ThePancard.com - Fraud site

We applied for PAN card at the site called Thepancard.com more than five months. We made many follow ups and inspite of all these, we have not got the PAN card for which we were made to pay Rs. 5000. To our horror we also found they continued to charge our credit card few more time before we had to change our card. This is a fraud site steal and harassing trusting ordinary people. Please avoid it if you dont want to be blatantly cheated. We applied from NSDL and in 2wk we received the PAN card now.

Pandemic Lessions- 2020

We live in Mumbai. I work for a multinational company based in Mumbai, India. Our son got admission to UCLS after completeing his IB diploma from DAIS. Life was great. I used to travel in India and abroad atleast every alternate month. I was used to shop spices and eats in Dubai, Chester, Bangkok and such places. Our last holiday was in Bali and have been planning for a US holiday. Parities, both office and personal were normal with boring regularity.

My wife, the gal who has given me our son and great stability, tranqulity and care has a huge operetion done last year. She needed regular check ups.

I was taking sugar medicines and needed to test blood every six months.

Then the pandemic hit us. The pandemic that we knew nothing about. It was a great unknown that hit us as humanity and dread fill the air. We started working from home. Our labs closed. School of our also shut. IB exam got cancelled and scores were given based on his performance in grade XI and XII. We learnt hospitals as hotbeds of the spread of the virus and all our check ups stopped. For weeks we just went to the lobby of our building to get groceries. Ever such trip would be followed with bath, There are days when I hve taken bath thrice as hd to go thrice to get various deliveries.

We had a driver and two maids and a cook to support us. I used to joke that they are the mangement committe for by wife to run the house hold. All of them stopped coming for months. Running the house with a eighteen year old is not easy. Making food available thrice daily and keep some sncaks became such a challnges.

For months we didnt order food from outside. After months as we got fatigues, we found ourselves looking for regular food deliveries and started eating these with lot of trepidations at first. Slowly we gained confidence.

Here are the tem leanings gleaned from the experience so far.

. Here are the tem leanings gleaned from the experience so far.

To be continued.........

Mr. Modi - You didnt give us justice for murder of SSR

Dear Mr. Modi. I still think you are the best possible PM for India currently but it has nothing to do with who you are, rather than it is a sad state of affairs in politics in India. Still I felt that atleast you are honest, not currupt and will uphold justice. There were many signs there that you condon ideological violence but there were no direct proof for the same except your utter silence. Silence can be more telling than 1000 words. Then come the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. All the tate tale signs point towards murder of the young actors. Rims and rims of papers have been used to detail out the various reasons for suspecting this and so am not going into those again. What has been evident is that the goverment and state machinary in Maharastra blatantly and doggedly were trying to bury it. So when the CBI enuiry was allowed, there were hope that the culprits will be punished. I thought you will personally ensure that the culprits are help to account and the family of the Sushant Singh Rajput is given justice. This is a far bigger issue beyoud the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, Mr. Prime minister. There were others who have mysteriously dieed before and have been termed suicide. Bollyowood is a dreamland where scores from all walk of life aspire to make a living. Most of them are from ordinary families. Hence, all of us wanted to know that Bollywood is a safeplace and no one can get away from murder. However, someone got away again with murder, Mr. Modi, in your watch. We suspect pound of fleash would have been extracted, justice be damned. Very sad sick day now for India. Yet we are being sold on the concept of Ram rajya. Public continues to be tken for a ride, we didnt expect this from you. Mr. Modi.

Dont vote for Trump America for the sake of each of us

We watch with abject horror that Trump is still having about 40% support and though trailing, like last time, who knows if few fanatics and nitwits vote for him and shudder to think wht if he wins. Trump is evil and vile. He killed more than 200k Americans with his inaction, stupidty and selffish policy in the pandemic. Masks are basic to avoid the virus and he makes fun of it. He call the virus China plague yet he has investment in China. He made deals with murderers in Saudi Arabia. He will sale anything for some money and sex. He is immoral. America, you and your children needs better than Trump. He doent believe in anything and he is even using the white supremacists. He is pushign America to devide, unrest and a dangerous future. He has no conviction and moral compass. He is unfit as a president, he is unfit as a human being. He has america blood in his dirty soiled hands. It says it all about the republican senators who doesnt feel insulted that Dirty Trump is their leader. It seem these republican senators have no problem in looking at the eyes of their children that they continue to support Trump. I hope the republicans wake up from their fearful slumber and do what is right for America and their children. Biden is the best candidate in the given situation. I really wish we had a better choice but such is life. He is solid, he is a gentleman, he is humane and he has got his moral compass right. Please America vote for Joe Biden. Please dont vote for toxic Trump.

