The Kerala beat

December 23:
The first bit of good news is that our friend (Haseef, friend since primary school) is getting married.

The second bit of good news is that the day has arrived. The day when we will start our travel to Kerala. To us, Kerala is an exotic location with some interesting landscape and some oldest structures. Our train reservations were not confirmed and we had to chose an alternative, the not so comfortable one in bus. We started at 9 PM to Thalassery, a town in north Kerala and Haseef's native place.

December 24:
After a bumpy ride we four sleepy heads reached our destination at 6 AM. We prayed Fajr (morning prayer) and took a nap. I tagged with Umair (another friend since primary school) while my seniors cum friends (Tausif and Shahmir) were in the adjacent room.

We found Kerala as we were told. Hot at the end of the year, friendly people all around, no restrictions in eating beef and banana treated as a different food altogether.

Breakfast in Thalassery

Thalassery Fort

We visited Thalassery Fort, prayed Namaz in Thalassery Stadium Juma Masjid and just an hour before the sunset we returned back to our hotel to get ready for the moment we all came for. While on the way we were greeted by a loud Hindi music being played in the municipal stadium and colorful flags all around. We spot some young footballers getting ready for the football tournament. The road leading to the stadium were filled with hoardings with pictures of Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo. I then realized the strike similarity between this state and the state from where I hail from. Fishes, hills, beaches, literature, communists and football!

Thalassery Juma Masjid

I have attended a Mallu wedding before and that was the reason why I wore a white shirt. My friends missed it, not their fault though. Nikah was after Maghrib (evening prayer) and we reached Haseef's place on time. I was so overwhelmed by the crowd gathered and all the simplicity there. Haseef handled everything well after all he was the man of the moment. We enjoyed the delicacies, ate the food to our full not realizing that it will be difficult to walk 2 kms back to our hotel.

Haseef's Nikah

December 25:
Cheraman Juma Masjid (link for history) have been highly recommended by friends and colleagues. It was my dream to visit this Masjid since the day I got to know that this is the first Masjid in India.

We took Shatabdi train early morning from Thalassery to Kochi. The Masjid was just 40 kms from our hotel in Kochi. We reached much before the time of Juma Namaz (Friday prayer). It feels simply amazing to pray in a 1400 year old structure.

Cheraman Juma Masjid

We had plentiful of parothas and meats in Abu Dhabi restaurant and fantastically prepared ice cream dessert in Kuwait Haji Ali (highly recommended place).

@Kuwait Haji Ali

We spent the evening in Fort Kochi, enjoying the cool breeze at the beach, watching the ships pass by, wandering the lanes and peering into the local shops. Here also we got a chance to pray Maghrib in one of the mosques from 13th century.

@ A Masjid in Fort Kochi dated back to 1284

December 26:
If you have visited Kochi and not visited Alleppy then surely you have missed an opportunity. That was what we were told. We checked out of the hotel early morning and caught a passenger train to Alleppy.

We had very less time to explore the backwaters hence the boat house was out of option, even shikara's price was sky rocketing if we were to take it for only an hour. After much bargaining we boarded a shikara. The owner knew Hindi but the driver know neither Hindi nor English. He took us around and just as we were going to enter Vembanad lake which would have mesmerized us even more, he turned around.

Yes, he made a u-turn and then the fun started. We started asking him why, he replied something in Malayalam. And then again we asked him why, he again replied something. That went on for sometime, neither of us understanding each other. But the boat had already made a u-turn and we were already returning back, just 20 minutes into our journey. We then called the owner who explained that there were certain routes to be followed and since we only opted out for 1 hour, the package didn't cover the lake.

Surrounded by house boats in Alleppy

In our shikara in Alleppy

It was a tad disappointing to our well planned and near to perfect tour of Kerala. But that's okay, I guess. We rushed back to the station, caught an express train, stood for one hour long journey in a crowded compartment which to our surprise included a white couple holding their bags over their head.

Outside LuLu Mall

I know I had only couple of hours before my bus would come running to pick me up near LuLu mall. The traffic leading to the mall was too much to handle. I started to realize why the administration have started to build the metro railways in the city. We wasted half an hour there and another half to enter the mall and wait for our order of some Turkish sandwich from Doner kabab. Once done with lip smacking sandwich and naan I had to rush outside for my bus. To my disappointment I received a message from my travel agent that the bus was delayed by an hour.

