Monday, December 29, 2008

The Ramparts of 2008!

Time, the cradle of hope.... Wisdom walks before it, opportunity with it, and repentance behind it. He that has made it his friend will have little to fear from his enemies, but he that has made it his enemy will have little to hope from his friends.

Charles Caleb Colton

This year was different, very different, for I felt content in a very long time and attained a state of peace like never before, largely as a result of a very disciplined life I so resolutely lived. The year that was, provided me with many an opportunity to introspect, by throwing up a number of challenging situations that would have put even a hardened soul to the test. Emerge I did quite unscathed and full of lessons which will assist me in shaping my life for a better cause in the future. Although my professional life faced an uphill struggle, I ensured that I kept my personal space free from clutter and resultant pressure. I must say, I lived a very compartmentalized life without much incident.

Having wound up my assignment in Delhi, I moved to Pune which was a welcome change! While Delhi is brash and rowdy, Pune is a city with a great deal of youthful exuberance which appeals to the intellect! It is a confluence of many bearings, old and new, conservative and liberal and yet very rightly poised. To add to the treat, one can enjoy very pleasant weather year round thereby not being subject to the vagaries of the famously agonizing Indian Summer! I cannot quite say the same about the monsoons, for my liking for this season is actually non-existent, and to make things worse, it pours relentlessly during the monsoons in Pune!

While the world at large was at the mercy of the ongoing financial crisis that saw many an enterprise being cast away into history, my industry and organization remained largely unaffected and our guidance figures for the upcoming year were altered by a minuscule percentage, thereby extremely relieving me. A chance meeting with a yesteryear friend added to the cheer.

Most importantly, this blog has served as an avenue for me to give a picture of my views, thoughts and memories which have been greatly appreciated from time to time. I feel greatly privileged for having become part of a family that has in it a great deal of positive spirit, the attitude to be encouraging and unconditionally supportive. Via my space, I have been rewarded the greatest gift of all which is to be able to travel and relish culture and tradition. Virtually, I have been associated with large parts of India, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Australia, Monte Carlo, Malta, China, Finland, Munich, Turkey and the United States. What more could I possibly ask for?

As this year draws to a close, I pray that the coming year bestows upon us all a great deal of peace, happiness and above all else, a sense of hope to prevail over any adverse incident that may occur! Let us live in pursuit of hope and not once ever lose sight of it.

Wishing you a very happy and truly prosperous new year, one that brings you peace, joy, prosperity and above all else, helps foster a sense of togetherness! May this be the beginning of many good things yet!

69 comments:

  1. Again Am the first to comment here!!

    Well Glad that you had a great year and I'm sure that you will have many new horizons in the coming year... Wish you a very Happy New Year and may this year bestow you with wonderful things..

    With fingers crossed in prayers,
    Yours in Love,
    Barath

    CHEERS!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! First time I am commenting here. Nice blog. :)

    BTW, I have not read the book 'Tuesdays with Morrie' but I did see the film. Wonderful story!

    ReplyDelete
  3. great to know that you had a wondeful year and heres wishing you and yours all the best wishes for the new year 2009!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A summary to summarize the year?
    Happy new year!
    Wishing you luck in the next year too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice Post,Rak...

    I wish with all my heart that the coming year bring true happiness, joy and peace to you with all prosperity...

    btw, this year i expect to hear a news from you...yeah, you guessed it right :))

    am slightly off from blogging...working on a project, along with the regular work...

    Should be over by January first week..But me gone very lazy of late...

    anyway,

    WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, my dear :)

    devika

    ReplyDelete
  6. By the way, Rak...

    I do not know about Pune..
    but your description about Delhi...

    i generally agree with it...the city in a good way 'enhanced' my brashness...sadly..

    but then, there's a distinct charm to the city that keeps me coming back to this place...

    i had twice left this place :)

    But my husband cannot think of living in an other city..like the way my brother love Madras...

    to each his/her own -- but a wife unfortunately has to go with -- 'His own' :)

    & so i started liking the city...now i like it at par with Trivandrm :)

    but the 'showy' culture sometimes get to my nerves.. :))

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  7. I appreciate very much to be part of your blogging community!