Justice for Sushant Singh Rajput death

There are some people in Mumbai who murdered Sushant Singh Rajput roaming freely, confident in the knowledge that they have the support of the state and police so they will continue to live freely till their next kill and the kill after.

The stage managed the death and only the seeds of doubt that it was a muder showly surfaced and grew only because we live in digital age. The other suicides before were also probably the handiwork of the same group of people as it all appear to familiar and so similarly scripted.

You join police taking a oath to be on the side of the law, protect the citizens and do your duty. You take salary from the tax paying Indians. Yet, you succumb to the state pressure and abide by their dictat to shield the culprits. You make mockery of the investigation, you obliterate the evidences and you supress any contrary views from family, media. You do all these knwoing that you are not doing your duty and failing your parent who game you birth. You are failing you wife, daughter and sons. You are failing yourselves. How do you sleep at night? How do you look at yourself? You must have got crores to dress a murder as suicide but know for sure that karma will and always does catch up.

You are the chief minster of the state. Have you got no self respect that you allow the law to be raped under your watch? You came to power ditching the popular mandate and now helping criminals to roam free in the city of Mumbai. Do you think you will not be punished? Karma always catches up.

Tough year 2019

I have had many difficult phases in my life but two have shattered me more than anything and one of it Im going through currently. What my Ma did created a huge void in me but changed me for the worse-made me more insensitive and bit ruthless towards others.

The best phase of my life remains since marriage, since Dona came to my life and we had out son. Her operation has created huge turmoil and uncertainty in my mind and this uncertainty, confusion and resulting depression, frustration and general hopelessness is creating havoc to me.

This shouldn't be this way. I need to find positivity and sustainable to be in the sunshine. It is for him that we have to live long so he can have the rich life he so deserve.

State of our world

I have believed for sometime that terrorism is a business of the soulless, rotten apology for human beings. As we grow up, we understand that the meaning of religion - it is the guiding principle of honorable living that maintains social fabrics. It is also about faith in an super natural power who guides us and protects us. But for ages, in the name of religion, vested soulless human beings have waged wars and killed. Im an eternal optimist but more and more it appears to me that there is no way out from this rut of terrorism that wrecks havoc recklessly in different parts of the countries. Our religion, our politics, our statesmen, our academic, our media- all are failing us. So for several years it was Muslim fanatics who senseless murdered innocents like cowards. Every action has reactions and sure enough no white supremacists are gaining traction and have drawn blood in Christ church. It shows mooring-less people irrespective of their religion are capable of unimaginable cruelty thoughtlessly. These people are shame to their parents and humanity. The wish to further their believe which has been shaped with narrowest thinking. Its is failure of our academic and social leaders of today. I don't see this change anytime soon. It is money that is running the world today and there is no bigger religion that money which gives power. So a Facebook ensnare unsuspecting billions to sell their data. The google and anyone who have been believed are doing the same. Worse, they scheme with anyone who pays to manipulate the user bases in whichever ways possible. Anyone with iota of brain knows that Brexit is a mistake and the brixit mandate was achieved with manipulation of masses. So one would think that best would be to have another referendum. However that would not serve the purpose of some of the hungry politicians who by any means want to grab power and so the Brexit drama continue like a grotesque nightmare. US has been the sole power for sometimes till Obama left who were giving some leadership to maintain the world order. Everyone know the one powerful and resourceful have to make some sacrifices for greater good. Not Trump. He not only got elected but continue to insult and tear apart of fabric of decency and honour every living minute. Putin in Russia is busy usurping surrounding nations in the hope to get Russia back to its former glory. So the disenchanted, the lost are being manipulated to foment chao in the world. Homan memory is shallow and history doesn't teach anything. It seems we will have to make our own mistake, pay for it and learn. This seems to be the fate of every generation.

