Who is your FRIEND?

We all have heard the statement - 'A friend in need is a friend indeed'. This is one among many other quotes, messages and notes that have been shared by intellectuals on friends and friendship.

We meet people at our workplace, school, parties, around of homes etc. and soon our interactions turn into friendship. I always wondered who is a friend? who can be my friend? Can I be a friend of someone?

Here is my interpretation of a FRIEND

Free to be yourself (F) - You are at your utmost comfort level, when you can be yourself and transparent with someone. You are not being judged or assumed.

Respects for who you are (R) - Every human is different, even when you are born to the same parents. It is impossible to then think that you will have someone who is a carbon copy of yourself. Respect and love for who you are, makes the bond between two people stronger.

Intelligent or intellectually gifted (I) - We constantly learn from situations, obstacles, parents, siblings and others. So how easy would it be to learn and get advised from a friend who respects you and let's you be the way you are?

Empathetic and enthusiastic (E) - When your days are not so good, all you need is an empathetic person to listen and boost up your moral. We can't assume that everyday will be bright and full of energy. Enthusiasm is viral and can help overcome low times.

Nourishment to you (N) - We constantly evolve and try hard to do the right thing. However, inertia catches up and that can make us stagnant. Not only self motivation is key but what better to have someone who helps us and is happy seeing you move to the next level.

Dependable (D) - If you have someone who is there when you need the most without any ifs and buts, you need to feel luckiest in this world. This is hard to find as we get so much involved into our own lives that we seldom stop and think for someone else.

A true friend can be your better half, sibling, colleague, senior, junior, classmate or someone who you have met. It is the characteristics of the person that matters most not the relationship that matters. A true friend is a blessing and can help you to be a transformed person.

I remember this great thought - 'Friends like books are few and well chosen'

Would love to get your views and thoughts.

Goa - A different perspective

When one thinks of Goa, the first thing that come to mind are long beaches, partying people, mouth watering seafood and flowing alcoholic beverages.

This is possibly a typical idea of any beach destination which steams with tourist from around the world. Goa was our vacation destination and we wanted to uncover something different. A place that was ruled by Portuguese, Persians and Indian rulers had to have some history and culture to it. 

So we started visiting some of the old chapels and temples. These are more touristy that everyone possibly needs to visit and mark the tick on their bucket list

Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral

Lord Mangueshi, an incarnation of Lord Shiva

After the usual we wanted to head more to the country side and experience the Real Goa, understand the history behind it.

We were lucky to have got connected with "The Local Beat" team (https://www.facebook.com/thelocalbeatgoa/). Mack immediately understood what we wanted and within no time figured out an overall itinerary (some surprises which I didn't know until the trip unfolded).

We headed to Assagao. This village hosts the mysterious Kattor (scissor) monument that’s believed to be 1,000 years old. The walk begins with an introduction of Assagao by Felly Gomes. He takes a lot of pride and explained us the village history, it's rich biodiversity and architectural marvels.

The sights to be seen, range from beautiful Goan mansions, shell windows adorning window panes and gates, to the fruits and berries that grow around this place. Towards the end of the walk, we head back to Felly's garden for a locally prepared authentic Goan lunch and sings along to Goan folk songs.

The Kattor Monument nestled on the hill top

"The Local Beat" is an amazing bunch of guys who specialize in showcasing the finer parts of Goa, its rich culture, tradition and bountiful of options available for tourists who want to see and enjoy a different perspective. Their Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/thelocalbeat_goa/) shares some more insight.

Lastly the trip couldn't be complete without the visit to a local tile shop based on Mario Miranda's artistic interpretation.

Goa is a mesmerizing place which has something for everyone and leaves a lasting memory until the next time you land at this beautiful place .

Life is a river

Rivers are lifeline to millions who live and thrive along its banks all around the world. Great civilizations have all started from great river banks. So what does all of this have to do with this blog? We all know about this.

When I look at these great rivers of the world, I see there is a synergy between our lives and rivers. How is that? 

Both life (ours) and river have a few stages

1. Early stage or origin
2. Mid-life or flowing through the plains
3. Tail end or dissolving into the oceans

Let me share a few more synergies based on each of these stages

Early stage or origin

Rivers mostly originate in the mountains from melting snow and ice which turns into droplets,  forming small streams, creating rapids crashing against rocks, falling through cliffs gaining speed. They sync-up with other such streams increasing in volume and filling valleys with scintillating sounds.


We are born with very little abilities, learning at a phenomenal pace by 2 years of age, perfecting our motor skills, growing tall and strong ready to start our educational journey in schools. Mingling and interacting with others help us to gain experience and knowledge. From an infant we are shaped into a young energetic person ready to face the challenges of colleges and prepared to enter into a professional journey.

Mid-life or flowing through the plains

From the mountains, rivers flows into plains slowing down its pace but widening itself by cutting new banks, creating new bends and changing course. It meets new rivers from different origin and teams with aquatic life. Brings in precious silt and minerals enriching the plains, providing a more meaningful life to millions. The vast and long plain is where the river spends most of its time.

