Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Videos Uploaded


I have uploaded some video clips that i captured during my recent trip to Mathura - Delhi,etc & also a few from my past trips to various other places. All Train videos!!! Do have a look at http://www.youtube.com/grandtrunkgt and http://irfca.org/gallery/Videos/SwaranVideos/

Saturday, August 11, 2007

BE WITH YOU

REALLY WANNA LOOSE THIS SORROW
CAN'T SEEM TO CHASE IT AWAY
NOTHING ANYBODY CAN DO FOR ME
NOTHING ANYONE CAN SAY

I'M REALLY MISSING YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
I'M REALLY MISSING YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU

DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WAY I'M FEELING
YOU TOLD ME YOU HAVE TO BE FREE
LIVING MY LIFE WITH YOU GUIDING ME
WITHOUT YOU I CAN NOT SEE

I STILL NEEDED YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
I STILL NEEDED YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU

I'M SEARCHING FOR A REASON TO CARRY ON
AND I'M LIVING LIFE FROM DAY TO DAY
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH
HOPE ONE DAY YOU'LL COME BACK THIS WAY

JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU

NO ONE I'VE MET COMES CLOSE TO YOU
NO ONE IN THE WORLD CAN COMPARE
MEMORIES OF YOU ALL AROUND ME
WITHOUT YOU I'M GOING NOWHERE
HAVE YOU GONE FOREVER

JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU
JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU

Saturday, July 21, 2007

The Paradox of our age


We have bigger houses, but smaller families:
more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense:
more knowledge, but less judgements:
more experts, but more problems:
more medicines, but less healthiness.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street
to meet the new neighbour.

We build more computers
to hold more information
to produce more copies than ever,
but have less communication.

We have become long on quantity,
but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods,
but slow digestion:
tall man, but short character:
steep profits, but shallow relationships.

It is a time when there is much in the window,
but nothing in the room.

The Measure Of A Man

These battered hands are all you own
This broken heart just turned to stone
Go hang your glory on the wall
There comes a time when castles fall
And all that's left is shifting in the sand

You're out of time, you're out of place
Look at your face
That's the measure of a man

This coat that fits you like a glove
These dirty streets you learned to love
So welcome back my long lost friend
You've been to hell and back again
God alone knows how you crossed that span

Back on the beat, back to the start
Trust in your heart
That's the measure of a man

It's the fire in the eyes, the lines on the hand
It's the things you understand
Permanent ties from which you once ran
That's the measure of a man

You've come full circle, now you're home
Without the gold, without the chrome
And this is where you've always been
You had to lose so you could win
And rise above your troubles while you can

Now you can love, now you can lose
Now you can choose
That's the measure of a man

It's the fire in the eyes, the lines on the hand
It's the things you understand
Permanent ties from which you once ran

You've come full circle, now you're home
Without the gold, without the chrome
And this is where you've always been
You had to lose so you could win
And rise above your troubles while you can
That's the measure of a man

Now you can love, now you can lose
Now you can choose
That's the measure of a man

Burning Heart

Two worlds collide, rival nations
It's a primitive clash, venting years of frustrations
Bravely we hope against all hope, there is so much at stake
Seems our freedom's up against the ropes
Does the crowd understand?
Is it a East vs. West, or man against man
Can any nation stand alone?

In the burning heart, just about to burst
There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night, rising like a spire
In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire, in the burningheart

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender
Though his body says stop, his spirit cries never
Deep in our soul a quiet ember
Knows it's you against you
It’s the paradox that drives us on
It's a battle of wills, in the heat of attack
It's the passion that kills
The victory is yours alone

In the burning heart, just about to burst
There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night, rising like a spire
In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire

In the burning heart, just about to burst
There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night, rising like a spire
In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire

In the burning heart, just about to burst
There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night, rising like a spire
In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire
In the burning heart

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Gems of Thought

1. Minus money, the modern man is a walking corpse indeed. To keep the body and soul together money is needed. But, that is no excuse for earning money illegally. One must earn wealth honestly.

2. The principles which govern us in educating women are: 'First, to educate them as human beings, personalities; Secondly, to educate them as women in order to fit them to become good wives and wise mothers; and, Thirdly, to educate them as members of the nation so that they may always remember that their lives at home are related in an important manner however hidden, to the prosperity or decay of the nation.'
__ Prof. Karve.

3. The only panacea for all the ills of mankind at present is the propagation of the universal doctrine of oneness of mankind.

4. Women and Gold are impermanent. God is the only eternal reality. What does a man get with money? Food, clothes and a dwelling place---nothing more.You cannot realise God with its help. Therefore, money should never be the Goal of Life. (Women and Gold mean only lust and greed).

