That time of the year

It is that time of the year again...yeah, October, one of my favourite months of the year. Somehow I am not able to write as enthusiastically as I am feeling about this month. May be because I am too drained to write or I have lost my passion to blog...and to top it all, my friends keep telling me that my posts are becoming boring [:] , though there is no doubt that I have become as lively in dealing with the people involved in the projects and stuff in the real-unblogging my's life :D.

Which brings me to what I wanted to write about today....ummm....my accomplishments? Blowing my own trumphets? I guess so....after all I am only human ;) The project which was started last year is now almost through. Just the last bits are left. Ah, the sweet taste of success, after putting in a lot of sweat and strain. There have been times when nothing seemed to go right and it was quite frustrating. And then the intial plan was abandoned. Later, the new lead had worked and how it has worked :) One by one, things started to fall into place and ah, the sweet taste of success...at last. A few more days and the curtains would be down on this one.

Then the next project starts in a few weeks, new beginning yet again...

Another thing to look forward to this month is the planned T-session . I don't know how would I feel being a student again for a few weeks. It is going to be in a new place among new people, in new surroundings and hopefully, a cooler weather and a lot of learning n' honing my skills. Besides learning, I am determined to have lots of fun (guess the fun factor has been missing from my life for sometime now). I am also hoping to meet old friends and definitely to make new friends.

Is it possible to again live a life without having to take care of oneself ? Without having to perform the everyday chores and abandon all the tensions and all you have to worry about is how your presentaitons are going to impress them all? :D

So dear hue, let's plan to learn and enjoy these few weeks . Then come back with reinforced vision as, this is your platinum lining in the horizon .This session should go a long way in designing our future projects. Make the most of it.

Amen.

An year wiser...younger :p

Another birthday gone, and I am another year wiser....

In the truest sense....the year since my last birthday has been the most "educational year" of my life. Uncle Darwin had been right about the theory of evolution. For the scientists, this evolution might be genetic but for me, this would extrapolate to the intellectual evolution as well.

The previous year had exposed me to people (both virtually and in real), who are diametrically opposite to what I am, in every respect. I understand that the beauty of life is in diversity and that no two people are alike, not even the identical twins. The only thing which is ubiquitous in us all is the 'soul' and also the " inner conscience".

Soul, I feel is the only constant in not just us humans but other species as well. While the degree of conscience varies. The god-fearing souls have a true and pure conscience while there are other unscrupulous souls who may not even notice 'such qualities' even in themselves.

I would never have reflected on the human nature in such a serious manner, if it were not for the experiences of the last year...and was waiting to write about those for quite some time now. Just did not get the time and the right mood. So, having interacted with a wide enough range of people, , all I can say is that I am happy to have experienced these varieties of human psychology.

On one hand, some specimens are shamelessly cheating on their near and dear ones; the only aim of their lives is to make money, by hook or by crook ; they can go to any lengths for this. They would lie, cheat, beg, borrow and steal. Such people have either sold their conscience too early in their lives or they were born sans that. What a pity.

While, on the other hand, there are people, who are living for others, doing their best for the mankind in general, without expecting anything in return.They are working for the uplift of the downtrodden, the poor and the old.....some of them are doing this even at the cost of their lucrative jobs and lifestyles. I hold these people in the highest regard.

But life is not always about extremes. There are many 'in-betweens' too. The human psyche is not so much polarised because the nature tries to balance itself. It really depends on the way we were brought up and also in our approach to the life with the right kind of attitude. No one is perfect and earlier I used to be impatient with mine and others' imperfections. But now, these imperfections too have started making sense.

These reflections of mine are proven when I watch one of these reality shows. I am talking about the most controversial one of all the shows being aired, i.e. Sach ka samna

Moving on to the real-virtual life vs human nature, I never thought others' (strangers') moments of truth would hold my interest at all. And I was actually appalled at the first episode...the questions being put to the participants had gone beyond any one's imagination. But the participants, the "real people" were confidently answering and baring it all.

