Thursday, November 17, 2011

2 Extra Hours during the course of my life - Thanks to Surf Excel Matic

Align Center
TIME...
 
It is the most precious commodity that a man can be bestowed with... It is rightly said that lost money can be earned back but we cannot gain lost time. I remember, right from when I was a little kid, I used to pray for more time... I will share some of those instances with all of you, when I felt I was short of time, and could have done with a couple of extra hours at my disposal!!

Remember School days?? Yes the good old days!! As a child, my most favorite week, each year, was the 1st week of April - the last week before our summer vacations began! Two heavenly months lay ahead of me – no assembly lines, no homework, no Maths tests and no mugging up of Marathi lessons! Instead, I was officially allowed to meander around like a listless wanderer absolutely free with no single aim in life. My recollections are that of lethargic, leisurely days: of fighting with my sister and also playing with her, of music and movies, of visiting cousins, digging my head into piles of story books and above all, playing the game I love - Cricket How we used to long for it!! Mornings used to start late and then outdoor cricket sessions with my school friends would start... We would exhaust ourselves, returning home in the afternoon. Lunch was followed by a quick nap before resuming cricket again till the evening would bring darkness.... I remember how we used to play until it was impossible to even sight the fielders... How we wished for more time then. We would then discuss the days play and leave only to start the routine again the following day. Two more hours would probably not have satiated our hunger but diminished it for sure!!

We were a group bonded by Cricket and School!!

School days were spent mostly playing and studying occasionally to top the class!!! Remember the epic series between India and Australia under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. Remember VVS getting a double century, Rahul batting like a true wall, Bhajji getting a hat trick, the inspirational captaincy of Dada!!! How India stopped the Aussie juggernaut... I remember it all very well, as the series had coincided with my board exams of 10th... I watched every match, fighting with my mother and arguing with my father... How I would have loved to have a couple of extra hours at my disposal... I did not ace the boards but still did fantastically well scoring in the 80's (Yes, 80's were respectable in those days!!)

Remember how a million people stood as one after the victory at Eden Gardens, Remember Policemen jumping with joy forgetting everything else!!!
Still getting goosebumps seeing the image!! Priceless...

I was again faced with the same quandary as my 12th boards coincided perfectly with the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa... I, being such a huge fan could not miss it for anything. I remember lying to my parents that I would stay up late to study and then watch matches on mute!!! India reached the finals, the only match I watched freely, as my exams got over after the semis... Unfortunately India lost to Australia... Again, 2 extra hours would have been so useful to me... Though I am not sure how I would have used it, to study or to watch more cricket!!!!

Indian captain Ganguly after India defeated Pakistan
in the 2003 Cricket World Cup,
I could not watch the whole match...

Then came engineering college days... I would always be buried with assignments, projects, journals, tests, term works, vivas... Not to mention the lectures from morning till evening... I would barely get a couple of hours sleep most of the times, especially during the exams... Though I would catch up on some sleep in the class (the professors were great in inducing sleep!!!), but still, it was never enough!!! I remember once there was an earthquake just the day before the exams, it shook the whole hostel, but I remained unawares (deep in my 3 hour slumber)!!! 2 hours extra would surely have been used to relax and de-stress... I would just lie in the bed, doing nothing, just enjoy the stillness... And then slowly, slip deep in slumber....

The state of most of the students...

Now doing a job, there is hardly any time to do things I love the most. Over the years, days have surprisingly shrunk. There is little time for reading, blogging and even watching cricket... Quality time with the family has also decreased... 2 extra hours would do me no harm for sure. I would love to take up a book and sit cozy... I would love to tune into the idiot box and catch up on my love - CRICKET! Then I would go and blog about it and interact with my readers... I would rest my head on my mother's lap and close my eyes... WOW! When was the last time I did all this...? My memory fails me... Never mind... Just a few days, I will surely do all of these, when I get my hands on those 2 extra hours courtesy Surf Excel Matic and Indiblogger :)

Thank You, Surf Excel Matic - Now I have lots of TIME on my hand!!!!

NOTE - This post is written for the Surf Excel Matic #GetSmart Contest being held on Indiblogger.

Surf Excel Matic is smart enough to get rid of stains while your clothes are inside your washing machine, so you don't have to spend your precious time doing it seperately. Let the detergent do the washing, while you spend time with your family!

For more details on the latest Surf Excel Matic visit the following link - Surf Excel Matic

PS: All Images used in the post are taken from Google Images and all the incidents mentioned are true accounts from my life.

If you are on Indiblogger and like this post, Vote for it by clicking on the following link - http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=93052

49 comments:

abhi said...

