ASPIRATIONS

At the road crossing

2011-06-27T16:06:00.003+05:30

My nephew and I were returning home from shopping. We had to take a right turn. Ahead of us were a few more two wheelers. Checking both sides, we noticed a bus standing on the right side waiting for passengers to alight.. Seeing no vehicles moving on either side we decided to take the right turn. The bus driver was seeing the vehicles take the turn. But hasty that he was he did not want to stop for more time. When it was my turn to take the right turn I slowed down a bit to at the turning. I came half way through crossing the bus, when he hit my bike and my bike slid down. Luckily neither my nephew nor I was hurt, a little shaken though. As I lifted my bike I turned to the driver who fortunately stopped the bus. And he had the nerve to shift the blame all on to me. Initially I remained silent. But as he made it look like all was my fault, I retorted back.

Why did I not go fast – that was his question? While turning one usually slows down the vehicle which is what I was doing I replied. But he was not keen in accepting it and blah blah he went on.

Oh please I said, the fault is yours to keep moving the vehicle when you have seen us pass through to the right. Just please stop speaking and do not make it look like it is my fault I yelled at the driver and left in a huff.

It took me back to another incident in Delhi. My sister in law and I were returning home and just that time the driver of a mini truck behind us stopped his vehicle on the right side of the road near the road divider but decided to go straight though the signal given was red for him. And hit he did our vehicle. Wanting to support myself from falling, I used my right hand as a balance. Well my little finger and the ring finger are yet to be relieved of the pain, even though one month has already passed.

It probably is not much to bother about I suppose. But the attitude of the drivers and the way they drive the vehicles…surely makes me wonder - is there no chance of some brightness seen in the way we discipline ourselves on roads.

Careless I was...

2011-06-19T15:06:00.003+05:30

Though the incident occurred last month….it is fresh in my memory and I know it shall be there forever.

During our stay in Delhi, my husband and I went out for an early morning walk. And so it happened on this fateful day, of course I had a lot of restrictions this time – not to sit in a park, only half hour and not more than that and so on…and
he willingly obliged and off we set for our morning walk.

Adhering to my restrictions, we were returning back home. Having entered our colony I noticed a two wheeler zip past us, something made me just tell to myself, the people in Delhi are really morning birds, out so early to start their work. How right I was. The bike made a U turn and came near us and within a few seconds, I found myself trying to call out to my husband who was few feet ahead of me. Words failed to come instantly. Finally a frantic attempt and I called out to him. He could not make out what I was telling? And at last the words stumbled out from my mouth – my chain….those guys on the bike have snatched my chain. They had already done a turn and were no longer within our vicinity. We just noticed that they wore helmets…so no recognition of anything at all – no idea, about what two wheeler they used – I thought it was a motorbike and my husband thought it was a bajaj chetak, no idea if it happened to be men or women. I just noticed that the pillion rider was wearing an orange shirt. With that information, nothing seemed bright at all. Tears streaming down, we entered our home, with my husband consoling me saying that I was indeed fortunate that they did not use anything so as to injure me in the process.

That afternoon, we had to visit a doctor. And there we noticed a group of people and a policeman had been called. Soon there arrived a jeep with three more policemen. One of the shop owner had called the police. Reason – 3 more chain snatching reported in that area. My husband took that chance to inform the police of that morning’s incident. Well it was just information to the police only – not that we expect any action whatsoever.( From what I heard, some of the police are hand in hand with the chain snatchers.) As I climbed up the stairs to return home, I found three ladies giving me a – we are of the same group smile – they were the 3 victims of that day. Smiling back, we returned home.

Well this episode could have been avoided – if and if only I had agreed to go to a nearby park and just enjoy nature, if and if only I had agreed to go for an hour’s walk rather than a half hour walk, if and if I had been on the left side of my husband giving little chance for the snatchers to get away with their booty.
And the best way to have avoided this incident was - if and only if I had paid heed to the caution given by my aunty and I had something to protect my neck.
Now I know it will be a regret that I will carry always.

Graffiti - The Hindu

2011-03-26T17:50:00.002+05:30

I like the quotes that are published in The Hindu - Metro Plus...Graffiti
today's graffiti:

Heredity is the worst traits coming from the other parent.

Love Triangle - here and there

2010-12-30T07:21:00.004+05:30

He was indebted to his rich childhood friend without whose help climbing the ladder of life was next to impossible. A debt which he knew he would never be able to repay.

There was this beautiful lady he was in love with. She too reciprocated his love.

One day when his friend expressed his love for this beautiful lady, he thanks God for the opportunity given to repay his debt. Off he goes with his childhood friend’s proposal to her.

When she refuses he insists saying love is nothing without sacrifice. Sacrifice what love itself is it she retorts back. He refused to listen and leaves her asking her to forget him forever.

Not willing to be another man’s wife she takes her own life away.
Friend has been listening to the conversation between these two. Not wanting to be in their way and yet not able to forget her he too kills himself.
Distraught by the death of his childhood friend and lover, he too commits suicide.
At heaven the friends meet and feel happy for each other. While hugging each other they notice her approaching them.

who is the fool?

2010-12-26T15:49:00.004+05:30

I was just watching this serial. One person in this serial happens to be real fool or at least considered by others as fool. Another person residing in the same locality is in need of Rs.15000/- After trying all his friends, and meeting only with disappointment, he is returning home and enroute meets this so called fool. After they exchange the basic courtesy, our friend on being insisted why he looks so dejected decides there is no harm in telling his requirement and finding out if the fool can help him.

Here is how their conversation goes:
Aapke paas kuch rupye honge kya?
Kitna chahiye?
pandhrah hazaar rupye chahiye, hai kya aapke paas?
Nahi ji, mere paas tho sirf pachis hazaar rupye hain.
Oh koi baat nahin, mai kisi aur se pooch loonga…

Do you have any cash
How much do you need
I need Rs.15000, do you have it?
No, I have only Rs.25000
Oh no problem at all, I will ask someone else.

Now who is the fool here??

Unpleasantness in a showroom

2010-12-25T14:09:00.004+05:30

There is this showroom recently opened in my locality. At my friend’s suggestion that it held a lot of varieties at reasonable rates, I thought why not give it a go. Along with my daughter I entered the textile showroom. For a new showroom it lacked the sense of neatness. Clothes were heaped on tables. Oh yes there were some on the hangers and some on the shelf too. But the tables had the most of them. Digging into the table we found a dress which we thought was looking ok. As we removed it from the pile….a sudden stench of sweat greeted our nose. The depth of stench came exactly from the dress which we felt was good in terms of pattern, design and colour. We could not continue our purchase in that showroom. It lacked neatness, cleanliness and hygiene…………..and thereby making us hurry for the exit.

But that made me ponder. Most of the showrooms have a trial room for customers to try on the dress and then go ahead to choose to buy or not. What would be the best way to avoid this unpleasantness? An unpleasantness, that makes one walk out of the shop. I think the answer lies, a lot on the customer as much as it lies on the showroom owner and salesperson.

The kids these days…

2010-12-18T13:09:00.002+05:30

We have a kids' pool in our residential complex. Many kids enjoy splashing and playing in the water. Rainy season or weather being chill is no excuse to stop them from entering the pool. Parents, who do try to, are branded the worst parents (especially the mothers) one could ever come across because they are the biggest obstacles coming in the way of the children’s happiness and enjoyment.

