Makar Rashi, or Capricorn Zodiac, will have good month in July 2010, especially during the first fortnight. At the workplace professionals will get good opportunity to prove their worth and expertise. Those looking for new jobs will be lucky. Job opportunities in abroad for some. Students will have a good month. There will be lot of travels. Good month for those in academic professions.

Professionals will get amble opportunity for career development. Seniors and those in higher positions will be of great help. Avoid unwanted comments and office politics as it might lead to downfall. There will be transfers for some. Business people will get good partnership deals. Apt time for expansions. There will be unexpected gains. Those in agriculture field will face some troubles.

The month will be good financially. There will be an additional income source for some. You will be investing in vehicle. Property deals will be finalized. You will get money to pay back your debts. There will be loss of valuables. There will be gains from short term investments.

Family members will be of great help. Marriages will be fixed. Some of you will be undertaking spiritual journeys. Should be careful while driving vehicles. An illness troubling you for a while will be cured. Positive developments for those in relationships. You will be participating in auspicious events.

Tula Rashi, or Libra Zodiac, will have mixed fortunes in July 2010. Those who do too many calculations and who are over cautious will miss good opportunities. Those looking for new jobs abroad will get positive response. Good job opportunities in government and other similar institutions. There will be some delays in most matters during the first half of the month. Students will perform well.

Professionals should avoid being over cautious – they might miss some good career opportunities. Some of you will be given new positions and new projects which will help in career development. Avoid getting angry. Business people will get opportunity for business expansions and partnerships. There will be gains through contacts. Loans will be delayed.

Financial graph will remain the same with no major developments. Good month to invest in real estate and stocks. Money borrowed will be returned. Avoid show of wealth. There will be some money related troubles with neighbors or friends.

There will be positive developments in the family. There will be good matrimonial alliances. Family members will be great help. There will be some minor health issues. Travels plans will be postponed. Those in relationship will have a good month. Those in creative fields might face some problems.

I just can't figure out how to stop losing friends. It’s not as though I'm pushing them away or something…but more like I can't keep up with them somehow. Had read somewhere that ‘friendships don’t end because of arguments; they end because people don’t communicate, don’t make an effort to repair the relationship, and don’t accept the responsibility for their contribution to the crisis’.

For the past few days, I’ve been asking myself all the time if this was entirely my fault. And I get an outright ‘no’ for an answer from my sense of right and wrong which sweeps away the guilt that’s killing me. But what’s bothering me is the whole idea of consciously ‘trying’ to ‘keep’ a friendship which, going by the rules, requires some special efforts from both the ends. I just wish a friendship and a bond could be kept effortlessly and smoothly!

Since I prefer going with the flow to going by the rule, I’ve never had a problem in initiating a conversation, and neither do I mind taking the first step towards repairing a wounded relationship. But ironically, there are times when I really don’t feel like doing it, even for the one, who undeniably means a lot to me.

I truly feel that ego is the most trivial thing that may have come in the way of relationship, so that aspect of my behaviour can be conveniently ruled out. But then I really fail to decipher as to ‘what’ holds me back when it gets very hard to just pick up the phone and text or call up the other person at least for the sake of saving our relationship. I know this little effort could act like a balm on our not-so-wrecked friendship, but I can’t do it till I genuinely stop treating it like an effort. I think one should at least be honest in one’s gestures, after all.

It generally never has to do with an argument, and therefore, there can’t be a question of waiting for the other person to make the first move towards a possible patch-up or anything. And then comes the time when we are apparently expected to figure out as to what must be causing the awkwardness, hesitation between us and in the process accepting the fact that we need to strictly abide by the norms that are mandatory for ‘keeping’ a friendship – some amount of pretense too seems needed to not let the relationship taper off.

But how I wish I could do it!

At such times, I feel as if I’m trapped in limbo…just don’t want to let go. I do realise that there are ways I can still protect the relationship, but just don’t wish to force it on myself only for the sake of ‘keeping’ it. So at the end, I just deduce even the best maintained friendships can end. Communication stops, differences become apparent, and you can’t do a thing about it. You drift apart and then everything is supposed to fade away with time.

I wonder what leads to the death of feelings so abruptly, when at the beginning there was never a scope for lack of communication or unexpressed emotions in the relationship. It is always about connecting with the like-mind.

Well, it seems that sooner or later life gets busy and you lose the bond. Not proud of it at all though!

Happy Independence Day Mr President and here’s hoping that you are having an enjoyable weekend.

Although it has been quite a while, but I am reasonably sure, your responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s sole superpower does give you goosebumps even today. What a momentous day it was, January 20, 2009, when you took over as the 44th President of the United States of America.

With one hand on your hero Abraham Lincoln’s Bible and the other held high, you said, “I do solemnly swear...” and took charge of America or as your fellow countrymen like to deem…custodian of the world.

Although half-way across the world, I too was thrilled that winter night. You were and still remain my hero. You are someone, like our beloved Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has worked his way up to the stratosphere of eminence.

A great start but I fear, in your case, that it has remained as such, just a great start on which, with due respect, you could not build upon.

