HUM HONGE KAAMYAAB... EK DIN...

“ Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one”.

                                                                                                                                           - John Lennon

                    Hmm...What do I start with? From where should I start with? Let me go the Indian way- Flash back style, since patriotic fervor is on the high. There two reasons one Olympic Performance & of course the Independence day celebrations.

                      Before you all get bored let me get started with the story. This is a true story.

                     We were heading to a small village far away from my beloved Hyderabad for a wedding of one of our colleagues. Like many Indians, marriage was his dream. Before you ask why? He is(was) very old enough to get married & of course Dowry. How can I not talk about it because when we are talking about marriage. Before you say we have heard(many times) about this before, I will stop. Let me apologize first as I haven’t began story as I promised. But, I heard (I know) He had got a very good deal.

                      Never ever in my life have I woke up early in the morning at 5 (after my schooling), that too on a weekend. Me along with my colleagues reached the station on time & The train did start on time( their arrivals are that we always complain about). As a law abiding citizen of this country, we had booked the ticket well in advance. When we entered our Compartment, it was already full and ourseats occupied by other law biding citizens. They let us sit in our reserved seats. I was relieved after we sat in our seats because of 2 reasons. One being, It was just a 2.5 hour journey and second I was not in some god forsaken other state of India where my other law biding citizens wouldn't even let me have my reserved seat.

                       I reached the town. It was a small sober station far away from the hustle and bustle of my home. The wedding venue was more than 35 kms from the stations. So, we had reach the nearest bus station to reach nearest place of wedding. We had to board two buses to reach our colleague's home. We boarded the bus that had cut our destination by half. We reached a 'Y' junction from where our destination was just 12 to13 kms.

                      It was hot. The blistering heat was making me sweat like a pig. There was just a single auto waiting at those cross roads that would go to our destination. He had promised us that he would start in another 5 minutes as every auto generally takes 15 people per trip. I sat at the back(like my old college days)of auto happily as it had been long since I had travelled like this. I had to snap back from my nostalgia when he asked me to stand on the Auto as 3 more people& a Cylinder(literally) had to board that big auto. I snapped. How on earth will I(we) be standing behind the Auto juggling with our luggage on the road that lead to the village.

                     I didn't take the risk. I got down from the auto after a heated argument with that (crazy)Auto guy. We saw a Lorry and Boarded it. It was a weird feeling sitting beside the lorry driver who was driving us to that Village. We told him the address and he asked if there was any landmark.We gave him a landmark of a school in that village( as told to us by colleague’s uncle). When we reached the Village after the lorry dropped us at our destination( it was a very cheap affair I should agree) We did track the house. The school which is a landmark apparently in that village is a residential school whose size is as big as almost one-thirds of the first floor of any Big Bazaar outlet. To be more precise it was exactly the size of two cafe coffee day shops put together. I am sorry again, I am deviating from my story.

                     We reached the place around lunch time. The distance of 35 kms took us exactly 2.5 hours almost equal to the time our train journey. After the courtesy hi and hello they had asked us to sit for lunch in a Church ground beside the house. I was pleasantly surprised to see people using a Christ play ground for a Hindu wedding. I thought that's Secularism & broad-mindedness for you. And Since I am a vegetarian (OK... eggetarian) Please lets not talk about how food was?

                      Our accommodation was arranged at one of the relative's homes which was very comfortable. It was all green fields at the backyard and sun had also cooled down a bit by that time.Since there was no electricity(almost throughout the day) we decided to head back to the nearest town where we could watch a movie to kill the time. The only thing (necessity) accessible in tat village at any point of time was Alcohol, which generates highest revenue in my beloved state.

                      Later, We got a bike so that we could Drive to cinema Hall. I had my other 2 companions (both drunk), Driving on the main road (with potholes) with 2 people in the pillion(not law biding anymore) we reached the theatre that screened new movies. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the movie complex had online booking.(technology did have its reach). As we were entering the hall, couple of guys were fighting with the movie usher as he didn't accept their tickets shown on their mobile phone saying I need a printout (Actual common man).

                      On our way back after the movie (movie was a disaster) and dinner, we drove back to our village. As soon we covered half a distance, it started to rain... HEAVILY. There was no place where I could park the vehicle on the narrow road and no tree was big enough to keep us dry so we continued driving. With no street lights, no people on that god forsaken road ( It was 10 PM & people sleep early in the villages) I was driving like a crazy man aided by those occasional lightnings which showed me how the road bent. Yes, I did reach the home and was pleasantly surprised to see electricity was being supplied even when it was raining heavily (villages are better equipped than cities). The old man managing that house told us that power cuts are only in the day not in the nights.(Genius Govt.)

                     Yes, My colleague did get married and might be celebrating his honeymoon right now. But, The Bottom line of experience(suffering) of that one day is that here I am happily (very) comfortable in the luxury of my job and I found it really difficult to adjust to the real problems faced by the common man because I don't have to deal with them. I can afford to ignore them or choose not to believe that these exist. My luxury keeps me away from such misery and I ignorantly start to believe that my country is moving forward whenever I see a missile being successfully launched or my country wins Olympic medals or a world cup or when someone stages a dharna against corruption. Here The farmer doesn't have electricity to irrigate his fields while the SEZ I work in is given freebies.

                    Like Madhavan in RDB says “Koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, use perfect banana padta hai”. (We Indians are very filmy) This independence day i(like many others) hope for a better future for the future of this country.

