Flaying Dragons of 2010

I feel like being serious today, a little retrospective about the year that is so near to its end. 2010, has been a strange year which brought lots of joys, sorrows, tears and smiles in abundance for me. It has slowly but steadily changed my perspective about a lot of issues including me.

Today, I wish to slay all the fears that have troubled me and stopped me from moving ahead in life both professionally and personally. A few months ago I read on one of the zodiac websites for myself “You would not realize now, but the year is changing you and in a few months you would see how deep these subtle changes are.” Looking back now, I feel how true it was. I never realized but the changes were happening but so subtly that they weren’t visible to me. What has made me write this post today ? – I couldn’t sleep last night and the whole year back flashed like a movie(but not black and white) urging me to vent out what I realized after a sleepless night.

The year saw me facing my innermost fears head on, especially where I felt I would definitely fail. Surprisingly, I came out as winner a little changed, but I won. There were times I thought it was leading me nowhere, when my friends questioned my sanity and my family could not see logic behind my actions – but something kept prodding me “ Rachita do it, else it would haunt you all through your life.” (You all know what I mean). Some of those decisions hurt at that moment but made me a stronger person. 2010, thus has been a year of facing myself, of finding that inner core to see me through the lows and the vivacity to enjoy the highs. It’s been a year of valleys and mountains. I have cried buckets for obvious reasons and laughed like crazy for no reason and now that the year is near its end , I am tired, very tired. Especially today, the emotional part of me feels that year is over, nothing more left to handle – I have flayed all the dragons in that region. And, emerged out in one piece with a better understanding of relations, relationships and friends.

I have to plan a lot, as many things were left aside while I was going through this life changing year - 2010. Last night brought out all those buried ideas with a deeper fire to get what I want. I think that the only thing that stops you from getting what you really want is you, so If I want it, I will get it else, I will find so many reasons to let go. I have to end the year with planning but no resolutions coz I love to break them (waada to toot jaata he). I believe - Never say Good bye with a tear or hiding your face coz that would be you last memory. Face it head held high and a smile (you never know who is falling in love with that smile).

BTW (I mean “by the way” and not Bitto Tikki Wala) I wrote this post today instead of 31st December, as I want to say goodbye to 2010 with a smile. So wait for the last post of the year.

Why Should I?

It took me years to become, What I am !

Now everyone I meet, wants me to change;

Just a little bit , But then

Why Should I?

I will be lazy and gossip a lot, if I want;

I will shout and scream & be a little mean;

It's hard work being, what I am;

Still, they ask me to change,

Why Should I?

I will laugh and crack jokes the whole day,

Life gave me the choice: Smile or cry,

I chose the former, and I really try;

Still, People ask me to change,

 Why should I?

Fight your own battles but leave me alone,

I have no wish to become your clone;

I am happy being me;

Still, you want me to change,

Why should I?

My CP Connection

 I have lots of memories associated with CP – happy, sad, painful, and sweet. Oh, by the way CP stands for Connaught Place and inspite of the fact that it is Rajiv Chowk for decades in official records; it remains CP in the hearts and memories of the people. This is called Connection - Dil se.

• This place has given me one of my sweetest friends – Ridhima.

• It houses Bercos, one of the most frequented places of my group so much so that we were almost tempted to call it USMSos.

• I rarely get any shopping done from here though it is called Shoppers Heaven.

• Great book shops both big and roadside and I can go on and on…

Still, I can’t understand my painful association of late with CP. Every time I visit the place I hurt myself. And I would have actually been laughing at these incidents, had it been happening to anyone else, other than me. This connection goes back a few summers, in 2007 to be exact. I still remember that trip, when Ridhima , Arun and I went to CP. After our regular round of the Inner Circle, we went to British Council coz the agenda of the trip was to get the membership of the British Council Library. On our way back to the Metro Station, joking and pulling legs, this was one of our normal outings when suddenly my right leg went down... into a mound of leaves. Instead of finding ground beneath it , it found a pit!!! Thank God, for Jeans and Sports shoes (which still bear the scars of the incident), the impact lessened. But, still I had to bear the pain and limped for about 3 weeks…..coz the stupid pit was actually an uncovered sever hole beautified naturally by fallen leaves. And, its edges had almost scratched my right leg ,from knee down.

And this incident was just the beginning, and for the last 3 .5 years everytime I go to CP, I get a new painful experience to add to my list – a twisted ankle, a fall, broken nail, and so on. So much happens in CP, each time I visit the place.

The latest in the series happened last weekend, this time I actually spent 5 hours there without any incident. And, thought that maybe I have finally broken the Jinx. Ah! my poor optimistic spirit was in for a shock. How? I was walking down the stairs of the Metro Station , wearing about 2-3 inch heels(do not question my heels) which were clicking loudly. I got distracted and started thinking how to walk in a manner that can reduce this noise. And Whoosh…..My cell phone in hand and my right foot lost its footing…. The saving grace was that I was holding railing that saved me from falling on my face. But impact when I stopped myself from actually falling caused severe jerk to right side. And it is still hurting. Plus, my ego went for a toss in front of all the people around.

Can someone please explain -  What has CP got against my right leg?