5. Hate Lust, but not Women. Just as Sri Ramakrishna looked on all women as so many images of the divine mother of the universe, so also the aspirants on the spiritual path should pay the highest homage to ideal womanhood.
__H.H

Build up your Personality

Mould your character. Behave properly. Develop affection, sympathy, benevolence, tolerance and humility. Come out of the centre of your small narrow egoistic circle and have a broad vision. Speak gently and sweetly in a courteous manner. Eradicate undesirable thoughts and desires.

The Pilgrimage

Life is a journey from impurity to purity, from hatred to cosmic love, from death to immortality, from slavery to freedom, from imperfection to perfection, from pain to eternal bliss, from diversity to unity, from ignorance to eternal wisdom and from weakness to strength. Let every thought take you nearer to the Lord, every act further your evolution.

First things First

Any number of zeroes have no intrinsic value unless number 1 (one) is added before them. Even so the wealth of the three worlds is nothing if you do not try to acquire spiritual wealth, if you do not strive for Self-realisation. Therefore live in the soul or the self within. Add the divine to the life here. Seek first the lord within. He is the fountain-Source of divine riches, power and beauty.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Train videos...


Footplating the Mumbai Rajdhani

Way back in the year 2005, month of august and it was hot and humid in mathura where i had returned from a visit to Varanasi. Had decided to footplate (travelling in the engine of) the 2952 New delhi-mumbai rajdhani from new delhi to kota, a distance of 465 kilometers.

In brief about this particular rajdhani. Introduced on 17th may 1972, it had a maximum permissiable speed of 120 kmph hauled by a single wdm2 (Diesel locomotive). It was 1984 when the rajdhani was given twin wdm2's with 18 air-brake coaches (the first long-distance train to get air-braked coaches for regular operations). Currently the scene is all different, the rajdhani has been given all new design high speed german coaches (now manufactured in india in RCF kapurthala) and also Electric locomotive and an increased speed of 130 kilometeres/hour.

Spoke to my contacts a day before the footplate was arranged and all set to head to delhi as this train does not stop at mathura. Left for new delhi from mathura by the nanded-amritsar sachkhand exp at 10:30 am. Arrived new delhi at around 13:30 hrs and straight headed for cannaught place to have lunch at khana unlimited. Hogged as much as i could n immediately left back for the railway station towards ajmeri gate on platform #12 from where the rajdhani was to depart. The departure was at 16:00 hrs and i was already on the platform at the engine end at 15:00 hrs. Rajdhani was yet to be brought from the yard. Heard the thin single tone horn of the loco coming in on the platform and found it to be the wap5 (High speed AC electric locomotive).

As the engine came and halted near the signal, i met the loco pilots who were to drive this rajdhani from new delhi to kota. I was asked to come in the loco and was shown every possible electrical junk that outputted the rajdhani's high speed. Lovely piece of engineering in this particular loco. Everything decently placed and clean and has the most spacious and comfortable cabin any loco in IR has. Waited out to see the 18 coach rake being shunted by the wds4 shunting loco. Got our wap5 hooked on load and waited for the starter to turn yellow. Dot at 1600 hrs, the starter showed yellow and the chief sounded the twin tone HT horn loudly signalling to proceed.

Crawled and snaked out through new delhi station at 15 kmph. Passed shivaji bridge, tilak bridge, pragati maidan at 30 to 50 kmph. Approach to Hazrat nizamuddin was speeded to 60 kmph while along with us side by side the rake of August kranti rajdhani was shunting into nzm, for its departure at 16:55. Cleared nzm and crossed the first neutral section and the chief took the throttle to the TE max position ( acceleration made full ). 2 kms from nzm and bulleted passed okhla at 105 kmph and the speed still increasing and for the first time i saw 130 kmph from the loco and it felt simply thrilling and i was left imagining the people seeing while the rajdhani thundered. On our caution order taken at ndls, saw a few speed ristrictions between new delhi--mathura but mathura--kota had only 2 of them. I was sharing the seat with the co pilot and had full control over the horn and the exchange flag.

Right from ndls to kosi-kala we did 130 quite a lot of time but also faced the speed ristrictions. Once Kosi kala was cleared, the speedo continuously clocked 130 kmph. I saw the home signal of chhata approaching which showed green to proceed at full speed and i took over the green flag to be exchanged with the ground staff and blasted the horn throughout we cleared the station at 130. Loads and loads of dust was raised behind us as we rocketed passed at 130. Driving a car at this speed is not all that thrilling as these hundreds of tones can be.

