Children Magazines in India Compilation

 

Here is a quick list of magazine subscription options for children in India with plan comparison and how much it will approximately cost.

Please note that this is based on Sep 2024 data.

LINKS:

Source:

1. https://magazinesubscriptions.co.uk/B23/the-week-junior/N23D?_ga=2.206410896.209272887.1727078642-1983208627.1727078642&_gl=1*6g4rd3*_ga*MTk4MzIwODYyNy4xNzI3MDc4NjQy*_ga_LMBDE7DDHV*MTcyNzA3ODY0NC4xLjAuMTcyNzA3ODY0NC42MC4wLjA.*_gcl_au*MTA4NTc2ODM0My4xNzI3MDc4NjQ1
2. https://anorakmagazine.com/pages/kids-magazine-subscription
3. https://ywepaper.thehindu.com/
4. https://pay.hindu.com/esubspay/Subscription
5. https://www.champak.in/subscribe
6. https://mysubs.in/buy/brainfeed-high-magazine-subscription
7. https://mysubs.in/buy/brainfeed-junior-magazine-subscription
8. https://mysubs.in/buy/tell-me-why-magazine-subscription
9. https://mysubs.in/buy/magic-pot-magazine-subscription
10. https://mysubs.in/buy/national-geographic-kids-magazine-subscription
11. https://mysubs.in/buy/tinkle-magazine-physical-1-year-monthly-dispatch-magazine-subscription
12. https://mysubs.in/buy/robinage-weekly-childrens-newspaper-magazine-subscription
13. https://www.readwhere.com/magazine/ack-media/Brainwave-Magazine/2742
14. https://www.dimdimamagazine.com/
15. https://www.childrensbooktrust.com/childrens-magazine.html
16. https://eschool.thehindu.com/login

New Zealand Wins 1st ODI - Oct 2017

New Zealand is always known as a side that is an under dog or dark horse. They have always performed above the expectation and without star players, have always clicked as a team and won our hearts and impossible situations. In this post, I am comparing their win against India to some real-life examples to draw inspiration in our daily lives...

The win was not fancy or flashy. When they were 3 wickets down, Ross Taylor was fairly new and tentative and Tom Latham was a new name for some fans like me. Amidst Mumbai crowd, India was on top when Hardik Pandya secured the somewhat set opener Martin Guptill.

What was remarkable from then on was that the two kiwi batsmen took the match to the opposition. They did not show heroics, did not do brute hitting nor take aerial route or unwanted doubles or triples. They:

• stuck to the basics, 
• kept the strike rotating, 
• treated the ball by its merit, 
• swept the spinners to keep the momentum and 
• ran aggressively with calculated risk.

It seemed they were focussed on staying on until the end of the innings in order to fancy their chances of winning the match, drawing inspiration from what Kohli and Karthick did in the Indian innings.
Runs started slow and they moved on to scoring at 5 runs per over. Never did the run rate seem impossible while they were batting. Though Taylor showed some signs of nervousness facing Chahal and Yadav, he settled and played an anchor's role.

Tom Latham was the surprise package, at least in my eyes. There came a kiwi southpaw wicket-keeper batsman, who is just 25 against the in-form Indian team and Mumbai crowd. He came, He saw, He conquered is a just summary of what happened today.
He started to keep the scoreboard ticking, played patiently against today's hard-hitters, swept the spinners brilliantly, kept to the basics with sound technique and showed how much temperament this youngster has and ultimately scored a brilliant century. More importantly, he saw his side through which none of them expected early on.

The line I want to draw here is that sometimes in our lives, things may not happen as we expect, there may not be short term wins, there may not be parties,  no short term success or roses everywhere, but, we need to persevere and work patiently with our single-minded focus on our goal.
We should never cave in to short term results or temptations or fame for the sake of the them, rather our success and satisfaction should stem from our intrinsic values and goals we aim to achieve.
We need to enjoy not the fruits of success, but the journey taken to reach our destination.
We need to cherish the road to success more than the final destination.
This is the only way to reinforce our happiness and purpose in life on a higher zenith rather than to short lived instant gratification, which is a curse of our millenial generation.