“Hum honge kaamyaab... Ek din”

Jai Hind.

Gateway to Heaven

                  I was late. I was in a cab on the way to the station to catch the train to a nice place in South side of Karnataka for my friend's wedding. The road was blocked. Not because of heavy traffic on the road but due to a deity procession of a nearby temple. I was asking my driver to take a by lane to avoid the procession. As he was turning the car, I was cursing at the every bystander of that procession including the deity.

                  I thought to myself “Why in the god's name do we have temples on the middle of road? Why can't we just demolish them to ease the traffic”.These thoughts were obstructed when the two wheeler behind me bumped in the rear end of my car. After all these commotion when I finally reached the station, I had missed the train as always.

                 I rushed to the nearby bus stand to catch a local bus to my destination. When I finally sat in the bus, I was wishing(praying) I complete my journey with no more hiccups. The Bus started and I was enjoying the Lush greenery of countryside, when the seat beside was occupied by an Elderly Gentleman. He was dressed like a regular villager but his hairdo and the Vermillion mark on his forehead gave an impression of his Profession – A PRIEST. As I was observing him, I falied to notice that he was looking at me.

Priest: Hello! All the way till Coorg?

Me: Yes Sir, you? (Hesitantly)

Priest: At a small Village after Coorg. Your Native?

Me: No its My friend's Marriage. You work with some temple (Not able to stop myself) A priest?

Priest: Yes, Its Obvious Isn't it? (pointing at his hairdo) As a Priest.

Me: Oh!! (Wishing he would end the Conversation I turned to face the window)

Priest: Where Do you Work? (with a Queer Look)

Me: At a Software Company ( Feeling uneasy that He is going to probe now)

Priest: So You might be Earning Quite Well eh?? Married?

Me: (Smiling) Still Happily Single sir...

Priest: Oh!! Will Tell you if I come across any good match... Give me Your Details.

            I just smiled not knowing what to say when we heard a loud burst outside. It was a Tyre burst. The elderly priest and me started walking towards a nearby tea stall as the Tyre was being changed.


While we were walking.

Me: Would you mind if I smoke?

Priest: (Nodding it sideways) Smoke a lot is it?

Me: No Sir. I hope this doesn't lessen my chances of finding a nice girl (winking at him)

Priest: (Laughing) It wouldn't.

As I Ordered 2 Tea's

Me: So Sir, You work here at some temple this side?

Priest: (Smiles) Not Anymore.

Me: (Confused) Sir??

Priest: The Temple I used to work for was taken over by a big Corporate Trust and in their new model of working I had to resign my job.


Me: (Still baffled) you trying to tell me that the You resigned your job due to changes in running style?


Priest: Yes, I can't work under restrictions.

Me: (Sipping the Tea) Sir, But The corporate working style instills continuous revenue to the temple. It helps to sustain Livelihood of people associated to it.


Priest: (With a wryly smile) yea, My job in a shrine is to serve people through the Almighty, Not be a salesman for some self proclaiming God(s).

I Just Smiled at him and Asked “What are you going to do now?”


Priest: Back to my village at the same temple where my father taught me how to live and Also I have a son who can take care of me. I don't know how others who don't have an alternate supporting system are going to survive your corporate system that has percolated even into the temples.


Meanwhile the bus was ready to depart. “ I hope, you find Peace soon, sir” I replied to the gentleman wondering about my thoughts on a temple few hours back and reached my destination.

Few days later...

On a usual boring Sunday I was on my verandah reading the Newspaper, when I realized someone was at the Gate. It was a elderly priest. He was begging Alms.

Me: Yes, sir?


Old Priest: Sir, I am a Poor Brahmin. I have to get may daughter married. Kindly help in whatever way you can. Without hesitation, I gave him some money and I returned back to the Newspaper.

As I was thinking of the priest, When I came across a news where some religious shrine was being demolished as a part of Road Widening process and below was a half page advertisement of some new ashram being opened by certain Swami Ananda in the city and they have arranged for a free lunch in their premises as part of helping(serving) society.

'THE COWARD'

“The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.”

                                                                                                                            - Che Guevara

            This article is not about how great Che was or about Leftist policies and theory or Right wing politics. It's about Capitalism.
          
             I was introduced to this mammoth term, Capitalism at school. I always thought it was a great concept that had improved lives of many but, like many of my other beliefs, this one needs a rehash. Capitalism indeed has spared nothing. I’ll go on to say that Capitalists spare nothing and no one, they can rake a living out of anything.

             I am not shrewd enough to be a Rightist or rebellious enough to be a Leftist. I would like to think of myself as an Opportunist – like many of those who are coward enough to just tread the middle path and this outburst on this page is just a moment where I am being truly honest about it.

                But why this outburst, you may ask. Why now? I can only offer an answer for the first part.

             I don't know how many of you would agree to this? But, I feel like what I am being offered is what capitalists want, rather I can get nothing for free.

            I’d like to use packaged drinking water as an example. This was something, no one heard of 10 to 15 years back. I could just walk into any store or home and ask for a glass of water. But, now a Cool drink is cheaper than drinking water. Any hotel you get into, what is the first question the Waiter asks. Sir, Mineral Water or Ordinary water? Isn't Drinking water a basic Need?

           I am an average middle-class guy with a regular job. My basic needs are taken care of and in fact I can even indulge in a few luxuries with the salary that I earn. However in retrospect, I feel like a few of my basic needs have become luxuries and Vice-Versa. I wouldn't say that I am finding it hard to fulfill them, but my life is now more tuned to an order that I don’t quite appreciate/like. Capitalism has crept into my life, much more deeply than I wanted.