Soon Mathura was on the approach and speed was finally dropped to 30 kmph as we cleared the home signal followed by a sharp curve to pass throught the main line between Pf #1 and 2. The Main line starter showing yellow and the advance starter showed green we made a comfortable passing while taking the turnout at 15 kmph. Waited for the last coach to take the turn out and the guard to call out on the walkie-talkie "Train on main line"!

End of part one..........

Return To Innocence

Love-Devotion
Feeling-Emotion

Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence.

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny.

Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and loose the chance
To return to innocence

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Eye Of The Tiger

Risin' up, back on the street
Took my time, took my chances
Went the distance
Now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip
on the the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge
Of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And his fortune must always be
Eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds
Still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge
Of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And his fortune must always be
Eye of the tiger

Risin' up straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance
Now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge
Of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And his fortune must always be
Eye of the tiger

The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger

My Soul Pleads For You

Oh yeh yeh, oh oh, hey

There's a place I've never been

A place I long to be
Will I reach? I just don't know
Still I hope one day I'll go, hey

My wish just never seems to come, yeah
I know for certain you're the one, yeah
So close I get, still no cigar
Carrying my wounded heart, yeah

I can't stop the river from running, I can't, I can't
I can't stop the rain from falling down on me, oh no no
I know I'm not what you want
I'm hoping in time you'll see how
My soul pleads for you

Not every time you meet someone and
You both just click in a minute
Baby it's the eye contact, smile like that
Click click and you're rolling
Can't stop calling you, I don't know what to do
Baby you're making me break down all of my rules, yeah

I can't stop the river from running, (I can't stop the river from running)
I can't stop the rain from falling down on me, oh no no
I know I'm not what you want
I'm hoping in time you'll see how
My soul pleads for you, (yeah, yeah, yeah)

Now I can believe you've put a spell on me
Oh it's the way it seems, I can't keep you out my dreams
Oh I get chills baby, when I can't talk to you
I'm in pain and I hope you feel the way I do

I can't stop the river from running, (I can't stop the river from running)
I can't stop the rain from falling down on me, oh no no
I know I'm not what you want
I'm hoping in time you'll see how
My soul pleads for you, (yeah, yeah, yeah)

I know for certain you're the one baby
So close, and no cigar
I carry this, my wounded heart
So close but yet so far

You never took the time to know me

A moment ago it seemed
It was yesterday
You were here with me
And everything seems to be the same

What am I supposed to do
With all these empty rooms?
Sit here in solitude
With the smell of your perfume

Ya never took the time to know me
Ya never took the time to understand
Ya never took the time to know me
Yeah
Cause lovin' you is all I ever had
Still lovin' you is all I ever have

This wasn't what I wanted to be
A man in misery
Girl I look back a thousand times
And can't believe that you left me
Why you leave me baby
Why can't you understand my pain
How can I explain
Girl I don't know what I'm doin' wrong
I can't believe that your love is gone

Cause you never took the time to know me
Said you never took the time to know me
You never took the time to understand
Oh
Oh yeah
Said you never took the time to know me
Said you never took the time to know me
See lovin' you is all I ever had
Baby lovin' you is all I ever had

Ooh yeah
You're all I need
You're all I see
And I wish that we could do it again

Cause you never took the time to know
Baby you never took the time to know me
You never took the time to understand
Oh oh
Yeah
Said you never took the time to know me
Yeah
Because of you now I'm just a lonely man
Oh
Because of you now I'm just a lonely man

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Treasure beneath the Pillow

The stranger was happy that he had won the confidence of the wealthy pilgrim. The latter was traveling alone and had thousands of rupees with him. The stranger felt sure that one day or the other he would be able to steal the money.

Every morning, in the presence of the stranger, the pilgrim would count all the money he had. All day long it would be in his pocket. He had no box in which to lock it. Yet, when at night the stranger searched for it, he could not find it. He searched for the money in the pilgrim's belongings, underneath his pillow and bed, everywhere. He could not find the money. Yet sure enough the next morning it would be there in the hands of the pilgrim.

This mysterious game went on for over a week. The stranger was frightened. He thought that the pilgrim might be a magician or a yogi with powers. So he confessed his evil intentions and asked the pilgrim, "Where did you keep the money all the time during night? How did i miss it in my search?"
The pilgrim laughed heartily and said, "My friend, i knew your intentions. Therefore i used to keep the the money underneath your pillow at night. You never looked for it there!"

The stranger is the wayward mind full of desires. The pilgrim is god. The treasure is the Bliss of the Soul. The wicked mind wants to get happiness and seeks for it in sensual objects. It is not found there. Finally it abandons its evil intentions and approaches god in a spirit of surrender. God reveals that the happiness was within all the time, in the self, and not OUTSIDE.