Your article made me nostalgic about my childhood days!! Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to successfully manage time and work. I think, even the most efficient people could do with a extra 2 hours :)
Wonderful entry, DS, all the very best!

pramod said...

In this time starved universe, the extra two hours, and it's importance very well penned.
I know you will surely be getting those extra two hours.

cheers.

Pooja Abhay said...

I truly loved this post. It took me back to the time when I was an ardent fan of the game of Cricket and used to peep through my room door, during exams, just to know the score. I miss those days.

Wonderful memories DS :)

DS said...

@ abhi
Yes, todays fast paced life leaves us with little or no time for ourselves. Time management is a big problem. You are right who would not love two extra hours a day! Thanks:)

DS said...

@ pramod
The universe is crying out for time, everyone you see is just running from one place to another. No one has any time to stop, see around... Reflect on what they are doing... Its a sorry state of affairs. Thanks for your wishes:)

DS said...

@ Pooja Sridhar
Ah! Another one of my memories too!! Also, I remember, how I used to stop in my tracks at any shop showing the live telecast of a match!!!
Golden days.
Thanks for the comment PS:)

Anukriti Sharma said...

DS - the charming Forum Prince! :) First of all let me congratualte you for writing this wonderfully nostalgic piece... The photograph of hand inscribed with Time is beautiful... gives meaning to your post...
The aroma of Cricket in this post, adds to its flavour
All the best...
Keep it up!
Anukriti

Anonymous said...

everyone needs time and is runing behind them..loved the post,...have a look at mine and let me know what you think -http://zradar.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/we-learn-with-time-and-burn-the-same/

DS said...

@ Anukriti Sharma
Cricket is more than a game and this post made me very nostalgic... All the incidents mentioned are true to every word!!
Thanks for your wishes:)

DS said...

@ zradar
Yes, because time is money!!
Will check your post too!

Pramod said...

You are right DS, this reminded me of a Sanskrit shloka of Veda's.
"bhoge na bhuktah vayameva bhuktah, kaalau naa yaatau vayameva yaataan, trishnaa naa zeernah vayameva zeeranah."

Meaning, one doesn't gain anything by all the desirous commodities intake, but is himself  
spent out, time doesn't pass away, but he himself passes away, the unending desire is never diminished, but man himself 
is diminished.

Maliny said...

being an ardent cricket fan myself, ur post let me drift back to the days i used to keep track of every match of india with my younger brother . . n wasnt in 2003 world cup that tendulkar was selected as the man of the tournament ? if my memory serves ryt ! :)) als i slept off during the commercial that i missed the award ceremony . . for which i created such a fuss coz my brother was so engrossed in it that he forgot to wake me up ! sweet memories eh :) very creative post . . enjoyed to the core :)

DS said...

@ Pramod
What a beautiful verse Pramod...
"Unending desire is never diminished, but man himself
is diminished"... And still we continue to run behind materialistic things... Time is So strong!!

DS said...

@ maliny
You are absolutely correct. Sachin did get the Man of the Tournament!!
Its sad that we lost that match. Ponting played a gem of an innings!!
We all have those little childhood memories attached with Cricket, India's heart beats for it:)
Thanks for your wishes:)

Deguide said...

Deep i used to love the fielding of Derek Randal and Jhonty Rodes, who set a high standard for fielding and can be called a perfect model for SURF excel matic, i wonder why Levers have not selected such extraordinary fielders for their product. Even Vivian Richards was a gr8 fielder. Come guys wake up before your competitors grab them

DS said...

@ Deguide
Yes Umesh, Jonty Rhodes was one the best fielders ever to have played cricket. Never saw Sir Viv play, but have read a lot about his fielding too, I think he affected two brilliant run outs in the 1979 World Cup Finals... And what an analogy, like these guys save runs, Surf Excel Matic saves time!!!

betty-NZ said...

Hehe Good luck with finding that 2 hours!

DS said...

@ bettyl
Thanks, I think I have already found the secret to 2 extra hours a day:)

Swapna said...

Your post has made me also nostalgic about my childhood although I am not a cricket buff like you. Best of luck.

DS said...

@ Swapna
Thanks Swapna. Everyone has childhood memories with cricket in our country... You might not love it, then maybe some of your relatives or cousins love for cricket is in your memory...

Unknown said...

Wonderful post!!! Loved it :) Great Blog too-on cricket...Gonna follow it regularly...:)

http://myspace-ss.blogspot.com/

Stilettos Diary said...

lOVE THIS POST!! Reminded me of my school days. I think it was india vs australia world cup match where aust scored 300 odd runs. I had economics exam the next day. ICSE board 10th exam.. I was watching the match!!
Nice post :) hope u win
good luck
loads of love
megha
http://meghafashionista.blogspot.com

DS said...

