottish pipe music. What I learnt was that there are different Scottish clans and all have distinctly woven different tartans. A Douglas would wear a different kilt from a McIntyre.
As I visited the Edinburgh castle, members of the royal family were gathered there because it was birthday of someone royal. A twenty one canon salute was sounded while all the tourists stood and watched.
Other places I visited included a small Scottish village tucked away in Southern Scotland and Leith to see the Firth of Forth.
What I didn’t expect was to find all kinds of cuisines from India to North Africa in this culturally vibrant city of Edinburgh. I couldn’t visit all the museums but I did walk down the Royal Mile, trekked up the Arthur’s Seat and shop at Princes street and did all the touristy things. And if anyone is going to this city please visit ‘The Pie Shop’ at Nicolson Street. The smell of freshly baked pie will be irresistible and while you are at it please get some for me.
On my list of places to visit in Scotland and I couldn’t this time around were Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow. As I always say – there will be a next time!
Originally posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 2:45 PM
I saw a cloud making factory while I was traversing through the English countryside on my way to Scotland. Yeah you read that right- a cloud factory. There was smoke coming out of a factory which was the same colour as clouds above. As the two met with each other, it looked like clouds were made here!
I reached the city of Edinburgh only to find a cow parade happening there. The only difference being these weren’t real cows like India. The parade has traveled across many countries and the cows are sold for charity proposes.
And what is Scotland without men in tartan and Scottish pipe music. What I learnt was that there are different Scottish clans and all have distinctly woven different tartans. A Douglas would wear a different kilt from a McIntyre.
As I visited the Edinburgh castle, members of the royal family were gathered there because it was birthday of someone royal. A twenty one canon salute was sounded while all the tourists stood and watched.
Other places I visited included a small Scottish village tucked away in Southern Scotland and Leith to see the Firth of Forth.
What I didn’t expect was to find all kinds of cuisines from India to North Africa in this culturally vibrant city of Edinburgh. I couldn’t visit all the museums but I did walk down the Royal Mile, trekked up the Arthur’s Seat and shop at Princes street and did all the touristy things. And if anyone is going to this city please visit ‘The Pie Shop’ at Nicolson Street. The smell of freshly baked pie will be irresistible and while you are at it please get some for me.
On my list of places to visit in Scotland and I couldn’t this time around were Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow. As I always say – there will be a next time!
Originally posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 2:45 PM
England Diaries
Well this post is much delayed because I didn’t have the photos with me and didn’t want to put up a post without photos. So here goes –
One fine evening my sister asked me if I wanted to visit Brighton. I, having read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ obviously jumped on the chance. But the trip didn’t happen. I wonder if my sister thought I was going to run away with someone :P
But I did visit Windsor. The castle is really beautiful from inside. Gilt edged furniture and wall carvings, ceiling painting a la Leonardo Da Vinci’s work in the Vatican, Persian rugs, Indian swords, the works. You really feel like you have stepped into something very royal. The only thing troubling my mind was that some of the wealth came form our country when they plundered us.
On my way to Windsor, I saw horse drawn carriages with Ladies in gowns and pretty dressed and Gentlemen in shirt tails been driven away. I was transported to previous century until someone told me that members of the royal family were headed to the Royal Ascot races.
I passed through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. I enjoyed the English countryside with hills which looked like patchwork quilts of different shades of green interspersed with fields of white,red and yellow wildflowers and towns and village which looked untouched by the modern world.
Then I decided to head over to Stonehenge. I have this fascination for druids and occult courtesy my weekly diet of a TV show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I used to love watching in my teenage years. :D
The day I chose to visit this historical monument was the day of solstice, June 21. I was informed that the Druids would be performing their ceremonies and we wouldn’t be let inside. I was totally disappointed. This was supposed to be the highlight of my trip and I couldn’t go inside!
But the tour operator made it upto us by providing us a free lunch at a 14th century Inn. It was a quaint little place, tucked in a little village off the highway and has a proper hatched roof and a wooden ceiling. It sort of made up for the disappointment of not going inside the Stonehenge.
Then I headed for the beautiful city of Bath where the Roman Baths were discovered a few centuries ago. As my tour group walked inside the Roman Baths we were served complimentary Champagne and Elderberry Flower Juice for young people in the group. The Gentleman serving us didn’t believe I was legally old enough to drink (18 years is the limit in UK) and was thus served the juice.
This was my whirlwind tour of southern England.
Places I wanted to visit but I couldn’t in this trip - Stratford Upon Avon (The Bard’s home), Lake District and Cornwall. There will be another time for this.
P.S: Photos in the London dairies post have been updated.
Coming up next: Scotland dairies
Originally posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 12:06 PM
One fine evening my sister asked me if I wanted to visit Brighton. I, having read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ obviously jumped on the chance. But the trip didn’t happen. I wonder if my sister thought I was going to run away with someone :P
But I did visit Windsor. The castle is really beautiful from inside. Gilt edged furniture and wall carvings, ceiling painting a la Leonardo Da Vinci’s work in the Vatican, Persian rugs, Indian swords, the works. You really feel like you have stepped into something very royal. The only thing troubling my mind was that some of the wealth came form our country when they plundered us.
On my way to Windsor, I saw horse drawn carriages with Ladies in gowns and pretty dressed and Gentlemen in shirt tails been driven away. I was transported to previous century until someone told me that members of the royal family were headed to the Royal Ascot races.
I passed through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. I enjoyed the English countryside with hills which looked like patchwork quilts of different shades of green interspersed with fields of white,red and yellow wildflowers and towns and village which looked untouched by the modern world.
Then I decided to head over to Stonehenge. I have this fascination for druids and occult courtesy my weekly diet of a TV show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I used to love watching in my teenage years. :D
The day I chose to visit this historical monument was the day of solstice, June 21. I was informed that the Druids would be performing their ceremonies and we wouldn’t be let inside. I was totally disappointed. This was supposed to be the highlight of my trip and I couldn’t go inside!
But the tour operator made it upto us by providing us a free lunch at a 14th century Inn. It was a quaint little place, tucked in a little village off the highway and has a proper hatched roof and a wooden ceiling. It sort of made up for the disappointment of not going inside the Stonehenge.
Then I headed for the beautiful city of Bath where the Roman Baths were discovered a few centuries ago. As my tour group walked inside the Roman Baths we were served complimentary Champagne and Elderberry Flower Juice for young people in the group. The Gentleman serving us didn’t believe I was legally old enough to drink (18 years is the limit in UK) and was thus served the juice.
This was my whirlwind tour of southern England.
Places I wanted to visit but I couldn’t in this trip - Stratford Upon Avon (The Bard’s home), Lake District and Cornwall. There will be another time for this.
P.S: Photos in the London dairies post have been updated.
Coming up next: Scotland dairies
Originally posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 12:06 PM
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