Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Why do some people get their bodies tainted with some permanent black ink? Why do some people damage their bodies with some metal pierced through? Why do some people ruin their hair with awful colours? Why do some guys work out so heavily just to get a pattern of muscles over their tummy?

I have asked these questions to a lot of people (only those who didn’t get any of the above done), and have got as many different answers as you can imagine. Yet the most recurring answers were:
·         Those ‘some’ people are crazy
·         It is just the passion of young people
·         Those people want to stand out of the crowd
·         They want to prove that they are different from the rest
·         They are trying to get other people’s attention.

Well, all these are only true at the superficial level. But deep within, each one of them is wrong. There is only one reason for all that. There is only one, true, valid explanation to this:
IT IS LIBERATING.
That’s it. Nothing else.

You won’t believe me? Ask a girl who just got a tattoo done. Instead of telling you how painful it was, she would tell you how ‘relieving’ it was…how happy she felt when she finally overcame the fear of getting inked. Ask the guy who just got his ear pierced. He knows you are aware of the odd comments he gets from his friends, but he boldly tells you that he feels more positive and more confident than before. Ask anyone who has done any of these things. The answers you will get will not be related to fashion, or age, or style, or craziness…it will be related to mind and heart.

My name is Prasanjit Saha. I am 26+, well settled businessman, blessed with good group of friends, and few good achievements to boast about. And, that’s not all: to top it up, let me tell you, I am perfectly sane. But:
I have a tattoo on my right arm. I had my hair coloured quiet a few times. I have developed recent fancy for six-pack-abs. I am ok with piercing, but that’s not really my thing.

Being 26+ and being into business takes away my privilege to call myself young, if I compare myself with college going kids. I am a crowd loving person- I always prefer being among aam aadmi type people because that way I feel more comfortable. I believe in individuality, and there is no need to prove the proven fact (not atleast with tattoos) that every person is different from the rest. And being blessed with such a loving family and friends, I never have to crave for attention- I already get too much of it. And, that’s not all: to top it up, let me tell you again, I am perfectly sane. So have I proved all your answers incorrect, appropriately?

Tattoo…piercing…all this is not about fashion, or style, or trying to be a rebel kinda thing. It is not about creating a personality type, or making a stand, or proving a thing. It is like…a block, a hindrance, a…a…confinement that needs to be crossed, overcome and won upon. It is like getting over your fears, fighting with it and finally conquering it to feel free. It gives you a sense of freedom. It gives you a sense of being complete. It makes you more confident. It unshackles you from the bondages that you had tied to yourself for all these years. It encourages you. It motivates you. It boosts you. It recharges you. It liberates you.


So if you are still apprehensive about tattoos, piercing, hair colouring, six-pack-abs or anything of that sort, just go for it. The feeling of getting over it is overwhelming. You have to be through it to believe it. And once you are through, it will work wonders for you in ways you cannot imagine.

Leaving you with your thoughts now, this is Prasanjit Saha, signing off.

PS: Do your thing.




Thursday, November 28, 2013


March 22, 2013; RedFM (Jamshedpur) Studio:
RJ Smita: So what are your hobbies...I mean apart from doing business, what are your interests?
Me: I love writing poems, stories, shayaris...(I answered impromtu)
RJ Smita: Great! You have any of them with you right now, to share with our listeners?
Me: Umm...yea... I have few of them in my cell phone...
(I took out my IPhone, opened my notes application and read the poem I had written just the previous night. Here it goes...)

Jhuki jhuki yeh nigahe,
Sehmi sehmi ye adaaye,
Koi raaz chupi hai inmein...
Koi dard hai yeh chupaye. 

Logo ke beech hai woh,
Fir bhi hai woh juda,
Khud se chahti hai kuch woh...
Aur kuch khuda se mangti hai dua.

Ishq hai usko kisi se,
Izhaar aur ikraar bhi hua.
Fir bhi kabhi kahi woh hai sochti...
Ki kuch baki hai, aur kuch poora hua.

Woh ishq mein hai anjaan
Ki ishq ka hai apna andaaz.
Dard toh ishq ka mohabbat hai
Dard ko ishq samjho e nadaan!