I missed buying mundu and perfume bottles from LuLu mall. I hope I will be back. Maybe my friends too.

All the perfumes of Arabia

It's been 23 years since Babri Masjid was brought to ground. From this blog post of mine I want to appeal to the concerned people and remind them the atrocities and act of crime conducted against the Muslim holy place. On December 6, 1992 Babri Masjid was destroyed and torn down to the ground by VHP and BJP kar sevaks (RSS and its affiliates). Few other mosques were demolished too within the town. The Liberhan report indicated and blamed 68 leaders as being actively involved in the meticulous planning of the demolition of the mosque. That the action was not spontaneous but was planned 10 months in advance by RSS goes on to say how timid and cruel the leaders' intentions were. Also, feeble requests by the leaders during the demolitions were unwarranted and horrendous. All the perfumes in Arabia would not cleanse them of the act that they did.

Let's take a step back and try to analyse the situation. Let's start with the BBC's timeline. I am no historian and neither a great researcher. And I am in no position to try to over-simplify the situation.

Hindus claim that the Masjid was built on Ram Mandir. I for one cannot deny neither accept that because ASI submitted their report mentioning the Masjid stood on something that contained mutilated sculptors, whether it was a Mandir or household structure one cannot be sure of that. I can believe that epic Ramayana was written by Valmiki but it is very difficult for me to digest that the mythological character Ram can exist leave alone accept the fact that his birth occurred one million years ago. If for a second I consider his birth as true then in Ayodhya alone there are multiple priests disputing over the place of birth of Rama. Some even say it was not in Ayodhya as Kausalya, Ram's mother may have given birth to him in her maternal place which is in Daksina Kosala kingdom as is the custom with Hindu family.

Muslims are against idol worship and polytheism. Some rulers and kings were orthodox and very practicing by faith. When they came to power there is high possibility that they would have eradicated all those places where acts of worshiping other than Allah is taking place. Even, Kaaba was not spared. When Muslims conquered Makkah, all the statues of gods that pagan Arabs used to worship were demolished. Since India was new and not many people accepted Islam in the initial phase of Mughals, thousands of Mandirs still stand as we can see today. Only few which was reported to have conducted treason and plotted against the ruling govenrment (which was Mughals back then) was destroyed.

In September, 2010 Allahabad High Court rules that the site should be split, with the Muslim community getting control of a third, Hindus another third and the Nirmohi Akhara sect the remainder. We prayed in that Masjid for 500 years and what do we get? one-third? Why do we Muslims get deceived on every step when talks of justice is brought under the sun. Several terrors creators (of Malegaon blast, Makkah masjid blast etc.) are still out in open but that is the different debate for some other day.

The verdict of Allahabad High Court was a strange decision. That I am not saying it, it's the supreme court who has said it. Why is the sentiments of sections are being considered. When it is taken to the legislative department of the country one should expect that the the verdict is given based on law and order. This is totally a matter of land dispute and one should keep in mind that the Masjid existed for 500 years.We will wait for the verdict of supreme court. Till then I will wait and pray that justice is given to us. Or will it be?

In the end, as a Muslim I appeal to all my Muslim brothers, please fill the Masjids in our areas. Please respond to the call of "Hayya'alas-ṣalāh, Hayya ʿalal-falāḥ" and Allah will definitely listen to our prayers.

Let's stand up against terrorism everywhere, together

While we stand up in solidarity with France against the terror happened a day ago, Let's also remember all the heinous crimes carried out across the world. It's time to pray for humanity. It is time to make all places beloved. It's time to pray for the world. Karuna Ezara Parikh echos the same feeling as mine.

Thank you and good bye Mu Sigma

It's been almost 2 months I left Mu Sigma (for various personal reasons). At the outset I would like to make it clear there was no ill-being, no untoward incident happening and I was not asked to leave as well. It was my choice and did it happily. Leads and senior managers were very helpful during that time. In fact they even said, "You are a valuable resource and we wouldn't let you go". The love and attention showered to me during the time spent there was making me think to re-consider my decision. However once I did Istikhara (seeking guidance from Almighty) I was confident of my decision.

Few years ago when I was asked by a Mu Sigma HR during my induction training, “where do you want to see yourself in 2 weeks time?”, I replied by saying “I would continue to be part of Mu Sigma and not asked to leave” :P. When I look back 4 years (yes, 4 years have passed), I realize how frightened and afraid I was. But I was made to feel comfortable and at ease. Slowly and steadily I was amalgamated to the system. Learning, experimenting, fighting, innovating, building, creating, destroying, building again for all those four beautiful years I come to a situation where I find myself wanting to live those time again. But as beautiful as life is I want myself to look to the future and move on to taste the different flavors that our creator has provided.