    All the best to you for 2009! Hope it will be at least as good for you as 2008!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I envy you your being able to compartmentalize your life. Nothing can beat discipline, I have decided to give it a serious thought having spent a rather undisciplined 2008.
    I agree about Delhi and Pune. Pune does have great weather year round, and that's a huge plus but I also love Pune rains :)
    What you have said about blogging friends is so true, they enrich our lives :)
    Here's wishing you another equally, even happier year ahead! -IHM

    ReplyDelete
  9. A Great news that your organization continued to stand! Wish you constant success! Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. aww you are being unfair to 'saddi Dilli' .. I'd prefer my city over even 'a paradise' .. in all fairness to each its own .. and you are entitled to your opinion however I disagree.

    great to know the year worked well for you.. and I wish you have a bigger better 2009.. good luck,

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heyy, this was one of my best years too. I will be coming out with that in my blog soon(just waiting for a couple of things to get confirmed). Hope to have an equally good 2009.

    and buddy, wish you the happiest new year ahead too !!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. dasa a real good year,u ve had-far better than mine..hope u relish 09 in the same wy or even in a better way ftm..Happy New Year.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Rakesh Vanamali,
    Wish You too a very Happy 2009 :) Thank You, IHM

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Rakesh, thanks for visiting. Yours looks like interesting blog, to which I'll return. Very best wishes for the New Year and do enjoy the last day of this year as any day we're given. Kind regards.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dear Rakesh,

    Thank you so much for the warm wishes, and may I also wish you the bestestest of the goodies for the coming year as well! Happy New Year!

    As far as the post goes, I'd like to echo IHM.. I do envy you the ability to have disciplined yourself. Something I sadly lack, it would seem, lol, though I love talking about it, :D!!!

    Still, with the New Year a few hours away, what better time than now to renew one's hopes for a better self, and country and a world at large. :)

    Best wishes, for always too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wish you too a happy and prosperous new year...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rakesh! Thanks so much for your kind New Year wish. Actually there are few things an Englishman could treasure more than a kind greeting from the Sub-Continent.

    I wish you a good 2009.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dearest Rakesh,
    Let 2009 bring all happiness to you.Let all your dreams come true.Let there be blissfull balance in your life..

    with wishes
    mip

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Rakesh!
    Wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year! Good Luck!

    Regards,
    Vibushan

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for your visit to my blog, Rakesh. I appreciate it.

    I don't have a lot to say about last year or this new year but here are some thoughts...

    I hope 2009 will be better than 2008, 2007, and 2006. I do think our government will be inspired by our new President Obama -- at least I hope so.

    I would like to see the War in Irag end and I would like to see the killing stop everywhere.

    It is my hope that Japan will stop slaughtering whales and raping virgin forests.

    And I hope the people will lose their clubs and no longer club baby seals to death.

    What a world we have and live in. 2009 could be so much better than it will be.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I wish you a very happy and prosperous New year!!! I wish you all the success and happiness in life.

    Take Care!
    Jay

    ReplyDelete
  22. !!!! WISH YOU AND YOURS A SUPER 2009 !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. All my best wishes Rakesh, for this coming New Year.
    Health,Hope and Happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Bharath

    Thanks very much for you warm wishes, continued support and unconditional encouragement!
    All this matters a great deal!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  25. Manju

    Welcome here and thanks very much for visiting and leaving me your comments! Appreciate them!

    You should read the book! In all probability, the book is much better than the movie. Although, its quite unfair for me to say so since I haven't watched the movie!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  26. Magic eye

    Thanks very much for your thoughtful wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  27. Elith

    Thanks very much for your comments and wishes! Do visit my space more often!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  28. Vivek

    Quite true! A summary it is to summarize the year that was ;)
    Thanks very much for your wishes

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  29. Devika Chechi

    Thanks ever so very much for the wonderful and thoughtful wishes!

    I hope to get married sometime later this year! Achan & Amma are scouting around for a girl! I'm via this message giving you a heads-up for being present!
    The moment, everything stands finalized, I will send you a formal invitation and you must come!

    Quite true about Delhi! It is brash, rowdy and people are very showy and therefore irritatingly boorish!

    But then it has a certain charm and tends to grow on people and those who have stayed there long enough do not wish to relocate!