Woh ishq mein roti, soti, jagti,
Ishq mein hi har din guzaarti.
Par ishq ko na samajhti, na samjhati.
Ishq toh apne dhun mein naachti.

Waqt ko woh rokna chahti hai.
Ishq ko, waqt ko, khud ko samajhna chahti hai.
Par waqt ko rok na paye khuda bhi...
Waqt bhi ishq ke dhun mein chalti hai. 

Chalte hue waqt mein har ek lamhe ko mehsoos karo.
Bheer mein chalte logo ke dhadkano ko mehsoos karo.
Chubhte hue dard ko, beette hue waqt ko,
Khush rehne ke haq ko, tum mehsoos karo. 

Tum hi se hai saare dard,
Tum se hi hai saare gamm,
Tum yeh maan lo aur jaan lo...
Sochne se hi honge yeh kam. 

Us dard ko tum nikal jane do,
Waqt ke saath beh jaane do,
Is pal ko, is dhadkan ko
Tum khud mein samaa jane do. 



Thursday, November 21, 2013


Tu hai sexy, I am hot, 
 Lots of friends we both have got;
Jab we are together as a pair
Lot of people sit and stare...
"You both make a great couple", they say!
But I toh just laugh them away.Copyright Reserved by Prasanjit Saha.

All ur sahelis and infact saare log...
Ask u kab tak rakhega woh feelings rok!
I know we could be, or maybe we should be
Yet More than just friends: we never would be.
My feelings for u are strong
But usse love samajhna wud be wrong. 

Kyu zaroori hai relationship ko naam dena?
Kyu zaroori hai lovers hi banna?
Why such narrow thinking: i cant comprehend.
Why can't I be just a friend?

You have a boyfriend? I dont care. 
Even If u get married i won't pull my hair. 
Ur friends tease, Ur parents doubt,
Troubles increase when ur boyfriends shout,
I don't give a shit. I don't give a damn. 
I am your friend, and here i am. 

Baby, shona, babu, apne bf ko bulana
Emotional blckmail se usi ko darana. 
Intimacy? u have him for that.
Cute cute romantic baatey? Oh! What a crap!
But non veg messages ka I have a bhandaar
Kaho toh abbhi bhej du do-chaar??

Kyu zaroori hai relationship ko naam dena?
Kyu zaroori hai lovers hi banna?
Why such narrow thinking: i cant comprehend.
Why can't I be just a friend?
Why can't I be just a friend?
-Prasanjit Saha


(This poem/song is so unlike me. Just for entertainment it is though...I hope you guys liked it!)

Was it Love, Or Was it Not?

Monday, November 11, 2013

Till recent years, we used to say "your gut never lies" quiet philosophically. But recent scientific research says that this is correct, in fact, literally. Yes, scientists have PROVED that your gut is the "Second Brain". Read further if you want to know more, and to understand the Indian Reference. 



WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE SCIENTISTS PROVE?!

Technically known as the enteric nervous system, the second brain consists of sheaths of neurons embedded in the walls of the long tube of our gut, or alimentary canal, which measures about nine meters end to end from the esophagus to the anus. "The second brain contains some 100 million neurons, more than in either the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system", says Gershon. ( Who is Gershon?) 



In layman's words, neurons are responsible for thinking and decision making (almost synonymous with brain). More the neurons, smarter you are. (more about neurons)

So how much is 100 million neurons? Is it too much or too little?!
Human brain consists 86 billion - 100 billion neurons. So our gut contains 1/100th number of neurons as compared to human brain, and almost the same to the brain of cat. Click here for comparison of number of neurons of different species, follow this link. Many scientists contented that the neurons in the gut are responsible for digestion related functioning, but  Emeran Mayer says that the second brain is "is way too complicated to have evolved only to make sure things move out of your colon". Gershon also supported this view and said that the scientists were shocked to learn that about 90 percent of the fibers in the primary visceral nerve, the vagus, carry information from the gut to the brain and not the other way around.