Signing off on 23rd October, 2017 at Scandic Hotel, Kolding

DIWALI

Diwali's supposed to be the festival of lights
Hope it will make everyone's life bright
All our problems and plights
We must fight them outright
Be united and show our might
Let's put an end to communal fights
And work our way towards life's heights...
This was one small poem I wrote in 2009!!!

Maalai Pozhudin Mayakathile - EN UYIRE

Yeh Penne en kanne
Un paarvai naal mayangivittaen
Kanne en kanne
Un pechil naan ennai maranthen
Oh baby girl
Oh Oh baby girl

Yeh Penne en kanne
Un paarvai naal mayangivittaen
Kanne en kanne
Un pechil naan ennai maranthen
Oh baby girl
Oh Oh baby girl

En kaadhal solla vandhen
Moondru vaarthai solla nindren
Nee ennai vittu poenaai
Dhooramaga sendrai
Sollamal poenen kanne
Nee enthan vaazhkai thaane
Nee illai endraal indru naanum illaye
Ada thirumbiyum vandhaai
Adi yaen neeye vandhaai
Oru nodiyil ennai kondraai
En kangalai nee vendraai vendraai
Idhu kaadhal dhaane

En uyire en uyire
En kanave en anbe
En kaadhal nee dhaane
Endhan dharisanam nee dhaane

En uyire en uyire
En kanave en anbe
En kaadhal nee dhaane
Endhan dharisanam nee dhaane

Come on lets get a Limo
Everybody looking out but I feel.. good
Cos you're my gal I now know it baby
Now lets get down down to business
Coz I wanna make you my missus forever and ever
Oh baby gal I need you gal
That time I look into mine
I feel like jumping off
I wanna crown with this
My own baby you're mine now
Listen listen listen check it

Yeh Penne en kanne
Un paarvai naal mayangivittaen
Kanne en kanne
Un pechil naan ennai maranthen
Oh baby girl
Oh Oh baby girl

Yeh Penne en kanne
Un paarvai naal mayangivittaen
Kanne en kanne
Un pechil naan ennai maranthen
Oh baby girl
Oh Oh baby girl

Coffee mugiley kaadhal vandhadhenna
Unnai paarthadhum nenjil pookalenna
Maalai pozhudhin mayakam solvadhenna
Saaral nanaivadhenna
Netru nadandhadum naalai marapadhenna
Vaanam pachai nirathil siripadhenna
Enadhu kanavil kangal kaetpadhenna
Paniku kulir vadhenna

Oh...
En uyire... En uyire
Oh...
En uyire... Idhu kaadhal dhaane
En uyire en uyire
En kanave en anbe
En kaadhal nee dhaane
Endhan dharisanam nee dhaane

En uyire en uyire
En kanave en anbe
En kaadhal nee dhaane
Endhan dharisanam nee dhaane



Sandosha Kanneere

Iru pookal kilai maele
Oru puyalo malai maele
Uyir aadum thigilaale
En Vazhvin oram vandhaaye
Senthaenae....

Iru pookal kilai maele
Oru puyalo malai maele
Uyir aadum thigilaale
En Vazhvin oram vandhaaye
Senthaenae....

Kanneere Kanneere
Sandosha kanneere
Kanneere....

Thaedi thaedi theyndhene meendum kan munn kandenae penne penne
Penne penne paesaai penne
Kanne Kanne kaanai kanne
Kanneere
Kanneere Kanneere
Sandosha kanneere

Thaedi thaedi theyndhene meendum kan munn kandenae penne penne
Penne penne paesaai penne
Kanne Kanne kaanai kanne
Kanneere.........

Un paarvai poi dhaana
Pen endraal thirai dhaana
Pen nenjey sirai dhaana
Seridhaana.....