Lately, I have noticed one common factor in all the episodes I have watched: almost all the participants are either from disturbed family-backgrounds and of course a few are publicity seekers (the small time actors). There is no one in the serial whom you can label as from the 'conventional' happy families. Some of the men and women are shocking their near and dear ones. Some look as if they are god's gift to mankind and womankind . But their "earlier doings" have been far from honest. People cheating their employers, wives cheating on their husbands, husbands having illicit affairs ; children; parents being duped by their children. You name it, you have it....on the show.

Last night there was this guy from the merchant navy, quite handsome and charming to look at. But besides having a shady character, this man had even fabricated his id proofs. Then he had a surprise guest on the show (who is none other than his ex-boss). The boss challenged him with a question with a wicked twinkle in his eyes....knowing fully well that this guy wouldn't lie now as he had to win that round.

The answer had the ex-boss quite satisfied with himself. He was happy, for he had settled some old score with this guy.

Now come to think of human nature, this handsome guy has been a liar through most of his life and the boss might have fired him for something which this guy must have denied. But last night was the boss's happiest night for he had avenged himself in front of not only the guy's family , but the whole world.

Likewise there was this pretty country-head of a telecoms company, who bared her soul on the show...even accepting that she had lied to her fiance about her previous relations and had also cheated on him even after they got engaged. This over-confident girl too had come from a broken family.
She had bared it all but she lost all the money ...because of a single "lie".

These people who have appeared on the show, must have noticed one thing : "truth is not an over-rated virtue" If they had resorted to truth, they wouldn't lost all the money they had won when they spoke the truth. One lie, and it all reduced to nothing. They must have felt cleansed after their public-confessions. So in their heart, they actually knew that they do have a conscience.

So do all of us.

-------xxxxxx--------xxxxxx-------xxxxxx-------

Coming back to the post-birthday ramblings...

Basking in the knowledge that I was much wiser (a full year, not less) ,I tried to get in touch with my friends with whom I had lost contact after some misunderstandings , I also tried to give the benefit-of-doubt to some of them and we talked. And I am glad I did ... They welcomed me with an open heart and made me feel special on my special day.

Thanks.

The great fall or rise...?

Time sure flies....and teaches us a lesson or two in the flight.

It was just last thursday when I decided to take a short-cut to work and jumped the last 10 steps of my "usual" stairs. Ok, ok...lets not try to be funny and accept the fact that being "literally" down to good ole earth hurts like hell. Still. :(

A day before, I had that tryst with the auto-walla and police. And then next day, this shocker...I was looking pretty pretty that day , and had enough time left to reach office. So I wasnt exactly running down the stairs. So how could this have happened?I am still as confused as that day. Slipping and landing with so much force force on my feet! May be I should have borrowed that anti-gravity meteorite from JC! ....sigh.

Anyhow, bravely, I carried myself to my nest thanking my stars that no one had seen me gliding, and went up the same stairs . Once inside, I cried like a baby. It was hurting everywhere. So I changed and washes and nursed my injuries . Then I called my boss. He was surprisingly sympathetic ....and so here I am, still recuperating from the soft tissue injuries caused by the hard granite.

These two consecutive incidents apart, I have been feeling some change inside me for the last few months. The strong hue is going softer and milder, even feeling vulnerable at times. Also, sometimes there is a feeling of loneliness. Is it coz I have stayed in for most part of the week? and coz I am tired of looking after myself all these days...even doing all the chores myself for last few months? Must be that the pain is bogging me down. But earlier too I had braved the fevers and mild setbacks.

Am I actually thinking what I am thinking? Omg. Yes. Does such a moment qualify to be the Eureka moment? Hmm. Ok , guess I am ready. But is it due to the momentary lonely feeling or do I want it really? Can I be seriously thinking of settling down? As in getting married ? :O
May be I should give it a try...should I call up mom and tell her that her dotty is finally growing up and would now take her match-makings' seriously? And that she might compromise on her independence?

