This piece is tribute to my hero and certainly to the hero of millions of people not only around the country but the whole world.
People say everything changes with time. It certainly has for Sachin Tendulkar. Close to 25 years back, he would have been playing in the Gully of his street and today he is a world icon.
But few things haven’t changed for him. The hunger, the determination and the willingness to do a notch better than the previous inning.
Sometimes it’s really difficult to comprehend how can somebody remain so grounded despite so much adulation showered on him? People call him the living legend, the God, the worlds greatest batsman, and the moment you hear him speak, you will feel, is he the man?
There was a time when people admired him for his cricket but later people witnessed that with the consistency of runs, he also has been so consistent in handling the adulation that he has been bestowed upon.
I have grown up watching an admiring this great man. Excerpts of a few moments of his cricketing life which has left an imprint in my mind. I was tempted to write on and on but then chose 10 of his best innings to share it in this post.
1. 1989 Pakistan,Sialkot: It was Sachin’s first test series against the arch rivals Pakistan, not to be forgotten that India was touring Pakistan after a long time. This 16 year old was thrown into the hot pan where India were playing against the best bowling attack of that era- Imran,Wasim and Waqar at their prime and Quadir as wily as a fox with his Leg spin and googlies. They deliberately targeted him with short deliveries and once got hit on the nose by a bouncer from Waqar. The physio cum doctor (I remember it was Dr. Irani) ran to have a look at him. It was suspected that the kid would just walk out until a voice came over- “Main Khelega”. He went out to score a half century which helped India draw the test match. That day it proved he was not shy of battle and ready to fight it out for his country. Everybody knew a hero was born.
2. 1992, Australia, Perth: The fastest pitch in the world, the bounciest had developed huge cracks. The Australian attack was at its blistering best. As Sachin walked, they had close catchers around him. Every other person who understands Cricket would agree with me that you would not put a fielder on a short cover or short mid wicket on a bouncy pitch where the bowlers were bowling short. It was done to tame this 19 year old. To send a message, boy you are supposed to be at high school! He responded with cuts, square drives and pulls. In a short while both the fielders were taken off. He went on to score a century which still remains a record till date for the “youngest centurion on the Australian soil”.A battle was one by the little kid teaching lessons to the big daddies of cricket.
3. 1998,Sharjah, U.A.E. : India was playing not only against the Australians but the nature which was determined to put India out of the triseries involving India,Australia and New Zealand. India had to make certain amount of runs to qualify for the finals. Sachin started well hitting all bowlers for boundaries. India was on course until a sandstorm came in from the adjacent deserts. It was so strong that it forced all the players to leave the field, but Sachin refused to leave. He was too focused on the task ahead. Even the nature had to give up against the grit of this little champion. The targets were revised and now India had a mammoth target to achieve in a curtailed match. The storm was not yet over for the Aussies, the difference this time it was coming from the masters bat. Sachin eventually got out (to an unfortunately wrong decision by the Umpire), but not without seeing India romp to the finals. This inning was followed by another one in the finals where he did the job of leading India home to a tournament victory. The successive centuries left Warne admitting that he had nightmares of Sachin dancing down the track to hit him for sixes. The master had thumped his supremacy on the game.
4. 1999,Bristol, England : Sachin’s worldcup journey had come to an abrupt ending with the sad demise of his father. He had to travel back to India to be with his bereaved family. India lost without him against a relatively weak Zimbabwe team. The country was missing him badly. The family felt that the only way to get out of this tragedy was to ask him to join the team. Probably for the only time in his life he was pushed to play cricket. He went out to bat against the Kenyans and scored a belligerent century. This time he was not only fighting against the bowlers but against his own emotions. It was an extremely emotional moment when he looked at the heavens after scoring the century. So many eyes would have got wet that day.
5. 1999,Chennai,India : What a knock that was? Sachin had developed cramps in his back. It was getting extremely difficult for him to hold the bat. The Chennai heat was sapping. He had scored 139 against immense pressure, humidity and pain. He wanted to finish the match at the soonest because it was getting impossible for him to even hold his bat. He misread the Doosra from Saqlain and looped a catch in the air which was gleefully accepted by Wasim. Indian batting folded up in no time and we lost the match by a whisker. A match which was so winnable just passed out from our reach. Sachin could not come out to accept the Man of the Match award because he had not yet recovered from the anguish of that defeat. With him the country cried.
6. 2003,Centurion,South Africa : India was going into this game with an undefeated record against the Pakistanis in the World cup tournament. The Pakistan team scored 274 on a good centurion pitch. India required a brisk start at the top. Sachin along with Sehwag provided the same. Sachin looked in ominous touch hitting Shoaib for a six past the third man region. Waqar and Wasim were dealt with no respite either. He felt shot by 2 runs from a much deserving century, but the counter attack helped India maintained its undefeated record which still stands unbroken till date.
7. 2008, Sydney,Australia : Sachin was struggling against the ball angling away in that series. He had got out thrice trying to play a shot through the covers nicking one to the keeper or the slips. He was determined not to repeat this shot in the third test against the Aussies. He went onto score a double century against the Aussies on his favourite pitch. This test was remembered for reasons except cricket(the racism allegations on Bhajji and the woeful umpiring decisions) but nobody can take away the speciality of Sachin’s innings where he had scored a double tonne without playing a delivery outstretching his arms to play a cover drive. This man always had a backup short.
8. 2008,Sydney,Australia : The stage was set. Sachin was playing on his favourite ground. The SCG. Some unwanted comments were flowing that he does not perform in the big games(It was quite a foolish argument though). Another faction of people were talking about the limited cricket left in him. People believed he looked jaded and was no more a free flowing batsman of the past. The Indian had not won a tournament in Australia post the 1985 world championship of Cricket. The champion took onto him to turn all odds in favour of him. He scored a century, and silenced the critics by not just scoring runs but piling them by bludgeoning the Australian attack. It was in the same innings he was hit by a beamer from Brette Lee. Brette instantly walked towards him to apologize. He smiled at it and went to take his stance. It was the section in the audience which was hooting Lee hereafter. Such was his composure and dedication towards his goal.
9. 2008 Chennai,India : The English had come back to play the test series as a mark of solidarity towards the people who were killed in a barbaric attack on Mumbai. The English played exceptionally well for the first four days and left a daunting score for India to chase. India had to choose between a draw or a win, and Sehwag provided the dream start with a power-packed filled half century. Sachin took over from him and made a 103 to take India home. He later admitted that he felt the same vibes and tension of the 1999 Chennai test against Pakistan. This time he didn’t leave the game for the rest and took the onus on himself to score the winning runs. He dedicated this victory to the terror attack hit victims and said that if this victory brought a smile to them for a second, their job was done. We all knew that the fans love him but here was one such instance when the God said that he loved the fans in the same way.
10. 2009, Hyderabad, India : Australia had piled up 350 runs and it looked improbable if not impossible for India to achieve that. But Sachin had other plans. He counter attacked the attacking Aussies and scored 175 runs. Just when it looked we were on the course of victory, a slower delivery kissed the bottom of his bat and looped in the air to be caught by Craig White. It was such a sulking moment for him. Indian batting faltered like a pack of cards and we lost by 4 runs. One of Sachins best innings made him heavy hearted again. The nation was deeply saddened but acknowledged the masters innings with full praise.
There have been numerous such innings from the great man and I can just go on and on describing each innings.
There have been great cricketers but what separates them from the master is the way he handles the game on and off the field.
He is an inspiration for so many kids, a star in so many eyes, an envy for so many batsman.
I just fail to reconcile with the fact that how would I watch a game without him. I rather not worry about that as of now as he looks determined to play for many more years to come for the country.
He said it in the post match interview at Hyderabad when asked what motivates him to go on and on and tumble records after records – "I care to play for the country which is a motivation enough to give my best shot each time I walk in".
I salute to this great exponent of Cricket. May you score tonnes and tonnes of runs and let us dance to the tunes of Sachinism.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Every song has a history to it.
You plug in those earphones and then among the thousand songs, you scroll up and down to chose your song. What goes in the back-end?
The simple reason is that you like the song more than the other songs in your I-Pod, or particularly you relate to that particular song more than any other song in the playlist.
Why does this happen?
I guess because all the songs have a history attached to it.
Its so often that you listen to a particular song and you are lost. In those moments of your past, those cherished ones, the ones which brings smile on your face, or tears in your eyes. But certainly those moments which are etched in your mind and that particular song helps you in keeping those memories afresh.
A yaaron dosti badi,Puraani Jeans, Pal-yaad aaeyenge ye Pal, would take you back to your college days. Reminds you of those moments spent in the canteen with your friends pulling each others leg, passing comments on the teacher who is also eating somewhere there.Talking about journal submissions or the latest couple on the block.
Whenever you listen to Aye mere watan ke logon, it would take you to your school days where you used to reach early for the flag hoisting and you waited eagerly for the sweets to be distributed only to be overjoyed with the fact that there were no classes on the independence/republic day.
Whenever you listen to Phoolon ka taaron ka, it would remind you of those Rakshabandhan days when you used to ask your parents for money to be given to the sister and those Rs. 50 made your sister the richest girl in the world who thought of buying the best dolls from that money she had just received.
And there are so many songs like that
That is why I say there is history attached to each song. Each song from your past reminds of you of those old good days, to which you can only say, boy those were the best days of my life.
The simple reason is that you like the song more than the other songs in your I-Pod, or particularly you relate to that particular song more than any other song in the playlist.
Why does this happen?
I guess because all the songs have a history attached to it.
Its so often that you listen to a particular song and you are lost. In those moments of your past, those cherished ones, the ones which brings smile on your face, or tears in your eyes. But certainly those moments which are etched in your mind and that particular song helps you in keeping those memories afresh.
A yaaron dosti badi,Puraani Jeans, Pal-yaad aaeyenge ye Pal, would take you back to your college days. Reminds you of those moments spent in the canteen with your friends pulling each others leg, passing comments on the teacher who is also eating somewhere there.Talking about journal submissions or the latest couple on the block.