           Its no big secret that All the big branded merchandising stores make big profit by employing a cheaper workforce. Few days back I met this gentleman at an airport who works in the Fabric industry. He was generous enough to educate me about how the industry works. The facts aroused the Leftist inside me. The Weaver who makes the cloth can barely feed himself twice a day. The controlled pay rates and how capitalists economically dominate the cloth industry reminds you of two facts. One, that you are taken for a ride every time you buy a new dress under the impression on discount sale and the second, You end up paying the wrong person every time.

             Is this why the nature calls it The Survival of the Fittest?

            And The biggest irony of all is the way capitalists made money out of Che too. Yes, They made money out of the guy who had rebelled against capitalism. Every time I see someone don a T-Shirt with Che’s face on it, it reminds me that Che’s crusade has indeed been proven futile. It reminds me of the fact that no one can escape Capitalism.

           I have come to understand that I had underestimated Capitalism. I am like any other person – helpless against the capitalist and Capitalism as a whole, probably because I or we need it to survive. Inequality begot Capitalism, or Capitalism begot inequality, we’ll never know.

          While the Leftist in me argues about the ills of capitalism and necessity of equality and socialism, the capitalist in me retorts back saying “No one can exert their right on my money.”

               These arguments won’t cease and I’ll retreat back under the shade of cowardice.

NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST... SOMETIMES...

          There is a Common Aphorism “Nice Guys Finish Last”.You have Proved it Wrong.

                         Its Not the first time you have done it. Its not A new Achievement of yours. For the past 16 years, With your impeccable (&Contagious)Temperament and with that Charming Smile on the face you had proving your detractors/Critics wrong.


                          For many people including me who grew up watching you fight on the field, you had shown Hard work coupled with Perseverance can reap rewards. Many had called you(including my Dad) had termed you as Non Aggressive Cricketer all these 16 years. But those were same people who secretly wished for you to be on field to save the match. But At no point of time, did you lose the temperament and you had always replied with that Solid Willow under that steady Helmet of yours. I still remember how calmly you had responded to the abuse of Alan Donald after you had hit him for Six. No one expects dravid to be that Brutal!!!(sic)

                        I am not worthy enough to talk/Judge about your cricketing skills, But The Hook shots (which you have stopped playing) you had played while scoring you First ton against South Africa in Johannesburg are still fresh in my mind. That was when you had finally arrived on the Big Stage and also into our Hearts.

                        What makes you endearing to ordinary people like me is that there was nothing Pompous about you. Be it your arrival on the International stage at sacred grounds(Toughest pitches) or your Goodbye after contributing to the Sport that has given so much joy to every Indian or even when you were chosen as the first Non Australian Cricketer to deliver a speech at Sir Bradman's ceremony. You were always this Person who respected the game and Played for the nation in the Truest Spirits of the game.

                         You had made Our Early Mornings More fresh and Afternoons Less Lazy. Thank you for all those Moments you had given us to enjoy the cricket. Thank you for Maintaining the Order in team by Keeping things within the Dressing room during the tumultuous times. Hope The present team learns some of that. Sir, We Love You!!

As Navojit Singh Sidhu Once truly Said “ Rahul Dravid is a player who would walk on broken glass if his team asks him to".

Oh God! I'm the One

I'm the Toy that never got sold,
Oh God!! I'm the one you had cold stoned.

I'm the Bike stranded at the signal,
Oh God! I'm the one figuring out how to be rhetorical


I'm Still riding on an empty pillion,
Oh God! Why am I the one u chose to screw in the billion?

All I ask from you,
Is some Luck and Cue
As Oh God! I'm the (only) one who forgave you :)


I promise I won't blame you
Again for my blues;
Because My dear God! I'm the one who needs you.


I'm the land that has been for long barren,
Oh God! Do remember even I'm one of your Children

SCAVENGERS

                       As a kid we were all taught about the Ecosystem,Food chain,and How it is(has to be) balanced. We were taught about Hunters, Predators, Preys and Scavengers. Its funny that today while discussing something with my friend, Those lessons flashed in my mind. For a moment, I wondered why. Then it made sense. I connected it to Our Great Indian Triads of IT/ITES Industry.

                      We Indians brag about How Successful are these Triads and How Much they Contribute to Indian GDP. I agree they are one of the Major Contributors to our economy and Needless to say Successful too. But What are they by nature? Hunters/Predators/Preys/Scavengers.

                      I would call them “SCAVENGERS”. I have my Own reasons for that statement my Brickbats, I work for the Scavengers.
Definition: Scavengers are the animals that feed on dead Carcasses and hunt Smaller animals.
                      These Triads generally bag projects which are Majorly Focused on the Support Front. The Hunters (IBM,Oracle, SAP,Cap Gemini) bag all the Big projects On Product/ Software Development front and Leave the Carcass(Support System) to the Scavengers like Vultures/Hyenas to feed on.

                                       Would you Disagree with me?

                      To maintain e-balance in the system, We need Scavengers, I agree. We have been successful in maintaining that balance so far and finding Our Own Space in the scavenging front. But, We should not forget that scavengers can survive only as long as The Hunters hunt and leave the remains i.e Hunters can Hunt in Abundance.

