Welcome Abode!!!

Welcome Abode!

Fasten your Seat Belts, Ladies   & Gentlemen! The blog that you are just about to enter may have certain and/or all ideas & ideologies that even you maybe reflecting upon.

Shocking!

Bizarre!

Unethical!

Or a totally unique ideology!  

The journey begins to the “alternate thoughts”, which are either never thought of, or if thought upon never discussed openly and just brushed them past.

No! They are not going to be indecent or obnoxious.

Just a world with a bit of twist from a curious & ever thinking mind!

No Escape…

There are comments which initiate conversations- intellect, lewd, or totally general! And then there are comments, which abruptly stalls all kind of conversations! I came across a few and would very much like to share it with you. Lets see have you come across them too?  No; not comments such as “shut up”, “zip it up”,  or the well tried & tested over the years “shhh”! Am talking about the innocent , non-offensive ones (only for the speaker)!

Please note that the comments below mentioned don’t work unless accompanied by an exclamation mark !(read: exaggeration/ shrill voice!!)

With every comment there are thoughts which just spring up to my head, which are best left unspoken as good manners thrust into me all these years overpower me from responding to these comments!

Alas! writing them down here.

Here they go:-

1. YOU LOOK FAT! 

Fat people have feelings! And the moment someone passes this comment pointing at you, all your feelings come crashing down! All thanks to the media hype around; being fat is certainly a crime these days! But then come on who wants to be fat by their own choice! It happens! There are several factors! Factors like overeating, stress, lack of exercise, genes, etc. We all know this but yet  people can’t resist themselves from commenting this heart shattering comment the moment they see even a teeny-weeny extra millimeter of fat around your waist or your chin!If only the comments would help me shed the extra kilos, i surely would be anorexic by now!!

Tip: Before one can comment on your cellulite, go jump in front and cry out how fat you’ve become! It usually garners sympathy or tips (which never works) or total flamboyancy of someone else’ fitness levels! Topic changed!  Mission accomplished!

2.YOU ARE MINE!

What are you supposed to say further than that?  Isn’t that the most sweetest line you ever wanted to hear ever since your mom told about the prince charming coming to claim you! Err, did I just say CLAIM? Very well, in another words its the most sweetest form of putting a claim on a person or like a child claiming its toy! But honestly on a more practical level, would you ever give  such kind of right to any person to claim YOU!?! (Do think about it.)

Tip: Please change the topic. Its good for the World peace.

3. JUST DO IT! 

Imagine you are/ were working at an executive level and you are in a board meeting for the first time ever amidst the high-profile and aristocrat looking clients. The privilege and honor that accompanies you today is incomparable! The excitement & the butterflies of nervousness in your stomach creep u to the highest point no matter even if its your 20th presentation.  And then supposedly lady luck turns away & there happens some goof up! (hardly ever your mistake but mostly of your seniors) The senior will yell at you to rectify it, and if by chance (which is most likely) you pause even for  a second to think what & how to rectify the mistake, the next comment invented by brand Nike in 1989 from your senior will make u startled and all u can do is fidget, hurry or find some amends or stutter with your next few lines! Kudos, if you can finish rest of the presentation on your own. If you can’t, relax! your senior will (what do you think they are exactly paid for?)

Tip: Anyway, Just do it!

4. I DUMP YOU! 

When you first here this from the person with whom you have been involved intimately; you go speechless, your brains cease to work! Either tears well up in ur eyes ready to burst at the drop of a hat or immense tension increases in the muscles of your arm traveling all d way down to your palm  so that in a flash of a light you can raise it up and strike against the cheek of the “thing” standing across you! Do I need to say more? Is there going to be a sensible or hardly any conversation ahead?

Tip: Don’t lose courage. Simply reply back, “Thank God! Good riddance!” and walk off with pride, after all you’d had the last word which was going to be so unlikely

5. YOU’RE SUCH A BORE!  Heard it at school, college, workplace, or on a date? Well doesn’t matter, for after this comment there wasn’t much left to say! Commend the person for his/her honesty!

