Running for a Cause

Hello Friends, 

Let’s fall back and think. We are not even half way through our life and we have already climbed some of the most awful mountains (sometimes literally, sometimes personal milestones)! Pat on the back. In the process, we have undergone change in lifestyles, priorities, habits, company and fitness levels. Well fitness gets screwed with success, unless specially cared for, and I realized I was about to join the club of sagged-belly holders if I did not do something to myself. Hence I decided to take up running.

Incidentally until last spring I wasn't able to run two complete rounds of a normal sized football field, blame me, or my lab, doesnt matter. Then something happened, and I decided to transform the slug in me. And I started running, professionally (well almost). So this year on September 24th, I will be running a Full Marathon (26 miles, i.e. ~ 42 km) in Cleveland, Ohio. It took me a lot of self motivation and self insult to get those running shoes on. And I have been practising ever since. In fact I'm running 12 miles tomorrow morning.

Now let me bring it to context. Like I said, this make-over has transformed my personality. But I want to dedicate this effort towards a cause that's not about myself, and make it more meaningful. I want to dedicate it to 'Asha for Education'. It is a global fundraising body, that supports education of underprivileged children in India.

It aims to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. Since 1991 Asha for Education has supported over 385 individual projects across India and disbursed more than six million dollars in educational funding.  According to Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, Asha for Education ranks among the top in the field of International Relief and Development. 

I am looking to raise funds for Asha, and I request you to help me reach my fundraising goals. My personal target is $1000, which can support a year’s food for around 100 children. We have a webpage where you can donate for my efforts : http://www.ashanet.org/cleveland/home/marathon/team/2011/deb-p.php and you can contribute in any currency you want.

If you want to talk more about Asha, and/or want to get involved with Asha, wherever you are, feel free to write to me or call me 1-864-633-7139.

 

Take care.

ps., BTW, just so that I don’t keep you guys guessing what I’m upto nowadays, I’m into my second yr of PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Also, if you could spread this email to some people you’d know but I wouldn’t, you’ll be helping some kids get education.

Thanks

Photo-source:http://gregmurray.smugmug.com/Photography/Races/2011-Muddy-Paws-Trail-Race/18181804_zZf6Kv#1397028115_SHscnMm-A-LB

Abhi Nahin toh Kabh

The song  on soundcloud. 

Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag Bhag-Bhag Bhag (5-6)
Daud-daud-daud-sab daud-daud-daud
jaag-jaag hum jaag-jaag hum
samay aya hai kuchh karne ka, abhi nahin to kabh?

Niklo, jaano pooncho maaango
Sunao unko tumhaari dhak dhak
Ruke na rokey koi abh humey
Shuru jo hua toh rahenge anth tak

Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag Bhag-Bhag Bhag (5-6)
Daud-daud-daud-sab daud-daud-daud
jaag-jaag hum jaag-jaag hum
samay aya hai kuchh karne ka, abhi nahin to kabh?

ishq humey hai iss dharti se
naaz hai iske sacchai par
Maar daalo iss khamoshi ko,
Solla-annhi insaaf ki pukaar!

Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag Bhag-Bhag Bhag (5-6)
Daud-daud-daud-sab daud-daud-daud
jaag-jaag hum jaag-jaag hum
samay aya hai kuchh karne ka, abhi nahin to kabh?

Haq humaari is desh ki khoon
Hosla humaari panchhi ki jaan
aag lagi hai, jal padi ek junoon
sadak pe utrey aaj har ek insaan

Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag-Bhag Bhag-Bhag Bhag (5-6)
Daud-daud-daud-sab daud-daud-daud
jaag-jaag hum jaag-jaag hum
samay aya hai kuchh karne ka, abhi nahin to kabh?




Thanks Neehar for the music and voice. Video coming up soon! 
Lyrics: PPD
Context: Fact that we'll never give up our fight for the Jan-Lokpal Bill. Rahenge Anth Tak!
Also mirrors a marathon I'm going to run for charity.

Sargam, the name that stuck!

Tarang 2010 was a really good thing to happen. I made precious friendships,  met gem of folks, learned the art of balancing and postponing deadlines, and had immense fun.

Bunch of 5 of us. led ably by Paras the awesome, were christened Sargam, the Satrang Indian Music Band. And it has stuck ever since. This was the medley we performed:youtube link

Order of artistes: From e xtreme right ---> Raghu, Vineetha, Paras (c), Lavanya and myself.

ps. Lavanya hates me even today for 'owning' the mike. Sorry.

Give me some Sunshine

This video had a purpose in life, 'to stand out' at an Asha-Satrang sponsored Republic Day of India Celebration @ Case, 2011. Actually we ended up getting some volunteers after this :D
Costed me a lot of coffee and 46 hrs without sleep :)

Just in Case

And I landed @ Case. Call it good luck (primarily), call it a decision.
And as expected, Case was/has been/is tough, in terms of course-work atleast.
And I was really really getting crazy and blaming my move to here, until I realised how vibrant this Uni was/has been/is/will forever be.
And, hence I took the long hours of assignments in my stride and packed it together as 'an enrichment capsule'.
And I met some of the most awesome individuals I have met in 25 yrs.
And then I met Intramural Indoor Soccer and played for our dept, BME.
And sometimes we won, sometimes we lost.
And sometimes I was a part of the win, and sometimes I was a part of the loss.
And I saw a wind-mill/turbine being erected on campus.
And then I had to spend long minutes in the breezy windy cold waiting for the bus to take me home.
And then I started loving it.
And then I loved my walk from the Cleveland Clinic to Case campus.
And then I learnt/began learning Matlab.

And then I met Satrang.
And then I became a part of Tarang'10.
And then I sang a medley of songs as a group.
And then I acted as Gandhi.

And then we spent long nights having 'uncensored' fun.
And here I am, loving the snow storms, the lake effects, and the warmth of 17F.

And its been good so far.

Cleveland Bollywood Party is here!!

Hello Guys,


Asha For Education (Cleveland) is organising a much awaited Bollywood Party this Saturday 23rd October, @ The Velvet Dog, Downtown Cleveland. It's gonna have all the foot-tapping Bollywood Groovy music u and us enjoyed so much back in those college days in India, and ones we all left back and long for.





Added to that is FREE FOOD and OMG-Awesome discounts on Drinks.
Be there and make the night a truly Desi night. I so wish we could have more of these parties!!

ps. ALL proceeds from this event go to educate underprivileged kids in India. Here's the website for details: http://www.ashanet.org/

Jai Hind!

(kaash) phir miley sur mera tumhaara

Looking for popularised murder of a master piece?
Watch it for yourself: part 1 and part 2 and compare with the gold standard here.
U'll miss the beauty, modesty and most impo, the diversity that India is.

ps. Yes, I cannot create anything like this.