Surely no one, even your staunchest critics, will doubt your resolve to make America and the world at large ‘a better place’; you were honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize for the endeavour. But the problem seems to be in execution of your grand “Change We Can Believe In” plan.

On the domestic front, credit is surely yours for bringing-in much needed healthcare reforms, pumping trillions of dollars into the economy, and for trying to control the greed of Wall Street’s jetsetters. But – you will agree too – until the common average American doesn’t get back his house and his well paying job, things will remain disconcerted.

In your words: “Make no mistake, we are headed in the right direction, but we're not headed there fast enough for a lot of Americans. We're not headed there fast enough for me either.”

Great clarity of thought Mr President; however, what you are trying to achieve is to change the very basics of the American society. Free market capitalism has been your country’s USP, curtailing it, or even trying to bring it under control is, as expected, will be increasingly questioned.

Things may still turnaround provided people get a credible alternative and that too, as with everything American, instantly. Your model of rebuilding everything brick-by-brick is great, but surely not palatable to your citizens.

You are trying…Best of Luck.

But, clearly, luck is not on your side when it comes to foreign policy. Here too you are trying to chart out a new path, a new beginning where America is willing to accept the opinion that Washington is NOT the capital of the world.

“No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation,” you said at the UN. Wow! As an Indian I am impressed…you are right Mr President, for trying to be the change you want to see in others.

But for the Yankees, who pride themselves as the decision makers of the world, your approach is out rightly stupid or even worse -suicidal.

An American President doling out “power”, gosh how could he do it?, they say, and that too when the country is fighting complex battles far away from the Statue of Liberty - the coffins keep coming home.

Everybody agrees the wars were not started by you. Everybody also knows – much to your chagrin – that you cannot get out of Iraq and more importantly from the wild goose chase in Afghanistan.

Adding salt to the injury is that the torchbearer of ‘Change’, Barack Obama, is continuing with Bush-era policy: Troop surge ? more control over the situation ? train local Army and police ? start withdrawal of forces.

It all looks so realistic, achievable; yet the body bags keep coming home and there’s no end in sight, despite your putting a 2011 date to the exit plan.

Even if it’s with great deal of anxiety, many still back you, but giving away America’s position as the sole superpower...simply unacceptable.

Although everybody loved the Cairo speech, where you warmed up to the Muslim world by gratuitously criticising and apologising for America's foreign policy misadventures, but, in the hindsight, it does appear that you could not garner anything in return.

You said America is not at war with the Muslims, OK great, but what about those Muslims who are at war with America. Let’s accept it, your country continues to be unsafe and citizens paranoid.

Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, even China; the list of those who are daring to confront Uncle Sam eye-to-eye is growing and you seem to be helpless. You cannot declare war, nor are you able to buy peace.

“Must be done”, “should be done”, “it is time”, words are powerful, but they seem to lack the teeth needed in the emerging geo-strategic equation amidst the spectre of an increasing number of countries willing to risk America’s ire.

Coming nearer to my home, Delhi; Mr President you very well know our Achilles heel – Pakistan.

I confide in you: As a family man, it’s scary to be in a neighbourhood where nuclear weapons are at an arm’s length from fanatics.

Your special Af-Pak – thanks for carrying along with George Bush’s policy of de-hyphenating India and Pakistan - envoy Richard Hoolbroke does conduct routine visits to Kabul and Afghanistan, which we like to believe, are to put some order back there, but everything said and done the NATO forces are on a sticky wicket.

President Hamid Karzai appears to be still nursing a grudge against you for landing in his country unannounced, and for taking his support for granted. He may very well buy peace with the Taliban, a possibility that is gaining currency by the minute, given the increasing forays by Pakistani Generals across the Khyber Pass.

Our only concern: America solving the Afghan puzzle shouldn’t result in Pakistan conjuring tricks on its eastern border.

India is ever willing to play its part to smoothen the rough edges, we are also capable of handling our problems on our own, but, surely, a little help from your side will do us good.

We are eagerly awaiting your November visit, all ready and decked up along with the ‘Obama platter’.

As a prelude to your arrival in the land of Vedas and Upanishads, here’s some soul food…

Aum saha naavavatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha viryang karavaavahai, tejasvina vadhiitamastu, maa vidvishaavahaii, Aum shaanti, shaanti, shaantihi

(Aum, may He protect us, may He be pleased with us. May we work together with vigour, may our studies illumine us. May we have no contention or hostility between us. Aum, peace, peace, peace)

It was my first trip to a state situated in the lap of the world's third highest mountain, Khangchendzonga. Out of all the states in the Northeast, I had chosen Sikkim as my destination this summer. It was my chance to get a glimpse of one of the most beautiful and green states of India. And as I set foot in Gangtok, I knew I had made the right decision.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is one of Northeast India's most visited cities. The pleasant weather welcomed me with open arms. Away from Delhi’s scorching heat and horrible traffic, I was in a state endowed with exceptional natural resources, green lustre, beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous mountains, trimmed trees, wonderful landscapes, and scenic beauty.

Nestled in the Himalayas, Sikkim is a hotspot of biodiversity. The five-hour long drive from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok was not tiring at all since I was held spellbound by the arresting beauty of the mountains.