Break Free

There are times when we all feel a little depressesd and low. When nothing goes right and everything is going the wrong way. I just penned down a few lines when I was in the most depressed mood. Just don't ask why.

Break Free

I feel so tied, shackled & deprived;

It's darkness all around,

Dark emotions are abound

Oh God! I'm becoming a freak,

Let me fly, I wanna Break Free!

Aspirations, Expectations, Targets,

Goals , Dreams & Focus all set;

Everything now feels like a trap,

Let me fly, I wanna Break Free!

I don't want this, but can't say NO

People around are changing my course;

It's a mad house, when will this cease,

Let me fly, I wanna Break Free!

What's Your Raashi?

A Flop Movie but a Superhit Question - "What your Raashi/Zodiac Sign?"

This is something we ask very commonly to the new people we meet. I can vouch for the gals , can't say for sure if the boys do the same. The discussions on zodiac signs, their qualities, their weaknesses is a common theme everywhere from schools to workplace to parties. Thank God, Linda Goodman wrote Sun Signs, Love Signs, Relationship Signs and so on to give us so many avenues of discussions. I have read the first two so many times that I am thoroughly confused about signs and often end up mixing the qualities and then justifying myself in discussions.

There are times when we project ourselves just like our zodiac sign qualities, it says a cancer girl should be an introvert, so I stay quiet in the gatherings. One starts projecting the image as described by these signs and take up the eccentricities associated with them to feel a part of the group/sign. Even more dangerous situation is, when we start creating an image of a person based on his/her zodiac sign. Oh, she is a idealist...after all she is a Piscean or his eyes are so hypnotic because he is a Scorpion. The person may or may not have those qualities but we push, kick and fit them to their respective qualities.

We end up playing this guessing game about Zodiac Signs – a common conversation:

A: Oh what’s your Zodiac Sign?
B: Can you guess?
A: I think you must be a Leo coz you have the leadership qualities.
B: No
A: Ok you could be Aries coz you are so out going types …
B: No one last try-
A: You must be…….
If we guessed right we feel well informed and well read and if by chance we are not – we sheepishly mumble – “You must be an exception”.

I do not mean to say that these signs are all false, but they are meant to give us a broad framework to understand a person. The problem occurs when we convert this framework into concrete guidelines. To colour your judgment and perception of a person just on the basis of his/her zodiac sign is not only a foolish thing to do but also a very dangerous habit. And one time or the other we all do it. Lots of time we say – I can't get along with this person because he/she, is of a zodiac sign, I never get along with. Thereby, letting go of an opportunity to understand the person. 
 

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata he….Am I also unknowingly but deliberately picking up the qualities that go with my Zodiac “ Cancer”? Do I sometimes behave the way it says a typical Cancerian should? Or Am I trying to be something I am actually not just to satisfy the parameters of a group I am supposed to a part of – My Zodiac Sign. Is it just me or do you also feel the same?Still, I check the Daily Horoscope the first thing in the morning but believe it only if it says all positive things about my Zodiac Sign.

P.S: I met this outgoing gal in the mall last Weekend, very confident and stylish- I think She must be a Leo or a Scorpion, what is your call?

Are you Fine?

It's been a long time,

Things have changed a lot.

Somewhere from a place, deep inside

Asked a voice , Are you fine?

Some blurred images, some lines forgotten,

A song, a poem & a dormant memory triggered...

A few scattered memories, some long lost notes,
Nothing is left to recall, those days ages ago...

What do I want , I asked myself,

I am confused but don't know why...

Maybe, it was just a thought sleeping inside,

I just wondered, Are you Fine?

PJs - The Life Savior at Office

Monday Morning Blues, Tuesday Afternoon’s Laziness, Sleepy Wednesdays, Intolerable Thursdays, Never Ending Fridays and those Torturous Saturdays; Offices end up being boring….no matter how much you enjoy your work. And, this is because we humans by nature are born lazy.

Now the question is- How to ensure that we work and atleast justify a part of the salary we earn? The Salary is inversely proportional to the amount of work a person does in the office, Uff you don't believe me - see around in your office, the peon probably works longer and harder than anyone else but earns the least. Oho, I m going off track here. Now, to combat the situation in the office adopt our method – Form a PJ Association. For the serious employees PJ here stands for Poor Jokes – Santa Banta, Haathi Cheeti, Rajnikanthisms etc. Even CID shayari and jingle shayari can be included in the list of charter for the Association.

Steps to follow:

i. Find out like minded people 1-2 initially and form an Association. Decide on basic rules like type of PJs, frequency and timings etc.

ii. After you start the association, start with a close knit group and send them first few emails. Please remember as you are doing all this in office timings, take care to stay away from the Office Gossips and Management Spies. P.S - use personal email IDs only.

iii. Slowly expand your email list. Include a couple of  junior members if you feel some respondents send great PJs in reply to your emails.

Now see, I forgot the most important tip –

iv. where to find the content to keep the PJ Association running and healthy. Bolo Google baba ki jai – Nothing is impossible to find on www.google.com.

v. Just type the kind of Pjs you are looking for and you find the material. Be very choosy – pick the worst of the lot to be a part of PJ gang.