This one child’s act on one day though is worth mentioning.

The guard drains the water from the pool by around 6 pm. So this day too he did the same. My neighbor saw that though the guard had opened the valve to drain the water…the water level was not receding. And all the kids were enjoying the pool with same enthusiasm. Well not all, she noticed one kid standing in a corner, his face filled with happiness to see his friends jump and splash around the water. She went up to him and asked him why he was standing aside and wondered aloud why the water was not getting drained. Giving her a look of – what you don’t know this - he replied that he was standing aside so that his feet blocked the hole where the water gets drained and that is the same reply as to why the water was not getting drained. A look of delight was very much explicit in the kid’s face.
Oh god the kids these days indeed.

MIND

2010-12-05T07:37:00.004+05:30

Very difficult indeed it is to control the mind. It tends to tread on and adhere to exactly those memories that we don't want it to go. It plays a wonderful role in remembering and raking up those issues that we

really want to forget.

down the memory lane

2010-11-09T17:53:00.004+05:30

Going down the memory lane
I went through my life again
Many incidents that did bring
Silent tears to my eyes
And still many did bring
A happy smile on my lips
Many a memory I did find
To last forever in mind

Life

2010-11-03T13:53:00.000+05:30

Many different ways in life to share
Many different ways in life to care
Many different ways in life to love
Many different ways in life to live

But only when a catastrophe strikes us
That shatters us and tears us apart -
That too sometimes way too late
Do we choose to change the path.

Traffic Constable

2010-10-13T15:05:00.004+05:30

I was walking down the road in Adyar and turned into a smaller street. Four young men on two bikes went past me. They were suddenly stopped by a traffic constable. I could not assess what wrong these four young men could have done. They were on the right side of the road. They had not entered the wrong side of a one way. They were wearing helmets. There were only two men in each bike. The speed with which they crossed me showed they were within speed limits. Then why did the traffic constable stop them. The young men were showing their licence but the traffic constable seemed not contented. The men were then seen searching their pockets. I was almost nearing them when the traffic constable lifted his head and his face showed a change. I looked in that direction and saw a beautiful young lady approach him with a beautiful smile. It was exactly the time when the boys gathered some money from their pockets and turned to hand it over to the constable. “Please sir, this is all we have.” one of the young man was saying. As this beautiful lady neared the constable, I heard him advice the boys not to over speed and also to ensure such mistakes did not happen again. And he let them go. Heaving a sigh of relief at not having been given a fine and that they did not have to part with their money, the young men left, smiling and silently thanking the beautiful young lady.
I heard the beautiful lady ask the traffic constable for some address as I continued my walking.
Wow...what difference a beautiful lady on the road could bring about!!!

Deepu's school sports day

2010-10-02T15:31:00.005+05:30

October 1st was Deepu’s school sports day. He was rejected during the preliminaries held at school. Very upset he said it was all due to his friends’ fault who failed to keep to their track and marching the wrong way during march-past. As such he was not in any event. I told him participation was important and he had participated in most of the events and that is all that matters. On his insisting I went to attend the sports day function of Navadisha Montessori School.

As soon as he reached the stadium he asked me and his sister Anu, to sit. Saying he has to be with his other friends he just absconded. Soon the events started and I was enjoying the tiny tots in action. I was amused by one particular event. Kids from 1st standard lined up for a 50 meter race. These kids had seen others run and not knowing how far they have to run, they continued their race past the finishing line. Wow…no stop at all they just enjoyed running and were in action. The PT master had to run behind them to stop them. 50 meter race and they had already crossed 200 meter mark. Their innocence was just beautiful to see.

Ok back to my son Deepu. He came sometime later saying he was thirsty. Took the water bottle and as a passing remark he mentioned about a puppy that lay hurt and bleeding. Again zoom he vanished. Past lunch time he came to me and said he was hungry. I gave him his packet of lunch. Saying he would eat with his friends off he went again. An hour later, time to go home and Anu went in search of him. Yonder under a tree he was seen with two of his friends. Anu returned with him, and he was sulking. Why so early we have to leave was the reason behind his sulking. I looked at Anu and she shrugged saying he and his friends were busy with three puppies and its mother.

Enroute I asked him what are the events he really watched and what he really enjoyed during the sports event. He mumbled something about running race and was silent. And then he told me about his day in the field. He and his friends had spotted a puppy that was hurt in its leg and had fallen in an ant hole. With the help of an elder person they took it out and had managed to clean it. Proudly he said he was asked to be in charge of the puppies - ensuring no one tried to harm it. He had managed to give it some water. Having a little rice for himself he had offered the rest of his lunch to the puppies and their mother. The mother dog seemed to trust him and let him pat her puppies. He was even allowed to have the puppy in his lap. He and his friends had given names for the three puppies. A gleam shone in his face as he described his day.

Seeing other children compete in final events, I did long to see my son there…not to win races but to be present in the events. But as he described his day with such pride in his voice, I felt this was much better than seeing the medals and certificates which were lying for the winners. The hurt in his face as he described the puppy suffer, helping the puppy and its mother and the happiness on having done his little bit for them made me feel proud of my son. Any medal or certificate would seem very small to this act of his I felt. Hugging him and tears

of joy in my eyes…we returned home, having enjoyed a beautiful day.

2010-09-21T15:30:00.004+05:30

To invite or not to invite

Yesterday she was telling that there is a way to invite people home or for any functions. The head of the family (it should be a man) should extend the invitations either over phone or in person. After all they expect it to be done to them so it is also necessary that they follow the same.

This conversation arose because she was not accorded a proper invitation from a relative.
Okay. I called him up and asked him to extend the invitation accordingly.
Today however she has a different view in this regard. I am sitting right beside her cousin brother and sister-in-law (SIL) and she was asking them not to extend any invitation for any functions. Her view now is since they are old and not healthy they prefer not to go out anywhere. She added that when an invitation is extended, she finds making up to the invitation an unwanted force thrust on them. She asked her SIL not to be so formal.
Oh god I though how could she tell this…..in my midst that too? Or has she forgotten what she had said to me.
Now I am lost. For my house functions do I invite or not. (oh I have this concession see, I am temporarily taking the charge of the head in my family – my husband being overseas and this concession is something that she arrived at – if the head of the family is not available immediately then the lady can take it upon herself to extend the invitation)

2010-09-21T14:31:00.001+05:30

Awful attitude of a car driver (continuation)

Oh today his attitude was not that awful at all. He turned the car and brought it to the side where I was standing waiting for Deepu’s school van. I would not say his parking was perfect today. But at least he did not park on the centre of the road. A portion of the car was on the intersection and a portion of the car on the road side. Good I thought.

