Goodbye Cruel World!!!

Suicide as a word, means "The act or an instance of intentionally killing oneself." Death is a natural process and no human being can escape from it's grip. That is why we are called Mortals. But, when a person kills himself intensionally, we call that death by the unique name of "Suicide". Most suicides would have a suicide note associated with it. It is more like a parting statement from the individual, who wants the world to know why he did it. I too had such an instance in my life when I no longer wanted to live and I too had written a suicide note. There is an interesting website(http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/), which describes the reason for suicide. I was really impressed with their explanation and I feel any person who feels desperate and lonely in life and contemplating suicide should go through this site.

"Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain."

This is my suicide note:

"Life is a journey and now after each step I take, I look back and regret the place where I took the wrong turn. My life had been smooth and easy until then. How things changed with just that one wrong step. One step led to another and before I knew it, I had come a long way to even think about returning to the point of diversion, Now, all I see is darkness and evil around me. It used to be so pleasant and gratifying. At this point, I do feel that there is no point in living. After all, none of us are gonna live forever. If things could get better for a lot of others due to my absence, so be it!!!"

You know what is interesting...I still carry this note in my purse!!!

Love,
AK

CET...not just three letters

"Wake up,Son!",my mom was pulling the sheets that covered my body,protecting me from the morning chill.It was Monday and on account of the deep and peaceful sleep I had the previous night,I had somehow forgotten the enormity of the occasion.I was to be inducted into the CET community that day…a dream for a majority of plus2 students.This sounded more like a fairy tale beginning…didn’t it?.For a moment,the creative writer within me took over.But,today,I don’t want you to read my article….I want you to hear me talk to you.Written communication assumes great importance when it is presented in an oratory manner.I believe in that.People prefer listening to a person who speaks eloquently,displaying his emotions,than hear a person blankly reading out something.So,I will be trying to speak to each one of you,from this moment,in this article.

CET….the three letters which holds supreme importance in my life.It is really tough to actually convey the true feeling of having been a CETian. Even if I tried to do so,I wouldn’t be doing full justice to the effort and to the institution.It is indeed a feeling that has to be experienced.So,I will try to tell you what I have experienced in my 5 years of CET life. For an additional info…due to some personal reasons,I had to drop a year and study with my juniors…which explains the 5 years.But,I definitely don’t regret it…I actually see it in a positive way because I got a bit more time to know the college and to familiarize with a lot more people.I actually wanted to tell you 5 main things through this article.But,before that,I want you to hold my hand so that we can take a trip down memory lane together and experience CET the way it was in 1999.

When I got down from the city bus, before the college entrance, I could simply stare at amazement at the sight that met my eyes.I had to actually hold my father’s hands to get a grip on my senses.Here I was,standing on the pedestal of one of the premier institutions in the state,about to become a part of it and the thought itself made me nervous.New campus, new classmates, new books, new clothes….everything was new and refreshing. I am purposefully not going into the details of the admission process,simply because it doesn’t have much of a value as far as this article goes.I was shown my classroom and I settled down to start my life as a CETian.Just keep in mind that this article is not like one of those dragging family dramas that you find in a television set. Keeping aloof from too much of a detailed rendering,I will be concentrating on the finer and exciting moments of my life at CET.
Anwyay,all was not well with my life at CET,as I had hoped.Just as we were beginning to enjoy college life,there entered a terrifying group of guys,we called seniors,with their favourite hobby,ragging.I know that the freshers these days may find it hard to believe,but trust me guys when I say that it was total hell for the first two or three months.I was instructed to look down into the ground while walking,for the first two weeks,while I was inside the campus.There were numerous other instances too,which I secretly enjoyed. It was then that I relaised that there were certain names inside the campus,the bearers of which were not mere individuals,but legends by themselves.It was more like listening to the exploits of a historic figure,that I listened with awe about the daring things these guys have done.Their legend indeed preceded them.I don’t know how many of you guys have heard about the names Valve tube,Pathiri,Mattom,Bond etc.I fortunately got the good fortune to become friendly with all these so called legends.It sometimes pays to be modest and humble before seniors.When you give respect,you get respect automatically.I can guarantee you ,that going by my experience.I too had a wish that when I left college,my juniors know me by my nickname.

