Talking Tours (1st Installment) - Hitendra Rana

Talking Tour is a series of personal interviews about those who does posses thoughts of their own. By interacting with different people and to know their thoughts, gives me a good feeling. Every one has a story to tell. Each one of us, has some attributes which are unique some times and common most often.

For the first installment of this series, Hitendra Rana - an IT Professional, gave his interview in his office.

Tell our readers something about yourself.
I hail from Aligarh (North India). Born in a traditional family - I always wanted to be associated with IT industry. And I got my wish fulfilled as I am happily placed in my current organization.
I am married, and happily living with my lovely wife & two cute kids.


What is in your personality which you like the most?
Sincerity/ Hard work & Honesty


What is in your personality which you dislike?
Sometime I get frustrated very easily.


What are the qualities in a man which you like?
Honesty


What are the qualities in a woman which you like?
Simplicity & soft spoken nature.


Which places have you traveled so far? What is your favorite place & why?
Jaipur, Udaipur, Panipat, Haridwar, Dehradun. Of these, I like Jaipur the most as a cultural heritage.


Which place you traveled very recently and how was the experience?
Mussoorie. The place was good, but not that exciting.


Can you name some of your favorite hangout places in the city you live in?
Connaught Place in Delhi.


Are you a foody? Which food you liked the most.
:) I don't considered myself as foody. I like simple food without much spices.


Tell us something about your hobbies?
Spending time with my kids


If not in your current role, what would you want to be?
A Government official :)


How you cope up pressure situation?
Take a glass of water, think about if the solution is in my control? If possible, plan the solution. Else ask yourself if you have given your best shot to resolve it. If the answer is Yes, then leave it and wait for the right time.


What is your mantra of life?
Follow your dreams


How you start your day?
After I wake up, I remember my parents & God and thank them for everything what I have.


What are your reel life heroes/heroines.
Amitabh Bacchan (Actor) / Lata Mangeshkar (Singer)


Which character in history (or current life) inspire you the most?
Subhash Chandra Bose - He inspires me for his contribution to our country.


Your favorite movies/shows?
3 Idiots / Comedy Night with Kapil


What do you think are the biggest areas for improvement in our country?
Respect for woman, balance of per capita income


Do you cast your vote everytime?
Most of the time.


Anything which you want to share with readers who read this interview?
We have got only one life, so live it to the fullest and do what you think is right ethically and pursue it.

Haldirams Restaurant on Delhi - Jaipur Highway NH8

If you are traveling on Gurgaon - Jaipur Road, and want to take a stop for an hour or so, Haldirams Restaurant near Manesar Toll Plaza is a very good option. We went there last week with my team for group Lunch and we enjoyed to the fullest. Located at Delhi-Jaipur Highway, NH 8, this restaurant has received 3.9 stars (out of 5) in Google Reviews. Entire property has been made in way considering those travelers who travel from one state to another and want a quality break during their journey. Here are some plus points of this restaurant:

1) Food is good & most important hygienic.

2) You can get variety of options ranging from wide variety sweets to authentic Indian dishes, Chinese & Continental food as well.

3) Restaurant has seats for small as well as bigger groups as well. Though it is located on National Highway, but still its quite rare that you have to wait for the seat. Seating is available on ground and first floor as well. Seats are designed keeping in mind customer's comfortable level.

4) Staff is friendly and helpful.

5) Cleanliness is one of the big plus of this restaurant. Good for us - customers.

6) There is ample parking space. You can park your vehicle in number of the parking lots available.

7) Inside the restaurant, Ambiance is nice.

8) There is lawn within the premise where you can relax and enjoy the breeze/sunshine. There is also assembly point in lawn where you can enjoy the wide variety of flowers.

9) There is kids zone as well where you can play with your kids. Very nicely made section, for those groups who travel with their family and want a quality stay for couple of hours during their journey.

10) Banquet Hall facility is also available. By looking at the size of the entire property, this seems to be a very good option for family functions.

Haldiram's Restaurant is located on NH8, near Gurgaon - Manesar Toll. Easy to locate, it's an excellent location for lunch break during the journey.

You can try wide variety of cuisines

Wow! what a view :)

 
Smart Gadget. Upon ordering, customer gets this gadget token. As you can see, if it starts blinking, it means your order is ready. And you can go to the relevant counter to take your order. Cool, isn't it?

Feeling Hungry?

Chinese Platter was good.

There is no scarcity of seating space in the restaurant. 1st floor is less noisy and you will get great view of outside lawn.

