A run away from the gym

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In the last 10 days that I’ve been home, all I’ve been doing is eating and lazing around. And hogging and more hogging for fillers. In all probability, I’ve put on some 5-6 kgs already. And I am in desperate need of some toning down. But unlike most young people my age, who rush to the gym for solace, I run away from it. What I previously thought was a lack of initiation to gym has revealed itself differently. Over all these years of being in gym-crazy-company and the knowledge of having fully-equipped-high-tech gyms in our own apartment complex has not pushed me to do the grinds on the treadmill; rather I’ve become increasingly sure that I’m averse to concept of gymming. I’m no less of a fitness freak, but I just prefer to stay away from the gym. Why? The reasons are many:

1. The body benefits more from sports and activities that involve physical exertion than working on machines that serve to help only certain muscles. Swimming or running, badminton or baskie – count me in anytime.

2. An hour’s work out in the park also helps us stay closer to nature. Oh, the myriad colours that the trees were dressed in during the onset of autumn and the melodious tunes the birds sang love songs in in spring - they were such a treat to the senses. And perhaps an apt solution to William Henry Davies' long open question - What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare!

3. Physical activity helps in breathing and regulating blood circulation far more than does working on sophisticated equipment. Apparently, that’s because natural movements require more contribution from more muscles enabling better circulation and moderating breathing.

4. Burning out outdoors than doing the same within the enclosures of a gym has the added advantage of helping the body burn more – when we’re outdoors, the body has to burn more fuel to keep itself warm. I remember enjoying (which means my body felt healthier) running in Cassiobury Park more than I did burning out in the elite Centreway Gym.

5. I prefer working out with company than with a lonely iPod or a solitary television blaring out. Dancing with friends or wall climbing with buddies is so much more fun.

6. Lastly, but not least-ly, we can do our bit to conserve fossil fuels by not driving down to the gym and conserve electrical energy by not spending it on the gym equipment.

So, what say, gym-nahii-sium?

Irresponsible journalism

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Was telling a friend earlier today that practically, every news channel worth its salt was covering the Delhi serial blasts in detail.

But I felt that the news channels were fairly irresponsible in their reporting. I noticed that they were unnecessarily sensationalising small things and showing the same things over and over again with special effects. It wasn't crisp journalism at all. I thought that they were blowing up smaller news pieces so that they could increase their viewership ratings. On one occasion, they interviewed a little boy who is believed to have witnessed 2 of the accused. They kept showing his video and kept repeating that he would be able to identify the terrorrists. I thought that by making his identity so public, the boy's life was greatly at risk. I think that as responsible news channels, they shouldn't have done that. Aargh. (Controversial comments here - but couldn't resist!)

Censor Scissors

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Here's what I wrote about 'whether or not the govt needs to censor content on television and radio'. I think its not comprehensive, but this is what I could write in the time limit specified.



In my view, governments and regulatory bodies should be allowed to moderate the content on television and radio programs.

Television and radio content are a reflection of the society and vice versa. The programs are greatly inspired from real life in order to make them more relatable to a majority of the audience. Likewise, people try to imitate reel-life as it is often ‘glamorous’. Thus, any inappropriate content broadcasted over these media will be mirrored by society. For example, in the absence of regulation, a family soap may exemplify giving and taking dowry in Indian marriages, sending out the wrong message to the (usually less discerning) audience. This leads to the setting of wrong social conditioning and expectations; the consequences can be as grave as bride burning.

Television and radio also have a huge impact on children who are the future pillars of a nation. Newspapers are filled with pages of incidents where children use dangerous arms and weapons against their parents and teachers. In most cases, interrogation has confirmed that the inspiration in such crime was taken from (often uncensored) television and radio programs that glorify violence and vengeance.

Television and radio are media that reach the masses, both urban and rural. They have a wide audience that comes from a plethora of different backgrounds, unlike the Internet or Podcasting that requires technical knowledge and may be out-of-reach of most people in lesser developed countries. Hence, the content that is broadcasted on television and radio has a more far-reaching impact. This makes it crucial for governments to regulate the content that is broadcasted over the radio and television.

