MY DADDY STRONGEST

**************
The clock struck 4'o clock and appu was still busy at the office sorting out the requirements for his project. The project delivery date is due for next week so appu had been sitting all night here for the past few weeks. By the time he had completed his work the sun had already rose. he grabbed his bike keys and left for his apartment.

*********************
Tring............. Tring..................( a phone rings)

Appu: (on a higher pitch..)
Amma, got placed. Package is 5 lakhs. Tell dad too.

Mom: Wow! Good my dear. Congrats!!

Appu: will reach home around 11 ma as we are going to have dinner outside .

Mom: ok da.. Take care be careful...

Later that night,
Dad: congrats! (Plainly ...)
When does the training start? Where is the training?

Appu: probably it would be at Pune or Bangalore. Details would be known next week.

Dad: ok... Start preparing for the training and find what all you need before joining the company.

Appu: ok... (With slight disgust in his voice)

*****************************************
At Appu's home.....
Appu has been staying away from his home for the past 2 years as he was posted in Bangalore. Appu's dad was getting ready for the office and he heard someone crying outside. when he went out and checked he saw a kid crying and stubbornly saying that he wants to go on ride on the bike with his dad and that kid's dad was getting late for his office.
When he saw this,
"Something was similar. He knew someone who always did that" he thought and smiled.
Later, he asked “how was Appu doing?”

Appu's Mom: He is doing fine. Shall I call him?
Dad: No, he would be tired now, will talk to him later.

************************************************
Appu: Amma! I going out with friends would come in the evening. It’s my treat today.
Mom: Ok da bye and take care
Dad: Be careful with bike while driving, most of the accidents i see now a days involves guys of your age.
Appu: Please! I know dad. I am 23. I can take care of myself

At some restaurant,
Vicky: So dude when you are gonna leave for training?
Appu: probably within a month... yet to get to get official confirmation yaar.
Sandy: hey Vicky bike is too good yaar.. where did you give it? Even i need to remodel mine.
Vicky: the one at begum pet yaar, my friend's shop only. I will take you there this week. Cost me 2000 bucks.
Appu: 2000! Wasn’t that a way too much?
Sandy: No da.. It’s worth it.
Vicky: yeah! Its damn good da and had to face wrath of my dad too... gave me a long baashan.
God knows why they give us lessons. (With sarcasm)

Sandy: you know what... when i call to my dad's mobile he barely talks to me for 2 minutes.
He just asks “is all fine over there" tats it... and gives it to my mom. Till date I never figured out the reason for that.
Appu: Huh! Listen to this guyz....you know when I told my dad that I got placed...
He said plainly "congrats!" I thought should have appreciated properly.
Sunny: They never spend time with us da... yea even my dad barely talks for couple of minutes on the phone. We were so close to him when I was in school but now barely I talk to him seeing his eye.
Appu: True da... why do they change......?

***********************************
At a park......Appu relaxes as he is done with the project delivery and wants to spend some time breathing fresh air there.
As he relaxes he sees a kid and his father playing. He observes every time his son hits the ball the father's face is proud and happy. he thinks about his relationship with his dad and how much had it changed since he was kid.
Soon lots of questions keep popping up in his mind....
When was the last time he had a friendly chat with his dad?
When was the last time he and his dad laughed over a joke?

He brooded... what had changed "he or his father”?

**************
Vivek: You know my dad is stronger. he fought a tiger the other day.
Appu: Huh! That is nothing my dad is stronger he fought tiger and even killed it.....
He is much stronger than your father
Vivek: My dad can beat your father with one hand. He is stronger....
Appu: My daddy is stronger than your dad.....

Appu smiled thinking about this incident how he had he had got into a fight with some other kid arguing that his dad was the strongest in the world.

His phone rang........ His hands trembled as he heard his mom spoke,
He couldn't stop the tears.....

********************************
At some hospital......
Appu's dad was admitted suffering a heart attack.
Appu: (voice breaking...)
Dad how are you feeling now?