                     Imagine a situation where it Becomes Difficult for the Hunter to even find a prey and When he does kills one(smaller prey would also suffice),Would he leave the carcass around. I am afraid he wouldn't. What would then Scavengers feed on? They would start getting extinct (Like Vultures) and that would Affect The Whole ecosystem. I guess we in such a situation now. I can see that Hunters Like IBM who have started competing with the triads and not letting scavengers hunt even the smaller Preys.

                     What should the scavenger do then? Either continue its course and Last till it gets extinct or pray for the good times so that the Hunters let scavengers feed on the Carcasses. Both would lead to Imbalance in ecosystem. To balance it, an evolution of species has to take place. The So called scavengers should meta-morph themselves into Predators/Hunters.

                      Its no longer the case of Survival of the fittest now in the System. One who can adapt to the dynamic change and Evolve themselves will survive or else Nature will take its Own Course to maintain the E-balance and the Species that can't adapt will be extinct. These are Difficult times and Triads Should start Focusing on Hunting the Big preys rather than feeding on its Dead Balls.

                     We all Optimistically Expect Triads wouldn't get Extinct considering their Huge Size. But, The Pessimist in me says, “When a Meteorite could wipe out the Largest Predator on the earth Millions of years ago, Will these Scavengers stand any Chance At all”.



.

Sadda Haq...

    

I thought...

                When for the first time u took me in,

                 You would treat me as your Kin

   I was Wrong...

                  For you I was just another slave,

                  On Whom u can Build Another Cave

            Still...

                 Strived every bit to keep you Happy,

                 But for u, (Me&)My work was Shit and Crappy

 I have decided...

                   Iam Not gonna be another Sucker;

                  Along with those around you & Linger

                  to wait till u show me ur Middle Finger

         You Know...

                  Unlike You Iam not a Pucker,

                  Every Achievement has been on my Own,

                  Unlike your other slaves Whom u never disown

             Its Time...

                   I Quit Being Your reserve,

                   to get what I deserve,

                             

              Because...

                  All that matters now is my freedom,

                  &Iam the King of my Kingdom

DARK DREAMS

I always wanted to be free

Like the bird on that tree,

But i couldn't be on my own,

Cos all i want to do now is dream.

A dream that keeps me alive
where i could float on clouds
holding her close to me,
far away from the crowds.

I'm Stuck in a dark room,Alone
Everytime I Open my eyes,
and all I can hear is a eerie Moan
which turns into a shrill cry

As The veins crave for dope,
The bleeding heart drowns in Wine
Cos dream is the only Hope
where she can be all mine

A dream that keeps me alive

where i could float on clouds

holding her close to me,

far away from the crowds.

BLUE FOX

      “We have to target the existing customers with this new product to improve and consolidate our position” Says Sam addressing his sales team in a review meeting. So lets buckle up and give our best shot and comes out of meeting room. Thinking “What a Hectic day it has been”, he leans on his chair. He checks his watch and thinks it better to leave early and catch some movie tonight.


       As he packs his stuff to leave for the day, he sees he has a got some mail. His eyes grow wider as he sees the name and his face frowns as he reads the mail. He Just reads the mail many a time and after a few minutes, He just replies to the mail and leaves for the day.


*************************
Few Hours Later...
(Sam's phone rings & He hears a Girl's voice and knows who is it...)


Girl: Hello (Plainly)
Sam: (Apprehensively) Hi
Girl: hey... (Pauses) How are you???
Sam: I am OK.... you??
Girl: Doing good...


Sam: So...??
Girl: Hmm.... How have you been?
Sam: Been doing quite fine... So You happy with your...?
Girl (Sighs): You free this weekend??
Sam: Yea.. (Pauses..) Why? You coming??
Girl: Yes... So Shall we meet for....(Pauses)
Sam: Dinner???


Girl: Where??
Sam: There is a Nice Place... (pauses) 'Blue Fox'... They make good Chinese...
Girl: But you don't like Chinese??
Sam: (Smiles) but they play nice music there...Will meet @ 7 30....
Girl: OK!!!
                 (Sam puts down the phone and just stands still)


*******************************
(Few Years Back...)
(Sam was waiting at a coffee Shop)


(On the Phone)


Sam: (Angrily) Where are you?
GF: 5 minutes... Didn't get a Rick... Will be there...
Sam: Some crap you tell all the time... Come fast...
GF: OK...


After few Minutes....


GF: (Smiling) Sorry...
Sam: (Smirks) What pleasure do you get by making me wait like this???
GF: Be reasonable... What can I do if I didn't get a Rick...
Sam: Whatever....
GF: Enough of Your Gussa Now.. Lets go (tugging his hand)
       Sam just smiles....
(As they order coffee...)


Sam: When is your last day at this office??
GF: Next Wednesday and how is everything going at your office??
Sam: As usual Boss cribs saying ' I'm expecting more from u'(GF Takes his hands into hers)
GF: Hmm... ( and just looks at him)
Sam: “nothing is good enough ” for that nasty Son of a Gun”....
(GF Just rests her head on his shoulders and tugs his arms into hers)
GF: Sammy... Just quit your job...You have had enough of that khadoos boss of yours
Sam: Hmm.. (Smiles)


GF: I missed all of this...
Sam: What? (Moving his head aside)
GF: Because of Your stupid Office schedules and tours, We haven't met for so long...
Sam: (Taking her hands and gently kissing it) You missed me? ( and winks)
GF: No, I missed this talk of you cribbing your boss. (Her hands still in his)
Sam: (with a candid smile) I missed you too darl, But what to do??
GF: I'm not denying that, But still you didn't even call properly... ( tugging his hand harder)
Sam: (Smiles) OK... I'm Sorry... and (kisses her on her forehead)


*************************
At Blue Fox,
(Outside the restaurant)


Sam: Sorry late. Got stuck in the traffic.
Girl: (Smiles) So now should I be angry??
Sam: (Laughs) Still... I can't be better than you rite? (and winks)
Girl: (Hitting him on his hand) That was So rude...