Courtyard Marriot-Avoid

We got a reason to celebrate. Normally we would go to a small restaurant for our everyday celebration but this is a big enough reason for us to splurge a bit and so we decided to go to Courtyard Marriot, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri(E), Mumbai. That was a mistake.

Its painful to reach this place. It is bank on the industrial area of Andheri(E) and on the traffic injected road. The traffic is chaotic, doesn't move and pain to navigate to reach this place.

Since we were a large group, we requested for the starters to be served on our table. We regretted it. The service was slow, unsmiling. The starters were wet, something like curry. Tasteless.

We went or the chat. These were good, light and tasty.

The main dishes were stale, tasteless, lacked energy and character. The deserts were very sweet and didn't have much varieties.

I got food poisoning that night and couldn't attend office. I have to take heavy dose medications to get back in shape to resume normal life. Never again to Courtyard Marriot.

Only in India

The Narendra Modi's BJP government came to power in Delhi mainly because of the harted people of India felt for the utter corruption, incompetence and lack of any semblance of morality coalition government of Sonia Gandhi. The educated, urbanites and the youth got sold on the developmental credentials of Modi and gave him a mandate to do in India what he has done in Gujarat. That it will not happen overnight was understood. That he would take time to deliver was understood. That there will be vested nefarious forces which permeates every vain in the body politics of India would try to stall him and continue with loot was understood. That RSS and BJP would instill the Hindu principles was understood. Everyone who voted BJP wanted these.

What everyone wants eventually is progress, development, security, health, working public infrastructure for which we pay tax. What we didn't bargain for was aggressive hinduvta, victimization of innocents in the name of cow protection, working up ram temple every time an election approaches. Midi's mandate was for development and give India back the pride of Hinduism. Hinduism is vast and benevolent, there is no place in it for the paranoia and agreesion that Modi and and his government presided over.

Modi and BJP is smart. Still they fail to understand if progress is made, they can be in the government forever and that will also pave the way for them to make Hinduism strong and India the land of Hindu's. Modi is faltering here. Modi has taken big bold moves which arguably didn't deliver the intended results. But we must not forget that intentions were there. India is vat, largely poor and uneducated and hence no significant change can happen over night. It takes balls to implement GST, demonetization, restrain rogue Pakistan, raise the cleanliness and yoga awareness in the masses- Modi has done it all. Modi was also given mandate to install BJP governments in several states.

Modi and his team is visionary and taking steps to change the destiny of India for the better. But they seems to have forgotten that large part of India is poor, uneducated and India is lawless. Hence, all the opposition politicians, most of whom should be in jail are actually trying to come together to grab power in Delhi so they can take back India to the dark ages. The disparate group of opposition politicians who till yesterday would hate each other are holding hands and dreaming they would win the election. They have no principles, let alone any common principles, their track record is the track record of looting, lawlessness, corruption but this being India, they are dreaming and plotting to run in the election together. These idiots themselves call it rainbow coalition meaning they would always remain rainbow, not merge as team and drives in synchronicity. I shudder to think what it would mean if they succeed and win the election! It would expose India as banal, idiotic and will write it clearly that it has no future which it would fully deserve. It is another matter that the united (in greed) opposition wouldn't last more than a year and internal bickering, the greed for power, greed for loot would make then disintegrate in no time. But still it would take India back by decades and so must not happen. The vultures deserves to stay in the wilderness forever.

The fate of India is decided still in the rural India. Rural india is dependent on agriculture, poor, uneducated and lacks basic amenities. Time is now short but Modi and his team need to on priority reach out to them, make tangible improvement in their lives and make them explain what they are trying to do. Rural India is not stupid and they would understand.

Large number of us would want to move out of India if ever the day comes if Tahul Gandhi becomes prime minister. Its is unimaginable, ridiculous but this is being India, sadly, anything is possible.