2010-09-20T08:24:00.001+05:30

My Crow Friends

A few crows enjoy my morning breakfast and sometimes lunch too. As early as 6.30 in the morning they come to my kitchen window sill and start cawing. They are the first ones to taste my cooking (not a bad cook I am I suppose since the number has increased from one to many in the last few days). One crow in particular decided to trust me. In the sense the crow would put its head through the window grills to see if it could see something edible. Many times it sits on my window grill and now does not fly when I put out my hand through the window sill to keep something for it to eat. Once I place the food for it, it caws and ensures the others are there for their breakfast. Oh but it also ensures it is the first to have its breakfast. Most of the other crows ensure I either move out of their sight soon after I place their breakfast or at least assure that I don’t harm them or catch them.
Of late I noticed this in my crow friend – the daring one – it has got a companion for itself I suppose, they always come together. The other crow just sits a little distance away from my window sill. My friend as usual comes and caws sitting on the window sill and slowly moves itself towards the grill. As I place its breakfast, it fills its beak and goes towards its partner. Filling its partner’s beak with what it has taken, it comes again for more. I enjoy seeing this daily morning. I also talk to them, which is very amusing to my daughter who has a hearty laugh to see me do so. Hmm I sure would like to pat the crow on its head…for being so caring towards its partner and also for being daring and trusting me.

2010-09-17T17:24:00.003+05:30

Awful attitude of the car driver

I was waiting for the school van to pick up my son. A car came up and the driver stopped the car right in the centre of the road – four streets intersect here – and was speaking on his cell phone. I thought he would move the car once his conversation is over, but no…the car stood there. Another car coming from the apartments had to horn several times for our driver friend to move his car. He backed the car for the other car to go and was back in the centre of the road again. 10 minutes passed and no sign of his moving the car. My son’s van picked him up and the van driver had to honk his horn to make the driver move his car. This time our driver friend refused to budge. I tapped on his window and requested him to park his car on the side of the road. His immediate response was…why should he move his car, was it disturbing me? Not wanting to lose my patience I told him it was as such not disturbing me but what he was doing is not right. His immediate response was - When a vehicle comes was he not backing the car. He added that he did not even let them use the horn. It is for just two minutes, when the person comes he would leave. If it is not disturbing me why do I bother, what can't I just go away like the other people on the road.
Losing my patience I replied that though his car remaining in the centre did not disturb me as such, there were two wheeler vehicles that kept honking the horn which seemed to fall deaf on his ears and yes, he did move the car, but why did he want to do it only on seeing and hearing the horn of the other car? Can he not just park it on the side of the road?
I asked him which taxi service he was operating for? He refused to reveal the information.
He was not willing to budge even a wee bit. Thinking and saying loud what a lousy driver he is and a not so good choice for the company he works for, I walked away.

Why did I just turn my back and walk my way? Why did I not ensure he moved the vehicle? Was it some fear that he would do something to me? I know I did a mistake by moving away. There were so many things I could and should have done. I could have tried further to put sense into his head. I could have noted the taxi number. I could have insisted in knowing for whom he operates. But I also knew I was going to scream at the top of my voice and just moved on. Pity I thought.

2010-08-06T15:16:00.003+05:30

Leftovers
“Amma, shall I throw out this dish that has been lying in the fridge for the past 3 days” asked the daughter.
“No dear, don’t” replied the mother.
“Why ma?” continued the daughter. It has been lying in the fridge for past 3 days. None of us want to eat it. That apart it seems to smell a little stale.”
“That is ok. We can give it to the watchman or the maidservant tomorrow. Food is so expensive nowadays we just cannot afford to throw it away. It is a sin.” said the mother.
“But Ma, the watchman has his dinner by 8 pm. Now it is already past 9.30. Even if you give it to him, he will only use it tomorrow. And the maidservant is expected only in the late hours of the morning. By then this dish would be spoilt completely. How can they eat it?”Asked the daughter?
“There is nothing wrong in that. They are a little poor. They would never mind if the food is a little stale or old. They would gladly accept whatever we give them, needy that they are” replied the mother.
Very familiar situation and happens in most houses.

As I opened the kitchen shelves to clean, I noticed a jam bottle lying behind. Oh god I thought, not remembering about the jam available I had bought new bottles. I noticed the date. Thank god it had not expired. I took out the bottle and decided I would give it to the apartment maid. And then it just struck me, I am giving away this bottle mainly because I hesitate to use it as it is slightly older than the one I had bought recently. I just did not feel it right. Keeping the bottle in the fridge, I took out the newer one. And taking some fruits I called the maid and handed it over to her. It sure does not matter for them, how old the stock is. All that they see is an item that they find very expensive to buy has been given to them for free. And they take it happily. Manufacturing date and expiry date is something that they never bother about. But educated and literates that we are, sure know about what to use and what not to. How could we do otherwise?
My mother’s way of doing things in this regard is so different from others. The food that we have (hot and fresh) is what is offered to the maid. There were many times that my mother came to my home in the mornings and left in the evenings. These days, before leaving for my home she used to cook rice just for the maid servant.
I am not saying we should not give leftovers to others. But at least we could check and ensure that what we give is edible and not spoilt, right?

2010-08-04T13:48:00.006+05:30

Atonement
I am punished for a mistake - a mistake that I never knew existed nor aware that I had committed. If I have done it, I do want to atone for the same and reform. That sure is not difficult.
But I also want to ensure that I don't commit the same or something similar, ever again in life. How am I supposed to go about that?

PS:This post does not relate to some mistake that I have committed. This has been a thought that has been in my mind for quite sometime now. How to correct myself from a mistake that is invisible?

2010-07-11T08:00:00.004+05:30

Trust
Necessity to provide for his family for the present and future made him go out of his hometown to earn the living bread. Now with enough to take care of the needs for the future, he returned home.

She had been waiting for him. She had involved herself in social service activities during his absence. When he returned back to his hometown, he joined hands with her and together they dedicated their time to serving the needy. Be it orphanages, old age homes or any such institutions, they involved themselves totally. Not to forget the campaigning for blood donation. A loss of child in their life due to non availability of blood at the time of need was the reason behind their intensity in this particular activity.

Happy and loving pair they were. But life took a drastic turn when she started falling sick very frequently. Assuming it to be just exhaustion due to rigorous activity, she just ignored her health. But it kept deteriorating. Soon his health too began to show a downward slope. Sensing something amiss, they had a thorough check up and that turned to be a threatening storm in their lives. Both were tested positive for AIDS. And by then it had reached its peak. It was eating them away.But what was taking their life faster than the disease happened to be the doubts that began to crawl its way into their minds.

She had this nagging doubt on him – he had been away for quite some time – and that too at a very young age, what if the physical needs overpowered and he relented to it.
He doubted her – having been away for quite some time, she had involved herself in social work. But in the process she had made good friends with many men. What if she had given in to the need s of physical pleasure?

A happy life soon took a drastic turn. If only they had expressed their doubts to each other or at least to a common friend. Their last few days were just miserable. Writing off their hard earned wealth to charity organisations, both breathed their last. Their last few days were spent hating each other just because mind created a nasty havoc in their lives.

If only they had remembered the blood donation camp that they had assisted. The camp wherein they had fought a case against the institution for using syringes that were not disposable nor was there indication of it having been sterilised properly.
But alas, they were filled with so much suspicion against each other that they became blind to what might have happened in their life.

“We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy” – Walter Anderson

2010-06-16T12:45:00.004+05:30

Love

It was more than a year now since he had left his home. Bound by duty to the nation, he had to leave his newly married bride.

She remembered vividly that day. She was busy in the kitchen preparing his favorite dishes to celebrate one month of their married life. He was on the phone. A few minutes later she felt him come behind her. An act she was used to these days. From behind he hugged her. The hug seemed to tell her much more and instantly she turned to face him. Her hands around his neck she looked up and saw a sad face.
I have to report to duty in two days he said. And he had left soon after.