(Getting into the restaurant)


Sam: Am I? You made me one... (Sarcastically)
OK,I am Hungry... Shall I order the your usual menu?
Girl: Usual Eh??? But Do You remember? (Offending Sam)
Sam: Do you bet??
Girl: On what?? ( raising her eyebrow)


Sam: Hmm.. Well... (tapping his fingers on the table)
Girl: As I am staying here for a while...
Sam: What?? (surprised) And You are telling that now...
Girl: Calm Down...(catching his wrist) Just wanted to surprise you...
So what is my usual menu?(smiling at Sam)
Sam: You start off with Sweet and Sour Soup which is just like your mood swings (looks at her and Winks)
Girl: (Staring) Just stick to the point don't elaborate...
Sam: you know I like metaphors...
Girl: You love them... I know.. Continue... (plainly)
Sam: Then you have your chilly baby corn that is... (Pauses)


Girl: I got the point... (smiles)
Sam: (Mischievously) What did you get?
GF: That You still remember me... (her hand moving towards his hand that is right across the table)
Sam: (Smiles)I do remember a lot of things about you... (Pauses)
GF: Us?
Sam: (Silent) (takes her hand into his)


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

(A)POLITICAL

Sometimes in life,
there is so much strife

Cos u don't get along,
& sing 'their' song

They Make ur living tough,
& weather very rough

Now You can't run away
& there is only one way

For you to survive
& Come out (just) Alive

U have to raise the stakes,
& start being a 'Rake'

Along with 'your Own' Gang,
& Singing 'your Own' Song.

I'm not afraid

I heard him saying,
A few lines Inspiring

It goes like this,
something about being in Bliss

I'm Not afraid to take a stand,
Lets be together & bring some change.

As he said those words,
I told him not to take those road(s)

Cos Oh my brother,
You Really shouldn't bother,
These people won't change,
as in Real they are just a selfish gang.

Don't You dare speak the truth,
Cos If you do, they break ur tooth,
with your spirit under their boot.

So my Dear brother!!!

Even I'm Not afraid to take a stand
I'm just afraid of bringing the change.

I Fell For..

I fell for those eyes,
n baby this is not lies,
cos i am in a daze,

Everytime i see u battle those eyelids,
I just stand there rigid.
and baby I just go Pallid

When those eyes ignore me
and i go green as its not me

   
that those eyes are searching for
and even one beer feels like four

Cos i fell for those eyes,
again baby this is not lies
and i am still in a Daze
happily stuck in your Maze.

NAA BHAGYAM

Everyone loves the city/Place one has lived in. One has emotions,One has memories connected to it. One has a little part of him connected to that city always even if he lives far away from city. One feels the city he lives in is the best in the world. Indeed it is best city because all the dreams and pleasures he had felt are in that city as he grew up there.


This note that I'm writing is an ode to that city that I grew up in which May/May not be the same again.

                                    

Disclaimer: This article is just a note about this city and the emotional connection I have with. No political sides taken here. :)

         I take a pride in calling myself a Hyderabadi. It is called A City of pearls, A City of Nawabs and of course the city which made Biryani famous and a distinction of being the only city which can make it taste good. To be precise, Mouth watering. :)


        A city that has culture quintessentially conservative yet modern in its own way. Be it the Huge Ganesha's idol that is put in the centre of city every year or The Haleem Season when all most the entire city throngs to these shops to savour the sweetest delicacy you ever get to taste on this earth and important of all the Urdu Mixed accent of Hindi laced with the local Telugu language that the local guys speak and the slang they use, My city is truly unique.


        I had been brought up here. I used to reside in the heart of city near the famous Birla temple. The first memory I have of this city is the famous Ganesha idol I have mentioned before where my dad used to take me before it is about to be immersed with such a grandeur. Every one in the locality used to dance to the rhythmic percussion beat in a different style of dance which I later came to know as “Teen -Maar”. All The festivals have their own way of celebrating style here.
  
       The most innate quality of us is the way we bond with others. We bond with people easily. My Granny always says the one thing she likes about the city is the way they address each other calling Anna(brother) and amount of respect they give each other which she thinks the other big cities like Chennai and Bangalore lack. The city has its own way of loving each other, I agree on that with my Granny.


       All of my life I had been in Hyderabad. I fell in love with her. I realized “How much I missed her I and How much she means to me” only when I had to move out of here. There is no exaggeration here but, my city beautifully treads between the different strata that reside in the city carrying the spirit this city stands for in their hearts.
  
       Now, I see my city change in front of my own eyes. I don't know if the change is for good or bad or necessary. As Someone said,“ Change is the Rhythm of Living” and My city is changing slowly.

      And this change has taken its effect on the Spirit of the city is associated with it. Of late, the spirit has been losing its sheen. Owing to Political scenarios across the state, City has suffered a lot. The spirit the city was broken to an extent. I see an emotion that has indifference to your surroundings and hatred which has crept into the bodies of the same people who carried the city's spirit I mentioned above.


