Its raining..In Delhi

Its Raining here..as I can see from the balcony, the road outside has got muddy and dirty.
But i need to go out, To collect my license which i misplaced in the hotel room where i stayed when I reached here 2 days back, then to meet few friends here.

Was here last time, about 5+ years back for CCS seminar. Roamed around delhi with friends and also a coach trip to Rajasthan that time.

This Journey, was totally unplanned. As shafeen got hospitalized in Agra, while he was on travel back to home from Delhi. he is better. Got discharged yesterday and reached delhi yesterday night. InshaAllah to travel home tomorrow early morning.
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Editing after reaching home
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Further the day was good, though it was raining and muddy, decided to went out as per plan. Got in to an auto and started the dilli tour, first to Pahar Ganj to collect my license and then to Safdarjung. Met Parth at Khan chacha restaurant at Khan Market. Had lunch there.

John and Varghese uncle were the nicest hosts in need, as shafeen still had medications and needed rest, preparing soft rice food for him, and later dropping us early morning at the airport. Good Travel and Back Home Well and Good. Alhamdulillah

Barakallah

An early morning post..Lets talk beard

Bismillahi Rrahmani Rraheem,

Though the intention to write this was days back, as you see in the previous post. Was not getting enough time as things were at its peak at work. Now, all is good. On the way back home for weekend in Train. Wake up at Shornur Jn, after freshen up, am on with writing this.

Initially I wanted to write things in detail, now I feel anyone who reads this will be good enough to understand the details even without mentioning it. Let me do it reverse the order I mentioned in the previous post. Will the agencies catch you, because you have a beard, considering you as a terrorist? See the answer is simple. “No” they won’t. Just as you and I know that putting on a beard or not are not qualifications for one to be a terrorist or so on. It’s all about what you are doing, when seen from an agencies angle. It is foolish to believe or even think that our intelligence agencies will ever catch someone just because he has a beard. At least we need to consider them more intelligent then ourselves because they are so.

Now let me come to a better part of it. Why people grow beard, it can be because they like it or due to cultural or religious reasons. Now let me touch upon the aspect of this from an Islamic point (Which is what I am concerned about right now). Allowing the beard to grow and cutting moustache short is a very prominent Sunnah (Act shown and taught by Prophet Muhammed Swallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), with many authentic reports, which the companions of Rasool Swallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the people after them throughout the generations and now, Scholars of this Ummah taught and did, and are continuing to do. And this is very important, indeed; many of the scholars consider beard for men as compulsory. Compromising on one Sunnah will make one to compromise on many others. It is only the insecurity feeling among the people in Islam make them to have this mindset of changing themselves without even giving a little thought on what things are.

Rest is for you to ponder, Barakallah

Thought: “Say truth, then you doesn’t need to remember what you said”

The Fear of Beard

Bismillahi RrahmaniRraheem,

Pogonophobia..!! Didnt had any plans to write anything about this topic until recently. Many asking about, and being worried, and trying to scare saying 'Man..you got beard'. For that that reason

I want to touch upon
> "Mens Face", The Gillette way or other..Who to decide?
> Why beard, Sorry...Why Not?
> Scared of!! ?
> Is that a right fear..!! ?
> Will the agencies catch you..If you got a beard, Yes..Isn't? :-)

This is for the next blog, Inshallah to write tomorrow. Good Day !!

Regaining Blog Momentum..

After returning from UK I have not posted even one. May be I had more time when I was there which helped to bring those blogs and videos.
So here is a quick recap of the ‘gap’ year. Was on a vacation after return and then joined office in Trivandrum. One month in Skyline guest house and then with family in the rented house near to office, and three months there. Weekends mostly in travel, many new good friends, good food every day, nice work and nice people at work, Frequent train travelling, lots of learning, small snake inside the bedroom, lots of Grilled chickens, a new bike, a new language, some sightseeing and yeah some wonderful memories – this was life in Trivandrum in a nutshell.