I have experienced almost every aspect of life from CET.When I say every aspect,I am mentioning about both the good and bad aspects of life.Remember one thing Guys….life is never gonna be a bed of roses.Each and everyone of you is gonna be thrown head-first violently,into the unforgiving and tumultuous circle of life.It is better to be prepared right from your college days,than to find the going tough later.Working in an MNC myself,I know what life is gonna throw at you.Right from my school days,I used to believe in a one-liner.It was kind of a motto for me.It went,"Live for the moment!!!".Live your life to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow may hold for you.Now,let’s get on to the issues I wanted to talk to you about.

Right from the time I joined CET,I have been reminded of the CET spirit by my seniors.Let me tell you a specific incident.I went to attend Hotch Potch,one week after joining CET.There,I saw my super seniors cheering on our college.I was reluctant to join them,as I was a junior and some of them had even ragged me on my first week of CET life.Then,accidentally,one guy came upto me and asked me which college I was representing.When I answered CET,he asked me why I was standing aloof and told me to join the CET gang immediately.One of the guys in the group was none other than Arun Kumar.G,who had been our Arts Club Secretary and whom most guys fondly know as "Swamy".It was then that I realized that beyond the boundaries of the campus,the lines drawn between seniors and juniors were gone and that everyone was united under a much more stronger banner,CETians.I was always amazed to see the way Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhuapthi bumped their chests during their matches.It displayed a lot of intensity and spirit…the spirit of being an Indian.I wouldn’t say that you should start bumping your chests when you see another CETian…but,you should definitely imbibe the spirit of being a CETian.Be proud of it and stand up for it.Never be afraid or shy to state before anyone that you are a CETian.Even when I say these words,the passion builds up within me.I am proud of being a CETian.Remember one of our cheering lines.."Sabse aage ladke kaun???....CET,CET!!!"

Attitude plays an important part in an individual’s life.It acquires greater significance when you enter into a responsible job.Sadly,I have been noting that the charismatic attitude and magnetic personality,once a hallmark of a CETian,is slowly becoming a thing of the past.It is indeed shocking to know that many guys view CET just as a platform to push forward their careers.I know that it sure helps in that aspect with campus interviews and all.But,CET is to be viewed as a much more stronger foundation….a foundation for moulding your character.It is high time you understood that education is not just about getting a highly paid job.When you study in an institution,particularly one like CET,education as a term should have a broader meaning.Through education,you should be able to develop your character,recognize your talents,realize your energy and make a better individual out of yourself.So,when you join CET,your thoughts should definitely not be just about CGPU and your dream company or maybe even CAT or GATE.They are all important in their own way,but those are definitely not the only things that should count in your college life.Life just has a forward button.At no point of time,can you press a rewind button.Youth comes only once.The main advantage of being young is that you are full of energy and full of ideas.You don’t have to harness your thoughts and actions,simply because you don’t have too many responsibilities.Use your energy for creative purposes.I never regretted cutting a class or two to have a snack with my friends;I won’t regret working in the political campaign during college elections and delivering speeches in classes;I definitely don’t regret working in the organizing committee of four Dhwanis.These things have helped me in a variety of ways.Experiences count a lot in your life and I am where I am because of whatever I have experienced during my college life.You can easily live through each day monotonously following the same routine.It would be like watching a black and white movie.Friends,why don’t you add some colour to it?.Try to get involved in all college activites and make it a point to even cast your vote during college elections.Being a part of college activities boost up your resume in a big way..believe me!!!Refraining from being part of all these things may give you a comfortable nap in your bed till noon,but it is robbing you of a lot of other things.It robs you of an opportunity to work in a team;It robs you of an opportunity to express your ideas;It robs you of an opportunity to meet new people;It robs you of an opportunity to exercise your right!!!These experiences help a lot when you set foot on a professional job environment.I see my seniors at the company repenting about having wasted their college days ,buried in their books and not participating in anything.Remember that these are guys earning 5 digit salaries in a top MNC,leading settled married lives.They want to be young again.What I want to tell you is that..don’t ever put yourself in their predicament!!!