Whenever you listen to Aye mere watan ke logon, it would take you to your school days where you used to reach early for the flag hoisting and you waited eagerly for the sweets to be distributed only to be overjoyed with the fact that there were no classes on the independence/republic day.
Whenever you listen to Phoolon ka taaron ka, it would remind you of those Rakshabandhan days when you used to ask your parents for money to be given to the sister and those Rs. 50 made your sister the richest girl in the world who thought of buying the best dolls from that money she had just received.
And there are so many songs like that
That is why I say there is history attached to each song. Each song from your past reminds of you of those old good days, to which you can only say, boy those were the best days of my life.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Logic Behind Two Names
I have met so many people in these 25 years of my life and there have been so many people who have been taken by my name. Some of them liked it, some hated it but everybody took notice of it. SO what was so peculiar about my name?
Rachit +Raj – A very common question posed by so many people. Why do you have two names Rachit and Raj? Some ask, is your surname Rachit or Raj? They were bamboozled to know that my father name reads, Deepak Kumar Ambastha. No link in the surnames they say.
I knew that this was a common trend followed by the Kayasthas, but why, I only came to know when one day I posed this question to my uncle, who held a P.hd degree in ancient history.
He told me that we are Ambasthas which are a subgroup of Kayasthas, not that I did not know that, but a few things which followed were certainly new to me.
So coming back to the point of having two names, I was told that we were one of the ancient tribes where women were given equal treatment in the society. A father wanted to give a name while the mother wanted another name. At the end the child had both the chosen name and henceforth the trend continued. Sounded quite interesting. I wanted to know more. Where did our forefathers come from, I asked him?
He told me that we were originally located in Taxila a place in Afganistan, which meant we were Afganis.He went further by saying that Taxila was the oldest university even before the Nalanda Universty in Bihar and Ambasthas were mostly into education. It was then that Alexander invaded the sub-continent and reached Afganistan. A battle was fought and it is said that during the fight with the Ambasthas, his hammock was pierced with an arrow which ultimately led to his death in Alexanderia. But, this left the Ambasthas tattered and they scattered to different places. A few moved to Nalanda in Bihar, the others to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and the rest down to Kottayam in Kerela. Later they dispersed to different parts of the country. Kayasthas were mainly Muneems(accountants) in the kings kingdom, and all the work related to accounts were asked to be done by them. I wondered probably that is the reason why there are so few Kayasthas into Business or serving in the armed forces.
It was heartening to know some interesting facts about my forefathers which made me proud and then came the dark side of the history. The Kayasthas were supposed to form Lord Krishna’s army, and when Arjuna and Duryodhan had approached Lord Krishna to take him on their respective sides before the Kurushetra Yudh, he had kept an option between the two parties. He had said that he would fight from one party where as his huge army would be on the other side.
As history would have it, the Kayastha took the Kauravas side and were badly defeated.
I chuckled at the thought of not many Kaysthas joining the armed forces.
This way I came to know so may interesting facts about my ancestors and my dynasty. This short conversation helped me in identifying myself and my origins. I bet there would be others who after reading this would want to know their histories too.
Rachit +Raj – A very common question posed by so many people. Why do you have two names Rachit and Raj? Some ask, is your surname Rachit or Raj? They were bamboozled to know that my father name reads, Deepak Kumar Ambastha. No link in the surnames they say.
I knew that this was a common trend followed by the Kayasthas, but why, I only came to know when one day I posed this question to my uncle, who held a P.hd degree in ancient history.
He told me that we are Ambasthas which are a subgroup of Kayasthas, not that I did not know that, but a few things which followed were certainly new to me.
So coming back to the point of having two names, I was told that we were one of the ancient tribes where women were given equal treatment in the society. A father wanted to give a name while the mother wanted another name. At the end the child had both the chosen name and henceforth the trend continued. Sounded quite interesting. I wanted to know more. Where did our forefathers come from, I asked him?
He told me that we were originally located in Taxila a place in Afganistan, which meant we were Afganis.He went further by saying that Taxila was the oldest university even before the Nalanda Universty in Bihar and Ambasthas were mostly into education. It was then that Alexander invaded the sub-continent and reached Afganistan. A battle was fought and it is said that during the fight with the Ambasthas, his hammock was pierced with an arrow which ultimately led to his death in Alexanderia. But, this left the Ambasthas tattered and they scattered to different places. A few moved to Nalanda in Bihar, the others to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and the rest down to Kottayam in Kerela. Later they dispersed to different parts of the country. Kayasthas were mainly Muneems(accountants) in the kings kingdom, and all the work related to accounts were asked to be done by them. I wondered probably that is the reason why there are so few Kayasthas into Business or serving in the armed forces.
It was heartening to know some interesting facts about my forefathers which made me proud and then came the dark side of the history. The Kayasthas were supposed to form Lord Krishna’s army, and when Arjuna and Duryodhan had approached Lord Krishna to take him on their respective sides before the Kurushetra Yudh, he had kept an option between the two parties. He had said that he would fight from one party where as his huge army would be on the other side.
As history would have it, the Kayastha took the Kauravas side and were badly defeated.
I chuckled at the thought of not many Kaysthas joining the armed forces.
This way I came to know so may interesting facts about my ancestors and my dynasty. This short conversation helped me in identifying myself and my origins. I bet there would be others who after reading this would want to know their histories too.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Yet another BF vs GF conversation !!!!
There has been umpteen conversations between a girlfriend and a boyfriend that we have read in so many mails. This was the first time I witnessed it with my own eyes.
Context: I was waiting at the railway station when my eyes went to one of the couples in my office. They were waiting for the same train. I could not help but overhear them as they were standing just adjacent to me and the decibels levels were on the higher side.
I cannot help but share it in my blog.
Girlfriend(hereafter referred as GF) : Sweetheart, I just hope we get into a wonderful B-School. But if we manage to get into different B-Schools, what then?
Boyfriend(hereafter referred as BF): Ah, don’t remind me about that. It will be such a pain.
BF sees the GF’s face getting grimmer. He doesn’t like seeing her sad. Tries to liven up the conversation. Not knowing in the wildest of dreams that he is digging a deep hole for himself.
BF: Hey Chuhiya( till then the gal liked the name, probably there was the filmy angle to it. Read-Jaane tu ya Jaane Na), I would miss you terribly but we would check out hotties in our respective colleges? Will call each other every night to update on any new hottie on the block. What say?(It was all said in a harmless,lighter note just to bring in a little of naughtiness to push out the sadness which had enveloped the surrounding with the separation factor).
Boom... the stage was set for the GF to transform from the Cute Chuhiya to the Daravani Sherni.
GF :Why do you want to check out gals? Why cant you wait for two years and then check out me, later all your life.
BF: Thud! (Entire life), the same face. Oh no!!!( dare he say that on her face. Read- All in the thinking phase).
Oh yes sweetheart, thats a better option. Nobody can be as good as you are, as beautiful as you are, as charming as you are.
GF: Nobody can be as beautiful as you are? You mean to say you compare me with others? Which means you check out other girls. All guys are just the same. You call me Chuhiya where as the other gals are morni to you.
BF: Bemused. Where did that come from (Thinks)?????
BF: Hey you are my morni. No one else can be.
Finally a smile appear on the GFs face.
BF :(Thinks :Little does she know that Morni are really ugly, its the More who are supposed to be the beautiful species )
BF: (Tries to do some resurrection work). I will miss you so much for the next two years when we might not be together. The BF tries to personify the sad smiley which he uses in the chat with his GF. This helps him in getting a lot of attention, sometimes to the extent of, lot of pampering from his GF.
Guess the effort this time was not great. The tried and tested magic didn’t work.
GF: What do you mean by, you will miss me for the next two years? I knew,you are tired of me and want to get rid of me. But don’t you worry, i will be coming there often and you would have to introduce me to all your friends. (she meant all my future friends who would by the law of nature would happen to be girls).
BF :Sure honey, I surely would.
GF: But dare I see you roaming about with any other girl. I will create a scene there?
BF: (Thinks: Isnt she creating it right now with so many people around)
BF: No way Morni.(Tries the tested name which had just brought a smile on GFs face sometime back)
GF : A slight smile. Good!!!
BF: Thinks: Its better to keep quiet now. Nothing seems to be working today
GF : Now why are you so serious? You are not talking to me.
BF: Nothing like that. Was just thinking about the job in hand. Have got a new project to work on from today onwards.
GF: Are you sure you are saying the truth? (the suspicious look)
BF: Of course Jaan. Why would I lie? (Thinks: Geeta pe haath rakh ke kasam khaaun kya?)
GF : Cant see it in your eyes?
BF :Thinks: (Even the ophthalmologist cant identify a person looking in his eyes, that he is lying. Is she crazy? Of course she is....)
GF: Common swear on me, that there is nothing else in your mind.
BF :(Thinks :Here came the Geeta pe haath rakh kar kasam khao. Hindi movies. Grrrr@#$...)
BF: Yes honey, swear on you.
GF: See, now you have resorted to false promises. God, do you know an empty promise can kill me?
BF: Fuming inside, but very particular that it didn’t spill out.
BF: (Controlling his anger), its nothing like that. Why do you feel I am upset because of something. I was thinking of work, which is taking a toll on me offlate?
You don’t seem to understand..... He was in between his sentence, and the GF pounced back.
GF:Yes you feel I don’t understand you? Is this what I get to hear at the 11th month of our courtship.
BF: Had lost it by now. Shut up now! You have been crapping all this while ya. I meant to say that you don’t seem to be understand...ing that I was preoccupied with thoughts about work.
How would it work if you act so immature?
BF: just walks away leaving the GF behind.
GF Calls up the BF.(Read that they are just 15 feets apart). BF, disgusted with the happenings cut the call. GF calls again and he cuts again. The GF keeps on calling and finally he paves way to his GFs persistence.
BF: Yes tell me(In a very cold way)
GF: Sorry jaanu, you are so understanding, and I keep on fighting with you. I have become like a typical GF and I just hate it. I love you so much and I would never trouble you for anything. Apni chuhiya ko buddhu samajh ke maaf kar do.
