I had SIX HONEST SERVING MEN
They TAUGHT me all I knew.
Their names were : WHERE, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, HOW and WHO ! - Rudyard Kipling
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Bring back the love - Poem
So you seem to know now.
So much more.
So you seem to say now
so much more
So you seem to inspire us now
to mutually help each other
So now you seem to share
so much love
Its all about mindset
Diversify it Transform it
Think of love.
Think of Purpose
Think of initiative everyone takes for you
And bring back the love.
Note: has 14 lines but not a sonnet.
So much more.
So you seem to say now
so much more
So you seem to inspire us now
to mutually help each other
So now you seem to share
so much love
Its all about mindset
Diversify it Transform it
Think of love.
Think of Purpose
Think of initiative everyone takes for you
And bring back the love.
Note: has 14 lines but not a sonnet.
Khusbu - The Short Story
She was new in the medical college. The college was new, the city was new and also the language. She was a Chandigarh born Punjabi girl and this was one particular medical college based on the outskirts of Pune. She smiled like a free bird as she entered. She was happy.
On day one she was ragged. Not for fun or for ice breaking but for pure sadistic pleasure by her seniors. On day two, she was ragged again. She cried, she complained but no one cared for a non localite, introvert and shy petite girl that she was. She used to spend her time everyday alone. Had rarely any company and then the most boring part was the lonely feeling one gets in the evening as the sun sets.
She remembered her didi. Didi was not actually her sister but a friend who was 4-5 years older than she was and would always spend time with her when she was in town in Chandigarh. Didi was full of hope for life and even Khusbu hoped that one day she would be like didi.
One day Khusbu was standing outside the canteen when Daya a senior boy from 3 rd year asked her to hang out with him. She said that she would do no such thing. But Daya said that he was her senior and he wanted to do timepass with her. Khusbu shot him back and said that she is a respecting person and is not a timepass for anyone.
Over time other such incidents continued and the first sem got over. By now Khusbu had become a very bitter and grumpy person who hated people all around her especially boys. She never thought she would respect a boy ever again.
It was a normal Friday and Khusbu had just attended the first lecture on anatomy for the day. She got a call from an unknown number on her cellphone. Very defensively she picked up the call.
"hello Khusbu"
"yeah who is this"
"Mita"
"who"
"aree mita didi!!!"
"ha dummy its me....!!! and guess what I am standing right outside your college"
"What, how and how did you get my number... we have been out of touch in last 2 years"
Just come to the main reception.
And so Khusbu met Mita her didi and Ravi (Mita's work collegue who was just tagging along)
And they started talking. Mita told all about her life in archaeology, how Ravi a history expert was helping her uncover certain elements from the past and how it actually felt to be like Indiana Jones.
Ravi shared his experiences too about life and trivia about history particularly Pune.
And then Khusbu told them about the life as it was for her. Mita didi suggested a her a few things and so did Ravi about making new friends, about opening out and creating your own space. Ravi said,"Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary".
And then as suddenly as they had come they also had to leave. But Khusbu did started enjoying her life after that. She knew by now who was good, bad ugly and she carefully approached people and started talking with them. Slowly she made friends, slowly she had a group and no one teased her anymore.
After a few days when she organised a college event and did a fantastic job doing so, Daya came to her and she as usual ignored him.
"Hey Khusbu, I am sorry"
no answer.
"What I said was cheap and offensive and I had no idea what I was doing. I did not actually mean it"
no answer.
"I cant even say that I was naive but ...I "
"Daya I will forgive you this time but if you ever..." - she said as Ravi's words echoed in her head ("Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary". )
"I would never do something like this again," he said and she saw that his eyes were dead serious.
And then she smiled like a bird . She was happy once again. A carefree happy smile.
On day one she was ragged. Not for fun or for ice breaking but for pure sadistic pleasure by her seniors. On day two, she was ragged again. She cried, she complained but no one cared for a non localite, introvert and shy petite girl that she was. She used to spend her time everyday alone. Had rarely any company and then the most boring part was the lonely feeling one gets in the evening as the sun sets.
She remembered her didi. Didi was not actually her sister but a friend who was 4-5 years older than she was and would always spend time with her when she was in town in Chandigarh. Didi was full of hope for life and even Khusbu hoped that one day she would be like didi.
