My Name is Ani

Body Language

2008-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

The following is an excerpt from my college assignment on Body Language. Hope u enjoy it...

Let us analyse how our body language is, throughout the day, by taking an example.

Body Language in our home:

It is a normal Sunday, just like any other Sunday. Needless to say, one would plan to wake up “early” atleast by 7 AM and would promptly ask our mom to wake us up. After adopting various methods, similar to the few adopted by the slaves of the mythical Ravana to wake up his sleepy younger Big Brother, Mom would just give up and go back to what she was doing.

Waking up at sometime, when AM is long gone, one demands milk, which is promptly delivered to the hand, the Television’s day begins. Sitting comfortably, we just eat whatever is provided and watch whatever match, cricket, football or tennis that’s going on, irrespective of whether its live or highlights.

We are asked to get something from the store, drop our dirty clothes into a clothes bag instead of making the floor difficult to walk over, take a bath, etc, but who actually listens to them? All those instructions in vain…

During dinner, we push ourselves to the Dining table for dinner, only to comment on how bad the food is, but managing to hog on atleast three helpings of each dish.

Finally, after taking rest throughout the whole day, we get tired and rest ourselves on the bed only to get a vision of a memory of some vague homework to be submitted on the next day. Just dismissing any thought of doing the homework, we go to sleep…

Body Language in our hostel:

It is a normal Sunday, just like any other Sunday. Needless to say, we would have planned to wake up as late as 7 AM, but will wake up at 5 AM by habit.Realising that sleep doesn’t come back so easily, we just sit on our bed, feeling grumpy and irritated that our roommates had managed to get up earlier than us!

Automatically, after deleting some forwards that had made our inbox full, over the night, in our mobile, we scan through the to-do list for the day. Thanking God that we have only around 6 hours of homework for that day, we happily allocate an equal number of hours for relaxing and playing in our plan.

Man proposes. God disposes.

Like some sort of a switched on record-player, our mom’s voice automatically runs through our head. Brush teeth, wash clothes, take bath, pray to God, etc. Finishing these jobs, we rush to the mess for our breakfast, worried for absolutely no reason, that mess workers may suddenly go on a strike instead of delivering food that morning.

Happy to see that magical wonder called food served onto your plate, you then suddenly realise that not even quarter of your plate is occupied by food. Then what happens is a similar series of incidents that remind you painfully of the timeless classic written by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist.

Sadly denied more food, you begin to put your mouth into the substance on your plate, only to wonder why this garbage was being called food ! Seeing all others adjust and eat, you also poison yourself with that ‘food’ to satisfy your gnawing hunger.

Tearfully, one is reminded of mom’s glorious food. Finishing it, we go to our room and start our homework. After doing it for what you think is half an hour, you glance at your watch to realise that its already noon! Deciding to skip lunch, we continue our homework.

Soon, it becomes night and when PM is long gone, you manage to complete your work for tomorrow. Just when you are about to lie down, you are reminded of some vague memory of another work to be submitted tomorrow. Just dismissing any thought going to sleep, we go back to work…

Me, my cycle and my cycle key

2008-06-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

They say a dog is a man's best friend. But in my case, its my cycle. It has been with me throughout my childhood and it is an inseperable object from my life.

But first, i have got some explaining to do. My cycle isnt actually "My cycle" as such. I have had many cycles since my childhood. ( Hey ! U there ! I m only referring to bicycles n the like and not some small tricycles !!! ) But whenever i look at a new one, warmth fills my heart and i accept it and give it the coveted status "My cycle". Also i did not get to drive the new one, my elder bro rode, but i would still be very happy to inherit my bro's cycle and make it mine.

Thinking abt my cycle makes me feel nostalgic. Our various misadventures together, both of us getting scolded by different categories of ppl living in chennai who take the unjust liberty of using Chennai's roads when i m driving out there. I still remember those crazy endless races, we kids used to have in our flat, trying to complete the maximum number of laps in a given amt of time (which nobody really notices, we drive till we r exhausted cycling and laughing out of pure fun and enjoyment).