Pen nenjil moham undu
adhil paruvathaabam undu
Paeraasai theeyum undu
Yaen unnai ozhiththaai indru
Puthir poeta penne nil nil
Bathil thondra villai sol sol

Kal ondru thadai seidha poedhum
Pul ondru pudhu vaergal poedum
Nam kaadhal adhupoela meerum
Kal ondru thadai seidha poedhum
Pul ondru pudhu vaergal poedum
Nam kaadhal adhupoela meerum
kannil kannil kanneer inba

Kanneere
Thaedi thaedi theyndhene meendum kan munn kandenae penne penne
Penne penne paesaai penne
Kanne Kanne kaanai kanne
Kanneere

Paal nadhiye nee engay
Varum vazhiyil marainthaayo
Pala thadaigal kadanthaayo
Sol kannae...
Paeranbe undhan ninaivu
En kannai suttrum kanavu
Idhu uyirai thirudum uravu
Un thunbam enbadhu varavu
Hey Maharaani nil nil
Oru mouna vaarthai sol sol

Unnodu naan kanda bandham
Mannodu mazhai konda sondham
Kaaindhaalum adi eeram enjum
Unnodu naan kanda bandham
Mannodu mazhai konda sondham
Kaaindhaalum adi eeram enjum
kannil kannil kanneer inba

Kanneere
Sandosha kanneere
Kanneere Kanneere
Thaedi thaedi theyndhene meendum kan munn kandenae penne penne
Penne penne paesaai penne
Kanne Kanne kaanai kanne
Kanneere
Sandosha kanneere
Kanneere.....

US VISA

Update on 08-July-2015:
The OFC location has been changed to the following address:

USA Visa Application Center

Good shepherd, No 82, Kodambakkam High Road

Numgambakkam, Near Valluvar Kottam Traffic Signal

Opposite Water pumping Station

Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034

This location is very near to MONZA'S Fashion Studio in Nungambakkam near to VALLUVAR KOTTAM Signal.

Link to the location in google maps:
US OFC New location

Directions from US consulate to OFC:
It is not directly available to spot on google maps, so I am sending the driving directions to the nearest spot I can select in google:
Directions
Exact spot:

Most people will be knowing the process of getting a US VISA. The pain here is that they keep on tweaking the procedure every now and then and it becomes really difficult to keep up with the changes that they make.

I had applied as on October and the procedure was as below:

STEPS

1. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form on given link

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

2. Pay the visa application fee.

If you are a first-time user, click New User? to create your profile.

http://portal.ustraveldocs.com/SiteRegister?country=India&language=en_US

3. Choose the Schedule Appointment option. On the payment confirmation screen you will be presented with payment options and further details of how to initiate payment. Note it can take up to 2 business days from time of payment for your receipt to be activated

·         You must schedule two appointments, one for the OFC and one for the visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate.

·         First, schedule your visa interview appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.

·         Second, schedule your Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) appointment. This appointment will allow you to go to one of the five OFC locations to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This appointment must be at least 1 day before your visa interview appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.

Schedule your appointment on this web page. You will need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:

·         Your passport number

·         The date you paid your fee.

·         The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

4. For your Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) appointment, you will need to bring:

·         A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.

·         Your DS-160 confirmation page.

·         Your appointment confirmation page.

5. Following your visit to the OFC to have your photo and fingerprints taken, you will then visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring:

·         A printed copy of your appointment letter,

·         Your DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months,

·         Your current and all old passports, and the

·         Original visa fee payment receipt.

Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.

 
Once done, based on your OFC appointment centre, you need to go at least one day in advance to get your fingerprints and photograph taken at the OFC. This is just a 5-10 minutes affair, but the problem is you need to go to the nearest location for this to be done.
Since I am from Bangalore, I had opted for Chennai as the OFC.