In Feb mid, I finished it in Trivandrum moving to Bangalore. Working from client site,daily travelling 35+ kilometres each side, Bangalore ECC stay, a nice roommate and again weekends travelling. Since the Bandipoor road is blocked buses take a different road which is not very good resulting very tiring travels every time. Got new friends, many colleagues leaving the company and always a lot happening around. It was just to move out of the Luxury Tech atmosphere, I moved to Adarsh Gardens where am in right now. When in Infy campus GH I felt more as if am still at work once even after I reach back. Here its cool, I can see kids playing in pool when I am leaving to office and when i return. I can see common people and not all techies around which is homely. Now the Train service from Bangalore is regular, so tickets booked for all weekends in advance for a month. InshaAllah have plans for a short vacation soon.

Recent updates
– Lost Ipod and the headset – Finding a gap in the gadget block
– Working late and sometimes weekends (after 3.5 years)
– Decided to start blogs again. Now on more sensible points of my concern.

Good Day

Back, Now to go Slow and Steady

It has been long time since I have written anything over here, cant find any reason for that. After the Europe tour we had just two weeks before packing back to India, within which we had to complete a hell lot of work too. I like it that way, and is been so always. Doing things not, ‘at last’ but ‘Almost at last’.

I had a huge list starting of from cancelling the utility connections, cancelling the direct debits, getting rid of the junk, selling the furniture’s, car and other white goods. I remember those days when Zemi joined me here in Bedford. In just one day we finished almost whole house shopping which was one of the best learned Blunders so far in my life. Now I need to get rid of them so that the day I leave, the house has to be Empty. Let me tell you, that was not easy.

Almost all connections and bills cleared on phone and internet, posted in classified for Car, Cricket Kit, Big Cricket Trolley etc. Not very good response though. The kit got sold quickly. The car I somehow have to keep with me till the last day in UK and that was the plan. Its nothing but mere chance that I was able to find somebody to buy my car so that I can make the transaction in the last moment. Gave away all furniture’s and stuff to Peacock Auction, got almost all bills and connections cleared, at office, also done with all my responsibilities at work and just got ready to travel back. Team had organized a send off dinner party at a Hotel in Milton Keys, think it was Ha Ha Grill, the day before my flight. Was good time with colleagues with lots of gifts pouring in to my side including the lovely Rotary I got in my left hand.

Myself and Zemi had to rush to Luton after the party to give the car to the buyer and he dropped us back at Bedford. The night before travel as it always had been, was for the busy last minute packing. The flight in Emirates was comfortable; think I had good sleep too. While in Dubai on transit we went to buy chocolates. I didn’t had time to buy chocolates at UK, and the purchase from Dubai was really heavy not only for the purse but for hands too. We had to give the chocolate bag in the check in luggage as it was heavy on hand. It was fun on arriving Calicut airport. There was a team of people doing some medical checks to identify Swine Flu cases if present in any of the travelers entering the country. Anyways, I thought its all crap, just small waves of someone’s Big Business. Allah Knows.

Was that not funny, I arrived at the airport after 18 hours of travel in flight and then immediately I had to travel to Cochin to do some Visa processing work for the Umrah trip to Saudi. I took a bus from Ramanatukara to Cochin, the driver was driving as if crazy. May be I had lost the feel of how we drive here after driving so long in Uk roads, I cant but stop cribbing in my mind just like any nri does. Alhamdulillah everything went well, I got the Visa in time. Went to Saudi with Mom, Wife and Sis ten days after arrival from UK.

The day I reached India from UK was Ramzan 1st, which is great relief for me being back to home. I had difficulty in last two years for food there. All praise to Allah, we had a comfortable trip, and then was at home visiting friends and relatives after return. I had enough time to take rest before I get back to work. Office this time is at Trivandrum on a new assignment. There was a lot of packing and purchase to be done, which I finished at calicut and carried all luggage to trivandrum. Since i joined office here, it was train travel every fridays up and return on sundays, once I tried bus and then decided never finding the terrible backpain it has bought.

Today after a month being here, have got settled with a comfortable house at Aswathy park and vehicle and Zemi have joined me too. Prayers for the best. Now it’s a huge list. Understanding the vast world of knowledge I should seek.

