R.I.P. Jimmy

I had planned to write a blog on my experience in Kerala and had almost given it a shape while sitting at the airport lounge waiting for departure, however unfortunately it didn't find it's final lines and here I am sitting writing on a totally different context.

There are times when you just take living beings for granted and more often than not its these living beings that make you feel secured.

There are times when you just over look some living beings when they look at you with twinkle of desire in their eyes.

There are times when unspoken words translated into actions, still don't get the desired reaction from you.

Today as I sit to write this, I have lost my canine back home in Kerala with whom I really didn't spend a worthy time to feel I should miss him as he left abode after almost 10 years of company. But as soon as the news reached me, it wasn't the shock but a hollowness that scared me. It was because of him that there was a sense of security in the house. There was a feeling of someone out there who was guarding you irrespective of the time or weather. Someone who always welcomed you with a friendly bark each time you returned home, what I called as the welcome bark.

All this would be missed.

R.I.P. Jimmy!

3 weeks in Gods Own Country.

So it has been a while since I have posted something on my BLOG. It has been 20 days since I have landed in Gods Own Country. The experience so far has been like a fresh new day, new with each instance. So what experiences am I talking about here?

1) Practice the language before you reach a new place. Learn a few important words. And even after you have done then learn to see people laughing at you for your pronunciations! And just in case you haven't learnt any words then invoke the blessings from The Gods of Dumb Charades. I've been doing just that.

2) "When in Rome Be Like The Romans Are" So it's time for lungi /mundu. The natives still wouldn't accept you completely obviously because you are out of place. Confidence matters but with the fear of what would go faster, the Mundu or your IZZZAT, tell me where is the scope to have confidence and walk!

3) Learn to cook and eat. Unfortunately I am in a land of non vegetarian food lovers and me being an eggetarian struggle to find some good food. Funnier is when you DARE to EAT some North Indian dish and then spend time in the loo. :P It isn't as funny as one might feel on reading. I was MIGHTY PLEASED when I visited a 4 Star with an ambience which could give some of our Mumbai restaurants a run for their money. MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT, they declared on their Tariff Card and I promised the Manager I would come back soon. The next time I visited the area I made it a point to visit the MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. "Paneer Kitne Din se nahin khaaya." my heart shouted!

Waiter: "Sir would you like to have some dish in Paneer for the main course?"

WTF???????????????

Me: "Ah well yeah. Get me a dish of Paneer Butter Masala along with a dish of Appam."

I waited patiently with a wish to have Paneer after 3 weeks! *Slurp*

The wait was't worth, the Paneer Butter Masala completely drowned my desire to come back to this MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. So from there I head to my meeting. All of a sudden there is some "hul-chal"

KAHAN?

Stomach dear had an immediate Mood Change due to the food at the MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. :( The rest? The lesser said the better!

4) Get ready for an overdose of the local actors on television. Movies, TV Advertisements, Hoardings, you will see them everywhere. If that wasn't less you would see them in the most funniest of poses and clothes!

5) Be ready to meet some visitors who might give you creeps. They are in plenty here. Thankfully the one's that I am scared of, haven't REALLY made their presence felt.

Is it all that bad?

1) The Peace here cannot be bought by any amount of urbanisation. All that we miss in a city like Mumbai is some peace which is in abundance here. :D A day full of working from home and then a walk with an elder to the local temple, the knowledge that you get while talking to them, the fields that you pass by, the local houses from where the kids come out running to see a person whom they haven't seen previously and all the customs and traditions which we as city dwellers can never experience. They still, also, use the traditional methods of cooking with the dried up wood what we call as the "Choolaah"

2) The smile and the warmth of the people whom you might not know and yet they would stand and explain to you, how they are related and then their favourite statements "How would you remember us? The last you had seen was when you were 6 years old!" What memory!!!!!! :-o

3) The weather during evening times is absolutely awesome! I have been experiencing breeze which we "could probably" experience only during Winters in city.

4) The sanctity of the holy places would have to be seen to be believed. The precision with which people follow each of these practices shows the power of beliefs! At many of the temples, including the local one,that I have visited the people still don't cross the path if they see the priest coming. The temples still haven't been commercialised. I have been completely bowled over by a group of 3 kids who used to come ever evening, until their schools started, to recite Bhajans. I doubt if this could be ever seen in the city.

