A PASSWORD PREDICAMENT!

I am a bit averse to technology. One might say I peacefully coexist and restrict myself to minimal use of it. That is not the case with my husband and my two year old too!! They revel in using the "latest" gadgets... phone, ipad..you name it..and they've mastered it. 

My husband, Rahul, is an "online" person and is active on facebook, twitter et al.  He is the one who created my mail and facebook account and I am almost never online.(my two year old is not social networking yet!! thankfully)

One day, I get a call from my husband post lunch from his office.  "I need you to urgently change the password of our netbanking for my salary account. The bank has updated its software." he says. "I am heading out for a meeting and the old password is written in my diary. you know where to find it."

Before I could utter a word of protest ...I got cut off.

I murmured to myself as I switched on the laptop, and placed his diary next to it. My sleepy two year old was jumping on the bed. "Careful!!" I yelled.

I took a deep breath..here goes. 

Fortunately, the bank's website was on the "favorites list". I gingerly clicked on the link. I entered the user name and password as mentioned in the diary and waited....

The page loaded on to the screen.  I read carefully all the options mentioned and finally found the link to change the password. Phew!! Meanwhile my little one decided to drag pillow by pillow and stack it next to the mirror on our cupboard. 

Enter old password : **********

That was easy :)

Enter new password:

I thought...hmm..

A date or a number,
A word or a name,

Rare and tough,

This is quite a game.

I think of a name and enter it.

"New password has to be more than 8 characters"

Said the site...Fine. I think.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see my son opening the draw and pulling out clothes one by one and admiring them before placing them carefully on the floor. God let me do this fast.

A word that's different,

Or a combination would be better,

that's not easy to guess,

A word that's bigger.

I enter the new password.

"Password should contain at least 1 number"  

was the message I got. ok...

An alphanumeric password,
Is what I need,

The word and a birth date,

And will be done, my deed.

I enter my new password..

"Password should contain at least one Capital letter and one special character"

Now I am losing it! My little one is scouting the room trying to figure out what to do next.

Our first car number,

The date we first met,

The day our child was born,

The more confusing this does get.

His favorite movie,

Or singer or a band?

An anagram or formula :)

Not anything too grand.

I finally settle on a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Thankfully, the site accepted it. I noted it down in the diary, thanking god the site did not ask for a sacrifice, the blood of a unicorn and the tears of a mermaid for my password to be accepted.

I sigh. Shutdown the laptop. I turn around to look at the room which is a complete mess. In the middle of the heap of clothes and pillows my two year old is blissfully sleeping. I smile to myself as I move my child to the bed.

I then pick up the phone and call my husband. The minute the phone is answered, I say "I did it!!" all excited to have achieved something. "This is the new password "************". I even wrote it down."

"err...ma'am", I hear another voice over the phone. "This is Rahul's colleague speaking, he left his phone at his seat, please hold on for a minute".

My husband comes on the line and says, "What is wrong with you? Never tell out passwords on cell phones or text messages or mails. Its not safe. Change it once more!!"

I take one look at the room, my sleeping child and the laptop. 

NOOOOOOOO!!!!

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Your post has to revolve around everything that came to your mind when you had to create your first ever password!

MY MOM MY HERO

As I sat tensed at my school lab during an exam because I forgot my record note book at home, an attender hands it to me and points outside....my MOM, my savior.

As I sang on stage, was in a play, gave a speech, or was just even a prop, my mom was in the audience cheering for me..my MOM, my fan.

As I fell sick, when I hurt myself, when i burned with fever, when i threw up what I ate, my mom held me..my MOM, my healer.

As I sat confused, angry, dissapointed, muddled over a decision, small or big, my mom was there, to talk to and resolve...my MOM, my mentor.

I see my mom stand strong in tough times, always there not only to support but to stop us too, held the family together, cared and shared, an unlimited source of patience, energy and inspiration...my MOM, my hero.

This time we’re having at a mother’s day special! Your post must contain the wordMOM and you have just 5 sentences to complete your story.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

WHAT CAN I DO? -2

This is a post I found on goindia.about.com when I googled "chennai'. Being a Chennai lover, it made me curious as to why there is a post titled "chennai the most hated city", which pushed me to read the post.  As for the  post itself, I have no comments on it, it is an individual opinion based on whatever facts they have obtained. But the comments section is something one should read. Be it in support of Chennai or Bangalore or north India or south India, what all these people don't realize is that each and every one has their own opinion and are entitled to it. That each and everyone loves their own city for their own reasons. Every city has its pros and cons.