It was only after a long time that me and my cycle were given permission by my mom to use Singaara chennai's non-bumpy, smooth traffic, clean, accident-free roads (sarcasm intended) .
Oh ! That was when the real fun started !!! I loved racing past lazy ppl on their two-wheelers and showing that it wasnt the vehicle that really mattered but the guy behind the vehicle. I used to drive alone for hours enjoying every minute of it.

To me, cycling is an art ! To use the cycle, enjoy the world outside in a clean, non-polluting way, when all guys n gals of ur age r whizzing past in bikes n scooters, requires great determination and an environmentalistic attitude.

When i shifted home and school, i even started cycling to school. Suddenly , school became fun !!!

Enough talk about my cycle ! If u r still alive ( after all that self-puraanam) and have come upto reading this line, u must be wondering what is it so important about a cycle key ???

Well, my cycle key is a different entity as such. The exact opposite of my cycle. My cycle is innocent, nice , has a heart of gold and does what i bid it to. But, oh this cycle key ! This evil, stone-hearted little vermin called cycle key is one of the most irritating things on this planet !

It has this strange power of growing two feet, running off and hiding in some nook and cranny making it impossible to recover it. It can be found only in one way. And they spell that as C H A N C E . Honestly, i dunno how i will ever find it out in a way other than luck.

As all Good stories must come to an end, my cycle key is again lost, both my cycle tyres are punctured, its in real bad condition and its unbearbly hot outside making it impossible to ride comfortably....

EPILOGUE :

"Sir, cycle puncture a seri panne evlo aakum ?"
"Enna.... oru 20 Rs aagum"

"(mutters to himself) GREAT !!!"

Anirudh finally finds his cycle key, keeps them safely in his drawer, successfully cleans and repairs his cycle, wears a cap, wishes his mom n dad bye and goes for a ride into the sunset........

B section Boys

2008-05-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Of all the classmates i have ever had, noone can bring a more pleasing memory than the boys of B section of PS Senior during my 11th and 12th. We were a great gang n were united through our mokka jokes in the name of Comedy ! (The fact that there were only 10 of us in a class of 30 also made us bond strongly).

I would like to explain abt here.

Anirudh (Anipapa first / Mokkai mannan later) :
Myself. Was a quiet, chamathu boy in skool first (hence, the name anipapa). Then showed my true colours by puttin mokkai mercilessly. It is still amazing tht ppl ever survived sitting in the same class as mine. Sorta a guy who never accepts anything said by teachers n classmates until there's a big argument which often leaves the other person fuming. Level of jokes are very high n the fact tht i keep my face straight often leaves ppl confused until they understand the joke. Very talkative... The target of other's jokes when all the boys get together n decide to target him. Otherwise , left alone as noone wants to put mokkai about the Mannan Himself, as noone has the capacity to face Him off alone. Seems very egoistic at first sight, but actually acts in such a way n is actually very down-to-earth.
Pastimes in class : Asking silly n serious doubts in the same period leavin the teacher confused over which is which, Copying notes from the guy who is siting next, as cant write as fast as the teacher dictates, Cracking jokes silently to the next guy n askin him to pass the jokes, used to play chi ku li ba as he was the one to rediscover chi ku li ba in B section (but got bored of it).

N Kaushik (NK) :
Nice guy. One of the tallest guys in the class. Bhaktimaan. Very devout fellow. Damn funny at the same time. As funny as the person above. Very very good in drawing and colouring. Often has to do errands for Shivkumar Sir. Mostly, the centre of attraction durin lunchtime, when all of us have quiet a few laughs at his jokes (we laugh so hard tht we often end up with tears in r eyes). Very friendly with everyone in the class. Gets any moody serious person go into ucontrolloble laughter in a matter of few seconds...
Pastimes : Drumming the benches durin free time, Drawing really really great pictures of Gods and Godesses, cracking jokes during lunchtime, dozing off with eyes open durin Bio classes, sometime plays chi ku li ba.

