Andy in Italy

The Diamond Of my Life

My sister Bhavna Gupta , who is nothing but my life , and for one I miss Delhi the most. A topper throughout her carrier(touchwood) she has come on radio as well as her pic appearing in one of the local dailies in Delhi, she is an absolute realistic girl who looks out for opportunities to grab them. Recently she attended her convocation after passing out from MDU in flying colours. She is one of the most smiling and ever happy person in this world. she is one of the most rare gem the God ever created, so she is nicknamed "Diamond". I just wish i will be in Delhi with her ... soon and forever ...

Mysore To bangalore ..

This time around my trip to Mysore was nothing less of a mixture than a bollywood flick. First, I have to travel to Bangalore to Mysore via bus. But where the bus stand in Bangalore is, am referring to interstate bus terminal as most of the cities have in India. Travelling alone is the last thing on my preference list, and to bring a bike from Mysore to Bangalore, I needed a friend, or anyone for that matter. The choice was anonymous, it had to be Rajat. Ever ready to travel anywhere has a lot of head other than hair. So called him to confirm if he was, and as always he was. So we decided to leave on Saturday morning (3^rd March, 2005). Now I stay in HSR and Rajat in BTM , we had a bike but whom to reach who , so I requested a roommate to drop me to B.T.M. ,which he did. The only worry was that the person who was to take the bike back after I got off at BTM did not know how to drive the bike properly ,and it is learnt a Ford Ikon survived his driving skills. So now let’s go to majestic to catch the bus , but the auto driver himself told us the Volvo does not go from majestic anymore and took us to some other place and then told us that Volvo will go in evening. I wanted to get off and slap the person right away for being so mean, and then I asked the driver to drop us back to majestic , but he insisted there is another place where bus will be available and it is just 2 Kms away ( which was actually more than 8Kms). I was very anfry when we got down , and just told the person when I got down that all penny charged dishonestly , he will be punished. Sounds stupid , ask my friends who will tell you how powerful I can be in certain situations. When we finally reached the place , we came to know that Volvo comes from majestic , and that person who wanted to earn some 40 extra bucks ( diff in fare at majestic and place we got down) got so much cursed. Well , if that was only sad incident in the whole journey, then I would have gladly travelled with Rajat each and every time. There is an associated bad luck with every bad luck. The bus we got from that station was nothing but a pathetic fully air conditioned (don’t mistake it with technical ACs , it was full open , all broken windows , torn seats and international quality shockers system ) and speed that will send Ferraris and BMW to Pits ( my God , even Tempo was overtaking the bus). Finally we reached Mysore ,thank God have been to gym nowadays , else my back would have been a history. Then after reaching Mysore , as soon as I reached my home , I can see to the delight of my eyes , my Discover 8844, the number seems so good., the bike so mine and above all , ever so friendly and soothing Mysore , possibly the best Indian city in terms of scenic beauty and climatic conditions.

Well , I can write at length for Mysore , but this is blog for my trip to Mysore.Then me and Rajat (yup , the same one as in wayand blog) , went along to Infosys Mysore Campus ( we love to call it Infosys City ). Then went on to see the movie Nishabd in infy multiplex , the memories of which will cherish in my thoughts forever. The multiplex is nothing less than a dream , both in acoustics and structure. The dome structured monument is a four storyed gigantic eye candy. Then the remaining day was spent in reviving the memories of time I was in Mysore DC . then next morning again back to Bangalore on my Discover , me and Rajat ( below)