A few examples of highly graded PJs:

1. Sehwag 99run par pahunch k out ho gaya

Sehwag 99run par pahunch k out ho gaya

DAYA...Gaadi start karo Finger Prints Match ho gaya...

2. Santa was busy in removing a wheel from auto,

Banta asks: Y r u removing a wheel from ur auto?

Santa: Can't u read 'Parking for two wheelers only'

3. India is a nation, dadar is a station..wah....india is a nation,dadar is a station..wah....DON'T FALL IN LUV,FIRST COMPLETE UR EDUCATION.

 

4. 1 ladki ne kiya ladke ko gaal pe kiss
1 ladki ne kiya ladke ko gaal pe kiss

Mutual funds are subjected to market risks..!!!!

 

5. what is the cube of 13?

Its : SUROOR

wondering how? thats bcoz....
TERA * TERA * TERA = SUROOR

6. The world will not end in 2012, Rajnikanth has bought a computer with a 3 year warranty.

You will see that life of the people would become easier in office after receiving a couple of emails from the PJ Association members everyday. So start one soon at your office and get good wishes along with the salary that you earn - with no extra time required.

For any further details(How to start and continue), you may get in touch with me or My PJ Association Partner Shweta Khanna Bhatia. We are open to partnerships and branch associations, only condition is that you should be as crazy as us and send us some PJs to clear our entrance test.

 

Devil in Me is Provoking Me

There are situations when we feel like acting a little out of way, a little revengeful, overcome by a deep need of taking revenge. Inherent in all human beings is this need to get even with those who hurt us. In the process of becoming civilized (if we can call ourselves civilized) , we became better at hiding our true dark feelings under the cover of pleasant and balance personality. But still there are moments when we feel like acting upon those instincts. I have just penned down a few such moments when I felt that devil in me was provoking me:

(Before you read further, keep in mind that such thoughts have not disappeared so be all encouraging with comments)

1. Have you ever had moments when you felt like ignoring a good friend because of a nasty argument? I have had many such moments, but never did I just ignore the friend, I ensured that the person I ignored knew that I was ignoring him/her. Else why put the effort into the exercise.

2. Do you sometimes feel like giving fire to a rumour about something so ridiculous that you do not even feel like defending yourself, maybe like having an affair with a close “friend” or being accused of acting rude when you were just thinking? I just love just occasions when I can glib about anything though the sensible part of me asks me to stay away.

3. One of the best is picking up a fight with someone who backstabs you, Specially when you know that the other person can not match you in screaming and would back off. But the high that you get in putting the person in place publicly is something that is hard to compare.

4. Ever played tit for tat???Acted like typical hindi serial vamp to someone just because the person irritates you with snide remarks? Done something like bitching publicly and telling half true stories about him/her. ( Do not ask if I had done the same)

5. Have you ever put someone deliberately in a fix and then sweetly offered to help him/her out to gain brownie points?

I can go on and on in this list but then the Devil does not know when to stop. I don’t think it is wrong to sometimes act on these dark thoughts, what I do not like is not acknowledging that we sometimes act like this. I have deliberately not mentioned names here coz the people who were involved know what I am talking about and the devil in me wants to play a little Word Play with them. It is not difficult to put them in a difficult spot but then Angel in me would not be happy with it. (Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, you see).

To jao jee lo apni zindagi, maaf kiya….for the time being.

Neena…….A Decade Long Story

Friends are one relation that I understand the most. I have been lucky to have a few of the best people in the world as my friends.

Now, since the time I started writing this blog, I have looked for excuses not to write about one person who is closest to me, knows me the best and has been with me through all my darkest and brightest phases. The excuses were many – I didn’t know how to start, I was superstitious, I couldn’t find words. But Neena, today I have decided to let go of all my inhibitions and dedicate this post to you.

I am not an easy person to be friends with even today, and was even worse a decade ago. I first met Neena in the college first year ( SGTB Khalsa College, North Campus) , unlike in films I do not remember the first time I saw her or talked to her. All that I remember is that we became friends…aka Laurel and Hardy minus the height difference. I was too thin and she was a little healthy but of the same height. She was (& is) basketball crazy and I didn’t even know how many players made a team. But somehow we became friends and still are. To be honest the whole credit of us being friends goes to her, else I would have lost touch with her years ago. During one of my lowest phases, I would not even reply with "hmmmm" or even "yes/no" to when she called but persistent gal that she is , she continued her calls and brought me out of that miserable phase.

With our choices so different, we have never liked each others’ crushes (Thank God) but have never shied off expressing our dislike. We have torn each others choices apart and then stood by each other, though we knew that decision was not right coz, we never take decisions for each other. But believe, ” This is what I feel for the situation but no matter what you do I am right beside you”. No judgments and no attitude. We have survived and grown up together.