Dad: I MISSED YOU APPU......

Appu: Don't worry dad you will be alright........
I know my daddy is strongest in the world..... (In tears.....)

*************************************

MOTHER

You were in tears of joy,
When you first took me in your arms.

You were jumping with excitement,
When I took my first steps.

You were so fond of me,
Even when I had been naughty.

I always hurry to you.
When am confused, and
It’s in your arms of tenderness,
That I had always found peace

For fulfilling every desire of mine,
I know what all you sacrificed,
Expecting nothing in return.

Mama, What ever I am today,
It’s because you showed me the way.

PSUEDOSECULARISM

The nation is gearing up to celebrate its 61st year of independence this 15th August, but somewhere in the most terror-prone state of J&K valley; you find people lying dead on the streets. It is not because of some terrorist attack or some epidemic. It is because of a deadlier weapon called “RELIGION”.
The state government’s proposal to allot land to a board of religious shrine sparked off the protests. For the past one month the state has been burning down taking this issue so seriously that even the ruling government had been brought down. While this situation was so volatile, our PM was busy saving his chair in the “BIG TRUST VOTE”. A major crisis of this intensity could have been easily averted if the Govt. had acted in a proactive manner. Adding salt to the wound is what the hurriyats, maliks, VHP’s are doing now as always.
The religious passion of the common man has been exploited by these political fanatics which has brought the whole state to a standstill. The common man’s life has been the most affected as people can’t get the necessary supplements like food and medicine as the curfew has been imposed citing the reason religious riots are being expected.

Now who is responsible for the present tumultuous situation?

Is it the ruling Govt. which allotted the land to religious shrine?
Or
Is it the political parties which made a big issue of the allotment?
Or
Is it the people who started supporting the protests?

It is up to we people to decide.
When we all gather proudly to sing the national anthem on this Independence Day, somewhere down that valley people would be singing religious anthems. Huh... What a shame. We proudly proclaim to be secularist country, but the fact is that we aren’t.
When people value religion more than anything how can we call us secular? Aren’t we pseudo secularists?
Some wise man said:

“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful”

Unless we realize what that wise man had meant we would continue to witness such incidents even while celebrating our 100th year of independence.

Rekindle the "ROMANCE"

************

The room was dark and it was silent all around. The clock had just struck 12. Sanjana heard door being opened. She knew who it was…? It was Rahul her husband returning from another hard day at the office.

Next Morning, as Rahul and Sanjana get ready for their work, sanjana tells rahul that her mom would be picking their 4 year daughter Anjali from the school that evening. As Rahul is about to leave for the office,

Sanjana calls him……

Sanjana: Rahul… (Pauses for a minute) Happy Anniversary dear…
(Hugs him)

Rahul: Oh! I forgot again…. Sorry….
Happy Anniversary …..

And Rahul leaves for the office.

Sanjana drops her daughter at the school and leaves for her office.


***********

Rahul: Hey Precious! How’s your day going?

Sanjana: So far it has not been so good. (Sounding Dull)
That boos of mine is making life hell.

Rahul: Hmmmmm…….. Ok!..
How about having a dinner in the evening today at your favorite restaurant?
Now does that cheer up my sweetheart?

Sanjana: Hmmm… that sounds great darling. (Ecstatically)

Rahul: Ok! Be ready at 6. I will pick you up at your office.
Bye.. Love you take care….

Sanjana: Bye dear… Love you too….


This was during their initial days of marriage. It has been 6 years since rahul and sanjana got married. The romance between them is kind of dying every day.

“All of was so Perfect” she thought when she thinks over the past. They used to call each other frequently even during the office working hours. Rahul was so romantic, she thought and they used to share a lot. For their first wedding anniversary, Rahul arranged for a big surprise party for Sanjana.

But, all that has changed after they have started to live in much stressed out insomniac lives.


******************


It’s 8 in the evening, and rahul is driving on his way to home. He tunes into radio.