Europe Tour

This summer was quiet good with a lot of travel around UK. I am almost done with major places in UK and its time to travel outside the borders of the Island. Switzerland though I had been in winter last year for skiing I wanted to go once again in summer. The trip was planned around a month back with a major tour operator. This time I wanted to go with an operator than planning and managing the trip myself as I didn’t wanted any headache which comes along with it., and also want to see maximum places in minimum time.

We started on Saturday morning from Dover, crossing the English Channel in a Ferry to Calais in France, then went straight off to Belgium and roamed around in Brussels. Nice sight seeing and lot of pics this time from the major shopping places and tourist attractions like Manken Pis, Atomium etc. Had a try with Belgium chocolates which now I will suggest to all.

Next day we started with the black forests in Germany, Cuckoo clock making factory and was nice, same day we travelled to Swiss first to Rhine falls. This time we went in boat to go close to the falss and climbed the rock close to it and the view from there is just too good. After that we roamed around Luzern and then Zurich late in the evening. Next day was for Swiss in detail starting from Engel berg, we went to top of Mount Titlis, spend lot time there, playing in Snow, snow sliding, glacier cars etc. The scenery was so awesome that didn’t want to return back.

We reached Geneva by the evening and roamed around to see the major places, for me a repetition though. We were off to Paris next day early morning to have a Cruise in river Seine in Paris and back to Hotel and then again for the Paris at night tour, I like Eiffel with its lights and it’s truly awesome. Next day morning we climbed up to the top of Eiffel to get a bird’s eye view of Paris. We returned afternoon to reach back London by eight.

Below is the Itinerary we had

Day 1: London – Dover – Calais – Brussels – France
Early morning, board the coach from your chosen pick up point and depart for Dover, upon arrival cross the channel via ferry or shuttle. From Calais, settle into your comfortable seats as you start your journey to the capital city of Belgium, Brussels. On arrival, start with a photo stop at the most iconic structure of Brussels, the Atomium, followed by the famous Mannekin Pis Statue and Grand Place. Later, enjoy an Indian dinner before finally checking in to your hotel in the late evening.

Day 2: Black Forest – Rhine Falls – Luzern
Begin your morning by driving to the lush Black Forest region in South Germany, home to the well-known Black Forest gateau and of course the world famous cuckoo clocks. On arrival, view a demonstration on how the cuckoo clocks are made and have an opportunity to purchase them along with other souvenirs. After lunch, arrive in Switzerland to view the largest waterfalls in Europe, the Rhine Falls, famed for its elegance and its greatness in size, here have free time to admire the beautiful falls. Later, depart for Luzern to view the Lion Monument, the most photographed monument in town, followed by a visit to the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, Chapel Bridge, for a short period of free time to explore the town on your own.

Day 3: Mt.Titlis – Interlaken – Geneva
Begin your morning by visiting the highest mountain in Central Switzerland, Mt. Titlis, which is 10.000ft above sea level. Your ascent to Mt. Titlis starts by taking 3 cable cars; enjoy panoramic views of surrounding snow capped mountains, lakes and picturesque meadows which will leave you breathless. At Mt. Titlis have free time to play in the snow, visit the ice caves or take a unique professional photo in traditional Swiss outfits. Later, drive to the oldest tourist resort in Switzerland, Interlaken. This picturesque town is an ideal town for shoppers especially for those looking to buy Swiss watches and chocolates. After, drive to the international capital city of Geneva to see the, United Nations building, Flower clock and Jet D’au (weather permitting).

Day 4: Geneva – Paris
After an early breakfast, depart for a comfortable drive to Paris (approximate drive time will be 6 hours). On arrival take a scenic boat cruise along the River Seine; entirely glass fitted with a terrace, these boats are perfectly designed to discover and admire the rich architecture such as the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral as well as other landmarks, palaces and ornate bridges. Later, have a short orientation tour to see “Les Invalides, National Assembly, Grand Palais, Concorde Square, Opera house” and many other historic buildings.