Morning time so I took the driver’s seat. Whew …. Get Set Go … and we were off to flier … morning breeze … empty roads (those who like me are in Bangalore can really appreciate traffic free roads) … the biking was as always it was on Bangalore Mysore highway …. Full speed … 100 kmph … and what more … regular breaks kept us moving. Then there was a Volvo bus we overtook .. this was our inspiration for rest of journey cauz whenever we stopped for a break the Volvo would cross us , and we would then overtake it … waving a hand each time at that smiling driver who also took the compition and tried to overtake … but with Rajat in driver seat … ha haha … one must be joking . Discover “ hawa se baatein ker rahi hai ” (Discover is flying with speed of wind) … There is this one incident which I should have mentioned .. lets see what it was ..... When we started from Mysore to Bangalore , Rajat told me not to drive above 70kmph , and I say I’ll try. Then as soon as we reached the highway , the speed of 110kmph was reached in flick of eyelid. And to believe it must be joking , Rajat put a hand at my shoulder indicating me to slow down, but I continued. As we crossed Mandya ( why is it I only drive in that stretch where people would barge in the vehicles as if holding a lisence to suicide or to create accidents. Soon after this Rajat got to driver seat and then , what the hell was 70 Kmph , he regretted his decision and told me afterwards that driving at 60-70 kmph would be an insult to this wonderful , butter smooth highway , or should I say fligh-way. It was at Mandya we first crossed that Volvo , and the last stop ( he hehe .. me also talking in bus-wallah language) was at a road side dhaba where we stopped for a small tea. And as I looked across , I saw Rajat standing at the high way , looking in the direction of Mysore . any guesses what was he looking at … a Volvo passed by , I was 50 metres away from him , and told him to have his tea. He said he was looking for …. Well .. Volvo just went by I told him … nah .. that was not the Volvo we are looking for .. for the one which was always there .. came speeding down at the same time when tea was ready … and this time around .. the driver waived a hand …..

And we were still thinking to catch it after we left after a gap of 10 min , but for this was not to happen , as we had already reached the city limits, and the bus would have disappeared in the long formidable Bangalore traffic , as I turned round for the outer ring road to the final destination …. Home Sweet home. But it still was a 24 hour event ful journey , my sixth trip to Mysore and back on bike … with Rajat for a second time ..

Mitesh's Onsite Party

this post is dedicated to Mitesh Pravin Vartak(above) , a true and another good friend , another gain from infosys. How can i dare to forget how the boring Saturdays in ECC when Mitesh would turn up every saturdays , much to fury of my another very good friend , Mitra , who preferred a more private life. But as always , Mitesh brings with him a smile , a beam of ray to hope your day up , and off course my lone source of washing the clothes :) .

But i have known him since 10Oct 2005 , where we first met. I really dont recollect how exactly we met , it i am sure of DJ's connection in that. Also came with Mitesh was Lalit and Pallavi's friendship. Hey hey , me getting into too many names , seems i wont be completing my blog ever. But yes Mitesh has been associated with most bad luck ( other than Onsite , like washing all sins in sacred Ganges at once) . From losing to mobile phone , which i often mockered about but then going through the same fate .
Mitesh has been one of my good friends in infosys and is currently in Swizterland .

An Evening In Infosys

After a full fledged work drenched day , what i appreciate most about infosys is the ability to refresh one instantly with world class facilities , right in the campus , add to it Cafe Coffee Day and its inexpensive coffee, flavoured by friends all around. with a CCD cup in hand and surrounded by friends for half an hour seems to refresh you and drives away all the tension away. Most of the evenings went in CCD. and the topics range from most technical to most emotional. Most of the coding problems gets solved in this period. While i was in Mysore , the infy FC1 and FC2 also boasted of CCD , but this infy bangalore CCD near bldg44 is best. And sitting in this CCD , we can see most beautiful fountain , with rainbow colours to revive you .The below is the coloured fountain , and then the familiar Latte Coffee Mugs ... Say Cheers ...

Wedding of my cousin

hmmm ... a little late for blogging and a long time since i did so . losing my nokia N73 was a major reason , and i accept it . It was the best thing to happen to me , till it was stolen, other than my engg , and my job , and my family , and friends .. few things which can't be stolen ....