I have lovely memories of watching most pathetic movies(like Janwar), eating indigestible chowmein in canteen, spending entire day at book fairs, going for shopping and ending up buying nothing, becoming hoarse while cheering for our college’s basketball team, fostering our love for Mills and Boon so much that Uncle at Chotta Gol Chakkar in Knags almost adopted us. Look at things that we share - our love for books, our craving for spicy Chinese food (we specially ask for extra spicy stuff), the way we can listen to each other for hours, our no nonsense attitude , enjoying each others success and most important the connection which has no reason. The Laurel and Hardy difference has disappeared coz she reduced and I put on some weight. This year we are celebrating eleven years(Shagun ke gyarah) of our friendship- a lovely relation that has stood all highs and lows of life.

Looking back into the past decade, filled with strength of our friendship, I can only say – When I prayed for a friend, God sent me the Best.

Love You Neena .

P.S : I know Neena I have only touched the surface but then I am still superstitious, kahin nazar na lag jaaye...Touche'Wood.

Hai...Kya Dinn the

I was at the New Delhi Railway Station last week after a long time and caught sight of something that was an integral part of my Summer Holidays. It was before Cartoon Network, Pogo, Disney etc. came into existence, when Summer Holidays meant travel to Naani’s house, enjoying the train journey, spending hours and hours pouring over…. COMICS – Chacha Chaudhary, Pinky, Angara, Nagraaj, Nandan, Champak and so many of them.

 

I went through the nostalgic journey into the  memory lanes and came out with those memorable dialogues – “ Jab Saabu ko gussa aata he to kahi jwalamukhi phat ta he” or Chacha Chaudhary ka dimaag computer se bhi tej chalta he” or “ Nagraj se koi bachh nai sakta” and another awesome piece was description of Angara : “ Bhaalu ki khaal, cheetah sa tej. Lomdi ka dimaag, n ullu ki ankhein…Angara jungle ka rakhwala”. I am sure each one of us has his/her favourite dialogues and characters in these comics. Those were the innocent days; fighting to read our favourite comics, arguing with the shopkeeper that how dare he give my favourite one to someone else, loving the sight of those digests – Billu 3, Pinky 10, sharing the ones we had read and so on. Comics were a part of life and their characters loved with the sweetness of childhood.

A lot of these memories are centered around the visits to Naani’s House. Though sometimes, to show off that I was a serious reader, I would read a Champak or Nandan over others but would soon secretly regret my decision. This would lead to exerting authority over my cousins, as I am the eldest, to hand over their comics to me. There was this shop near my naani’s place which used to rent these comics – 50 paise a day for the thin ones and Rs. 2 for the digests. We would daily rush to the shop to get new ones and spend more than a hundred rupees in the week we stayed there, during Summer Holidays. The shopkeeper loved us and he would keep our favourites aside, after all we were his regular customers. All this came rushing back, making me slightly emotional for the days long ago, when comics filled the afternoons of long Summer Breaks.

 

Then I grew up, classics and thrillers replaced the comics , but at the moment I am craving to get my hands on any of the comics to recapture those days.

Why don’t you just get lost?

You went to coed, hanged out with friends,

With both guys and gals; so, why gossip about them,

Why can’t they be, just good friends?

I am tired of you morons, Why don’t you just get lost?

You talk of being modern out in the world,

And follow all superstitions at home.

You preach equality but practice pulling others down,

I am tired of you hypocrites, Why don’t you just get lost?

You proudly claim to have liberal views and values,

But, are conservative to the core.

Inside the four walls, your views are a big sore,

Double standards are your specialty,

Especially when it comes to gals.

I am tired of you idiots, Why don’t you just get lost?

You are allowed to make mistakes, for you are a human,

Your feelings should be respected,

And others should not even have self respect.

You go about hurting others without any thoughts,

I am tired of you monsters, Why don’t you just get lost?

Sleep for Success

Success comes to those who dream big. But to dream you have to sleep hence Success comes to those who sleep. This is my justification for loving my sleep time or Beauty sleep. You all have the right to disagree but it would be good for your health if you are in my team (Do not take it as a threat).

There are two aspects to my opinion: a. the medical/Health (for those boring people who are not swayed by emotions or feelings): 8-9 hours of sleep is the requirement of the body and is considered to be healthy. It allows the body and mind to relax and recuperate from stress of the day and also to be ready to face another. The absence of the same leads to fatigue and lack of stamina which ultimately reduces your conviction and quality of work. The result of the same is that the degree of success comes down. This is pretty simple to understand, right?

Now, my reason, b. One has to be driven, and dreams are the ambitions that drive us . So dream big. But dreams come only in a combo package with sleep. So sleep, do not let go of your sleep or reduce the time of your sleep. Coz if you sleep less, you dream less. And, if you won’t dream about your goal, it would not ignite the passion within to strive for it. Sleep gives our mind to a chance to think whatever it wants without the boundaries or the fear of failure hence sleep is the main driver behind all big schemes. Look at a Baby while sleeping, s/he looks so peaceful and happy. Sleep takes you into a fantasy world that is exciting, great, peaceful and loving all in one. Enjoy sleeping because only then you can enjoy the coming day.

Now, because I have understood the value as well as the significance of sleep, I never allow anything to stand between me and sleep. It takes me to another world, to be whatever I want to be, to do whatever I want to do and to enjoy or to analyse what I want. The dreams direct my plans and actions and therefore are very essential. So, even My Sleep is a Step towards Success and not a Sign of Laziness. The sad part is that a lot of people do not understand and I have to suffer for their lack of knowledge. Tell me how many times, Should I explain that I love sleeping because I love dreaming and then achieving my goals. Now enough is enough, this post is my last attempt for the same.