Their only communication was through letters. She held this letter close to her heart. He would be home this Saturday he had written. Eagerly she waited the day of his arrival. The sound of taxi near her house entrance made her run to the balcony. She felt butterflies in her heart as she him alight from the taxi and enter home. She rushed to him but stopped a feet away. Not sure how to proceed she just smiled and took the luggage from his hand. During the day he spoke to her of various things that happened during this one year at the border. She listenend intently. She sensed his happiness in being back home.

Feeling tired he excused himself after dinner and went straight to bed. Within seconds he was fast asleep. Finishing her day's work she switched off the lights and went to her room. She slid on to her side of the bed. She recalled how she used to lie in his arms, but that was a year ago she thought. Hesitantly she placed her arms across him. She removed them when he moved. As he turned towards her she saw the lovely smile that she had been missing. Snuggling close to him she went into the arms that he held open for her. Now she felt no inhibitions. In his embrace she felt peace and secure. This is where she belongs, she knew. Smiling, she drifted off to a beautiful sleep with him beside her.

2010-06-13T09:23:00.003+05:30

Ambulance and the traffic

the siren from the ambulance was shrill...
depicting urgency and emergency
yet none of the vehicles gave way for the ambulance....
with a lot of difficulty the driver managed to manoeuver
and reached the traffic signal
ambulance are given a green signal though the traffic signal shows red
and with the ailing person it shot through the traffic
and those who refused to give way to the ambulance
took advantage of the ambulance ahead
following it they just jumped the red signal
and the traffic policeman just watched

wow Indian traffic is truly atrocious

2010-05-25T14:35:00.004+05:30

The beautiful girl

His love for her was just unmeasurable. A single tear in her eyes and he would be lost totally.
A cherubic face that used to greet him each passing day was now filled with sadness beyond compare. A situation as such brought around by the fact that she could never enjoy the bliss of motherhood.
Time passed, but she just could not come out of that sadness. Unable to see her sad face, he engulfed himself in his office work. He was away out of town on tours way too frequently of late. She did seem to notice a slight change in his behavior, but did nothing about it, being filled with her own sorrow.

He could have confided in her about a decision he was about to make. A decision which he was sure would bring the happiness and cheer in their life. A decision which he felt she would accept when he reasoned it out to her, but it needed some time.

He was expected today from his tour. She received a call in the afternoon from him. He requested her to get ready to receive a beautiful girl he had met. That he had fallen in love with her and felt she too would accept her. Like any other woman, a sudden plunge of jealous feeling filled her heart. Who could it be, she wondered?

As per his request she had everything arranged at home for their arrival. 6 pm he had said. It was only 5 pm. She freshened herself up and draped herself in a peacock blue saree he had gifted her soon after their marriage. She looked at herself in the mirror, the beauty in her face was not lost. Then why she pondered. The events of the past few months flashed before her eyes and she felt she was responsible for neglecting him. Now nothing could be done. Or could it she wondered.
At 6 pm sharp, he rang the doorbell. Not receiving any response, he tugged the door with his leg and was surprised when it threw open. With the beautiful girl in his arms he entered the threshold of his house. The house was beautifully decorated. Filled with appreciation for her in his heart he called out to her. No response. Where could she be he wondered. He went towards his bedroom. He knew the beautiful girl's smile is sure to capture her heart. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her lying on the bed. She looked beautiful. And he felt happy to see there was no sign of sadness in her face now. In fact he saw the cherubic face he was used to. A smile rose in his lips as he neared her. The flutter of a paper on the bedside table made him turn towards the night lamp. There was a note addressed to him. “I am sure she would keep you happy dear, she had written”. The soft giggle and the tiny legs kicking him brought him out of his stupor.

2010-05-20T07:28:00.003+05:30

Good role models to our children - Are we???

The summer vacations are slowly coming to an end. Children of all age groups enjoying the happy hours of breaking rules and restrictions imposed otherwise. But what exactly are the rules and restrictions that is alright to break. No studies – agreed. Extra television viewing hours – not bad. Extra play hours....of course permission granted wholeheartedly.
This particular restriction broken though seemed really unfair. Returning home after picking up my son from his summer class, I was dumbstruck to notice a child – all of 10 years or so riding a herohonda access....and on another day was this child...looking still younger and riding a tvs scooty. The feet of these children hardly reach down to the ground.
What are the parents doing I wonder? Do they not even have an inkling of what their children are upto? Have they exhausted ways to keep the children occupied during the holidays. Or are they gloating over the fact that their children at such tender age are able to handle the vehicles on a busy road? The worst thing here is even the traffic policeman turns a blind eye to what is happening on the road. When accidents happen, we run helter skelter to the police station and hospital. Not knowing how to overcome the situation, we just either yell at the child who ends up in the police custody sometimes or pour the tears out if the child is in the hospital. All such action, but for few days after which the children are allowed to go ahead doing the same thing again. At such times I just feel we are the worst role models to our children.

2010-05-19T17:21:00.004+05:30

Last night...it was just beautiful standing and enjoying the lovely breeze in our balcony and in the early hours of the morning....say abt 1 am it looked like there was someone lighting crackers across the sky....so beautiful was the lightnings and as accompaniment by way of sound was the thunder and looked like the clouds were enthralled with the beauty and as a sign of appreciation opened out such heavy showers....so beautiful it was.

Well powersupply got cut for around 1 hour in the early hours of the morning...but still it was not hot or sultry. And in the morning when I went to our balcony ....the sight that greeted me was so beautiful....all the trees and plants enjoying the wonderful breeze and looking fresh after having had a wonderful bath in the lovely rains... hmm it is still raining....and it is really really cool now...swaying and bowing, greeting with gratitude to the beautiful mother earth....was the greenery around.

2010-05-16T18:56:00.005+05:30

Politician or God

The order in which the choice is given itself is not right. Well...let's see.
We have a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali just opposite our apartments. On all Fridays, the temple incharge takes it upon himself to play songs praising the Goddess. And so like an alarm it screeches in the early hours of every Friday. He is kind enough to switch it off by around 10 am and ensures he plays them again by 4 pm.
It was the wee hours of today morning. I was planning to treat myself to some extra sleep – Sunday Special. But our temple incharge had a different idea. By 5.30 I was woken up by some blaring noises. Oh god....is it Friday and not Sunday I thought. The noise though was different from the regular songs played. Dragging myself to the balcony I just looked towards the temple. Therein was a live show of folk dance performed by artists, praising the goddess. Shutting the doors and windows, I went back to bed. But all efforts to shut the sound failed and I just dragged myself out of the bed to go about with my Sunday duties. 11 o clock and still no sign of them stopping.
All of a sudden another blaring noise was heard. Trying to place the words, I could infer that it is – yes once again – the followers of the politician playing songs praising their leader. Great Sunday indeed. And soon it became a competition of Neeya – Naana (you or me). And the songs praising the politican just sweeped through and emerged victorious in the competition. The folk dance artists just packed up their belongings and moved out. Reaction of the audience was different. One group moved towards the place the songs were played. One group had a frown in their face. They mumbled words against the politician and followed the troupe. Another set heaved a sigh of relief, and went to their home to continute their sunday respite. And the songs went on till late hours of evening.
Well when the question of God or Politican arose...our politician won with the balance tilting to his side in toto. So when importance is given to politician then invariably, the choice of who comes first in order of appearance...it is the politician who won.
There goes my Sunday that was supposed to be lovely.