Tip: Please walk off and save your face! As no matter how hard you are /try to act interesting, you’re tagged forever!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, these were the most interesting ones out of many I could list down,but am sure there must be many more which you might have come across. The only reason for putting down these comments was to serve the sole purpose: innocent comments aren’t always innocent! Words always have the power to make one’s day or to totally ruin them all. Its all good if taken it on a lighter note, but as we know it, what appears to me isn’t exactly the same what it appears to you.

Be kind, don’t use these phrases to intentionally hurt someone. But do use them if there is absolutely no escape…

Night-Light to my life…

I lived in a house full of light…

I was happy and my world felt free…

And at night the sky would shine so bright…

Oh! This was getting better than it ever could be.

 

 

The night the Moon shone dimly…

Reflected what fate had it in store for me…

It took a back flip unknowingly…

Lights vanished & it all became freaky.

 

The lights were fake & only the dark seemed so true…

All bogus colors melted away finally…

The darkness I thought was meant to be slept through…

Remained with me so unexpectedly.

 

 

Within it, I fumbled at first…

Then making my moves slowly & steady…

Hunger was lost; building up a desperate thirst…

Of acquiring what I lost; it’s time to get ready.

 

 

It bore me strength & the faith relived…

It made me see; all along which was unseen…

A world without false shadows finally revealed…

The light I had within was beyond umpteen.

 

Never wondered, or spared a thought…

How Things pass by quietly & hardly observe…

The world awaits the sun, glistening & hot…

But lovers rejoice upon the settling sun’s curve.

 

 

The dark was vast & never ending…

Always present when the lights were absent…

Taught me- light was essential for surviving…

Don’t run away, it’s equally pleasant.

 

The lights will guide you is so true…

As Flashbulbs & torches are only shiny…

But the light inside u will take you through…

Igniting the huge forest- though so tiny.

 

And as night made me overcome my fear…

Yet, I closed my eyes & held onto the dark…

The sun made a picture so bright & clear…

Welcomed it all – the glowing night still in my heart!

 

 

Before time runs out…

Hello!!!

What time is it?!

Wishing you the most pleasant hour of the day! I hope it is so when you reading this post, because I cannot narrow down to what period of the day you are reading this, but am sure it has to be pleasant because you chose to read my blog over many other things ! *chuckle* All right am sorry at my silly attempt at foolish humor, but then I didn’t want to start yet another post on a sad note as I know my last post/poem was a little depressive(or romantic?).

Well, OK let’s start off this post on a serious note (I’m kind of starting to dislike the word “serious” now) about something that yet again struck to my mind.

My friends know, & I confess to the World, I have no liking towards all the breeds of the canine family!

Junior cannines

First of all, there are certain religious taboos towards them, & secondly, I just don’t like this class of species who keep on wagging their tails & are really messy when they come and lick you up!! Ugh!

(MY SINCERE APOLOGIES TO ALL THE DOG LOVERS OUT THERE, BUT THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL CHOICE! NOT BEING OFFENSIVE TO ANYONE!)

So, the other day on a lazy afternoon, & having nothing much to do, was surfing through the channels on TV & stopped on STAR MOVIES who were showing Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson & a dog with the title etched on the right top corner of the screen stating “MARLEY & ME”. Now, since I had just tuned into the channel I had no clue who was Marley & who was Me! Assumed the former was Jennifer Aniston & the latter Owen. But assumptions are most of the times wrong, & as movie gradually played on realized mine were wrong as well. Marley was THE DOG & Me was John (Owen Wilson).

For all those who have seen the movie, can jump to the next paragraph but for those who haven’t here is a quick brief of the movie —-

Marley & Me- Christmas of '08

“Mr. & Mrs. Grogan after their marriage are hired as reporters for competing newspapers. When John senses Jenny is considering motherhood, his friend and co-worker suggests the couple adopt a dog to see if they’re ready to raise a family.

