Happiness; How happy are you

How happy are you, is there a barometer to measure happiness? The argument of being happy, or born happy has been on for so long. And scientists happily work on getting statistical data to prove the intensity, experience and mode of happiness. I’m humored that we need to look upon numbers to determine the possibility of happiness. But I do believe that today, in the age of critical thinkers, we need an external support system, in the form of books, studies and gurus, to understand happiness.

Happiness is an experience within; stop looking for it outside oneself. Find a minute of silence in the day. Forget everything and just hear your within; your breathe. It will heal you in the measures that you can never understand.

Studies define happiness in various extents, and through various ways of lives we come across. These are the phases where we judge the magnitude of our happiness.

Children are born with the seed of happiness, but with the education system nowadays they are not experiencing it today. The strain, the competition and the expectation has driven them away from everyday happiness. How to help them is still a big question. But everything starts at home.

Parenting is the most demanding job of all. I haven’t experienced it yet, but I envy my parents. Like every relationship, there are stages in parenting. Having a child makes you happy, but being a new parent is agonizing at times. But we are good learners. However as you get older your life gives the clear picture. And we can work the relationships, of parent and the child, into the happy zone with understanding and trust.

An additional effort of knowing your neighbors also helps a great deal in our day to day happiness ordeal. The more we connect with our neighbors’ aka surroundings the more happy and secure we feel. In fact studies shows that a happy neighbor will make our life 34% happier. Connecting face to face in a community prosper our social existence.

Another big factor that seeds happiness is money; it is hard to live a happy life without money. In fact I believe it’s the second closest important things in anyone’s life after family. Families fall apart in the tiff on monetary disputes. But can money buy happiness? Perhaps it does, but to what point that is debatable. What is the reality of happiness; food, healthcare, mobility. And when they are achieved are we really happy? After the necessity, there comes over estimation over reality, if a bigger house, or a new better car, and the magnitude of happiness grows wider.

People equate happiness to things, not understanding that impact of things dies with the course of time, if we talk in numbers 6-9 months at most. But not the life experience they are priceless and everlasting. We have to understand that happiness comes from the baseline.

The phenomenon we call Michael Jackson

Thriller was and still is a phenomenon, it's intensity can heat up any place, anytime, anywhere. But MJ kept running after the same phenomenon all his life, whereas he had touched the pinnacle of artistic divinity already, that magic can be renewed but phenomenon cannot be recreated. His magic will always be part of our lives; he inspired a generation of musicians and will continue doing that.

The attire, style or music kept changing, but our legend and his peculiar MJ sound never changed.

I have been his fan since the time I could understand music. I remember ‘Bad’ being was the first song I heard. Thank god for MTV we could see his out of the world music videos. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs including "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced numerous hip hop, pop, contemporary R&B and rock artists

The allegations also had an effect on the content of Jackson's music: History, which was released shortly after the allegations, "creates an atmosphere of paranoia," according to one writer. Its content focuses on the public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the songs "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson directs much of his anger and personal hurt at the media. In the introspective ballad "Stranger in Moscow", Jackson laments over his "swift and sudden fall from grace".

Jackson's 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. His other records, including Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and History (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll. Some of his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century"); 13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era); and the estimated sale of over 750 million records worldwide. Jackson won hundreds of awards, which have made him one of the most-awarded recording artists in the history of music. He was also a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for beneficial causes and supporting more than 39 charities.

His sudden death took the entire entertainment industry by storm. After Elvis Presley he was the only legend who could keep you carving for more always. I have never had the privilege of watching him perform live. But his videos can take us into his world filled with eccentric possibilities. And when I say ‘us’ I talk about all the millions of fans he has left behind to marvel from his legend. He was an intoxication artist. His music still can change the face of the music. A perfectionist of his art, a larger than life performer, and a guru to many generations to come, MJ we will miss you.

MJ you are gone too soon, your music has kept the childhood alive in us, and we will always keep your legend alive by healing the world not matter if we are black or white..

Your loyal fans..

Into the world of freedom fighters

How many of you have read the stories of our Freedom fighters? How many you think about the sacrifices they endured so that we can breathe in the free air? Most of us, in fact majority of us do not understand the prominence of freedom as we are born into free nations. We can’t comprehend the quest that the real fighters went through to breathe the free air.

Freedom came from resistance, perseverance and selflessness. We were and are born equal, but there had been times when man made his own rules and questioned the rules of nature. Be it the devastating World War II or the disgusting apartheid. Warriors like Gandhi, Martin Luther king Jr and Nelson Mandela has emerged and made possible for us to walk tall.

I’m a biased peace advocate, but when wrong is wrong, it has to be done right in best possible way.

Generally speaking, freedom fighters are seen as people who are using physical force in order to cause a change in the political and or social order. However, a person who is campaigning for freedom through peaceful means may still be classed as a freedom fighter, though in common usage they are called political activists.

Breaking a man bit by bit would never get easier with time, especially when the man make friends with pain. The insanity gave our freedom fighters courage to never give up their will to fight. Indian freedom fighters’ only mission in life was to see their country free from British rule. They did his best and when they was being led to the gallows, they were satisfied that they had lived up to their principles, irrespective of the consequences. The only thing that probably made them sad was that they couldn't do more for their country.