The cuteness in the voice and her expressions were just too much for him. The angry face paved way to a smiling face with glitter in his eyes.
The GF could not resist and forgetting that they were still in the railway station, rushed and gave him a quick bear hug.
The hands which looked so estranged to each other locked against each other again. Love was in the air again. The mushy talks began again.
I witnessed a rush of emotions in 20 minutes of my stay at the station. I had witnessed two characters trying to be dominative with each other in different phase of times, but never had they been both tried to outpower each other with their egos at the same time. I wondered, had the boy not been patient with the girls stupidity an instant fight would have resulted and what if the girl would not have accessed the situation and would have pleaded to the fuming BF, the distance would have only increased between the two.
May be thats what people call love. Round one was over. The Victor.... Hmmm. I guess it was “their love” . A hot girl just came and stood beside the three of us. Boys would be boys. the BFs eyes drooled at her beauty and the next moment he was brought back from the fantasy world with a hard pinch on his arm.
Round two was about to begin.
Context: I was waiting at the railway station when my eyes went to one of the couples in my office. They were waiting for the same train. I could not help but overhear them as they were standing just adjacent to me and the decibels levels were on the higher side.
I cannot help but share it in my blog.
Girlfriend(hereafter referred as GF) : Sweetheart, I just hope we get into a wonderful B-School. But if we manage to get into different B-Schools, what then?
Boyfriend(hereafter referred as BF): Ah, don’t remind me about that. It will be such a pain.
BF sees the GF’s face getting grimmer. He doesn’t like seeing her sad. Tries to liven up the conversation. Not knowing in the wildest of dreams that he is digging a deep hole for himself.
BF: Hey Chuhiya( till then the gal liked the name, probably there was the filmy angle to it. Read-Jaane tu ya Jaane Na), I would miss you terribly but we would check out hotties in our respective colleges? Will call each other every night to update on any new hottie on the block. What say?(It was all said in a harmless,lighter note just to bring in a little of naughtiness to push out the sadness which had enveloped the surrounding with the separation factor).
Boom... the stage was set for the GF to transform from the Cute Chuhiya to the Daravani Sherni.
GF :Why do you want to check out gals? Why cant you wait for two years and then check out me, later all your life.
BF: Thud! (Entire life), the same face. Oh no!!!( dare he say that on her face. Read- All in the thinking phase).
Oh yes sweetheart, thats a better option. Nobody can be as good as you are, as beautiful as you are, as charming as you are.
GF: Nobody can be as beautiful as you are? You mean to say you compare me with others? Which means you check out other girls. All guys are just the same. You call me Chuhiya where as the other gals are morni to you.
BF: Bemused. Where did that come from (Thinks)?????
BF: Hey you are my morni. No one else can be.
Finally a smile appear on the GFs face.
BF :(Thinks :Little does she know that Morni are really ugly, its the More who are supposed to be the beautiful species )
BF: (Tries to do some resurrection work). I will miss you so much for the next two years when we might not be together. The BF tries to personify the sad smiley which he uses in the chat with his GF. This helps him in getting a lot of attention, sometimes to the extent of, lot of pampering from his GF.
Guess the effort this time was not great. The tried and tested magic didn’t work.
GF: What do you mean by, you will miss me for the next two years? I knew,you are tired of me and want to get rid of me. But don’t you worry, i will be coming there often and you would have to introduce me to all your friends. (she meant all my future friends who would by the law of nature would happen to be girls).
BF :Sure honey, I surely would.
GF: But dare I see you roaming about with any other girl. I will create a scene there?
BF: (Thinks: Isnt she creating it right now with so many people around)
BF: No way Morni.(Tries the tested name which had just brought a smile on GFs face sometime back)
GF : A slight smile. Good!!!
BF: Thinks: Its better to keep quiet now. Nothing seems to be working today
GF : Now why are you so serious? You are not talking to me.
BF: Nothing like that. Was just thinking about the job in hand. Have got a new project to work on from today onwards.
GF: Are you sure you are saying the truth? (the suspicious look)
BF: Of course Jaan. Why would I lie? (Thinks: Geeta pe haath rakh ke kasam khaaun kya?)
GF : Cant see it in your eyes?
BF :Thinks: (Even the ophthalmologist cant identify a person looking in his eyes, that he is lying. Is she crazy? Of course she is....)
GF: Common swear on me, that there is nothing else in your mind.
BF :(Thinks :Here came the Geeta pe haath rakh kar kasam khao. Hindi movies. Grrrr@#$...)
BF: Yes honey, swear on you.
GF: See, now you have resorted to false promises. God, do you know an empty promise can kill me?
BF: Fuming inside, but very particular that it didn’t spill out.
BF: (Controlling his anger), its nothing like that. Why do you feel I am upset because of something. I was thinking of work, which is taking a toll on me offlate?
You don’t seem to understand..... He was in between his sentence, and the GF pounced back.
GF:Yes you feel I don’t understand you? Is this what I get to hear at the 11th month of our courtship.
BF: Had lost it by now. Shut up now! You have been crapping all this while ya. I meant to say that you don’t seem to be understand...ing that I was preoccupied with thoughts about work.
How would it work if you act so immature?
BF: just walks away leaving the GF behind.
GF Calls up the BF.(Read that they are just 15 feets apart). BF, disgusted with the happenings cut the call. GF calls again and he cuts again. The GF keeps on calling and finally he paves way to his GFs persistence.
BF: Yes tell me(In a very cold way)
GF: Sorry jaanu, you are so understanding, and I keep on fighting with you. I have become like a typical GF and I just hate it. I love you so much and I would never trouble you for anything. Apni chuhiya ko buddhu samajh ke maaf kar do.
The cuteness in the voice and her expressions were just too much for him. The angry face paved way to a smiling face with glitter in his eyes.
The GF could not resist and forgetting that they were still in the railway station, rushed and gave him a quick bear hug.
The hands which looked so estranged to each other locked against each other again. Love was in the air again. The mushy talks began again.
I witnessed a rush of emotions in 20 minutes of my stay at the station. I had witnessed two characters trying to be dominative with each other in different phase of times, but never had they been both tried to outpower each other with their egos at the same time. I wondered, had the boy not been patient with the girls stupidity an instant fight would have resulted and what if the girl would not have accessed the situation and would have pleaded to the fuming BF, the distance would have only increased between the two.
May be thats what people call love. Round one was over. The Victor.... Hmmm. I guess it was “their love” . A hot girl just came and stood beside the three of us. Boys would be boys. the BFs eyes drooled at her beauty and the next moment he was brought back from the fantasy world with a hard pinch on his arm.
Round two was about to begin.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Limping Teacher
I was riding back home after a hectic day at work. Work has been hectic to say the least and today it was no better. Was frustrated with what was happening in life, and to add to that I was getting Red signals. The shrieking horns, the over crowded bus infront, the smoke laden air were all making me mad now. To add to the miseries I had skipped my lunch as I was stuck with some issue at work.
I decided to stop over at an eating joint to have something. As it was too late, the menu had only Dosa, and Dosas find the lowest rank in my priority list. I did not have the patience to look for another place and I reluctantly ordered for the same. It seemed the entire world was against me.
I was still grumping until something took my attention.
There was this old man. He must be in his sixties, bald, wrapped by a layer of hanging skin over a skeletal frame. He looked feeble. Eyes sockets barely managing to hold his eyes. He was standing on the other side of the road. His face was filled with anticipation. I wondered- What would be this man getting from his life? What could the hope be?
Constant gazing helped me reconcile to the fact that he was looking for traffic to slow down, so that he could cross. His legs were shaking.
I wondered. He must have had a fight at home and he would be trembling with rage. Or may be he had the fear of being run down by a speeding vehicle or may be his age must have taken a toll of him.
I looked.
And then finally the moment came. He limped through those ten feet. Those ten feet looked like miles to him.
And then he made it. The tension was flushed out with expressions of victory. He had won over his situation. He turned around with head held high to measure his victory lap.
I then realized - Such petty things become a challenge in life and there are people fighting against it, each day, each minute. Life is how you make it out to be.
I cursed myself - for cursing my situation.
I decided to stop over at an eating joint to have something. As it was too late, the menu had only Dosa, and Dosas find the lowest rank in my priority list. I did not have the patience to look for another place and I reluctantly ordered for the same. It seemed the entire world was against me.
I was still grumping until something took my attention.
There was this old man. He must be in his sixties, bald, wrapped by a layer of hanging skin over a skeletal frame. He looked feeble. Eyes sockets barely managing to hold his eyes. He was standing on the other side of the road. His face was filled with anticipation. I wondered- What would be this man getting from his life? What could the hope be?
Constant gazing helped me reconcile to the fact that he was looking for traffic to slow down, so that he could cross. His legs were shaking.
I wondered. He must have had a fight at home and he would be trembling with rage. Or may be he had the fear of being run down by a speeding vehicle or may be his age must have taken a toll of him.
I looked.
And then finally the moment came. He limped through those ten feet. Those ten feet looked like miles to him.
And then he made it. The tension was flushed out with expressions of victory. He had won over his situation. He turned around with head held high to measure his victory lap.
I then realized - Such petty things become a challenge in life and there are people fighting against it, each day, each minute. Life is how you make it out to be.
I cursed myself - for cursing my situation.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Star still shines bright
When I was a little kid I had a strange hobby. Those nights when the sky was clear, I used to lie on my back and look above. Above at the constellation of stars.
My fingers trying to figure out among all- “My favourite star”.
There it was, I used to discover and my lips made an arch –to smile.
And then, my star and I used to gaze each other for hours. That was the brightest star, my favourite star. Much later Physics and Geography taught me it was Venus, but the little kid of six years was more than happy with the fact that the brightest star had chosen him as his best friend among so many kids of his age.
I used to discuss with him practically everything.
How our new teacher gave us so much of homework to do. I used to show him the new bat that my mum bought for me. I used to complain to him whenever Mumma forced me to have a glass full of milk. I used to confide to him whenever I made a mistake. Cry to him when my naughty classmates used to beak my pencil when I went for lunch. Ask him why does Mumma cry so often?