I spent two days in Gangtok. The capital was breathtakingly tranquil and truly emerald in colour. I had to miss my trip to Nathula, thanks to landslides, which are common during rainy seasons in Sikkim. Nathula is a pass on the Indo-China boarder. Here, not only one gets a chance to see an international border, but pose with Chinese Army officers as well. I had no option but to miss this opportunity to have a look at The Dragon.

People in Sikkim are warm, honest and humble. Trust me, you can’t get cheated in this northeastern state. A cabbie told me that you can roam on the streets of Sikkim with lakhs of rupees in your pocket, and you won’t be robbed.

I went for local sightseeing on the first day of my trip. Hiring a taxi in Gangtok is not difficult at all. The cabbie asked for Rs 2,000 for taking me to more than 10 sites. I saw the striking Enchey Monsatery, charming Flower Show, Sikkim’s Cottage Industry, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Banjhakri Waterfalls, Tashi view point (from where Khangchendzonga is clearly visible), Hanuman Tok (where Lord Hanuman rested while bringing Sanjeevani Buti for Lord Rama’s brother, Laxman), and Ganesh Tok.

MG (Mahatma Gandhi) road is the best place to spend evenings in Gangtok. It is one of the best shopping destinations I have ever seen. One can get almost everything here, and that too at a very reasonable price. Vehicles are not allowed inside this market. The use of plastic is also banned. Fountains in the middle of the road and slow music make it a tourist’s preferred choice in the evenings. Comfy chairs near the fountains give tired tourists much-required rest.

Who says it is difficult to get vegetarian food in Sikkim? I can assure you that you will get all kinds of varieties here. A number of vegetarian hotels on MG Marg were truly a delight.

Darap village: Home away from home

After Gangtok in east Sikkim, my next destination was Darap Cherry village in the western part of the state. I had preferred a village over the famous Pelling town to quell the curiosity about how a village looks. The village was almost 135 kms away from Gangtok. I had to cross Pelling to reach this village.

This was the first time I was going to stay in a village. I had read about the concept of village tourism on the Sikkim government’s website, and thought of just experiencing it. I had no idea what it would be all about, except that we would be away from the chaos of a town or city.

What a wonderful village it was! The panoramic view of mountains surrounding the village just stole my heart. It was no less than heaven. It was pure beauty, completely untouched by urbanisation. As soon as I reached the village, I was warmly welcomed by the president, Mr Sushil Tamang. The place was so refreshing and beautiful that I forgot it was time to have lunch. But my host did not. Within 20 minutes, I was served relishing ‘homely’ lunch. ‘Homely’ because food tasted as lip-smacking as it does at home. Less spices, less oil and more taste. Mr Tamang then showed me my room. Surrounded by trees, the room was pleasing enough (it was far better than the one I stayed in Gangtok). After a few minutes, I was served hot tea. I was told I could even use the kitchen if I wished to. It was frankly a home away from home.

After an hour or so, Mr Tamang and I went around to see the picturesque village. I visited a Limboos’ home (a community), a local school (though there were no students as summer vacations were on), cardamom gardens, meditation centre, and local nurseries.

The village was not only rich in natural resources and bio-diversity, but also in culture and customs of local tribes. I got a chance to experience the village lifestyle from close quarters. The villagers were very welcoming. I must share the fact that most of the villagers are not poor in Sikkim, thanks to cardamom gardens and the land which they have sold to the government for some projects. In fact, they are proud to call themselves a beggar-free state. And they love Zee TV. The entertainment channel has a major following in Sikkim, locals revealed.

Kids here were not shy at all. A four-year-old rosy-cheeked boy, Lohit, did not take much time in becoming my friend. He used to wave his little hand at me and share his ball to play.

In fact, the kids know the technicalities of the place really well and hence walk along the hills in a disciplined way.

In the evening, Mr Tamang told me how this concept of village tourism took birth. The Sikkimese government has started promoting tourism on a much larger scale recently, but this was just helping cities, not villages. The villages were not benefiting from the government’s tourism drive. It was then that the educated unemployed youth of Darap village realised the potential of the beauty of the place they lived in and started promoting community-based tourism to make it a sustainable source of livelihood for villagers. This concept is firming up in other villages too, and the concept of homestays is gaining popularity across the state.

And then I was briefed about the heroes of Sikkim - football captain Baichung Bhutia and Bollywood star Danny Denzongpa. After the dinner, I was told Mr Tamang is hosting Danny’s younger brother, who was there to celebrate a personal occasion with his set of friends. Danny owns a very famous brewery in South Sikkim.

The next day, we went for local sightseeing. The mighty Khangchendzonga Waterfalls, amazing Khechuperi (Wish fulfilling) Lake, scenic Sewaro Rock Garden and beautiful Rimbi Waterfalls made me realise what all I miss in Delhi. I miss ‘nature’. And the next day, I had my flight back to Delhi.

And as I landed, I was welcomed by scorching heat. What accompanied me till my home were not mountains and waterfalls, but pollution and vehicles’ noise. The transition was difficult to bear, but I had to accept how urbanisation has robbed Earth of its virginity.