Small Wonders of Life

Driving Adventures - Part IV

2011-06-23T14:57:00.008+05:30

Its been almost a year since my last post! I had started this series long back and something happened today to get me back to it.... As always, I was driving from point A to point B with my music system playing my selected songs..... Like always, I was singing along! I stopped my car at a signal and was waiting for it to turn green.... The windows were rolled up, music was playing and I was singing along at top of my voice...I had not expected much noise to go outside the car. I suddenly felt as if I am being watched.... I turned my head sharply to catch atleast 5 set of eyes staring at me... Some even smiling.... I stopped singing and then realised what a 'wonderful' song I was singing.... The song was.....
Nigodi Kaisi jawani hai....

The Lord had mercy on me and the signal turned green.....

Earlier posts....
Driving Series:
Prelude
Part-I
Part-II
Part-III

The Journey

2010-07-05T13:02:00.015+05:30

The stage is set, I thought. I am surely going to get my story now. Story for my novel you see.. The one I have been planning to write for a very long time.
I could have got it printed and it would have become a best seller by now.... But, there was a small hitch, the best seller novel needs a story!!!!!
So, now was my opportunity!

Our return ticket from Gaya to Delhi was a wait list ticket and as per the new railway policy, the A/C tickets automatically get cancelled, if they are still not confirmed when the reservation charts are prepared. This is what happened with us too.
So, we worked on plan B to book a flight ticket from Patna to Delhi for next day. It was not advisable to leave for Patna immediately as it would not be very safe to reach Patna in the night! Here we were in for another surprise. The cost of flight ticket was unthinkable. I am still under shock because of it!
Now, the only option we had was to take a general compartment ticket and enter a train which would leave Gaya post mid-night!
Well, we could have done the same with 'our' train, but didn't, because 'our' train is a very popular train between Gaya & Delhi & any attempt to board the unreserved compartment of that train by 'amateurs' like us might have resulted in broken arms or legs or worse, broken neck.

So, here we were, that is me & Dad at 01.30 hrs to board the train Neelanchal Express, which was expected to enter Gaya at 02.05 hrs. I was waiting for the train with enthusiasm and high hopes. Well, I have travelled ticket less at few occasions, as a student and during the early stage in my career. So the excitement was not due to anticipated unknown adventure. The excitement was, well you got it, it was the story! I could finally smell a story for my novel.

We figured that we may find some place to at least sit if we manage to get in the sleeper class instead of unreserved. So, we located the ticket checker and explained our problem. The T.C told us that he would 'allow' us to board the sleeper class if we promise to give him Rs 400/- per head. He said he would take the money in the train from us. So, feeling a bit confident we waited for the train to arrive.

Suddenly, there was a mad rush & everybody was running as if their life was in danger! We joined the rush too and lunged towards the first available sleeper class bogie. We soon found ourself inside the bogie with many more and few more who were already in the compartment from earlier stations. I am talking about the ones who, like us, had boarded the train without confirmed reservation.
We realised that in the whole process I have actually landed up right next to the door of the toilet (I have been contemplating whether to call it bathroom or washroom or restroom, but I think toilet is more appropriate. I was actually planning to call it Laterine, because that is what was printed on the toilet doors. But, I couldn't make myself do that. So, toilet it is).
Dad, thankfully got pushed inside the compartment and got a bit of a place to sit on one of the side berths.
So here I was sitting on my suitcase next to a stinking toilet. I don't know what was worse, the smell or sitting on the suitcase. I think sitting on suitcase was worse, because one tends to get used to the smell around after a while but my butt hurt for few days after the journey got over! Ouch! Anyways, the physical discomfort was expected and made peace with before we decided to take this journey.

Once, the train started moving, I looked around with hope to find that corner of the thread from where I can start weaving my story! Most of the faces around me were sleepy or already sleeping. I consoled myself that in the morning I shall get my story & started waiting patiently for the day to break and for people to wake up.
With morning, another problem came dancing along. Everyone in the compartment wanted to use the toilet. Hence, I had to get up every time anyone managed to reach the toilet doors. Yes, managed. There were people everywhere, near the entrance, next to the toilet, in the middle of the berths, everywhere!
But, my dream to find a story in the moving train came crashing down soon. There was nothing interesting to write about. I mean there were many interesting characters but no story! Sigh! So much for my excitement!
Then another brilliant brainwave, I could make a mental note of all the people around me, characters you see, story needs character. So, one fine day when I may, no, when I would manage to get a story, these characters may help add spice to the novel! I know, I am brilliant.

So, here are some of the interesting characters I saw around me on that journey which kept me entertained and amused. Some were repulsive too. But that's the way life is, good and bad go hand in hand!
There is no specific order of appearance of the characters, I am just listing them in any random order!