Herakhand Voyage...Uttarakhand Unplugged

You can travel to this river bed destination (Herakhand Temple)by road or even on foot. It was a magical experience visiting beauty so untouched.
It is a temple/ashram, being setup in the memory of a Herakhand baba, after he sublimed in smadhi. This place is near Almora, Uttarakhand. On the way to Nanital from Almora, a diversion guides towards a small villlage. We parked a car there and then started to following the Kosi river tributary flowing beneath. The water bed was soaked as it being a seasonal river. A small stream of guided us on the 6 Km track towards Herakhand. We walked through the sand and water. Even enjoyed breif splashes in natural ponds in river. It was a tireless track to walk through. As, before you would get tired walking on the sand the river passes by to take away the strain. River not being deep at all, was easy to cross over every time. It took us 3 hrs to reach our destination.
Mandir has been beautifully designed. It is constructed vertically over the ground facing the river bed. Hence when river is at its best there isn't any threat to the building. The trust of the Mandir is being managed mostly by the German followers. They visit the shrine in the month of March to November. The shrine remains closed from November to February.
After settling down in our respected rooms in Ashram. We relaxed and freshened up before the evening Arti. Mantras where Chanted and a spiritual belief started flowing within. We visited the Nau Durga temple across the river bed. It was equally austic. We were lucky enough to be in awe of the beauty of the temple on a moonlit night.

Accommodation and Facilities: The ashram is well maintained and the food provided is equally tasty. You can rent a private room to a dormitory. A private room for 2 can cost you around Rs. 700-800 per night with meals and a dormitory can cost you between Rs.150-200 per head. There are small tea, snack,departmental shops in the premises to serve your basic needs. The best time to visit this place is between April - November when the river is at rest.
Directions: Almora is around 303 Kms from Delhi. You can reach Almora Via Ghazipur Border to Moradabad and then towards Rampur on NH-24. Later from Rampur take NH-87 towards Kathgodam, and then SH-37 towards Almora via Bhowali.
We stayed over night and left late next day. It's a must visit place for explores who cherish the untouched belongings.
Happy Traveling, and be safe.

Merging in Devprayag...Uttarakhand Unplugged

Uttarakhand is the home to many pilgrimage destinations. Many stories from Hindu epics can be discovered here.
Devprayag is one of the popular destinations in Uttarakhand. In fact devotees travelling Badrinath, Kedarnath or Hemkunt Sahib make a point to take a dip in the holy Sangam of Alknanda and Bhgirathi at Devpryag. It is considered to be one of the 'Panch Prayags'. It is from Devprya that, the river from Sangam is known as Ganga.It is believed that the town is named after a sage Deosharma, who led life in penance here and succeeded in touching the glimpse of the God.
Devprayag is at the elevation of 2265ft. on the side of the hill , which rise above 800ft. more.It is 87 Kms for Rishikesh. On one side we see Bhagirathi and on the other Alaknanda, which flows along to Badrinath.
On the upper part of the village is the holy temple of Raghunath Ji. Which is built of huge uncemented stones, pyramidal in form and capped by a white cupola. In fact it is the only temple where we see the idol of Raghunath ji without Sita ji and Laxman Ji. It is said that Lord Rama (Raghunath Ji) and his father Dashrath did penance here.It is said to be one of the 108 teerth (pilgrim destination)of the South Indians.
Accommodations & Facilities : There you can find Dharamshalas and Lodges at cheaper price. They even provide you with all meals. It can cost you Rs. 200-300 Per night. GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) also has its tourist Bungalow at Devprayag. The tariff for the place is around Rs.300-400. It is suggested to book the room at GMVN in advance especially in the peak season i.e. from April - July. However the local people are very warm. So, if you have a budget trip then it is suggested to settle down at any home lodge being runned by a household. Best part about the place would be the home cooked food and cosy stay.
Directions : It is well connected by road with major towns of the area. It is a 70 Km drive from Rishikesh via Vyasi. The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh.

MA !

There is no place on earth like mother’s womb. None of us would remember how it feels like being there but I’m sure that it is as cozy as the hug she gives.

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. My mom has been one of the later one, her strength has brought both of us to what we are today. My mother is a poem I could never write, her enduring love is indispensable, though everything I write is a poem to my mother. My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

The formative period for building character for eternity is in ones nursery. The mother is queen of that realm, she defends, prevails and conduct the source of our energy at it best, and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests.

The care, tolerance and faith in the child ought to be selfless and unconditional; hence it's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.

There is a warm Spanish proverb which says, an ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. It’s good to know that we are born divine.

I’m not a mother yet so its bit hard to correlate why my mom keeps telling me, that when you are a mother you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. I guess because god can’t be there to help, guide and love us always, he made mothers.

Mom, I love you more each day.

Las Vegas - Just the right amount of wrong!