Now,let’s speak about a sensitive part of your college life.I am speaking about relations.These days,people are so busy that they don’t even have time for ten minutes of friendly chat.Let me list some names here first.Anupama Sundar,Asha.P.George,Shreejit Nair,Ajay Prasad,Anu Ann,Manoj R.,Deepa Padmanabhan,Betty and the list continues.Now,these may appear as just names for you.But,when I look at them,I see them as integral parts of my life.Each one of them have stood by me,one time or the other,when I needed them.Make some really good friends while you are in college.You are not going to make too many close friends in a corporate setup anyway.Be very open in your friendship and don’t let ego come in the way of a good relation.I have seen so many good friendships broken because of that one factor.You have to be true to yourself first and then true to the other person,in every relation.Moreover,I see a lot of love affairs happening during college life.Loving a girl or boy is easy,but maintaining the commitment and assuming responsibility is difficult.So,don’t just have an affair because you see it as a privilege to boast before your friends that you have a boyfriend or girlfriend.Put a lot of thought before committing yourself.Love is not a game.You can’t call a time-out or retire in the middle of it!!!I had suffered by not being able to convince myself that I loved a girl in our college.So,from personal experience,I want to tell you to be truthful to yourself!!!

It is indeed sad to note that most people don’t bother to keep in touch once they leave college.They write colourful promises in autographs about how they will be there for each other and even promise in person at times.Unfortunately,as it is said,promises are meant to be broken it seems.Other than some close friends,no one really bothers to keep in touch.During the days immediately after leaving college,an e-group is created and everyone makes solid promises about mailing regularly.I tell you that in two years time,you will get a notice from yahoo saying that they are closing the group due to inactivity.I want to advise you not to be like that.Come up with some real good plans to keep in touch.Make sure that you bring out an address book with everyone’s photos.Inform each and everyone a change in address,when it happens.Try to organize occasional meetings.Hey…you never forget a doctor who attended to your wound for 10 minutes and reduced your pain.Then,how can you forget your classmate who was there beside you for 4 long years,sharing your happiness and sadness???.Just think about it!!!

The last and the most important thing of all is remembering your alma-mater.The institution which made you what you are.It gave you an identity of your own.I have seen lots of guys stating that they are CETians with a lot of pride…even with a bit of arrogance.So,CET definitely has a value.You owe a lot to the institution and the faculty.We may have had bitter experiences with teachers,but still they are what they are and they reached that position because they deserved to.Even when you try to blame a teacher’s shortcomings,have you ever thought about stopping into his or her shoes???I can assure you that it is one of the most challenging tasks in the world,when it comes to handling a class.I have experienced that first-hand.So,do give due respect to your teachers,even while maintaining your individuality.Tomorrow,when you get a job and venture out into the treacherous and thankless world of responsibilities,I would like you to find some time and think seriously about doing something for our second mother,our college.My batch is already thinking of instituting something like a scholarship for a student.Do start thinking about something now itself,so that when you move out of college,you will be sure of what to do.Remember ,the college and faculty were there for you when you were a student…so,it is your moral responsibility to be there for them as an alumna.

Hey…I have to get ready to go to the company now.Work calls!!! Hope you will give serious thought to whatever I have told you as a senior,as a friend,as a brother…more importantly,as a past CETian.By the way,I did succeed in getting myself known by my nickname.CETians don’t know me as ARUN.K……they better know me as "KARU"!!!!

Love & Peace,
AK

Black???...Enough!!!

