Friday always bring the cheers and smile for me! Hardly there is any Friday when I am not happy. The only reason I can think for that is, Friday is the last working day!!! And I guess I am not the one. It’s the same story for majority of people who work in a 5 day work culture, of course from Monday to Friday.
This Friday has brought in extra smiles, today being the last working day, the Salary day! :-)
Its 1.15 am in the morning of Saturday, for me its still Friday night, and I am not feeling like sleeping. Right now, watching the SL v/s NZ tie of the T-20 world cup.
It’s raining outside, the weather has become awesome, the cool breeze bringing heavenly feeling it. I have just had a cup of ginger tea half an hour back. Do not know out of the blue, suddenly felt like having a cup of tea! And I hardly say “No” to tea!
It was an all smiles Friday and I suppose it’s the onset of yet another lazy weekend :-)
I think the title of the post seems interesting! Because from the title one might not be able to guess what I am trying to convey, or one might think I have written the words twice. However that is not the case, for both of the conditions that I mentioned are not true.
Infact, if I be honest, perhaps the title has a very deep meaning hidden inside it.
I was poring through the pages of my diary today and found a very interesting quote written some time back. I guess I got that as sms and quickly jotted down in my diary.
If I explain it, the first भागलोrefers to “Participate” and the second one refers to “Run away” And if I say it is perfectly true. For every situation in life, especially tough ones, we really have a choice to run away from the problem or to find a solution for the problem.
Need I say any thing more? Just think the meaning it conveys!
Every person has its own way of dealing with the problems but in my opinion the first one, “to participate” is much simpler than the second one “to run away” :-)
आज बैठे बैठे विचार कर रहा था की क्यों हम लोग कल की इतनी चिंता क्यों करते हैं ? हम में से किसी ने भी कल नहीं देखा है, तदापि हम इश्वर के दिए आज को छोड़ कर कल कि चिंता में डूबे रहते हैं! हम उस वस्तु को पकड़ने कि कोशिश करते हैं जिसे हम कभी चाह कर भी नहीं पकड़ सकते! इसे आश्चर्य किन्तु सत्य कहते है. कल तो बहुत बड़ी बात है हमे तो यह भी पता नहीं होता कि अगले क्षण क्या होने वाला है.
आज अपने मानस पटल पे यही पंक्तियाँ छाप रहा था ताकि मुझे कल कि चिंता न हो -
मेरे मन क्यों होवे है बावरा जब साथ में है, हाथ में मुरली लिए सावरा
Today I am sharing my experience of travelling by Rajdhani for the first time. I wrote this while travelling in the train, 3 months back!
Here I go-
I am writing this while travelling in the 2429 Rajdhani express from Bangalore to H.Nizamuddin. I am on my way to Bhopal to attend marriage of one of my friend’s sister. It’s been just more than 15 days since I last travelled on this train. My first ever journey in the Rajdhani was on 13th of January 2010 up to Nagpur.
I just thought to put down few words for my Rajdhani experience as I feel Rajdhani is supposedly the most prestigious train in our county after Shatabdi. I am not very sure, but I think both Rajdhani and Shatabdi are at par.
In my childhood days, I exactly do not remember the class; we had a chapter in Geography subject on Indian Railways. I distinctly remember in that it was mentioned that Rajdhani and Shatabdi are the best trains of India. There were few factors mentioned as to what make them the best. Some of them were the speed, less no of stoppages, hospitality etc. Since then I had a fascination as to when I would get an opportunity to travel in this distinctly “elite” train.
I never got an opportunity because wherever I was, be it Indore for studies or Mumbai for my first job, there was either no Rajdhani services to my place of interest, or the distance of travel was so less that I never felt the need to take a Rajdhani. It was only after moving to Bangalore I got an opportunity and also the need for Rajdhani. The day came for me when I had to go to Jabalpur. The best route to go there is from Nagpur. I searched for the trains to Nagpur and on the list saw “Rajdhani”. Without giving a second thought, I booked the tickets for the same. More than the Rajdhani factor it was the convenience of the time. The train departs at 20.20 from Bangalore, which means I could peacefully attend the office and go.