Character 1: Actually there are two, A couple. A newly wed couple whom I had nicked named CSC, meaning Crotch Scratching Couple. The lady was sitting right in front of me on her trunk. She was travelling to Delhi for the first time and was accompanied by her husband of few months. I noticed them because of their scratching tendency. When I saw both of them scratching themselves, my thought was, seems like they have managed to pass STD to each other. Sigh!
Character 2: The dude: Like us, I believe, this dude also could not get a confirmed reservation and had to travel with unreserved ticket. Now, imagine a guy in Levi Jeans, woodland shoes, a branded suitcase, Reebok sling bag, spiked hair, branded T-shirt (forgot which brand), gold plated watch, standing near the toilet, next to a guy wearing a worn out kurta pajama & possibly stinking. Suddenly walks in another lad, visibly not from an privileged background but wearing a t-shirt which looked exactly like the one worn by the dude! Both the dude & the lad are taken aback to see the other. The lad slowly made his way and stood next to the dude making the 'similarity' even more evident. Every person who crossed them did notice the 'similarity' with an amused look. Suddenly, the dude seem to have had enough of all this and he collected his luggage and vanished into another bogie.
Character 3: A brother sister duo. They entered the train sometime in the night and they had confirmed reservation. So, they made the people sitting/sleeping on their berth to move and took charge of their berths. Both kept sleeping through the journey, for about 18 hours. Didn't their back hurt, I wondered. But this brings me to the next one.
Character 4: A couple again. Ahem, not a couple actually. They were three of them. A middle age couple along with a younger looking man. Now, the lady and the younger looking man sat on the berth of the lady mentioned in Character 3. She had allowed them to sit there for a short while but the continued to sit there till the train reached Delhi. Well, now the interesting part. There was 'something' going on between the lady and the younger looking man. How do I know. Well, no man will open his sandal and run his foot over the foot of another lady until unless 'something' is going on between them. This happened quite a few times. Including the younger looking man 'discreetly' running his hand over the lady many times. I could see it, I am sure few more would have noticed it but, not the husband. Amazed I am.
Character 5: Now this is an interesting one. As soon as he entered the train, he managed to get into an argument with another 'unreserved ticket' passenger! Poor guy was not getting space to stand also. So, I moved my suitcase a bit and asked him to stand in whatever place that got created. A few hours later at one of the stations many people got down (many boarded too). So, I thought to do a survey of my compartment to see if I could find a better place for Dad. Earlier, the man had moved in too. So, as soon as he saw me looking for a seat, he immediately asked me to send dad there as he has found a place for him. My gratitude.
Character 6: Another couple. They got up just before noon and by that time the situation near the toilet was really bad so I had no option put to stand. The lady saw me struggling so she asked me to come and sit on her berth. She was on the top berth. I was thankful to her and for the first time managed to rest my back. We got talking and I realised that the couple were coming to Delhi to shop at Lajpat Nagar. I asked her twice because I couldnot believe that someone, in peak summer would travel in non-A/C to just do some random shopping!
Character 7: This was the funniest incident. Once I got some place to sit on the berth, I could now see the other passengers in the near vicinity. Nothing great to note. Just that a couple with two kids were travelling and the lady was sleeping/lying on the lower berth & her husband on the middle. The kids were playing between the two berths. Now, the father dosed off and the younger kid came up to talk to his father. He tried to wake him up but invain. So, the kid got angry and punched the father hard between his legs. The poor father got up startled. By the looks of it, guess it didn't hurt much. After about an hour the father dosed off again and at that time the kid came up again. This time, instead of punching, he bit his father between his leg. I am sure it must have hurt bad, because the father jumped up and his head hit the top berth and he scolded the kid a bit roughly. But, rest of the journey, the father didn't sleep.

So, these characters did make my trip very amusing and interesting.
Oh yes the ticket checker, how could I forget him. Well, the ticket checker didn't come to collect his cash. Guess, he would have realised that he would get beaten up... :)

Conversation Series-Part-III

2010-03-21T09:52:00.005+05:30

This is another funny incident!

After the intial round of 'talks' the meeting was fixed & both the families with the 'girl' & 'boy' in question meet at a neutral venue.

The 'boy' in question is doing very well for himself but as per him he is unattractive. Well, the guy had a dark complexion & is not the 'traditionally' good looking types.
As far as my views go, for me looks are immaterial.
Over the conversation, the guy spills the beans... He is looking to get married to ONLY a very fair, slim 'girl'..Reason, future gene pool....
My reaction, WHAT!
Why did you agree to meet because I am not that, ATALL!
Family pressure he says.

Well.... what can I say....Adious! & All the best!

Earlier Posts:
intro
Part I
Part II

Driving Adventures - Part III

2010-03-20T09:57:00.004+05:30

This incident happened more than a year back but is still very fresh in my mind!

The work day ends & I leave for home. Like always, there is traffic.... Heavy traffic.
On my way back I had to take a right turn from a signal under a flyover & then move on to go on another flyover.
So, I take the right turn and move further. The traffic is slow moving and then it stops. Something seems to have happened in my lane. I was in such a position that I could see the three cars ahead of me. We were at the beginning of the flyover. The first car had stopped & there were two cars behind it & then me. It soon got clear that the person driving the first car had recently learned driving and was unable to move the car ahead. He was on a point where the road was elevating & everytime he would try to move forward, due to the slant, the car would start moving backward & he would apply the brake. So, till this guy moved, we were stuck. The guy in the second car got down & went up to the first car & said something. What followed was something rare you see in a fast moving city.

The man in the second car asked the first car guy to slowly let his car come back till he touched the second guys car! Once that done, the first guy's car wouldnot run back and he could take his time to accelerate & move again.
Somebody letting a new driver hit your car is not an everyday event.
I developed high regard for the gentleman driving the second car.

The pile up resolved & we continued our respective journey. Further ahead I had to stop at another signal, take a right again & get on to a bridge. I was first in the line of waiting cars & as the signal changed, I moved ahead. Suddenly from nowhere a bike appeared & came right infront of my car. Thankfully, I have good reflex & I applied the brake just in time.
This behaviour irritated me & I accelerated to catch the bike. I managed to do that, cut infront of the bike & stopped. I got down from the car & gave a piece of my mind to the person on the bike.
The bike rider seemed to be in his own world & said, "Why are you so upset, nothing happened". This angered me and I told him that, since nothing happened today, was it ok to drive the way he did? I added that, if we would have had an accident, nothing would have happened to me, the car would have got damaged & I could get it repaired or bought a new vehicle. But, what about the biker himself? He could have injured himself badly or got killed. Would his family go to the market & buy a new guy?

The whole discussion in the middle of the road had lead to another pile up behind us. Just then I heard someone very politely say, "Excuse me ma'am, let it go, they will never learn". I turned around in my agitated state to give a piece of my mind to the defender of the biker.
It was the same gentleman who had helped the new driver earlier. My anger/irritation melted seeing him. I said, "I think you are right" & started moving back towards my car. Just then the biker spoke & apologised.
I was slightly taken aback. This man who was till a second ago fighting & arguing with me suddenly seem to have turned a new leaf!

It was, I believe, the effect of the gentleman. Some people are healers & maybe this gentleman was one of them.

I have travelled on the same route many times but never saw the gentleman again!

Earlier posts....
Driving Series:
Prelude
Part-I
Part-II

Driving Adventures - Part II

2010-03-15T21:56:00.002+05:30

Another hectic day at work comes to an end! I step out of office & it's dark already. Its not too late but, it's a winter month so by 5.40 the sun has set already & traffic is at its 'peakest'!

As always, my music gives me company & keeps me cool through the maze of traffic. I come down the last flyover on my way & again, as always, instead of going upto the signal to take the left turn, I turn into the slip road. The slip road has few potholes but is still faster & traffic free.