Black was just a colour to me until I started realising the world around me. Not everything around me was fair, in the literary sense and in the philosophical sense. The tag of a black kid was set on me at a very young age. I still remember going to my mother after school and asking her why i was born so dark. The kids at school never really understood that it hurt me badly to be mocked at for my natural body colour tone. I used to be really aggressive about it, but it is easier to close a crack in a dam and than to shut the mouth of a person. Well, i felt that things would improve when the kids grow upto be teenagers and when they become mature. But, alas even today, while working in an MNC, the stigma of being a dark guy, follows me. To be honest, I really don't like being made fun of for my colour.

Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. This is the basic implication of black as a colour. But, am i really black? All these people who enjoy calling me black, i don't think that i am really black. I am dark, but i am not black. Indians are basically chocolate brown in colour. That is the colour of the mud and in a way, I am proud to be born of that colour. I am closer to Mother earth than any of you!!! I was born in a poor family and my father was a person who came up in life through hard work and determination. When I was young, he used to tell me tales of how the landlord saw my father and his family with contempt and how they had to move out of the way when the so called fair guys came by. History calls it untouchability...I call it atrocious. Having grown hearing all the hardships my father had to endure because he was born in a poor family and becuase he was dark, i hated anyone who found too much pleasure in making fun of my body colour. Fun should never be at the expense of hurting another person's sentiments. At that point, you cross the line of fun and enter the dark area of insult.

Back in America, making fun on the basis of colour was called Racism. What do you call it now? I think it could be associated to some fun time in an office. It is strange and pathetic that people really find pleasure in making fun of some individual's physical shortcomings. I don't understand why people don't go around making fun of physically handicapped people or mentally ill people. They view them sympathy and try to support them. I don't need anyone's sympathy nor do I need anyone's support. I have always been a loner in my life and have always suffered at the hands of my friends. But, could you please refrain from hurting me again and again? Each time you make fun of me for the colour i was born in, I look upto God and ask him, why me of all people??? Can't you see it my friends??? Each of your rebukes are like nails thrust into my flesh. I am sure you will not understand. But, some things have to be experienced and not just seen. When i write my life's story in this blog, you will understand why I am getting hurt. Until then, you can really go on hurting me...calling me black!!!

Again, when I think of it, if you are really being happy calling me black, you could as well continue with it. I believe that if I could make a person smile and know that he is happy, then that is the best feeling in this world. So, go ahead and have fun at my expense. I just want you all to know that i am black because I was born to my father!!!



Don't think I can't answer back
Words aplenty in my mouth, I do pack
But, each time, you call me black
I feel, it is culture, that you lack!!!

Love & Peace,
AK

Criticise...You have to say something,right???

Criticism is a word writers appreciate and hate at the same time. Most of the time, most people tend to take it as a license to insult and rebuke other people through their work. They fondly call it criticism. But, what is criticism as far as literary works are concerned? Criticism can be defined as the practice of analyzing, classifying, interpreting, or evaluating literary or other artistic works. The three words analyzing, classifying and interpreting are very important here. I feel them as important because the so-called critics casually tends to forget the first two. Their criticism has got to do more with the interpretation of the work, without any sort of analysis or classification. Mostly, criticism happens because people feel that they will be belittled if they don't something about a piece of work. It has got more to do with making his or her presence felt in the crowd than with any real understanding of the work.

Now comes the most interesting angle to criticism. I understand the idea behind criticising something which is a modified entity. It could be a literary work or anything else which had it's inspiration or original idea from something else. It is fine because in such a case, we have the presence of a standard with which we could compare the work under criticism. But, how or more importantly why do you have to criticise something original? There is more than one reason for me to ask this question. I am pretty sure you will understand the relevance of the question through this article.