The little hue is growing up at last or what?

Or is it just a thought which would go away once I am back on my feet...un-crepe bandaged ? :D


Only the time will tell that...and it really flies....

And I dialled 100

.....And within a few minutes I received a call. Inspite of the commotion going on, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the cops on the other side asking me I had actually called them and the reason why I had ? I explained the situation and was told that they were on their way.

I was waiting and was expecting a police van sounding its siren. But, they came riding a bike and I waved to them. Immediately behind them was a police van and the inspector came to me , asking if someone was hurt in the accident. I could only nod my head in negative as I was still coming to terms with what I had done. I had actually called the cops and they were really there... in flesh! I was like in some kind of shock and somehow tried to explain to them how the auto-wala had banged my car from behind, and showed them the damage. By then my friends had arrived and I heaved a SOR. But it was short-lived.

The cops suddenly slapped the arguing auto wala. I was shocked and told them not to be violent. But guess the auto-wala deserved those slaps , coz he immediately softened after that and even apologised to me. In all fairness, it was mostly his fault and slightly mine. So I asked my friends to end the matter then and there, as I could see the cops were more comfortable talking to the guys than me. The cops too agreed to let the matter go, as the auto walla had apologised, but not before they slapped him once again.

This was my second interaction with the cops in last 3 years. First was when I had gone to a Police Station to lodge an FIR and it was almost 7 in the evening. I rememeber, someone had stolen my cellphone from the shop when my friend and I were busy shopping. We were a bit anxious about going to the police station as my friend's husband warned us against going there and told that they wouldn't lodge any FIR. But we were in for a surprise when we met the cops, they were friendly, kind and even respectful . They immediately lodged the FIR. Even the police station was neat, well kept and had well-maintained lawns.

Cut to the latest: I thanked the cops for being helpful and also that I actually appreciated they had reached the spot on time.

And they replied, "we were only doing our duty Ma'm " .

We are like that only.

Come what may, the Indian politicians and their policies will remain unchanged. These morons want to get a mileage out of every situation. That is prolly why these people in Gosaba are in such miserable state. Looking at the disturbing pictures of the Aila-hit Sunderbans, you can't help but feel frustrated with the system.

What disturbed me most was this statement by an illitrate woman http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/jun/09/slide-show-1-the-untold-misery-of-the-sunderbans.htm "....want to know our names? Please write down, my name is Hunger and this daughter of mine....is called Thirst... "




I felt very very sad. Why is it that the Government in unable to ensure faster and bulkier supplies of even the basic necessities to these people? Why. Looks like, the politicians there are "squabbling" to get the most amount of relief for areas under his or her jurisdiction; so what will they do with most of the material is anybody's guess. There is a dearth of medicines and even doctors (even after 15 days of Aila) .

Even these so-called NGOs , why cant they for a change, think "about" the people and not their own profits and send food and water (in bulk) straight to these people?This would also avoid the bureaucratic or "middleman" intervention.

Even the medicos, why cant they come forward and go there to in groups and save few more lives?

Every problem has a solution . Every calamity can be overcome. But we won't move unless its us or our near and dear ones who were afftected. What to do. We are like that only.

Sad.

March 5.

....Its 5th March again.

...always reminds me of you Sir, as if these are memories from another lifetime. Its almost 6 years since we lost you, but you are still alive in my mind and my heart.

I will always cherish those years of our association , your guidance...not just professional, but also about life in general...

...those endless cups of dip-tea, which you used to make for us, those biscuits and sandwiches which you used to get specially for the us;

those kitty parties of Mam always made us feel at home away from home...

...thanks for giving that personal touch to the lonely souls staying in hostels and who were working against time :) 

I am what I am today because of your guidance, and Sir, those gyans were not wasted, those are a part of our legacy ; and I assure you, each one of us is giving our best shot at everything.