When I was leaving for station, I was quite excited that I am going to travel in one of the most prestigious train of the country! On reaching the station, when I saw the Rajdhani, I was a bit disappointed. For the status of Rajdhani, the looks were pretty shabby. Going by human nature, we form a first impression by looks only! And the same happened with me and my first thought was, “Is this Rajdhani”? I double checked the train number and indeed it was the same train that I was going to travel.
It happens always, that one way or the other, Murphy’s laws applies to you in every situation that you are eager for. Same happened with me and my fascination turned in to more disappointment when I saw the toilets in the train! Good heavens! They were dirtier than the toilets of a passenger train! For a moment, I thought, did I pay so much of money for this? What is the big deal about Rajdhani?
The answer to my questions was given by Indian Railways, during my rest of the journey, through their hospitality. And at the end of my journey, though a bit disappointed, I felt it was worth it!
The hospitality of the IRCTC started the moment the wheels of the train started rolling. The train attendant came and distributed the hand napkins. After that one of the pantry car attendants came and distributed the packaged water bottles. A few minutes later, it was the soup time before dinner. The pantry car attendant came back with breadsticks, a butter cube and a small sachet of pepper, all neatly arranged in a plastic tray. After distributing this to everybody in the compartment, he brought tomato soup. After the soup appetizer, it was the time for dinner. The attendant came out with dinner, all the dishes packed in small paper containers, arranged in the tray. The desserts were served along with dinner. The meal had a fairly good taste and more importantly everything was fresh!
Next morning, the attendant came in with bed tea! Who on earth would like to get up in the morning at 6.00 am in the train, to have a bed tea! But they have to follow the same as it is a part of their services. Moreover, the passengers who have to alight at Secunderabad do get up by then. I happily denied having tea as I was too reluctant to get up!
8.00 am was the breakfast time and the attendant was again back, with the tray! The breakfast had Idli, Upma, and a can of fruit juice. At about 8.30 am we were served tea. At about 12 noon, the attendant was back with soup as it was the lunch time. This time it was sweet corn soup. Lunch followed soup. After lunch, it was the time for dessert and I was surprised that they served Ice cream!
I alighted at Nagpur at 3.30 pm. I was not feeling tired, because the journey was quite comfortable. The hospitality was the boon. I thought that you do not need to worry about anything if you travel by Rajdhani. Your all meal requirements are taken care by them. Though initially I was disappointed, but at the end I was happy to have travelled and experience the country’s one of the most prestigious trains!
A very successful businessman, having all the materialistic blessings was unhappy and turbulent from inside. Despite having each and everything under the sun that money can get he used to be despondent most of the time.
He was an ardent devotee of God and used to go to temple regularly. He often used to wonder and say to God, “God, you have given me everything, then why not peace?”
One fine day, when he was returning from his regular visit to the temple, he stopped at a tea stall near by to have a cup of tea. He saw that the tea vendor was happily singing praises for Lord Krishna and serving tea to his customers.
The man was surprised that this fellow is so poor, earning a meager income, makes tea for his living, wearing shabby and torn clothes and yet he is so happy!
He called him and asked, “Are you happy with what you get?”
“Yes Sir, I am happy, Krishna is great”, he said.
“So, do you never feel the need to earn wealth for your betterment?” the man asked in utter disbelief and surprise!
“No Sir, Krishna takes care of me”, the poor fellow gave a cheerful answer.
The rich man was astonished a lot. He kept thinking of this fellow and again asked God, “You have given that man nothing, yet he is so pacified and happy. Why I am not?”
The God this time replied, “My dear son, I take care of each and every person. You always used to pray me to give all the worldly desires you wanted. Your desires were never ending and I kept fulfilling all of them. You should be happy for that”
“No, I am not. He is. What did that fellow asked for, so that you gave him so much contentment?”, the rich man said.