Indian Reference: Shailendra Singh, Joint Managing Director of Precept, the name we associate with Sunburn Parties, has written a book "F?@K Knows' (I kid you not, the title is really that!) in which he explains Gut Feeling in a very user-friendly way. He has dedicated an entire chapter to it - Your Gut Is Always Right.
K. RamkumarExecutive Director and Head of Operations & Human Resources at ICICI Bank, has written an article "Why Gut Feeling Matters"  and accepts that even in highly analytical world of banking and finance, professionals go with their gut feeling more often than revealed. 

Now that it has been scientifically proved that your gut can "think", lets move on to the lying part.

WHY DOES GUT NEVER LIE?

So we have a brain inside our tummy (sounds gross), that is not as smart as the brain in the skull, but which definitely has more free time than the brain in the head. I remember a scene from the movie 'The Dark Knight Rises':
Bruce Wayne: What's it called?
Fox: Oh, it has a long uninteresting Wayne Enterprises designation. I just took to calling it the Bat. And yes, Mr. Wayne, it does come in black.
[Bruce touches the vehicle]
Fox: Works fine, except for the autopilot. It takes a better mind than mine to fix it.
Bruce Wayne: Better mind?
Fox: Well, I was trying to be modest. A less busy mind. Yours.

Our brain inside our tummy is burdened with only the job of digestion, and some other similar functions, but is free to think for the most of the time [like the brain of Wayne]. Plus, it gets input from only two places: the intestines and the brain on top.
While its competitor, the brain in the skull is busy whole day thinking about your girlfriend, your job that you hate, your parents back in your hometown, and your slipping bank balance. Plus, it gets inputs from multiple places: vision from eyes, feel from skin, smell from nose, taste from mouth and of course, the consistent blabber of "but my sixth sense says...", "but I have a feeling..." and "but my gut says..." from our second brain. With so much inputs and processing to be done, our brain inside the head makes mistakes. The worst part- the brain chooses to ignore that blabber from the gut, because it thinks that the gut, being its competitor, is trying to deviate its focus and confusing it. (Like "Chatur" tries to deviate mind of "Rancho" and other engineers by slipping in porn magazines in each hostel room, in the movies '3 idiots').

But our gut is more honest than we can ever be. In its free time, it processes all the latent data and input the brain had collected over time, analyzes it, and stores it for further reference. It deciphers subtle hints that our mind, being busy, had overlooked (like the voice cracking of your girlfriend who is lying to you, or the new appointment letter from a different company that your coworker is hiding inside her bag, but is partly visible, or that folded five hundred rupee note you had seen in your friend's wallet earlier that day, but when you asked him to lend you some money, he said he doesn't have a penny on him). Our mind forgets not only the stimulus of the gut feelings, but also the responses and inferences of our second brain.

Our second brain is like a better processor of data, only slower than the brain in the skull. The gut thinks as analytically as our brain- the only problem is that since we have forgotten the source (or input data) of the output, we consider it invalid. 

Indian Reference: Anik Singhal says about how he followed his gut feeling and he averted a major business loss. Read the full story herehttp://aniksingal.com/general/follow-your-gut/ .
Vineet Nayar, Vice Chairman of HCL Technologies discusses how gut feeling is more important than logic, in his blog: http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/listening-to-your-inner-voice/

So, next time you have gut feeling about anything at all, pay heed to it. Your gut never lies. With that enlightening insight of humans, this is Prasanjit Saha wishing you a better decision-making and a happier, healthier life ahead. Ciao!

Have you ever felt your gut warning you, and saved you from an impending problem? Or have you ever followed your gut, and got into a mess? Lets see how much this theory of "Your Gut Never Lies" is actually true!!!









People:
Emeran Mayer: professor of physiology, psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.),
Michael Gershon: Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at New York–Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, an expert in the nascent field of neurogastroenterology.


References:


See Also:
Poem: Mujhe Jeena Hai (Hindi)


Was it Love, or was it not?!
10 Places You Must Visit in Jamshedpur
                                       

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Before the Durga Pujas, my cousins from Kolkata came to visit us. Now most of them had visited the city many times, but one of my younger cousins were visiting us for the first time. She wanted to tour the entire city, but they had only two days in hand. So we planned out everything, and came up with 10-points tour of the city. 