Day 5: Paris – Calais – Dover – London
After check-out, drive into Paris to embark on your journey to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower for a birds eye view which will leave you breathless. Followed by free time at the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the most prestigious avenue in Paris; with its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops (duration is time permitting). In the early afternoon, drive back to Calais for the channel crossing and then its time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made before arriving at your drop off point.

Verify Before Believing

Youtube or such video sharing sites has now become great source of reference for many of us. This indeed has opened doors of spreading a certain message across the globe quiet easily and in a better way. We hear about changes happening to many peoples lives triggered by the videos they have seen through such video sharing sites. Indeed such sites are now considered as a place of information as well.

Information we receive through a video will make a bigger imprint than that of reading or listening. I intent by this video, which is the first of its kind from me, to create awareness and also to share a word of caution to the viewers to ensure the correctness of what is explained/displayed in the video This is very much applicable to videos of many categories may be on public or social issues, theology, controversial topics etc. Many talks/videos we see here use quotations from scriptures one consider as authentic to make a judgment, for e.g.: Quoting from religious scriptures to prove some point or to make allegations on a particular topic. Seeing and making a judgment can sometimes be deceptive due to the mere reason that many of us do not actually verify the quotations or statistics provided.

There is always a chance for people to create videos conveying wrong message intentionally or without. Quotes from scriptures can be very well misquoted if not explained in the right context or changing just one word meaning. I have seen videos where references are used in bits and pieces to get a totally different meaning than that of the actual. I have seen many comments made on videos considering what is said in the video is just correct without any verification and hence the discussion takes a totally wrong path. This is a word of caution for every one of us, who take life seriously and are looking for finding answers to many of our own questions, may that be of any type. We the common man, who ever we are nationality, race or whatever, we all want to know the truth in the area we look at.

At this modern age information is very much handy for us, may that be from village libraries to cyber world, it doesn’t take a lot of time to search for some data mentioned in the video and check its accuracy using internet. Even if it takes sometime it is worth it than having driven by wrong information. Almost everything may that be religious scriptures, public policy book or anything is now available in internet. And again when we search for information we need to ensure that we take it from the correct source, cause here also as there sites created to spread incorrect messages also, this is especially true when it comes to religion. What ever may be the intention of the people behind this, for us, we need the most accurate information and we can’t afford to be driven by wrong knowledge.

We are responsible

Lets Verify – rather than being blunt in believing the optical images put together and hence making our life decisions let’s be those who verify the information using the right sources. I shall tell you ‘It is worth it’.

Lets speak – We have to speak out and share the information we have with us so that others may benefit and if we were wrong there will definitely be someone to correct which obviously is what we need.

Why do we need to Speak about religions

Why do we need to speak about religions/ideologies?



* Many established religions in the world
* Most of the contradict each other
* This means – Not everyone of them can be right
* This means – Many among us may be in wrong path
* (I wont try to define right/wrong from a human perspective as no one will ever be satisfied with any explanation)
* I assume there a lot of people who only want the good of oneself and others
* There are a lot of people who actually searching to find the right information
* Wont that be good if we can share information with right intend
* The debate about the religions has to be made very healthily and we should bring up chances for such debates to happen.

Thanks

Ayoob is in to Video Blogs

Ayoob is Activly in to video Blogging

Sites - will soon be updated with the videos uploaded

www.ayoobsworld.wordpress.com

Here is the Welcome Blog

Summer 09, Travel, Work and Awakening

It might seem really funny to me. If I could think of, there are not really many things which I wanted to do and kept on procrastinating as this. Oh, did I say what is talking about? It’s about the video blogs. For sometime I was thinking that I will start it in full swing once I buy a new laptop and now about two week I have this performance Sony vaio with me with quiet a few inbuilt software’s and nice too. Moved a step up in photography front from Normal digital camera to Canon SLR. I need to learn lot before getting my pictures to perfection.