5) Everything over here is so planned and organised in their own little way. We as city dwellers never get time from our usual schedule to have lunch on time, to have tea on time or probably to reach home for dinner on time. But here day in- day out,their schedules never go wrong. Breakfast is sharp at 7 (not for me though), another tea session by 11, followed by lunch at 1pm, Snacks at 4 and finally dinner by 10 pm. They plan for their day-to-day activity in advance. Like for eg. cut the wood and store well in advance before rains for cooking purposes. And to add to it they live a HAPPY (content) LIFE. Makes me wonder, what is it that I am searching for in life?

Each day that gets me a new experience, good or bad, has only reinforced my decision of having taken up a rural internship for my Summers.

So its finally an end for a new Beginning!

I reached college way earlier than the prescribed time by my group for discussing a Viva we are supposed to attend in two hours from now. As usual the discussions would take place an hour before the Viva!

On my way, I was receiving mails regarding a certain picture in which a friend of mine tagged the entire class. She wrote "to all my MMS DIV B friends...i love u way too much...and il always cherish these memories...the BESTEST...class...and the bestest and loveliest pple i have ever met!...mwaaahhh......HUGS***" With the first academic year coming to an end in the next few days everyone seems to be on an emotional high, except one (atleast openly.)

The last one year has seen ups and downs, most of them evident and as ugly as they are evident! Unfortunate! A class which began on good terms, should have had atleast the unity to end it on good terms.

Me on my front am happy that I am doing good with everyone. Touchwood! (Honestly speaking, quiet unusual of me!) I love the entire class and am enjoying my rapport which I had over the last one year. I hit off on a good note with Mandar, Nikhil and Abhilekh.

Over the year, I developed a great rapport with Pen, Manalee and Daxa. People whom I would never forget in my life. As I moved ahead my friendship grew with the Gang of Dudes (Pahwa,Rohit,Gaurav,Farzad,Rahul & Nautanki Pratik) excellent guys with whom I share the last row in class room. The fun and frolic during lecture, in between lectures and after lectures would not have been as fun, if they weren't around. Infact on days when they wouldn't be around, the class would look as gloomy and silent as a graveyard! Moving on still further into the year I found friends like Divyesh, Advait, Vijeyta, Disha and Pooja. I have been sharing an excellent conversation with the first and the last, over the last few weeks. While Divyesh has been busy enlightening me with the various facts of hospitality industry (its immensely interesting to listen to someone as passionate as him) Pooja has been entertaining with her unbeatable PJ's. I have been lucky to be a part of the so called "you & I rock-60-comment" conversation on Facebook with her, filled with utter nonsense and I'm proud of it because I feel that was a tough fight, I gave her. That's going to be remembered life long!

The year also introduced me to friends like Tarang Vasa (incidentally my FIRST FRIEND in college, offered me a mint on Day 1) with whom my day starts with "Namo Jinanam". I am sure that would be for the rest of my life.

Also found some interesting and innovative friends, a tag which none other than Chinmay THE Sakhale can deserve. Chinmay's idea of Buffalo Dress would, Inshallah, come true one day and Inshallah, may he himself play a big role in it! Sanchetti, really enjoyed all our conversations regarding Chattisgarh! We shall plan a trip one day, Inshallah! Btw the other thing I cannot forget you would be for,"White White Face dekhe...dil yeh sasura...." :D Hahaha!

Rujuta's timing of jokes can hardly be matched by anyone except Hrishi! Okkaayy Hrishi! :D I remember Rujuta standing beside me, waiting for some transfer of files on her Pen drive and apna very own "Sam www.160by2.com" picked up a chocolate and asked "kiska chocolate hain yeh?" Rujuta's reply as instant as "0.5 of a second" was "Cadbury ka" and I was roaring with Laughter for the timing of the reply! Sam's reaction was also worth seeing!

Hrishi's timings and mimicry exploits have to be seen to be believed! His antics would always be a part of the most memorable moments of MMS-B. The tri-kone Abhishekh, Ritesh and Pednekar were the ones who used to light up the mood in the last benches. While Pednekar would be with me for the next year too, Abhishekh (this guy is an information database and is fantastic to talk to! Will miss that buddy!) and Ritesh would be sorely missed. Ritesh simply for the fact that he is like the News Feed on Facebook! But on a serious note that guy inspires me as well, as mentioned in one of my earlier posts.