Kaushik Sridhar (Cow / Thunderer) :
KS. Nice fellow. Great Listener of jokes. Often known among others as a silent killer but we boys dont think so. Has a funny walk, popular among some girls, great friend to everyone. Mostly, doesnt talk unless talked to. Has created few popular lingo's like "Hit him, Maan ! Hit him!". Has a funny tamil accent. Doesnt leave any oppurtunity to join whoever is teasing Mr.Mokkai (author of this blog). Sings good songs horribly but all of us like such 'remixes' (we can hear them only if we forget how the original song is like). Lends a new dimension to our gang by being the only left handed guy in r gang. Only person to refer himself as Thunderer. Noone else does.
Pastimes: Dreaming about something or the other durin class hours, reading brilliant's biology book durin classes (especially chem), playing chi ku li ba n challenging others to win over him in it.

Krithivasan (Weightu / Oscillating book turner / Krithi / Namboodri / Cashew / John Smith) :
The most serious guy in the class and the only person to end up being funny involuntarily. Very strange guy n is liked a lot by all boys. Knows a lot abt comps n is the only to one to know a lot abt them by jus meddling with his comp (leadin his comp to crash many times). Slighty a moody guy n prefers bein alone but is never is, as every1 like bein with him. The inventor of the most number of and the most craziest lingo's in r class like " Kalambu kaathottam" n words like " Gombaa " , "Vembre", "Pacha podi" and most famously " Weightu " !!! Gets often caught for absent-mindedly drinking water in phy classes, rotating books at very high speeds, etc. Likes shaking his legs (like a dog which keeps wagging his tail) whenever he's excited. Was a very naughty guy in his childhood. Likes to falsely self sympathise (only we ppl know abt what its abt n itsnt proper to mention here whats it about) . Used to live in a duplex house,though and all boys r very suspicious n think he lives in a double duplex house now.
Pastimes : Shaking legs, rotating books, walk upside down, perform stunts, play chi ku li ba. Otherwise wud be studying, if he isnt doin any of these.

Nandan (Gundan):
Was uncontrollably irritating initially n wasnt in r gang at tht time. But slowly, he became really nice. Very frank. Puts his views in front of ppl even if it might hurt them. Also, accepts that he does always study in his home n doesnt try to hide this fact, unlike other fellows. Very popular n notorious at the same time. Really good chap. Gives good suggestions but doesnt see any point in meeting up for jobs like newsletters. Like, any other guy in r gang, cracks really good jokes. Always more popular with some gals than r class boys. Very studious and delivers well. First , we dint like his attitude but once he joined our gang , we realised we were missing something nice all the while then, n he was that something. Doesnt mind if anyone comments anythin about him. Actually is like a child inside but feels, sounds n talks like a tough guy on the oustide. Only God knows why. Easily sees any flaws in any of r plans that we make n thus helps in tat way. Presents himself as a very good boy in front of teachers. Street Smart.
Pastimes : Roaming around with lunch box here n there, talkin with gals, doing errands for VP, playing chi ku li ba (all of us feel he's really bad in it n consider it shameful to lose to him in chi ku li ba).

Naren (Nari) :
Really good boy who doesnt harm anyone at all. Very friendly with everyone. Laziness is his trademark but he doesnt let that come in the way of his studies. Has really good ideas n very nice to talk with, for long hours. Never snubs and is very pleasing but cant stand too much of nonsense-talk (by the author of this blog. Who else would talk for looong hours about really nothing ?). Really knows what he's doing. Relaxes in school n studies at home. Plans out everythin properly. Good listener to jokes. Prefer's the last bench so that he can lean back.
Pastimes: Lying down durin breaktimes and dozing off, playing chi ku li ba.

Pradhum (Prraaadheum) :
Tall guy. As thin as a stick. Great friend. Ex-sishyaite. I think tat wud summarise about his characteristics. Lol.... Actually there's more. Cracks good jokes. Whenever he's with anyone, he becomes so much like tat person n is very jolly to be with. Fakes big laughter for his own jokes, good chi ku li ba player. Keeps ice to bio n chem teachers but noone really minds as he is a great friend of all. Very popular. Plays basketball. Doesnt put much of mokka but cracks good jokes. Plays alongwith krithi's crazy words n is the highest user of them, after krithi himself. Every1 likes being with him as he adjusts himself to be the way others like him to be.
Pastimes: Playin chi ku li ba, cracking jokes. Thats all. He always listens attentively to teachers durin class hours.