God replied calmly, “My dear son, he never asked for anything. He always said- Thanks for Everything”
24th April is Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday! Many of his fans, like me would always remember the date! No words can describe him, and writing about him would be like lamp showing light to sun!
We have grown up watching Sachin play and he still continues to sizzle us! He still inspires lacs of children of this country who want to be like him.
Thanks Sachin for taking the load of hopes of billions of people every time you go out to bat!
Wishing you many many Happy returns of the day! Happy Birthday Sach! :-)
Bangalore had thunderous showers today! It was quite dark in the evening at 4.00 pm itself. God made the earth happy with his love nectar. The showers have made the weather quite pleasant! The aroma of the mud blended in cool zephyr is simply majestic and cannot be described in words. It feels as if I am sitting in heaven!
When I was leaving the office, it was raining heavily. On one hand I was happy that it is raining, on the other hand, I was disappointed that I cannot drench myself in the heavenly nectar. The reason for not getting drenched was my laptop! Because of that damn thing I was missing the thing I enjoy the most!
The water was simply irresistible and I decided to play a trick. I kept my laptop back in the office, and went to the open area just to get a little wet! There are some things in life, for which I think one should keep the so called “mind” at bay and simply listen to what “heart” says.
When I was done, I took my laptop and ran towards the bus parking area! I did not want the laptop to go kaput in any case.
As I alighted at my stop, the rain had almost stopped, so I was assured that I need not run to my home! While I was walking back towards my home, I saw a puddle of water! It reminded me of my childhood days, when I used to jump in the water puddle and splash the water.
My heart said to become a child again and I happily obeyed it! I looked here and there to confirm that nobody is around and then simply jumped in to the puddle!
Chap chap chapaak… !
The water flew in all the directions with a splash. Honestly, I cannot describe the contentment and happiness after that! My trouser got stained completely but it is a very small price to pay for a big happiness. I just remembered the Surf excel advertisement at that time, “Daag lagne se agar kucch achcha hota hai, to daag achche hai na?”
I came home and made some steamy pakodas with a cup of ginger tea :-)
Rains, Pakodas, Ginger Tea and IPL, what more can you ask for? ;-)
One fine day I was out for a tea break, sitting in a restaurant near my office, searching for a piece of paper in my wallet and while fumbling for that I saw a decade old ten rupee note there. I exactly do not remember when did I keep the same in my wallet but I am sure from its texture that I kept it long time back, hidden, so that I do not spend it.
The note has our national emblem on it, unlike the smiling Mahatma on today’s notes.
A smile flashed on my face on seeing that note and I eventually rolled my memories back to my childhood days when the ten rupee note really had a value and meant world to me!
In the 1990’s when I was a kid, the ten rupee was a big thing for me because my pocket money used to be twenty rupees a month. I believe, pocket money was, just an additional incentive given to me because all my justified demands were fulfilled by my parents. I could demand anything anytime provided that has to be justified!
I think when I used to get that two ten rupee notes from my dad, I felt as if I have won the world! Every month that used to be the happiest part. For me twenty rupees were sufficient because my dreams were big but desires were low. I could get everything I want and yet save some money from those twenty rupees. In my opinion, every Indian who belongs to middle class has the fundamentals of money management in blood. How to spend and where to spend, you do not need to teach! I was well adept in spending the money I got.
I remember I always used to keep ten rupees in my pocket. It was a symbol of pride for me to just pull my collar up in front of my friends. Moreover, it was for safety also, just in case if it is required for anything, for example if my bicycle gets flat tyre etc. I would occasionally eat samosas from my school canteen and that would cost one rupee each for a samosa. The swankiest of the pen or the pencil at that time came for five rupees. Poppins, my favorite chocolate at that time, cost 1 rupee. So perhaps ten rupees meant that I could get anything for me!
It is said that richness is a state of mind and depends on how much you define richness for yourself. For me having ten rupees was the definition of being rich.