One day Khusbu was standing outside the canteen when Daya a senior boy from 3 rd year asked her to hang out with him. She said that she would do no such thing. But Daya said that he was her senior and he wanted to do timepass with her. Khusbu shot him back and said that she is a respecting person and is not a timepass for anyone.
Over time other such incidents continued and the first sem got over. By now Khusbu had become a very bitter and grumpy person who hated people all around her especially boys. She never thought she would respect a boy ever again.
It was a normal Friday and Khusbu had just attended the first lecture on anatomy for the day. She got a call from an unknown number on her cellphone. Very defensively she picked up the call.
"hello Khusbu"
"yeah who is this"
"Mita"
"who"
"aree mita didi!!!"
"ha dummy its me....!!! and guess what I am standing right outside your college"
"What, how and how did you get my number... we have been out of touch in last 2 years"
Just come to the main reception.
And so Khusbu met Mita her didi and Ravi (Mita's work collegue who was just tagging along)
And they started talking. Mita told all about her life in archaeology, how Ravi a history expert was helping her uncover certain elements from the past and how it actually felt to be like Indiana Jones.
Ravi shared his experiences too about life and trivia about history particularly Pune.
And then Khusbu told them about the life as it was for her. Mita didi suggested a her a few things and so did Ravi about making new friends, about opening out and creating your own space. Ravi said,"Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary".
And then as suddenly as they had come they also had to leave. But Khusbu did started enjoying her life after that. She knew by now who was good, bad ugly and she carefully approached people and started talking with them. Slowly she made friends, slowly she had a group and no one teased her anymore.
After a few days when she organised a college event and did a fantastic job doing so, Daya came to her and she as usual ignored him.
"Hey Khusbu, I am sorry"
no answer.
"What I said was cheap and offensive and I had no idea what I was doing. I did not actually mean it"
no answer.
"I cant even say that I was naive but ...I "
"Daya I will forgive you this time but if you ever..." - she said as Ravi's words echoed in her head ("Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary". )
"I would never do something like this again," he said and she saw that his eyes were dead serious.
And then she smiled like a bird . She was happy once again. A carefree happy smile.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Pune Watch - What I did not know last night
It is amazing to soak so much of the city in one single night. I speak as though I am a sponge but the experience last night was nothing short of it.
What I did not know last night was how it would unfold.
We began in the second half of the night with finding each other, queuing up in crowds of thousands to see the glimpse of the murtis and the decorations of various Ganpati mandals .
There were lathis used by police to control the people. And there were rivers of people flowing from one end of the street to the other. The crowds had filled streets right out of laxmi road and we floated from Shanivar peth, crossed linked across Shanivarwada, and finally reached our first intended place.
In all this me and my friends were finding out ways to not only transport ourselves in this river of people but were also shopping, clicking pictures, understanding the history and the stories behind each place, eating some Prasad and finding new areas, understanding the good and bad of the city and also appreciating some of the finest art and design display we could not even imagine on display.
Also visible was branding, marketing and social interactive communication by some corporates and enthusiast mandals. Like the play by a particular mandal about the need of re-establishing the sanity between the teacher- student bond and so on...
Like I said before - What I did not know last night was how it would unfold.
To be fair I still dont know for sure.
But one thing I am clear is that ...It was an humbling experience in the way society celebrates the vibrance, the social dialogue, connections and faith at the same time.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Pune Watch - The come back
Its been a week now since we have all come back and yet the space in our hearts crave for home. Yeah we all are sick, home sick! But the life moves on. The sweets and snacks brought from home get over. And the reality catches up.
But the city is spectacular right now. Dazzled with lights. Decorated with arches, puppet shows, danglers and much more. And I have not even travelled much. But the festival season is unique and I am glad to be in this city right now. Hopefully I can visit the city to view it in detail soon.
The public transport of this city is interestingly low and hence I sometimes feel a sense of awe when I do manage to find a bus which takes me where I want to go.
The hilltop has been dry this time round though this morning there were a few showers. The wallstreet looks good in rain and so this morning it looked lovely.
So overall its been an good comeback. I feel alive and kicking and that means that its been a good comeback.
But the city is spectacular right now. Dazzled with lights. Decorated with arches, puppet shows, danglers and much more. And I have not even travelled much. But the festival season is unique and I am glad to be in this city right now. Hopefully I can visit the city to view it in detail soon.