@ Sowmya
Thanks for liking my post and my blog too:)

DS said...

@ Meghavarshini
You had your 10th board exams and my 12th board exams just got over during the semis! I too watched the whole match. Thanks for your good wishes:)

Sujatha Sathya said...

great post. quite different from the other entries to this contest. what i loved is you kept the theme of your blog (cricket) & knit the article around it

Someone is Special said...

DS, those old gold days are very beautiful and I am one of those kids who love playing cricket indefinitely.. I think we belong to same batch, that's why we have experienced same kind of issues during board exams.. Totally loved it.. All the best..

Someone is Special

DS said...

@ Sujatha Sathya
Yes, I thought that there are numerous instances, all of which are true and so close to my heart relating to cricket, that I need not deviate from it... Glad you found the post worth a read. Thanks a lot for the encouraging comment:)

DS said...

@ Someone is Special
Ah! Someone from my batch!! Actually more than writing the post, reading the comments has made me more nostalgic... Every one of the commentators has some beautiful memories related to cricket... Yes the old gold days...
Thanks for your wishes:)

T F Carthick said...

Nice nostalgic post right from the heart. Could fully relate.

Someone is Special said...

:-)

Someone is Special

DS said...

@ The Fool
Thanks, any memories you would like to share with us here? You are most welcome:)

bemoneyaware said...

Good one with appropriate picture..highlighting the fact that we are always short of time from childhood..Those 2 hours...
Cricket in India is a religion with great following. Loved the way you have captured that enthusiasm.
Best of Luck for contest..

DS said...

@ bemoneyaware
Cricket is indeed a religion in India!! Glad you loved the post:)
Thanks for the wishes:)

Abhishek said...

Hey for landing on my Blog.
Reading your post I fell nostalgic.
There are lot of similarities in both of us the time that you had spent also I am also 2003 batcher, remember the India Pak game and I was having exam next day.
Thanks for refreshing those fond memories : )

DS said...

@ Abhishek
Ah! Another one from my batch!! This is now getting quite nostalgic for me, ya that was the game in which Sachin showed his class against Shoaib... I too had my exams the next day, could not watch the whole match live...

RIZALENIO said...

This part made me cry - "I would rest my head on my mother's lap and close my eyes". Being the youngest in our family, I love doing this. Best part, my mom combing my hair with her hands.

I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for commenting on my site so I could find you here.

Have a great week ahead.

sriramnivas said...

Life is all abt making choices...But when u have two extra hours in a day, u have little choices to make...what else can I say!!!
Nice post and as u said, it feels great to spend time with mom and feel her cosy lap.

From: www.sriramnivas.com

DS said...

@ Rizalenio, sriramnivas
Yes, sleeping on mothers lap, she combing the hair, etc are sweet memories of childhood that we have. Sadly we tend to ignore those relaxing moments when we grow up.

Sairam said...

If it had to be a cricket match, I would go for the other India - Australia scorcher. The tied test in Chennai.

Nice post. All the best.

joel fernandes said...

talking about engineering days,,i think not even 30 hours i na day is enuf yar lol

DS said...

@ Sairam
Yes, that tied test is a must watch but I was just 1 year old at that time... Hope to watch a tied test during my lifetime.
Thanks for your wishes.

DS said...

@ joel
Thats true but something is definitely better than nothing... Thanks to Surf that we are atleast getting 2 extra hours:)

Hemal Shah said...

Wow, I love to play cricket. I have done notorious things to play cricket. After each of my 10th Std board exams, I used play cricket for 4 hours and then go home to study for my next day's exam. I am missing those days of activeness.

DS said...

@ Hemal
Haven't we all done that??? Hehe:)
Yes, I too miss those days...

Gauri Mathur said...

Nostalgic* :)

Vinay Leo R. said...

I remember when my 10th standard boards were on during the 2003 World Cup in Sth Africa. I howled and did nakhras just to get my parents to agree to let me watch the India Pakistan game fully. :D

A post that gives me a sort of nostalgic feel, DS :) Wish you all the very best in the contest.

DS said...

@ Leo
Sadly, I could not watch the whole game. Glad you liked the post, Thanks for your wishes:)

Defiant said...

Wooww!! All about cricket ^_^
Reminds me about the days..when I fought with my dad for the remote..just to watch the score and sometimes the whole match! :D

Loved this post :)

DS said...

@ Madhumati
Seems a common story...
Cricket is indeed a religion in India:)