Our lives too spreads out after college and we diversify into various professional streams, working to learn, earn and provide for ourselves. We meet more of our kinds building new relationships some becoming life long bonds. Knowingly or unknowingly we touch millions with our actions and thoughts. We slow down from our highly energetic teenage life and understand the deeper meaning of life with time.

Tail end or dissolving into the oceans

Passing through the plains, rivers head towards the oceans. The long tale of water from the droplet now is soon coming to an end by dissolving into vast ocean. The pace is at its slowest as it branches out creating a fertile delta supporting many more lives. It looks back at its sweet origin at one end and salty destination on the other.

Our lives after traveling and struggling through the daily chores and responsibilities also slow down and look towards a new purpose. Relishing the sweet memories we keep moving providing a very different perspective to the younger generation.

Unlike the river which knows the finite distance it needs to flow to lose its identity, we don't know when our long journey comes to an end. What we do know is that our identities can leave a striking memory for ages through our deeds. Our actions and thoughts are very powerful. We unknowingly leave an trail on many minds without flowing through it.


Would love to know what my friends feel :)

Soul food - something we often ignore

How often have you heard your friends or colleagues saying - "I don't think I am doing something great", "I am missing something at my workplace", "I need to do something beyond just the work", "I am frustrated and don't think I can do this work beyond a point" etc.

Is it the work content? Is it the compensation or benefits associated? Is it the organization? and so many other possibilities that normally comes to your mind. The logical next step is to start finding solution around identifying and working on alternative, means of fulfilling "basic needs" of the old Maslow's hierarchy, hoping and feeling that this can solve the problem.

Unfortunately it is seldom that one thinks about the psychological and self actualization needs which eventually nurses and heals the soul, leading to immense happiness inside out. Why is that?

1. Any activity or work that you carry to fulfill your basic needs creates an expectation of getting something in return - say money, material, etc. You cannot disassociate that fact. It is not wrong, but that expectation is hard to satisfy your soul as there isn't an upper limit.

2. An activity or work done with some outcome or an expectation in mind possesses a probability of disappointment/dis-satisfaction if the outcome is not in your favour.

3. When the outcome of your work is unknown, your expectation is not predefined in your subconscious mind.

4. Comparison of work content and its outcomes with others is the most detrimental thing for your mind and soul. 

So the obvious next question that comes to mind, what work or activity falls beyond the above?

1. Volunteer work is a great example of contributing time and effort for a cause that excites you or you believe in. You are not expecting anything in return but just willing to help.

2. Helping a person who needs you but you are not expecting anything in return.

3. Supporting or giving to a needy that has possibly nothing and cannot even return anything back to you. Philanthropic actions like this is an act of kindness that goes beyond healing your soul.

4. If nothing else, be nice and kind to others even when they are not. This does not make you weak or small. This makes your soul happy.


This could sound philosophical and ridiculous to many, however there is only a few things that one can do selflessly and achieve the self actualization phase in the journey of life.

Don't wait until the destination, enjoy the journey!!!

I am learning and would love to hear from you all :)

Urban Flooding - Is this a ticking time bomb?

Monsoons are life line for South Asian countries, where more than 50% of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihood. An ever growing population needs all this water to sustain and thrive.

On one hand this monsoon season can be a boon, but can also create havoc and bring in disaster. Off late you hear about urban flooding more frequently than a couple of decades back. Simple answer which comes to mind is global warming, in-efficient systems etc. I wondered what could be the underlying issues? Are we anywhere responsible for this? Can we rectify or reduce the curse during the monsoons?

What is a typical landscape of a large/medium sized city in India or its sub-continent in today's context

1. Ever increasing population pushing the city limits.
2. Fast paced construction of homes, roads, shops, schools, industries, malls, etc. 
3. Decreasing number of trees, green patches, parks and gardens, natural water bodies like lakes, ponds.
4. Sub-optimal drainage/sewer system not designed to handle increasing demand from all it's users.

Have we every thought of the following

1. We have more concrete and paved area than ever before in these cities, every shrinking green and open patches reducing the ability of rain water to seep into mother earth.
2. Construction of drainage and sewer systems happens at the end (sometimes never considered) for any new township or area getting developed.
3. Planning for "Rainy Days" is never considered. We believe in getting something done, not thinking through the impact.
4. Lack of civic sense, garbage disposal system and use of cheap plastic products in various forms adds to the choking/clogging of these drainage system, leading to water logging.
5. Vanishing water bodies and no water catchment plan in place, means inability to hold on to precious rain water for future use.

It is not about the flooding, the loss of property and damages takes a toll on the economy. We are also losing precious ground water around these city which can be catastrophic if we don't have these open patches and ensure a way to replenish this precious commodity -"Fresh Portable Water". You can only out so much.

We all are somewhere responsible and can do our little part along with city planning to ensure these cities don't become just become a concrete jungle. A green and open city will only become the feasible solution to have a comfortable city life.

Would love to get your views and may be some better solutions :).