The dog becomes an interesting subject for John’s weekly columns. Now, this Labrador stays put with them, till the Grogan bandwagon turns to 5 from 2! In this time period, John undergoes a job change, and they move from Florida to a farmhouse in Pennsylvania. As Marley is getting old with time, he shows signs of arthritis & deafness. He is euthanized, when he has some gastric problems & a surgery won’t help. The Grogan family grieves his departure.”

No, I wasn’t here to discuss the movie which cashed in huge at the box office during the Christmas of ’08. But because, this movie gave in a message so subtle yet hard-hitting that actually led me to tears! (NO, I’m not a weak-hearted, emotional person).

Marley, though an animal, minus the power of human language, had become an integral part of the family. Though how much ever an irritating & naughty a dog he was, was still lovable. His little nuances, habits, & just about everything had been the way of the daily routine!

Answer me…

Why is it, that only separation often leads us to the realization of a beings value in our life & not whilst they are still with us? Why do we often have to put up with a tough face when we really want to show our love & care to someone so earnestly? Why are we so scared to hide our feelings; what we shut behind the curtains in the dark, & afraid to let the sun’s glowing rays to take even a slight peep?! Why do we think that expressing our love for someone will tarnish our image!?

Often we may be mad on people whom we love, but don’t be too mad to let them go! Often there will be fights where you would just like to walk out, but don’t!

Special someone

For these are the people who have made your life beautiful all along! That one person who is the reason you want to go and fight out against the harshness of the world! The people who have stayed right next to you at your weakest, your ugliest! That person who brightens up your morning no matter how dark the day it is!

These people may occur in your life in form of family/friends/ lover! Am sure, you too have these people in your life! Some may have it in form of their pet/ a stranger/ GOD!

Have you thanked these people of late? Have you appreciated them recently? Have you told how much you love them & what they truly mean to you!? Do it so, before time runs out.

Also, In the latter case (whereby I’m referring to pet/stranger/GOD) their responses to certain disagreements/problems are usually not audible or visible, but in the former, they are and will be. And if they are, don’t take them leniently, act on them, and improvise on it!

For if you don’t… I leave it upon you to find out.

Oh! all this suddenly reminds me of the song… If tomorrow never comes by Ronan Keating.

And yes, by now my opinion about dogs have changed. They are living creatures too & I respect them for the way they are!

Marley made me do so.

“Hope the message is clear & so is your fear of expressing” – Marley & Me! Summer of ‘11

Marley & Me- Summer of '11

.

A Dream You Are…

“Its a feeling which exists in me, but I cant express,

It keeps me up at night, & dream about you all day,

I try not to think of you, but that’s where exactly my thoughts sway.

Baby, I love you very much, more then ever you can guess.”

 

 

“You lighten up my life like sun’s each glorious ray,

I would give the world if I had it my way,

I want you every minute and steal you if  I would may.”

But my love for you is vast and will be with you always no matter how  far am away.”

 

 

“Its the feeling I get, when you are around,

Like the melody of a tune oh so sweet!,

Listen to my heart, chanting your name in its every beat.

My life singing  your song in every sound.”

 

 

“The kindness that pours through your eyes,

Fills up the empty shallowness of my soul,

Prophesying that in my life you play the protagonist’s  role.

A relation I enrich filled with unbreakable ties!’

 

“I wait for you all day long,

To have a glimpse of you or even just a call,

None happens; and then as the night falls.

I realize my hopes were just so wrong!”

 

 

“I don’t realize my alarm did ring or  not

It must have rung and then stopped.

Who are you and with me relationship u share what

That your images still occur so clear and unblocked.”

 

 

“And as the sun conquers the mysterious night,

I come to realize my destiny in store which is filled with fright,

A dream YOU are which will never come true how much ever  I may cry,

Can never have you how no matter what I try,

But You’ll be my Forever love  till the end of my life!”

Special Thanks To The Readers

Well, A very Happy New Year to all you wonderful people out there! 2011 a new year of opportunities and possibilities is here!