INDIA IS A SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...it boasts of several cultures and languages and much more than just meets the eye of anybody outside of India.

Every country has its drawbacks and negatives.  As citizens the least we can do is be proud of our country and respect each other. It does not matter which part of the country we are from, we are first and foremost Indians.

Lets each one of us be proud of who we are, wherever we come from, whatever language, caste, religion, we are from...it does not matter!! we are Indians. And we have bigger fights to fight.

This may be an old post and an argument amongst a handful of people whose views may not reach too many people. But for a post that was posted in 2009, the comments are running till end of 2013 and the site admin had to step in and block further commenting.

Do take a look.

http://goindia.about.com/b/2009/10/14/chennai-most-hated-indian-city.htm

WHAT CAN I DO?

We need to look at the bigger picture. There are much more important issues that we can argue about and more importantly act upon.

I understand the concept of freedom of speech and expression. But I guess the priorities to where we need to show our vehemence is something we need to think about.

No offence meant to the people who commented on the blog. If we could only channelize all that energy into something more productive.

Don't you agree?

KEEP QUIET...JUST LISTEN!

Listen to the rain drops,
On the window sill,
Steady and consistent,
Calm you down it will.

Listen.

Listen to the silent night,
After a long day that's tiring,
To questions that we muddle over,
Answers it will bring.

Listen.

Listen to the birds,
Early in the morning,
Greet the day with a smile,
And everything will be charming.

Listen.

Listen to a chant,
Meditate on a prayer,
Free your mind,
Its a slick player.

Listen.

Listen to your body,
Don't ignore its call,
Keep an eye on your health,
Treat everything, however small.

Listen.

Listen to your child,
Busy though you may be,
They grow up so fast,
Faster than you can see.

Listen.

Listen to the person,
Who is trying to explain,
Give them a chance,
To ease their pain.

Listen.

Listen to reason,
The truth is not far,
Show some empathy,
And it will leave no scar.

Listen.

Listen to your heart,
Follow your dreams,
Give it a shot,
Impossible though it seems.

Listen.

Listen to your conscience,
That little voice that warns you,
To rethink your words and actions,
And helps you see what's true.

Listen.

Listening is a talent,
Not many have this skill,
You have much to gain from it,
Better your life it will.

Listen....

WHAT CAN I DO? - 1

What can I do? This is the one question most citizens ask when confronted with any public or social issue. I would like to share with all of you, any effort made by simple citizens towards any cause. It does not matter if the effort is small or large, if it makes a significant impact or not. Its an effort...and not too many people make that effort. And such effort needs to be acknowledged and shared. I hope to share what I find.

Do take a look at the following video :

Their efforts are truly commendable. you can follow them on twitter too : @SeatbeltCrew

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!

The year that just went,

A lovely and eventful one,

Both ups and downs,

Complaints are none.

A big family, trip to kerala,

My little one started school,

A super duper vacation,

Its all been so cool.

Started a blog,

A contest I won,

Read a lot,

Started driving again.

Rhymes and fairy tales,

Are swimming in my head,

In company of Parents and grandparents,

Nothing more need be said.

Lovely relations and friends,

Both old and new,

near and far, kept in touch,

Facebook, Thanks to you.

Now, what is new year?

Another passing day?

Another page in the calender?

Why this hype, I say?

What changes in that one day?

Finance, state of things?

People, family, circumstances?

What does it bring?

The change may be in the year and date,

But not in the physical world,

The change is within us,

A change unseen and untold.

A change of heart,

A change of mind,

A new hope,

To life it does bind.

What are resolutions?

But an attempt to change oneself,

In a hope to change things,

Starting with thyself.

To make a difference,

The first step you must take,

Don't wait for the change,

For your own sake.

A new year is about hope, change and new beginnings that "we" initiate.  Here's wishing you all an awesome 2014!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

PS: so sorry about not replying and reading for sometime. explanation in my next post. sorry again.

TARA AND TIGGER Part 7

She sobbed. He left me and went to her. "Its ok junior" Tara said. "He is Tigger's pup" she told me.

"What happened?" I asked. 