The public transport of this city is interestingly low and hence I sometimes feel a sense of awe when I do manage to find a bus which takes me where I want to go.
The hilltop has been dry this time round though this morning there were a few showers. The wallstreet looks good in rain and so this morning it looked lovely.
So overall its been an good comeback. I feel alive and kicking and that means that its been a good comeback.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Forest Gump
A journey is full of surprises and one of the most important aspect of any journey is whose shoes is one stepped into. Forest Gump had many shoes. One of a handicap, a footballer, of an army man, of an businessman, of an athlete, of an giver, of an lover, of an husband and most importantly of an father.
Forest was not bound by what people said about him. He was not retricted by limits nor thought himself as some one who had achieved anything extraordinary.
He just did what he thought he had to do and he was focused enough to do it well. He was not smart but he was persistent.
I believe that each one of us has a small forest within. The trick is to find it and keep on doing the good work.
Forest was not bound by what people said about him. He was not retricted by limits nor thought himself as some one who had achieved anything extraordinary.
He just did what he thought he had to do and he was focused enough to do it well. He was not smart but he was persistent.
I believe that each one of us has a small forest within. The trick is to find it and keep on doing the good work.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Nau pachpan ki last chai
Imagine that you have to reach someplace at 10 am. Its 10 minutes away if you walk and its 9.55 am. And you start walking with a cup of hot tea in hand. (the cup is wobbly and the tea is hot) If it spills your shirt will get stained. And you are a tea addict. If you dont have this tea, you day will go bad.
Now its a time to prioritize, to tea or not to tea (run for the time to be punctual) that is the question. But you love tea and hence you saviour the perfect blend of aroma, the incredibly rewarding taste and the strong flavour which dissolves in your mouth.
Then the clock strikes ten and you are late as you keep rushing to reach but you had a the last tea and yet the perfect tea.
Now its a time to prioritize, to tea or not to tea (run for the time to be punctual) that is the question. But you love tea and hence you saviour the perfect blend of aroma, the incredibly rewarding taste and the strong flavour which dissolves in your mouth.
Then the clock strikes ten and you are late as you keep rushing to reach but you had a the last tea and yet the perfect tea.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Mumbai Watch - The Drowning. (Come early next year)
Its interesting the way hundreds / and more idols of lord Ganesh get submerged in water during the Visarjan (the drowning) {sounds like a tittle of 90's Bollywood movie which had gems like - Takhat the Power. Vasthav - the reality and Himmat - the daring}. It was also interesting to see hundreds of devotees pray, for well being, for a better life, for their children's future.
So much of creativity is on display during the festival. The decorations. The chants of Shoklas, the mini/short cut poojas performed for the very emcompassing/adjustive God. {We lack Priests in Mumbai} http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&eddate=9/10/2010 and the best part about life is that we actually get to socialize during this festival.
We are an interesting bunch. We pray, hope, believe and then we say goodbye and then ask him to go away and come back next year.
But we are Mumbai afterall, everything is based on time. No soon no after. Only when it is due. Each day is work and each day is worth it.
So much of creativity is on display during the festival. The decorations. The chants of Shoklas, the mini/short cut poojas performed for the very emcompassing/adjustive God. {We lack Priests in Mumbai} http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&eddate=9/10/2010 and the best part about life is that we actually get to socialize during this festival.
We are an interesting bunch. We pray, hope, believe and then we say goodbye and then ask him to go away and come back next year.
But we are Mumbai afterall, everything is based on time. No soon no after. Only when it is due. Each day is work and each day is worth it.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Innovation through necessity
So the stage was set. 20 minutes. 7 people. All untrained actors. To perform on an unscripted street play which we were creating as well as performing.
So the going was tough. One could not speak Hindi. One could barely speak confidently. One could not act in middle tone. Worse that person was missing for 15 minutes out of the 20. One could not remember the lines. And thus everyone had a flaw.
But bad times bring in innovation. So the non Hindi speaking person became a mute, a very vital element of the story. The one who could not speak confidently barely scrapped through the lines. The non middle tone guy was given a high tone role.
But most important the one who forgot all his lines just reacted spontaneously on stage to situation and did not actually say any lines.