Amongst the other members in the class are Satish, Ashish and Gazala. Must mention that they really were excellent people to go on a trip with! Will forever remember the masti during the Alibaugh trip! Satish apna challenge next sem main continue karenge! We will now play for the ultimate, who attended college THE LEAST in the two years! Apne upar reality television banega, hum kya karte hain jab hum college nahi jaate! 24 hours camera around us, tracing our lives! Hahaha! Phunsukh I love you! Nimyaaa, apna very own desi version of Harry Potter is awesome to be with! Dude, I simply envy the way you sit around for all lectures w/o fail.

There were some silent people who nevertheless haven't gone unnoticed, like Mrinalini, Noor, Mangesh, Bhairav, Abhay, Aakash, Chetan Navare,Hasaan, Sayeed and Sanjeev Kumar. Never had an opportunity to interact much with them but yet they made the class what it is. Thanks to each one of you!

I was never once interested to sit on the first bench but that wouldn't mean that I dislike the first benchers. Reshma, Shahinda, Pooja and Purnima (Mahila Mandal) tried their best to make a boring audience (from prof's view) an informative and questioning class! For classmates like Shimoni and Shweta, it was interesting to see their presentation. Must admit they were among the most interesting I have seen, Niche Marketing being one amongst them. Andrew, buddy you would be remembered for that dance clip posted on Facebook more than your Financial knowledge. No offence but people generally remember others for something extraordinary done and I feel that your dance was way, way, way, way extraordinary than you financial acumen, which is without a doubt fantastic in itself! Keep those dancing shoes on mate! Dr.Kanika, it was fantastic to know you. I still remember you were the only one who took me in her group during the first I.T. presentation and I thank you for that! :D Irfan, mere bhai! The amount of efforts and planning you do behind your work is really inspiring. I hope someday if I get 1/10th of it, I would really be some person then! :D

Finally as I draw to the last lot of classmates they are the ones with whom I had the time of my life, MY FIRST INDUSTRIAL VISIT" Pramod, Pooja Surve, Nikhil Patkar, Sushant Sonawane and Snehalata. Fantastic trip because of the show stopper,a.k.a Nikhil Patkar! Thank you people!

Life is definitely such, people do take some place in your life, in a good or bad way but there would always be some or the other memory which would make you smile one day and that is FOR SURE!

Now to the person who despises all of this, Anukool! For you Anukool "I love you Darling. But life has to move on, so from now on I will search for a new darling to replace you."

Finally the last is always reserved for the best,isn't it? So lets move to the TOPPERS! M&G! (Sounds cool like D&G huh?) M, that exasperation on your face ,when once during the lecture, the guys passed your slippers to the other end of the class would never be forgotten. G, the "noise" in the class would be missed! The energy that you brought about would definitely be a big add on for the H.R. class. Cute naaaaa????? (Stop nodding your head for once, I can see you doing that! :P ) Wonder where you get all that from? Keep topping in life ladies! I'm sure we would never see anyone like the two of you, ever!

I WILL MISS EACH ONE OF YOU! (minus my ex-darling Anukool, no more flying kisses to you)

Random Thoughts...

Confidence comes from Action and not Words!

Finally found it!

Yeah I finally found one of my poems which I had written long back. It was selected by the website where I had posted it (poetry.com)for some worldwide competition and they wanted to publish it in their coffee book. But for some weird reasons I didnt give them a green signal. Today after long I felt like reading it and after a bit of a struggle found it online. Really glad I could find it as I have lost my original book where I used to pen my thoughts.

"WHEN...."

"When the heart beats wild and loud,
When vision sees it all around,
When days are meant to wonder and dream,
When words are less to describe it may seem!
When un encountered days seem dark and gloomy,
When time tests your patience with pain and agony,
When this pain you are ready to bear for life,
When for the person you are ready to strive!
When company is all that you long,
When time together is treasured all along,
When every second is ruled by the thoughts,
When every word and action means a lot!
When pain you are ready to take and joy share,
When for someone you are always there!
When this is how in life you feel,
When this is how before life you kneel,
This is the time you never know happens how,
This is the time when you fall in love!"