How I wish that you were still with us. I am sure you would have been prouder.

Thanks you for being my guide, my mentor and a great human being

May you be happy and at peace wherever you are. Amen!

...the year that was...

....new beginnings…newer resolutions generally used to mark the beginning of new year ... but this year, there are no resolutions, not that I cant live upto them, but I didn’t feel like making any. Part of growing up? Probably…

2008 has ended sooner than expected, busier, complex, evolving in some sense, some endings, some new projects, new house, new friends, new foes …

November was particularly the month which may well be forgotten. Falling sick after a long time, for a long time….3 weeks! ..thanks to the ever evolving viruses…and then the Mumbai episode..I wouldn’t really want to remember this month.

Mumbai episode had shaken me so much so that I felt numb. I can’t remember when I was that glued to the TV last, as much as I did during those few days. Have never felt so much anger inside me as I felt during those days, anger at the system, dumb insensitive politicians, dumber channels who had compromised many lives for their "exclusive”fame.

Then the deshmukhs, the vermas, the modis, the dogs and the CMs, hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons, Dikshit came back to power for the 3rd time…and then thankfully, the winter arrived and with that, a long deserved break. Went home, came back recharged, and ready to take on the world . As it goes, the moronic boss wanted us back on the New Year day, so landed in this cold city a day before the New year.

And what a way to spend the new year eve! Yeah, Baby sitting for my second cousin. Though I like him a lot, but this nephew of mine is sometimes a pain in the unmentionables of his folks, though he mostly behaves with me …loves to tease me and fight with me. And was on his best beaviour that day *phews* . We did watch a couple of flicks, on their home theatre, both my favourites, and had a hearty laugh and a heartier dinner.

Then I was dropped back home around midnight when my bro landed back home, to spare me the following- morning-foggy-drive. And the new year sneaked in while I was nodding off…



...coming up "The year that would be"

A mixed bag

It’s been almost a month since I last posted on my blog. Initially, there wasn’t much to write about..nothing important to..

But lately, since I came back from home, I had been itching to post, only to be stopped by this thing called viral fever ….pphhhbbtt!! but all thanks to the fever, I have lost my addiction to the net, though going home at the end of October too had somewhat de-addicted me. But now I don’t really feel like going online…and even when I go, its for a very short time….

Not going on and on about the now-boring comparison of virtuality vs reality here are a few multi-issues I had wated to write about…

1. Whenever I go home, my faith in the institute of marriage is reaffirmed. Having seen/heard of failed marriages of some of my virtual and (one) real friends, it is always reassuring to go back home to the couple, who have literally grown old since their childhood… still very much in love :)

2. Mr. “Yes we can” Obama has taken the world by storm. I personally find him charismatic, suave, handsome, pleasant and anyone’s dream-man…though what he does in the WH is yet to be seen. I don’t think he has a magic wand which would set things alright in a jiffy. But he sure makes the news worth watching…these days...and its time he made a call to our waiting mannu….

3. Guys would never know their mind. A friend of mine had to call off her wedding when her fiancée of 8 months decided 3 days before their wedding that their “views don’t match”. The poor friend was devastated. I was sos’d, since the guy happens to be a friend of friends. I thought that he had those “pre-marital blues”and tried to reason with him. But it seems that their views had matched very well emotionally and physically and suddenly this moron wanted out. I am ashamed of knowing him. Really am.

4. After being admitted for my tonsillitis when I was still in school, yesterday was my first stint with the a hospital as a patient. Yeah I was there, in the EMERGENCY ward….as a guest-patient.

The whole week, since I came from home, my brother was in Bangalore and SIL with her own parents in Punjab and with no one to look after the sick-me, I tried self-medication. It had really worked till I went back to office on last Friday. There, I got hit with secondary infection and by evening, had lost my voice with severe laryngitis. So day after brother landed in Delhi, he came over and picked me K and took me to the hospital. I was feverish and so requested the doctor to let me jump the queue (I was the 40th patient in the OPD).

