A letter to my best friend Venkat

This is the letter I've written to my another bestie Venkat, whom we call 'Venkhan'. I printed this on to a letter card and sent him before he left to Kuwait for his job. We are one hell of a crazy combination. His wavelength matches with mine. And the letter follows..

My Bestie, Venkhan!

I want to take the time to tell you how very important you are in my life. It’s hard sometimes to say these things in person, even to a best friend, so I’m taking help of this letter to convey my feeling to you.

How do I put into words how much you mean to me? How could a single letter possibly explain all the cherished moments of the past four years? Well, let me try my level best.

I still remember the day when I first came to your room in Chaitanyapuri, to complete my English record. You secured your spot in my list of best friends on the very day. From that day we have shared a lot of funny instances, the night studies before every semester exams, the coding technique for remembering the answers, the jokes we cracked on the PP Harsha, the chicken and drink parties, the tour and what not? Our practice of crossing 30 pages in the exams was a huge click, cheers!! You made me forget my parents sometimes. I love the feeling that we think the same way, like we are born to be friends forever. We have almost same dreams and views in life. We discovered studies are not the only thing in our lives. We even laughed at the smallest things (Do you remember the EDC class in 2nd year?).

Unlike our other friends, we both are rough and tough and aggressive in nature. You know my moods very well. You never got mad at me when I was extremely stupid and irritated you. Whatever I do or say is only to generate some fun around but not to hurt anyone, because most satisfying moment for me is when I make everyone smile and laugh. In the same way I started teasing about your love story and “Khanum”, because you can’t be best friends without insulting each other. You even had your first beer with me on August 4 2012 on friendship day, remember? Now don’t blame me for you drinking it, idiot. Being with you makes me laugh and gives me more energy than I actually have. We have had good times in these four years; I wish they just keep continuing. I wish we get back to the good old days.

The last one year was a very tough period in my life. The thought of all of us getting separated really pissed me off. But we have to accept the reality. Thank you for bearing an idiot like me for these four years. Thank you for all the tasty chicken you cooked. Thank you for teaching me M1 on the night before the exam. Thank you for standing by me in the tough times. You are going to a different country now and we are not going to see each other for a quite some period. No matter where life takes us, you will always be the one someone I can trust and always be a part of me.

It is getting late, so I will stop. This letter is a lot shorter than I would like it to be. There is so much that I want to and could say, but I don’t want to bore you with a lengthy boring letter because I know about you. I know we will see each other again; we travel the world in future.

All the best, Hope to see you soon (may be in your marriage). 

Thank you for reading, I mean it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Satya Venkata Mohan

Due to time constraint, I've used some common lines in both of my letters to my friends. 

A letter to my best friend Harsha

This is the letter I have written to my best friend Sri harsha Bolisetti, before he was leaving to Canada to pursue his masters degree. I printed this on to a purple color, A4 letter card and then laminated it. This was the idea I got just before 2 days he was leaving India. It was difficult for me to find me those letter cards, later I ran over to many printing shops to get my letter printed on to that letter card. Every and every printing shop I went to, denied printing on that card, fearing the thickness of the card would cease the printer from working. I finally thought of getting it printed on to a bond paper. Before that, I just gave one shot by begging the concerned person to print it on the card I have purchased, by explaining its prominence and the love for my friend. In the excitement of accomplishing the task, I felt overjoyed and left my pen drive at the shop itself, which was later recollected by my brother. Whatever, I finally did it.

This letter was much shorter than I would like it to be but for some reason I don't want it to be more than one page. So I scripted some of my feelings for my friend, who is also my bro. Following is the letter..

Dearest bro-who-is-not-really-my-bro-but-still-feels-like-it,

I want to take the time to tell you how very important you are in my life. It’s hard sometimes to say these things in person, even to a best friend. So I’m taking help of this letter to convey my feelings to you. How do I put into words how much you mean to me? How could a single letter possibly explain all the cherished moments of our friendship? Well, let me try my level best. Lend me your eyes and heart for this. You know I’m capable of writing endless stories for ‘n’ number of pages. Don’t worry this one will be crisp and just one page.

