Friday, March 20, 2009

Samby comes to Pune

I had not once before met someone from the blog world and when Samby told me of his impending visit to Pune, I was excited! I was happy that I was going to be in town and made sure that I had nothing to be bothered about on the designated day! I hadn't much to do at work either, with my boss on vacation during the week!

But then, I had not factored in the possibilities of Murphy's law. While at work, on the afternoon of March 3rd, I received an email from the training team stating that I had been nominated for a certain workshop, the subject of which is still very new across my organization. I was to travel to Mumbai for a three day session which began on 6th and ended on 9th! I couldn't help mutter a curse! I was contemplating how to inform Samby of this development while still being at loss for words and thoughts! And suddenly it dawned on me that Mumbai wasn't too far apart for me to travel back to Pune since Sunday was not part of the training calendar. I then wrote to Samby, that "come what may, I will be available in Pune" on 8th to meet with him!

On the morning of 8th, I met Samby in Pune! I'm tempted to divulge details of his harrowing trip from Lonavla to Pune, but then that being specifically marked "Classified Information, Ears Only", I'd be well guarded against spilling the beans!

It took me just an instant to understand that Samby was a traveller in the truest sense and in the realm of life itself. He is somebody who is very passionate about life and work, somebody who is never hesitant to call a spade a spade and more importantly someone who is very mature in his reflection of thoughts and actions, even after a few beers ;-)

While he recounted some parts of his life in the services, I reflected on my past and wondered how so much I too, as a teenager, wanted to be a part of this ultra elite assemblage. Today, it gives me great pride, pleasure and a sense of privilege to be associated with someone from the armed forces, a group of highly disciplined people who do not hesitate to sacrifice their lives, so that we live in peace, as was the case of Major. Sandeep Unnikrishnan who attained immortality, fighting islamic terrorists, as part of Operation Black Tornado, during the 26/11 incident in Mumbai last year.

March 8th, was a very short day, fun-filled, interesting and very informative to me as I had the wonderful opportunity of learning a few lessons from someone much younger and for having been able see the world as he did. They say every meeting is historic for the experience it provides. Unquestionably sure, I was!

As a finale, the picture was taken. Now, Samby, what did you do to make me look so unphotogenic?


25 comments:

  1. Oh man!.. It was such fun.. we talked about anything and everything !!! ..

    I so enjoyed dude... We both are avid photographers but we took just one pic... that speaks for itself doesn't it..

    Thanks for coming down.. we shall meet again soon :)

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  2. Lol..its not the question of who did it.. we both look drunk...tell anyone.. 6 beers and like 20 kilometers of walking.. we are travelers really.. hahaha

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  3. Cool. a bloggers meet is always fun. Now i know whom to contact when Im in Pune. :D

    Btw, which one is you in the snap! Going by your remark on the unphotogenic look, you should be the one with the glasses!!

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  4. hehe..das a nice thing that's hpnd..Meetin up wid ppl who are strangers by sight is fun rite??It has tht edge-of-the-seat thriller experience.. :)

    Rock on man.. !! :)

    Nikhil

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  5. Yeah!!!! bro! I was expecting a post!! well,, You look so cool!!! Good that you guys had so much fun and why I was screened from a few info....

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  6. Wow... that's cool rakesh. It was always curious meeting someone at first unknown face, but much familiar at practice. Lovely Picture, but clueless in either who u r?

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  7. Blogging meets are so similar to blind dates.
    Well not literally but anyway, you get the picture! :D
    (Get the Picture, Get it?)

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  8. Samby is one of the bloggers I respect a lot for what he does in his real life...
    looks like u 2 had a great time there..
    Hope I can make it to pune soon:D

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  9. Cool. Sounds like you guys had a good time :)

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  10. This sounds fun, Rak

    I dread the day, when someone would walk up to me and ask "do you blog?" :))

    kidding Rak, it would be fun to meet.

    btw, you are good looking...eyes resemble Srinivasan's in this :)

    love,
    devika

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  11. Samby

    Yeah! It was good catching up! We did talk a lot and also have a number of views in common!
    We will meet soon! Hopefully in the skies ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  12. Vimmuuu

    Yeah, fellow bloggers coming together is always a lot of fun!
    In the event of you coming to Pune, do let me know for sure!

    And yes, you guessed right! I'm the guy with the glasses!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  13. Nikhil

    Yeah, it was pretty good catching up with a fewllow blogger!
    Quite an experience!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  14. Bharath

    Thanks very much!

    What info are you talking about that was screen from you??????? I'm curious!

    Rakesh

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  15. Jeevan

    Yeah, one is pretty curious to meet an unknown person for the first time!
    But then when I met Samby, it was as if we knew each other for a long time!

    I'm the guy with the glasses, and on the right!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Vivek

    Lol! Blind dates!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
    I can't stop laughing!

    Wait till we meet!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  17. Praveen

    I share your thoughts without doubt! And yes, we did have a good time!
    Do let me know for sure when U plan a trip to Pune! It'll be a pleasure to meet up!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. Jim

    Yeah, we had a great time! A lof of talking about subjects of mutual interest over some beer!
    It couldn't have been better!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  19. Devika Chechi

    It was a lot of fun! Thanks very much for the compliments! ;)
    And yes, we shud meet up too! Do plan a trip to Ooty sometime......It'll be a pleasure to meet you and Suresh Chettan!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  20. Great efforts Rakesh. To back out and find an excuse is the easiest thing. Making it happen is the mantra. Looks you had a great time.

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  21. Kat

    Thanks very much! Its a pleasure to meet up with a fellow blogger! Theres so much to learn from the other person, perspectives, thoughts, ways and a lot more!

    And yes, we had a good time!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  22. u met Samby? WOW! Whats up with him these days? Is he ok? Does he know that so many of his blogmates were left clueless when he suddenly left blogville w.o. a goodbye?

    Nice pic btw :) Im glad u caught up with him.

    Keshi.

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  23. And you still didn't send me the promised pics..

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  24. Bharath

    What pictures? This is the only picture that we clicked the day we met!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  25. o he's bak and I didnt even know.

    tnxx Rakesh!

    Keshi.

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