Final result. A successful content and appreciation.
Thus today once again innovation was done during necessity.
So the going was tough. One could not speak Hindi. One could barely speak confidently. One could not act in middle tone. Worse that person was missing for 15 minutes out of the 20. One could not remember the lines. And thus everyone had a flaw.
But bad times bring in innovation. So the non Hindi speaking person became a mute, a very vital element of the story. The one who could not speak confidently barely scrapped through the lines. The non middle tone guy was given a high tone role.
But most important the one who forgot all his lines just reacted spontaneously on stage to situation and did not actually say any lines.
Final result. A successful content and appreciation.
Thus today once again innovation was done during necessity.
Lost - the poem
When you feel lost
amidst everyone
Should you look for a shoulder to cry on
Or should you see old photos for nostalgia
Or should you skip lunch and ponder
over what's going on
or should you aimlessly wander
amidst everyone
Should you look for a shoulder to cry on
Or should you see old photos for nostalgia
Or should you skip lunch and ponder
over what's going on
or should you aimlessly wander
When you feel lost
amidst everyone
Should you smile with vacant expression
or should you just shut down your brain for sometime
and
then restart all over again.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Why comedy is so hard.
I think I am funny. But me thinking so, is like me calling myself talented. Thats not usually true.
But then I do find myself creating jokes (good ones and the bad - {a lots of bad ones}) all the time. Which in turn brings forth a doubt. Why is something so funny to me not funny at all to others and why something which is funny to others not funny for me.
Basically the golden question - why is comedy so hard?
To make someone laugh is one involuntary service human have engaged in since time began. It could be as unsophisticated as a fart, or a burp or sophisticated like a pun between words or a stand up act. But comedy is dealing with human mind. And each human mind is whole and complete. In-essence a human needs customized comedy to tickle his/her funny bone.
You have to engage the audience. You have to tell the story. Hence with my limited understanding here are golden rules of comedy.
Golden rules of comedy.
But then I do find myself creating jokes (good ones and the bad - {a lots of bad ones}) all the time. Which in turn brings forth a doubt. Why is something so funny to me not funny at all to others and why something which is funny to others not funny for me.
Basically the golden question - why is comedy so hard?
To make someone laugh is one involuntary service human have engaged in since time began. It could be as unsophisticated as a fart, or a burp or sophisticated like a pun between words or a stand up act. But comedy is dealing with human mind. And each human mind is whole and complete. In-essence a human needs customized comedy to tickle his/her funny bone.
You have to engage the audience. You have to tell the story. Hence with my limited understanding here are golden rules of comedy.
Golden rules of comedy.
- Start each funny routine with the thought that you know nothing.
- Don't expect unrealistic rewards
- Every single humour you achieve makes a difference.
A facebook post - memory
Grishma Nair Golu, usski Maa, usska bevda Pita, Sarpanch, Mitthu, Babloo, Dadaji, a nasal singer, phool wali, and many more...................... Few hours in the Modern Rural India!! :) :)
Thursday, September 02, 2010
A chat with the enemy - a short story
His big bulky eyes stared at me and his question lead me deep into the spiral of silence. The very fact that I existed bought out the worst in both of us and we knew that we were better off avoiding each other.
But then one fine day the enemy walks up to me and offers me a cigar.
“Have it” he says “Its my birthday”
I look at him and few moments go by in complete silence.
Something seemed wrong in those big bulky eyes and that sly smile. (One which know it all have).
“No its not poisoned” he says.
But I still linger with the cigar in my hand.
I did not smoke. But today was not about what I did not do. Today was about what I can do.
“I quit smoking, 35 years ago”. I said and I felt it was a nice joke.
But he not feel so, no laugh not even a chuckle
But he was an enemy after all.
So many times I tried to not think about him. So many times I left the place he was with pleasure so I could avoid him. I felt anger every time I see him, but strangely I still respect him.
So Cigar it was. And I finally lit one.
How’s family ? I asked.
Family is good. Family is always good.
In my head (Yeah right how they must be bearing with you…)
How’s yours ?
Excellent Never been better.
I must say you turn out OK , old sport
You are doing Great Gatsby with me.
Get out of here
No you get out of here.
And then we did actually moved on. We are still enemies. But we did share a little moment of peace.
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