2010-04-24T17:39:00.005+05:30

How thoughtless are we
I have noticed this aspect in many a human being. We tend to find it worthwhile to give gifts as cash or kind to those who have in plenty rather than to those who are in need.

In fact, the richer the receiver is, the costlier is the gift/cash that we give to them. We spend hours in shops to choose an apt gift for the richer class. Breaking our minds as to whether it would deem fit for them. And if it would be fit for their status. All time, effort and penny would just be shunned aside. Why not, for after all what we consider as a great gift is something that might just be a thing worthwhile to be put in the garbage according to them.

But if the receiver is poorer, then we think why waste money on them. And we look out for the least amount that we can afford for them. We feel just gifting a token amount to the needy is by itself a great deed done by us.

But the response shown by them is amazing indeed. That paltry amount given by us is a huge help to them. That is how they consider it. And they are filled with gratitude to us for that action.

A lot is there to think I feel.

2010-04-05T14:53:00.003+05:30

Red Flowers

Oh aren't those lovely red flowers
so beautiful, to the earth like foyers
Happily said the little angel
from the heavens high above.

Please dear Father let me go
and admire them, where they grow
pleaded this little angel
eyes filled with excitement and glow.

You wouldn't withstand it my dear
they are not what you see from here
so my dear little angel
do not plead, just to me do hear.

Her face bore a look of sadness
devoid now of the lovely blitheness
wanting that his dear little angel
understand the reality, he let her go.

As she flew down to the earth
she saw the beauty just fading away
mirth lost and hurt was this little angel
for she saw not flowers but blood all way.

2010-03-23T17:04:00.000+05:30

Self Praising
So pitiable is the plight of our VIP politicians. To promote themselves and request (nah..plead) for votes and beg to elect them, they have framed words to make a song which gives them a pat on their back. Not just that, their songs request (nah, beg) us to thank them for their so called selfless deed done during their tenure. Unfortunately, their songs are so irritating. They just start blasting through the loud speakers in the street, inconveniencing the other residents very early in the morning. Not sure about others, I sure would think many times if I had to vote for such politician, who bothers not about the disturbance he is creating for the public.

2010-03-22T18:53:00.002+05:30

WORDS
When in rage, words so piercing are darted out from deep within. Little do we realize at that time how painful they would be to the receiver. Or how deeply engraved it carves into their hearts and mind. The painful deed is done. So deep is it that even though we are forgiven for the words, the mark has been made in their hearts and time might just heal but...the scar is there to ever remind of the hurt.
We on the other hand just console ourselves saying whatever was said was done in haste and nothing was meant from the depth of our heart. And we just move on.
Is it needed at all??

2010-03-21T16:12:00.007+05:30

My beautiful dress

My dress is torn
a beautiful dress
what shall I do now dear?

it is expensive
one of a different kind
I need a way to clear.

Laces and bows
adorning around
Mamma will surely scream.

Down the road
is the tailor's shop
will he give a try?

I went to him
with tears in eyes
asking to help by.

will surely try
so come later
he said and shooed me away.

my heart filled with fear
fingers crossed
I wait for pass of day.

when I returned
my beautiful dress
In my arms he did place.

I muttered a thanks

was choked with emotion
for there was not a torn trace

2010-03-21T15:50:00.002+05:30

Is it because of EGO - 2

So long as what I say is received with showers of appreciation, I am happy, glad and in top of the world. I just am not willing to accept criticism heartily, though I do say – all opinions welcome. When my views are counter attacked, I just argue and try to put my point through. No way would I accept my views are wrong. I raise hell proving the other person wrong. And now it is not to just point that my views are correct...but insist that my viewpoint is the best.
Isn't it here, the so called EGO
dwells deep inside us
remains active forever
and just refuses to go.
This attitude is something that is there in almost all of us.
Oh mankind how confusing and self important
EGO makes you to be.

2010-03-06T14:41:00.006+05:30

Renouncing the world

I think I will renounce this world
all I will need is a room that will give me
a cool effect and total comfort
when the sun is blazing its heat.

I think I will renounce this world
All I will need is a room that will give me
a warm feeling of being under a quilt
when the cold outside is unbearable.

I think I will renounce this world
All I will need is food so tasty and delicious
to satiate my hunger and also ensure
that I don't starve myself.

I think I will renounce this world
All I will need is to stock my locker
and house with wealth so much
I never need to earn for many lives to come.

I think I will renounce this world
All I need is a robe to hide my real character
and lure people to sacrifice their all
not so difficult task it would be.

I think I will renounce this world.
the wealth and pleasures that mankind crave for
I have derived them in a short span of time
by playing around with the belief of many.

A simple robe and act of being God or his messenger
has done the work for me
So why should I not go ahead and announce
I am renouncing this world

PS: It seems to be dripping with sarcasm...well..with our yogis and saints being in the news in a negative sense...the belief that we have is weaning to naught..

2010-02-27T08:11:00.003+05:30

Ambulance Service

Receiving a call at 3 in the early hours of the morning, she rushed out after giving instructions to her teenaged daughter to take care till her return. She reached his house and found him lying on the bed totally unaware of the people around him. His breathing was irregular. His body was too cold. She tried to wake him, but no response. The dental doctor near his house checked his pulse...way too abnormal. Take him to a hospital immediately, he said. But how. He just was not in a position to sit in a car. Ok, an ambulance it is she decided. With various numbers in her hand, she dialed them. Each refusing to send an ambulance immediately. She checked his body temperature...it was very cold even now. After an hour of pleading with several ambulance services, she finally caught hold of a hospital number. But the person on the other side wanted to ensure that the patient was alive. Should he send a doctor to check, she was asked. For what reason to send an ambulance if there is no life in the person. It would be a waste of money, he said. She was seething in anger and almost screamed at him. The dental surgeon, known to that hospital owner intervened and asked the ambulance to be sent immediately. Having given the address, she expected the ambulance to reach the residence in ten minutes, that is the time it would take had she taken her bike or car, that too with no traffic that early in the morning. But no, the ambulance took more than 30 minutes to reach the residence. Reaching in 30 minutes was more due to the help of a security officer who was on rounds that day. Her heartfelt gratitude to him.
Hurriedly he was taken inside the hospital, and drips were administered immediately. An hour after we reached the hospital, he regained consciousness. The doctor attending to him said all was well now. Though reaching few minutes later would have lead to unwanted complications and sometimes stroke too.
Well so much for the ambulance service, (better late than never)- her uncle is on his feet now.

2010-02-24T08:18:00.004+05:30

NO ANSWER (IS IT BECAUSE OF EGO)
When I don't have an answer or an appropriate answer to the question posed to me, then I try to find a way to escape from the situation. The best responses that I give are:
That is the way it is supposed to be...don't start an argument. - or
That is it, do not question the basics of life (or whatever the topic is about.) It is only the foolish who harp on such issues. - or
You don't know this simple thing is it...oh god, you should improve your knowledge. - or
Oh you know it, but just pretending you don't know. And since I know that you know, let us leave the topic.
(hmm anymore to add...oh help me out...I sure could do with some more responses.)