#1. Sai Mandir

The Sai Temple
The Sri Sai Centre, built on 0.75 acre at a cost of around Rs 3 crore, is meant for all devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba, the legendary saint held as the incarnation of Krishna by some and a pir by others.
A multi-religion 13-member managing committee — Shirdi Sai Baba has always attracted devotees of all affiliations — is looking after the centre. Daisy Irani, the better half of former Tata Steel managing director and metallurgy legend J.J. Irani, is its patron.
Built last year, this is the best and the most recent attraction of the city.


FYI: On Thurdays, the temple is pretty crowded with many devotees standing in a queue. 


#2.   Tata Steel Zoological Park + Jubilee Park + Amusement Park + Laser Show + Jayanti Sarovar

Inside Jubilee Park
Now you must be wondering why I clubbed 5 places in one point. Well, here it goes. Jubilee Park is spread over an area of 225 acres (no kidding!), loosely replicating the Vridhawan Gardens of Mysore. Its beautifully green consisting of various rare species of trees, plants and flowers. They say you can see almost all types of roses in one place here, inside the rose garden. The amazingly synchronized dancing fountains only add to its charm. On 3rd March every year, the park is decorated with innumerable lights to mark the birth anniversary of Shri Jamshedji Tata. In weekends in the evening, the fountains are lit up with colourful mesmerizing lights. 

Jubilee Amusement Park
Inside the park, there is an Amusement Park in which you can enjoy rides such as roller coaster, moon breaker, water slide, swinging boat, car crash and various other games. 

Laser Fountain in Jamshedpur

On the other side of the park, there is a dedicated structure where Laser Fountain shows are held every weekend in the evenings. If you miss this show, your trip to the park is incomplete.

Jayanti Sarovar
Along the park, the Jayanti Sarover (Jubilee Park Lake) makes the visit serene and peaceful. Of course, you can do boating here too, but you will have to enter the Tata Steel Zoological Park first.

Tata Steel Zoological Park

The zoo boasts of inmates like tigers, lions, reindeer, and...and...you better check it out yourself. :) 
Since all these places are clubbed in the same area, I clubbed them in the same point.

FYI: All said and done, I need to warn you of few things:
  1. Visit to the zoo itself takes half of the day. If you are taking kids along, prepare how to ignore the couples. ;)
  2. Visit to the park is fun in the evening when the fountains are lit up with colourful lights. 
  3. If you are going with your family and folks, practice how to ignore the love couples sitting under the trees. If you are going with your love, keep naughty things out of your mind- the park is under direct supervision of the city police. If you are going alone, keep your expensive phones and gadgets at home- there have been reports of thugs roughing up the visitors.
  4. The laser show happens under the open sky. That means if it is drizzling, it is not going to be that much fun.
  5.  Don't have very high expectations with the Amusement Park.
http://www.tatazoo.com/ for Tata Steel Zoological Park.

#3. Dalma Hills + Dimna Lake

Dimna Lake

Situated 13 Kms away (hardly an hour long drive) from the main city, Dimna Lake is a man-made lake constructed by Tata Steel to fulfill the water requirements of the citizens. It is a different kind of experience to see vast area of blue surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is an ideal tourist place to go with anyone. Just make sure you come back before dark.

Dimna Lake

Dalma Hills provide the tourists with a breath taking view of the surrounding areas. The temple of Lord Shiva attracts several devotees who visit the religious shrine on days of special festive occasion to seek divine blessings and eternal happiness. 
Far from the maddening crowd and the hustle bustle of the city life, the calm and serene surrounding of Dalma Hills relieves the tourists from the stress and strains of daily mundane life. Endowed with natural scenic beauty, Dalma Hills draw numerous tourists who are enthralled and enchanted with the captivating sight of the beautiful place.

FYI: Carry your refreshments and snacks along, you will hardly find any stalls here.


#4. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

First let me confess- I have never been there. Yet, quoting lines from WikipediaDalma Wildlife Sanctuary is situated around the Dalma Hills. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is a much larger area starting from Chandil to 40 km east. The Sacntuary on paper is spread around in 195 km2. The forest cover is denuded up to 90% because of selective pilferage by timber mafia over many years.Animals are almost gone because of the sinister practice of Desua Sangar - a carnage of wild animals in summer under some animist religious garb.The sanctuary is an ideal spot for trekkers. Another attraction here is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where a large number of devotees flock during the festival of Shivratri. The number of tourists visiting the sanctuary has significantly dropped in recent years due to the Naxalite infestation of the area surrounding the sanctuary and also due to the volatile situation in the region.