I came back from my reverie when the waiter came back and said, “Sir, your tea”. I had my tea smiling on the wave of memories that I just had. When I went to the counter to pay the bill, it was ten rupees! I took out a five hundred rupee note with a sense of pride, paid the bill, took the change and came back.
I was wondering on the contrasting picture I just witnessed. At time, I could get everything for ten rupees and now I could just have a cup of tea! At time, ten rupees were the world and a thing to treasure and now I do not have count of ten rupees that I waste on unnecessary things! My salary doesn’t give the joy those ten rupees used to give. Actually, the dwindling value of ten rupees was wondering me!
It didn’t take me long time to realize that I was wrong. Ten rupees still hold a lot of significance. A few days later, I went to my native town where we have our ancestral home. The house got opened after a long time so naturally there was lot of dusting and cleaning that needed to be done. We called a local labor to do the cleaning activity. My uncle promised that if does a good job he will be given ten rupees! The poor fellow agreed happily and I could clearly see the glint of ten rupees in his eyes. He toiled hard for couple of hours and did a good job. My uncle gave him ten rupees and he was ecstatic. I called him separately and gave him another note. His happiness knew no bounds. It was comparable to what I used to have when I get two ten rupee notes in my childhood. I was happy to know that the note still carries weight!
For me, a ten rupee note could have only earned a cup of tea but for that fellow it might have meal for a day!
My mind generates contrasting feelings when it is the onset of Saturday and when it is the onset of Monday! The weekend is about to end and I am getting myself ready for yet another day and week in office! This is life and the wheel of time rotates like this.
I had a very chilled weekend! Almost did nothing except relaxing and eating! One of my close friends, Gaurav had come over to my place on Saturday. We thought of going for dinner outside but then suddenly changed plans to make Paav Bhaaji at home.
It had been quite a long time since I had Paav Bhaaji. Infact, if I be honest, I last had it in Mumbai. After coming to Bangalore, I made friendship with Idlis and Dosas, so never got a chance to have Paav Bhaaji! Once I tried to have it at a hotel here, but it was so “awesome” that I had to leave the plate as it is! I really miss the Paav Bhaaji that I used to have at Cannon, outside Mumbai CST.
So that was a perfect plan! In that way, we thought we would recall some golden college moments! Gaurav and I used to be roomies at that time and every Sunday used to be a “feast” day. We used to cook together something special. We immediately took guard and got all the things required.
Gaurav then made the Bhaaji and I toasted the Paav. The joint effort was fruitful, and we relished our meal! It was so good to have it after such a long time.
And today, since our cook takes leave in the evening, being Sunday, I decided to have Andhra style Thaali! Sahil, another close crony and current roomie, and I went to Nandhini to have the same. The food, needless to say, was awesome!
I had a sumptuous weekend, and my taste buds are thanking me to provide them a variety, after a long time!
Its time to get prepared for office! Ironing clothes and all :-(
Well, the title is not intended to reflect anything about a typical Ekta Kapoor serial, but my observation while I was going to office today! I was a bit late today and got the 9.30 bus. As I entered the bus, the conductor passed a smile towards me and I replied with the same gesture. We do not talk but yes I know him and vice versa very well by face. Only our smiles talk. He is known to me yet a stranger!
This reminds me of the similar sort of familiarity with strangers, when I was in Mumbai. Most of the times, I used to catch the 8.40 NMMT bus. The driver, the conductor and the fellow passengers almost all used to be same. Mumbai is a city where every second count! If you have ever lived in Mumbai, you would always respect yours and others time! Because “time” is the only thing that Mumbaikars always feel is very scanty at their disposal. So naturally, the public transport is also driven by time, 7.30am CST fast or 9.15am 523 Dindoshi bus! And if you miss your usual local or bus, one thing is sure, you ought to get late!
As the time passed, because of catching the same bus daily, we all developed a relation of smile with each other. No words exchanged, just smile. The 8.40 bus used to be our meeting Dias, where all the conversation was done without exchanging words! We were known, yet strangers! Jaane pehchaane ajnabi!