In my expert opinion, Sleep for Success coz If you can dream it, you can achieve It.

Rachita….Thy name is Moods

Starting this post with little honesty, I am in love…with myself. That’s the reason I started this blog, and therefore a lot of posts here in are about ME. I think and believe that I can talk and write about myself as much as I want.

I have a wonderful quality that people rarely appreciate …Mood Swings. Ask anyone who knows me they would easily vouch for the same. I am Moody and love being one. I am a different person at different phases of the same month, a typical cancerian you see. Mood swings frequency set at twice a day and twice a month as per the details on any zodiac site. But believe me I am not that easy to predict. Sometimes Happy, sometimes sad, sometimes goody and sometimes bad, sometimes lost otherwise all set but one thing is constant that no matter what mood I am in …I am always CRAZY. Sometimes even I don’t understand them and hence have no expectations from others about it.

There may be a logical reason for the mood swings like : meeting someone I do not like, something around I do not appreciate, somebody lied to me, being forced to do something I don’t enjoy OR more likely the reason would be illogical and unexplainable. That’s the why sometimes I wonder “ Shayad main iss duniya ki nai hu”. Happy in my own world, people rarely bother me, so do not increase your importance and think that you affect my Moods, “Mere apne nakhre khatam honge tab na!”

Luckily for me, I have great circles of friends. I use circles in plural as there are a lot of sets with only one common factor that is me and all of them are not related: school, locality, graduation, CIE, MBA, Jobs and so on. Now they understand that moods make me behave differently and accept that (as if I give them any choice). My close friends do not dissect my mood swings but take them as a part of my irresistible personality. Do not try to put me into any category I may be introvert, extrovert, snobbish, Bubbly(which is my latest nick name), quiet , shy to different people at the same time and even at same occasion. Believe me just do not accept this as challenge and start trying understand me, a little mystery is always great in life. When you think now ”I have understood Rachita” …I would definitely surprise you again.

 

In my words “ My friends know and love me with my moods and who cares what the rest of the World thinks about me”.

(Bas now mood change do not feel like writing more).

Yes, I am Superstitious!

I believe in certain superstitions, only as per my convenience. A few I really believe in and other I do just to keep the elders at home happy (as long as they don’t affect me adversely) . I see most of the people around me doing the same but ask them and they would completely deny believing in them. Do we really need to deny it to prove to the world that we are modern. So many of us just walk slower when we see a cat crossing our path, and wish “Oh God, please send someone to cross it before me” if it happens we are happy and if it doesn’t we say to ourselves “I do not believe in this stupidity”. This is so common but ask anyone about it and they would say “We do not believe it”.

There are some rules/superstitions we just follow & do not question: Why not eat Non veg on Tuesday (Hanuman ji gada marenge kya) ; Why not buy iron things on Saturdays; Why not wash clothes on Thursday; Why no shubh kaam during shradhh, the list is long. They all are a part of our lives and we do not question them because it is not needed. As long as they are easy to follow and do not hurt anyone it is ok with us. I think all religions and sects have their own list of such practices. I do not know why but I think if we come to know logic and reason behind everything in life, a lot many things including life itself would lose a great chunk of beauty which is hidden in its' mysteries.

I follow some of them as much as I can. Why to be ashamed of accepting the same. At the same time I have a deep dislike for those hypocrites, who believe them but don’t accept. Such weirdos always publicly speak against following superstitions, the loudest in a discussion. Catch them at home , you would see them doing all that they profess to hate. In reality we all are opportunists and do what suits us on the occasion. Though at the same time we do not want to break traditions for the fear of invoking God’s displeasure or may be following them just makes us a little secure.

You don’t believe me , then explain the following logically  – Why tie the red thread during pooja and havans? Why putting kala tikka to counter a bad eye? Why taking your new cars to the temple and putting something related to God in it? So many whys and only one answer that they all make you feel safe - that by doing them you acknowledge that someone up there will take care. Almost all superstitions (And I am not talking about social evils here) have a logic behind them. Would discuss them in later posts. But, at the moment enjoy being superstitious as I do. It makes me feel safe without harming anyone around.

Be honest accept these little quirks and you would feel lighter. Touche'wood !

I love Railway Platforms

Some memories are for lifetime. This is my experience at one of the platforms.

The setting of the scene:

Characters: A group of 16 members, 4 men and their wives with 8 kids(Refer to first Blog for details).

Place: Bangalore Railway station

Date/Time: December End / Early morning

Background: Tired members, after more than 40 hours of train journey and sleep deprived coz everybody had a great time. The TC, irritated with complaints of disturbances about us on both nights in the train.