The car infront of me seems to be reluctant to reach where it's suppose to but I am not in a mood to overtake it. The car's driver suddenly decides that he needs to take a left & does so. I am a bit taken aback by the sudden swaying of the car. My speed is very less so it was ok & I was at a safe distance. Some people, I think!

There is a car coming towards me from the opposite direction & the one behind it is desperate to overtake! I calculate that if the second car does decide to overtake, he would hit me head-on. So I move to my left slightly. Guess this was my mistake. The car which was desperate to overtake, overtakes & there is no place for me to move further left. The car hits! Thankfully not head on.. The car hits my car on the side starting from next to the headlight to the tail-light! My rear view mirror flies off & the door glass bursts on my face.... The car slows down but doesnot stop & then speeds away!

Fortunately, I am not hurt other than a slight throbbing on my right cheek due to the impact of the door glass breaking! I am filled with glass from head to toe. There is no point if I stop & get off my car. So, I drive home. Access the damage, feel bad & upset. But, what is done is done.

Driving the car next day morning is now a challenge! It's cold & I don't have a window! Anyhow I drive to work with Jacket, muffler & gloves on!
The mechanic is contacted & car repaired in few hours. Other than few thousand rupees, I did lose my confidence a notch.

It's all history now! I still wonder if the other car had stopped, what would I have done to the driver.. Hit, abuse, called the cops or made him/her pay up... Maybe, I would have just let him/her go!

Earlier posts....
Driving Series:
Prelude
Part-I

Fun with Colours....

2010-03-03T22:24:00.005+05:30

I finally succumb to the voice in my mind...
I had thought that I would not write a post on Holi, as have had an overdose of holi through FB status update, sms, phone calls, etc etc...
But, my mind, has a mind of its own... It refused to let me think anything till this post was done. So, here I am with my Holi story.

This year, Holi was fun, after many years... It started 3 days early.

Friday was the last working day before holi, so we colleagues decided to wish each other with colours before going home. It all started very 'decently' with only tilak on forehead. But, the colours had it's effect on all of us & soon we were all coloured in various colours. We ended up playing holi & having fun for over 1 & 1/2 hours. Donot ask the reaction of my folks when I reached home.

Saturday morning was spent in removing the traces of the earlier evening's fun, unsuccessfully.

Sunday was Holika Dahan & in the morning we were invited to a 'Holi Milan' programme hosted by Chitragupt Samaj in Dwarka. The crowd there was very cordial & decent initially but with the splash of colours & music taking over, the laughter & 'holi hai' sound kept getting louder. Dancing with coloured faces all around was fun. By the time we reached back home it was late afternoon & I was very tired. Somehow managed to take my bath & slipped into sweet slumber, only to be woken up by mom to have my dinner.

Monday morning had my fill of liver for breakfast & walked out to play holi. A gathering was organised in the main lawn of our society. After wishing few Uncles, Aunties & my age group guys, headed to the lawn for another round of fun!
1st March is Dad's birthday, so came back, baked a cake & managed to take a bath at 7 in the evening!

It was a fun filled, exhausting yet relaxing weekend.

Driving Adventures - Part I

2010-02-07T23:55:00.002+05:30

Driving adventures, another series that I intend to start as mentioned in my prelude post.

So here I am with Story - I

The everyday 'task' of driving to work & back can get quite boring & monotonous. Therefore, I like to spice it up with music & 'views' around me. So, like every other day I was humming to myself & stopped at a signal. Another car stopped right next to me & I looked straight into the smiling face of a cute looking guy.
I smiled back & his smiled broadened. The signal turned green, just then & I almost automatically zoomed on. I saw the cute guy right behind me & I soon realised that he was trying to overtake me.

I being myself, liked the challenge & ensured that I stayed ahead & kept eying him in my rear view mirror. At occasions, he did manage to come parallel to me and at such moments the smiles continued. Broader & brighter.

Soon, it seemed that he was giving up & I didn't want that to happen. So, I decided to go slow & let him overtake. The traffic was also heavy so it took him a while to get ahead. Infact for quite a while he kept driving parallel to my car with occasional exchanged glances. Then, his lane moved faster & he moved ahead of me for the first time. As soon as that happened, I almost shouted in frustration. Not because he overtook me, because he had a 'Baby on Board' sticker stuck at the back.!!!!
I changed lanes & got lost in the traffic. I saw him slowing his car but the traffic did not allow him to.

What a waste of time, I thought.
Later, I recounted the whole thing to a friend & she told me that I jumped to conclusion too soon. As per her, he could have been driving his brother's/friend's/relatives car, hence the sticker...

Aaarrrggg, I went. Lost opportunity??? I don't know...
But, wiser, definitely. Better luck to me next time....

Conversation Series-Part-II

2010-02-05T22:12:00.004+05:30

This is in continuation of my earlier posts,( intro and Part I) where I'm recounting the type of people I & my parents met in the process of trying to find a 'suitable match' for me!

This story also starts through a matrimonial ad placed in a leading daily!
The contact details mentioned in the ad were used & contact established with the father of the guy in question. During the course of the discussion it was mutually agreed that on a designated date, I along with Dad would meet the guy & his parents in Bombay. The guy lived in Bombay & his parents were also reaching there around that time so it would be convenient for all.

So, tickets booked, travel details conveyed, address exchanged and agreed that the venue would be discussed & finalised on the date of meeting.
We landed in Bombay at my mausi's place & the phone was connected to discuss the plan of meeting. The phone at our end was kept in loudspeaker mode so that all can hear the conversation & give inputs on the venue & meeting time.

All almost finalised when the father of the guy comes out with a very very special 'requirement'. He conveyed to my Dad that, Dad should ensure that the girl (that's yours truly) NEEDS to be attired 'decently' when we meet. He goes on to add that 'decently' means either Salwar Kameez or Saree. Further, he added that the kameez/blouse should not be sleeveless.....

I almost jumped out of my chair with my temper gone beyond the roof! I gestured to my Dad to bang the phone down. He, obviously ended the conversation decently.

I absolutely refused to go. My take, who is he to dictate what I will wear. A prospective FIL, but only prospective. If this is the attitude now, what will happen if things move further. Moreover, he expects me/us to be artificial & made up to please their eyes... Then, what all would they be hiding/covering/camouflaging, I wondered.

