Wow 2012 ... What a year itz been :) ... Happy 2013 folks !!!

Yet another year has come to an end.. And as a matter of fact, wasn't it too soon, rite ?? Hmm... Time indeed flies. 2012 had literally been a complete roller coaster ride of emotions for me, had both happiness and sadness.. good and bad. The feeling of a brand new year is all the same just like the December of 2011 when we all were gearing up for the new year's eve celebrations in Route 99, a popular hangout in KSA.. A year which would bring in a lot of memories truly to be treasured for a lifetime.. A year to be cherished for long.. 
- was the year, a dream turned to a reality.. Yep.. the one I've been dreaming about for a long time.. 'to be a Network Design Engineer' and here i am today, A Design Engineer! 
- was the year, i went scuba diving and almost had a near-death experience.. I never thought a bucket list wish would come true so soon! Have a lot more dare-devil acts to perform in future! 
- was the year, when i had to make a choice between money and degree/higher education and that has been one of the hardest decisions of my life!! ( being a fickle-minded person to the core, it was so frigging hard to make a decision which could change my life). 
- was the year, i found the harsh reality of 'fake friendship', a friend who was like a brother, a stupid one who stopped talking to us for no good reason. 
- was the year, old friendship was unearthed and a promise not to bury it and not make it into a 'i had a friend who was:..' story. 
- was the year, i can proudly say I had learned to cook a decent meal.
- was the year, i saw death of a loved one, up close! And i don't want to experience something like that ever again! I know it is a part of life and i have come to understand the cycle of birth and death and the zillion emotions it brings along.. Mixed weird emotions i must say. 
- was the year, a lot of 'realizations' happened which has made me take life more positively (in spite of all the endless cribbing) .. Yeah  man! Life is too short.. Its literally galloping! I hope to have the peace of mind to stay the same. God be with us all.

I wonder what 2013 holds for me.. I have literally not kept any hopes high for this new year.. Yep.. I'm starting the new year with a sound sleep!! .. Or rather forced to! :P ... 

Wishing one and all a very happy, safe and fabulous 2013! :D

Happy Vishu folks!! Wish u all a memorable one!!

Kanikanum Neram Kamalanethrante

Niramerum Manja Thukil Charthi

Kanaka Kingini Valakal Mothiram
Aninju Kanenam Bhagavane

Malarvathil Kanthan Vasudevathmajan
Pularkale Padi Kuzhaloothi
Kelukelu Ennu Kilungum Kanchana
Chilampittodiva Kani Kanman

Shishukkalayalla Saghimarum Thanum
Pashukkale Meychu Nadakkumbol

Vishakkumbol Venna Kavarnnunnum Krishna
Aduthu Vas Unni Kani Kanan

Baala Shreekade Thukilum Varikonda
Arayalin Kombathirunnoro
Sheelakkedukal Paranjum Bharichum
Neela Karvarna Kanikanman

Ethire Govindan Arike Vannoru
Puthumayayulla Vachanangal
Madhuramam Vannam Paranjum Pal
Mandasmithavum Thooki Va Kanikanman

Kani Kanum Neram Kamala Nethrante
Niramerum Manja Thukil Charthi
Kanaka Kingini Valakal Mothiram
Aninju Kanenam Bhagavane

Luv,

Unni

Survive on 28 rupees Or die?

Well I was in a state of dilemma and rather perplexed on what to blog about until I saw an article in the Times of India today which focused on the not so drastic yet surprising figures documented by Indian Planning Commission(IPC) in its newly announced poverty measurements which showed a considerable drop in the poverty levels. The commission’s latest estimate, show a 7 percent drop in India’s poor, the largest fall since its formal inception way back in 1962.

Hope all remember how outraged the public went at the idea that the poverty line should be 32 rupees (or 63 cents) for urban India and 26 rupees (or 51 cents) for rural India? However this year has seen a hefty 12 percent drop to 29 rupees for urban India and 22 rupees for rural India. And believe it or not, this is no prestidigitation to show a drop so evident in poverty. 

Anyhow as usual, given the furor it can create and India being a place where even something as seemingly innocuous as a statistic can become a politically loaded football, the critics had their task cut out in accusing the commission for shifting the goal posts and some even claiming that the figures were fudged, also adding that the data will create needless controversy and confusion.

The commission panel however cited two reasons for the decline, one being the per capita income which has increased multi fold in these five years as compared to 10 years earlier and the other to the decline in fertility rates i.e. "A smaller family with more income is prosperous,” a panel member explains.

But even though the figures seem to be statistically correct, being from an average middle class family I do wonder “How can one survive for a day on Rs 28 in urban areas and Rs 22.5 in rural areas?” Seems quite a tough ordeal, at least to me and those who think alike.

Will keep you posted. So till then good luck and be happy.

Back Soon!

I haven't logged into blogger in ages. Preparing for my exams at the moment, and believe me it's a huuuuge deal.

I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some real updates.

So till then this is UKV signing off.

Luv,

Unni

The climb- Miley Cyrus

Somehow I just liked this song which I came across yesterday and wish to share it. It may not be great but somehow reminds me the style of living. We do not need a Life with peace and satisfaction as satisfaction is just how we define it. We need to strive and work and endure. Their is no art of living or spirits or meditation which can make you reach your goal. Its just how much you yearn to reach your goal and how much you fight.

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa