Author Archive for Axee

Speaking from several experiences as a fighter pilot, I feel even on the ground, in normal life, when you get into a situation that demands calmness and you panic! Tell yourself…  “Do Not Panic.” When in distress this is the very first thought that should emerge from your brain. To you. So, go ahead…and train [...]

All said and done, as we tread and trudge on, on the path of life, we need to follow too. To Follow: Training, Rituals, Rights, Maps, Diagrams, Advice, Instructions, Trends, Rules, Policies, Procedures, Instincts, Music, and now also, one of the very latest of them all… trends, Twitter, etc. As we learn to follow, we [...]

When we think and talk about gardening, gardens and gardeners, we should begin with the very first one. The Almighty! As it was He who built that first garden, Eden. On this, his Earth. He made that for us, as well. To dwell as in heaven, and not as in hell. To emerge as successful [...]

Some frogs were traveling across the country. Hopping and jumping they were moving along merrily, till they reached a jungle. As it was a thick jungle it got dark within its confines. Despite the best of caution they were hampered by the limited visibility but decided to proceed anyway. As they leapt on, they chanced [...]

Once perhaps in a decade, you get to read a book that reflects your thinking and experiences so exactly, it make you wonder in awe, leaving you thinking, blinking and bewildered. You wonder why you did not write the book! One such effort with a very mind boggling title came my way, thanks to my [...]

Whatever or who-so-ever it may be is either an original or a duplicate! Duplicates as they get compounded, they are often confounded too. Originals as collectibles are yearned for, owned, respected, demanded and commanded till eternity. They are seldom if ever — reprimanded. They are perpetually — demanded. As they are never “On Hand.” Original [...]

Now that he is gone don’t you miss him? Desperately? His trance like music? His unique rhythm? His gyrating, levitating, unique dance style? His soul stirring music! Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) conceptualized, visualized, created and popularized several physically complicated dance techniques, such as the ‘Robot’ and the ‘Moonwalk.’ He [...]

There aren’t many certainties in this life, but three constants that we can count on are: Our Thoughts Growth Death Thoughts: Our thoughts are as intangible as ether. Yet, they make us smile or bring frowns to our brow as they emerge from our mind. We need to learn which thoughts to keep and which [...]

I have been mulling over religion, religious zealotry and associated crimes as witnessed globally in these past 20 plus years. I was wondering why God chose not create religion to begin with? Why did God leave it to us? To create? To hate? Is there a grand plan of His, that is yet to unfold? [...]

Ask yourself these two questions every day. 1. Do I Ask? 2. Did I Ask? Ask for what? It could be anything, that you may be contemplating/struggling/yearning to find/learn about: Help Answers, Advice, Counselling, Mentoring, Coaching or Teaching Ask How? Ask What? Ask Whom? Life is all about learning, unlearning and relearning. Learning happens through [...]

Thumb Types! Are you also one of those types who type/key in with their thumbs? I am sure you are. Welcome to the world of Thumb Types! From the folklore days of Tom Thumb to what I now call “Thumb Types Times” it has been quite a remarkable journey. For a tiny little thumb! Most [...]

Eureka! Yes canyons! There are two similar ones. One in the USA. One in India. They are located on different longitudes and are almost 16,000 kilometres apart. Separated by mighty oceans, both are located almost on the same latitudes. Both have been naturally carved out by two mighty rivers and neighbouring winds! The one in [...]

Having come thus far at fifty. I leave a door to the future… ajar, Feeling kind of… drifty, thrifty and nifty. Wondering pondering, from here to where? Do I dare? Or do I care to go, where I care, with care. Minus the natural dare. Alone and not as a pair! Here, there, everywhere. Life’s [...]

To find out how other Ticklers and readers responded to these questions click here. If you would like to take this interview as well, mail us your answers at interview@tickledbylife.com. (we will publish only the best responses) What is God? Axee: A belief, and since S/he is a belief, S/he is omnipresent, omnipotent. Beliefs are [...]