    Anyhow, heres Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  30. Peter

    It certainly is a matter of great pleasure to be associated with you! look what technology has enabled us to do..... forge connections thousands of miles across! Theres not a time that I dont feel amazed!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  31. Indian Home Maker

    Thanks very much for your wishes!

    Its after much feet dragging that I have tried to live a qualitative life. Thanks to God, I have largely succeeded during the year that was! I hope that is the case during this year too!

    Pune is a wonderful place with amazing weather conditions all thu the year, as you said! Sadly, the rains put me down very bad!

    Thanks once again for your wishes and support! Greatly appreciate them!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  32. Vibu

    Yes, its quite a relief that we stand untouched. This year is not going to be very kind though! I'm praying that the impact is minimal! However, only time will establish facts!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  33. Aria

    Well, I must apologize if I have hurt your sentiments while elucidating about Delhi's traits as a place!
    However, in the same breat, I must add that my description of the place is as a result of my experiences during my stay there, which I regret that say was extremely unbecoming!

    Anyhow, different places have quite a brearing in themselves!!!

    Thanks very much for your kind wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  34. Vimmuuu

    I'm glad 08 went well for you. Like I said, it has been a good year for me too thanks to a lot of discipline which I inculcated into daily life on a very priority basis!
    I'm waiting to see the summary of 08 from your end!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  35. MM

    Yes, I've been fortunate to have enjoyed a good year despite the recession and many disturbances!

    Thanks very much for your kind wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  36. Prasanth

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  37. Marc

    Thanks very much for visiting my space. Greatly appreciate your comments which are very encouraging!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  38. Usha Ma'am

    Thanks very much for your very thoughtful wishes!

    I'm sure it would be very difficult to make life streamlined especially in the wake of managing a family and its affairs which is more than a full time job!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  39. Deepak

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  40. MIP, my good friend

    You have been a source of inspiration like no other!
    Concise, Candid and Laser focused, your words have a great sense of meaning and relevance which outbeats all else!

    Thanks ever so much for your warm wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ming

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  42. Karen

    Merci beaucoup pour vos aimables voeux
    Mai vous avez une merveilleuse année à venir!

    Meilleurs vœux!

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  43. Abraham

    Thanks very much for your thoughtful wishes. Greatly appreciate them!

    I hope Lady Lincoln and You are doing well!

    I quite echo your thoughts and hope that this year ushers in the beginning of what is a champion effort to recognize the importance of human rights, the need to end conflicts and the urgency to protect our environment!
    It is not quite a diffcult list to follow, and with the guidance and direction of many visionaries, I hope we collectively set the ball rolling in an attempt to make the world a better place for our children and their future generations.

    Thanks very much for your wishes and thoughts!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  44. Jay

    Thanks very much for your wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  45. Marie

    Thanks very much for your thoughtful wishes!

    Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  46. Chuck

    Thanks very much! Quite the same for us here too! A warm and thoughtful greeting is cherished and remembered for ever!

    Once again, Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  47. That was 2008 nicely summed up.Wishing you a better 2009..lots of happiness,health and wealth!...also thanks a lot for your kind greetings.

    ReplyDelete
  48. MM

    Thanks very much for the award! Thanks also for your very kind description! This is great encouragement!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  49. Old Monk

    Thanks very much for the kind comments and wishes!

    Once again, Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year, one that brings to you the very best!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wishing you and all a good year for health and happiness Rakesh! x

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks , its very nice to read your words and thoughts, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your encouraging comments, i wish you a very happy and peaceful new year!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Just stumbled upon your blog through Usha's blog. As I was reading your posts, i went back to have a look at your age mentioned in your profile. I must say your insightful writings are far ahead of your age. Keep it up.

    Wishing you a very happy new year.

    Balvinder

    ReplyDelete
  53. Dear Rak,

    I had to talk with you....and I feel your blog is the best place than mine…

    Yesterday, I said all that to you. But coming to think of it – I should say it was my last attempt to stop a nasty series of story-crafting, trailing and tracking that was occurring on the Blogworld. You would know that. I should say you were the most disciplined of all (perhaps for the personal regard you held for me) except for some ‘awkward’ or insensitive comments you made at my blogs. I have seen many –awkward, nasty pieces of writing in the series…and I had a clear picture of their roles in the gamble, because I was working with a historical perspective of things….Some are just oblivious...