FYI: I find all types of sanctuaries very scary. :-O



#5. Bhubneshwari Temple + Golmuri Church + Hudco Park


The Bhuvaneshwari Temple

The Bhuvaneshwari Temple is located at Bhuvangiri hills at a height 360ft above sea level. This Temple is based on South Indian architecture , has 36ft high Garbha Griham ( Sanctum Sanctorum ) and 64ft  five storeyed Rajgopuram. ( Main royal entrance ). The Temple main hall consists of eight pillars with eight different forms of Lakshmi. The architecture is heavily influenced by South-Indian culture.

Inside Golmuri Church


Golmuri Church is a very peaceful place to be in too. I don't have specific details to share, but if you are going towards Bhuvneshwari Temple, this church comes on the way. You would be glad when you drop by there.

Inside Sumant Mulgaonkar Park

Hudco Lake is easily accessible from the main city, as it is located in the middle of Telco Colony. This famous lake is surrounded by green fields and hill ranges that attract tourists. The industrially developed city of Jamshedpur is popular for its Sumant Mulgaonkar Park, which is situated just next to the Hudco Lake. This Sumant Mulgaonkar Park is a suitable place for organising picnic. The crystal clear water of Hudco Lake is ideal for boating. There is an artificial waterfall in the park which uses the water of the lake. Tourists can visit Hudco Lake during summers to get relief from the scorching heat of the sun. Moreover, the lake and the park are mainly crowded during weekends.

FYI:  1. The Bhuvaneshwari Temple stays closed in the afternoon, from approx. 2pm to 5pm.
        2. I think you should attend the Sunday Mass once.
       3. The top most gate that leads to the statue of Sumant Mulgaonkar in the park remains closed most of the time.

See More at:http://bhuvaneshwaripeeth.com/ for Bhuvaneshwari Temple.
http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g662321-d3208414-r146189093-Hudco_Lake-Jamshedpur_Jharkhand.html for Sumant Mulgaonkar Park. Someone in the link commented that cooking is not allowed in the park. (Should cooking be allowed in the park?!!!)

#6. Sun Temple (Surya Mandir)


Inside Sun Temple

Another new of Jamshedpur, The Sun Temple located in Sidhgora is a major tourist attraction. There are lots of things to do around here- pray, play, eat, relax. Two ponds constructed along the temple might be man-made, but there's something real in the spirituality they evoke. The temple dedicated to God of Sun, Surya Devta. The park and the premises are very well maintained.

FYI: Recently, there was news of the veg-hotel inside the premises being shut down. So carry your own refreshments.


#7. Bistupur Market + Bistupur Gurudwara Sahib+ Beldih Kali Bari


My cousin had this urge to go shopping. So we planned to go to Bistupur Market- our Mall Road, our MG Road, our High Street. This area provides good shopping experience, with all the brands available here, and lots of street food stalls for your hungry tummy. 
And if you are looking for brands like Coma, Abibas, Reedok, Nice, and Lewis, do drop by in Amar Market. ;)
If you are interested in Jharkhand's Handicraft, please drop by Khadi Bhandar. It is in the main street, just before the traffic signal. 


Visting the Bistupur Gurudwara Sahib can be enriching experience for you. You would love to draw water (they call it Amrit) from the well. 


Beldih Kali Bari isn't far from this point. Visiting in the evening prayer time could be more fruitful. 


FYI: 1. Bistupur Market is larger than it appears. Get into the fruit market and you will love shopping there too.  


#8. Kadma Toll Bridge


If you love long smooth drives, you will love this place. This bridge joins Kadma to Gamharia and looks beautiful during sunset. It is a delight to watch the sun go down behind the toll plaza and the reflection of the surrounding in the river water.