The address is as below:
No. 3, Cenotaph Road,
Teynampet,
Chennai - 600018

This location is very difficult to spot/ locate even to the locals. There is no proper signages and even the auto-drivers are not aware of this road.
I have put forth a rough route map that will be helpful in finding this location:

At the gate of that office, a security will check if you have Appointment letter, DS-160 and the passport. They will not allow us to take anything else and there is no option of any security locker facilities and so you need to definitely leave all the stuff in the hotel room, including mobiles and all electronic devices.

Once you enter the premises, you need to get to the first/ second floor(don't remember exactly).
There will be a couple of officers there who will ask your time slot, check the documents and send you in.
There is an air-conditioned room inside where there are around 8-10 counters. You will be called upon in one of the counters where they will scan the fingerprints of all our fingers(both hands) and also take a digital photograph. They will check the documents and passport as well.

This is it at the OFC.

After you get this done, you need to go for another appointment at the US consulate.
US consulate address is:
US Consulate General, Chennai
Gemini Circle,
220, Anna Salai,
Chennai 600 006

This place is very easy to locate as it is pretty close to the bridge and most times you will find a queue of people standing outside to get into the US Consulate.
Moreover, it is located inside the OUP - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS campus and that will be easy to find out.
Earlier it is the better to get into this premises. Here again, they will only allow the passport, appointment letters, DS docs and supporting documents and no form of electronic devices. There is a small tea shop nearby where you can deposit your valuables, but I personally did not do this and kept all my belongings in my hotel room. It is upto your discretion.
They will check all the documents once again and give you a token once you enter the premises. When your turn comes based on token and counter number(similar to bank teller system), you need to get to the counter with the documents.
There will be many counters in here and some Indian officials will ask some basic questions. After this, you will be batched and sent to the main consulate office. Here again, the same token is valid and the same system prevails. When your turn comes, you will need to go to the respective counter. An US official will ask a few questions regarding job, family, work, company, purpose of visit, salary, duration of stay, etc...
The person who interviewed me was a friendly guy who at the end of the interview informed me that my VISA got approved. Of course I went for B1 visa and that is relatively easier to get. By this time, you would have deposited the passport and you will be informed that you will get SMS as well as email notification for picking up the passport.
This again has to be done at the VFS document collection centres and the address for that one in Bangalore is  as below:

Prestige Atrium  2nd Floor  Unit No. 304, Bangalore,  560001

This office is very close to MG road/ Shivaji Nagar bus stand. This is located opposite to Hotel Empire and the road(called Central Street) is parallel to Infantry Road and so you can ask any person on these landmarks and they will be able to guide you.

Here again, there are certain rules that will surprise you.

You will get an email that your document is picked from the US Embassy. Due to technical glitches, this usually is not happening properly.

 I waited for 8 working days and reached the centre regardless of the email confirmations.

You need to carry a Government Authorized Identity Proof with a photocopy to this place.

The office works on Monday to Friday from 10-4 PM ONLY.

You cannot carry laptops to this office. They will check and then only allow you inside and give you a token.

Then, based on the token number, you will be called and they will take note of your details like appointment letter copy and photo identity card.

They will then give you the passport sealed in envelope if they have received it from the courier service.

This is the whole procedure in getting a US VISA. 

OH! LOVELY MOON

Oh Lovely Moon!!! For the past few days, I am seeing your glorious appearance in the midnight sky…
As I travel along, I sense that I am getting closer and closer to you…
But the size of your image never gets changed and the more I come closer to you, the clearer it hits my mind this reality. I even changed directions and saw you disappearing a few times, but it was only my illusion of conception. You again came back with the same magnificence.
Dear Moon, I learnt a few important lessons from you:
1. You are never bothered or perturbed by others looking at you.
2. You are always equipoised in your temperament
3. You magnify and diminish every fortnight, yet aware of this reality and carry on with your life. These may be your limitations, but you’ve understood them clearly and you progress!!!

Never ever thought that looking at the mundane process of MOON will make me realize something so abstruse yet elementary!!!