(tu hi re…. tu hi re… song in the background)

It being sanjana’s favorite song, it reminds him of the morning incident. He thinks about their relationship they had.

Sanjana: Hey dear! How was your day?
(Gives him a warm hug)
Rahul: Yeah… went great. Though little tiresome.
(Falls on the sofa with a thud)
Sanjana: What happened to that deal of yours that you were worried of…?
(Hers arms around his shoulders)
Rahul: It was through finally.. (with a smile)
So how was your day?
Sanjana: As Usual!
(Sighs..!)
Rahul: Ok! My darling…
How about me making the dinner for my cutie wifey today…
(Hugging her)
Sanjana: How sweet!
(Kissing him on his cheek)


This was long back…….. When sanjana and he used to keep sending cute romantic messages every minute…. when sanjana planned for a surprise party on his birthday….

It has been since a long time since they even had a coffee outside alone. They have become so busy in their Hum drum lives and forgot the most important things in their life….. Which is…..


************

"Who's your MATE?"

I came to realize this very late,
You yourself are only your trusted mate.

Always there comes a situation in your life,
Where you need to walk on the edge of a knife.

As all your friends depart,
Your life may seem to be thrown apart,

At that moment, trust yourself and your instinct,
Which would make you; a distinct.

Magic of the "RAIN"

I saw through the window of my room,
That all were in a state of gloom.

They were all waiting……..

A lady for the flowers in her garden to bloom,
While, the fields along countryside for the clouds as it was june.

The birds perched on the top were inpatient to croon,
While, the children for letting their paper boats down.

I heard the sky make a sound,
And then for a moment it shone.

I joined the other people around,
To witness the magic of rain that would come soon.... soon… soon…

THE "INSENS"ITIVE MASK

Just think of how many times have we seen an old lady or a blind person finding it difficult to cross a road? And how many times have we helped them. Yeah, it is true that we are busy with our personal work.
Still…. Just sparing a minute or two to help them cross the road wouldn’t cost us anything.
When we see some one has met with an accident or a small fight in the middle of road disrupting the traffic, what would we do generally? Would we do something to help the injured person or help in steering the traffic clear? How many of us would do it?
My guess is one out of 10,000. Yeah it’s the responsibility of the traffic policeman.
Even then why is it so?
Have we become so insensitive?
Are we selfish?
What would we say?

“JAANE DO YAAR HUM KO KYA HAI?”
“ AREY CHOD NA YAAR”
We all say that we should do that and this blah.. Blah.. stuff to improve the condition of the country. That particular politician should be hanged. But, we ourselves give bribe to let us go for riding without a license. It’s a different case altogether that the policeman asks for a bribe in spite of us submitting all the required documents.
We all realize that we are patriotic only when we see a movie like Rang De Basanti or watch a cricket match or on an independence day occasionally. We all cry watching the soap operas or romantic movies and show sympathy for the hero who lost his love. Huh…. but we don’t even shed a tear, forget help for the sufferings of our fellow beings.
Just take the case of Medha Patkar of NBA. The lady who has been struggling or should I say fighting for the cause of people against construction of dam. What did we do to help her?
Oh yeah..... I completely forgot, we did help for their cause.

we sent a lot of SMS to the news channels like CNN-IBN and NDTV to support her cause. We all did what we can. This would help the displaced people and get what they deserve. By the way where is the lady now? Does anyone know? Do we even care? She is in jail. And guess what happened to her NBA it got a big advertisement nothing more than that.

All the time we do is talk. We never do what we say. We learn in the school that one should always help one’s fellow beings and respect their feelings. But after getting out from that we do the opposite. Forget respecting them and their feelings we criticize them.

If someone supports for a noble cause, we say he is gone nuts. You don’t know how to live in this world. Huh… living for him/her matters more even when your friend’s life is in drains.

Why? What’s the reason that we always cover our faces with masks? Why don’t we do something for others at their time of need?

Why do we always feel that “what does it mean for me?” what makes us so insensitive to feelings of others sufferings when we proclaim ourselves to be “social animals.”

