A Tribute!!

A human being is a part of the whole, called by us, “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.

-Albert Einstein

If I can think of a group of people who have achieved this liberation, it will be the Annual Giving Campaign donors. Annual Giving Campaign is an annual appeal by NUS to its alumni to help support the students who are facing financial difficulties. The donors are the people who have made a contribution to the campaign and helped in providing education to the people who are deserving.

I had the privilege of meeting some of the donors today at the AG Donor appreciation tea and I think that words will not be able to do justice to the impact which they are creating in the society. It is not only about the direct monetary help which the students get, it is also about the spirit of giving which they instill in the youth through their example and about keeping our faith in the inherent goodness of human beings.

Though I wasn't able to meet all the donors, I say a BIG THANK YOU to all of them. I am about to graduate from the university soon, and their example makes me want to contribute to the cause as well. It is something which I will definitely do, in my own capacity and make sure that feeling of paying it forward which has been instilled in us, doesn't go off. 

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You can do it!!

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They are not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

— Apple Computer Inc.

It is not always necessary that your ideas of creating a positive change will be understood or appreciated. The most important thing is not to let self-doubt kill you.. People usually laugh at big ideas - if you have seen them, be happy that you are courageous enough to see them. If you can implement them, a big kudos.. You might succeed or not, but at least you tried.

If you think that you need the whole world to support you, always remember this:

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

Believe in yourself, stand up for your belief, and go change the world! You can do it!!

If you are ever in doubt, watch this video which very beautifully describes how 1 person or small group of people can bring about a revolution. (I always manage to get goosebumps while seeing this video)

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Getting close to the dream!!

The feeling of being very close to living your dream is great, and greater is the feeling of achievement when you have had to cross innumerable hurdles to live that dream. Those who know me, know what exactly I am talking about.

In August 2008, I decided that before I start working full time, I will go for a development traineeship to Africa.. There were numerous hurdles then, the biggest ones being - finances, getting the support of my family and keeping the motivation till I get to the end. I remember having zillions of conversations with my friends throughout this phase and now I am very close to achieving this dream.

       

I have got an internship in a small village located north of Nairobi, Kenya. It is called the Living Positive program. Will be in Kenya from 10th May to 28th June. Just good enough for me to be back in Singapore for my graduation ceremony!

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The journey home is never too long!!

With exactly a week till I get to enjoy the warmth of the chilly North India, I have never ever waited to be back home so badly.. Perhaps, the year just took too much of a toll on me.. All I think about now, is to get back home..

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Career Path!!

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Being Fulfilled!!

Why is it that somethings which we really want in life, we don't get them? But then, when was Life about getting what you want.. In true sense, Life is about getting what you want sometimes and not getting what you want most of the times. But what most of us do is to think that we will be happy when we get what we want, life will be good if we get what we want and keep on waiting for eternity to be happy, to be fulfilled.

Fulfillment is not about getting what we want, its about dealing with Life and whatever it throws in and creating happiness for us moment by moment. The critical question here is - How? How do we deal with whatever life throws in, with not getting what we want?

If you are someone like me who would not do anything until unless you choose to do it, then choose what life throws in powerfully. Accept it as your own. Making the choice of accepting a particular fact of life gives us the immense satisfaction of being in control of our life. After having chosen the fact, create for yourself the outcome of the issue you are dealing with. How do YOU want things to shape up? And just commit yourself whole-heartedly. 

I think a lot of us are successful in reaching this stage. But what most of us miss out is to enroll other people involved in the issue in what your commitment is. We, Humans, cannot live as an island. We are a constant function of the people around us. And when the issue involves other people, it is very important to enroll them in our commitment and then getting their support in taking action according to the commitment. And take responsibility for the consequence of each action we take because actions always produce consequences. 

This is a path I use for being fulfilled in the face of issues and problems in life.

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Degree in Awesomeness!!

I think we all can get a PhD in awesomeness ;)

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Something called 'AIESEC'

Disclaimer: This post is more like a post from me to me.. You might not enjoy it.. So I am not responsible for how you feel after reading it.. Also, if you have decided to read it further, @ is the short form of AIESEC..

It was August 2006 when I joined @ as an organization which had transformed Vijit as a person.. But soon enough I realized that it is not just an organization to me.. @ is friendship.. @ is family.. @ is work.. @ is passion.. @ is everything I have done in the past 3 years.. I am a full timer @er and a part time student..

December last year after NLDS (National Leadership Development Seminar) I burnt out.. I decided that was enough for me.. That was all I had to do with @.. And I went home, rather I ran home.. For the first time, I ran away from something.. Somewhere since then, I had the urge of joining back but I was caught up with internship, other iLEAD requirements, 2 taxing modules and friends going through some tough times..