Change

"Three veg and one non-veg Chicago Hot Dogs." we ordered as we decided to stuff ourselves before boarding the plane on 6th of February 2010 for a one night two day trip to Kerala to attend a marriage. An electronics Engineer, a Mechanical Engineer, one failed Engineer and a Finance Fanatic were all excited to attend the wedding of one of their close friends' sister. "Yuck!" exclaimed the Finance guy as he took the first bite of his hot dog. The taste had really not impressed him. Instantly he moved to the next outlet serving ice cream to rectify the bad taste left behind by the hot dog.

As we moved towards the security check it was so different than what it was last year when I had travelled in an airplane.  The security had increased multi fold. The 26/11 attacks had brought the impetuous once again on the security and whatever possible loopholes existed were minimized. The change however was too much to be neglected which actually made me feel more scared. It meant that there were more efforts being made by the extremists to push their point by harming the innocent. I tried to appease myself by putting forth the thought that more security means lesser possibility of anything bad happening but somewhere in my heart it said that if these guys are putting so much efforts it also means that other side wouldn't fall shy of trying something more. I wasn't able to adapt to change even though it was for my own good.

As the flight descended the scenic beauty of Gods Own Country mesmerized me. I was happy to be in my mother state (I call Maharashtra my home state as I was born here). The thought did cross my mind to bow down and kiss the land but felt it would be too much for my friends who as it is feel my actions are nothing less than "A Nautanki". Once again I resisted change.

The journey was told to us would be a short one, however to our surprise it took us an hour to reach Le Meridien Kochi. Hungry as a famine hit person, we headed straight to the restaurant. Thankfully the Buffet was still on. The hotel was running on 100% occupancy owing to the marriage. As we settled with our lunch word arrived that, the 4 of us had to share a room. At the first place I was a bit skeptical but realized that this time I have to try out how it is to adjust and adapt to the changed circumstances. What caught my attention was that we had to cross the backwaters on a boat to reach our tower.

The change which I had to adapt wasn't too difficult. The beds even though were small it wasn't small enough for two. ☺ It would have been LUXURY for one and IT WAS COMFORTABLE for two!  Spring beds are never too late for any age and soon enough we were testing its durability. Thankfully it adapted to the change in the weight it had to carry. Finally we gave up and decided to rest out backs. Phew! We got ready for the evening where in another new tradition awaited.

Sangeet which is a never heard tradition in South of India, especially in Kerala was nothing short of a full on Concert! Sivamani performed and the crowd only wanted more. "Jugalbandi" between a 'Percussionist', a 'Violinist', a 'Chenda' artist and a 'Thavil' player was an icing on the cake which actually got the audience to their feet.  The audience had accepted the change in tradition. We slipped into the night with bated breath thinking what would happen the next day.

Day Two was welcomed with a fantastic and heavy breakfast. Good Morning easily transforms into Great Morning if the breakfast is good. Happy Hearts, the four of us moved towards the Convention Centre to witness the Wedding Ceremony. As we discussed about the marriage traditions across our country we realized that slowly and steadily the hall was getting empty. Even before we knew the depleting number was because the marriage ritual was kept short and sweet.  The rush had now moved to the lunch area. The noisy crowd was now substituted with some good light music being played by the live orchestra. Suddenly the crowd in the hall, which should have been lining up to wish the newlywed, was lined up to eat food. In native style it was typical "Naadan (pronounced as naa-done) Food" served on the Banana Leaf. Another change from the usual style that we see in Mumbai ☺ but a pleasant one as well.Happy Hearts once again, we left the dining area and seated ourselves at the entrance. It was 'Bidayi' time.

Emotions were running high. The Bride was being led to the car by her father and her brother followed by her mother. The scene ran in my head when I had first seen her as a child, running around the house. She was notorious as a kid and pampered. Her wish was her father's command and yet she wasn't a spoilt kid. Everything came to me in a flash of a second and disappeared in another flash. Suddenly the reality was right there in front of me. The little kid was now a grown up woman who was being led to a new life. Her perfect smile was now replaced by tears running down her cheeks. She stood in front of the car and hugged her father. Her mother cried but remained strong. She looked around for her best friend and called her near but she couldn't gather the courage. She managed to move a few steps further and stopped. The bride sensing that she was running against time took her steps towards her friend. She hugged her and hugged her tight! She cried! I cried!