Scene:

After getting down at Bangalore, we all were very happy as that was the longest train journey we all had taken together. The train journey was wonderful with playing games, reading comics, singing songs and telling jokes. But, everybody was looking forward to a long bath and lying on the bed that would not move. Busy looking around with excitement suddenly, we saw the elders’ group breaking in two and 2 men going towards the exit, my dad and Preet Uncle (Our Head). We started running towards them but were asked to stay back. Mahinder Uncle and Maharaj ji (the kids’ supporter) informed us that..."they had gone to find a hotel to stay! "…Imagine travelling 2500 kms in such a large group with no advance hotel booking done and that too in the year end.

Now what should we do? First the kid’s party went for a walk and surveyed things as if on inspection, but nicknamed devils’ party such innocent time pass bored us very soon. We came back to where the elders were waiting i.e. the same platform wherein the train was still standing and decided to play. Taking lead were Rajat (the biggest prankster now a happily married guy) and Mudit (The evergreen naughty chap) who found a bag filled with mineral water bags (those hygienic packing in polythene) & decided to play “catch it”. It looked fun so we all joined , the most enjoyable part was when those packets broke showering us and the platform with mineral water.

But those cruel railway officials, no doubt instigated by our train TC, came over. They couldn’t see the kids enjoying, after all what had we done except wasting a few packets (OK maybe more than a few).. But , Did their complaining stop us? No, we started again; coz that bag was still lying unattended at the platform. This went on a few more times till we got bored. By now we had spent about 2 hours at the platform. The cell phones were not common then (1994), so we had no update. The mothers decided to rein us  but we wanted to explore the station and went off leaving them shouting at us to stay close. One more hour passed, and we became the cranky party with no signs of members who had gone for the hotel booking. That platform became our living room and the luggage our sofa. We used it to the fullest; lying, singing, fighting, screaming, with all those around thinking as if we were from Mars, (as if we cared).

Looking back now, we laugh at our antics and the wait. It took uncle and dad 4 hours, to get a hotel which could accommodate all of us, as we wanted 5 rooms, a separate one for the kids. This was just the start and it happened to us every time and the whole group now loves the platforms as they are an integral part of the memories of our trips. And every time we discuss the trips, the platform makes an appearance in the discussion.

Dedicated to the whole group: Rajat, Abhishek, Bhai, Mudit, Aditi(s) and Swati ; though the last two were very young to remember the incident.

What a Restoration!

There laid my Pride in tatters,
Each day increased the shame.
What had they done & Who would pay?
It brought no glory & Where was the fame?

The world was laughing and I was cringing,
No matter how much i tried to ignore,
The escapades of those in power,
Those issues and controversies galore.

Trying to hide, I became an ostrich,
It will get better, if I don't see.
Let me not watch nor read,
I just wanted to scream - It is not ME.

Everybody had a view to express,
Sitting in our offices, we became experts.
We all did our bit, over cups of coffee,
and behaved like typical jerks.

Coz behind the scene, was the real action,
Where ignoring all this, men and women,
Were working hard to prove their nation,
And their positivity became an omen.

While I was busy gossiping and cribbing around,
The labourers and volunteers were working about.
The artists, performers, musicians and players,
Everybody was putting their best efforts.

They showed the World , What India is about,
Watching the spectacle made every Indian proud.
Their efforts, rejoiced the nation,
God Bless India , What a Restoration!

Wah India, Wah!

Those Days of Darkness....

Normally I look at the brighter side of a situation and feel that the problem shall soon be resolved. I never thought it would happen to me. Even though it was all around still it didn’t occur that it could trap me and I would feel so helpless in its grip. We were all so happy that Sunday, went out for lunch and had a great time. It started working on the family from there itself. Its claws wanted to grab all of us. Ma became its first prey and the next day it caught me too, pa became its victim on Tuesday , thus three days and three wickets down. It turned my world dark, light started hurting me, my eyes became watery, TV and computer did not suit me anymore. Huh …..What else do you expect conjunctivitis to do, that is eye flu in common man’s language……..and ankhan aa gayi si in punjabi.

Last week was just too horrible, not that I didn’t enjoy being at home, away from office and resting, Still my happiness was incomplete because : a. No Television, b. No Computer and hence no internet, c. No sms’es and limited talk time and biggest of all, d. No books...All I could do was put the eye drops and sleep, get up eat, put the drop and lie take rest coz it is a type of viral. And now some tips coz I have become expert on the topic: It does not spread when you look into eyes, it spreads only when you touch anything that may pass germs like used towel, blankets, hands etc. One more thing, wash your eyes with filtered refrigerated water along with eye drops. Ahh, Today Dad’s wish came true I have become a doctor(on eye flu).

Let’s come back on the main topic poor me and the ordeals I faced during the eye flu. Wearing sunglasses continuously - made my nose and ears hurt. Television became radio coz I could see but only hear. Thank God for my wild imagination and creative thinking I could visualise whatever I heard. Also, imagine three days without internet, no surfing and no chatting, forget about facebook and my favourite lifebox…God knows what all I missed there. .Uff...those were the unhappy days. No new blog post also , this eye flu broke my rhythm. I felt like an idiot wearing those sunglasses - goggles you see, though normally I love them but now, I am off sunglasses for next few days. And also during those days my bro took mom and my pics and after much persuasion (and lots of bribes) , I could refrain him from posting those online.