In all our conversation, he never uttered a word but the fact that he never used to take his eyes away from me made me feel he is there, listening. I wanted somebody to listen to all my crap, and there he was, so patient, so calm - my best friend.
Sometimes the silent conversations went for long, and the next day I found myself wrapped inside my quilt. My mom then said, that I had slept in the veranda itself and she had to bring me inside the room.
There were days when we didn’t meet. Sometimes my homework kept me busy and the other times he hid himself under the clouds-Probably he needed rest too!!!
Its been 18 years since we became friends and we still have those gazing sessions. Our conversations have changed, but his reactions are just the same. He still shines brightly indicating that any tough passages would eventually be conquered.
I remember Papa, when you just went away from all of us. I saw those scary scenes but could not comprehend much. I was too little to understand that you would never come back to us.
On the night of 1st July 1991, somebody told me that Papa has become a star and she introduced me to you in your new form.
Your Mathur really loves and misses you Pa . Keep shining on me as you have always done.
Papa, the Sky is clear today. So, let’s chat?
My fingers trying to figure out among all- “My favourite star”.
There it was, I used to discover and my lips made an arch –to smile.
And then, my star and I used to gaze each other for hours. That was the brightest star, my favourite star. Much later Physics and Geography taught me it was Venus, but the little kid of six years was more than happy with the fact that the brightest star had chosen him as his best friend among so many kids of his age.
I used to discuss with him practically everything.
How our new teacher gave us so much of homework to do. I used to show him the new bat that my mum bought for me. I used to complain to him whenever Mumma forced me to have a glass full of milk. I used to confide to him whenever I made a mistake. Cry to him when my naughty classmates used to beak my pencil when I went for lunch. Ask him why does Mumma cry so often?
In all our conversation, he never uttered a word but the fact that he never used to take his eyes away from me made me feel he is there, listening. I wanted somebody to listen to all my crap, and there he was, so patient, so calm - my best friend.
Sometimes the silent conversations went for long, and the next day I found myself wrapped inside my quilt. My mom then said, that I had slept in the veranda itself and she had to bring me inside the room.
There were days when we didn’t meet. Sometimes my homework kept me busy and the other times he hid himself under the clouds-Probably he needed rest too!!!
Its been 18 years since we became friends and we still have those gazing sessions. Our conversations have changed, but his reactions are just the same. He still shines brightly indicating that any tough passages would eventually be conquered.
I remember Papa, when you just went away from all of us. I saw those scary scenes but could not comprehend much. I was too little to understand that you would never come back to us.
On the night of 1st July 1991, somebody told me that Papa has become a star and she introduced me to you in your new form.
Your Mathur really loves and misses you Pa . Keep shining on me as you have always done.
Papa, the Sky is clear today. So, let’s chat?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Different strokes !!!
Its after such a long time I am here, but it feels great to be back. I don’t know what made me stay away from this beautiful forum. May be I was too busy, too occupied with the chores of life, too tired from a long days work , too feeble in the thought generation process or simply too lazy to write something. I received a lot of flak for not writing something for so long, but it’s such an astonishing feeling to be loved by so many people. Thanks all, I promise I will be more regular from now on.
The past few weeks have been a very absorbing one. I say absorbing, because there have been lot of things going around in my life which has been so captivating for me on the emotional front. Just to comprehend and not going to the tits and bits of each incident, I was too absorbed emotionally and wanted to spend some time with – “Myself”.
I decided to ride down to the beach and when I reached there I was astounded to see thousands of people flocking at the beach. I parked my bike and became one among the crowd.
I looked around for a vacant space and finally parked myself into a well bounded area.
The sun was “ready steady go” – to set. The sky was filled with violet clouds and the sun was playing hide and seek with me. The sun had lost its hotness and I could face the sun with my eyes open. It sprayed around its beautiful colour on the sea water and the ever rising waves seemed as if it was basking in the glory of being witnessed by so many living souls.
The noise of the waves was out-powered by the noise of the crowd. There were jingles of the hawker, chattering of children, twittering of birds. Romance was filled in the air. I then realized why poets spent their lives in the bed of nature.
The air was filled with different activities. I had my reasons to come there and I thought, there would be so many stories - like or unlike me. For me it was just a crowd but the reality was that each and every person present there, would have his or her story to tell.
I had my task cut out for another hour. Just to explore the innumerable “untold stories” flowing around on that beach.
I looked around to see children playing beach cricket. The little bowler looked dreaded enough to knock down the stumps where as the batsman, whose bat was bigger than him, looked fiercely competitive. It seemed that he wanted to deposit the ball straight into the sea. The bowler delivered the ball, and a wild swing of the bat saw the ball sailing into the sea. Boy, wasn’t the little batsman happy! He leaped into the air and then into the waters to retrieve the ball. The ego clashes were fought and won by one. The victor had one story to say when he returned home while the loser would have one to hide.
Now my eyes moved around to capture another story. I saw a young couple cuddled holding hands in hands. It seemed they were not yet married, but were determined to. Looked like they wanted to have a space for (just) themselves, away from the society which questioned their togetherness. They looked madly in love seeking inspirations from the sea and the sun which had just come together after the sunset. The soliloquist in me wished them luck and I moved around to witness the most soul searching story of that evening.
I saw a family of three. A father, mother and the son. They looked like a rich family. Probably they looked tired of shopping and eating out at lavish restaurants. The child was busy playing with the sand. Making temples out of it. He made a mess of himself with sand all around but didn’t he look overjoyed with the situation? It seemed he was brought to the beach for the first time. Contrast to this situation my eyes rolled and rocked to the family of three again. The father and the mother looked like some daily labourers. Just adjacent to the the rich guys child this child was making his temple. The sand temple was so beautiful. His tender hands were making a masterpiece and I suddenly knew he was an ace in that. Probably the poor guy didn’t have much resources to take this child out for other entertainments. He must be bringing his family here every weekend and this little guy would be making a temple every time. Here I was viewing the irony that life presents.
I realised that life has different stories to cater. If you look around you would see so many people who are doing much better than you, but there are many more people who are battling against life with their chins up.
Life is never a bed of roses and would never be the same. It’s on us how we take it and move forward. We might not get, what all we wanted from life but there are scores of familes who are fighting for the basics of life.
With cluttered thoughts yet a clear mind I hopped into my bike and rode back home.
The past few weeks have been a very absorbing one. I say absorbing, because there have been lot of things going around in my life which has been so captivating for me on the emotional front. Just to comprehend and not going to the tits and bits of each incident, I was too absorbed emotionally and wanted to spend some time with – “Myself”.
I decided to ride down to the beach and when I reached there I was astounded to see thousands of people flocking at the beach. I parked my bike and became one among the crowd.
I looked around for a vacant space and finally parked myself into a well bounded area.
The sun was “ready steady go” – to set. The sky was filled with violet clouds and the sun was playing hide and seek with me. The sun had lost its hotness and I could face the sun with my eyes open. It sprayed around its beautiful colour on the sea water and the ever rising waves seemed as if it was basking in the glory of being witnessed by so many living souls.
The noise of the waves was out-powered by the noise of the crowd. There were jingles of the hawker, chattering of children, twittering of birds. Romance was filled in the air. I then realized why poets spent their lives in the bed of nature.
The air was filled with different activities. I had my reasons to come there and I thought, there would be so many stories - like or unlike me. For me it was just a crowd but the reality was that each and every person present there, would have his or her story to tell.
I had my task cut out for another hour. Just to explore the innumerable “untold stories” flowing around on that beach.
I looked around to see children playing beach cricket. The little bowler looked dreaded enough to knock down the stumps where as the batsman, whose bat was bigger than him, looked fiercely competitive. It seemed that he wanted to deposit the ball straight into the sea. The bowler delivered the ball, and a wild swing of the bat saw the ball sailing into the sea. Boy, wasn’t the little batsman happy! He leaped into the air and then into the waters to retrieve the ball. The ego clashes were fought and won by one. The victor had one story to say when he returned home while the loser would have one to hide.
Now my eyes moved around to capture another story. I saw a young couple cuddled holding hands in hands. It seemed they were not yet married, but were determined to. Looked like they wanted to have a space for (just) themselves, away from the society which questioned their togetherness. They looked madly in love seeking inspirations from the sea and the sun which had just come together after the sunset. The soliloquist in me wished them luck and I moved around to witness the most soul searching story of that evening.
I saw a family of three. A father, mother and the son. They looked like a rich family. Probably they looked tired of shopping and eating out at lavish restaurants. The child was busy playing with the sand. Making temples out of it. He made a mess of himself with sand all around but didn’t he look overjoyed with the situation? It seemed he was brought to the beach for the first time. Contrast to this situation my eyes rolled and rocked to the family of three again. The father and the mother looked like some daily labourers. Just adjacent to the the rich guys child this child was making his temple. The sand temple was so beautiful. His tender hands were making a masterpiece and I suddenly knew he was an ace in that. Probably the poor guy didn’t have much resources to take this child out for other entertainments. He must be bringing his family here every weekend and this little guy would be making a temple every time. Here I was viewing the irony that life presents.
I realised that life has different stories to cater. If you look around you would see so many people who are doing much better than you, but there are many more people who are battling against life with their chins up.
Life is never a bed of roses and would never be the same. It’s on us how we take it and move forward. We might not get, what all we wanted from life but there are scores of familes who are fighting for the basics of life.
With cluttered thoughts yet a clear mind I hopped into my bike and rode back home.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The age of Policies
It was not so long ago that I used the shift+del keys to the messages that were sent by the HR department.(largely because it talked about some idiotic surveys that we were required to take which would help them connect between different data centers across all Infy centers). Those were the days…..
It’s nothing like it now. Here I am installing a new component on the new server, and a message blinks on my outlook…
Oops…my heart misses a beat… are they talking about a new set of people who would be layed off? Fortunately its not that bad a news but then it is certainly a slow poison.
Hello Infocion, we have a new policy for you.
I have to complement the person who drafts those mails because the dreadful news is so beautifully packaged.
It says,
We need to curb the expenses and you would be required to raise a request with the facility department for any stationary you require.