Below here is a review about this blog, how it did in the past year!

It wouldn’t have been possible without all you faithful and deicated readers ! A special thanks to all of you.

 

kindly help me this year too, to build it better and bigger!

 

Cheers to you all..

 

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is on fire!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 4,000 times in 2010. That’s about 10 full 747s.

 

In 2010, there were 4 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 6 posts. There were 27 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 1mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was October 4th with 65 views. The most popular post that day was Expressing the Inexpressible.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, search.aol.com, in.linkedin.com, 74.125.67.100, and mail.yahoo.com.

 

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Expressing the Inexpressible December 2009
5 comments

2

My Forever Friends! March 2010
7 comments

3

Ups & Downs February 2010
6 comments

4

My say… My way… December 2009

5

Lyrical Thoughts. . . February 2010
3 comments

Happy In-Dependence Day!!

Happy Independence Day !!

INDIA

15th August, 2010. 63 years after India attained its independence from the British Raj.

Yes… we are all proud on this day and are glad to be a part of this memorial year my fellow patriotic Indians!!!

No sooner had the clock struck 12, the messages started pouring in, stating facts like how many languages, states, festivals, etc., our country has, the Indian map, and many other elevating feelings written along! The most ridiculous and hilarious one was when a few of my friends messaged me on 14th August, wishing me about our Independence Day. I was reaction less to my friends’ ignorance.

I was going through my facebook homepage and was really aesthetic to see several people putting up “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY”, “JAI HIND”, etc. as their status message or changing their profile pics to the Tri-color flag or the pictures of the freedom fighters and tagging their friends to the picture of the Indian flag and so on. My fav best was the one with three Zoo-Zoos saluting.( I assume its to the Indian flag)

A salute to the Indian Flag

Happy! Proud! are the common feelings in all our hearts on this day!

What intrigued me was a certain message from a friend, who on this day thinks is no special day and the same ordinary day since the past 63 years, pointing out how we are perceived internationally as losers who fight among themselves.

To a certain extent, it is correct. We are still a Developing Nation after more than six decades, and there are lots of problems which need to be resolved internally.the politicians are corrupt,the methodologies are old, and the infrastructure not up to the mark!

But my only question to my dear friend is: What have you personally done to overcome this feeling of ordinary day? What have you done to make this day special which deserves to be special? What have you done that makes us a Developed Nation? What have you done for the country to make the Nation proud of?

I’m not talking about changing the nation, the ideology or the malpractices happening in this country single-handedly. But at your own personal level what means have you adopted and what to be Independent of?

Yes, we do have a lot of issues to solve. And we do have our own fair share of setbacks. But doesn’t every house have their own share of problems and worries? Should we always keep on focusing and cribbing about the wrongdoings or the faults rather than taking things in our hands or at least extending our support to the issue?

We know all this exists and since many years.

But WHAT NEXT???

We need a CHANGE. And it starts with YOU.  The Nation will follow. Has to follow.

As Gandhiji stated “Be the Change You Want to See”

Some simple practices we have forgotten wherein YOU can actually bring about a change; bring about a revolution. (Please Note- I’m not trying to be preachy, but just refreshing your memory, some basic practices we were taught back in school)

>Stop bribing and the corruption stops on its own.

>Stop Littering, and we will have one of the cleanest – country or state or city or at least the neighborhood.

> Stop being lazy and go cast your vote and you will have an efficient government chosen by YOU.

>Stop getting involved into Illegal practices and a lot of crimes will be banished.

>Stop being ignorant and the babus in the plush offices will actually start working.

So on this day, do we pledge to follow these simple practices? Do we pledge to be independent of people and start believing in ourselves to bring about a change?

Many of you would disagree or just give a diffident view or be totally indifferent. Off course why not, we have better things to do, like watching TV, partying, office, minting money, and posting provocative / funny/ inane status messages on facebook. All you would like to do is enjoy all the benefits silently and take the liberty of blaming the politicians, the government, the bureaucrats, et al.