An individual writes something from his mind. I am a person who forcefully stopped reading any book, four years ago. Many of my friends felt that as a weird and foolish move. But, I had my reasons. I felt that the more you read something, you start beginning to have favourite works and authors and in all probability, your works will get influenced by that writer. I am a person who likes to maintain a writing style of my own. A style which is unique and fresh and not compared to anyone elses'. This is my personal view point and subject to argument. On a lighter note, when I wrote " subject to argument", I suddenly remembered something. We live in a society where people argue or make comment, simply because they don't want to be left out. I feel that strange and funny!!! Anyway, not to deviate from the main topic, original writing is beyond negative criticism I think Criticism is fine...but negative criticism on an original work is not good.

I think I can explain my point more clearly with a practical approach. A small kid draws something or scribbles down something. He or she brings it to you for your comment. What do you do? Do you analyze it from all angles and study the logic and perfection behind that creation? I don' t think you will ever do that. You simply stroke the head of the budding artist and speak words of encouragement. I know that you will argue that you did that so as not to hurt the young mind. But, still you appreciated the work, no matter how simple and vague it was. The originality and the creative effort taken by the kid made you appreciate him or her. Now, why does the attitude change with grown up artists? I guess the situation remains the same...only the age changes. Still you like to say something more on the negative front than on the positive side. I feel it has got more to do with the failure to understand the mindset of the writer.

When a normal man reads Shakespeare's work, he may find it as absurd and rubbish. It is simply because of his inability to decipher the inner meaning and the literary prowess in Shakespeare's works. Similarly, history would prove that almost all inventors were mocked at, during the initial phases of their inventions. It is only time that has brought the importance of their inventions into the limelight. So, I am forced to believe most people today, simply do not have the mindset to appreciate any creative work. There could be two reasons for that. One could be because they do not have the intellectual development to understand the essence of the work or because of the fact that they are jealous of the creator's capabilities. Creative work, whether it be literary or any other work, can only be appreciated, simply because it cannot be compared to anything else, as it is original!!!


Gotta say something, so criticise
Need to show others, you are wise
Among others, you have to rise
But think, isn't it good to be just nice?


Love & Peace,
AK

Write away...

Why do I write???
An interesting question!!! On the outset, it seems strange and outright absurd. But, when I think about it from a mental plane different from normal human beings, I feel that there is more than a single reason or circumstance for writing anything. By now, you must be having a vague idea about the complex and out of the normal world thoughts that pop up inside this weird head of mine. So, please don't expect this to be a normal study about the various aspects that leads to a written document. This is more of a writer's perspective than of a researcher's perspective.

Let's lay down the various circumstances in a methodical manner

1) Writing under compulsion

This is a strange way to write something. I see writing as a form of expression of one's thoughts. Anything written out of compulsion is devoid of life and imagination. It remains a stale piece of literary work. One good example of writing under compulsion could be the study aid we call homework. I feel that 80% of students see homework as a burden than as a method to improve their academic prowess. The moment a student feels that way, the basic purpose of enhancing the knowledge of students by giving the homework, is lost. He or She will be doing the homework as a way to escape being flogged by the teacher. I think the term "Homework" itself is inappropriate. Home is a place where we reach each day evening to relax, after the hard day's toiling. As per the dictionary, work is a physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something. So, when you think about doing work at home, that itself brings in an element of mental stress. So, I guess the mere thought of homework or compelled writing is stressful and unnecessary.

2) Writing out of necessity

Writing out of necessity is less stressful. This kind of writing is more objective oriented. There is a definite goal associated with this writing genre. One very good example is an examination. An examination is not a compulsive routine. The candidate has the choice to attend it or flunk it. But, there is a definite purpose to writing an exam. Generally, there will be a definite achievement that materialise as the result of an examination. It could be a recognition or promotion. The chances of someone flunking an examination are very less, as it provides him with a recognition which will help him in his academic or professional career. However, this kind of writing lacks the creative element in it. An examination can be successfully tackled by studying the prescribed books and the proper application of the knowledge you have acquired from those books. It has got more to do with intellectual prowess than with the creative imagination.