This is just a way to tell us that dare you pick those extra pens and notebooks from the stationary desk next time, you are thrown out.
The travel desk is keeping a check on the cost cutting to such an extent that, it seems at times that these guys are given a share of the money they reject to the employee who has spent an amount for official purpose.
The A/C’s rarely work these days in the food court, reasons given: We seek to instill discipline in your eating habits and want you to eat within specified time. Can somebody please explain how could a bunch of 7000 employees have their lunch within 2 hrs? But nobody raises his/her voice because this is the “age of policies”…. You raise your voice much and you can be “counseled” out.
That’s the new word in the market: Counseling out.
The business is on a slowdown and consequently we have been informed we should adhere to all the policies, otherwise we might be counseled out.
A sweet way to say, boy, you get your acts together. Work long hours, take minimum print outs, pay extra for the conveyance, be ready to live without any incentives (even if you are an extra ordinary performer) because if you don’t, you would be chucked out. Thrown out to “nowhere” (All companies have stopped recruitment)
They say “beggars are not choosers”. The idiom goes perfectly for us.
Choose it, even if you don’t like it. I believe in adherence, than being counseled out.
After all this is the Age of Policies. Isn’t it?
It’s nothing like it now. Here I am installing a new component on the new server, and a message blinks on my outlook…
Oops…my heart misses a beat… are they talking about a new set of people who would be layed off? Fortunately its not that bad a news but then it is certainly a slow poison.
Hello Infocion, we have a new policy for you.
I have to complement the person who drafts those mails because the dreadful news is so beautifully packaged.
It says,
We need to curb the expenses and you would be required to raise a request with the facility department for any stationary you require.
This is just a way to tell us that dare you pick those extra pens and notebooks from the stationary desk next time, you are thrown out.
The travel desk is keeping a check on the cost cutting to such an extent that, it seems at times that these guys are given a share of the money they reject to the employee who has spent an amount for official purpose.
The A/C’s rarely work these days in the food court, reasons given: We seek to instill discipline in your eating habits and want you to eat within specified time. Can somebody please explain how could a bunch of 7000 employees have their lunch within 2 hrs? But nobody raises his/her voice because this is the “age of policies”…. You raise your voice much and you can be “counseled” out.
That’s the new word in the market: Counseling out.
The business is on a slowdown and consequently we have been informed we should adhere to all the policies, otherwise we might be counseled out.
A sweet way to say, boy, you get your acts together. Work long hours, take minimum print outs, pay extra for the conveyance, be ready to live without any incentives (even if you are an extra ordinary performer) because if you don’t, you would be chucked out. Thrown out to “nowhere” (All companies have stopped recruitment)
They say “beggars are not choosers”. The idiom goes perfectly for us.
Choose it, even if you don’t like it. I believe in adherence, than being counseled out.
After all this is the Age of Policies. Isn’t it?
Monday, April 6, 2009
That I have much ado to know myself.
It’s already 12:40, but I am far away from feeling sleepy.
Something has been bothering me. That’s what my friends have been telling me since last couple of days.
I have not been myself, they say. I have not been the cheerful Rachit that they have always encountered, a typical free entertainment channel.
Am I behaving strangely? Is this the reason why I am still awake, trying to figure out what has gone wrong with me?
This situation takes me back to my English class in 1999.
Act 1, Scene 1
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:
It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.
These words were said by Antonio to his friends Salanio and Salarino, in William Shakespeare’s play Merchant Of Venice. Antonio is sad about something but he does not what makes him sad? He asks his friends…..
Its strange that I still remember those lines even after a decade has sailed past, and its more ironical that I don’t remember what his friends had suggested him.
I am waiting for my Salanio/Salarino to let me know how to come out of this strange situation.
Something has been bothering me. That’s what my friends have been telling me since last couple of days.
I have not been myself, they say. I have not been the cheerful Rachit that they have always encountered, a typical free entertainment channel.
Am I behaving strangely? Is this the reason why I am still awake, trying to figure out what has gone wrong with me?
This situation takes me back to my English class in 1999.
Act 1, Scene 1
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:
It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.
These words were said by Antonio to his friends Salanio and Salarino, in William Shakespeare’s play Merchant Of Venice. Antonio is sad about something but he does not what makes him sad? He asks his friends…..
Its strange that I still remember those lines even after a decade has sailed past, and its more ironical that I don’t remember what his friends had suggested him.
I am waiting for my Salanio/Salarino to let me know how to come out of this strange situation.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Love by Chance...:-)
My friend had come back from bangalore and with her came the I-Pod. I was missing it so much. After all I had created a playlist in it. I wanted to listen to all those all those songs badly. Those songs who had accompanied me on my numerous visits to the client location (It took me an hour and a half each day to reach office).
I was all ready to play my playlist, but then my friend wanted me to listen to some new song from Sikander. I was not at all interested. This is how I am? It takes a herculean effort for somebody to make me come out of my zone(I have a selection of approx 100 songs and I can listen to them all my life.) S told me that this was a beautiful song, and later became adamant that I “have” to listen to this song.
The first thing before I played this song was to check what’s the duration of the song? 4 mins 57 secs. Gosh I need to leap over these 5 mins to listen to my playlist. There were those obdurate S’s eyes, and finally I had to give up and I plugged in the earphone into my unwelcoming ears.
The song started…....
Hmm this is a husky voice. Is it Mohit Chauhan (Khoon chala(RDB),Tum Se Hi(jab we met),Masakkali(Delhi-6)fame. Yes it is, S confirmed. I really like this guy, the song continued.
Beautiful music, great beats, the guitarist is just too good. I was half way through and I started liking the song. Everything about this song was just so soothing.
I dint know how did that 4 min 57 secs of my life passed. I knew only one thing. I was in love!!! In love with this song.
Gulon mein….
I have listened to this song about 30-35 times now, without any break and I am not done yet. Beautiful composition, amazing lyrics, and Mohit Chauhan’s voice is just so mellifluous.
I can keep writing here but might still not be able to bring justice to this song.
As I write here it still plays in the I pod J and thanks S you made me fall in love with this song.
I am putting down the lyrics here, but you would bring justice to the song only when you listen to it.
The second stanza is so evocative of our parents and our childhood days (find second stanza in bold italics)
Gulon mein rang bhare
Baad-e-naubahaar chale
Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale (2)
Khwabon ka din hai.. dekho hawayein
Suna rahi hai khushiyon ki dastaan
Main choom loonga.. baahein uthaakar
Khwahishon ka neela neela aasmaan
Jaane kahaan yeh.. baadal chale hai
Kiss aur boondon.. ki mehfilein hai
Bheegi hai rooh meri.. kaisa yeh khumaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Gulon mein rang bhare Baad-e-naubahaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Humne suna hai.. chhote se haathon mein
Chaahe to samaaye.. saara jahaan
Hatheliyon mein.. thaame hai
Hamaare.. buzurgon ki nayi dua
Hum hai sikandar.. hum shehzaade
Chhote kadam hai.. bade hai iraade
Buri nazar se kaho.. hum nazar uthaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale Gulon mein rang bhare Baad-e-naubahaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Movie Name:Sikandar
Music Director:Justin-Uday
Singer :Mohit Chauhan
Lyrics :Neelesh Misra
Actors:Ayesha Kapur, Madhavan, Parzun Dastur, Sanjay Suri Director:Piyush Jha Producer:Sudhir Mishra
Year:2009
I was all ready to play my playlist, but then my friend wanted me to listen to some new song from Sikander. I was not at all interested. This is how I am? It takes a herculean effort for somebody to make me come out of my zone(I have a selection of approx 100 songs and I can listen to them all my life.) S told me that this was a beautiful song, and later became adamant that I “have” to listen to this song.
The first thing before I played this song was to check what’s the duration of the song? 4 mins 57 secs. Gosh I need to leap over these 5 mins to listen to my playlist. There were those obdurate S’s eyes, and finally I had to give up and I plugged in the earphone into my unwelcoming ears.
The song started…....
Hmm this is a husky voice. Is it Mohit Chauhan (Khoon chala(RDB),Tum Se Hi(jab we met),Masakkali(Delhi-6)fame. Yes it is, S confirmed. I really like this guy, the song continued.
Beautiful music, great beats, the guitarist is just too good. I was half way through and I started liking the song. Everything about this song was just so soothing.
I dint know how did that 4 min 57 secs of my life passed. I knew only one thing. I was in love!!! In love with this song.
Gulon mein….
I have listened to this song about 30-35 times now, without any break and I am not done yet. Beautiful composition, amazing lyrics, and Mohit Chauhan’s voice is just so mellifluous.
I can keep writing here but might still not be able to bring justice to this song.
As I write here it still plays in the I pod J and thanks S you made me fall in love with this song.
I am putting down the lyrics here, but you would bring justice to the song only when you listen to it.
The second stanza is so evocative of our parents and our childhood days (find second stanza in bold italics)
Gulon mein rang bhare
Baad-e-naubahaar chale
Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale (2)
Khwabon ka din hai.. dekho hawayein
Suna rahi hai khushiyon ki dastaan
Main choom loonga.. baahein uthaakar
Khwahishon ka neela neela aasmaan
Jaane kahaan yeh.. baadal chale hai
Kiss aur boondon.. ki mehfilein hai
Bheegi hai rooh meri.. kaisa yeh khumaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Gulon mein rang bhare Baad-e-naubahaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Humne suna hai.. chhote se haathon mein
Chaahe to samaaye.. saara jahaan
Hatheliyon mein.. thaame hai
Hamaare.. buzurgon ki nayi dua
Hum hai sikandar.. hum shehzaade
Chhote kadam hai.. bade hai iraade
Buri nazar se kaho.. hum nazar uthaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale Gulon mein rang bhare Baad-e-naubahaar chale Chale bhi aao.. ke gulshan ka.. karobar chale
Movie Name:Sikandar
Music Director:Justin-Uday
Singer :Mohit Chauhan
Lyrics :Neelesh Misra
Actors:Ayesha Kapur, Madhavan, Parzun Dastur, Sanjay Suri Director:Piyush Jha Producer:Sudhir Mishra
Year:2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
I have been tagged...!!!