Well this is the best way to imply how patriotic we are and how much we care for our Motherland. Isn’t it?

Hindustan Zindabad

And for a few (or a lot many) …

Hypocrisy in Hindustan Zindabad!

Big world – Small talks

There can be nothing better than to be sitting nearby a window on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the summer and feeling the soft breeze blow by your face. It certainly makes me a lot philosophical. And so my thoughts have the full liberty to wander around the round world. The thoughts are basically right now aimed at the luscious green trees swaying onto the tunes of the musical breeze and blooming under the sparkling sun. A real pleasant sight!! Ok, guess enough of the tree philosophy.

The thoughts are still wandering around the world. And after taking a leisure world tour, they come down and focus in the by-lanes of Mumbai, in an auto rickshaw. Yes now that must be like really surprising. Out of all the beautiful places and moments and people, why a local auto rickshaw? But it’s something unusual. Nothing too larger than life but a unique experience / chat. Here it goes: Was going off to some institution for some course enquiry and trust me the sun was shining with all its might. Got out of the crowded station on the road to find it was doubly crowded It is one of the suburbanstations in Mumbai where the rickshaws are really hard to find. Mainly depend upon what location you wanna go. Now luckily, I managed to find one, got onto it,

the nonstop auto driver

hoping to get to my destination soon  and was zapped around to find some more people blocking the already crowded road. But that’s like so normal for the Mumbaikars! The driver was muttering something under his breath and I hardly gave any notice because the heat was warming my head big time and that was the last thing I wanted. Now the mutterings grew louder and all I hoped that they weren’t any local abuses because that surely wouldn’t help my already irritated nerves. Fortunately, they weren’t. It was something so difficult to understand as to what he was saying. Then finally it was loud enough to go through my ears and able to be processed in my warmed-up brain. The language was not the Mumbaiyya Hindi. But the famous language of UP, Bihar!! Trust me; the language we hear in our daily soaps is way too simpler as to what this guy was talking in. It was the unadulterated form! So he is trying to tell me something which is really difficult to decipher. So I do what most of us would do, simply nod, say an occasional “haan” “haan” (yes yes) and pretend – I am too busy looking out. But trust me all my attempts fail. He is superbly consistent!! So I give it in, and honestly try to listen. Now, Thanks to the daily soap which am forcefully supposed to watch during dinner every evening; which is about letting a girl be born of the same sex in her every birth; my bihari language quotient is about average. So basically what he was trying to tell me since the past 15 minutes is, that he was robbed!!!

He says he has been in this industry (lets respect the auto-drivers’ feelings) since the last 32 years he has driven into the most dangerous areas yet this incident was the first of its kind for him. He was told to be taken to the Sahar airport in some amazingly narrow and secluded lanes and was robbed off of some 340 bucks plus his fare of Rs. 90. A total sum of Rs. 430. Now that’s co-incidentally close to some fraudulent number!! Now this is a little appalling because it’s a real pity for the poor auto driver to be looted of his hard earned money. I sympathize with him. And he politely accepts it. So far so good.

Then he goes on to tell me that he owns a local grain shop!! And am like WOW. He is into multi-business!  His two sons run the shop, who are married and blessed with kids, and waiting to get his third son married too. Hopefully this year, he promises. Was a little intrigued what about the girls – no girl child? But thought its better my inquisitiveness takes rest. I reach my destination, he is still yapping. I get down, I assure him everything will go great for him, and he smiles.

Now thoughts start wandering on a backward track. Does your mind too, get regressive when philosophical?