What is worrying is that Modi, Shah and team seem to be lacking ideas now, appear jaded. They must get out of the political slumber, get their electoral equations in place, not go for another India shining bullshit, remain honest and engage India in dialogues. I remain very worried for the future of India as it doesn't appear as given that BJP would win the upcoming election.

Meaning of living

We got our son within a year of our marriage. I was 34 then. The year was 2002. The month was August. Since then our lives have revolved around him. Given that we there are a small family, we have don't everything together. My life certainly changed for the better with marriage and arrival of our son. It game me meaning. It gave me stability. It game me plethora of memories. He poked me once last year at my growing belly, I felt insulted and lost close to 10kg! That's what he does to me! Gives me meaning and reason to do what I have to do!

He is 16 now. He is doing IB. He is in grade XI. He is 6'2''. He loves playing basketball. He is a drummer. He loves music. He is a gum aficionado! He loves shoes. He takes him mama for hair cut. He will likely go to US or UK or Canada or Singapore for his graduation and higher studies once his school studies are completed.

I cannt sleep at night. There is nothing I regret that I couldn't do and looking forward to doing it. The child who would hold my hand tight everywhere is a teenager today and everyday becoming a bit stronger and readier to start writing his own story. Im proud of the confident, gentle, straightforward, authentic person he is growing up to be! I know I need to be there for him. He is our only son and doesn't have a brother or sister to look after him. I pray that he get a great soulmate who would walk with him as he explores and strive to achieve all that he desires. Yet, I feel already lonely and dread the day when he would be university is a distant land! Empty house staring at my heart. I sometimes start losing meaning and feel empty to be able to keep walking! Start a hobby, make friends, get involved in many things- all these are known but doesn't lend any meaning to get into all these.

Arsenal beat Chelsea today. I support Arsenal. He supports Chelsea. It 12.30am. He goes for a jog.

I tell myself to be strong. To will myself to keep walking strong and with purpose since we need to be there for our son. Its difficult but I have to do it. I seek strength. I seek forbearance! I pray for us to remain together and be happy and strong together.

Grateful 2018

In another few hours, 2018 will become history as we will welcome 2019.

This has been an important year for us. Shennu appeared in his IGCSE exam and scored 8 A* and a A. It was quite good result and we felt blessed. Anther huge achievement for him was that he got admission to DAIS where he is now doing his IB. He is brave and hence decided to move school again. Moving school is always difficult but he was clear in his mind that it would be a good move. He also was one of the 400 students from India who got selected for the Times of India scholarship. He also won the ProBONO video award. So overall, we are grateful for all these and pray that he does well in his IB and get admission to the college of his dream.

Travelled quite a bit in 2018 too on mostly work. Colombo, Dhaka, Chester, London, Chester, Dubai. Am grateful for all the opportunities.

Travelled quite a bit in 2018 too on mostly work. Colombo, Dhaka, Chester, London, Chester, Dubai.

I have started reading again and read about 5 books during this year apart from plethora of hours on the net spend reading so many different writeup.

We are grateful for all the blessings in 2018.

Reducing My Plastic Foot Print

More and more it is evident that the plastic waste that we create has to be managed in three days - 1. Better Plastic (recycled and/or degradable plastic) 2. Less Plastic 3. No Plastic

The companies and manufacturer and academics have to play a significant role in helping us to move to the better plastic but as individual each of can and must do our bit to reduce, recycle plastic waste and move to products with no plastics. Here is my journey towards reduced plastic footprint and what I intend to do. These may appear small but I would quantify at some stage how muh plastic consumption I have reduced, how much plastic I have helped to recycle. These are really small actions but believe can have significant impact if can become part of our collective movements.

1.Never again use a plastic straw while drinking - we drink from glass at home so why do we need a stray to drink at a restaurant 2.Buy refill products whenever possible- be it bodywash, Shampoo, Dishwash and for that matter any liquids. 3.Use solida products like Soap Bar, Dishwash bar, detergent powder whenever possible 4. Collect all the bottles and plastics and give for recycling once a month 5. Carry a bottle of water and refill it when required- avoid buying water bottles and drinking from paper cups (which also have a plastic coating inside so the paper doesn't sog 6. Don't take plastic spoon and fork when ordering food home

These are simple things that can be easily executed and will certainly make a difference.