Well blogging this time to cherish one of the greatest moments .. i went home , back to delhi on Jan 20 2007 ,,.. .the occassion , my cousin sister's wedding. the day of glory was 23rd of 1stmonth of year 0f 2007.
My flight was on morning of 20th jan , and as usual , it took off after a delay of 1 and a half hour , and reached delhi , to be greeted on airport by my mom and two cousins. Well , with a typical beard , and long hair , my mom was not very happy with the look i carried , a typical mafia one ...well , if she did not approve , it had to go , and all my styles , which only i think looked cool , were off .
well , then i was off to the home where marriage was due .. and it indeed looked like one .. so many ppl flocking around , and having a blast ...
i went back home , and met the most beautiful diamond in my life , my sister . Well she was not at all in holidaying mood , as was going to have her semester exams from the next week.
Then there was a lot of shopping in the air , and moving about here and there and telling tales from bangalore and mysore. Then it was time , and i dont know when those 3 days vanished in thin air and the day of marriage came. the marriage was arranged in a farm house , and all arrangements were complete.
the bride looked like an angel as she is , and the groom , most handsome of them all. What more i can say , the wedding seemed really to be arranged in heaven , as the happiness can be seen on both the bride and groom .....
for all i can say is touchwood , and remember this song from movie dhadkan as she came to the wedding ceremony . ..

"Shehnaaiyon ki sada keh rahi hai
Khushi ki mubaarak ghadi aa gayi hai
Saji surkh jodi mein chaand si dulhan,
Zameen per Falak Se Pari aa Rahi Hai"
Here's the couple i was boasting for such a long time .... deepak and anjali .
And would I be doing injustice if i forget to have Ravi in the frame. With good sense of humour and rocking the party whole night long , he is brother of the groom ..


And brother of the bride , the paala paala bacha , srikant ... Looks cool na

Happy Bday Friends

Come January and comes a host of birthdays .... from my friends and also in family.
Starts with Swati di on 3rd Jan , then Neha on 5th Jan ( meine kisi ko koi girt nahi diya ) .
Then Comes 15th Jan , mere sabse ache aur trusted friends ka circle ka bday start huwa ..

15th Rhythm -- most practical person on earth , my most trusted friend , and has stood with me in worst of times i have faced. I cant even re-count the number of times he has helped me out from difficult times. I will not forget him for rest of my life , and promise here in front of world , u r definitley one of the best friends ,... tere liye jaan bhi haazir hai dost.
Come 16th Jan , and its birthday of someone who i am scared to name , for the practical person she is and the way she treats you. She is a one of those who will always come priority in life. what i feel for her is nothing but true friendship. something i will never be able to speak and she will never be able to understand. She is in IIT now , and it has been over a year and a half I last saw her . didnt come this time around when i came to delhi.

Come 17th Jan , and its birthday of the person who brought me to this world. for this is the bitthday of my mother, the most special person for me in this world. whatever i am today is solely because of her,and mummy , i will always always love u forever.

My Training in Infosys - kuch yaad aaya kisi ko

now this is complete set ....





Details of Royal Luxury .. words just cant do justice to these ... just to tell how infosys treats you


This is Infy Trio ----------------------- Aby , Andy , LuV GuRu ... for those who remember


aby(top) , andy ( 2nd pic) and me ( just over) at time when all were in mysore. I miss u both very very very much ....