      I don't know what is in store for my city next year. But, I am sure that my city would regain its lost sheen. The spirit of the city might be broken but not dead for sure.

P.S. Khali-peeli angrezi bahut hogaya miyan!! Seedha Hyderabadi mein-ich boltun...

Hyderabad ke sabhi Potte aur Pottiyon ko Naye Saal ka Mubarak!! :)

Please...

It has always been about you
Every time, It's not me but you...

You always had it your way,
And I never had any say...


Still...

Why is it hard to accept me as I am,
When all I ask you is to just feel.
And please don't say 'U give a damn'...
As this is one thing with which you have to deal.


Please don't ask me to bury my past,
So that we can have a future
If I do it I will be just a Miscast
And our relation... A Falling Structure...

HOME-BOUND

        It had been a real long time. I have been too busy. To be frank have been to lazy to take time and write something out here. I have been concentrating on too many stuff to write. Finally, I did decide on what to write.


                                           MY CHEDDI GANG

        Every set of friends thinks they are special and unique and they are the best. We don't. There is nothing special about us. We are just a bunch of friends who studied together, who hang out together once in a while, pull each others legs all the time and yeah forgot to mention this, Ofcourse a bunch of nice looking guys :P.

Disclaimer: Whatever that is written here are purely facts and everything that resembles to actual characters is intentional. :)

        It struck me this week when we all met up as one of us is leaving for his internship to US in Surgery. First in our gang to fly overseas. What a bundle of contradictions is what we are and what a metamorphosis it has been for the past 15 to 16 years. From a bunch of mischievous teenagers to sons who continue to meet their fathers expectations as well as theirs.

        Kaasi, Massa, Guddu,Patty,Bull,Tipple,Appa.... a weird bunch which has been holding together even while everyone of us were busy with our own goals and careers. I wondered,What had been holding us strong for so long. I felt, My gang is a 'Home-Bound' one and will always be, the only common thread between us that had held us so long.

        Schooling was fun.

       The first major funny incident(read intentional accident) and top one would be when one of the nicest chaps in the class was a victim of tipple n his badmaashi. Even now, that chap's mother asks me about him when I visit that guys house. That chap had been subjected to severe treatment on his bum courtesy: TIPPLE. The other major one was when patty introduced himself to us for the first time. We even laugh now thinking how funnily he had pronounced his old school name. The famous Panch Pandavas was the running joke since school days. Or be nonsensical egoistic clash between appa n guddu for something trivial due to which they two didn't speak for almost 7 years.

       10th standard was founding stone where everyone was undergoing a huge character/attitude change towards life. To be frank, after 10th none of us were in touch till we actually got into our graduation. That 2 year period was a major transition in our Individual lives where each one came to know lot about life and other stuff. The most grueling period.

      Why was that distance in spite of being near. I still don't know the answer. I don't even want to know the answer as that period was the time where we just entered the world to stand in our own feet and know what is it to be all by yourself. It came unannounced into our lives telling us there is a whole new world out there where the average guy what we have been in school was in process to find that we are not underdogs but guys who know what they want and know how to get it. Some have got it. Some of them are still in the process. We all will get it.

       Enter graduation, where everyone was in different colleges and pursuing different goals and ambitions. The outlook towards life and to each other had changed to greater extent and most importantly, in-spite of so many changes, the inner most, core element of being 'Home-Bound' hasn't changed.

       Now, whenever we meet I find this element that has been binding us together getting stronger and stronger. Far from the family, in a new world, new environment , we are still discovering the 'REAL' us. We all discuss the conservative mindsets we have been brought up in and how we are in changing those mindsets to our own individual convenience.

       These changing mindsets made us become independent. The one great thing about us is that. We all bought what we always wanted with our own individual efforts. Not even once did we ever ask for a helping hand. Not because we are egoistic but because we know we could get it ourselves and we know we could handle ourselves.

        While Each of one us are still in our paths of goals, fulfilling their responsibilities and nurturing their beliefs about life. One pursuing after something that is so personal and important to him to prove something to someone. The other in the process of finding his real self. One in the process of finding his feet back while the other in the process of fulfilling his family responsibilities.

        As someone said, its a tough world out there, we all are facing the rough patches in our lives without relinquishing the true self and hopefully we come out flying 'Home-Bound'.

P.S: Guddu we all sincerely hope u complete your education before our chidren :) and hope u r having a ball in those formals out there. Will miss ya for sure....

The Coveted

                      Vroom!!! He went… riding his bike at its top speed, aravind started to hate everything in the world. He thought "it’s an unfair world". He had always understood and had been honest about his feelings with sahana, she was caring too. But, when he heard her saying "we have to move on ending our relationship" it came as a shocker. Not even in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine their relationship is going to break. What angered him most was when she termed their relation would not be compatible enough for a long run.


             The speedometer hit 130Km/hr, while all crazy thoughts started to hit him. The sky was turning cloudy as he began to think "Did she find someone else? Was there always someone else in her life? Did she ever throw such a hint? All these murky thoughts came to a halt when he hit the brake at the signal.


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


At signal…


             Sitting on the pavement wearing a short yellow frock which suited her slightly fair complexion, she was trying to reach for a rugged doll lying some 7 feet far away from her. As she was reaching for it, her mother saying" baby wait have something and then play with your doll". She shifted her weight and moved slowly towards the torn doll by its only arm. She Oblivious of all the smoke, the noise, the people and her polio stricken legs was happily smiling and living in her own naïve world.