Even though I was not active in @, @ was very much active in me.. Everyone in my office knows about @.. @ usually gets the credit if I do something well, or when I can work for hrs at stretch without complaining.. But with every mention, there was a strong sense of guilt.. Last year a lot of shit happened and I cleared up the mess.. Shit happened coz of loads of external factors, but it really hurt me when people who didn't have the courage to clear the mess, blamed me just cause I had the courage of going to clear it up.. Having successfully organized 2 big conference in an interval of 3 months with a mountain of shit had burnt me down.. I decided I need a break..

Finally I decided that today I will go to it.. Vijit always tells me that @ is just a miniaturization of world.. There are good things and there are bad things.. What you do in @ pretty much reflects what you do in life and defines who you are as a person.. I didn't want to be a quitter in real life or in @.. So, I finally decided that I am going back..

Some events happened this week which led to the final decision.. I went to Joanne to collect my Visa letter for the US and she asked me about my internship experience.. I shared with her all the amazing things I am learning, the great people I am meeting.. And she asked me questions like: don't you get burnt out with school and internship? don't you feel left out with the employees? you deal with people all around the world, don't feel awkward? My answer was.. No, I have done all this in @.. and I told her about my experience in @ for more than an hr..

Co-incidentally I met my 0708 @ team that very day.. I realized what I was doing to myself.. These are friendships I have formed because of @.. I thought of Sharon, Dei, Diana, Shin and all the amazing people I have met in @.. People from Afghanistan, Cote De 'Voire, Guatemala, Czech Republic, Iran.. People from 110 countries in the world.. I thought of all the big corporate guys who know me because of @..

I thought of all the all-nighters I have hit doing @ work, staying over in the @ office, eating time-outs for breakfast, lunch, dinner while preparing for NLDS.. I thought of all the emails I have got from members all over the world thanking me for changing their lives forever, for inspiring them.. If you have ever been thanked for changing someone's life for the better, you would exactly know what I mean..

I thought of all the things I have achieved in life.. Getting famous in NUS is a big thing.. I am famous as AIESEC girl.. I thought of my trips to Hyderabad, Penang, Turkey, Brazil for AIESEC conferences.. The craziness in the conferences where we would never be tired of dancing, partying, attending sessions and most importantly planning and strategizing for the coming term..

I thought of how I got the inspiration of going to Africa through @.. I know I am surrounded by the people who not only want to do something for the world but are doing it at an age where people are engaged in indulgence.. When people are wondering about AIDS, these people go down to Africa to educate people about AIDS and work with people who have AIDS.. They go to India and fight for child rights.. When the world is complaining about the recession, they come up with Finance projects to help the world..

I thought of all the crazy things I have done in @, the trainee receptions, the airport pick ups, the long trainings and even longer meetings.. @ is very much responsible for lots of things which make me.. I can't leave it.. I have to give my 100% to it.. and I am back with renewed energy..

While I was going to the office, I was nervous.. I was meeting my team after a long time.. Didn't know how they will take everything.. But they were all so eager to help me get back.. And I remembered what Houston Spencer (Alcatel Lucent) told us.. One thing which is common in all @ers is that they are very supportive in bringing the best in others, their sole purpose is to help people meet their best side.. It is a rare thing and if you can maintain it, the world will be lot better.. I saw that happening today.. Thank you guys..

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Random thoughts!!

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be..

Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything — they are just able to make the best of everything they have.

The road to success is not straight.
There is a curve called Failure,
a loop called Confusion,
speed bumps called Friends,
red lights called Enemies,
caution lights called Family.
You will have flats called Jobs.
But, if you have a spare called Determination,
an engine called Perseverance,
insurance called Faith,
a driver called Almighty God,
you will make it to a place called Success.

Formality is when you need to do something, and not when you want to do it.

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Disco Dancer!!

As some of you may know, I am sick.. And for someone always full of energy, being sick is a curse :P So i thought, I'll see other people's energy and enjoy..

The first person who came to my mind is 'Mithun'.. I am not at all embarrassed to say that I like Mithun.. I usually see his videos on Youtube when I lack energy.. Videos from Disco Dancer of course (I don't know any other movie he is part of) The Bengali dude is the Original Disco Dancer of Bollywood.. He is also what I call the 'Pelvic Thrust King'.. Abhishek Bacchan did a good job in Dus Bahane song but could not reach the original Mithun Pelvic :P I used to try doing the step in my room when I was young... and I just tried doing it.. But oh well :(

You have to see the 'King' to believe me..

The song which made it to the top

This one can still be heard in some Baaraats.. Hehe
(I like the M.I.A remix of this one too... Got her a lot of fame)

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