Just like formal intro to any first topic ,let me start ... i joined the big family of infosys on 15th oct2004 , though formal introduction came only in 2005 , and became a member of huge , secure friendly college-professional institute Infosys in Oct 2005. The first four months in infosys was nothing but a very successful mission of making the people not only understanding what is professional attitude , and also shaping us to stand to the challenges the world and the company will throw upon us , and how to successfully conquer all such attempts. First thing i saw in infosys was Huge campus , the golf cart , the security .. and so so lively gardens. The greenery , the mountain lining visible from Infosys Main Gate will surely take anyone's breath away. The next thing that came to my view was a projected pyramid( a building i was going to spend most of my future time in). It looked like a beautiful building , i mean it is . Then next was a huge huge building , magnificient , took out my head and gazed in amazement , at the GEC building. you have to stand in there to understand the mammoth nature of the building. Then came the reception. Me , and anand were looking for a room together , but Setu and sid mishra got the final free room , and so i was given room number 934 and andy got 931.
So here were we looking in our future , went to my room , dumped everything. there was a meeting called in food court at 6pm , and there was some tea and coffee. we were asked to come next day at 8:30 am for the induction , and what .. hey bhagwan itni jaldi kaun uthta hai .. then came the next day . full of work , atleast we thought. But wait , i am still not over on first day.
In evening , Anand DVD ,me , gaurav arora, sumit bhatia , divya gupta and neha went on for a ride around infosys. Andy still remembers seeing me on bike ( dats cycle) with both hand off the handle and zooming in and out of infosys campus .... first day craze that lasts lifetime ...
And then we went to ECC Mysore , fundoo place , pool side , huge gym , bowling alley , Loyal World and TT courts. Baddy courts , volley ball courts , squash courts , Basketball , u name it and u get it . just at the back was a huge free space , big ground and SDBs visible. but not taking the straight route , we took the back door , and decided to go to FC-1 on bike. it was one of the biggest mistakes ( which was good). the route is too steep that it is feasible only to go there on motor bike , and not on bike.Whatever it was , it was a real fun ,and we had a good time together . Then anand and me sat till 1 am or more , talking non-sense about our future lives , and that whatever happens we will always be together in Infosys... whatever be the case ...
and then in deep moon-light , wonderful ambience , we just drew to our separate rooms and slept. Next blog on first 2 days of induction.
Please drop in smilies ( comments) here. The pics below are of room we saw most of our F1 races in infosys .

lone path

See the paths , i have walked ... its a long road , and we have to walk all alone , but to find a partner , a friend , who can with u , share all joys and sorrows alike ,. the path will become rose coloured ..
Me and Dipankar on first day .. we went to a place just opposite Bandipur National park ,but was not the main enterance , but whatever the place was too good
Chinu ... jaan per khel raha hai ,. cauz if he was in water , he wud have swimmed there for the whole day ...

Last Set of Pics From Wayanad

Hi Friends , it has been pleasure writing about wayand , and all the fun we have had there. Like life needs to move on , i decided ,to put all wayand pics i can in this blog , and let it move on ... .So heres the eye treat now ...

Rhythm Divine ( yaaron ka yaar )

Rhythm Diwan .... doston ka dost ..
tere bin mein kuch bhi nahi ,
tere bin mein kuch bhi nahi ,
tere saare aansu mere , meri saari khushiyan teri ....

aur mein kuch nahi bol sakta , kyunki jo jaante hai dosti ke mayne ,woh bayan nahi kerte ,
dil mein mahsoos kerte hai .
Rhythm and me share a Tom Jerry relation , he is like an elder bro to me , very protective and one who stood with me in worst of times , and off course , in best of times also.There will be so so many incidents relating to both of us , from IIT-KGP , Puri , Robo-doc, Cliffhanger , Final year proj ... arrey mein likhte likhte thak jaunga ... wait for more of Ry(D)M(e) kisse ...
"choti baatein , choti choti baaton ki hai yaadein badi ,
bhoole nahi beeti huyi ek choti ghadi ....
"

DVD Continues ...

I still remember the day Anand Dwivedi got posting as Pune and me as Mysore. There was a tension in air , i can be smelled , felt and a sense of something dearly going away made us nostalgic. We wanted to change it , refused to believe that Infy can separate two friends , i mean brothers , together since 2nd semester to training in infy. How far is very FAR .... me in bangalore , he in europe .. my heart wid him , his wid mine ... friend of friend , am still waiting for you to come back. I dont find someone to pull a leg , not to laugh on , but to laugh with ...
"As per popular public demand , here is more of Andy DVD .... "