The most important thing it made me realize was how casually we take power of seeing. Instead of feeling blessed that we can see , we all take it for granted and forget to take care of our eyes. Do that - life isn’t that beautiful without this beautiful gift- eyes.

Life can turn grey even with Eye Flu , don’t think negative just get eye flu in case you want grey shades in life.

HIS Plans Are Working…

In the last few years, I have felt that a lot of my planning has gone waste. It used to be so irritating and would hit my confidence – “Oh no! Why didn’t I anticipate this hurdle?" was my usual complaint. And last year in between jobs, during the leanest period of my life, I took a stock of my decisions, plans and the reality. Amazingly, every time my plans were successful, it led to happiness and success but every time they did not, though temporarily I was sad but in the long run they taught me a lot. They led me to the path that I really wanted to follow & reach towards my ultimate goals.

So many a times, we get so upset, because things didn’t happen the way we wanted them to, that we are unable to see the whole plan. Coz, when we plan, we think of probabilities that may happen i.e. our experiences or which we feel can happen i.e. our expectations. Therefore, these surprises sometimes good or sometimes bad(as per our understanding) throw us off guard and we end up cribbing. If we wait for the initial hiccups to settle, we would realize that actually these variations are leading to a bigger picture and are a part of a much larger plan which is better than ours. Each failure makes us stronger to face bigger challenges and achieve what we want but fear that we would never get. Now, this depends on the individual how he/she would take it as - A chance to prove the capabilities or an excuse to give up. If it were so easy to achieve our dreams, they would lose their charm. These hurdles are just a way to take us to extremes to reach our utmost.

Remember, there always is a plan working for us; HIS Plan and unfortunate are the ones who do not believe in Him i.e. GOD. For each hurdle as we call it, he gives us a chance to jump over reach for the better or give up. Better believe, that every time our plans fail that failing of a plan does not mean that we have failed, it just means that was just not the best plan. Wait, take a stock of the situation and make another plan. Close your eyes , think of the times when what you planned, did not happen and your reaction to it. Each time you reacted positively, you achieved more than what you had hoped for.

There is someone up there, who loves us and wants the best for us, all we need to do is believe in ourselves and HIM. I feel very strongly that this belief can not be explained with proof and logic; it is either there or not there. But the people, who believe in HIM, feel secure that if our plans fail, he will take care.

It’s good if your plans are working but it is better if they are not, coz that means HIS plans are working and they are always better than yours.

Main to Fass Gayi.....

I have been thinking of writing a new post for the past two days but couldn’t. It was not because I was too busy or had started sleeping early or had to go out. I simply am stuck, can’t finalise the topic. Then, I realized that why not seek help from the friends who take out time and read my blog (It’s fine if you can’t comment, but if you do it acts like a ‘boost is the secret of my creativity'). So before I ask you all to suggest a topic , let me take you through the topic journey in last 2 days.

I thought of writing a sweet poem, but the idea did not excite me when I opened WORD doc (how did we survive before MS Office) to type. Then, I thought why not to write a sad poem, but how could I write something sad when I do not feel the same. Also, writing on sad topics makes you feel a little low and I don’t have time to do so. Now, I was stuck and thought that why not write something philosophical but then I remembered that my last post on the same lines got no comments. And, egoist that I am, I did not feel like writing again. Close to tearing my hair, (which after lot of shampoo and conditioner finally look good , sometimes) I had a brilliant idea – to write on something funny – maybe an incident or anything , and this is where my brilliance found its match. I simply could not finalise a topic. This was crazy how could this happen to me , I mean I always find a topic to chat, so what was stopping to find a topic to write a post.

Finally after lot of speculation, brainstorming alone , deliberations I realized that I have joined the ranks of great writers who face this problem sometimes – in literary world this is termed as Writers Block but I renamed it to Creative Block (Coz I m a creative person). Now that I found the problem , I started looking for solution:

a. Search Online – Rejected coz I didn’t feel like doing it.
b. Discuss with friends – Rejected coz I didn’t feel like calling anyone.
c. Do not write a post – Rejected coz It took me a long time to start and to stop is to fail.
d. Read A Self Help Book – Rejected coz yuk (Where did this idea come from?)
e. Seek help through blog – Wow , now this would save energy and I am a "Conserve Energy " Group member.


So here I m seeking your help to suggest some topics for future blog posts.
Be a Good Friend Coz: A friend in need is a friend Indeed ....nai to ek ek ko dekh lungi.

The Eyes Speak - Aankhein Bolti he!

If you are planning to read further thinking this is a body language information or something serious – Please STOP.

These are my impressions of various incidents I have seen around, just writing a few of them – coz Aankhein bolti he. (I have restricted the piece to only one emotion - Love. The Eyes Speak a lot and everthing can't be written in a single post , maybe will cover those in future.)

 

Incident 1: School Days


Those Innocent days years ago….standing in lines for morning prayers but eyes scanning for that profile. You come on time to be at a place when you can see each other, but no one knows(atleast you think so). Both of you do not have the courage to say anything but you look at each other every few minutes, on one pretext or other. In a few days, the friends know about it, and both of you are teased. Oh….those shy smiles when you get teased. Accidently bumping into each other in the corridors, or making way to pass in the bus, telling each other you look good today or maybe..what happened to upset you today every communication happens with eyes…Every one of us has such memories when The Eyes Speak – Aankhein Bolti he!