Last 2-3 years has been full of travel and has been to lots of beautiful places in India as well as abroad. Europe trip is soon Inshallah. All the time I am travel I ensured to carry my digi cam and then the handy cam when I bought it. So I have a very good collection of photos and video which will be worth sharing with friends and broader public. That’s why am looking for opening to video blogs and also planning for my own shoots where I can talk to the world on things of my interest. Days are just passing so fast, back from office am in front of TV for sometime, then some playing/running, food, internet and sleep. I have to find time to put for all this video editing and uploading to be done.

Recent Trips: the weekends are again getting busy with sun bursting awesome weather. TV news still can’t stop talking and scaring people about swine flu and stuff. Last weekend was in Stowe Landscape gardens, nice place to visit, very scenic. I am bit confused with the kind of symbols and building seen there. More of some kind of Masonic things in them, don’t know anyways.

Now am working from Milton Keynes, probably till the time I travel to Indai next month InshaAllah. Every day its forty five minutes journey one way. There is lots of roadwork in main highway so we prefer countryside roads to ensure not to be caught on traffic. . Things are all going well Alhamdulillah. Applications and bookings for the Europe tour is done, looking forward for it. Soon to join LSE, my dream institution and yeah looking forward for the trip back home and then Inshallah for Umrah in the month of Ramdan. As I need to vacate the house when I leave and have quiet lot of stuff which I will have to clear down, this will be the most tedious thing to do before going home. Hope everything will be fine, InshaAllah

Prayers

Punting in 'Cam' and tranquil 'Thames'

The first time I did Punting was at Oxford, which was when I went there with friends for the first time. We then hired the boat and decided to sail our self. Seeing others doing in ease we thought it’s going to be a kid’s game and we are going to enjoy in water. Me, Abi, Rahul, Ansar and Sunil were quite confident that we are going to manage this well. Started the sail with Five men in the boat and two doing the sail at a time, one talking care of the Photography part.. The beginning part of the river is smooth and the sail too went well. We had to take a full circle through the river and then join the bit heavy part of the river which we need to sail through to reach our finishing part. When the boat reached the rough part of the river we started realizing that it is not going to be easy and taking the boat back in time without having to loose more pounds is not very likely. When those motor boats pass near, the waves takes our small boat tangling and we totally loosing control The sail was nice, with lot of sweat and fun. We managed to reach back just exactly in time and was great fun.

Long time since then, I had been Oxford two three times but never bothered to do punting again. I use to go more to Cambridge in weekends some of my close friends where studying there, use to walk around and such but never had done punting in Cambridge too. I had a feeling that the Punting in Cam River will be more interesting than that of Oxford, though I didn’t do any. Anyways, it’s hard to compare. After my wife joined me here in UK, we had been to Cambridge when a friend was going home for good. It was in winter and then itself we had decided to come back again in Summer. Indeed Cambridge is just awesome in summer and a putting time in Cam River cannot be missed.

We joined the Punt now done by an expert in it and us happily sitting and relaxing. It was last Sunday – 14 June and was the fun day at Kings Collage. The student were really having good fun playing with their boats in the river, jumping to water, pushing others and totally a very loud and lively college fun time. There was a small accident to Zemi’s finger when another boat came and hit ours hitting hard on her fingers. Hope it will just ease of. In boat among us there were few students from Hong Kong, Germany a family from Easter Europe and all were just enjoying it very well. The kid in the boat sailing past us gave me a biscuit in hurry I kept it in my pocket later to get my mobile with custard cream on it. We took some nice pictures and one of the first video for my Video blog was shot while in the boat. It is about the need to verify the information we see from videos in public video sharing sites.

We had had a heavy lunch that day with Nasweeph, later after the punting he joined us back again. We did some cycling together then went for a tea at the Italian restaurant near by. The potato chips with herbs and some spices is something I can keep in mind for sometime, it was very nice. Sitting outside with hot cup of tea and useful discussion we spend above an hour there later to drive back home by 9.30.