I have no clue where to start so maybe I will start with what I wanted to say long ago. You know, I have sound number of friends. Making, everyone, friends is food for my inner self. Because friends are the biggest treasure anyone can ever have. This was one of the very few things I have learnt in my life. But you stand out tall among all of them. I still remember the day when we first met, literally, walking on the cliff to our college. You were sipping a coke tin and I along with some other classmates thought you were showing off. That was the fresher’s day, I guess. Whatever, as the time passed by, we both bonded like cement and water (Ignore the examples). We both are a huge click!

We had fun together. You and me teased each other and smile at each other. Unlike my other friends, you were completely different, in fact special. Being with you makes me laugh and gives me more energy. You are innocent and gullible. That’s what I love about you. You know each and everything about me, you know my moods very well. I remember how we stayed all night in my house to complete some stupid crap records. I remember the 19 gifts you brought to me at the midnight on my 19th birthday. That trip to NITW was fun and remarkable. I mocked you every single second, for fun sake. Hope you understand. In fact we can’t become best friends without insulting each other. Whatever I do is to generate a small amount of fun around us, because most satisfying moment for me is when I make everyone smile. You also gave me one reason to remember you on my every birthday. (Recall what you did on my 21st birthday night). Idiot, now don’t blame me for you becoming a drunkard. You irritated me like hell; I loved it. Suddenly you are leaving me in a middle way, who will, from now, annoy me and whom should I tease. I will miss you sorely. No one could ever fill your boots in my life. I literally cried typing this letter. Bastard, you made me cry after 8 years. 

Let me take this opportunity to help you with some of my thoughts. Always remember, life is all about people and relationships not big buildings and job titles. Don’t make friends depending on their status. You’re not your job, you are not how much money you have in your bank a/c, you are not the car you drive, and you are not the contents of your wallet, so discover who you really are. You are one hurry burry person, who gets tensed for every small issue. Seriously, life is better when you decide not to care about it. Take it easy! One life, live it. You've achieved what you've dreamed for. You are going to where you desperately needed to go. I’m sure you will achieve big in your life. If someone asks me what hard work and dedication is (fuck Steve Jobs and Bill Gates etc), I will show you.

Thank you for being there when I needed you. Thank you for all the night birthday cakes. Thank you for talking to me no matter what time of day it is. Thank you for bearing an idiot like me, you were never mad at me. Like I said I don't know how to thank you enough. The last one year of our UG was a very tough period in my life. I know we all will get separated. But we have to accept the reality.

Even if we live a thousand lives, I will always pick you as my beloved best friend. I will always be there for you as you are there for me. You are a true friend. I know we will see each other again; we travel the world in future. The idea of our firm will come true one day.

All my love and some more. I meant every word of this letter. 

                                                                                                                         Satya Venkata Mohan

Angelic species called mothers

Mothers! They seem to defy every rational or logical conclusion that I have drawn about human behaviour in general. It's almost as if they don't belong to the same species as the rest of us.

For one, I believe that every relationship in today's generation is a give-get transaction, not necessarily material. And still there are times when I can't understand why my mother gives me so much when I seem to be giving very little in return. Starting from the financial support, right up to the back massage when I am tired, to the comforting hug when I am scared and the hot cup of tea when I am studying for an exam, my mother has always been the giver in our relationship. There are times when she saved me from my dad, by pacifying him. I am twenty-one, and she still makes sure that I've had my breakfast on time. I know I am always in her prayers, and she makes it a point to call me even when she's on a trip, however inconvenient it might be. 

It's incredible the way she knows exactly what is happening in my life, as she spends a lot of hours everyday with me. For no reason, I call her name and ask her to come to me. That is a some kind of fun to me. She knows what I want, when I have cried... it's hard... no, almost impossible to keep a secret from her. I mean I can always tell a white lie here, and hide some facts there, but at the end of the day, I know she knows; and she knows I know she knows. Even though I am a douche bag , she was never angry to me. Neither she spoke hard words nor did she raised her hand to beat me up. 

She's been my best friend, confidante, role model, caretaker, teacher. She's the only one person I know who will give up the leg piece in the chicken for me. Seriously, who does that? 