Today I have been tagged for this post by my friend.
When I first read this post, I thought it is very easy to write about it but the reality was different as it was a cumbersome task to finish it off.
But I sailed through it and here is the result.
Read on:
I am: A dreamer!!!
I think: I will surely achieve all my dreams.
I know: It wont be easy to achieve all what I want, so
I want: to give my best, to make it possible
I have: A few plans stocked which would help me do that.
I wish : I was a cricketer.(A professional one)
I hate: It when India loses a match.
I miss: her whenever she is not around ;-)
I fear: sharp objects.
I feel: the godlike purity in children.
I hear: what I don’t want to listen toJ
I smell: I have the knack of smelling it, if there is something fishy.
I crave: for being pampered.
I search: (am looking) for the person in Nestle who made Maggi. What would I have done if you didn’t discover this amazing stuff? J
I wonder : how great people achieved what they finally did? What inspired them? What motivated them in going full throttle to achieve what they wanted to? Its so magnificent to learn about their lives. Need to imbibe a little in myself.
I regret: nothing! Life is a learning curve, with ups n downs. If there were No lows, I would have never appreciated the Highs.
I love: Cricket, Music, Writing, Cooking( Not the right space to go into people J)
I ache: to witness a battered child.
I am not: into adventurous sports.(Probably I am too scared to venture into the risky stunts).
I dance: decently.(A specialist in SAPERA dance J)
I cry: whenever I cant control my emotions(both overwhelming and tragic)
I don’t always: have regular meals. Have been made to go through a lot of “Sessions” J for not having my meals on regular times.
I fight: my apprehensions, inhibitions whenever I am not being really assertive on something I know I need to be.
I write: whenever I want to talk to myself.
I win: most of the “difference of Opinion” (It’s safe not call them argument) between me and S.
I lose: my temper very fast, but thanks to S, I am learning to control it now.
I never: thought I would be a software engineer. I was in love with heavy machines and mocked @ people who used to sit in front of the computer for hrs and hrs. As fate would have it here I am doing my job(I didn’t say loving still ;-) ),my eyes and back wearing .
I always: wear my watch when I step outside the house, to an extent that I even wear it with my pajamas. (I am awestruck by its beauty)
I confuse: between being open and being superfluous when I am interacting with people. Have found myself cornered because of this at times.
I listen: to soft music (inc romantic)
I can usually be found: whistling to the tunes of Kishore Kumar songs.
I need: to start playing guitar again. Have lost my touch. Some inspiration is flowing in. Guess, will pick it up very soon. J
I am happy about: being myself. Life is a learning curve as I said. Its beautiful to evolve each day.
I imagine: myself being a manager in a top firm managing my life in great way both professionally and personally.
All said and done, now the next step is to tag 5 more people for it. But why make it complicated. Lets find an easier route,anybody reading it would get tagged by itself.(You just need to copy the above template and fill in your responses)
Happy Tagging!!!
When I first read this post, I thought it is very easy to write about it but the reality was different as it was a cumbersome task to finish it off.
But I sailed through it and here is the result.
Read on:
I am: A dreamer!!!
I think: I will surely achieve all my dreams.
I know: It wont be easy to achieve all what I want, so
I want: to give my best, to make it possible
I have: A few plans stocked which would help me do that.
I wish : I was a cricketer.(A professional one)
I hate: It when India loses a match.
I miss: her whenever she is not around ;-)
I fear: sharp objects.
I feel: the godlike purity in children.
I hear: what I don’t want to listen toJ
I smell: I have the knack of smelling it, if there is something fishy.
I crave: for being pampered.
I search: (am looking) for the person in Nestle who made Maggi. What would I have done if you didn’t discover this amazing stuff? J
I wonder : how great people achieved what they finally did? What inspired them? What motivated them in going full throttle to achieve what they wanted to? Its so magnificent to learn about their lives. Need to imbibe a little in myself.
I regret: nothing! Life is a learning curve, with ups n downs. If there were No lows, I would have never appreciated the Highs.
I love: Cricket, Music, Writing, Cooking( Not the right space to go into people J)
I ache: to witness a battered child.
I am not: into adventurous sports.(Probably I am too scared to venture into the risky stunts).
I dance: decently.(A specialist in SAPERA dance J)
I cry: whenever I cant control my emotions(both overwhelming and tragic)
I don’t always: have regular meals. Have been made to go through a lot of “Sessions” J for not having my meals on regular times.
I fight: my apprehensions, inhibitions whenever I am not being really assertive on something I know I need to be.
I write: whenever I want to talk to myself.
I win: most of the “difference of Opinion” (It’s safe not call them argument) between me and S.
I lose: my temper very fast, but thanks to S, I am learning to control it now.
I never: thought I would be a software engineer. I was in love with heavy machines and mocked @ people who used to sit in front of the computer for hrs and hrs. As fate would have it here I am doing my job(I didn’t say loving still ;-) ),my eyes and back wearing .
I always: wear my watch when I step outside the house, to an extent that I even wear it with my pajamas. (I am awestruck by its beauty)
I confuse: between being open and being superfluous when I am interacting with people. Have found myself cornered because of this at times.
I listen: to soft music (inc romantic)
I can usually be found: whistling to the tunes of Kishore Kumar songs.
I need: to start playing guitar again. Have lost my touch. Some inspiration is flowing in. Guess, will pick it up very soon. J
I am happy about: being myself. Life is a learning curve as I said. Its beautiful to evolve each day.
I imagine: myself being a manager in a top firm managing my life in great way both professionally and personally.
All said and done, now the next step is to tag 5 more people for it. But why make it complicated. Lets find an easier route,anybody reading it would get tagged by itself.(You just need to copy the above template and fill in your responses)
Happy Tagging!!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
The predicament of new connection
You should never judge a book by its cover. Truly said!!!!
I was allured by the free CUG calls that I could make from the A**** network to all my A***** subscribers, unaware of the fact that I am being cornered to a trap. A trap which has literally made me tear my hair apart.
The saga (yes it hasn’t been less than a saga for me), started when I travelled back from Bangalore to Chennai. The recession has played a part on everybody’s life and I was too feeble not to be affected by the ghastly spell that it had spread on one and all. I could not afford a number on roaming, though I hate the fact of circulating the number to all the contacts yet again. But then, it would have made a hole in my pocket very soon if i contiuned that number.
This led to an extensive research on the “Most happening cellular connection” in Chennai. After an intriguing session with all the “Agents” from different cellular companies I finally decided that A****** would be the best for me. I was going to make all the calls to A***** mobile for free. Plus a handsome package of 20000 free messages reminded me of my college days where we used to bug all our friends letting them know all the definition of friendship and love.
I thought of reliving that phase of my college life all over again by sending all such kind of messages to all friends. I was ecstatic and was pretty sure that this package would leave me nothing but shelling pennies at the end of the month because my major chunk of expense was getting covered by the schemes that I was getting.
The executive had told me that it would take a day before all the services would be enabled on my number and then I could use it thereafter.
I was full of childish excitement knowing the fact that I could use the free services freely.
The first day I made calls to all all local A***** numbers, sent messages to 50 people. I was competing against myself, the following day beating my record comprehensively with a whooping text message count of 101. I imagined myself raising a bat to a crowd of 10000 people after making a century. I was basking in the glory of self generated hype.
And then……..
A message flashed- “Your unbilled amount is Rs.525 exceeding your credit limit of Rs.500. Please make a payment of Rs.500 to continue with uninterrupted services.
I read that message all over again. Didn’t the person tell me earlier that my credit limit would be Rs.2000. My fingers had taken a decision of dialing at 12*(customer care number) before my brain could pass the signal to it. The next thing I knew was there was a customer care executive on the other side and I was clarifying things up with him.
I was told that as the authentication of my residential address was pending the system had marked me a credit limit of Rs.500.
I was pretty sure that this authentication process would be over and done with in a day or two and I would get the promised credit limit of Rs.2000 after that. To avoid myself from any more hassles I made a payment of Rs.500.
Did, I forget to write before that by now I had received around 8 calls that day, each of the executive reminding me to pay my phone bill. I was really startled to see that they had mastered the art of speaking what they had been taught to, but none of them had an answer if a question was asked to them. After being kept on hold for eternity on each call I realized that it was futile to get involved in a conversation with them. And, hence the payment of the bill had happened……
This time round I knew that I could not be any more adventurous and I only messaged or called if there was a need to…. On the other hand I was pretty sure that this procedure of residential authentication might have happened by now.
But then, A*****(destiny) had some other plans for me. Three days passed(in between I was still getting calls to know “who I am”, “what is my plan”, making me wonder didn’t they take a record of the form I had so duly filled while applying for the connection), another message flashed- “Your unbilled amount is Rs.525 exceeding your credit limit of Rs.500. Please make a payment of Rs.500 to continue with uninterrupted services.
I read the message twice. My software engineer mind asked me to take a note of the timestamp. Probably I was reading the message that was sent to me three days back only to discover later that my horrors were true.
I called up @ 12*. I was amazed to know that verification of residential address had not yet happened. The customer care executive informed me that the person who had come to have a tete a tete with me could not reach me on my address-30 B,gayatri nagar.
Hold on!!!!-30 B? But I had given my address as 13 B. How could somebody reach to an address which does not exist?
I stopped him from finishing his lines which he had by hearted so beautifully. I narrated to him what the problem was, but I was flabbergasted to hear his reply to my question.
“Sorry Sir we cannot update the address before it is verified by the verification team”.
I could not say anything further. I did not want to say anything further.
I called them back again after an hour, only to know this time what was their procedure of disconnecting a number!
I was allured by the free CUG calls that I could make from the A**** network to all my A***** subscribers, unaware of the fact that I am being cornered to a trap. A trap which has literally made me tear my hair apart.
The saga (yes it hasn’t been less than a saga for me), started when I travelled back from Bangalore to Chennai. The recession has played a part on everybody’s life and I was too feeble not to be affected by the ghastly spell that it had spread on one and all. I could not afford a number on roaming, though I hate the fact of circulating the number to all the contacts yet again. But then, it would have made a hole in my pocket very soon if i contiuned that number.