Another auto rickshaw driver, in the same suburb. Now I had to go for a business meeting and was getting really late but due to lack of rickshaws had to walk to some junction which was like say a decent 150-200 meters away from the station under the scorching sun! There were many people standing at the junction all trying hard to get hold of a rickshaw but all their efforts in vain. This got me a little panicky but had to keep my nerves. I, humbly Thanked God, when I finally got a rickshaw real soon. The driver goes on: “ Mere ko xyz marg nahi jaane ka tha lekin aap ko dekha toh socha chalo yeh bhaada le leta hoon.” (I wasn’t off in the direction of the xyz marg, but seeing you thought would drop you there.) Now this was very considerate. Somehow soothing after the 200 meter long walk on an extremely sunny day. If you think he was trying to flirt, No! He wasn’t! Initially I thought the same but he wasn’t. Then he went on with some unusual ranting and I was too bored so I joined in too. I in turn started thanking him for his considerate gesture (I was going to pay the total fare yet,). And he went on way too ahead with some amazing praises like am very fortunate, can be seen by just liking at your face, you have a very bright future etc., etc. I couldn’t stop smiling and grinning because come on who doesn’t like praises especially when you are so worked out! Very well aware, whatever he is saying is not true and he is a fake fortune teller. And I again joined in the conversation trying my level best somehow to stop him praising me, but he was an expert at it. I was beaming!! The office I had to go to, wasn’t that far. Reached and got off not before saying “

JAI MATA DI in hindi

”  of who he was an ardent believer.

Now, what is so unusual about these two stories?! Did you perhaps, manage to get it? I know we could have done without knowing his ‘robbed-off’ story or the fake fortune revelation. But still did you get the catch!? I neither did, when these two incidents occurred but now, thanks to my philosophical neurons!

This world is so large, we often get lost in the crowd. The rat-race is becoming the better of us. We are striving everyday but not without the daily dose of stress, tension and various anxieties. But often in the lost world, when we happen to come across these small chats, bright strangers and some vivid moments, it truly makes us realize about our existence. Why would a stranger infer his personal talks to me – another stranger!? For the very simple reason, he wanted to lighten his heart.

Often there are many things within us, when we need to talk to someone, need somebody to listen to us. But we find none. We often stuff it within our hearts and go on about out daily business. Sometimes the stuffed part can get you suffocated. So talk, talk about your feelings, your experiences, your likes and dislikes. You will feel a lot better. In the process make somebody else feel better too.

Often our parents keep on ranting about some real unimportant things and we brush them of harshly. So don’t forget, when somebody is talking to you, do listen. Small talks or big talks. These talks are important for someone. You may even save somebody’s life, just by talking to them. Yes it is going a bit far, but do sometime ponder about the psychiatrists’ role, another doctor who does save lives. Let’s understand, it’s not about the words, but the feeling underneath.

BIG WORLD - small talks

…  Because often small talks lead to the existence of this big world.

IPL Fever-2010

 

Ok guys pardon me for the title. Yes, it’s the most clichéd line or title for many articles and our office discussions! But it seemed to be the most apt and hard-hitting. The reason why it is apt is, that am really affected with it & it  is spreading!! It is infectious!! Spreading throughout the country from one person to another like say fire in the forest. Am sure this fire is spreading not only in India but in other nations too,though not with the same intensity but it sure is! In fact IPL is the current trend of the scorching summers. It has even overtaken the cinemas. Theatres are no longer running movies but IPL matches! Oh , this fever is very hot!

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE. It has gripped me as well like the viral fever and just keeps on increasing with each passing day. I thought  watching the match actually in the stadium would reduce this inane craze but to much dismay (obviously not mine but people around me!)  it increased tenfold! The whole environment is like magic. The crowd cheering, hooting, screaming, clapping and dancing is just wonderful. My favourite this season and actually right from the first season has been Mumbai Indians(MIs). The reasons are two. Firstly by nature am extremely loyal and being born and brought up in Mumbai, I feel a sense of duty if nothing else to support the MIs !! And the second is the most obvious one , it’s because of – SACHIN! SACHIN! SACHIN!! But yeah, if the MIs drop out before the semis, my support is always extended to some other team , after all I am an Indian at heart and all states are home and blah blah blah.. ( I really wonder how the politicians manage to do these speeches with so much of ease!)