3) Writing as a way of expression

Writing can be a form of expression too. It could substitute your tongue and the writing medium could be your friend. This is the form of writing we associate to great poets and thinkers and writers. No literary genius writes because he was forced to write or he had to write. It is more or less a natural process, wherein the thoughts get transformed into letters on paper. Again, it is not necessary that the writing has to be logical or perfect. The moment you compare a writer's work with another writer's work, the very essence of originality is lost. I will be writing more about that aspect in another post. So, each writer is unique and comparing his work to any other person's work is not right. You never compare one flower to another, because each one is beautiful in it's own aspect. I feel writing skill is a gift to any human being. I don't claim to be a great writer, but I know I can communicate my thoughts better with a pen than with my tongue. I guess that is what marks a writer from a normal man. Learn to acknowledge a writer even if you cannot respect or appreciate him.

My thoughts, my dreams, I do write
Morning to noon, till late night
I am not sure whether it is all right
But, it fills my heart with light!!!

Love & Peace
AK

A Love Story

Love is a wonderful feeling. Having been bogged down by a lot of negative incidents in my life, I grew up as a person craving for love. This poem was a lyrical representation of a fantasy, where I became the one who was left stranded in this vast ocean of complex emotions. Love for me was simply Lost Over Valiant Efforts!!!



A LOVE STORY

Here, I tell a story
Which shines with its glory
A story true to the last word
A story which is not absurd
I once loved a young girl
Who, to me, was as precious as a pearl
I thought about her morning and afternoon
I spent sleepless nights looking at the moon
Yet I did not have the courage to tell her
Of the love I had for her
I waited for her patiently, each day
And she passed me like an electric ray
Sending shocks of ecstasy through my heart
She walked away gracefully like a hart
Finally I got my chance
When she went for a dance
I found her alone in a seat
And my heart missed a beat
Though filled with tension of the moment
I waited tirelessly for a vent
To tell her my mind
Towards which she might be kind
To understand me
And to know my agony
I finally poured out
My feelings, standing stout
On which she looked surprised
And I myself relieved
That I had finally told her my situation
Without any sort of hesitation
There began our love story
About which, I now worry
For friends, I am telling this story with a sigh
That I finally bid her good-bye
She left me standing love-sick
Seeing which I was dumb-struck
Friends, here I tell a story
Which shines with its glory
A story true to the last word
A story which is not absurd
A young girl, I once loved
By whom, I was finally ditched.

Who Am I???

Who am I?A day in 1981,I peeped out into this green planet,my home,earth,after having spent ten months in my mother’s womb.Am I a baby kangaroo that she had been carrying me around in a pouch?After my birth,there was an endless flow of visitors to see me.Am I the Kohinoor diamond that I am displayed for all to see?All those who came to see me,either pinched me or did something else,just to see me cry.Am I a newly launched product in the market that they are testing to see whether it is working or not?Whenever I used to cry,my mother used to give me milk,to keep me quiet.Am I an old machine that is given oil when it creaks?As I joined school,I was made to carry a huge and heavy bag on my poor back,with lots of books.Am I a domesticated donkey,that they expect me to carry the entire load without complaining even once?In school,the “know-all” teacher used to shoot an array of questions at me.Am I a supercomputer,that she expects and answer to every question she asks?When I failed to answer the questions,she gave impositions by the order of 1000’s.Am I a photocopying machine that she expects me to make endless copies of the same thing without tiring?