All well and good. Prayers

In Summer Travel 2009

The weather reports forecasting an awesome and bit long summer this year. Few more places in list to visit before traveling back home. An extreme theme park was one we were looking for. A detailed London tour and may be Lake District if time allows. These is the plan for UK and if time permits, wish for few European cities later on as well.

I had been to Alton Towers before and is a great fan of Nemesis, oblivion and such high intensity rides. This time along with my wife who is quiet very enthusiastic about such rides, and myself thinking giving her the scariest moments possible and enjoying it together, set to Thorpe Park. I had not been there before, rides are just amazing as that of Alton towers, but Alton towers got a very nice campus which Thorpe park cant really compete for. Anyways we are not there to see the scenery but only for the adrenalin moments. We started with a bit less intense ride and then immediately went for Colossus which was awesome. Had good time again with Nemesis, SAW; surprising with unexpected twists and yeah we managed to do about 7-8 by the end of the day which I think is quiet fine.

Prior to the Thorpe park visit, there was a long weekend which we sadly had to spend lazily at home due to the swine flu outbreak news that was the May bank holiday weekend. The revelations came then not do such a blunder again!!

The second Bank holiday weekend in May though we had plans for Lake Districts which is quiet bit of travel. As Fithil was not able to join us for that we cancelled that plan and set to London for a detailed trip staying there all three days.
Staying with Fithil and family, the three day trip just made what we needed. The slow, steady and detailed travel and seeing London. Zemi wanted more time in London tube, as its first for her cause of our travel mostly in car.

The first day we managed with Westminster, Canary Wharf, London Eye, London Bridge, Tower Bridge and places around to return home late. Next day more happening with London Sea Life, Buckingham palace, Oxford Circus, again Westminster area this time with Fithil and Family. Next day solely devoted to Greenwich and shopping in Harrods. We did spend lot time in Greenwich. All three days the weather was just awesome and had a wonderful trip. The Arabian food from the Knightsbridge gave a good treat, and then shopping in Harrods for kids back home in India. Meeting friends and cousin sister at East Ham. The third day night about 10.30 we returned from Fithil’s home after 3 days of wonderful hospitality, rushing to St Pancras and then to Bedford on National Rail. Our small beautiful VW Polo was waiting us at the rail station and a small drive to beautiful Odell Close for a tight tired sleep hoping to wake early for office tomorrow. Thank God All went Well. Alhamdulillah.

Hoping for more and more trips to be done this summer, before returning India this August.

Updating the Blogs with relevant pics pending. But will be done Soon 

Prayers

Should We not Verify before believing?

Youtube or such video sharing sites has now become great source of reference for many of us. This indeed has opened doors of spreading a certain message across the globe quiet easily and in a better way. We hear about changes happening to many peoples lives triggered by the videos they have seen through such video sharing sites. Indeed such sites are now considered as a place of information as well.

Information we receive through a video will make a bigger imprint than that of reading or listening. I intent by this video, which is the first of its kind from me, to create awareness and also to share a word of caution to the viewers to ensure the correctness of what is explained/displayed in the video This is very much applicable to videos of many categories may be on public or social issues, theology, controversial topics etc. Many talks/videos we see here use quotations from scriptures one consider as authentic to make a judgment, for e.g.: Quoting from religious scriptures to prove some point or to make allegations on a particular topic. Seeing and making a judgment can sometimes be deceptive due to the mere reason that many of us do not actually verify the quotations or statistics provided.

There is always a chance for people to create videos conveying wrong message intentionally or without. Quotes from scriptures can be very well misquoted if not explained in the right context or changing just one word meaning. I have seen videos where references are used in bits and pieces to get a totally different meaning than that of the actual. I have seen many comments made on videos considering what is said in the video is just correct without any verification and hence the discussion takes a totally wrong path. This is a word of caution for every one of us, who take life seriously and are looking for finding answers to many of our own questions, may that be of any type. We the common man, who ever we are nationality, race or whatever, we all want to know the truth in the area we look at.