AU REVOIR "SUNIL"

You were not just our MANAGER
Also a great and inspiring MENTOR
I look back at the past few days
Where work was made exciting everyday
You always expected more from us
And every time gave us new challenges
You wanted us to step out of our comfort ZONE
And gave us exposure for our skills to HONE!

We've shared lots of memorable moments
You gave us your frank and outspoken comments
You're always straight-forward
Be it a scorn or an applaud!

You deserve commendable accolades for our TEAM's inception
We did have a nice and warm reception
All those team outings vivid in our memories
Time has flew past like a pleasant reverie

We've developed lots of trust and great rapport
We sincerely thank you for all your support
Wishing you all the very best for future endeavours
You are ONE special person for all of us to remember!!!

With Luv and respect...
Dedicated to my boss :-)

Inspiration!!!

I realize as each day goes astray
Fate has taken me from her away
It may be because I am all work and no play
Or I really wonder was I slightly delayed
She is my most treasured maiden
Her loss makes me stress-laden
Her voice and words are golden
She is the mistress of my love’s garden
The more time I spend and dither
Binds me together in her memories like tethers
My efforts and passion are devout
May be my emotions I need to surmount
Will I be fitting for her and tantamount
In love and relationships, I aint a connoisseur
Right now, I am just a desolate and desperate monsieur
The more I suppress and my heart goes calm
In a matter of time, it needs to be embalmed
Though my mind is supple and emotionally lurch
The very thought of her gives me the ephemeral surge
Most part of my life I have spent in solitude
If you are there, it refines my attitude and redefines my altitude
You are the perfect one who is cute and astute
However adroit I was, now you’re making me a doit
Your presence and essence targets me relentless
All the after effects and your memories are merciless
Once my mind was stern, sturdy and steady
You have made it flaccid with your love’s acid
I was once a ruthless soldier
Now, my mind squanders, my heart meanders and my body merely wanders
My life just seems to be bereft
As each second passes, it just goes adrift
I always try to open up my heart
But girl! Don’t you pierce it with your dart
The more I get closer, it gets that much tougher
I may end up a loser and continue to suffer

Nowadays, I am getting into a shell
Locking all my emotions where my heart feels like hell
I am wantonly avoiding, ‘cos ultimately I will be devoid
I am resisting to converse, as I may end up an inverse
I am even hiding myself and afraid to look, not that I am a crook
I envisage, one fine day, your absence will make me sick

Why am I acting so weird
My life is getting very tired
I aspire to become your better half
Don’t you leave me in despair and make others laugh
I wish things were so simple
I had TIME that was ample and reactions nimble
I only WISH….
You were born after me in a location and tradition closer to mine
But the harsh reality is making my vision saline
I only WISH….
I had the right opportunity to meet her much earlier
Before someone would have grabbed and made her dearer

All I ever wanted was to get you and be your beau
Right now, things are so messed up, I have no clue
I wish the REBIRTH theory comes true
With all my terms and conditions, applied and replied
And all my wish-list becoming a reality
Ultimately, both of us sharing our lives for ETERNITY!!!

VENKY 08/06/11

My newest inspiration

She is a superstar
Hope our relationship goes far
With her vocabulary and diction
She gives me the eternal addiction
And her eloquence and accent
Makes for a bond sacrosanct
Why have I become so silent and impatient
Is it the insecure feeling of she having someone else?
I can only wonder in my sweetest dreams
A world filled by the both of us
We touch, cuddle, snuggle, care and kiss
Time seems to come to a standstill
If only she were mine
If only I had the guts to ask her to be mine
Until then, I will only be dreaming
Imagining she is with me

She looks so mature
I can see the brighter side of our future
She is so decent
Makes my time with her pleasant
I know I miss her a lot
But I can't understand God's ways and His plots
Will she be mine?
Else, I'll turn saline
Her name and thoughts brings me cheer
Time and destiny is all what I fear
It is now just a matter of time
Whether I win her over
OR Brood over her loss!!!!!