Times spark- Times of India - Shameful Sham?

Institutions play a vital role in a country and signify the state of morality, ethics, values and standard of the country. The Times of India is known a national news paper of some standing and widely recognized in India. Since last 15 years, I have started my days reading it every morning and have certain respect for it. That is now shattered and I have stopped taking this paper. I have started abhorring it for what it is- for perpetuating a cheap stunt with most vulnerable and most valuable generation of our country - the teenagers. It hearts since my teenage son was given a sad bad experience on games organizations like Times of India plays and he and so many others like him doesn't deserve. Im talking about Times spark. It was launched with much fan fare and given wide publication. It was touted as a means to excellence through reading. A series of articles were to be read over months, there was mock exams (online which mostly didn't run- an indication of the inefficiency of Times of India) and then a final examination which was followed up with a interview on a Sunday. It was promised that there will be 400 scholarships worth Rs. 1-2 Lakh. The first sign that everything may not be in order came when we spent hard currency to attend the interview which lasted just five minutes and innocuous questions were asked which can't be used for differentiation. It is more than 6 weeks now and the scholarships are not yet announced inspite of multiple follow up from anxious parent who doesn't want to believe that they have been taken for a ride for free publicity and sales of newspaper. Worse, there is no date is set on which the results will be announced and calls to the office of newspaper doesn't elicit definite responses.

It is my sincere hope that this was not a fraud that Times of India designed to increase its penetration and circulation and they would keep their promise by giving the promised scholarships to the deserving participants. Thousands of student in 10-12 grades and their parents have invested their time, emotional energy into to achieve success with the scholarships. The participants are at the vulnerable age group of 15-18 yrs, the age where they are vulnerable, full of hope, positivity and believe the world will be just one day. If it is a game Times of India designed to play, then it is indeed very sad state of affair in the newspaper and the country. I sincerely hope that Time of India is inefficient but have principle and will uphold the promise with which they designed Times Spark.

PS: The results have been published and the scholarships have been distributed. So, it seems that this was after all was not a sham but just managed very inefficiently which was not expected for TOI. It should be improved to give bet experience to all involved.

Monsoon Do's and Don'ts

Yesterday, monsoon played havoc in Mumbai. This happens every year. Every year, flooding also happens in various part of India. The intensity and the havoc that it plays is only going up due to climate change, rapid urbanization, increase in population, use of plastic that clog the crumbling dranage system and total political apathy, stealing of public funds and shameless lack of accountability. People suffer. We have to take care of ourselves as much as possible and right information is the only power that can help us a bit. Hence, I share here some recommendations that can save us and alleviate some of our suffering. I have copied this from else where since thought useful.