Just give it a thought…..…

SATANIC VERSE

"I ventured out all alone for the first time

Only to find that this world is full of slime"

"To be oneself here is a crime

As the cynics here value only the dime"

"As we are falling into the evil's ravine

I seek the intervention of 'The Holy', The Divine'"

"A TRAIN JOURNEY"

Many of us travel through trains. It is a special experience for every child. Every adult….. every time…. .
The glow on those faces fades away if…. Suppose the journey is by traveling in the general compartment.
Why?
Congestion…., need of private space…., Status symbol…. Blah Blah..
But for me it has been a pleasant experience. In fact “great experience.”
One such experience is what I wrote here. What I felt when I was inside traveling with a lot of strangers.

The general compartment is a great place to witness the different people with different in fact complex behaviors.
I can also put it this way. Say, like the famous Darwin’s statement “SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST” may be in lighter sense.

When one actually gets into this densely dense coach, he would actually pray for small space. Even the so called atheists will start to pray and change their beliefs .
So why not give our kalaignar a chance to travel in here… what say..? Hmm….
"Isn’t this a novel way to change the beliefs of non believers?"

One feels there is no space to stand. But, you somehow manage to find a place to sit. This would be so small that one would bet his own life on it.
I found different set of people in there. All of us belong to these sets.

Firstly, people who sit on floor.
They have the attitude of “come what may I would always lie down.” And they may even argue that “lying down is their birth right.” Lying down on the floor of densely crowded train and adding much trouble to the already existing chaos inside.
These people can compromise on any aspect of life and succumb to pressure easily. That’s the reason they sit wherever they want.

Secondly, people who sit on the edges of the seats.
These are the exceptional set of all. When I see them the famous camel’s fable comes into mind. They first sit on 1 inch of the seat and after some time you find them occupying the whole goddamn seat.
These are the opportunistic set a complete opposite to the above set and manage to solve their problems despite many constraints.

Thirdly, people who stand in that chaotic place.
Call them poor souls or people with morals and others stuff. Rather both as they can never mange to find a seat unless the compartment is empty.
They always face the music silently. God help them…

Now here is the other set which stand apart.

One set are the ladies.

Oh GOD! Females in their middle age with big mouths start quarrels with no proper reason and create a big scene for some trivial thing. Especially, the females who throng into these coaches along with their families or should I say their villages. In spite of the ladies coaches being comfortable they prefer to be in this compartment and raise a hue and cry when some poor guy sits beside them or unintentionally hits their foot.
This poor guy might have been coming after a hectic schedule at his workplace or going for an important work. For no fault of his ( unintentional mistake) they curse him and his ancestors inspite of askin for an apology.

Lastly, we see the people who make a terrific entry into this crowded place amidst the chaos. They are the VENDORS.
They make their living among such different set of people. Hats off to them seriously as the amount of commitment and skill they show moving from this berth to other amongst the fights. One may argue that he is doing this for his own bread and butter. Even then…… it still awes me the amount of trouble he takes to meet his ends.

Wondering about their “source” from which they derive that strength I get down at my destination.

" LOVE at First Sight "

I remember

"It was a monday morning,

sun was so bright and shining."

She came walking down the road,

With a smile that would take anyone abode.

Her looks would make any guy drool,

One who doesnt would be a fool.

As she crossed me..,

my heart fluttered with a glitter in my eyes,

I followed her..,

praying world at that instant to pause.

As if GOD answered my prayers,

she stopped on her tracks....

turned around...

walked towards me...... and said...

"WAKE UP ARAVIND" :( :(

"A BROKEN HEART "

I saw a tear drop on the rose
as the day was drawing to close

Grass in the garden started to die
& out in the darkness i began to cry

Promised to honor me, to love, to obey
but each vow was a plaything which she threw away

my love was like a flower in spring which grew on
hers was like leaves in the winter which withered and were gone

my bleeding heart drowning in wine..
still beats for her even wen she cannot be mine......