Reminiscences

It is amazing how our memory fades away with time. There are many things that over the past year 2010 I have forgotten, some good ones and some bad too. But, what does all this say to me? 2010 was a great year for me, especially the later part in which lots of unexpected things appeared.

First is my job change. After the recession, actually I did not know when recession actually got over. Just when I saw many people started migrating elsewhere, I could figure out that the market was wide open. As people left, extra burden fell in to my head. I started out temporarily doing many odd jobs, only solace being they were temporary. Slowly, I got a feeling that I was unscrupulously exploited by thankless souls. Then when work life balance went for a toss, it was time to hang in the boots. I also seriously despise people who complain that what personal life a bachelor needs to have, for youth is to enjoy and make yourself ready for the responsibilities of the future. I can still remember that desperate moment of 2nd shift, exactly midnight, at that odd hour, I updated my resume after 3 years and posted it into a job portal. I can still vividly remember those depressive moments: mockery from operators, dominance of highly political peers, don't care save your skin Bosses, slogging out like an ass even on Sundays and letting others happily elevate over your hard work due to timidity, eating at odd hours, sleeping during even odd hours, my whole life seemed like a big question mark then. But, it did make me a bit stronger.

As unexpected, I got calls from consultancies. I had a telephonic interview. Then, a face to face with my prospective manager. Then, I was called for a Videoconferencing. Finally, I came out with the job. I earnestly thank GOD for somehow gave me time and created opportunities for me to land here.

I really understood the true nature of people only when I resigned. All those nice words and smiles suddenly turned alien. The day I submitted my resignation to my boss, he took it either too easy or was in a SHOCK. I certainly did prove critics wrong by what I did. I had to wait for almost a month and shell out an exorbitant sum of 3 months of my gross salary to get relieved from current employer. Whoever has laid out such a rule must be castrated in public! It seemed uncertain even after paying such a huge amount - my blood, sweat and tears! People thought that I am big joke and in order to escape, trying to lie my way out, but that was not the case to be. The only takeaways for me were a few good friends, some learning and experience, lots of contacts, a heavy dosage of do's and don'ts, a few bitter and sweet experiences and what not!

Finally, I had to revolt against my boss for the 1st and last time to get things done. Voila! I was relieved the same moment!

One great learning was to never get emotional, sentimental, close or goodie goodie in work. Being honest, ethical, outspoken, good nature and blah blah works awesome on paper, but on practice will make you a LOSER. I am not propagating non adherence of these values, rather to take a conscious call between cheating and getting cheated. That's corporate life for you in pure and simple ENGLISH. You have to either get cheated or make one!

I will continue this post next time. Till then I leave you folks with a good line I read today:

Opportunities never get missed, they are taken by someone else...

MEMORIES

I just have those memories

Trying to suppress and reconcile my heart's robbery

I am at an unexplainable loss

Life has become like a mirror without gloss

It was fun with her

Now, life looks bleak and blur

Not that I was bad

Of her, may be so mad

Still the memories keep me moving

The break up makes my heart mowing

Something between us was so special

Body, Mind and Soul: so sensual

Somewhere something went wrong

Now, it's been ages since we spoke for long

Whatever, Life moves on

Those episodes right now gone

TIME heals our past

My LIFE's sail without a mast

These compromises and sacrifices

My promises and practices

Keep on coming and going

Words keep fumbling and mumbling

But the bottom line is...