2010-02-23T17:05:00.003+05:30

At Dawn

One of the many mastepiece of the Almighty
the dawn – an amazing scene of beauty
the clouds enveloping the sky above
an array of colours of red, orange then yellow.

scattering its rays through the clouds
playing hide and seek with us
to enrich us with very special days
is the sun mighty as always.

Look up above and don't deny
the beauty of the clouds in the sky
various shapes do seem to arise
all depending on what you visualize

2010-02-21T08:15:00.005+05:30

Her beautiful smile

I love to see her beautiful smile
so whenever I come across her
I give her one of mine
to be reciprocated with a lovely shine.

Why am I, by her smile smitten
What is it that draws me to hers
It is a smile so innocent and sweet
offering many a lovely treat.

Devoid of makeup, yet a beautiful grace
stress of one, her smile does erase
a chuckle and giggle bringing a dimple
cute little baby my day has become special.

2010-01-27T08:28:00.003+05:30

swaying to the breeze are the lovely trees

swishing and swashing are my curtains

unexpected yet most welcome is the mizzle

pitter patter down my window pane

and through the french door they reach to me

sprinkling water on my face

the feel so lovely and beautiful

hands held out I stand on my balcony

to savour this picturesque scene

2010-01-04T18:48:00.004+05:30

Strange

I mused over this strange aspect
Two ladies trying to surpass one another
All just to hold a very special place
Both in his mind and in his heart

When will it ever enter their thoughts and mind
That each have their own special place, a different kind
I mused over this strange aspect of the two ladies
One elder to him and the other younger

2009-12-07T15:59:00.004+05:30

This poem is from Ajit Peter. He has a beautiful creativity and words just dance and come forth when he pens a poem. I like his style a lot...........simple...meaningful and elegant in all ways... the flow...the lyrics...and the beauty. In a jiffy the poem is in his heart and mind and down in a paper.......I have a keen desire to write poems with a similar touch..

Thoughts

in a drop of tear a world to see

in a drop of rain joy to be

in a tick of a clock eternity

in a single cell life to be

in a touch of feather hearts be shy

in a single word the spirits to fly

in one friend a world to see

in a wink of an eye love to be

in a ray of sunshine warmth in heart

in stars twinkle joy be got

in a single flower love to tell

in a smile to cast a spell

a drop of joy

a drop of tear

a simple smile

a simple wink

a grain of sand

little in the world

yet a lifetime of thoughts

2009-12-04T14:03:00.004+05:30

The money plant

I have this money plant at my home. Wanting to have some greenery in my kitchen, I cut a small stem from the mother plant and placed it in a bottle for it to grow. I used to keep it in my kitchen or drawing room...to add beauty to the room. Two new leaves grew, and I was happy. And then it stopped growing. No new leaves seen. But the thing is they did not lose the fresh green colour. Each morning I was greeted by just the four leaves with their roots. Neither did it wither nor did it die....Why then did it not grow further I wondered.
In my balcony is the mother plant. Here too, new leaves failed to sprout. Having the habit of speaking to them, I spoke to both the plants...but there was no response by way of growing from them. More than a month passed and no improvement in their growth.
Lying on my bed I remembered when my daughter was all of 5 years. One day my sister said she would take my daughter to her home for just one night. I remember - that night I tossed and turned on my bed not able to sleep without my daughter near me. Could it be I just wondered......
In the morning as usual, I went to water the plants and was speaking to them..... just that this day I asked them if they were missing each other. Then I brought the small plant in the bottle to the mother plant. And just waited. Lo behold, the very next day, both the plants brought forth a tender leaf from their stem. Amazing I thought.
My husband says it is just unbelievable.
I know plants do grow anywhere and everywhere....It could be just sheer coincidence that both happened to grow new leaves on that day......but deep inside I felt, they too seem to have the love as a mother plant and baby plant.

2009-11-11T20:09:00.009+05:30

The Meeting

She woke up with an unknown fear gripping her. She tried to ignore it, but to no avail. It has been there ever since her friend called her to say - “Dear, tomorrow is the day. 6.30 pm sharp. No postponing.”
Yes she had been postponing this for quite some days now. She was to meet a world renowned person, someone who had gained the trust, belief and loyalty of lakhs of people across the world...then why does she feel so different in her views she thought. She looked at the clock beside her bed. It showed 5 O clock.

Going into the kitchen she made herself a cup of coffee. She found herself tensed. She tried to bring herself to relax by doing pranayanama and chanting OHM. But her mind just refused to listen to her. She switched on the VCD player and played some soft soothing music. She tried to divert her mind by reading newspaper, story book. All in vain, her mind had total control of her and it took her back to this renowned person and she found an uneasy feeling build up from deep insider her.
Her tension was surmounting...she realised she was literally shouting at herself and others around her for no reason at all. Each step she took she sensed herself dragging herself about. Everything that she did seemed to be a herculean task for her today. Her concentration was dripping down to zero. And to add to her agony was the stabbing pain she felt in her head as knots got twisted in her stomach. She felt hungry, but could not get herself to eat her breakfast.....and she had another 12 hours to kill before she reached the time to meet him. She went about doing her regular chores, very slow she was today.

Why this fear, she tried to assess. She had heard that this renowned person used hypnotism to bring people to his feet. She tried to argue this point with her mind. How is it possible to have lakhs of people adhere to hypnotism?...but she could not win over her mind. More so since she heard of Mr. A having succumbed to the hypnotism. - even then only one she said to herself, but her mind was bent on thinking otherwise...one might be known...but how many unknown...it said.
Mr. A had come to meet this renowned person, but due to time constraint was returning back home...but just at the entrance his eyes caught sight of this person. Looking straightly into Mr. A's eyes, he whispered...not so fast...you are supposed to be mine....never think otherwise. From then on Mr.A followed and did everything told by this renowned person. It could be rumour for all one knows. But this is what kept ringing in her ears. He had done many a good deed to the downtrodden people. But she just could not give that a priority.

The calling bell rang shaking her from her thoughts. The clock showed 5.30 pm. It was her friend who had come to pick her up to keep the 6.30 pm appointment with the renowned person. Swallowing her fear, she went along. She knew there was no escape today. Enroute to the hall, she prayed to God - let there be some traffic jam. She pleaded with rain gods to appease her with rains...but today everyone were bent on ensuring she kept up the appointment. She had to meet him today. She felt like she was a scapegoat led to the sacrificial stone.

She entered the hall and her friend led her to the front row, so that she would not miss the big appointment. The big clock on the wall struck the half hour, and still no sign of him. Just like them, she thought, no botheration about the time of other people. She could have just walked out, but her friend ensured she did not. And another painful waiting session began. After 2 hours of waiting, noise from the entrance announced his arrival. She turned towards the entrance and saw him enter the hall. She tightened her fist and waited. Tall and in robes of white...he looked around and his eyes met hers and she was dumbstruck. She found herself being locked in his gaze. She tried to move and turn her line of vision, but felt as though she was stuck up in that place. Was she already being hypnotised, she wondered. Not even for a second letting her escape his gaze, he moved forwards and towards her ignoring the people around him. She was spellbound. Just a few feet more, he would be beside her and they would be facing each other...... and suddenly the hall was plunged into darkness.
An hour later she found herself returning home – minus her friend who felt the need to stay back to attend to volunteer work.
The next morning she woke up to a beautiful day...she knew things were not going to be the same ever.