    Only once was I taken aback…off my foot up in the air – when I realised my college-mate was attempting to continue the game….it was all a matter of promoting blogs….

    I could find more sincere people who went silent –Some were just silently waiting to see how many nights they could have of a rainy day….

    Kat’s silence in fact pains me… But what could I do… I know well to read and understand people even in their silence…but, also willing to change my reading if they break their silence to justify themselves….Its not to me that one needs to justify, its to oneself..

    Now if 2009 is an extension of the 2008 game…I will surely to be part of it…And when I decide to be part of a game – I’ll make sure that play it harder than anyone. Because when I say I see death the next moment, I mean it…

    Now, I am not bothered about what comes of it …Considering the larger scheme of things, the scripts could change anytime, even cease to exist…physically and virtually..

    Poets/writers respect and regard each other, and may even breach their borders when it comes to creative expression. That’s about creation…It not like writing a researched article or a making a report, or a memoir…

    Poetry is about emotions, and as I know most poets are eccentrics…I too am, for the time poetry stays in me…One who cannot appreciate that may well not read that….and the ways in which it could be interpreted will leave you dumbfounded...if you try to read it unilaterally… especially those that involve the elements of universe – nature, time etc…

    I myself have written 12 interpretations of Eliot’s Wasteland….want more? I can make ‘n’ number of them….its a folly to see poetry in limited perspectives…

    Also, as an elderly sister if I may say...be more consistent with your personality, my dear brother….

    the world, including me, may show many faces…That could be a need of the hour. You need to be sure of yourself. And I didn’t see any reason for you being so ‘Oblivious’ (You are Redefining Oblivion, no?) to the occurrences of which you too were a part, though not negatively.

    Anyway, wanted to say this to you…
    And wish you peace and happiness in 2009…

    best regards,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  54. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi Rakesh

    Wish you a very happy new year. I am sure that all of us join you in the prayer for peace and happiness.

    Have a great 2009

    Regards

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  56. Lynn

    Thanks for the very thoughtful wishes. Wishes for a wonderful year ahead!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  57. B.C

    Thanks very much for the encouraging comments and wishes.

    My wishes for a wonderful year ahead!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  58. Mr. Balwinder Singh

    Welcome to my space and thanks very much for the very supportive comments that you have left me!

    Thanks much for your words of appreciation which means a great deal for me!

    Do keep visiting!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Gil

    Thanks very much for the warm wishes! I sailed well after a roaring night out on the 31st ;)
    Hope you had a great time too!

    2008 was a wonderful year, but for the monsoons ;) Am hoping that this year would turn out better than the last!

    Thanks very much for your posts on Delhi which bring a flood of memories of my stay there from 2005to 2007!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  60. Dear Devika Chechi

    Thanks very much for a very long out of the heart comment which I assure has been taken in great spirit!

    First of all, I'd like to sincerely apologize for any insensitive or uncalled for comment that I may have made on your spaces. I assure you that they are inadvertant and hanve not intended significance at all.

    Furthermore, I request that should such an instance arise from my side, please notify my explicitly at that very instant so that things can be sorted out!

    Also, I do hold you in very high esteem and will continue to do so on a very uncondtional basis! You have been a source of great inspiration and learning, something that has forever augmented my life for the better!

    With regards to the powerplay that happens in the blogger space, I'd say its better best to shut an eye and close a ear to it thereby not giving it much importance as the other party would desire. One will then find the virulence scaling down with time!

    I'm hoping that 2009 would be a better year then its predecessor and that all of us get more valuable insights into life which would help us lead much better lives.

    Let me also urge that you continue your good work unfazed by the happenings on blogger, although it might certainly be a little difficult to do so!

    Warm Regards & Prayers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  61. Keshi

    Thanks very much for the wishes!

    My wishes to you for wonderful year ahead!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  62. Jim

    Thanks very much, my good friend, for your thoughtful wishes!

    I wish you and folks a brilliant year ahead!

    Warm Regards

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thank you Rak, for the kind understanding...

    Judging other's by one's perspective...and Taking things too much for granted...

    Two things I do not tolerate in human relations..

    and there I do speak out, Rak...I GOT TO..for my own sake :))

    Yeah, hope things improve in the coming year :)

    for me, for all :)

    love,
    devika

    ReplyDelete