May be she is pissed

I have lost her

Separated from my lovely dear

And now I have been left to murmur

Wounds and memories, my only armour

I have lost her, but not her memories

Her care, hair and lovely allotropies

Those special moments of chatting

Those anxious moments of waiting

Those lovely moments of texting

Those cute moments of her thinking

But, my mind is at crossroads

My heart has got an emotional overload

For should I let those memories fade

She sparkled and was gorgeous like a jade

Still, she is so special

Not so social

She's my cute girl

Her thoughts brings those locked up tears unfurled

Longing to hear her soft voice

Her gait and pose and poise

The way she whispers my name

Shuts off my brain and makes me lame

Her emotional email

And a few childish blackmails

May be she found someone better

But the very thought of it makes me bitter

Whatever it is, I regret her loss

Whomsoever's may have been the flaws

She is the one who drove me crazy

Who made my life a melange of sweet frenzy

Now can't reach her mobile

My heart's crushed and in rubbles

My number has been blocked

After all those love locks

No response from social networking

After all those loving and cuddling

Not a single word for my emails

May be she thought I got another female

Oh! My cutie pie

You have endured all my lovely lies

It's difficult to come to terms with reality

All my life, thought love was a frivolity

For that, I am paying a huge price

My ego and heart have shrunk in size

Alas! Waiting for your kind word

Atleast before the flight of this longing bird

From this sad world!

--------------- Venky: 10/11/2010

My Native Visit

This post has been waiting and waiting for a long time. I wanted to write about my visit to my native - roots to be exact in the 1st week of August right after the visit with lingering fresh memories. My parents and myself started from Coimbatore to Thirunelveli. The bus journey was a tiresome one, with the bus taking a long time even to cross Coimbatore city border, thanks to the ruling party's campaign, blocking all important arterial roads and flooding paid people to infest the blockade.

The next day after the overnight journey we reached Thirunelveli at last. The Bus stopped in the new bus stand which was close to Palayamkottai - the twin city of Thirunelveli, popularly known as Nellai. The place is poorly developed with not even a single lodge or standard hotel where travelers can rest and plan their stay ahead. We had to board another local bus to reach the city bus stand. Then, we lodged at a nice hotel named BHARANI HOTELS - the one which we visited along with my sister twelve years back. We freshened up and visited the NELLAIPPAR temple in the morning. Whatta temple, how ancient it is, how vast and huge it is, can in fact imagine and visualize an entire village housed and functioning efficiently inside, what amazing sculptures, it was totally awesome!!!

We came to our room, then took some rest and visited our Family God( Kula Deivam) which is Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy temple. It was truly an enchanting and peaceful experience. Then we returned and checked out of the hotel and the same night boarded our respective buses. One of the most important and endearing things that happened to me during this visit was the trust and bonding that happened between me and my dad. Some feelings can't be put in words or blog, rather they can only be felt, so it's something like that! I thank God for all that has given me and wanted to start my new job with a good note and what better way to start than visiting temples and attaining internal peace and HIS blessings!!!

Poem

Funny Oxymorons

Bloggers, got this SMS about oxymorons. Worth the share! Enjoy!!!

• Clearly Misunderstood
• Exact Estimate
• Small Crowd
• Act Natural
• Found Missing
• Fully Empty
• Original Copy

And the most hilarious: Happily Married

CHANGE - Come to me soon!!!

What am I doing here
Pressure from the ones dear and near
My mind is so unclear
Troubled by future's fear

I have hit a quarter century

Amidst frustations and fury

Yet another victim of our reservation policy

For our ancestral fallacy

Tired of being single and fickle
Missing my ma's curd rice and mango pickle
Nostalgic moments kindling a tingle
What am I to do in this jungle?

Mind's preoccupied with MS, MBA and M Tech
Is there nothing else left to regain our lives
Nothing new that the spirits get revived
Oh God! How am I going to survive

May be I am thinking too much
At the end of the day, all I do is punch and lunch
Slowly turning out slouch
Stuck to a PC and a couch

I only end up having dreams
During the act, I always scream
Ending up last in my team
CHANGE - Come to me soon!

THE HURT LOCKER - MOVIE REVIEW

I selected this movie only for all the Academy Awards, BAFTA and all other accolades that it's received. It was virtually unknown in INDIA till then. This movie has not released in INDIA, as far as my knowledge goes and no DVD out yet. So I do it in my way - A Broadband connection and aXXo torrent!!!