Kanda Poha

The taste of Maharashtra

Ingredients:

1 cup poha
1 kanda a.k.a onion, chopped
1 potato, chopped
1 tbsp urad daal
1 tbsp chanaa daal
1/2 tbsp mustard
1/2 tbsp red chilly flakes
1/2 tbsp kadipatta (curry leaves)
1/4 tbsp turmeric (halad)
salt to taste
oil for cooking
coriander for garnishing
lemon for garnishing

Method:

Wash and drain the poha
Let it stand for 5 mins
In the meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan.
Add the mustard, chanaa daal and urad daal.
When the urad daal turns to a hue of brown, add the onion. Fry.
Add the chilly flakes and the curry leaves.
When the kanda turns golden brown, add the potato pieces and fry.
Loosen the poha with a fork and add it.
Add the turmeric, salt and a little sugar. Mix well.
Garnish with finely chopped coriander, grated coconut and lemon juice.
Relish!

Pepped up at midnight

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It is half past midnight and I am busy completing some work. To help me from struggling to keep awake, I listen to the music on my iPod. The songs play on and I continue to complete my work. A while later, I unintentionally turn oblivious to the music playing in my ears and my eyeslids become too heavy to be kept open. Soon, I turn unmindful towards the other things around me too. I tell myself that the most fitting plan of action would be to tuck myself in bed or else waking up fresh and early next morning would only be a sweet dream. Comme il faut, I yawn.

Almost as an innate reflex, my iPod plays a song that makes my senses spring back to life; I feel the blood flowing into every part of me. Not only is it a fabulous song (which in ma langue means that it has good chords on the guitar) but it is also one with which I have some amazing memories attached, which make the song even more special. Instantly my mind is flooded with vivid images of a very cold winter morning in North Wales. Of listening to this song on full volume in our car. Of us stopping the car on the sleet covered hard shoulder of the motorway just to dance on this number. Of 14 young people breaking free of all inhibitions and soaking in every drop of fun that there could have been. I still remember how hot my body had turned after the dance, despite the freezing temperatures. I can still hear each of our voices as we sang as if there was no soul in a 10 mile radius. This was the song, the very same song. That was the December of 2006.

Drowsiness is wiped off clean. I find myself increasing the volume and turning the equaliser on. I find myself getting off the chair. I find myself dancing. Spontaneously. I again feel my body temperatures rising. I start singing the song. Again oblivous to my surroundings. Oblivious to the Maritan time of the night. I feel turned on and I ask myself, is it just the song or am I in love? Kya mujhe pyaar hai? Kahisa humaar


The song is Kyun Aaj Kal Neend Kam Khwaab Jyaada Hai from the soundtrack of the movie Woh Lamhe.

kyun aaj kal, neend kam khwab jyada hai
lagta khuda ka koi nek irada hai
kal tha faqir aaj dil shehzada hai
lagta khuda ka koi nek irada hai

kya mujhe pyar hai
kaisa khumar hai
kya mujhe pyar hai
kaisa khumar hai

Oooh, oooh, oooh
Oooh, oooh, oooh

paththar ke in raston pe
phoolon ki ek chaadar hai
jabse mile ho humko
badla har ek manzar hai

dekho jahan main nile nile aasmaan tale
rang naye naye hain jaise ghulte hue
soye se khaab mere, jaage tere waste
tere khayalon se hain, bheege mere raaste

kya mujhe pyar hai
kaisa khumar hai
kya mujhe pyar hai
kaisa khumar hai

Oooh, oooh, oooh
Oooh, oooh, oooh

tum kyun chale aate ho
har roj in khwabon main
chupke se aa bhi jao main
ek din meri baahon main

tere hi sapne andheron main ujalo main
koi nasha hai, teri aankhon ke pyalon main
tu mere khwabon main jawaabon main saawalon main
har din chura tumhe main lata hoon khyalon main