This led to an extensive research on the “Most happening cellular connection” in Chennai. After an intriguing session with all the “Agents” from different cellular companies I finally decided that A****** would be the best for me. I was going to make all the calls to A***** mobile for free. Plus a handsome package of 20000 free messages reminded me of my college days where we used to bug all our friends letting them know all the definition of friendship and love.
I thought of reliving that phase of my college life all over again by sending all such kind of messages to all friends. I was ecstatic and was pretty sure that this package would leave me nothing but shelling pennies at the end of the month because my major chunk of expense was getting covered by the schemes that I was getting.
The executive had told me that it would take a day before all the services would be enabled on my number and then I could use it thereafter.
I was full of childish excitement knowing the fact that I could use the free services freely.
The first day I made calls to all all local A***** numbers, sent messages to 50 people. I was competing against myself, the following day beating my record comprehensively with a whooping text message count of 101. I imagined myself raising a bat to a crowd of 10000 people after making a century. I was basking in the glory of self generated hype.
And then……..
A message flashed- “Your unbilled amount is Rs.525 exceeding your credit limit of Rs.500. Please make a payment of Rs.500 to continue with uninterrupted services.
I read that message all over again. Didn’t the person tell me earlier that my credit limit would be Rs.2000. My fingers had taken a decision of dialing at 12*(customer care number) before my brain could pass the signal to it. The next thing I knew was there was a customer care executive on the other side and I was clarifying things up with him.
I was told that as the authentication of my residential address was pending the system had marked me a credit limit of Rs.500.
I was pretty sure that this authentication process would be over and done with in a day or two and I would get the promised credit limit of Rs.2000 after that. To avoid myself from any more hassles I made a payment of Rs.500.
Did, I forget to write before that by now I had received around 8 calls that day, each of the executive reminding me to pay my phone bill. I was really startled to see that they had mastered the art of speaking what they had been taught to, but none of them had an answer if a question was asked to them. After being kept on hold for eternity on each call I realized that it was futile to get involved in a conversation with them. And, hence the payment of the bill had happened……
This time round I knew that I could not be any more adventurous and I only messaged or called if there was a need to…. On the other hand I was pretty sure that this procedure of residential authentication might have happened by now.
But then, A*****(destiny) had some other plans for me. Three days passed(in between I was still getting calls to know “who I am”, “what is my plan”, making me wonder didn’t they take a record of the form I had so duly filled while applying for the connection), another message flashed- “Your unbilled amount is Rs.525 exceeding your credit limit of Rs.500. Please make a payment of Rs.500 to continue with uninterrupted services.
I read the message twice. My software engineer mind asked me to take a note of the timestamp. Probably I was reading the message that was sent to me three days back only to discover later that my horrors were true.
I called up @ 12*. I was amazed to know that verification of residential address had not yet happened. The customer care executive informed me that the person who had come to have a tete a tete with me could not reach me on my address-30 B,gayatri nagar.
Hold on!!!!-30 B? But I had given my address as 13 B. How could somebody reach to an address which does not exist?
I stopped him from finishing his lines which he had by hearted so beautifully. I narrated to him what the problem was, but I was flabbergasted to hear his reply to my question.
“Sorry Sir we cannot update the address before it is verified by the verification team”.
I could not say anything further. I did not want to say anything further.
I called them back again after an hour, only to know this time what was their procedure of disconnecting a number!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I dont know what to write but I want to write!!!
There are certain days when you want to write. What to write? You dont know, but you want to write. There are certain days when your thoughts are choking your head. Bursting to come out and there are those days when you don’t give a thought to any of the thoughts because you are too engrossed in doing the chores.
It is one such day when I want to write. I am writing but I still don’t know what to write? Its one such day when I close my eyes and I feel disturbed. I find solace in keeping my eyes open. It gives me relaxation. It is one such day when I want to speak because I dont want to think. Its one such day I would want to be called an extrovert because I want to blabber aimlessly because I don’t know how to express what I feel.
Therefore I want to write. I want to look back into the beautiful old childhood where everything is so cute and cuddly but I don’t find myself treading that path. It takes me to the horrors of gibbet. I don’t want to think of the childhood. Where should I draw inspiration from? What should I think about, just not to think what I am thinking right now.
I don’t know what to write but I still want to write.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Most memorable Journey!!!
I was drenched with sweat when somebody’s voice: “Its Nagpur” woke me from my slumber. I was traveling by a sleeper class train in the middle of April from Pune to Ranchi. I saw my watch. It was 2 Pm. The fans were loaded with dust indicating that it was about a year ago the fan had stopped working. I could not take it any longer. I planned to go down. There were 12 people already sitting down. It was summer vacation in most of the colleges and school and the train was full of waitlisted people. I had somehow managed to get a seat. It was too much for me to lay down fighting against the intolerable heat the roof was transmitting. I peeped down to see those faces full of anticipation. The anticipation of those people, who were supposed to get down at Nagpur. I sighed –“Wish Nagpur was my hometown”. I did not know how would I manage the rest of the journey. I could not take this anymore. I thought I would prefer standing near the gate rather getting sapped here. I got down and straight away made my way to the gate. The sun was burning red. The heat had taken a toll on the vegetation as the barren land spread as far as I could see. I felt sorry for the plants.
I had finished off the bottle of water I had. I wanted to buy a bottle of water as and when I reach Nagpur.. I checked my pocket to find my wallet.
Oh god!!! I was horrified to discover that my wallet was missing from its place. I had dropped it somewhere. Somewhere? But where? I was blank.
. Trying to retrace where could I drop it I retraced my steps to my berth. I looked at each and every corner of my berth, my luggage, only to find one thing – “Disappointment”.
I no more felt sorry for the plants because I was too engrossed in feeling sorry for myself. The only voice I could hear now was that of that vendor who was selling a water bottle. Between all this chaos I heard the train screeching and finally halting. One NOBLE voice said, “don’t worry, Go and report this at the nearest railway police station”. I was aware of the fact that the train stops at Nagpur station for 20 mins. I thought (at least then) that it was the right idea. Asking that person to take care of my luggage I got down of the train to look for the police station. After 10mins of struggle I found the railway police guard room. I stormed inside to narrate my plight to the officer.
The police guard quite bluntly replied back saying that as I had lost my wallet before reaching Nagpur station, the case did not come under his jurisdiction. I could not muster any word, not because I was scared to do so, but I was too feeble because of the thirst. Resigning to the fact that I would never get back my wallet I started my way back towards the train.
I was horrified to see the train moving. I didn’t realize that I had wasted 20 mins in finding a merciless police guard who showed no concerns for me. Somehow I threw myself inside some compartment and started making my way to my coop. My horror had no bounds to find my luggage missing along with the Mr.NOBLE (Now you know why I had used this word in BOLD). It had to be the most disgusting day of my life.
I pulled the chain and dropped out of the train. The train had moved three kms from Nagpur station. The sight of barren land looked so familiar. The plants looked as if they were feeling sorry for me now. I knew for sure, the police guard could not make the very same excuse because this guy had got down with my luggage “Under his Jurisdiction”. Each step seemed a milestone covered. I was dying of thirst.
I was terrorized to see eagles hovering above. It reminded me of all those Hindi movies where the villain drops in some desert and they feed on him. It gave me some motivation to move faster. I could see the railways station at a distance now. I managed having a smile and minutes later, couldn’t help myself chuckling at the sight of a water tap. I knew it would cater the most impure form of water but I thought I better die of diarrhea than die of thirst and then be perched by beasts.
I opened the tap to find cold water flowing down. It was the best thing that had happened to me in the last 1 hour. I cupped my hands to drink water. I drank it all but I could not quench my thirst.
Why? What was wrong? Was it not water?
I shrieked…..
And the next sight was of the A/C compartment I was inside. I was traveling from Bangalore to Chennai. It was nothing but a stupid dream. My throat was very dry. Now I knew what was the origination of this dream (I rather call it a nightmare). I was a little thirsty before going to sleep but I was too lazy to pick the water bottle that was on the other side of the berth. I made a silent prayer to the almighty before finishing off the complete bottle. I was ecstatic to see my entire luggage intact, my wallet in my pocket and only six people in my coop all-sleeping in peace. Cuddling the little bag I had I again went back to sleep.
I had finished off the bottle of water I had. I wanted to buy a bottle of water as and when I reach Nagpur.. I checked my pocket to find my wallet.
Oh god!!! I was horrified to discover that my wallet was missing from its place. I had dropped it somewhere. Somewhere? But where? I was blank.
. Trying to retrace where could I drop it I retraced my steps to my berth. I looked at each and every corner of my berth, my luggage, only to find one thing – “Disappointment”.
I no more felt sorry for the plants because I was too engrossed in feeling sorry for myself. The only voice I could hear now was that of that vendor who was selling a water bottle. Between all this chaos I heard the train screeching and finally halting. One NOBLE voice said, “don’t worry, Go and report this at the nearest railway police station”. I was aware of the fact that the train stops at Nagpur station for 20 mins. I thought (at least then) that it was the right idea. Asking that person to take care of my luggage I got down of the train to look for the police station. After 10mins of struggle I found the railway police guard room. I stormed inside to narrate my plight to the officer.
The police guard quite bluntly replied back saying that as I had lost my wallet before reaching Nagpur station, the case did not come under his jurisdiction. I could not muster any word, not because I was scared to do so, but I was too feeble because of the thirst. Resigning to the fact that I would never get back my wallet I started my way back towards the train.
I was horrified to see the train moving. I didn’t realize that I had wasted 20 mins in finding a merciless police guard who showed no concerns for me. Somehow I threw myself inside some compartment and started making my way to my coop. My horror had no bounds to find my luggage missing along with the Mr.NOBLE (Now you know why I had used this word in BOLD). It had to be the most disgusting day of my life.