God has amazing way of working things out. Little did I knew that I would be spending 4 long years in Mu Sigma. I believe everyone one individual who is part of the organization made me what I am today. Thank you everyone!

I learnt the tricks and trades of leadership and mentoring from my managers. I believe I did not warrant the role of Associate Manager that I was given few months back, but may be my leads thought otherwise. I worked hard and hopefully did not let them down.

My team mates who played a very important role in molding me throughout my journey. They taught me the patience, for providing me the vastness of experience through smartness and silly issues.

I had made many friends and memories here which I would to take back with me wherever I go.

The decision taken 4 years ago of choosing Mu Sigma over many others were not wrong. I thank the organization for providing so many other things apart from work like gym, cricket, football and library among so many other things.

I have moved to a different city and I have already started to miss Bangalore and the people in it. I am hoping to live up to the same reputation and make a mark here in my new organisation. As usual your prayers are required.

Then one fine day I decided to cycle

When I first heard from my friend about a 100 km. trip he took on cycle I was both amazed and intrigued. I wondered how can one endure such a thing. Then I too had a dream. That I will cover a long distance on bicycle. It's been quite an experience of living with such a dream. At one point of time I had a dream of owning a bicycle and now this. I always thought how would I feel to cherish a dream for long and finally achieve it? This post of mine is dedicated to all those who believe that dreams can and must become true.

If you have a dream, you should find a way to make that dream come true. And if your dream includes doing something that seems really big or intimidating, that is ok, because you only have to do it one minute, one hour, and one day at a time. And that is what I did. I did not went for a long ride on the first day. I patiently worked on myself. I started to ride to office daily in 2013 end and initial 2014. On some weekends I would go on a little over 10 km ride, for few I went for 25 km.

I started to spend time in the gym and run on treadmill for short stint of time. I was feeling rejuvenated. During the winter of 2014 I felt I could achieve the 100 km mark, but the inevitable happened work pressure creep in. I started to miss gym and steadily the other obligations started to take preference. My bicycle's tire got flatter as I was not using it and I felt I was left behind of achieving my dream. During those days I visited one of my friend in Hyderabad, India. He was participating in bicycle meetup organised by Hyderabad Bicycling Club. I decided to join him even though I was not well with stamina and fitness. On January 26, 2015 I covered almost 45 km. It was taxing but I did it and only then I realized I could go for more.

The roue undertaken on January 26, 2015 covering almost 45 kms in to-fro journey

Still 100 km looked a distant dream. And that too in a city like Bangalore, where there are too many undulations. Then someone hinted a movie dialogue to me, "Koi pahad kaat sakta hai? hum chadh bhi nahi sakte?" "When someone can cut a hill to make a road between it, can't we at least ride on it" (An inspiring dialogue from a movie - Manjhi). It took me courage and on September 6, 2015 I went for it. I borrowed a friend's bicycle - a lighter one and the test of endurance began at 6 AM after Fajr - the early morning prayer. It took me around 2 hours to reach Wonderla (covered more than 35 kms) through Turahalli forest. Early morning serenity, walkers and joggers waking up and trying to be fit, people commuting to bazar to buy their daily groceries, pious ones going to Majsids and Mandirs alike. I saw everything of peace!

I took few pictures in and around Wonderla which felt like an achievement to me. Then I found few roadside stalls selling bananas and refreshments. I stayed there for an hour and refreshed myself, watching the traffic go by and the morning unfold in front of me. Returning back was all the more difficult as sun was over the head and the task remain to be completed. I took the same route back. Traffic was more and I had to stop quite a few times and drag myself up the road as it was unbearable sometimes to cycle to the higher altitude. However, as I was nearing my destination I could motivate myself and push myself to cycle harder. I came back at noon with lots of experience with me.

I could cover not more than 75 km that day. The 100 km remained yet to be conquered. I told myself, "One day, some day"

The route although it says 28 km, however Googl'e app My track showed more than 35km. It could be possible because there were lots of detour in my journey and this Google map is not able to flag and measure it. So the total to-fro journey was more than 70 km in 5 hours with a break of an hour in between