Today I have completed two years on MS which is my second family, the virtual family. I had stumbled upon this site quite accidently on 05.12.2009 while searching for reviews of some old movies on internet. I started writing my own reviews on 03.02.2010 and got noticed by fellow members within a few days. Gradually, the bonds of friendship with like-minded (and open-minded) people developed and by the grace of the Almighty, I happened to meet many of the virtual friends in person too. Right now, my activity level is less but the sentiment for the site and the friends here is the same as before.
I take this opportunity to thank all my friends who have not only boosted my morale and pointed towards my errors but also stood by me in all the times. I take criticism in my stride and I am glad to accept the dissent expressed by my friends who are no less knowledgeable and mature than me. I have met @bkaks @Raj_onlyone @maaz_nawaz @deepak27 @derebail2008 @JaveedAhmedM @GRuchirG @vijaymb and @chalojai in person. I have talked over telephone to @hermit @bebylon @opvarma123 @tom3357 @ajeet15 @fenil_seta @suketu @kdrocks @Shalu.D @Geeta1963 @desigal @VV_85 @viratbond @Rudrakshha @shweta.chatterjee @Siddhartth @avishek82 @pranay22 @amiqu etc. I have got SMSes from @suraaz and chatted with @astrofreak1234 @sydbarett @cattie @sayanti.das @Sidz_B @Ajay_1977 etc. on FB. E-mail communication has also been with some of the MSian friends. It's so nice to have personalized communication with so many virtual friends.
I mourn the untimely demise of a great virtual friend during the past one year who was an extra-ordinary and braveheart member of this family - Sashikumar Menon (iamindiamenon). May his soul rest in peace.
In addition to the members mentioned above, I express my gratitude towards Aruna T. (moviezombie) who is no longer active on this forum but who has been and will always remain my Guru in writing movie reviews.
I also thank @deepa.s @Paulsb02 @SRNAIR @DESPRADO @angel_babe55 @Rup_007 @Goral_1988 @consumer_1 @krishom @confusedsoul @Sage1947 @nrpanchal @jains24 @anshumanmaini @desiprincess @SG21 @vmshut @s_rajesh @bikash_4297 @cyrax @digimaniacs @reemasolanki and the Sinha couple ( @RAJESH.SINHA @Rashmi.Sinha ) for their support.
I am also grateful to certain members who are no longer active on this forum but still wish me and I feel their support viz. @dams_khan @oldreviewer @rainbow @kiran5548 @vsdeepthi @aarini @dsaumis @see_ani @indian1969 @odhananjay @sandeep_kmr @sandeep400 @pooja_paliwal63 @candyfloss @Faerie @Ciddharth @eagleeyes @eager2xpress @noviceatwork @avazone @mymelody etc. I might have missed the names of certain friends here but I feel grateful towards all for everything I got from them.
MS is fortunate to have a plethora of talent through its members who consist of blog specialists on one hand (Ketan, Suraj, Chalojai, Meghana, Avishek, Hemani Ji, Pranay, Vineet etc.) and review specialists on the other (Amiqu, Vijay, Vikky, Virat, Rajesh etc.). We have Bollywood movie review specialist in the form of Fenil and we have Ruchir also who specializes in writing reviews of Hollywood movies and English books. We have excellent poets (and poetesses) and authors (and authoresses) like Sajit Nair, Barnali Biswas, S.R. Nair Saheb, Geetashri Chatterjee, Gertie Gibson, Shweta Chatterjee etc. Above all, we have allrounders like Deepak Ji, Mazhar Bhai, Professor Paul, Nishant, JAMS, Saurabh Gupta etc. And I salute them because being jack of all trades is no ordinary thing.
I am fortunate to have got associated with all these talented and nice people and feel proud in being their fellow-member on this site. Since I like Hindi movies, Hindi books and Hindi songs, my writings are limited to them only but learning a lot in the august company of so many talented persons is a huge opportunity for me which I have exploited and will continue to exploit in future. I firmly believe - Man Lives and Learns. Learning should never stop either from the life or from the people.
But finally the thing which functions like an adhesive between myself and this site is the love and affection of my friends. I got overwhelmed when Cattie and Angel dedicated poems to me on my birthday and Nishant dedicated a blog to me upon my completing 200 reviews on MS. I got so many wishes on my birthday and on my wedding anniversary too, I got several unexpected wishes which was a highly pleasant surprise for me and an invaluable gift for the occasion. My philosophy for life is - ACCEPT THE LIFE AS IT UNFOLDS. Destiny unfolded this wonderful virtual world before me and I have made it a part of my life now.
Mohammed Rafi sang for Sunil Dutt in Gaban (1966) - Ehsaan Mere Dil Pe Tumhaara Hai Dosto, Ye Dil Tumhaare Pyar Ka Maara Hai Dosto (friends, you have an obligation on my heart, my heart strives for your love). I sing the same for you all.