It is well once said by Frank Sinatra that, this town is a make you town, or a break you town, as it does. It is the town that will relish your weirdest-to wildest desires. The birth of the city was to act as an oasis to the travelers and it turned into oasis for desires and adventure.
Las Vegas is the Spanish word for The Meadows, it was identified as the valley that contained artesian wells that supports extensive green area. On the skirts of the deserts of Nevada it has acted as the oasis for the Mexican trading party to Los Angeles. It later essentially in 1940’s became the small town which business owners, Mormon financiers and Mafia crime lords helped develop casinos and Showgirl Theaters to entertain largely the male Hoover dam construction workers. How thankful we are to them ..:-)
It has the honor of being the brightest city of the world, which is comes alive when you fly above it in the night. We took an evening virgin flight from San Francisco to the city of fantasies. The mood was set in the flight itself, with soothing music and fancy cocktails served by the crew. Even the pilot pepped up our moods with a fling of Vegas. It was a perfect journey. One hour in the plane through the amidst of the dusk there it was the brightest city of the world. We were 20 minutes away from the airport but I could see the delight and I was blown away with the view. The spell binding place had already given me the rush of the Adrenaline.
The strip holds the luxury in everyone, from budget travellers to exquisite spenders you can find the luxury served with ease on the strip. Almost all the resorts have their inbuilt theme to conquer your imagination. The Greek epics of Ceaser palace to the unconventional and edgy design of Aria, the magic will tempt you.
Our adventure began with the Fremont street experience with the likes of George Thurgood’s Bad to bone. It is a magical experience which will have you dancing in the street with its $70 million light canopy and 540,000-watt sound system.
The city has plenty of free and paid attractions to offer, like the crafted Conservatory at Bellagio, the magnificent Fountains at Bellagio, the celebrate Fountain shows at Caesars, the incredible Lion Habitat at MGM Grand, the Sirens of Treasure Island, the Volcanic eruption at the Mirage and wildlife Habitat at the flamingo are few to mention.
The unbelievable shopping, entertainment and food experience of the Streetmosphere at the Venetian will take you to streets of Italy.
Las Vegas is a home to many performing celebrities, the likes on Cher, Celine Dion and the Osmonds are few of the celebrated preforms.
The strip is a magical place, filled with high fashion, to sumptuous eating options and elevated night life. And life beside it is equally exciting and adventurous. Tours to the great Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, or to the eroded beauties of Utah are breath taking.
It’s an once in life time experience and once you visit the wonder you can’t help but coming to ‘this town’ again and again.
Tips:
The place is gorgeous in every season, its the mood which has to match the season. You can plan your trip any time of the year.
Cost of the stay depends on the days of your stay, as most of the hotels/resorts provide discounted tariff during the weekdays. Weekends are mostly high priced.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes in the day, and pack smart outfits for the evening out, as most of the restaurants, shows and night clubs have their dress codes.
Pack a pair of comfy shoes and a pair of formal shoes - for men. and ladies who can stop you from wearing those stilettos, but my advice wear comfortable sandals/ shoes in the day.
You can start your day with a lazy brunch with wine, and can lay around the pool or take a strolls down the awesome strip. And in the evening you can catch a show, enjoy at a night club or a romantic dinner with your partner.
Have a great Trip!!

Lake Tahoe. Just a part of Heaven on Earth…!!

I think to myself …What a wonderful world, ah so truly said by Louis Armstrong. When u visit places like Lake Tahoe the fact that god is the finest artist of all comes alive.
The majestic lake will just take your breath away once u visit this beautiful place located between the two celebrated states of California and Nevada. Located at a maximum elevation of 6,229 feet Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America.
It is estimated that if ever the water of the lake is dispersed onto the state of California, the state will be submerged in 14 inches of water evenly. Wow right, such facts actually display the humor of mother earth and tell us how small we are before her magnificent existence.
The small town of South Lake Tahoe is well connected from road, and the nearest airport is in Reno; also known as, The biggest little city in the world, which is 45 minutes from the Lake town. We drove from the bay, Sunnyvale to be precise via I-5 and then switched to US50E to get to Lake Tahoe.
We decided to take the trip on thanksgiving, which surprisingly waved the traffic as people do prefer spending time with family and friends on this joyful day. The drive is spellbinding with lush green trees covered in mounds of snow. Winter does its magic on the mountains of sierra with such peace. White is the color we saw and I can’t explain in words how beautiful the experience was. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the fresh snow it was fluffy and softer than cotton.
The early lot of snow has already tempted professional and other skiers to the region. Heavenly resort has always been the favorite ski getaway. A swift gondola ride is available to reach the resort. The ride takes good 15 minutes to the top and the view from the ride is jaw dropping. It seems like the mountains range surrounding the majestic Lake has been dipped in white soulful color and left for us to admire. And the calm scent of the Lake gave the view an extra edge. The mystic combination of crystal blue Lake and white caps of mountains is as divine as the sound of music.
Tips:
Try to plan a trip during the onset of winter Nov- Dec or in the spring-summer season. These are the best period to enjoy the treats of Lake Tahoe.
In winter games, skiing, sledging are at their best and in summer the water sports rule are the favorite.

There is no place like Tahoe.