In view of yesterday’s monsoon-inflicted floods in Mumbai, please take a moment to learn about the below health hazards and ensure that you take the precautionary measures: 1)Diseases transmitted due to getting wet in rainwater & walking in floods/waterlogged areas are leptospirosis, hookworm infestations and fungal infection of feet. • Avoid walking barefoot and use rain footwear/gumboot • If you get drenched in rainwater, take a bath with warm water & soap, and scrub the lower limbs thoroughly on reaching home • After drying your body, sprinkle anti-fungal powder in web-spaces of both feet to prevent fungal infection. If you have sustained bruises, take a booster of tetanus toxoid, if not taken in the last five years • There is no need to take prophylactic dose of doxycycline to prevent leptospirosis. However, if anyone contracts fever (with or without shivering), aches or rashes in any part of body, pain behind the eyeballs in the next few weeks, then contact a physician immediately to rule out leptospirosis and other monsoon related diseases such as, malaria/dengue/flu/chickungunya 2) Diseases likely to increase due to consumption of contaminated food & drinking water are diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and loose motions), dysentery, worm infestations, typhoid and paratyphoid fever and Hepatitis A & E(jaundice). • Purify water used for drinking, cooking & preparation of salads, curds, chutneys etc., by using water purifier or by boiling the water in the below manner: o Once the water comes to a rolling boil, then boil the water for another 20 minutes. Avoid recontamination during cooling and storing the purified water. • Have hot cooked food (preferably immediately prepared). Avoid eating from roadside hawkers. Avoid eating undercooked shell fish. • Wash hands thoroughly with soap(anti bacterial soaps preferably) and water before and after preparing, serving or eating food, before feeding children and after cleaning them up post urination/defecation. If water is not available, sanitizer can be used. • Vegetables & fruits can be made disinfected by putting them in chlorine water for 10 minutes. o Chlorine water can be prepared by using chlorine tablets (Sumatab of Diversey Lever) • Vaccinate yourself & your family (children above 1 year) for Hepatitis A (2 injectable doses 6 months apart) and typhoid (single injectable dose & only 50% efficacy for 3 years) prevention • In case of worm infestation, ensure deworming of the whole family (children 2 years’ & above) and helpers with a single dose of Albendazole tablets/suspension. For children below two years, recommended dose is half bottle of the suspension. 3) Diseases likely to increase due to rise in the vector population (houseflies & mosquitoes) which transmits the disease to humans, threatening outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, malaria, filaria, dengue fever & chickungunya fever. The precautions for diarrheal diseases have been discussed above. In addition, • Cover and protect food properly from houseflies • Keep the kitchen, serving area and dining premises at home & offices meticulously clean (including spillages) with the use of sanitizers in optimum concentrations • Keep mosquitoes away by screening of windows, netting of beds, insecticide-coated perfumed mats, coils & vaporizer devices (best avoided in asthmatics), mosquito repellant creams (Odomos, Autan lotion) & electronic mosquito swaps. • Mosquitoes breed in clean water; hence, change water of flower vases/flowerpots daily. Alternately, if municipal authorities offer to spray residual insecticide on your premises, do co-operate with them. Let’s stay safe and healthy!

A Very Special Day

We had the PTM at Oberoi Interntional Schl, Mumbai today. We are used to hearing good words from all his teachers over the years at ISM, Manila, Bangkok Patana and even in OIS last few years. However, we have never been told the things we were told today. We felt, happy, superbly proud of our 13 year old son and praying to God for his continued success.

What surprised and made us speechless was when we met Mr. Jeffry. He told our son that he was incredibly surprised when the student election happen in the class. Shrihaan lot badly, there were several who got one vote but Shrihaan didnt vote for himself. His speech was superb and when asked why he didnt vote for himself, apparently he shrugged and said thats not the point. Mr. Jeffery said that was such a great learning moment for all and he said in his mind, 'wow, wht a guy'!. He turned to us and said,'what a son you have raised!'

All his teachers had only good things to say about him. What made us happy was that they were appreciative of how well behaved, principled, motivated he is and possess perseverance, intelligence and work hard to excell!.

Shrihaan, you made us very proud today!

We came home and ordered from Saffron and the food was so lovely that we decided not to eat out again but only order from Saffron!

Uttan - Cigad Resort- Around Mumbai

We are 5 couples with children and we meet once in 3-4 week to have great evenings filled with drinks, good food, laughter and general banter. Each of group have unique personality and sesne of humour and it makes a lovely affair for us to look for these evenings. Soon, we felt we should make trips together. We choose Goa but the planning and schedules of schools and offices meant that it was difficult to fund common dates.

It was the long weekend and our journey started when we picked up breakfast at the McDonald, at the Hub, WE express way. We booked ourselves in Cigad resort and their website indicated it to be a decent place. We found it to be an awsome place. Hardly 60kn from Mumbai which tool us about60 mins to reach Uttan through fishermen's villages. The beauty of the locale was awsome and we couldnt believe that such a place full of natural charm could be there so close to the crowed, concrete jungle that Mumbai is! We realised that Uttan is yet to be discovered and thus not commercialised at all. There is hardly any place to eat there except the resort where we stayed. We had loads of fun. Our jounrey completed with a lunch at the Dhabba.

It is a superb place and we will go back again and again so long we are in Mumbai. How long will we be in Mumbai?

