When you remain alone and do something, you either end up performing better than everyone else or you end up performing worse than everyone else. When the first case occurs, you think you are the only smart guy out there in the whole universe. Deep sense of pride creeps in. When the second case occurs, you think you are the only loser out there in the whole universe. Depression creeps in.

Bottomline: Get out, get going. Find someone with whom you feel happy with. Stop being lonely!

I am doing a very interesting course this semester. It's called Infrastructure Planning and Management, and I thorughly enjoy it. We in class have been discussing about various issues regarding infrastructural systems like Power, Transportation, Telecommunication, Water and Sanitation etc.

Dealing with water has been the most interesting experience so far. Let me pose you a question to begin with. How much do you pay for a litre of potable water? The second question is, how much do you think the slum dwellers pay for it? Is it less or is it more?

You would be surprised to learn that, the poor living in slums (which mostly are spread over illegal land) end up paying way more than you do. The World Bank has data to prove that. And the reason is pretty simple. We can get pipe connections, which brings public water while they can't get these piped connections since they don't have a legal address to provide! How do they get water then? They have to buy it from private water suppliers who generally bring tankers to the areas. And by all calculations, these tankers charge way more than what the publicly provided water costs.

What a state of affairs! Do you think a solution exists?

I would also like to ask few basic questions, which if not answered in the beginning itself, won't ever let you implement any change in the existing water and sanitation infrastructure in India and for that matter in most of the developing countries.

Who owns natural water? Is it the government? Or are they the common people? Or no one at all?
Is water a basic human right? If yes, does it mean it should be given away for free to everyone?

Let's see what you guys have to reflect on this. I will carry on the talk with upcoming posts.

Amazing movie!

Yes, I am talking about Lage Raho Munna Bhai (LRMB). If Munna Bhai M.B.B.S was "the" comedy movie that made sense, LRMB makes a lot more sense. And you keep laughing throughout the show. Amazing movie! "Fundoo" is the best word to describe this film. Go watch it ASAP and you will get convinced that comedy is not always crap or pure time-pass or requries one to keep one's brain elsewhere while waching it. Lage raho Munna Bhai!

I always thought that I had some kind of a personality disorder. Today I found out that I indeed had one. It's called the Dependent Personality Disorder or more commonly known as the DPD. Well, I suffer form DPD! :(

I happen to satisfy at least three of these traits which make me an eligible DPD candidate.

1. Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant
2. Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself
3. Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends

This realization doesn't make me too happy! Sob sob!

Crystallinks.com presents a fairly good example demonstrating DPD.

Two women are best friends for a long time. They share everything. Along comes another woman - or a boyfriend - who takes time away from this friendship. Issues develop and friendship become 'challenged' - another word that describes our experiences here. Many things seem to be challenged.

The friendship between the women now becomes outgrown and can end in drama. Many people report that lifetime friendships suddenly come to an end - become outgrown for one of the people involved - but they don't understand why. On occasion the friendships rekindle. For the most part they have served a purpose that worked at the time the people were friends - then moved on.

I am sure it's not too severe, but now that I know that is a disorder, I am looking forward to change to a healthier condition. In the race of physical health, it's a pity that we forget the importance of a healthy mind.

Wish I succeed!