I watched the movie in my drawing room(only room in fact - those ramblings of a bachelor) at my pleasure, without having to buy online tickets, without calling friends, without taking the time and pains to get to the multiplex on time and redeem my tickets in that queue, and so on.

The movie somehow mixes the components of a documentary, emotional drama and a few elements of a commercial film that keeps us interested in the war movie. The portrayal of all characters and the way the screenplay unfolds itself is so immersive and real, such that it feels we are watching a news reel of the actual war site. One of the few movies in which war is not glorified and slowly sheds light on the life of a Bomb Detection Squad. The various facets like their personal life, the way the people react to an alien army, rebels and suspicious calls, etc., are a real treat to watch.

So, watch this movie if you want to see serious stuff that is real!

For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hurt_Locker
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/

VINNAITHANDI VARUVAYA - A REVIEW

It was a Saturday noon. After my daily work schedule, I had to rush to the theatre for the matinee show. Of course, as usual I was late by 3 mins,may be!
The day before watching the actual movie, I had read K. Balachander's praise for Gautam for the movie. This added more curiosity and expectations in my 20's something heart.

To start with, the movie in one go is a sure must watch, whether you're in love, or was in love or married or blah blah. The kind of chemistry shared between Simbhu and Trisha is awesome. The portrayal and screenplay is so down to earth that we can feel the characters entwined somewhere in our daily lives. Kudos to the director for not mixing elements of cinematic masala and dramatization!

The kind of matured acting shown by the lead actors garners special mention. There's something very fresh in the way the romance is portrayed. Also, for the first time in a Tamil movie that I have seen, the kind of predicament and confusion that a girl goes through in an Indian society for the sake of love - torn between the family orthodoxy and the heart's desire is aptly depicted. I am sure every girl who has gone through love would have experienced such butterflies during their love life.

The climax is what captivated me. It is not the usual happy ending run of the mill type. It's what happens in many lovers' life. May be after some point of time, we all need to move on, but still that lingering feeling of first love will always haunt any true Love's mind!

The whole crew have done their part apt, starting from the lead actors, the person as Simbhu's friend with uncanny knack of timely comedy(a lot better than the usual slapstick one's nowadays), Manoj Paramahamsa's magical portrayal of Malta, Goa, Kerala and New York, A R Rahman's BGM's and love inspiring songs, Gautam's way of narrating a very simple love story and a special mention to the costume designer who has selected a very realistic attire for the lead actors.

The one negative I found was that the latter part of the movie nearing the climax was a little on the slower side. I also regret that I am one of those unfortunate guys who was not able to enjoy this flick along with his better half.

For the entire cast, crew and other valid information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnaithaandi_Varuvaayaa

Idhu Varai - GOA

Idhu Varai Illadha Unarvidhu
Idhayathai Thundaakum Ninaividhu
Manadhinai Mannodu Pudhaithidum
Pennai Nambaadhe

Kaadhal Endraal Athanaiyum Kanavu
Kan moodiye Vaazhkindra Uravu
Pengal Endraal Aanai Kollum Noi Aanathe
Ayyo Indha Illamiyin Thodakam
Indre Mutru Pulli
Adhai Sollaamal Solli
Nammai Paithiyam Aakum Pennai thaedi Tholayaadhe

Know Your Customers

A disappointed salesman of Coca Cola returns from his Middle East assignment. A friend asked, "Why weren't you successful with the Arabs?" The salesman explained "When I got posted in the Middle East , I was very confident that I would make a good sales pitch as Cola is virtually unknown there. But, I had a problem I didn't know to speak Arabic. So, I planned to convey the message through three posters...

First poster:
A man lying in the hot desert sand...totally exhausted and fainting.
Second poster: The man is drinking our Cola.
Third poster: Our man is now totally refreshed. And Then these posters were pasted all over the place "Then that should have worked!" said the friend. "The hell it should had!? said the salesman. didn't realize that Arabs read from right to left"