In the box

I'm struggling to get the stability back in my life since December when I was denied a promised promotion and learnt that I can't trust anyone in the office. I felt dejected, hopeless, depressed and generally was loosing confidence. Im struggling to remain positive and hopeful. There are days when I'm okay but then suddenly comes a panic attack like an avalanche. Hence, what I learnt today is so very meaningful. I need to focus on things I can control, hence in my box and stop bothering about what is out of my box and hence not in my control. By focusing on things I can control and influence and being dedicated to do justice to things in my box, I believe I will be able to get back stability and prosperity in my life.

A tough tough 2015

I haven't had the energy to blog so fat this year since event of December put a hge cloud over my career and hence life. I have working in this MNC for close to 20 years and was promised promotions if a senior role comes up. I wa denied that role in December when a suitable opening came up and it went to a junior with no experience in this category. It would mean literally that I will not have anything to look forward to in this company. I had given all my life to the company and felt betrayed and very worried about the future. I risked becoming a broken man. I brushed up my resume and went to market. I soon realized that getting a higher or even similar role is difficult since this MNC I work for is a good pay master. My job and hence life was going great last year and suddenly it became unstable and depressive. I went to a psychiatrist even to gain back my confidence but she was expensive and didn't feel that she could be very helpful. Going to office became something that required huge motivation and every monday morning, I would get up sweating and feeling cold and depressed. I would get panic attack and all sort of dark thoughts and battling these was not something I was equipped with.I learnt one cannt trust anyone in my current company.

I have so far survived because of mostly Dona. She has continued to provide encouragements and prayer. Pompu and Mondidi became close to us and prayed for us and offered their support and help. They have also gone through very tough experiences and shared selflessly their experience and how they have managed to survive. Mondidi and Pumpu asked to chant Mahamirtunjay Mantra everyday and I chanted whenever I can. I chant when I feel very fearful and wonder what future holds. We went to Iskcon and Shiddhi Vinayak temple. I think I have survived so far because of prayers and their support. Bachuda also offered his supported. Ma in law always prays for us. Mothers are mothers. Only one person in office provided any support and he was Supesh Jain, am grateful to him.

I only pray and hope that shrihaan get the best education and life possible and we can maintain our current life style and health.

We have a close small circle of friends, we meet once in few weeks to party. We look forward to it. We also travel together. We went to Daman. We went to Kelwa beach. We went to Crawford market. Im trying my best to maintain the hope that life will be allright and coninuing to do different things so mind is occupied otherwise and morbid thoughts are kept at bay.

God is merciful. I kept on thinking what is the learning life wishes me to learn from this experience. I have sinned and begged for forgiveness. I felt fortunate that God has provide us significant savings so should be able to survive. I continue to look for opportunities to generate income. I studies up stock and debt funds and invested in some debt funds which hopefully will generate more returns that FDs. I tried to learn to live in the moment and not worry about future. I tried to learn to push away negative throughts and count the blessings and thank God for all the mercies and favours received. I tried to learn not to compare with others who are seeming to have a better live and for whom everything seems to be going great. Im learning to be positive and hopeful. Im trying to visualise a future where we have everything we hope and wish to have. God is merciful.

I hope and believe life will become normal again and all our dreams will come true.

Cafe Mangi, Powai

Cafe Mangi is a great restaurant located on JVLR just opposite the Powai lake. It's spacious and have both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements. The decor is wooden and chic and got a very relaxed feel to it. It serves great western and mainly Italian food to die for. We loved the spinach pasta and the wood fired pizza a lot. The drinks are unique too. The service is quite good. We will return there. Cost of dinner for 2: Rs. 2500 (house wine)

Live Ustad Gulam Ali -Ek Ehsass- Mumbai

Yesterday, we had another once in life time experience of being there in the concert by Utad Gulam Ali which ended with him singing along with his son. He seemded frail and short of breath at the end. Still full of life and humour, the range and depth of his mastery over Gazal is legendary and there is no one like him today. He spoke several times about Jagjit Singh. We hiss him too. Shennu didnt concentrate to listen to it but we do home it would have seeped into his subconcious and will manufest and make him richer someday in future. We resolved to attend such events more.