2009-10-28T15:12:00.009+05:30

Lovely Rains

Lovely is the weather today -

across the sky is the lightning
looks like streak of diamond
and beautiful grey clouds I see

forming a blanket around the sky
slightly heavier than drizzle
is the shower of rains,
gently blowing is the breeze
directing the rain water
as sprinkles on my face
nice, cool and happy I do feel.

2009-10-27T15:06:00.006+05:30

savouring coffee

With a cup of steaming hot coffee

To admire nature I sit in my balcony

I look yonder and savour the sight

of the lake under a dim light.

The smooth flowing breeze

causing ripples on the water

and the reflection of lights swaying.

I close my eyes and feel the zephyr.

The row of hutments opposite my home

buzzes with activity at the crack of dawn

trying to outdo each other are these people

with rangolis adorning their entrance.

And far off I hear the birds chirp

here and there the roosters crowing.

Behold the sun showering its beautiful ray

welcoming the dawn of a beautiful day

I enjoy my morning cup of coffee

2009-08-22T16:40:00.003+05:30

DEEPAK
This one is from my sweet little son Deepak.

I had asked him to do his handwriting.

He felt bored to do the same from his lessons or story book.
Saying he would write something different he came up with this

मेरा नाम हैं दीपक
दीपक का मतलब हैं दिया
दिया में होता हैं ज्योति
ज्योति से हैं रौशानी

रौशनी मैं हैं ज्योति

ज्योति होता हैं दिया में

दिया का मतलब हैं दीपक

दीपक हैं मेरा नाम.

2009-08-16T13:13:00.003+05:30

I am with you dear

All along I wanted to say
I am with you all the way
Inhibition I felt in expressing
Deep in my heart I kept the feeling

Pent up, my feelings I did
behind an invisible veil I hid
I knew not what I was waiting for
I have to find words to tell you for sure

Irrecoverable loss I had to face
Holding me close, my tears you did erase
And you said, “I am with you all the way dear
Let your emotions out, do not fear.”

Words of my heart you easily brought out
then I realized why I had the doubt
It was not what I wanted to say
But hear from you each passing day.

Not sure if I had been wrong
But I know your words make me strong
Now I know I need no veil
I would express truly how I really feel.

2009-08-12T19:29:00.004+05:30

Here is a situation wherein many lives are lost due to the dreaded swine flu. And here are many people exhibiting the extent of their greed for money. A mask is suggested to prevent and use as precautionary measure against swine flu. The demand for the same is just shooting upwards. People not wanting to lose the opportunity to mint money are selling them at exhorbitantly high rates. Rates which are just not reachable by common man.

Greed for money -------> losing values and basic ethics of life.

2009-08-06T16:15:00.004+05:30

With my nephew

I had to go to Tambaram from Adambakkam to meet my Cousin sister's son. Never been there alone and so asked my sister to accompany me. She too wanted to meet him and so agreed to give me company. Neither of us have traveled by the local train in that direction and so it was a new experience. Asking my mama the directions, we embarked upon our journey. Having bought the tickets, we went ahead to board the train. As I looked at the tickets I realised we had tickets for the wrong station........and that too a day old ticket. Yet we went on. Great it felt to be on ourselves.

Walking for a 10 minutes brought us to the destination. My mama and his son in law were waiting in the entrance. We were very eager to meet my nephew but my mama asked us to wait for few minutes. And the moment we were given the green signal we rushed into the room. And there lying beside his mom all wrapped in a towel just his sweet pink little face seen was my nephew.

Washing my hands and before anyone could stop I gathered him in my arms. Oh a bundle of joy he is. And then I looked up to see the curious stares from all in that room. I was told the baby was not to be touched. I am glad I did that, because seeing me hold the baby, my brother in law could build the confidence to hold the baby and he too did the same. And yes he could not say how he felt, but his face and eyes specially told everything. The sparisam in touching this new born baby, the softness when slowly moving the finger along his hands and face, and seeing his reactions was just so very beautiful.

Two hours with the baby, time just flew by and all I did was to hold him in my arms or just keep looking at him which also is banned my sister said. But well I just could not take my eyes of him. How could one? So peacefully he lay sleeping, delicate tender and he had totally surrendered to his parents and others around him.

Visiting hours over, my sister had to drag me out of the room. I just could not keep the feelings to myself and so during our return journey my sister had to listen to my feelings and expression. I stepped into my home and rushed to my daughter and poured the entire thing to her. Oh god I still had to share and I called up my husband and shared this beautiful evening with him. Human I am so the more I seem to be seeking to share the feeling and so I decided it would be posted in my blog........

2009-07-26T15:54:00.004+05:30

Happiness and Charity

There is this orphanange near my residence wherein we contribute either by way of cash or kind. Immense happiness fills our hearts in doing this deed. I have been to a few orphanages and I felt whenever I was contributing, I was doing an amazing deed. Oh how foolish I was.

This March my husband suggested that we hand over my 3 year old two wheeler to the orphanage for their regular use. Oh a wonderful deed indeed I thought The volunteers there thanked us a lot for this contribution.

Each time I call them, I am thanked profusely saying how useful the bike is for them in carrying out many of the orphanage activities. And a smile spreads across my face to hear the same. But then suddenly I was faced with this question. Am I the one who is doing something. I just gave them something, when I had a replacement for the old one. But is it not they who filled me with happiness beyond measure by giving me an opportunity of being able to do some good deed in my life. I am forever filled with gratitude to them.

2009-06-27T08:01:00.004+05:30

Sacrifice

I noticed her in a wedding reception
beautiful she looked but filled with tension.
Yet a helping hand she offered to many
I felt, if only her, my brother could marry.

Approaching her with this proposal
saddened I felt by her refusal
Her better half she had already found
and to him only her life was bound.

A feel of gloominess engulfed me
I turned to leave but for an ailing lady
Smiling sadly she bade me to sit beside her
Saying “That girl is the sole bread winner.”

“An ailing mother and a wastrel father
education to take care for her sister and brother
So whenever the topic of marriage arise
she makes an escape with these lies.”

“Do you know her or her family?” I inquired
Seeing tears trickling, my question I regretted.
“It is not just knowing her,” came the reply
“I happen to be her mother,” so saying she bid goodbye.

2009-06-18T14:46:00.005+05:30

Let go

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush
So goes the saying that all of us have heard
But also true is the fact that trying to possess it
Leads to disappointment and unhappiness.

Wriggling for freedom when held tightly
bearing the scar of its fight for freedom
or it gets choked and suffocated
all we are left with is its lifeless body.

So also is relationship in one's life
Assuming we are showering love
We try to possess and hold too tightly
Unaware that it creates unbearable pain.

An act of strangulation is what one feels
When being held in other's grip
So much so that they flee and seek freedom
Or the relationship undergoes painful death.

I was trying to hold steadfast to her
sort of insecure she might slip away.
I realized I was only stifling her.
I need to give her the breathing space.

2009-05-10T06:52:00.006+05:30

Waiting for my daughter in a college campus
I had in hand three hours to kill
With a novel in my hand I proceeded
To find a comfortable place to sit.