At this modern age information is very much handy for us, may that be from village libraries to cyber world, it doesn’t take a lot of time to search for some data mentioned in the video and check its accuracy using internet. Even if it takes sometime it is worth it than having driven by wrong information. Almost everything may that be religious scriptures, public policy book or anything is now available in internet. And again when we search for information we need to ensure that we take it from the correct source, cause here also as there sites created to spread incorrect messages also, this is especially true when it comes to religion. What ever may be the intention of the people behind this, for us, we need the most accurate information and we can’t afford to be driven by wrong knowledge.

Let’s ensure few things

1 – Lets speak – We have to speak out and share the information we have with us so that others may benefit and if we were wrong there will definitely be someone to correct which obviously is what we need.
2 – Lets Verify – rather than being blunt in believing the optical images put together and hence making our life decisions let’s be those who verify the information using the right sources. I shall tell you ‘It is worth it’. Thank You and Good Bye

Prayers

What do we expect from our politicians?

Just two days left before the parliamentary election results of the worlds largest democracy about to be announce. A 2 month show of whopping 1120 Crore rupees (€176 million). The successful candidates to sit on the ruling or opposition desks of parliament for the next five years in order to “take care” of the 1.2 billion citizens of the nation, India.

This obviously is the time of heated discussions and debates to every one, TV channels making news out of everything, horse trading, dramas, violence, allegations, apologies, expensive campaigns, music, rallies etc etc, Indian election as always been one of the most extravagant in spite of the many restrictions it have on spending for campaigns and stuff. Anyways I am just jumping out of all these issues pertaining to elections, for me it’s more important to see what happens after the elections. Am not talking about the post poll alliances, government formation or things like that. I am just wondering ‘What do we actually expect from the Politicians who win the elections and became a member of the parliament?’ We, here the common man as seen has always taken the role of Cribbing about the system and politicians later when corruption details came out or when the worst being experienced. It is just everyone else those in politics there to be a part of this cribbing exercise and for many among them it is just how it works and there is no way out. Other wise, this is what we expect out of the politicians.

I just had the urge to write this blog after the recent issue here in UK about the MP’s expense claims. Their claims for last 4 years have now been released to public domain and are now being scrutinized and in fact vigorously criticized all over. Though many of the claims were as per the rules, there is a feeling of abuse of the rules which have bought great public anger seeing the elected MP’s claiming for almost everything sometimes being extravagant using taxpayer’s money. Now almost every one of them is paying back the extra amount they claimed, some giving back 100 and some in thousands of pounds.

I just want to take this situation to India, will we be ever in a position to scrutinize and then to make the politicians pay back if find guilty of abuse of public money for personal gains, from corruptions and scams involving millions to extravagant spending they do on their personal lives from the exchequer? Or, don’t we expect them to loot the treasury in their 5 year term and do whatever they want? At least are we not Ok with that?

Is that not an unwritten fact that we are all ok with an MP using his power and influence to do anything he wishes for the gains of himself or his close ones?

Don’t we expect an MP/Politician to have made lot of money or at least a big house while in power?

Inside the minds of we the common man, don’t we have a feeling to say, ‘Man, its Ok, he is an MP’ about most such doings?

What do we really expect out of them, Is that not our expectations or the standards we put decides their action, I believe so. It is indeed the common mans expectation about a politician sets the standard on what he is supposed to do. We say someone is good if the scam he is involved has lesser turnover/profit for him compared to his predecessor, don’t you agree to some extend? I am not being blunt in saying all these, obviously there are exceptions, there are good people, and there are people with right expectations, people who do question them and themselves. But over all, that percent is too low to make any difference at this point and we definitely need a change in Culture.

It will be too foolish for me to expect a Politician in India to take the lead in changing this culture, though there would be some to do so. There is much more in the hands of the citizens of the country to make this change happen. Just by changing our mind to think a bit differently about what should we get out of the politicians we elect.

1 – I expect an MP to visit his constituency at least 2-3 times after he got elected, to interact, see the plight of his voters and to take inputs for necessary action.

2 – I expect an MP to deliver what he have promised or if cannot deliver due to reasons valid he should communicate to his voters

3 – I expect an MP to communicate to his voters and understand their needs on regular intervals and to cater that.