My thoughts at this time moved to the new life that she would be starting to live. A changed life, surrounded by new people, new relationships, new traditions & Customs. And pretty soon she is going to accept this change. Soon she would be the lady of the house and no more the kid who used to run around the house in a playful mood. She would be changing to a completely new life.

As my senses began to understand the gravity of this change that the bride would accept, I thought about all the changes that I accepted on my journey to Kerala and said to myself that nothing that we do, could match up to the change that women adapt and adjust to on getting married. I thought, once,twice, before accepting or rejecting change and thought about it a bit too much at times. That moment opened my eyes, hopefully for the rest of my life.

Happy Heart, now Heavy, moved to the hotel room to prepare for return journey. As we boarded the bus the back-benchers (the four of us) decided to keep the window open in the AC bus. The wind brushed past me, thankfully the typical smell with it had not changed! :)


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Obituary

Its the first time that I sit and write an obituary. Its the first time that I should write an obituary.

The loss itself is so big that I can never put it in words. Its a void which can (i guess) filled by none. I still remember the first time I saw you and immediately at that moment I said to myself,"this is it. what I have been searching for, I have finally found" It wasn't easy but still decided to take up the challenge and woo you & ultimately the day did come when I could hold you in my hands!

Acceptance and appreciation, were not in shortage when you were around. I looked at the world in a different colour through you. You shaded me at times when it was unbearable. Silently, being with you boosted my confidence. There were innumerable times when you protected me from prospective injuries and I failed a couple of times when I had to. But trust me when I say, when you were hurt, so were I.

This time too I failed. Failed, miserably! I didn't have my attention on you and the moment came which could have been avioided, but if only for my forgetfulness. I cannot say I left you behind or you left, both of them mean the same pain, which can never be erased.

I will miss you my darling!

Polaroid Sunglasses (February 2008- January 2010)

Lal Salaam!

I read last night about the loss of Jyoti Basu, undoubtedly who along with Vajpayee is among the last “good breed” of leaders we have left in our country. Unfortunately I couldn’t catch up with the news as tired body pushed me to sleep. However as I woke up today morning I couldn’t stop myself from watching the news, so much so that I decided against going for the first lecture. (anywhich ways watching and learning about Jyoti Basu was much better than Virus, no comparison actually!)
I caught up with news and thankfully NDTV was running a re-telecast of their special show on Jyoti Basu with all top leaders and thinkers joining in to share their thoughts. Pranab Mukherjee, Buddhadeb, Sitaram Yechury, N Ram, Tarun Das and Amartya Sen shared their views on the leader whom they unanimously called “the greatest” in the post independence era!

The program began with visuals of how Bimon Roy came out and announced the sad news. Choked he was and so was everyone else after having heard the news. Wailing people and shouts of Lal Salaam echoed around, as news persons gathered each and every visual that they could. They would have succeeded to make a news with just a simple one liner about the loss. That was the power of the leader which brought me to think about what exactly would you define a leader as, what are the characteristics?

Jyoti Basu was a Leader to everyone. He was a man of Principles who always weighed the Principles set by his comrades above his own preferences. That’s why he didn’t become the Prime Minister when he was invited him to, as his party decided against it. His thoughts though communist were never against the development of the region where he came from. The charisma that he had, would just not be confined to his people but also to his critics and media. In the words of Pranab Mukherjee,”He would definitely have been a good Prime Minister.” In the words of the media,”He was a man who complemented them for our efforts.” That is the reason why today we sit and notice the loss of this great man, who went on to become the longest serving Chief Minister of any state in India. At a time when we find it difficult to have a mandate for a single term, here was a guy who led his state for 2 decades! He was truly a Regional Leader of National stature.