Since, we had travelled all the way & were going to return the next day, Dad said that we should go & give them a benefit of doubt.
So, we reach, meet but my mind was closed by then.
Oh yes! I did mention to the guy that I had expected to see him in Kurta Payjama/Dhooti & not Jeans & T-Shirt....

Loved the expression on his face... Priceless.....

:)

Driving Adventures - Prelude

2009-09-03T09:54:00.001+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

I love driving!!!!

I believe that I belong to that rare breed of people who enjoy the drive even within the city limits!

One tends to observe, note, encounter many types of situation, people & reactions while driving. I would be starting a series on my encounters/incidents/accidents/experience while on wheels! Some I'm sure would be fun, some amusing & maybe a few sad ones too!

Conversation Series-Part-I

2009-07-03T09:50:00.011+05:30

Sometime back I had written a post about the experience of trying to find a match for arranged marriage....
I now am posting the first conversation of the series..... Have Fun!

Newspaper matrimonial ads are one of the many ways used to search for a groom!
So in the process of scanning the paper, my parents came across 'an eligible prospect'. The ad carried a contact number which was promptly dialed.

After the initial introductions, my father conveyed a brief about our family. The person on the other end of the phone was the father of the prospective groom who gave my father a patient hearing and then started off with his idea/list/demands of a/from the prospective bride.

As per him, the prospective bride should take care of the family, be an able manager at home, ensure that there is no discord in the house and the supplies to home are taken care of in addition to keeping the house clean & decorated (Phew!!!). He further went on to add that both he & his son work and need to have proper breakfast before they leave for their respective work place, a packed lunch is a must and that the wife of his son should be home before they are back from work and ensure that fresh & hot dinner is served. In short he was looking for a dotting wife for his son. He also added that in case the girl wants to work post marriage she can do so if she can find time after fulfilling the above mentioned responsibilities!
Nothing wrong in this & appreciate his concern for his son.

But, lets now come to the ad he had placed.
The ad read that they are looking for a well educated, professionally qualified, preferably MBA girl for their son!

So the crux is that they basically wanted a professionally qualified DIL but can work only after finishing the ghar ka kaam!

My father thanked him for his 'frank' & 'to the point' description of the prospective bride and disconnected the call.

I have no clue why such an ad was placed when the requirement was so different. Do they think that a professionally qualified girl can only juggle & manage the various 'responsibilities' listed or they think that a girls ultimate desire is to get married & everything else can then be put on a back burner! I would love to have an insight into their thinking and know their point of view too.

I am not averse to the idea of a non working wife but there is a time for everything. Yes I like my independence but at the same time if there is a strong reason which demands that I need to not work for sometime I am ok with it. But not for the heck of it. I have worked equally hard if not more to be where I am today and I am not willing to give it up just like that!

I am smiling....

2009-06-30T23:26:00.004+05:30

I am happy.... Actually very happy! Let me not jump the gun and start from where it restarted!
Many people would be euphoric to have touched base with friends from past courtesy social networking sites. I also belong to the same group. Well, I have made friends & lost touch with lots of people over the years, some acquaintances and few good friends.

With Dad's postings this cycle would get repeated every time. In fact if I think back about all the stations Dad got posted to, I could list out atleast 3 friends in each station who could be called close friends. But there as some people who touch few cords in your heart and become too precious. I too met people who meant a lot to me & was lucky that the feeling was reciprocated.

The social networking sites helped me get back in touch with many of my friends. But, among many there was this one person I was desperately looking for and it seemed that she had vanished into thin air. I tried all I could to find her but invain.

One fine day , a mail drops in my mail box which starts with, 'xyz (a name similar to her's) has contacted you....'. At that moment I was preoccupied and was about to leave office for a prefixed meeting. It just didn't strike me that it could be her so instead of probing further I left for the meeting and my day to day work. I came back to office late in the evening and while checking new mails reread the message and just out of curiosity opened my account.....

My colleague came over and asked if all was ok.!!.. I could not believe my eyes for few minutes. The friend I was searching had found me!
Her message started with a 'remember me' line.!! I laughed reading it & thought, 'only if she knew.........' This was 6 months back and we are back in touch & how!

This happened because of the social networking site. But for it I don't think I would have ever managed to find her! Welcome back in my life......................

2009-06-02T10:28:00.002+05:30

One of my friend forwarded this to me & said that this is being quoted from a group on facebook called fauji kids.... I loved the points & went ahead & immidiately joined the group.....
I have added my own comments in bracket next to the points

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A PURE BREED FAUJI KID IF:
1 You were born in a Military Hospital... {yeah yeah yeah.... It was MH, Danapur}
2 Half your toddler years were spent being looked after by Bhaiyas ( no xplanation here) {Differ here..It was my mom.. the bhaiya was there as a household help}
3 You went to school either on Bhaiya's cycle or in a Shaktiman {Remember the chase for the jaali ke paas wali seat}
4 You know what a shaktiman is. ( No! it isnt the TV serial about half man and half machine starring AB lookalike) {hahahaha}
5 Jeeps & Jongas dont excite you - they were your regular mode of transport! {Yep was brought home from the MH in one!}
6 The only alternative to the Central School was the Army School. {& the rivalry between the schools}
7 You always called Kendriya Vidyalaya Central School. Gosh even today that sounds better! {hehehehe}
8 Your entire family could survive in one room temporary quarters with 25 trunks, wooden crates, the dog, the bedroll and two bhaiyas flitting around. {The dog is the only thing missing from our days..... rest remains the same!}
9 The smell of Brasso & shoe polish was regular staple. {The daily dose.... morning for shoe polish & evening ie late evening for Brasso}
10 Mess was not what you created in your room, it was where you went every Friday for the free "english" movie. {or for the occasional parties where kids were allowed.. not to forget sports! Badminton anyone...}
11 The "English Movie" was very often a western and you couldnt follow a word! Sometimes you just went for the samosas and the local drink that they insisted was Cola.{Not just english even HIndi.. I remember, every wednesday the movie playing used to be free movie!}
12 At the end of the month your dad had to pay for many pink slips showing how many samosas and local drinks that they insisted was Cola you had consumed. They never missed any!!! {Add to that peanuts, potato chips & few more cold drinks courtsey the sports/swim time}
13 You attended many May Queen Balls before you knew what Miss India was.{This used to be fun}
14 Your mother regularly got dressed, perfumed and dissappeared for the Ladies Club. {& the kids had some unattended masti time..... skiding on cycle..rolling in mud included!}
15 You knew towns like Mhow, Wellington, Deolali and Bhuj..{ ::))))}
16 You werent a millionaire but hey you had Swimming, Horse Riding, Squash, Tennis and Golf!!{You bet}
17 You thought the main reason to have a Golf Course was to have a Holi Bash. {The Mess lawns were also used for it sometimes...}
18 You can still take one quick look at the epaulets and figure out the rank. {Yeah right!}
19 You discussed wednesday's Chitrahaar in the Shaktiman. {It used to be fun & full of excitement...}
20 You can still recall the special & particular smell of the CSD canteen! A special prize for the correct concoction - mine is - it was a mix of Hamam Soap, Ponds Dreamflower Talc & Surf i think. In some corners it had overtures of Brooke Bond red Label as well. {You bet}
21 Your vacations were a package deal consisting of D-forms, Sharma Uncle Ka jonga and Arty/signal/EME Mess ka kamra(ie any mess would do). {hahahaha}