The doc being an ideal doc, asked me to go lie down in the emergency and true to his word, he came to see me after the 39th patient :D…so, till then I was treated as a VIP in the emergency, with sisters rushing to take my BP and temperature..and declared, “she doesn’t need to be in emergency” . Meanwhile, there was a patient who needed his appendectomy done. And I overheard someone asking “arey, appendix kaha hai? Usko bulao” :D

5. Thanks to the doc’s antibiotics (and a cocktail of mucolite and some anti-allergic) I am feeling much better and hope to join office from Friday. Amen.

Above all, I am lucky to have a friend who drove all the way, putting his work on hold, to answer my sos on a day when I had lost all hope of getting well, with my brother and even my cousin and his family being out of town! Thanks TC for coming all the way with the bag-full of fruits and wishes and my favorite rasgullas to answer my sos. Its because of friends like you, that people still believe in the long-lost art of friendship

A "Hmph"! ... and she was gone....

Had an appointment today. Yeah, there is something about the facials ;). Anticipating the famous pre-diwali traffic jams, I had hired an auto. The auto-wallah was a smart chap who knew enough about the short-cuts. So, we entered through one gate of IIT, my first visit to the "nerds’ abode" and were out through the one towards Vasant Vihar , the detour saving me from the Ring- Road jam . I was actually 20 minutes early for my appointment. 

Thanking my stars, I utilised that time to drop some cheques etc. and reached the place. While coming back, there was a long queue at the pre-paid stand. Guess it was my lucky day after all, managed an auto in a few minutes, despite the rush. 

So why I am writing this post is, while the auto stopped at a red light (and while I was talking to my cousin on the phone), one small girl approached me. She wore soiled clothes, and was carrying an equally soiled dibba containing some rancid mustard oil and a few coins…this is the ritual these beggars use everywhere to try and ward the “Shanni” off us poor souls.
 
I shook my head (and also my free hand for double impact)  in the negative and continued yakking. Then suddenly she touched my leg with her soiled hand and asked me to drop one coin. I forbade her to touch me …well, the jeans are meant to be soiled of course, but not with mustard oil atleast.

Meanwhile , another figure approached my auto, a young guy this time, who was selling magazines. Still yakking on the phone, my eyes fell on the comparatively thicker and “Diwali special Femina”. 

Eh, I felt yet another touch on my leg, and I glared at the girl who was still touching me in between and waiting for god knows what.

 I took out 50 bucks from my wallet and bought the magazine. So by now, my intentions were finally clear to the little girl and with another “intentional” pat on my leg, she left in a huff , and these words echoed after her “huh...! Kanjoos….!”. She had avenged herself :D 

Whoa! I heard that and I started to laugh ; and my cousin was curious, as she had been overhearing my conversation(s) in parts. I described the adjective I had just received from a beggar. “ Arey, why din’t you tell her that you had just spent 50 bucks on Femina! You are not a kanjoos…khi khi” . Sigh. Well , this- kinda- humour does run in our sensory and motor nerves :D

Food for thought: 

This small episode showed me that…

1. ….while I could spend 50 rupees on the magazine, I didn’t drop one rupee coin for her.
2. ….while the guy was earning his bread, the girl was infact begging-in-disguise 
3. …between “the dignity-of-labour” and “ begging”, I know where my choice lies. 
4. ….someone had once asked me, how I felt about begging in my country…well, I still stand by my views.

Divorce...cambodian ishtyle :D

And you thought only weirdos do that!

Yes, people do reserve their right to err….fraanship and marry and live in and divorce/separate/split. But taking things literally and actually splitting the house ….had me in splits! :D

Though divorce is not a matter to be taken lightly and made fun of, but the way this Cambodian man got his relatives to rip part half of the house, is funny. The wifey gets to live in the house( in the pic). ROFL!

and….whatever happened to the vow, “till storms us do apart?"  :D