Incident 2: College Days


Those Daring/I Care a Damn Days…..You are going around but refuse to share. Maybe you do not want to tell the entire world, yet. You say something and mean something else, people around get fooled with your word plays and never see that what the eyes say. "Look at that lovely gal/guy…you say", when the eyes say.... look at me. You sit in a group and become the life of the gatherings but those subtle messages you send to each other….you speak words that are innocent to others but have special meaning to you both…..and your eyes play. The eyes tease, glare, smile , praise ….n all this happens when you have people around you. You raise the bar and challenge each other in different ways but always keeping in mind that no one else understands. By now you have learnt to tease/play and use your eyes to communicate coz ... The Eyes Speak – Aankhein Bolti he!


Incident 3: A Newly Married Couple


Those Happy Days…You are just married and everyone wants to meet your spouse. You have just found new feelings for each other and a lot more. Each glance speaks of those emotions. She is shy and he is jealous, of everybody who takes her away to talk. In the melee of relatives and friends, your eyes meet and speak, she shyly glances down & blushes and he gets a happy smile on face. This interplay sometimes gets caught and sometimes remains just between you two. And slowly an understanding develops to create a deeper bond which makes this communication more subtle. The eyes then speak of love, passion, teasing and new feelings coz ... The Eyes Speak - Aankhein Bolti he!

 

Incident 4 : An Old Couple

Those Loving days…You are married for decades and understand each other without speaking. You eyes have mastered the art where just with a glance your partner knows what you are feeling and what to say to make you feel better. The eyes speak of shared times, of love that endured all hardships , of the family that you have created and of each other. But, this time everyone knows that your eyes speak though they do not know what. The people around you bask in the light of love that you silence spreads. This love now is shared with everyone but you both still have that special glance meant for and understood by just each other coz... The Eyes Speak - Aankhen Bolti he!

Naino ki mat maniyo re…Naino ki mat suniyo…Naino ki mat suniyo re... Naina thag lenge…

Missing You...

Another week went by, one more step ahead,
Life is at upswing with no time to rest,
Amid this all there is a little voice that calls,
I don’t know why but I am missing you all.

Memories of time together, those carefree days,
Gang of friends, we always had pranks to play.
Cups of tea and shared cold drinks,
& those never ending plates of noodles.
Jostling for space in metro rides,
Rushing to CP & Knags for quick bites.
Those gossips, plotting and crazy fights,
& never ending chats and discussions at nights.

Bunking the classes and going for movies,
For missing lectures we always had excuses.
Days and nights filled with happiness,
Singing songs, dancing, bon fire and all.
Long bus rides and getting sick,
Making scripts that never clicked.

All we have now are memories,

& hundreds of pictures that we clicked.

So many a times, we pick up phone, to make a call,
Then some work comes and we miss the chance,
Thank god for smses facebook orkut and twitter,
Getting in touch doesn’t give jitters.
There is so much happening in life,
Still that little voice inside calls, May be I know why,

I am Missing you all.

Love Her or Hate Her- You can't forget Her

What else can I say about someone who while introducing herself to her batch of students says: "I am a witch, and I know that...." and "Anyone you catch crying in the institute , would be my student and there no name you can call me by , which I am not aware of...and now lets start the class". That's Geeta Sahani Ma'am for you. She was my English Professor at CIE, the best institute for B.Ed and anyone in the teaching fraternity would vouch for it.

One of the unforgettable teachers of my life, she was simply a person you couldn't ignore nor can forget. I still remember missing her first lecture coz me and my friends following the DU tradition, were late by 5 minutes (this inspite of warnings that she is very strict about time) and paid for our mistake. All that mentioned in the first few lines are just appetisers to all we heard standing on the doorstep of her lecture room that day. She started the class only after we left. We, (4-5 students )cribbed a lot but that was an example for the whole year we spent there. We were always on time (Whew! that was tough). Her classes were never boring, her command over the language , techniques and holding our attention was just awesome, so no matter how much we hated her sarcastic comments, we loved those lectures.

You could just fall in love with the comments she wrote on our assignments - " Wah! Madamji khush kar diya..." or " Isse accha tha nai likhti" which decided our moods for the week. Infact we had bets that who would receive the worst comment for the lecture. And, the truth is her good comments made us smile for the rest of the week. (I still have copies of those assignments). We would always get crazy assignments and were seen sitting on the stone tables outside the canteen , with cups of tea, cold drinks & pakoras- discussing and doing our work. "Oh! They are Geeta Ma'am's students " is something we heard often from the passing crowd. The lady made us work hard and i mean real hard.

All this aside , Geeta Sahani Ma'am's students (from all batches she taught) became confident and competent English Teachers and teach it not as subject, but as language. (The fact she always insists on). The confidence instilled through all those lectures make us all go in our interviews with a little arrogance that " I am from the best lot" and fear none. (Except fellow students from CIE).

I do not know where she is now, but I can say is that I can never forget her , or her comments and compliments.