FYI: Please note that 2-wheelers are free but 4-wheelers are charged a toll tax of Rs. 15 for crossing once. Carry change with you. They grumble over bigger notes ;)


#9. Sakchi Market

This is that desi-kinda bazaar you ought to visit. Here you can find almost everything under the sun. I don't understand why this market is not highlighted much. This is a fun place to go shopping to. This is our reply to Kolkata’s Barabazaar.

FYI: On Tuesdays, most of the stores here are closed. An alternate bazaar, The Mangal Bazaar is set in its place, where you can buy cheapest stuffs. 

See More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakchi for history of 'Sakchi'.

#10. Restaurants

Jamshedpur has much to offer for your taste buds. 


·      Wave International - A beautiful resort built 10 miles away from Jamshedpur on the Jamshedpur-Ranchi highway. I love the swimming pool, and the children’s play corner.
·     Cinnamon - The best value for your money spent. At THE SONNET Hotel, South Park Bistupur. It's a 24X7 facility. Breakfast here starts at 6.00 am. I love the coffee here.
·   Equinox - The most expensive restaurant of Jamshedpur is a part of the THE SONNET Hotel. The ambience.
·        Little Italy - The Fortune Hotel Centre Point in Bistupur has this great Vegetarian Italian Restaurant. I love the view from its balcony.
·       Appetite - A great multicuisine restaurant in J K Residency with a great view of the Tata Steel factory (best viewed at night). Located next to the Gurudwara in Sakchi. I love the décor, and the food is awesome here!
·      Deep Purple – A restaurant on a slightly expensive side is in Sakchi Area in the Hotel Smita International. Has a big screen to entertain you with music videos or if any important sports event is on. Personally, I hate its service and the ambience.
·    The Host - This is not a part of hotel. Very good food and not very expensive. Located Near Hyundai Showroom, Bistupur. The Kadhai Chicken is awesome here!
·       Sukhsagar - A very good pure vegetarian restaurant at Yashkamal Complex, Main Road Bistupur. It has a branch in Sakchi also. The Gujju-Jain feel, and the yummy food makes it my favourite!
·      Daavat is a part of Hotel Asian Inn at Dhatkidih. Best Mughlai food you can ever have and don't miss the sizzlers if you happen to be there.
 ·      Novelty- A great place to eat for little expensive side situated in Bistupur. This restaurant provides take-away food facility in the morning as well as evening, mostly south-indian snacks. I had been here years back. I don’t go there anymore.
·     Delhi Darbar - Quite economical place for Non Vegetarians is situated at Sakchi next to Shopper's Square mall. This restaurant has an opening inside the bistupur market also. The best Biryani of the city is found here!
·      Blooms - A suburban bar and restaurant in Bistupur.
·     Country Club - It is a beautiful Bar with Egyptian background on the walls, Swimming pool, and an ice cream parlour.
·         Yo China - Visit this place for authentic chinese food. Situated in Sakchi near Titan Eye shop (Bengal Club). My dad’s favourite.
·   Ganga Regency- A luxurious hotel with spacious parking lots and excellent quality food and service available.
S    Street Food - Jamshedpur is famous for its street food. If you are looking for taste (not health and hygiene), experiencing the street food (gol-gappa, litti, pav-bhaji, egg-rolls and bhelpuri) near D. M. Madan school (Bistupur) or Near N-road crossing (chole-bhature, chowmein, gol-gappa, samosa-chat, momos) is for you.
·      Sweets - Jamshedpur has many good quality sweets shop. Chhapan Bhog (bistupur & Sakchi), Gangaur (Sakchi), Sagar Sweets (bistupur), Bhola maharaj (sakchi), Misti (sakchi, bhalubasa, kadma), Sweet mart (kadma), Mantu Sweets (tinplate) and Brijbasi (mango) are just a few of them.
·         KFC- SNP Area, Near Reliance Fresh, Sakchi. I rather not describe it, the name says it all.
S   Glider's Cafe- Airport Area, Sonari. Great place to hangout. Snacks are always yummy here. Run by my friend Harsh, so its a personal favourite.

So I hope this list comes handy to you next time your cousins visit you here. Did I miss any place?! Mention it here in the comments. :)

This is your friend Prasanjit Saha, wishing you happy touring! Bon Voyage!


See Also: Was it Love, or Was it Not?!
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