Distinctiveness - Travel and Lifestyle Blog

We always part with hopes of meeting again sometime, somewhere in this lifetime. That’s what keeps the bitterness of parting somewhat at bay. Of course it is never easy to say goodbye to near and dear ones. But parting with realisation of the fact that we shall never meet again is something entirely different. Generally, until it happens, we never really realise the intensity of the moment. We always have hopes alive in the deepest corners of our heart. We are a hopelessly hopeful race! Day after day we wake up in the morning hoping that it was just an awkward dream, we stay involved through the day hoping to hear that one call, that one soothing voice, we continuously keep looking back as we walk hoping to see that familiar smile behind, we return home hopefully hoping to see eternity behind the closed door. It’s only late at nights, as the world slips into deep slumber, that we realise what we have lost. A silent tear drops as if instantaneously and for once one doesn’t have the wi...

I recently visited a curio shop in Jaigaon. On my way back home from work one day, a wonderful Che Guevara Portrait engraved on a cotton scarf had caught my eye. I had instantly decided to gift it to my Father, who idolises the Cuban Legend. It was better than I expected. Che Guevara imprinted in Black on a bright red background. I had no doubts; Father would love it. After bargaining in vain for 5 minutes, the price was decided. While the shop owner was gift wrapping my item, I had a strange conversation with him. “So, You are a huge fan of Western Music, I see!” – He started with a wacky smile. “Yeah, you can say so, I like listening, but I’m not a huge fan” “Oh really?!” – He sounded surprised “You know,” he continued,” unless you are a huge fan of Western Music, you don’t buy his posters mate! That man is superb, I love his music!” Che Guevara , Music? For a moment there I had a feeling that entire “head phone on my ears all the time” everyone had constantly wa...

It's not easy, but then who gives a damn? This is the exact response I got from an uninterested human being, who, under no known circumstances (rest assured, I didn't give in that easily!), would read my blog. Not that I am a very persuasive person. And there's nothing that enticing about my blog either. "Why should I waste my time in your blog when I am connected to the whole world on the internet?" he very correctly points out. "There is an article about music!" I try hard. "Haah! Why write music? Are you mad? Music is for listening, not writing. I don't understand this culture. Writing about music, writing about food! Food is meant to be eaten!! Next thing you say is you wrote about football!" "Actually I did write something about football. It's about Manchester United, you know!" I resort to desperate measures. "Hmm. You and your Manchester United!" and he proceeds about how our generation have the most awkward h...

I am a music addict and even when I sit to write, I always need good music playing! How do I define good music? Rock, Pop, Ballads, I basically like all kinds of music, but somewhere within I think the acoustic and semi-classical ones enthral me the most. No nasal efforts or cut-n-paste jobs please! And no hip hops either! Being such a fanatic has its good and bad phases. You meet more of your kind, discuss music, share and learn about new music. I have some really good people around me, who are constantly sharing their tastes with me, referring new songs to me. It's like a carnival all the time. Not always. My neighbour who stays in the flat above mine is always complaining. "Aareh! Why do you listen to music at such high volumes? I cannot sleep!" (7:30 PM) "Aareh! You have such poor taste of music, haan?! I'll give you some good songs someday!" and he departs singing some crap "capped bugger" song!! (7:30 AM) Sometimes I wonder why. What is it ab...

I have been taking a break from Blogging, far away from the cosy charms of writing, busy with manufacturing (and occasionally drinking) Coca Cola. The break would probably have been a bit longer with our production season keeping me busy with microbiological activities, had I not sat down on a Friday evening to watch a heart-warming movie called Aamir . In a country where a movie like Swades fails to entice human emotions and where a capped bugger with an over-expressive nose is a musical sensation, it’s hardly a wonder that Aamir mostly went unnoticed. I was deeply moved by the movie. The approach is very simple and appealing and the pace is wonderful. The whole movie is about a day in Aamir’s life. It’s strange, how it takes only a day to turn a life upside down. I was surprised by the way the movie ended, I half expected there to be a hero, who would banish the bad guys, free his family and get a wonderful damsel. Instead, I got Aamir. Aamir is a simple fellow, he’s no Arnold Sch...

I am a hardcore Shankar Ehsaan Loy Fan, so this review might sound bias. The special thing about Shankar Ehsaan Loy is the freshness they bring. That's what separates them and A.R. Rahman ( the Genius) from the rest of the musicians in India. And needless to say, this album's quite good too, as expected! Shankar Mahadevan is a trained classical singer, (listen to O sayibaa, from the album of the same name!) and Sapnose Bhare Naina was composed in just 20 minutes! Its a good classical based song with modern beats and its definitely in my playlist. Pyaar Ki Daastaan is the romantic number. Its soothing, beautiful and Javed Akhtar's lyrics are very good. Yeh Zindagi bhi is another good number from the album, but my favourite is Yeh aaj kya ho gaya . Could be because of the guitar base of the song, but i feel fresh and relaxed when I hear this song. I usually wake up to this number. All the same, I'm definitely listening to Luck by Chance.

For me Manchester United is more than just a Football Club. Man United is part of the positive aspects of my life, keeping me optimistic all the time. From reducing my work stress to pumping up the adrenaline inside me, Man United is in full control. I remember those days in College, when me and my friends Anirban and Sandip would have spent hours discussing Manchester United . I remember how at weekends halftime was scheduled for phone call when we'd discuss the half and the substitutes. I remember Anirban getting those jerseys, (mine said Scholes 18 ) and those proud soccer sessions on field. As University arrived, our group got separated. STD calls couldn't suffice for those discussion for hours, neither could we have half time chats for every match. Things worsened when we all got into our jobs. Professional life has no time for adrenaline pumping football craziness, there's no scope of staying up night after night to follow your idols and there's definitely no b...