Conversations

2009-05-22T11:26:00.004+05:30

Trying to get married can be a lengthy and tiresome process.... Well my experience says so....
I being an 'adarsh' daughter, is hoping for an arranged marriage. So my parents are busy doing there bit to find a match for me. But, for some reason or the other things have not worked out yet. In the process though I have ended up meeting few prospective matches/family or heard my parents speaking to few.
The conversations fall under various categories like decent, cultured, outrageous, conservative, pathetic, humorous, ridiculous & sometimes just silly.

So, I thought that I would start putting up these conversations here just for fun. The conversations which would follow in posts to come are totally authentic, real but the names of various people involved would not be discussed.

I'm in love...............

2009-02-25T00:24:00.003+05:30

I have fallen in love all over again....
Before I get excited..... Lets get a clearer picture.... I'm in love with music.... I had recently transfered lots of songs to my Pen drive which I play in my car.... The music collection ranges from the wonderful melodies of 50s to the soul stirring 80s to fun songs of today..... Oh my God I had forgotten so many of them n the feeling these songs leave you with.... I enjoy them everyday n my driving has become fun & the traffic does not bother me anymore...
I hope this love turns out to be an everlasting love affair............................

Preaching....

2009-02-23T22:11:00.002+05:30

Its something I am very good at. It seems to be an inborn trait that I would put forth my views when a 'situation' is presented infront of me. I tend to dissect every aspect like an earnest Medical student who tries his best to dissect the given 'speciman' from every angel & then present my views from all angels analysed....
I do that not just with people close to me but also with acquaintances.
I guess I should become a Lecturer or an Orator. A brilliant idea, I should write a book about my 'experiences', ofcourse the names would be changed to preserve the identity of the people who had seeked the 'advice'.
Seems like an interesting thought of the many thoughts I have daily in the hope that I would come up with an idea that would turn my fortunes.
Day dreaming, an interesting way to keep recession at bay atleast for a short time..... & may be just maybe......... Aaah day dreaming again...............

2009-02-19T16:53:00.003+05:30

& I am back... Hopefully for a long stay this time.... Hoping that this is also not a blink n miss appearence.....

Hope..... The summary of life.............................

Faux Pass

2008-05-30T00:34:00.003+05:30

Faux Pass, a very normal thing for me to do!

1. Driving back home and in midst of a traffic jam. I was stuck at a signal for quite some time and just managed to cross it before it turned red again! In my excitement, I blew a flying kiss at the signal but a man standing near it saw it and is startled! The traffic again resumes its snail pace with the 'gentleman' instead of crossing the road, staring at me for a loooong time!

2. An article in HT long back on methods people adopt to please the boss. I had given my experience and the lady printed my name with designation with my comment. The comment was, "I sit late in office, play games online or the ones in the system. My boss thinks that I'm working hard and is happy with my 'performance'!". I bought the paper on way to office and forgot it on my desk in full view of all. My boss who used to sit in the enclosure next to my desk read it!
{PS: Please don't ask what happened after that!}

3. A close friend got married. By mistake in a party I addressed the spouse by taking the name of his arm candy! This was followed by silence as it was a sort of reunion of old friends! Don't as k how the situation was saved!

4. On way to a meeting I ended up coming back home as the road to my home and to the meeting was common till a junction. I had to reschedule the meeting!

5. I ended up discussing the details of a movie with my boss which had released just few days back, when I was supposedly on sick leave!

6. I have a habit of keeping my mobile in my hand. I was on my way back home along with a colleague and were discussing things pertaining to office and bitching about our boss. I don't know how I dialled my bosses number accidentally (his was the last number dialled) and it connected and he heard our complete conversation and disconnected once we drifted to other topics. Imagine my plight when I reached office the next day!

There are many more in my life but too embarrassing to reproduce!

Things That I Miss

2008-03-19T22:45:00.007+05:30

Over the years life has taken many twists and turns! Life introduces us to new things, emotions people with every turn and some old experiences, moments, people and things get left behind.
We in our rush to live our whole life in a moment sometime just let few precious moments slip out. So I thought that I should stop for a while and atleast remember those special moments, days, weeks, things which were (and are still) dear and special to me.

. My Grandparents (They have left for heavenly abode....I miss them the most.. both sets)
. My Cycle ( The betting and racing.... Going to school on it everyday)
. Writing Letters and eagerly waiting for the postman!
. Going to Native Place for Summer Vacations.
. I am hungry... A pet dialogue of my Cousin at 2 AM. (She is no more)
. Receiving & Sending Greeting Cards on special occasions. (Also shopping for them)
. Playing Basketball (The Lay up shot)
. Late Night College Parties (The risk of being caught was so thrilling)
. Urgent Phone Calls During Exam Time (Trying to find out how much syllabus others have revised)
. Sword fights using long bamboos with my cousin on the top of the garage at my Grandfather's place (It has been ages since have been to that house... Don't feel like going there)
. School Picnics (Going out with friends was the best thing)
. Breaking out in a jig in the middle of the road (Oh I loved doing it.. esp imitating Amitabh Bachchan's dance steps)
. Stealing Jamun from a tree near School after School Hours ( I was very Notorious)
. Bossing around and dictating terms to Seniors because my Mom was their teacher (By the way I was in 6th Std n the Seniors in 11th & 12th)
. Singing as if no ones watching/listening (I am a pathetic singer)
. Performing on Popular, foot taping numbers (The preparation & working on Choreography was more fun than the actual performance)
. Laughing & Giggling for hours n Hours with no specific reason! (People used to actually think that we have gone mad)
. The Cellphone free era (and still be contactable)
. Stealing Kacha Aam from Neighbours garden and eating it with Salt & Red Chilly Powder ( That used to be yum)

I have not numbered the list as all are equally missed....... There are many more but these are the most missed...
I am sure everyone will have one such special list.
I have also prepared a list of things I want to achieve in life, guess I'm yet not ready enough mentally to share it with anyone but me.