When it comes to choice, I prefer tea to coffee. However, it is not that I do not like coffee. It is just a slight preference of taste. But in this week, for the last four days, I have consumed coffee like anything! Tea actually took a back seat!
I have been actually working continuously for 12-15 hours daily since Monday. And believe me a cup of cappuccino, or to be rather precise, many cups of cappuccino have helped me in keeping my senses awake and putting that effort. They might have not relieved from the tiredness but at least they created an illusion which made me feel that I am recharged!
For the last 4 days, we have meetings and discussions going on for a very ambitious project that we are going to start soon. The whole day goes in to that. And after that, I have to look in to my current project which is ready for UAT. Friends are complaining that I am not putting mails, being “too busy”. Busy, I must say, is a misleading and tricky word and is for people those who do not want to do! Ask yourself when you fail to accomplish something like for example, calling a friend; you just take the lame excuse of being “busy”. I am also no exception and do the same. But only one thing, which I can pull my collar up for, is I always reply to mails addressed to me or the calls I missed! Reactive reaction :-) Something is better than nothing always!
I have made a good friendship with cappuccino these days. Before any discussion, I do not forget to take a cup with me because it helps in keeping awake at least for a while. And whenever I feel fatigue, I rush to the vending machine to get a one. Effectively I am taking 4 to 5 cups daily! Getting too much, but when the things will be fine, I will say good bye to it.
If you think you can buy everything with money, you are wrong! There are situations, when you feel helpless despite having all the money in the world! The old adage came true for me today.
I had denominations of almost every note of the INR in my wallet yet I felt helpless today in the morning. I had planned to go early to office today. And as it happens with most of the cases, Murphy’s Law comes true, when you want it not to come near you!
In the morning, when I reached the bus stop, I waited for almost 30 minutes and there was no bus coming in the direction to my office. I was getting impatient, and came to know from some people talking, that there is a bus strike today! WTF!!!!!!! Was my first reaction! In those 30 minutes, the bus stop had become a busy platform of a Mumbai suburb station, where scores of people wait for their local train!
Having no hopes to get a bus now, I then looked out for a rickshaw, but there was none! I then felt at times even Money cannot help you! Money was unable to find a conveyance for me to take me to office!
I did not know how I would reach the office. Lady Luck smiled on me, seeing on my condition, and I could see a private minibus coming in my direction. I never ever take those buses because they stop here and there and wait until it gets filled with passengers. However, this was not the time to think twice! As soon as it stopped, people thronged on it. As I have been to Mumbai in the past, I am very well versed in boarding a crowded bus/train! I pushed myself in somehow, and moments later there was not even space to breathe! I thanked God that somehow I would reach the office. I promptly informed my friends then so that they arrange some conveyance for themselves.
This is perhaps the most disappointing thing in our country! Some people for their political interests take whole city to ransom! They never think how it affects the common man because of that!
I reached office, 40 minutes later, in all after about one and half hour since I left my home, completely drenched in sweat! The only good thing was that I reached, finally!
One fine day, last week, when we were out for a tea break, a colleague and a senior of mine told me casually to show him my hand. I wondered why all of a sudden he wants to see my hand! He than gave the answer to my surprised look, saying that he is an amateur astrologer and learning the ancient Indian science. Though I believe in astrology and all and like myself to read on the subject, yet when it comes to know about future, I am very reluctant. I firmly believe in enjoying the present and letting each day come as it is and there is no point in knowing the future.
He was pestering me and as he was senior to me, I hesitantly showed him my hand. He looked at it keenly for few minutes and started telling whatever he read. He told that my “Line of Fate” is very good and I will earn lots of money! The thing that he told made me happy and if I say any person under the sun would get happy on hearing that. He also asked me whether I need any specific question to be answeredrelated to marriage, job, property etc and told me that he would do it free of cost for me, else he charges 200 rupees! I was surprised a lot and know he was joking but politely said no stating that I am happy with what I have.
Infact to be true, many amateur astrologers have told me that I will earn lotsa, but the fact of the matter is, my account balance does not reflect it in any sense!