              While waiting for the signal to turn green, aravind was watching all the action silently; envying the girl's happiness and thought "wish I could be happy as her" and sped away.


***************
Few days later…


             Opening the door with a bang and throwing his bag with disgust on the sofa, aravind came inside. Looking at him Ashok asked “what’s wrong?” Replying nothing, aravind just sighed. Without further probing him, ashok returned to his play station. Silently, he came and sat beside ashok and erupted out. “My life is in doldrums… it’s so sick… Nothing is going right. First my girlfriend dumped me, the promotion iam due for is still pending and when I ask my boss he tells me that I am not doing well enough at my office for him to approve my promotion. Just tell me what I can do to make it normal.”


            “Whoa!! Take it easy man” said ashok calmly. “Stop freaking out. Let’s go out and have a shot on the rocks and you will be fine. Go and get ready". They left to their favorite hangout place.


            Later at some bar swaying like a snake, aravind was cursing his boss, his ex and everything in the world for being unfair to him. Already having consumed heavy amount of booze for the night, he grabbed another bottle before setting out with friends on their jeep. Still Bad mouthing his boss and his ex, he sat on the jeep taking control of the steering wheel and he drove across the narrow lanes at dangerous speeds.


***************
Tring…. Tring….


                    It was 9 30 in the morning when the telephone ring made him jump out his bed. His head was spinning. He couldn't remember a thing. Moving towards the jarring telephone ring "Man did I consume the whole bar", he thought and answered it.


Aravind: Hello…
Vishal: Where are you? It already 9:30 Boss was asking for you... Get your ass out here fast…
Aravind: Ok… Fine…man give me half an hour will be there by 10. Something urgent…??
Vishal: No idea dude… just come fast... I will manage meanwhile...
Aravind: Thanks buddy... I owe you one...


            Moving towards the cupboard, he took two aspirins to subside the splitting headache and rushed out to his office.


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


Aravind: What is the matter? You had called saying that Harisadu was freaking out…
Vishal: I don’t know... he wanted to talk to us both…
Aravind: I hope it is not about my promotion…. Ok let’s enter into the hell.


            Coming out of their boss cabin, they were smiling at each other. Aravind couldn’t believe his luck has changed. “What a turn around!! Till yesterday, I was a sore loser and now…” he thought. He not only had a promotion now but also an opportunity to work from Europe. “Man, for a minute I thought hari sadu was going to fire us for something” said vishal and jumping with excitement interrupting his thoughts.


           Thinking how Europe looks during the winter time, he dialed ashok’s number. “Bro, have a good news. When shall we meet today? Tell others to meet at my place at some convenient time.” “Great, Good for you” said ashok coldly. “We will meet at 7 at your place”.


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


Aravind: No way… How can I not remember it...? you didn't even tell me about this… you are telling it now…
Ashok: Man we were in a bad state. We had to do it… we had no other option. You don’t even know what happened.
Aravind: even then … It is wrong… we should have…


             Kishore raised from his seat and grabbed aravind by his shirt,said “stop being foolish… we did not do it deliberately… it all just happened in a fraction of second and you were in the driving seat. Don’t forget that”. Pushing kishore back “Forget it… Let us celebrate for the great news that happened at office today” said Ashok “Now cheer up”. Moving away from everyone, “just leave me alone for sometime, I will be fine” aravind said and went out.


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


              Aravind still couldn’t digest what kishore had just said about him being at the driver’s seat when the accident happened. He was looking at the place where he had killed two people the previous night by running over them. The tarpaulin sheet which lay strewn on the ground and a rugged doll were the only remains of the place where the accident took place.


             He took the doll in hands and he could feel he was sweating in spite of the cold weather out there. His hands were shivering not with fear of getting caught for his evil act but of the fact that he realized whom he had killed.


            He collapsed on the ground as only two questions lingered on his mind “What was responsible for that kid’s death and what had changed luck in his favor. He thought. Was it his envy for her happiness or his reckless drunken driving?” Looking at doll, he smiled as he knew the answer.


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

Truly... Deeply... Madly...

Like the Pleasant breeze in the evening….

Like the numbing coldness of the winter…

Like the First raindrop of the season….

Like the Unbearable heat of the summer…

This just a few ways of how they make us feel and they spare none (of course in good way)

Be it the unconditional love they show as a mother or the never ending kiddish fights as a sibling and of course the cloud nine feeling you give us as a special one in our lives. Nothing is parallel compared to the above.

No poem, no story or a few words wouldn't suffice to tell to all women out there in this world that how important are you, how inspiring are you and how gorgeous are you. Just a smile when you see us is enough to create a flutter in our small hearts.

We know we never ever expressed how much you all mean to us. So, this blog goes for all the endearing women in the world. We would continue loving you, respect you and need you at least till 2012 J

It's women's day and that's not the reason I am writing it here. We guys are foolish enough that we rarely actually acknowledge what difference you make in our lives. I on behalf of every guy take the Opportunity to say how much we care for you

All I wish is…

Let your looks make us drool…

Let your beauty enchant us…

Let your love civilize us…

& needless to say… Don't STOP WO(oing)MAN.

LAST DAY

I thought,

It was just another morning,
and would be as usual boring

It came without warning,
To show how I was faring,

All I did in my life,
Was nothing but strife?