As we grow in stature as individuals, families, villages, towns, cities, nations, and civilization as a whole we must embrace change. Change for the better. As change is the only constant in Life. Environmentally speaking, life today on our earth is definitely, a strife. Life as a whole for all living species on this earth [...]

Unable to go the go, with the present global slow? Not your type of a show? Lost or losing your glow? Worried and bothered about tomorrow? Don’t be! Instead let’s learn how to regain the glow. Through simple steps that I am about to show! Let us learn to dwell in the now! The slow…. [...]

The term “QRB” stands for Quick Release Buckle/Button. To harness in safely, within the ejection seat, all fighter pilots have to strap themselves into a cramped space, in such a way that all the essential parts of the body are able to move and execute commands according to the cockpit design. The procedure of strapping [...]

South Africa: Circa 1893. Scene: Railway platform Pietermaritzburg railway station. A train is halted unceremoniously, by the then white majority, and a two legged Indian, “black dog” all suited and booted like an Englishman, was unceremoniously thrown out, onto the platform as he was traveling in the first class. Traveling on business, from Durban to [...]

I remember several tales told to me, as a child, by my beloved grandmother. My grandparents had a huge mansion with several large trees on the spacious compound. All of us, as a family, would gather here every summer as a kind of annual reunion. The days being long, evenings would stretch too. They would [...]

To begin with, turned in late the previous night due to unavoidable circumstances? Over slept too as the alarm did not ring on the day? It should have but it did not. Got out of the wrong side of the bed? Burnt the toast? Missed the office pick-up? Starting problems with the engine? Rushed into [...]

Just the other day, I happened to read and was overjoyed to learn that India is the world’s largest producer of fresh fruits. In that sense, like in several others too, we are God’s own choice. Blessed, in many ways we are, Indians. I have always marvelled at fruits. If not for their nutritive value, [...]

To do that, you don’t need an instrument. You need yourself, to begin with. You can dial and connect anytime. Stay connected too, for as long and as often as you desire. The receiver always connects and listens to you. The two way transmission is always “strength 5″. The receiver is never off the hook. [...]

Last week was very memorable. A very simple event, was the source of boundless joy. The arrival of a hand written letter. Not an email. After a very long duration, may be years and years, I received a hand written letter. From a caring human being, who is destined to become my relative, by law. [...]

“A person with half volition goes backwards and forwards, but makes no progress on even the smoothest of roads.” – Thomas Carlyl The secret of success is known to both successful and unsuccessful. Then why do we have to be told how to succeed? By one and all? Have you ever pondered and mulled over [...]

In these past 15 years I have helped several plans happen kicked off by tech savvy youngsters without any organizational experience as such. I have rebuilt them, defined them, refined them, to the extent they deserved, or may be more, out of inherent kindness in the beginning, in the mid nineties. Not off late. As [...]

As I got ready to get to work, just the other day I noticed that my shoes needed a good shine. I wanted to shoe shine them myself but for some reason, dropped the idea and decided to indulge in the luxury of getting them done by a cobbler. Out I walked and decided to [...]

God helps those who help themselves. But How? To reach God: you need to communicate with him. To communicate, you need to pray as you don’t get to him by any other way. A prayer bereft of feelings of Love is like…a lake without water. Love flourishes when it is propagated with humility. Humility nourishes [...]

All of us have been helped without an exception. From the very first day we were born. By the doctors, midwife or by a nurse, to begin with. Thereafter, once we were born… We began our journey, with 24*7 help, from our mother. Then our parents. Our siblings. Our classmates. Our college friends. Our peers. [...]

I had my quota of sound sleep. The sun is up. So am I What next? Since the beginning of this week, I have been mulling over a series of events that have happened in these past few days, weeks, months. The good the bad the ugly were being sorted out within the mind. Every [...]