Throughout my school days,I have been tossed about by my friends,seniors and teachers.Am I the ball in a pinball game that I am being tossed about without any real reason?Even when I returned from school,my mom used to yell at me to do my homework.Am I a mechanical clock that is expected to run the whole day?With passing years and adequate supply of food,I grew up.Am I a plant that grows heavenwards on getting the required nutrition?Then,I joined college and fell in love with a girl who controlled my senses.Am I a remote controlled toy that she decided what I should do and what I should not?I finally married that girl,simply because marriage is a very important aspect of Indian culture.Am I one side,say ‘heads’ of a coin,that it needs the ‘tails’ side to complete it’s form?I got a job and the boss made it a point to vent his frustrations on me everyday,by calling me all sorts of names.Am I a wastepaper basket that he was throwing anything that he felt like into it?Even when I returned home,my wife used to give me a long list of things to buy.Am I a genie who came out of the lamp that I could satisfy any wish of her’s?I had kids and I started growing old with changing hair colour and skin texture.Am I a green leaf that changes colour and becomes brittle as years passby?Once I got old,I was ridiculed and abused by many,including my family.Am I the aged watchdog,which is abused,once it has lost the ability to guard the house?Finally,when I died,I was put in a coffin and buried six feet under the ground.Am I a rotten piece of food material,that is covered up and buried to avoid the foul smell?Even when I continued my journey into the nether world,the question still remained.Who was I really?Was I a human being only?

Well,life in it’s entire span,is nothing but a journey into finding out the answer to the question,”Who am I?”.Once that answer is found,there is nothing left to find,because then you will have joined an elite group of stalwarts like Buddha.Yes,knowing who you are is what is called getting enlightenment.It is the ultimate purpose of a person’s birth.Life is not a destination,but a journey.You reach that destination,when you get the answer to that one question,”Who am I?”

The day my HDD passed away...

Black was the colour for the day.It was the 30th of June.In a symbolic way...just like the month of June had ended,so did this reporter's HDD breathe it's last.In a rather dramatic nay extremely tragic turn of events,my HDD head spinned it's last spin before saying goodbye to the processor and to this world. It all started 7 months ago,when the SAMSUNG SP0802N 80GB hard disk was brought into it's new home....my computer.I had decided to purchase it to increase my storage space inorder to supplement my increasing daily downloads list.The HDD was only in it's infant stage and was very lively.There was a spring in it's operating speed and I was essentially happy that it had adjusted well to it's new home.You can probably call our own "WATZ THERE" Manoj as the Godfather of the HDD,as he had worked as the middle man in adopting the HDD from the manufacturing orphanage. Anyway,within weeks of it's arrival,the HDD was taught the ways of my internet life.Downloads started to pile in and movies copied from other HDDs were stacked,taking space along with them.But,physical interaction or connection with other HDDs resulted in my poor HDD contracting HTHTD or Hard Disk To Hard Disk Transmitted Diseases.With movies and music came viruses,worms,trojans and spyware.My HDD was beginning to show first sign of weakness.I tried to boost it's immune system by giving it Norton Antivirus tablets and Zone Alarm Firewall injections.With 24 hour net connection adn my HDD's failing immune system,my computer became an open gateway for undesirable elements. By the last week of June,things were at a breaking point,Now,as if to add fuel to fire,the unexpected happened.I had instructed my faithful friend,the HDD,to download something,through the night.Though not in it's best health,it had agreed to do so without any complaints.As I was having a deep sleep with sweet dreams,little did I know that my HDD was having a nightmare of a time.Death came instantly in the form of a powercut.HDD's best friend,The UPS,tried to keep his friend alive by giving him backup power.But,it could hold it's own only for 5 minutes.By the time I knew something was wrong,it was too late.My HDD had become a memory..... I don't have words in my literary armoury to explain the grief that I feel at the bereavement of my beloved HDD.The whole of Kerala went into mourning on the fateful.Computers all over the state went into hibernation mode for 1 minute to pay homage to the departed head.Meanwhile,the state police has registered a case of unnatural death.Coming shortly after the death of Manoj's HDD,investigators feel that there might be a conspiracy and that there might be a killer on the loose.Even while all this was happening,nothing could calm me down...not even the assurance from the manufacturing orphanage that they would replace the HDD with a new one. Anyway,whatever has happened,has happened.I cannot turn back the wheel of time and undo the events that occured.Maybe,inorder to pledge their allegiance to my endless tears,the heavens too opened their doors.Today,I look up towards the sky and hope that my HDD's head is resting in pieces.