The Friends

2007-12-20T09:14:00.002+05:30

Everything in life has a definite start and then it goes on till it has a definite end!

What if............................
There is no start???
Is it that there would be no definite existence if there is no definite start?
Interesting Thought........................
But this may seem a bit confusing so let me put it in form of a story....

She & Her are good friends and they share most of their deepest thoughts. Well.... most, I believe!

One fine day She decided to visit the lanes of past which had led to She & Her friendship. She remembered who had introduced She to Her but could not remember actually how they had met or how and when had they become so comfortable with each other to discuss things which they may not be comfortable discussing with anyone else!
So She picked the phone and called Her, the most natural thing for She to do when ever she was caught in a 'situation' or was in some dilemma.
She posed the question to Her and it was followed by silence at the other end.
Both didn't remember how they met or how they got so close.
Most surprising part was that both didn't remember if they had talked about or discussed anything which could be termed as personal in person. They remembered all the fun, the movies, the theatre visits, eating ordered food, watching TV.
They were not able to trace the beginning of what seemed the most natural thing to do today.

After I realised that She & Her can't figure out how their friendship started I decided to let it be.

But it got me thinking!

Sometimes God sends people who become an important pivot in your life & you thank God for being so thoughtful. The relation becomes so big that the rest is ignorable.

If something does not have a start but exists, then it may just go on for ever and ever and ever (Amen to that!).

So next time you find yourself in a relation whose beginning you can't remember, may be its a Good sign!

A Second Homecoming!!!

2007-03-23T12:33:00.001+05:30

I'm going to Ibetza!!!!!! is what I had been singing..

Reason, I was going to Bombay, the love of my life..

The week before it passed in a bliss, the thought of going back to that city was so strong that the work stress of issue closing which was filled with disappointments of refusals and ad drops seemed to have no effect on me.

The D day finally came and I stepped out in the early night of Bombay.
The feeling was euphoric. After ensuring that my colleague is bundled off to the hotel safely, I turned to look around.

The next day had to be office, the reason I was there. So once I was done with office the rest of the evening and the next day was mine!

I went on spree of meeting old friends and finishing some old pending tasks.
I enjoyed every minute of it.
Soon it was time to fly back and three and half hours later (my flight had got delayed due to a technical snag) I was back in Delhi.

I felt good, very good to be there but there was something else too...

I realised a fact of life. Any place earns a place in your heart not just because of the place but also due to the people you meet, interact and stay with. It's the whole experience which makes a city a wonderful or dreadful place.

I was glad to be in Bombay but the feeling, the special feeling which I had for the city was not as strong as it used to be.
It confused me and made me restless.

When I had left Bombay for good, somewhere I felt that the dream I was chasing (The Dream is something I would talk about in another post) has ended abruptly.
I was hurt and sulking or maybe scared to restart things from scratch away from the city which I had grown to love.

What I had missed seeing was that I was moving to the city where I learned the meaning of Independence. The city which gave me the base & foundation to do what I am doing.

The Independence and financial freedom which I experienced in Bombay was because of Delhi.
I was speechless and in trance when I realised this.

So, when my flight touched the Delhi airport, I felt I was truly Home.

A Second Homecoming Indeed!

Treat Mania!!!

2007-02-22T16:00:00.001+05:30

Today, I hogged!

After a long time I have eaten more than I should or can.

A friendly batter and have ended up with an over stuffed tummy and drowsiness.
I have only one wish. To curdle up in a bed & sleep.
Yes, I also wish that I had eaten less. But, what is done is done.

It started as a friendly leg pulling of a colleague in office while wishing him on his anniversary.
It went forward with a promise that he would treat us to lunch.

(Un)fortunately I didn't take him seriously and ate my tiffin as soon as it was lunch hour not to forget that I had eaten a Samosa earlier in the morning i.e. after coming to office and today wonders of wonder had even had breakfast in the morning before leaving for work!

So, here it was an array of irresistible food items spread across for us to enjoy.
We did full Justice to the food and enjoyed every bit of it. We even reordered a specific delicacy and wrapped it up with sweets.

Considering the amount of intake of food, I guess my current situation was inevitable.

I am looking for the first opportunity to slip out of office and go home and drift into sweet slumber.

Life Goes On!!!

2007-02-21T15:20:00.001+05:30

Yes no matter what Life goes on..
I'm sounding philosophical....

But what to do.. an incident today made me think like this..

We keep talking about our job and better pay packages. But, people have more in life to look at and bear.

The dhaba wala near my office in Okhla is a person who believes in simple living and high thinking, ie when it comes to his business. He serves only thali and rice plate.

Today, like any other day, I along with my colleagues walked out of office to have Lunch at the Dhaba. From a distance we could see unusually heavy crowd. We learned that the MCD team has come over to clean the encroached areas.

We still walked up to the Dhaba wala and was told very calmly by him "Bus 15 min". On probing further we were told that they were intimated yesterday itself to expect a raid today. So, they had already packed most of their stuff in advance and that the MCD vehicle would go in 15 min max and they would serve food then. He also told very matter of factly that they send the monthly 'Kharcha Pani' to the concerned official and there was nothing to worry about.

The whole attitude and his reactions were making it clear that he is used to such things and they are part of the business.

His reactions could be equated to our month end stress of closing!

As promised after about 20 mins all did become 'NORMAL' again and people were having there lunch as if nothing had happened...

Back With My Scooter

2007-02-03T14:43:00.001+05:30

In my last post I had shared my experience of dancing while driving.

The new experience makes me laugh and thank God at the same time.
Well, not so long ago as always I was getting ready to leave for home.