Realized that I did nothing,
For whom I was everything

Wrote down all I wanted to say,
Kneeled down to god to pray
　
Because,

It wasn’t just another morning,
It was the day of my mourning.

Baby,You are the One

The weather was cool outside and Anand could sense it sitting at his office. He wanted to go out and feel the pleasant atmosphere and appreciate the surroundings. Working on the final draft of his presentation he said “Aargh!!” thinking about the work that made him stay inside this sullen atmosphere. He finally decided hell with the work and thought “I can complete this later” and stepped outside the office building. He could feel the soft breeze hitting on his face and that instant decided it was perfect for a long drive on the newly bought bike he bought last week.


He rushed to his room changed his attire and drove off to his favorite and uninhabited destination a place nearby to catch the Sun “Set”, one of the few things he loved to watch.


With the cool breeze around, he raced his bike at 100 km per hour and thought “This is life” just for a moment though. Looking back at the vacant place in his pillion, he really wished he had some company now while riding the bike. He wished for that someone who would hug him from his back and urge him ride faster or someone who would hit him on his head now for driving dangerously, that someone with whom he could share the good and bad, that someone who could read his mind now and give him a kiss on his cheek. He did have a few flings in past but they were nothing more than casual affairs. As they say in the books or movies “girl of his dreams” is the one whom he was yearning for right now. He thought, I miss the most essential spice in life “ROMANCE”.


Thinking about these stuff, he reached the place on the top of hill from one can have a perfect view of the sun which would call retire for the day. As he was parking the bike he sensed someone was already there. This made him uncomfortable rather angry. He murmured “Lost another place to this so called civilized world”, thinking now many people would discover his favorite spot, he saw “HER”.


She was on the edge on cliff with her hair let loose and sitting oblivious of the surroundings. He stood there stoned watching her. Her face was so fair and was shining as the sun rays fell on her and the sun’s illuminous light made her hair golden. “She resembled a mermaid” he thought. He could sense something intense happening inside him similar to the sky around that started to colour itself with intense orange and red hues.


He walked casually towards her and just stood there. Looking at him with her grey coloured eyes, she said “sit down” and again went into oblivion. They both just sat there watching the fireball disappear but anand could sense the fire burning somewhere deep inside at his left part of the chest. He didn’t know how to describe it. All he knew was she was the responsible for it she alone can dowse it. As he was busy admiring her, without looking at him she asked “isn’t this beautiful?” “Definitely not beautiful as you as you are”, he wanted to say but managed to squeak “Yea, one of the most beautiful…”

And again they fell silent.


He wanted to ask her many questions like who are you? What is your name? etc, and suddenly his face turned to colour of green pastures that were on hill thinking about what if she is already committed or something like that. He prayed “ man hope she isn’t” and many wild and irrational thoughts came across his mind.

“I am VIDYA”, she said. “Now’s the best part”, he replied pointing at the sky and “I am Anand”. The sun’s brightness was slowly diminishing unlike the feelings now he has for her. With a big smile on her face and extending her hand, “that was lovely” thanks for the company, she said. Looking at her sparkling grey eyes, he said “Anytime” feeling her warm and soft hands.

She: You come often here right?
He: Yea…
She: Alone… Eh?? So sad… (With a grin on her face)
He: Hmm… what to do it is difficult to find one who shares a common taste…
She: Well… Not anymore right?
He: I guess… (Winking at her)

Hitting him on his hand, she said “How rude is that?” . Winking at her He asked, “I wouldn’t be rude if you agree for a cup of coffee now and let ourselves to know about each other a little? What say?”

“Well that would depend on how good the coffee tastes and how good the conversation is?” she said smiling. He felt so relieved and couldn’t believe that she was single and most importantly she was interested.

“There is a shop nearby and I guess we can walk down a little or would you prefer a ride. Anything is fine with me.” He asked her vaguely. “Let’s walk and don’t spoil the nice time we had just now by having a bad coffee” she said. Laughing at what she said, “You are threatening me eh? You wouldn’t be disappointed I can say that”

“Better not”, she said and they started walking down the hill to the coffee shop nearby.


He was in a dilemma how to start and engage her in a conversation. He thought about his feelings for her. He could make out she was smart, friendly and of course superlatively beautiful but, “what made him crazy about her and what made her say yes for a cup of coffee to a stranger like me whom she has met just a few minutes ago” he questioned himself.

She interrupted his thoughts asking him “what made you think that I would say ‘yes’ when you asked me join you for a cup of coffee”. Anand was stunned; “she was actually reading his thoughts” he thought and answered “you know what I was thinking the same”.


Both reached the coffee shop.

Holding the cup with both hands, she said “It smells good”. “Try it, tastes even better” he told. She had that one real fast and asked “Can I have another?” “Sure but first answer did I make your evening pleasant” he quipped.

She said “I would answer it if I have another one” raising one of her brows at him.

Grabbing the second cup, “Hmm…” she quipped, “I guess I made your evening which would have been ordinary if not for me”, And started smiling. The cup he was holding almost fell. He didn’t see that coming. “You read my mind” he blurted.

They started walking back to the place where he parked his bike. He noted that she fell silent. He understood, she knew what he felt about her and thought he has to speak up now.

“Vidya” calling her name for the first time, he said “You are right! You made my evening”. She was silent.
Holding her hand smoothly now, He continued “I no more wish for lonely evenings… and would you share such evenings with me hereafter” She was still silent.

Looking at him she smiled and replied “Sure… but only, if you promise to buy me another cup of coffee for me now…”