I pulled the chain and dropped out of the train. The train had moved three kms from Nagpur station. The sight of barren land looked so familiar. The plants looked as if they were feeling sorry for me now. I knew for sure, the police guard could not make the very same excuse because this guy had got down with my luggage “Under his Jurisdiction”. Each step seemed a milestone covered. I was dying of thirst.
I was terrorized to see eagles hovering above. It reminded me of all those Hindi movies where the villain drops in some desert and they feed on him. It gave me some motivation to move faster. I could see the railways station at a distance now. I managed having a smile and minutes later, couldn’t help myself chuckling at the sight of a water tap. I knew it would cater the most impure form of water but I thought I better die of diarrhea than die of thirst and then be perched by beasts.
I opened the tap to find cold water flowing down. It was the best thing that had happened to me in the last 1 hour. I cupped my hands to drink water. I drank it all but I could not quench my thirst.
Why? What was wrong? Was it not water?
I shrieked…..
And the next sight was of the A/C compartment I was inside. I was traveling from Bangalore to Chennai. It was nothing but a stupid dream. My throat was very dry. Now I knew what was the origination of this dream (I rather call it a nightmare). I was a little thirsty before going to sleep but I was too lazy to pick the water bottle that was on the other side of the berth. I made a silent prayer to the almighty before finishing off the complete bottle. I was ecstatic to see my entire luggage intact, my wallet in my pocket and only six people in my coop all-sleeping in peace. Cuddling the little bag I had I again went back to sleep.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Are We Really Republic?
What happened in Mangalore forces me to ask a question to myself. Are we a republic country? Our we really democratic? Are we moving forward?
It so ironical that on one side our president was talking about our country taking great advancements in all the fields and visualizing the dream of becoming a superpower in coming years, and on the other side few maniac trying to script the future of the country in the most barbaric way.
We are proud of our democracy and value our integrity but do we all think the same.
Unfortunately the honest answer is No!!! There are a section of people who think that they can take the control of people’s life and can drive the country in their own way.
Whenever I used to watch the videotapes made in Taliban I used to take a sigh of relief. I used to thank god that my mother, my sister, my friends who are girls are born in India, but can I still think the same?
I am scared for my sister, my friends (girls). Are they safe to have meals in a restaurant? Can they “afford” to party anymore? I don’t think so.
There are bunch of ‘Nobody’s’(I like calling them nobody’s because that is what they are) who are trying to make me live my life their way.
The most brutal part of this saga is that they have named themselves as “Ram Sena”. Why doesn’t somebody ask them to narrate the preaching of Lord Ram?
It’s utterly shameful that the so-called disciples are doing this in the name of “Maryada Purushottam” Ram.
What’s the difference between the terrorists and these people? I can only site similarities but no differences.
We talk about peace and maintaining harmony between our fellow Indians. We talk about joining hands to fight terrorism.
Its high time we start to learn the art of Self Introspection. Lets clean the country internally first, from these beliefs. Lets all respect women because we are what we are because of them. Lets pause and think once before hitting a woman that god made us stronger than them because he wanted us to protect them from all the evils and not to harm them.
Lets police ourselves first before policing others. Lets act responsibly now.
It happened 59 years ago when we became republic. Lets start feeling the same now.
It so ironical that on one side our president was talking about our country taking great advancements in all the fields and visualizing the dream of becoming a superpower in coming years, and on the other side few maniac trying to script the future of the country in the most barbaric way.
We are proud of our democracy and value our integrity but do we all think the same.
Unfortunately the honest answer is No!!! There are a section of people who think that they can take the control of people’s life and can drive the country in their own way.
Whenever I used to watch the videotapes made in Taliban I used to take a sigh of relief. I used to thank god that my mother, my sister, my friends who are girls are born in India, but can I still think the same?
I am scared for my sister, my friends (girls). Are they safe to have meals in a restaurant? Can they “afford” to party anymore? I don’t think so.
There are bunch of ‘Nobody’s’(I like calling them nobody’s because that is what they are) who are trying to make me live my life their way.
The most brutal part of this saga is that they have named themselves as “Ram Sena”. Why doesn’t somebody ask them to narrate the preaching of Lord Ram?
It’s utterly shameful that the so-called disciples are doing this in the name of “Maryada Purushottam” Ram.
What’s the difference between the terrorists and these people? I can only site similarities but no differences.
We talk about peace and maintaining harmony between our fellow Indians. We talk about joining hands to fight terrorism.
Its high time we start to learn the art of Self Introspection. Lets clean the country internally first, from these beliefs. Lets all respect women because we are what we are because of them. Lets pause and think once before hitting a woman that god made us stronger than them because he wanted us to protect them from all the evils and not to harm them.
Lets police ourselves first before policing others. Lets act responsibly now.
It happened 59 years ago when we became republic. Lets start feeling the same now.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Her Beauty!!!!
Ever since I wrote my first blog, she keeps on complaining….
Why haven’t you written about me? Don’t you love me dearly? Am I not worth writing about?
Dear love, I have loved you since I was a toddler. I fell in love with you at first sight and will love you all my life.
The only answer, and believe me I am not being mushy or cheesy but whatever I write about you, I fear I might still not be able to explain my feelings for you.
What I think about you, might not be put in words, but then I "really" want to write about you. Want you to be a part of my blog world. I was thinking about it, all these days, until I went for lunch at the local food stall.
I had to come for work alone and eventually had to have my lunch alone. In my solemn effort of having my lunch peacefully without uttering a word, I caught upon what people were talking about you. They were discussing you. It didn’t give me a little sense of insecurity when somebody said he was passionate about you. Its your beauty that nobody can keep himself away from falling in love with you. I know whatever I write I might still not be able to justify my feelings for you so I thought it would be better off to write what they felt about you.
Yes, they were talking about the passion of my life-‘CRICKET’.
One of them said that it’s the IPL that had made the game more commercialized and was of the opinion that money had taken the game to another level. He believed that It had brought in, more fun to the game and how the younger generation have started pouring in thousands, for a 20-20 game as they thought they didn’t have 6 hours to spend for an ODI leave alone spending an entire day for a test match.
The other guy said, that he still found test match cricket most entertaining, as it was the purest form of cricket. He found 20-20 to be an adulterated version and thought the moolahs associated with it would bring back the scary “ghost of match fixing” back.
The third person opinioned that it is only the world cup which is most interesting. He felt that it takes the nerves of the players to a breath taking level. He found the battle between the countries very patriotic and felt that no other form of the game produces those sentiments.
I was wondering how three people can have three different opions about you. But then one thing was common among all. Everybody loved you in one form or the other. Its your beauty that whatever form it is, people love you dearly. I had finished my lunch still wanting to learn much more about you until the waiter came and presented the bill to me.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
When have you been the happiest?
I had gone to my cousin’s place to find my niece holding an autograph book which she had got as a gift from one of her friend.
It looked to me that it would be a five min job and I would finish this off within ten minutes. The questions were pretty obvious at the beginning and I was just checking my speed to maintain good hand writing as my thoughts were much faster than my fingers which were holding a pen after long time. Then the questions became tougher where I had to write about my favourites. (From fav movie to fav food) It was difficult to chose one of its kind from a large pool but somehow I could figure out my favourites wondering what would Rang de Basanti or Chinese tell me if they all of a sudden were infused with life if they came to know that I had betrayed them by chosing Taare Zameen Par and Paani Puri respectively over them. Feeling sorry for the two I moved ahead and was made to face much more difficult questions. Each questions started taking more and more time and I was reminded of exam days where I wanted to peek in from my neighbors copy to have an idea of what the question requires. I somehow finished with all questions except one--- What gives you maximum happiness?
It was so vague and I didn’t have an answer right then. My niece was losing her patience very much like my examiners who were all ready to snatch the papers after the 3 hour paper and very much like my answer sheets I returned back the autograph book to her with one question unanswered.
I wanted to write something to finish it off but then I wanted to be honest with each answer. I told her that I would give her an answer someday later and I moved out for her place. All this while thinking, what has given me or could give me maximum happiness?
I reflected back trying to figure out the answer.
I went back to my childhood days. I was reminded of those days of plastic guns and hot wheel cars I had. Wow! Those days were of super fun and I used to be so happy. But then I thought, does it still appeal to me? The answer was a blunt No.
Then I thought of the cricket bat that my mom had gifted me on my birthday. I was so happy and it was the most prized possession for me then. Then I thought of the state of that bat today. Last time when I had been home I had seen termites feeding on it and I had thought of reminding my mom to do something about it, but then, eventually I forgot. Are we supposed to forget the things we love so dearly? The answer from within was no and I tried moving my thoughts to something else.
I thought of the moment when I bought my first bike. Wow, it had to be the best moment. It reminded me off all those trips I made in rain and all those high terrain expeditions. But then I realized I had parted with it a year ago because it had started giving me troubles and I didn’t want it anymore.
I was straining my brain all this while till the bus conductor announced that electronic city had arrived. I got down of the bus still in that thoughtful mood until I bumped into a little child who was a rag picker who looked in total disarray. He had loads of tears in his eyes.
The thought of this child took the driver seat now. I was wondering if had banged into this child with a force and had accidentally hurt him. I asked him if he was okay to which he didn’t respond. His eyes had so much in it apart from the overflowing tears. I couldn’t control myself and asked him again what was there which was bothering him so much. He said that he had not found anything substantial from the pile of garbage and he didn’t have any substantial material to give to his owner who gives him 10 rupees for a kilo of plastic. He didn’t have enough money for dinner. Tears were rolling down his cheek as he was narrating his plight to me.
I was dumb struck. This little child toiled all day but was unlucky to arrange a dinner for himself.
I took this child to a food joint nearby and got a dinner packed for him. A beautiful angelic smile took over from the tears which had played its part to perfection in leaving this child with red eyes.
He only raised his hand probably in utter joy or may be he didn’t know there was a word like thank you and ran away with the packet in his hand. It felt he had achieved gold. In moments he was far away and the next moment I could not see him anymore. But then, his smile was captured in my eyes.
I have never felt so ecstatic, so contented before. I came to know where the real happiness lies. I know now that its there in a child’s smile!!! The autograph book would be fully complete tomorrow!!!
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