So as usual after collecting my stuff which include a bag, an empty tiffin, the helmet, the jacket, then connected the mobile to the hands free, switched on the FM, wore my anti-glare, located the scooters key (phew!) and walked out.

As soon as I walked out of the building I saw two of my colleagues coming back from a meeting and after exchanging good byes we continued our respective task, I started walking to the parking and they puffing there already lite cigarettes.

Again, as always I placed the tiffin and then my bag in the front carrier of my scooter, unlocked the scooter, wore the helmet, pulled it off stand, turned it in the direction of the road, put the stand back, kick started it, boarded it and when I was about to put it in gear I saw another of my colleague joining the earlier ones. He was standing at the corner of the road and my naughty self was in mood of full action.
The scooter moved and I stopped it right in front of my colleague trying to make him edgy by racing the accelerator and making the scooter move forward a notch and then stopping it again.
Soon I decided to let go (after all it was my petrol which was burning!). After another round of good byes I started off.

The scooter lunged forward and before I could realise I along with my scooter was on the ground.
The first instinct was to get up and hope no one has seen me fall...

Unfortunately I saw not just my colleagues but security guards, drivers and other people present there run towards me.

The colleague whom I was troubling reached me first and help me remove my helmet and assess the damage. Nothing much was evident that time.

Now the million dollar question... How did it happen?
I don't know.
My colleagues.. don't know. They heard a loud bang and saw me flat on the ground.

The line "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall" came to my mind and seemed so apt.
I started laughing and my colleagues joined me.

I suddenly remembered to access the damage done to my scooter and was hurt to see what had happened.

Anyways when I reached home I realised the full impact of the fall as my both palms, knees and stomach were paining. My right hand had suffered the biggest blow and was scratched from the elbow to the palm with blood oozing out nicely.

A freak accident, but a thought which came to my mind seconds after the fall was Thank You God for this and not something bigger!

Well the physical damage I suffered has almost healed but till date I don't know how it happened.

Me, My Scooter & The Music

2007-01-18T23:11:00.001+05:30

A combination of Me, My Scooter & Music.... seemed very normal and usual till few days back...

One fine day the meaning of this combination changed....

How? When?? Where???
Here it goes...

One fine evening, few days back, like always I walked out of my office, plugged my hands free to my mobile and switched on fm, started my scooter and was on way to home.

That day my scooters accelerator was giving me some problem and used to get stuck at a place if raced and had to use slight pressure to move it down.

I thought that I'll grease it when I reach home.

(Un)Fortunately the RJ was playing all my favorite songs, some which I had not heard for a long time and was enjoying it thoroughly.

A song got over and the next song which started was, Mambo No 5...

I have some very sweet memories with this song and I till today don't know what got into me then.

I broke into a dance.
Yes, while riding my scooter I was dancing.
The accelerator problem helped me here as I had coolly left the handle to guide me rather than the other way round.

So after few mins when the song ended my hands went back to the handle and I again started guiding the scooter.

At that moment I realised what I had done!

I have a smile playing on my lips when I am remembering that now.
It was a very stupid and risky thing to do but I don't know what got into me then.....

I have not mentioned this at home or I would be banned from even touching the scooter....

I do ride my scooter with my hands off but that is for very short duration.
This particular instance was the longest and the best....

Oh How I enjoyed it!!!!!

I hope I am able to muster enough courage to try this again....

I would love to....

Excitement

2007-01-02T11:39:00.002+05:30

Another New Year Has Decended!

There is a new excitement, celebration and joy everywhere.

It makes me smile...

Life has not changed.... We all are same, have the same schedule, the same job...

In all, the same life...
But still there is Hope...

If U look closer, it's the same Hope too! The hope we nurture at the beginning of each year.
Its only the date which has changed....
Has THIS change made us all happy??

But, aren't we generally resistent to Change?

Maybe, we have learnt to accept and enjoy things which are not in our control..

A mantra for survival......
A point of View if applied not just during the onset of New Year can help us stay happy for ever..
But as I myself believe...
Variety is the spice of Life!

All sugary can also make it taste bitter so some salt is essential !!!
Well contradictory statements...

What to do life is all about living in contradictions!!!!

Freedom

2006-12-09T00:04:00.001+05:30

I have been driving my two wheeler for a long time and I am very sensitive about it.

I get very offened if someone calls my Scooter, 'scooty' coz I dont drive a non geared vehicle as I Hate them.

I have driven my scooter at all possible speeds and there was a time when we friends used to compete to drive the slowest....On the contrary We used to indulge in racing too....
But those were my school/college days!
Driving my scooter later had become just a necessity and somehow I just stopped driving.

About 2 years back I started driving again.
I once again realised the joy of driving, rediscoverd the feeling of ecstasy when the breeze kisses your face!
But this joy was not long lived and again I went back to days without my scooter.

I was back on the seat of my scooter few months ago but the elation I used to feel was missing and driving it from IP Extn to Okhla -III & back had become a normal, monotonus routine.

But all changed today.

I like most days was running late for work and to top it all there was a HUGE traffic jam from Sarai Kale Khan till Ashram which meant a delay of atleast 1/2 hour.
I dont know what came to my mind and I made a U turn and took the Pragati Maidan way to Okhla via Jangpura and Nehru Place. After I crossed Pragati Maidan, I was pleasently surpried to get traffic less road and I raced up the accelator and was driving at a speed of slightly above 80 km/hr. But before I could start enjoying it, I reached office! I must add, in time....

But opportunity knocked my door again.
Later in the day, I was running late for a very important meeting in NOIDA and to cover up the lost time, I decided to drive down.
I took the DND Flyway and I didn't realise when I reached my destination. The most surprising part was that I didn't think about the meeting at all.

So on my way back I again took the DND Flyway and relived the joy of driving.
I rediscovered the feeling of ecstacy when the breeze kisses your face, driving with half closed eyes with a smile playing on your face.

I felt that the glass wall around me has broken!

The breeze had taken away all my worries and the capacity of few emotions to make me gloomy. Oh I was alive again.
I was free......................... yet again!

Changing Ways!... But

2006-08-11T00:45:00.002+05:30

I have been noticing certain changing ways.
Of????
Of we Indians. Yes the ones staying in big city. I won't be able to comment on the ways of smaller towns or villages as have recently not been exposed much to the way of living there.