Though it was a short conversation, it led me give few thoughts to this practice. Astrology is perhaps one of the oldest sciences of India. It is still a question of debate, whether to consider that as a science or not! In my opinion it is a mystic science, which is so deep rooted that it is not easy for common person like us to understand its depth. Those who have truly acquired this science would not advertise themselves!
In our country you can find this science in every nook and corner. It is a very common scene to see people with “Know your future” board sitting under trees. Call it Irony of fate, those who themselves are unaware of their future, are making fool out of innocent people by telling their future! When I was in Mumbai, I saw an Astrologer who had opened a stall in a plush mall in the western suburbs. He had many fat books neatly arranged on his table, just to attract attention, I suppose. And keeping pace with modern trends, he had a laptop also. The consulting fee was 500 rupees. For a moment, I thought that if I get in to this field I can earn more whatever I am doing now by writing software code!
In small towns also, you will find these astrologers sitting under the Banyan tree, keeping few books along with a signboard. Infact I have also seen people sitting with parrots. I still wonder that how a parrot is able to tell a person’s future. To increase the wonder is the fact that people also believe in it!
TV channels have also led to the commercialization of the Astrology. Every morning you can see some “pundit” telling what the day is in store for you as per your sun sign, on every news channel. And there are many people who plan their day as per that. Isn’t a thing of astonishment?
If God has given stomach, then perhaps he only takes care of the meals for that! These people are having a ball because of the tendency of, we, the people. Most of the people I have seen are more worried about their future than enjoying whatever is in their hands. Before taking on any venture, they are keen to know the outcome. This tendency of ours is the sharpest weapon for these people!
Anyway, this is an endless debate and these people will make merry till we change our mindset. And I do not see that changing for quite a long time.
As far as my opinion goes, I do not believe in the stars but the “one” who has “created” them!
God, I think, is perhaps the most difficult code to decipher! He can’t be seen, can’t be heard but yes can’t be felt around like the cocoon of air. Yes! He can only be felt or experienced. No logic in the world can explain him! It takes only faith to understand him. If you repose that faith you will find that he always walk with you holding your hand!
I firmly believe in him and I think majority of the people in our country or rather the world believes in him. Exceptions are always there though and you will find a lot of atheists also! But I have seen, few people, turning from atheist to theist when smitten by bad times.
It is Thursday today, and as a part of my routine I went to the SaiBabaTemple nearby to my house. On Thursdays, I make it a point to visit the temple, if I can. Although, it is sort of a rule, but not hard and fast one. Sometimes there are circumstances, like coming late from office etc, I miss it. God resides in my heart for me but visiting temple provides a different league of tranquility, beyond words.
I made an interesting observation in the temple today. I saw a lot of small children with their parents in the temple. It is not a very uncommon scene yet I put my thoughts on it today. I saw the children joining their hands in the front of the supreme. I am sure they were doing what the parents were telling them to do, unknowing of what they are doing. I was keenly observing. While returning home, I was thinking on this only.
I suppose our roots to being a “theist” lies in this matter of fact. We are told to believe in Him since our childhood only! Our parents take us to temple when we are kid. There are lots of poojas performed in our homes on special occasions. We are told of his supremacy. We are told that, “He always does for best. He will take care of us”. And since the pot becomes as the potter moulds it, we start believing in the almighty as we start growing up! We start believing in a “fact” without actually knowing anything about him. However, the problem comes when we study science and start questioning. Science find reasoning in everything whereas “He” starts where all the reasoning ends and belief begins!
Though however questionable we become, pretty soon we start experiencing him! Just remember how many times have you might have said, “God Please help me in passing this exam!” I do not know about anybody else but I have said it for almost all the exams that I have taken!And remember going to temple for distributing “Prasad” after passing the exams with flying colors!
If you believe me, he really does make his presence felt, one way or the other!
यह तो विश्वास की बात है. मानना या न मानना अपनी अपनी इच्छा है!