What was also noteworthy was his ability to understand when to exit. Just yesterday, we had a senior person from the industry who came for a lecture and told us that as important it is to venture into something, one should also know when to exit. Abhimanyu in Mahabharta is a fine example of someone who knew only to enter but not to exit. Thankfully Jyoti Basu was no Abhimanyu. He quit from his post and handed over the reins to Budhhadeb in a perfectly timed move which gave him good enough time to prove himself before the elections. This helped him come back to power.

The equations have however changed since then and the Communists are falling into the deep gorge from where revival would only be termed as a miracle. Could Jyoti Basu’s exit give them that miracle? Could they ride on the wave of emotions after his demise to improve their standing in general public. Even if they do, I don’t see that running for long for Jyoti Basu’s leadership has taught the masses in Bengal to think what is right and reject what is wrong in their own ways. That’s the reason we saw unrest in Singur to initiatives led by the same Government whom they had voted to power 7 times in a row.

Jyoti Basu’s death reminded me of an update I had read recently on Facebook,which said "after your death you leave behind your children and what google says about you." Well in case of Jyoti Basu Google might fall short of words because that’s the level of reach that he had with his masses which can never be summed up by anyone. That’s a True Leader!

We will miss you Jyoti Basu for they don’t make them like you, anymore!

R.I.P. Jyoti Basu. Lal Salaam!

What goes around, INDEED comes around!

Many asked why I had not updated my blog as yet, well this one is for them!

College started a week after the New Year and the first day was supposed to be a good one, all because it had only one lecture! According to seniors feedbacks the prof was witty and had sharp one liners. However the taxing part for me was, is and would be, is that there are a handful of subject related to finance! Gosh I should go to "Raaz Pichle Janam Ka" to try and understand why this phobia with numbers! Anyways had that in mind since last few days, duh, not to go to "Raaz...." but the fact that there are so many subjects of Finance in this semester. It has been running constantly in my mind. However, one of the Finance lecture has been made optional for the Marketing guys and vice versa. So today, Saturday, gives me a chance to come home by 4/4:30 because of the optional lecture Finance lecture.

As I got into home today, there was a bit of an excitement to sit with my laptop and the newly installed Wi-Fi at home. However with a few project presentations coming up in the week ahead I wasn't too sure if this was a welcome back home feeling! Besides the fact that I also have 3 lectures tomorrow right from 8:30 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening and of the 3, two are Finance. Mom's handmade sumptuous lunch was too heavy and the hunger only complimented to it. So off went into my stomach, Pulav and Raita and before it would have been difficult for me to get up and walk by myself, I decided to get up from the dining table.

Coming back to my room after a hard days work is indeed one of the best part and so is the bathroom! :D I relaxed on my bed and picked up the little Lenovo and settled to check my mails. I fell asleep and I didn't just realise when!

All that I remember from the dreams is that I was enjoying them and didn't want to wake myself! However the 3 lectures and more over the 2 Finance lectures in it didnt make that feeling the most desired and I got up to realise it was 6:41! WTF! I am late to college and the lecture which I dread the most starts in 2 hours and how would I reach college now? I wondered how come mom missed out on waking me and that terrible feeling only got worse! So I picked up my phone and called mom and (like every other woman) she answered the call only by the second last ring! "Amma I have college, why didn't you wake me!"

Amma : Oh you got college ah? (with a hint of sarcasm)

I was worried now, is it that me being an MBA student at MET, all a part of the DREAM itself? Huh? I just shook myself and in the meanwhile I heard a laughing voice open & enter my room. It was mom and I really couldn't understand why she felt like laughing at a situation which demanded actions immediately and she repeated the same question, "Oh you got college ah?" (with that typical mallu accent)to which I replied with a hint of irritation, "How many ever times you ask me this question my answer wouldn't change." She still couldn't control her laughter and now this was REALLY irritating me!I rolled up the curtains and that sadness which you see around in the morning hours as the sun comes out, was all around, outside my window! My mom slowly controlled her laughter and told me, "Idiot its 6:45 in the evening and you seemed to have got into a real deep sleep!" I have no words to describe how I felt but it instantly took me to a day which must be easily 13 years back if not more when my younger brother Vineet got up in a similar fashion and I actually increased his tension by nodding in agreement and said that he was late for school and the poor fellow started brushing his teeth at 6:45 in the evening! It was the same feeling which he had got 13 years back which I had today!

Indeed, what goes around comes around!