It is not surprising that another cricket event has hit the nation real hard.. after all the major part of this country is Cricket-fanatic. And yes this isn’t a new secret that I am revealing but still wanted to state it.  So IPL in its third season ,yes it is back in India after the unsuccessful detour to South Africa last year, and it is still going strong! The craze seems to just multiply with every match. I see everyday that the stands are getting fuller and fuller with cheering & the maddening  crowd! And yes the merchandises, they are mind-blowing! My personal favourite are the bugle, the flashing horns, and the Malinga look-alike hair wig!

On taking a closer look, IPL isnt about plain cricket. Its more about say Globalisation.Why, offcourse it is indeed delightful to see the players of various countries coming together under the same roof and playing as a team. Staying together as a family and differences are no more. It certainly is good to see that the International players get a chance to flaunt our Indian brands on their chests puffed up with pride.

Coming to the word pride, I would like to contradict my previous statement because I know you don’t agree with it at all. Yes it may not be pride, I mean it certainly aint the pride but the price! Yes, the silly amount which is being paid to individual player, the price at which they are bought by the teams is like wow! If  I were offered as much as Keiron Pollard was bought for (the term “bought” sounds like buying vegetables in the grocery store !) I would plaster not only my chest but the entire body with the sponsors’ logos ,tag lines, company name, even family names!!

We see a lot of stars , SRK, Preity and yes even Shilpa Shetty  has got into the bandwagon. Its like the biggest event happening where we see the bollywood and the cricket mix up! Now these two are the highest paid industries in our

country (offcourse apart from the politics) and they have got together and are earning even more than ever! With the inclusion of the likes of Ambanis and Mallya’s it makes it an even  bigger event! The glamour and the riches are all assured. With such a big sporting event, beer should be non-stop . But even that isn’t a problem. For, Mr. Mallya assures the beer is flowing non-stop , and Mr. Mod iensures the money in his pocket is filling non-stop!!

Apart from the Globalisation and the money-making game , er.. I mean IPL -T20 , it has brought a sense of discrimination. Yes, this is something new to you and hope your thought process starts now. I mean when we (India) are playing a cricket match against some other country, we have a sense of togetherness. Since it is a passionate game for many, we do see our opponents as enemies and oppose them with full-on vengeance and hatred. Well the posters/ placards that the crowd holds out are a testimony to my above statement. We are all Indians, and we are all against the same opponent. We are one.   But when in IPL, the Indians are no longer Indians. It more becomes the daredevils, the challengers,the chargers, the knightriders. Even the Indians are restricted to Mumbai Indians!! People in the same country are against each other. Fellow countrymen are no longer together!

I know this point is a little cynical, or narrow-minded. Or I am too patriotic! But lets face it. It does happen!  Things seem calm and are; as long the discrimination is demonstrated only verbally. But I just fear  the day when the verbal discrimination turns into physical discrimination. I am not a fearful or a pensive person. A sports premier league isn’t the first in our country. But, our country isn’t ruled by educated fools. Rather by religious sentiments! And to be more precise the so-called “bhai-chaara” or “brotherhood.

I guess the IPL fever has really taken over me, and I can’t take it any more. So will leve you here alone with your thoughts. Do give it a thought whether it really is threat posed to our country or just insecurities of a patriot!? Whatever it is do comment and we shall have a meaningful discussion. So keep thinking,  for am off to get my prescribed daily dose of the match!

Farewell Friend

We were in the same class for almost 3 years. Our roll calls; as is in the case in all the academic institutions; were alphabetically based on last names. Thus her roll call remained always one ahead of me with the difference of “r” and “s” as the third letter in our respective last names. She was very studious, sincere, and simple. I, on the other hand was average at the things she excelled in with the exception of sports and elocutions. As classmates in the school we would talk but we sure weren’t the best of friends; maybe because our personalities differed quite a lot.

We were partners even for the computer class. And it always amazed me that how she took even a simple task of drawing mountains and rivers on Ms- Paint application with so much of dedication and determination. She came from a poor family and a computer was something new to her; which was not so in my case. As I was just a teenager the reason was enough & I didn’t probe or wondered much about it then. I just thanked God for all the comforts and facilities bestowed upon me.

