Main aur Meri Gareebi - Ek Amar Katha

Main apne doston se chilla chilla ke kehta rehta hoon
Ki main gareeb hoon... bahut zyaada gareeb hoon
Magar log meri baat maante hi nahi hain
Isliye aakhirkaar aaj main bata ke rahunga
Wahi, jo aaj tak maine kaha nahi
Jiske kaaran aap logon ne abhi tak suna nahi

Lo suno!

Chetan Bhagat (500 words)

I was talking to my good friend Gaurav Bhalla on Chetan Bhagat’s latest book Half Girlfriend. Few days ago, when traveling by Delhi Metro, Gaurav observed 4 people reading that book in his train's bogie. He's never seen so many people reading the same book at the same time. This is an unprecedented phenomena because most people in India don’t read fiction books that too in English. Chetan Bhagat invites more ridicule among the elite for his works but also sells more than any other author. As per a news article on Scroll his book equals combined sales of the next 400+ bestsellers. Which means there is no competition for him when it comes down to connecting with the masses.

5 Point Someone, Chetan Bhagat's debut book

Chetan Bhagat’s success is not just because he knows his audience, but also that he offers a complete experience. People adore those in whom they see themselves. I was in first year of engineering in my college when 5 Point Someone, CB’s debut book, released. I doubt there was someone in my hostel who hadn't read that book. Not just the book but my friends were in awe of its author for the following reasons
1. He did his engineering from India’s top college (dream college of engineering graduates)
2. He did MBA from India’s top college (dream college of MBA postgraduates)
3. He was working abroad in one of their dream companies (also among the highest paymasters)

My friends wondered what made CB write a book when he had achieved it all.

The story didn't end there, and CB wrote more books. A day came when he quit his Hong Kong based job to shift back to India and became a full-time author. The risk paid for CB, and his brand value kept getting enhanced. Now he writes newspaper columns, gives lectures in colleges, and has turned himself into a brand. Most people around me take his views seriously.

Chetan Bhagat

It is not just in reading but CB has inspired more people to start writing. Growing up in school we all felt that to be a writer you had to have strong vocabulary, degree in arts, use complex sentences, etc. CB has none of these but that is not a concern for his target audience. There are few who read only his books, and several others who started reading books because of him.

All my science graduate friends are unhappy with their jobs. Maybe they can relate to CB as someone who found his destiny in a territory few would have ever anticipated. Critics and naysayers matter less than what we often fear.

Photo by Arjun Suri Photography

Travel notes from USA (with photos)

A month ago I returned from a highly eventful trip to USA.

Above photo was taken at 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino aka Apple Headquarters, by far the most beautiful workplace I've ever been to. Simple, exuberant, full of happy vibrations. Just like the products Steve Jobs created. My friend works at Facebook HQ, Menlo Park and he showed me the office which was magnificent. This was followed by a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

I happened to visit Universal Studios in Los Angeles along with various shopping complexes in that area. I also visited J Krishnamurti center in Ojai, CA.

I spent considerable time in the Washington DC area. I visited The White House, Capitol Building, Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument, and Abraham Lincoln Memorial. Initially I stayed at National Harbour, MD which is place for relaxation with family and on one night undertook a cruise on Potomac river that was picturesque. My last few days were at Fairfax Station, VA and one must-visit attraction that I went to was Luray Caverns.

I was blessed to have some great hosts who took utmost care to ensure my visit went smooth. God is grateful to have made all this possible. :)

Special Thanks:
Dr. Baldev Rai uncle and Dr. Inderjit Singh uncle along with their respective families for the unforgettable hospitality.
My friend Mr. Siddharth Manuja for introducing me to Mr. Arthur Menzes who graciously showed us the Facebook office.
Dr. Arjun Suri for photography lessons.
Dr. Rishi Kumar Arya pitashri for doing what he is doing in the field of healthcare and his wife Dr. Vibha Arya matashri for playing a prominent role in his life.
Friends of Dr. Rishi K Arya pitashri for meeting us in USA and ensuring we had a memorable time.
Dr. Vikrant Bhardwaj jijaji for accompanying us from India along with Richa didiji and Daksh bhanjashri.
Mr. Puneet Arya bhaiyaji for coming to meet us from New York with Poonam bhabhiji and Atharv bhatijashri.
Mr. Faridoon Shahryar ji for encouraging me to do a write-up on my experience and share it with the world including you, dear reader. :)

Photos:
To view images in greater resolution click on any one of them and navigate via left/right buttons, keys or touch swipe.

Newport Beach, CA

Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA

Potomac River, Washington DC

Plates of famous US presidents, DC

Fairfax Station, VA

The road to Ojai, CA

Los Angles, CA

Universal Studios, Los Angles, CA

1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA

5-6 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA

Mountain View, CA

Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA

San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA

Fairfax Station, VA to Washington DC

National Harbor, MD

Washington DC

Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

Pentagon Memorial, DC

Washington DC

Smithsonian Air and Space museum, DC

National Harbor, MD

Somewhere in MD

Washington DC

Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

Corn factory, VA

Washington DC Railway Station

Pentagon, DC

An unidentified VIP being escorted to the White House

Washington Monument

American History Museum, DC

Near Washington Monument

American Indian museum

Lincoln Memorial, DC

Capitol Building, Washington DC