 Kids Zone behind the restaurant

After your meals, you can enjoy the greenery in the lawn and relax your self under sun-shine.

Restaurant's staff having quiet lunch at 1st floor. Happy to give the pose :)

Prayer/Worship generates Positive Vibrations

I was thinking about some topic to write after a gap for two hectic weeks, there were number of things to write for. However, today while walking on the terrace in evening, I thought to write something positive. It was around 5.55pm and there were sounds of evening prayers from every where. I then decided to write about Prayers/Worship.

When we do worship/recite a prayer, it generates lot of positivity. Here I want to include even those as well who don't worship in front of an idol (or for a deity) but remember God (in any beautiful form including meditation). For me, that act of thanking the supreme being for everything is also a form of worship. 

Coming back to the topic - while worshiping, we always think positive...very positive, there are always good thoughts come in our mind and we request almighty to take care of everyone. We also request him to forgive us for our misdeed. Just Imagine this time in the whole day, how much positive we feel when we think of God or his blessings in any form. Our mind is preoccupied with lot of things and we keep on thinking about them every time, but during this period (of spiritual connect), we distract our self from these worldly affairs and connect to the super natural power which is omnipresent, omnipotent - which gives us courage to fight against the odds, contribute in national building, help others in whatever way we can.

Even when we recite a prayer, it makes us really strong as we feel good from inside because of  positive vibrations generated.

The need is to carry these positive thoughts throughout the day and apply them in our day to day life. Think positive, feel positive, always eager to learn and share with others, don't be afraid of results. God is the only dispenser of results; leave it to Him and do your Karma which is your road of salvation. You agree?

Sweet Memories - DD Kids Programs (Nostalgia)

Last week we went to our sister’s house for some work and there I was playing with my niece. She was restless because of running nose and cold. In order to calm her down, I played a cartoon video of my time – "ek chidiya anek chidya" on YouTube.  During our childhood days, we used to watch this cartoon every day on Doordarshan, so I thought this might interest her. While I played this video for her, I was surprise to see the magnetic effect this cartoon has on her; she was watching it with complete dedication, utmost seriousness as if something very important is going on which cannot be missed.  I remember we used to have same magnetic effect whenever this cartoon was played in TV during those days. Bout of nostalgia ran in my mind and I thought about those kids programs which we used to watch on Doordarshan during our boyhood. 

ek chidiya anek chidiya

Super Sundays:  It was the only day in the week, when Doordarshan plays back to back kids program. I remember we used to get up early in the morning to watch these programs. 

During those days, our Sunday usually starts from:

Rangoli at 8 am till 9am

Then Jungle Book from 9am. This program is something which could not have been missed at any cost. Breakfast can be skipped, but not this program. 

Then Ducktales from 9.30 to 10.00am.

And then tales pin from 10am to 10.30am

Other memorable DD programs for KIDS:  This is my collection BTW :)

He-Man

"Mile Sur Mera Tumhaara" – Who can forget this? Master Art. Shows Colors of India. Unity in Diversity.  Must for Kids to watch. Another Gem from DD Era.

"Sara Bharat Ye kahe – Desh mein eka rahe" Beautiful songs with very nice lyrics.

Shaktiman – First Indian Super Hero

Vikram Betal – Beautiful stories with learning at the end.  Highly recommended for kids.

What is your favorite kids program during old Doordarshan days? Please share!

Are you Workaholic? Maintain Work - Life Balance!

Few months back, I read an article somewhere about set of people who often being labeled as Workaholic. Considering the intense pressure in offices these days, tight deadlines, insecurities, competition, work-life patterns, I think its important to discuss with my blog readers. As per my observation workaholism is a state of mind, where a person try to relate everything (happening around him) to his WORK.  For workaholic person, work never stops. Even after leaving office – he still surrounded by thoughts about his work. Doesn’t matter if he is at home, but he is very much involved in official activities like preparing reports, talking to colleagues about office work.

During weekends, when we all should spend quality time with our family/friends, a workaholic person spend time discussing office issues and thinking of how to resolve them. For some people - Monday means start of another work week, but for workaholics - Monday means getting into comfortable zone as they find themselves satisfied/relieved when involved in official work.

Now instead of referring to others (whom we don’t know) as workaholics, I will say we also become workaholic sometimes.  Due to intense pressure in office these days, we often work late hours in office or do some work from home as well. Some people do that, because their colleagues are doing so. While I don’t buy this point of copying others, but I also cannot hide from the fact that sometime we bring official tension to our home which in turn results when we start ignoring people around us and get irritated easily. Why? because our mind is preoccupied with official matters and we don't want anyone to disturb us.  

I will say- it's good to give priority to your work, it is infect very important, but over doing it and bringing it to a level, which affects you and people around you, is not helpful. By over doing it, you are not helping anyone (not even yourself), but creating an uneasy environment which is not good for your overall growth.  A workaholic person often gets so tired after a long day that he has no stamina for any activity outside work.  It’s a vicious cycle.  This inability to balance work and personal life leads to grief from family, which reinforces the idea that work is an ideal way to escape from personal conflicts. 

Here are some points which will help to come out from workaholism Zone:

-    Give importance to your work/job (must love what you are doing) be passionate about it, but don't bring it to a level which affects your health and your equation with others. The way you love your work, similarly you need to love the time you get with your family. Don't let others to define your work patterns.

-    Harness habits and skills that allow you to make your own rules in this rate race

-    Take leave(s) some times & never mind about it. Plan vacation with your family/friends and enjoy this break.

-    Avoid discussing official matters during lunch sessions. A break means some free time from official work. 

-    Refuse to feel guilty when you are not working, (this doesn't mean taking long breaks for no reason) – Most Important. This is something I say to myself most of the time.

-    Spend weekends with your family friends and enjoy this time to the fullest.

-    Get yourself involved in some activity – like joining dance classes, music classes, swimming. This will make you excited about weekends and you will think less about official work.

Always Open to Learn & Share with others

We must be always ready to sit at the feet of all, for mark you, everyone can teach us great lessons. Says our great law giver, Manu: “Receive some good knowledge even from the low-born and even from the man of lowest birth learn by service the road to heaven.”

We, therefore, as true children of Manu, must obey his commands and be ready to learn the lessons of this life or the life hereafter from anyone who can teach us.

I completely agree to this. A person is always a student, there is always something new to learn every time (be it while interacting with others to know their views, traveling to new places, reading a book, watching movie… tons of examples which gives us teaching every day).  However, I believe it becomes our duty as well to pass our learning to others and let them take the best out of it (by using their own wisdom). Knowledge sharing is very important. As someone rightly said - "the best use of the skill is when it is being shared with others." 

Trip to Sariska - Finally reached Sariska Tiger Reserve

Finally we reached Sariska Tiger Reserve at 2.30pm (after visiting Bhangarh Fort). The price is Rs. 635/- per person which includes Jungle Safari & entry to National Park.

Initially we were very excited as we were anticipating different wild animals (specially Tiger :P), however we have seen only few, which includes three from deer family - Cheetals, Nelgai & Swamp Deer. Other species includes - wild boar and peacocks. That's it.

Reality Check - The Sariska National Park is full of deers. You can find Cheetals, Nelgai and Swamp Deers everywhere. Other than that, you will mostly spot number of peacocks. It's very rare that you will find Tiger or any major species like Leopard, Bear, Cheeta etc which one can expect in Jungle. We also met with other groups who were also taking a ride on jungle Safari. We asked them what they have seen and response was - Cheetals and we were not surprised at all because we have also seen the same. 

Jungle Safari - 

Don't do in Afternoon/Evening

I won't recommend for Jungle Safari in evening. However, you can go for early morning Jungle Safari to see if the park offers wide variety of wild animals. Important to mention about staff at Sariska National Park. Since they knew that people are complaining about not seeing anything major than Cheetals, they tried to hoodwink us by saying that they have got the information from control room that a male & female tiger are roaming in nearby region. Initially we felt excited as we were waiting for the king of jungle to arrive, but soon we realized it was trick of the staff to show that this place host variety of wild species.

Take Jeep instead of cantor - Because Cantor make lot of noise, so even the outside chance of seeing some species will go in vain. Hire a jeep which makes less noise.

Pandupol Temple - Must Visit

Yes, one place which you can visit in this National Park is - Pandupol Hanuman Temple. Must visit place. This temple is right there at the end of the jungle (at an isolated place), but its very well maintained with proper construction. We were told that on Tuesday and Saturday, private vehicles are allowed to enter in the park. So, remember - if you have the time & want to save the cost, you can visit this place on Tuesday & Saturday on your own car.

My rating - not so exciting because of less variety of wild animals.

Pandupol Hanuman Temple - A must visit place in Sariska National Park

End of a memorable trip to Sariska