"He got bitten by a stray dog during one of our walks. It was bad. Tigger was quite old by then. Evidently the dog had rabies. It was the worst time of my life. I did not leave the hospital. He suffered a lot. In the end we had to let him go, not let him suffer anymore. It was a painful decision." Tara sniffed."Tigger junior was brought home a pup a few months after that." she said.

I was at a loss for words. We sat without talking for a few minutes. She sat stroking junior's head as he fondly looked at her and whined. 

"You will come to my convocation on Monday, right?" Tara suddenly asked me."You can get a press pass. Please. I would really like that."

"Hmm...Ok. I have to leave tomorrow morning back to Mumbai. But I will be here on time on Monday. That's a promise. " I said.

"Thanks Kavya. I have begun to like your company a lot. I have had a great time the last 2 days," she said.

I, as always, not knowing how to reciprocate, squirmed uncomfortably and said "Me too". She was so direct and honest. 

We went to bed.

Good byes are never my thing. This time it was just tougher. I left with a heavy heart, home made sweets om Meghna, lots of advice from Paati, a hug from Tara, and an open invitation to drop in and stay from Aakaash. Junior stood by and wagged his tail furiously.

Today ,as I stood watching Meghna and Aakaash as the audience applauded Tara on stage, I felt so much a part of the family. I was honored to share this moment with them. A strong and independent daughter. Loving affectionate parents. Amazing grandparents. And a bond of trust,

friendship and commitment that holds them together through the toughest of times. 

We all stood together at the post convocation event for students and parents. There was food everywhere. I wanted to run. Some entertainment by the students was in progress on stage. 

Suddenly, Tara stepped up to the microphone. "Appa Amma, this is for you" 

She said and went on to sing in her lovely voice.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

It must have been cold there in my shadow,

to never have sunlight on your face.

You were content to let me shine, that's your way.

You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,

while you were the one with all the strength.

A beautiful face without a name for so long.

A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,

but I've got it all here in my heart.

I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.

I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be.

I could fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?

You're everything, everything I wish I could be.

Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.

You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,

so high I almost touch the sky.

Thank you, thank you,

thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

- song by Bette Middler

Everyone stood in stunned silence at her amazing performance before breaking into applause. Tara spoke. "Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions. My parents knew all the answers to the questions my future would pose even before I started walking.'

"Amma and Appa. I know you don't like attention. But please humour me this once." Smiled Tara. "My parents were with me at every step, every juncture, every fall, every achievement, every failure. Not so they can catch me when I fall. Not so they can stop me before I make mistakes. Not so  they can raise me up on their shoulders every time I achieved something. Not to offer a hand to pull me up. But stood behind me to push and cheer me on. To try. Not to give up. To get up. To trust. To believe. To work harder. To make choices. To fail. To try again. To succeed. To be independent."

"What I am today is not what they wanted me to be, but what I chose to be. Therein lies their victory.  Cheering me on at every choice that I made, they have happily accepted my choices. I sometimes think, had I been a normal child, would my parents dreams and hopes be different for me? Nah...not a chance." She smiled.

"I know that I have a been a test for their patience. I know that life had not been easy. But not once have I heard them fight or grumble or complain about how things were. My mom gave up her career for me, she loves to cook. She wanted to have a business of her own. My dad loves to travel. I call it sacrifice. They call it love."

"All my parents want me is to be happy, independent and be a good human being. I truly appreciate that you have given me the most precious and expensive gift... the gift of education. And I assure you that I will not get it go waste. I have made a proposal to my old school(for the blind) and in collaboration with them and whatever help I can get, I plan to make this education available to as many physically challenged children, whose parents cannot afford it for them. Help to the parents in the form of counseling and monetary help to those who deserve it. Resources in the form of books, lab equipment, special training for the teaching staff and much more. This is just a idea in the making. I do have to find a job first." she laughed.

"But I will make it happen.I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, i will not refuse to do something that I can do - Helen Keller."

Meghna and Aakaash stood, looking sheepish. Feeling shy about getting all the attention. And proud of Tara at the same time. I for one decided I was going to do what I can to help her. I had contacts you know. All those years of toiling away from my family, its going to pay.

Flanked on either side by her two best friends, Shabana and Srinivas, Tara pointed to the audience and said, "I see my future clearly. Do you?"

I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words 8th - 14th December 2013. Today's prompt is dreams.