Rakhi came and went two days back.

I was happy that my office had declared leave on the occasion of Rakhi and would give me some time to spend at home and do some pending household work.

But, I was not atall ready for what I experienced.
(Un)Fortunately I had to step out of home, and no not to tie rakhi as I don't have any real brother and my cousins don't stay in the same city.

The first 10 minutes on road were a smooth drive and then suddenly all hell broke lose. There was traffic chaos everywhere. The vehicles would not stop coming and we were stuck in the middle, couldnot go in front nor could turn back.

In all the chaos and confusion as usual my mind started running on another tangent.

In my mind I was running backwards, yes back in time.

I ran back in my memory to that thread end which I could remember and stopped.

Then I started walking again from my past towards my present.

Festivals in my childhood (won't say my younger days as it will sound as if I have gone old!) were also occasion of celebrations and ways of sociallising with family and friends. And such occasions were few to be precise 3 occasion throughout the year viz; Holi, Dushera & Diwali.
But with years more festivals started gaining importance socially.
Soon it started becoming a status symbol to celebrate festivals.

And after the Indian Economy boom it is reaching a new high...Commercially.

Yes Our festivals have become commercial.

Just think and see around you. The euphoria created due to any occasion is so inflated that its glitter sometimes take my breath away.

On the brighter side, we are becoming more and more secular and flexible. Baisakhi is no longer a festival celebrated in specific states of North India. Be it Pongal, Idul-Zuha, Id (oh I love demanding Idde from elders), rakhi, karva chauth, chat puja, christmas or anything, everyone wants to celebrate every festival, give and receive gifts, and just have a gala time.

But, I don't know how right or wrong is this.

It's just that I find it wierd. Guess somewhere deep down in my heart I am still old fashioned.
Maybe my lifestlye, my behaviour, my actions have changed as per the 'culture' prevalent around me. But somewhere a corner of my heart has refused to change...

May Be...

Sex

2006-08-08T23:48:00.001+05:30

Oh Yes!
Sex!

A three letter word, which results in 1,050,000,000 results when searched on Google web and 2,690,000 results when searched on Google Image and yes I had removed all filters before giving the search command.

Phew!
Why is it the most talked about, most hidden about topic is beyond me.
Yes, I also don't talk about it infront of anyone because either I am asked to shut up or people around me get uncomfortable. But, the biggest reason is that people start making a pass at me thinking me to be someone of losse character!
Well, aren't we all result of this three letter word?
We may use n number of ways to discribe it, reproductive process, natures law, love making.. but it is after all SEX. Thats it.
So???
I fail to understand the heu n cry made about it.
Yes, people say that we live in a society and should follow it's rules. Accepted and we most of the time do that. So then why is it a tabbu to talk about even in the socially acceptable relationships.

I tried, believe me very patiently and earnestly tried to find the reason but couldnot.

And yes I never broched this subject infront of my parents..
After all we need to follow the rules of the society..

Isn't It?

The Contrasting faces of Nature

2006-07-10T23:34:00.001+05:30

I have recently been visiting some sites and seeing some great work done by the camera or rather the bperson behind it.....

Just thought to bring forth two contrasting views of the city called Mumbai......

The first is a view of Gate way of India on my way back from Elephenta Caves at Dusk... The Sun can been seen shining on the wall of gateway of India....

The second snap is of the landscape between Neral & Matheran taken from the toy train on way to Matheran at Dawn... There was lot of cloud and drizzle.. But suddenly the clouds cleared and this view came infront of our eyes.. A view which gives the feel that the mountains have been just washed.....

Well the camera used was a simple Yashica Camera with auto focus....

Sometimes I feel I could almost catch what I wanted to....
But there are days when I close my eyes and relive these beauties of nature, I feel a lot got left out and there is a long way to go before I would be able to capture the main essence of nature.....

But still donno why.. these snaps never fail to amaze me on the vastness and versetality of nature....

Well yes Nature IS amazing!

Work Place Politics!

2006-07-10T21:01:00.001+05:30

Politics! A word that brings a frown on almost everyones face.... A dirty game we all watch and comment with all our heart and mind but don't want to get into....

Something similar goes for politics in a workplace scenario only difference is we can't stay away from it.
The reason.. purely selfish... If you don't get in there someone else will steal the limelight.
I don't understand that why can't people just get on with there respective work, but I guess thats the only thing they do'nt know how to do.
So in order to cover up this important deficiency they work on their "Strengths"...

In the process they tend to walk over many genuine people leaving a feeling of discontenment...

So with my experience of life and corporate world.. I have learned a very very important leasson.......
BALANCE.. Yes Balance.. If you can work out the correct receipe of working with pride and appreciation where the main ingredients are work and power politics, then you have hit the bulls eye dude....

I guess I am learning the ropes of getting there to maintain this 'healthy' balance between work and politics...

I feel like applauding myself for this 'achivement' for 'improving' from an obsessed workaholic to my current level...
But sometimes I feel that I am abusing my cababilities and intelligent but then reconcile by thinking that you win some you lose some..

I donno if I am right or wrong..

Time has been my best healer and time will tell....

Job Search Oh My God!!!

2006-07-10T00:23:00.002+05:30

Hey!!!
I never knew job search could be so neck breaking...
I have been working for quite sometime to think that I have see a lot of the corporate world... Even have shifted jobs few times with no hassles.. They were always there before I asked for it.. In short a pretty easy going life for me.. Then one day somethjing happened and boom my life changed I resigned with no other job in hand....And my search for an "Ideal Job" started....
It has been about six months n I'm still searching for that "Ideal Job" which I once had......
The other day an article on the front page of the newspaper made me laugh for a long time n people around me actually thought that I have gone insane under the pressure of trying to look for a job!Actually the article was about the dialemma faced by companies looking for "deserving" candidates to take in... It said there are lots of jobs ready to be grabed enough number of resumes flowing in but not enough number of deserving candidates....
Well here I was one of the so called "deserving candidate"( a name given to me by my previous employers) without a job of my liking!..Or was it that I had become once upon a time deserving candidate.. and that was not good enough anymore..I donno... well but my search for a good job is still on.. well sometime i think the terms we use are so subjective.. like desrving, good etc etc....
Well another bright day tomorrow lets see what does it have in store for me....