The girl was a genius at maths. I sucked at maths. But then she was really good at all subjects and so was I, but I still sucked in maths. She could solve the toughest of problems from the toughest math books while I would scratch my head solving the easier ones too. We fared well in our class 10^th exams and she stood ^3rd in the school. Guess, it was a little shocking as she was capable of being in the 1^st position; whereas for me, I didn’t even make it to the first 10 ranks. I regarded her as somebody to look up to because she had proved her academic excellence now and then.

That was it. School got over. We went on our separate paths. As it was obvious we were not in touch at all during our college lives. Just heard from some other friends she was studying Aeronautical Engineering. Now, this really made me proud of her. Firstly, she was the only one who was doing something so different and challenging while the rest of us were stuck with the normal B.Coms, B.A.s and B.Sc.s. Secondly the course she was pursuing is an expensive one. With her financial background her parents must have surely made a great effort to make her study so much. I could predict she would surely make her parents proud one day, I was already proud of her. Wish I too would make my parents proud  someday.

Years went by; we were all busy in our lives. Whenever her thought would strike me, it would always make me feel proud. Then one day I got a call. It was friendship’s day. It was her. It’s always an aesthetic feeling when one hears from their old friends. It was after 5 years. We had a brief chat and that was it. Back to our own lives.

I finished my graduation and was wondering what to do next. Used to travel to different colleges for enquiries and the likes. Once while I was in the train, a school friend called up. Hearing from her after a long time I  cheerfully answered the call. I heard her glum voice. Couldn’t understand why it was so. Then she uttered the dreadful words: “Archana Died”

Archana Haryan was her name.

The future Aeronautical Engineer.

The ^3rd ranker of school.

The math genius.

The Head Girl of Primary section.

The studious, sincere, and simple girl.

She died due to electrocution. The unfortunate accident happened in her hostel room. The electric shock was due to a faulty geyser. Her roommates were waiting for her in the shed. They returned to the room after 2 long hours and found; it was all over.

It shook me. It shocked me. I felt numb. I felt lost. I couldn’t react. The crowded train felt empty.  I confirmed with my friend. And sadly, she confirmed it. It still felt dubious, unbelievable. How could she die, she was just a year away to be an Aeronautical Engineer.

Why this incident affected me so drastically?  Neither we were the best of friends nor were we regularly in touch. I shared the same class with many other friends. I ask these questions not because I’m insensitive or inhuman. But on a practical level.  So why was it so?

Maybe because she didn’t deserve this. Her parents didn’t deserve this.  She was so determined ever since the Ms Paint application. She had it all so planned. She had it all so set. I could never figure out my life. But she had it all so calculated. I was never sure of my dreams but strongly believed she would achieve the feat. She was way better than me.

Makes me wonder how the system of life and death works. I had days and I wasted them all. She had so much to do, but the days were short.

Her parents’ hopes and happiness were shattered by a cruel incident. Girls her age were getting married, she was getting cremated.

It saddens me when everyday in the newspapers I read about young girls and boys committing suicide.

Tell me…

Are our lives such a waste, to end it completely? Are the parental, academical, financial problems so pressurizing that we succumb to it weakly? Are we from the cowardice army to surrender and accept defeat disarmingly?

If the answer is still positive re-read this article once again. Please.

I realized that if I was still living on, I had a purpose. God lent me the extra years so that I could do something. Make something worthwhile out of my life too.

I also realized that how we never stay in touch with our loved ones and friends. How easily the fast-paced life slowly takes us away from each other and steadily makes us lose contacts. While our efforts of re-uniting are minimal.

I wanted to tell her how proud I was of her, but I never found enough time to call her up even for a minute.

You’ll miss your loved ones once they are set for heavenly abode but try as much you’ll never be able to them how much you love them , how you feel. It’s better to tell them about your feelings while they can still hear you, can still feel you.

Archana Haryan;  my friend. . . you’ll always be remembered.