At this stage, I don’t really expect an MP to be 100% honest, trustworthy, and dedicated or to have any such good traits; rather I shall be out of words in praise of these guys if they can be 50% aligned to these qualities.

I don’t mind them looting the treasury and filling their bank accounts, But I will vote for them again if they do worth development with the balance money in treasury which they were not able to loot.

I will still be happy and in praises for these guys if they ever had a learning attitude and delivering mood just because they want to win next election also and not because of the will to do public service.

Can’t you make out how cynical I am when I set these expectations? I would definitely want to get better, Can you help? “I still believe there is a better day and that is not very far”

Prayers

Countryside’s, Woburn Safari, Isle of White, Cardiff and Roman Bath

The skies were starting to be sunny and we had no patience left as not sure about the date of return. SO wanted to see as many places as possible in the short duration, with trips planned almost all weekends. We started with the Country park in Bedford, then the Danish Camp, Horse Stables and the Dovecote. The place was not very far from the place we live and is a good half an hour drive through nice roads. Spring not yet on full swing. We wanted to see the country in its way and the place with horse stables and such. Indeed was good time with nice relaxing walk with rush or hurry. Did this in a couple of weekends along with going to Elstow TT club, Bedford Astronomical Society and TT tournaments at Beds Modern School.

We had been to Woburn Abbey and the Deer park weeks back while we were going to meet a friend here along with Ikea shopping. We dint had enough time then to actually go for the safari in Woburn national park. All set next time and fully prepared, another Saturday we went for the Woburn safari experience. This is a new experience to drive along with wild animals in a well managed environment, lots of shows including that of Sea lions, Birds. Quiet bit of funny sliding adventure and all in all good time. Thank god, the day was really nice and we managed to reach back home before seven which is quiet unusual in our trips.

Weekend after Woburn Safari, was a long one with Friday and Monday holiday. We had trip planned with friend of mine and family to Isle of White Cardiff and Bath. We were driving, first to Southampton > then Ferry to Isle of white> staying there for a day > return to Southampton > travel to Cardiff > two days in Cardiff for traveling around > Travel to Bath while return > and travel back home.

We picked Fithil and family from Ruislip station, long drive to Southampton and directly driving to board the Ferry which was an awesome experience. We started roaming around from the time we landed in Cowes starting from the heritage train. We had a lovely sea view hotel in Shanklin which itself had lot to see. I was really impressed by the serene beauty of the Island, the drive was awesome especially driving through the coastal road. Had lots of pics taken, went to the Needles point in Alum Bay, which had more than 10 different colors of sand in the same beach. As we had a flexible ticket we postponed our return trip by 3 hours and later to reach back Southampton to drive to Cardiff. It definitely can be called the Drive of life – 5 hour on motor way – happened due to a small setting I had done sometime back in my satellite navigator ‘Avoid Toll Roads” and we paid the price by travelling more than 60 miles excess.

At Cardiff, was staying with Rinoj and friends which gave the comfort of a house than that of hotel. Next day we traveled to tourist places around Cardiff and some beaches. Caerphilly castle were we spend quiet lot of time was a good bet and nice treat. We then pushed to Cardiff Bay, to see the busy city relaxing and then to Barry Island and Beach. Time for coffee back home and sleep. Next day to some small local attractions in the city, meeting friends who are doing their studies in Cardiff and then drew to Roman baths. We had went to an Arabian restaurant were we had good food hence went for a second time, this time more detailed eating. Alhamdulillah

Parking exactly close to the Roman baths, we reached there in time to spend quiet good time watching the tricks of a man outside the Bath and then took entry for the Roman baths. Indeed great surprise to see Hot springs from the interiors of Earth. Wanted to reach back home as early to avoid late driving tiredness. ‘Tiredness can kill on a motor way”. Dropped Fithil and family back in Ruislip and then another hour of drive to reach Odell by 11. Dinner ready as parcel along with the prepared Kheema rice. Prayers and sleep.

Thank God : was a safe and awesome trip. Prayers