Rajaganesan ( Raja ) :
Raja is the only guy to have been funny from the first. Has a real good sense of humour. Very imaginative and creative. Does his imitations of famous personalities really really well. Friendly with all. Plays chi ku li ba really well. Delivers really good speeches n gets his point across to others easily. His such original speeches never go without an applause. Gr8 orator. Very funny too. Very witty with his jokes n is a hard worker. He puts a lot of effort in wtvr he's doing, even if its a newsletter. Originality n creativity are his trademarks. Turns any dull conversation upon its head into a humourous one. He acknowledges every1's effort as he truly knows what hard work exactly is.
Pastimes : Imitating MGR, playin chi ku li ba. Crackin jokes.

Sai Govindar ( Dumeel kuppam Oooosaiiii !!! / General ) :
Sai. The quietest guy in r class. But tht doesnt make him any less funny. Great listener to jokes. Never ever play the fool around in class n is very serious most of the times. Very pleasing n every1 likes him as he doesnt talk unnecessarily. Plays chi ku li ba. Often the first to target the author of this blog , if he feels tht i m going too much out of hand. Very hard worker. Prefers sitting in class n studying...
Pastimes : Playin chi ku li ba. Studying something or the other.

Shivram Kashyap ( Shiva ) :
Nice guy. But doesnt miss an oppurtunity to lie to any1 he sees, that he never studies for anything but actually secretely spends all his time studying. Brainy but gets confused at times, especially while answering qsns posed by teachers. Never listens in class n does math under his bench. Quiet awful in chi ku li ba but wins a lot of games, strangely. Likes to snub others but is nice to be with. Talk a lot of physics with the author of this blog n both of us enjoy such conversations. Ppl find him funny as he often threatens others tht he'll break their bones, used to forget names of gals in 11th n any gal would be adressed only as "ei ! gal !" , grunts n shouts loudly in class n likes threatening gals. Boys dont fear him at all , while most gals do.
Pastimes : Solve math sums under the bench while classes r goin on, play chi ku li ba.

I hope, i have included almost all characteristics. If not, please include them in ur comments n i'l edit this post.

Hope , u ppl enjoyed readin this. I spent all night (from 12 to 2) to type this. I hope that this was worth my effort.

"Hey ! My results are out !"

2008-05-21T04:58:00.001-07:00

It is really funny that in our already messed up Indian education system, the people who care really really a lot, abt results of students are not the teachers, not the parents, not peer fellows and quiet crazily , not even the student himself/herself !!!

It is, not very surprisingly, the relatives and colleagues of the ward's parents who care the most ! If u get more marks than ur parents' uncle's wife's brother's daughter's cousin's ( if u r wondering why this list is so long, the answer is, i did it deliberately to emphasise the stupidity, u see ! ) son, then u r praised among ur close relatives. But, if u score a measly 1 mark less than ur distant so-and-so relative, "Gosh ! How can u get such marks ? U must not have studied properly" is the statement one gets. When u manage to beat that kid in some other entrance exam, " Cool ! I got back my revenge on u ! " is the attitude the ward starts developing.

I dunno much about Marxism. But , i wud surely say 'Marks'ism is bad. Marks dont matter.

Education is not about marks alone. It may consist of marks, but thats not all. Soon, the relatives may forget ur marks. So what was all that fuss about ? Parents scold their children for just missing 90% marks , which , they themselves may never have never got in their childhood.

So, ( this is for the students) , the point one shld keep in mind is, education is not gettin marks n pleasin the ppl around u. It is the medium to understand wtvr we see around us n the tool to devlelop r mind. Education is not simply memorising books, but looking around and questioning things around us and finding out the answers. Education must be learnt the FUN way ! Otherwise, "education", the word itself would feel irritating to some n scary to the rest.
Often, one heaves a sigh of relief after finishin skool and another, after leavin college, but what ppl dont understand is tht, we keep learning things in life often without realsising tht. So, learning isnt bad.

Knowledge is not the only thing in life. We, Indians have been brought up in a way , that we wrongly think that only academics matter n nothin else does. N r education system truly supports this wrong idea. If not academics, a person excels in somethin else. So, choose wht u like n pursue with hard work and dedication.

Remember, everyone is unique. Even if u dont excel in anything, still that makes u unique, isnt it so?