Obviously, I am grateful for having a person like her in my life. It scare me when I think about working in some other place, leaving my mother back in my home. I can't imagine I can succeed in doing that. Generally I am man with very few emotions, apart from being attached with my mother. I can make friends quickly and I keep up healthy relations with them. Whatever, all those still can't replace my attachment with my mother. Most of my friends confirm I am funny and praise my sense of humour. To say, all that credit goes to my mother. She taught me how to laugh, seriously. I am very much addicted to her pranks, trust me they are too damn good. She always wear that beautiful smile on her beautiful face. I am very glad that I've never seen a tear rolling down her cheeks, except in the sad occasion of my grand pa's demise. She never taught me how to live a life, she just lived hers and let me acknowledge it. I now possess that one outstanding credential of being strong and smiling in tough situations of life. I am very proud to have a mother like her. I am a momma's kid.

Best films of 2012

These are the series of films, which are released this year, that caught a word from me

• The Dark Knight Rises: What better than this, to start the list? A lot of credit goes to the Batman Begins and The Dark Knight for setting it up nicely for an amazing, perfect end to the trilogy. It was one of the greatest pieces of cinema I have ever seen. I'm not just saying this as a normal audience member who enjoys a good movie or two, but I am saying this as a man who has experienced the delights of hundreds of films. This movie was one of the best. The soundtrack (especially the Bane chant) definitely added a very special edge, to the total film experience. Movie is a Don't call yourself a filmy geek, if you miss this one. Lastly, Christopher Nolan, you are the dude. 

• Lincoln: Finally a high quality history movie about early history of USA. I strongly believe that both americans should watch it very carefully to understand what is United States. And the rest of the world (like my country for example - India) to understand what the president looks like, what is meant by the term GOVERNMENT. And what is the social duty of ordinary citizens. Seating at home while the country is ruled by the fucking criminals is certainly not fulfilling the civil duty. Daniel Day-Lewis presents another Oscar-caliber performance. Every scene with Lincoln is fascinating and the movie entertains. 

                             

• Skyfall: Daniel Craig makes 007 his own in this very British Bond adventure – perhaps the best in the series' 50-year history. Skyfall triumphantly reinvents 007 in one of the best Bonds ever. This is a full-blooded, joyous, intelligent celebration of a beloved cultural icon, with Daniel Craig taking full possession of a role he previously played unconvincingly. I don't know what I expected in Bond No. 23, but certainly not an experience this invigorating. Eventually, It's been a long time since I enjoyed a Bond movie so much. 

                                           

• Avengers: You are ready to see this movie. No need for origin stories or an explanation of powers. This movie dives into action and shows you the heroes. Its totally worth watching...If you are an action freak and love superhero stories i will definitely recommend Avengers. Not only action and animation is awesome but Director and story writer were able to give justice to all the heroes. Though I feel a little bias was shown towards Ironman who stands out in the end. His witty lines are just amazing. Hulk smash is one to watch repeatedly. 

 

• Cloud Atlas: Epic movie, BEST cinematography, incredible script. I loved it! I think the editing was amazing because the stories were tied very well together. The makeup and prosthetics might not be perfect but you need to use your imagination and it has it's charm. I found this movie to be a great epic about humanity and high quality entertainment. 

                                   

• Gangs of Wasseypur: It goes beyond the normal scope of cinema, it was based out of real conditions of lives of people in MP,Bihar and Bengal post Independence. This movie goes on to depict a way of life that represents India and is not exaggerated one bit. There is also a certain amount of comic style narration to such a serious topic. Kudos to Anurag Kashyap for bringing movie capturing real India, not like chocolate movies showing only urban life targeting mall going generation. 

                                       

• Kahaani: is a mouth watering treat for any movie lover. Right from the very beginning till the end the tight narrative keeps the viewer on his toes without any hiccups whatsoever. Despite a contrived culmination in the climax, this was a gripping, thriller with memorable performances from each member. No exaggeration in saying vidya played her role beautifully fantastic. All the new faces in the movie added extra edge to her performance. 10 on 10 for Vidya Balan.