Far away I saw few people waiting.
One particular lady is what my eye did catch
Nothing special yet intermittently I kept watching her
While reading the novel in my hand

Shifting places to avoid the sun's rays
I found one to seat myself comfortably
Within few minutes she came near me
And left her bags in my possession

Mumbling something she went away
And soon I saw her strolling around.
Wondering what it was she did
I drove my attention to the book again.

A little later she came to sit beside me
And soon opened a conversation
But what surprised me was the act
Of the security directing two puppies to her

She opened a packet of biscuit
And offered them to the puppies
She does it frequently she said
When she saw an amazed look in my face

She was here waiting for her daughter
And decided to put the time to best use
Feeding stray animals and helping them
Is what she does during her free time

Pathetic she said were the lives of stray animals
All they receive are physical abuse from human kind.
Her selfless act impressed me a lot
And instantly I was drawn to her.

How many of us would do I pondered
One man can start anything she said
You don’t need to find an NGO to start
You start then the NGO gets formed.

It is not just feeding or helping animals
Any act of kindness makes a difference to all
Her words deep in my heart now
I intend to feed at least one per day.

2009-05-05T09:02:00.019+05:30

Litter Free Zone

Walking along the roads of our city

What greets us is the garbage strewn

It is not the garbage that strikes our mind

But the attitude of the people around.

We accuse the government of its failure

When they are unable to create a beautiful city

Who is to blame, if we really wonder?

It is we, devoid of basic cleanliness.

We have garbage bins at all nooks and corners

But we use it better to play, aim and throw

Miserably we lose in the game we play

Thereby spilling the garbage around.

Neatly written on wooden boards we find

Words that say "Litter Free Zone"

What we seem to understand by the phrase

"Here's a place where litter can freely be thrown."

2009-05-04T10:01:00.005+05:30

Travelling on his two wheeler

He happened to come across a temple

But too hasty was he to reach his destination

To stop and pray he failed to find time.

A hand on the accelerator,

And a leg on the brake

Head turning 180 degrees

He offered a salute to the almighty.

While performing this hasty task

oblivious was he of the traffic ahead

For fast approaching towards him

Was the tanker he failed to see.

End result we are left with nothing

2009-03-14T18:40:00.004+05:30

Life presents us to such beautiful things
In form of love, care, concern and kind too.
But greedy and craving, we often are
We leave these and search for something new.

So desperate are we in this search
Life’s gift to us, we tend to ignore
Off we proceed to obtain those things
Aware not, it is the mirage we adore.

Best things in life remain lost to us
Realization strikes us way too late
For what we left behind has vanished
Making it impossible to even locate .

End result we are left with nothing.

rat's feast - my son's shoes

2009-03-10T13:38:00.004+05:30

Could you please ma, pleaded my son
Buy a new pair of shoes for me
The ones I have are tattered and torn
Of no use now can they be.

I looked at his pleading eyes
And knew I just could not refuse
But still asked him what had happened
To the special ones bought for his use.

Yes ma, my son replied innocently
A new pair that no longer does exist
For what could I do if the rats felt hungry
And in my shoes they were treated to a feast.

2009-02-22T19:27:00.002+05:30

Few minutes at the window sill

Savoring each second as I stand still

The window acts as my reposeful space

When my heart some sadness doth face.

All I need is something to soothe
What better than idyllic nature so smooth
Helping me regain my composure
To greet the lovely day with pleasure.

And so I stand by my kitchen window
And feel the fresh breeze blow
My eyes treated to lush greenery
Oh Mother Nature, I truly love thee.

Biased justice

2009-02-20T16:21:00.005+05:30

Human beings always act in haze
Biased are they in many a ways
Every act of theirs does amuse
To extremes range their views.

A mistake that causes dejection
The wrongdoer, immediately they chasten
Not listening to the excuse, penalty given is severe
Making the wrongdoer feel pierced with a spear.

The same committed by someone dear
Their thoughts becomes so unclear
And so forgiveness is what they feel
Is the very best way to heal.

Heal from what I often wonder
Their thoughts filling me with anger
We are left with no other option
But be deeply hurt by their actions.

A smile for me

2009-02-18T09:23:00.008+05:30

There are hundred of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.

Her face and heart did not seem to have seen much of laughter. Her lips hardly seemed to curve to give a smile. Neighbors said it is very rare to see her smile. She did not pose the figure of being friendly to her neighbors. She stays all alone in her flat.

I saw her when I went to pay my electricity bill. She was standing ahead of me in the long queue. Standing for long under the heat made her sit down. As her turn came, she handed over the EB card and some cash to the counter lady. When her card, receipt and balance were returned to her, we saw our lady standing without any response as if in a trance. All efforts to call her seemed to fall into deaf ears. An elderly lady sought my help in making her sit down. The EB employee offered a bottle of water, which, I gave to this lady. She just took a sip and handed it back to me. I collected her card, receipt and the balance and helped her keep them in her bag. I offered to take her home which she refused. A few minutes after sitting down, she picked herself up and started to walk. I came to know then from my friend that this lady stayed in the apartments where we stayed.

I still neither know her name nor do I have any other information about her. I had not done much for her that day and I wish I could have done more. But I was rewarded beautifully for this simple gesture of mine.

And the reward is this:

Whenever she sees me, her lips curve to give me a beautiful smile.

Each Morning

2009-02-12T08:51:00.003+05:30

As I try to wake up each morning
My mind is all set for a fighting
It splits itself into two
Both trying, the other to outdo.

One insists on sending me out of bed
To freshen and start the day ahead
The other is ready to claim its right
And says lazing also does excite.

Between the two, raging a war so ferocious
In their views they have lot of clearness
Active one says, have time for yourself and so arise
Doing nothing, is time for self, the lazy replies.

Enough of their stupid fight I decide
No more can I let them be vied
The active one is welcome on weekdays
While the lazy one gets the holidays.

2009-02-09T17:19:00.004+05:30

Oblivious is he of the pomp and show
His life clock now ticked down to zero
Lying down on this specially made bed
To the other world he seemed to have fled.

Crackers burst and flowers strewn
What use is of this love not shown
When alive we seemed to ignore
Now dead, we seem to adore.

In a few minutes all that would remain
Are the ashes, which we may retain
Later to immerse in some river
And may be forget him forever.

Doctor's negligence

2009-02-08T08:10:00.001+05:30

Hurt me deep to see this lovely new born baby
Instead of cradle, on the floor lying awfully
Both legs bandaged, and held up high,
Doctor’s negligence with fractures does he lie.

What oh what are the doctors up to?
Mistakes they commit are far from few.
Patients’ life either in jeopardy or put to risk
If money not given, some just whisk.

It is not an issue of just one-day
World over people have this to say
A dedicated and noble profession, they stain
Parents and patients put to unbearable pain.

crowded bus

2009-01-30T18:13:00.007+05:30

Tired were we after a long shopping
At the bus stop impatiently waiting.
When the bus glided beside us we did feel
A sense of happiness none of the face could conceal.

The entrance was entirely choked
And the seats by some bags were blocked
Amidst this lucky enough were we
Finding seats to sit through the journey

Most of the youngsters of today
Found it thrilling to travel all way
Either hanging on the windowpane or entrance
Not bothering to give their life a glance.

Suddenly we heard an order from behind
A lady commanding if others would not mind
To move forward and create space in the center
So as to let the youngsters enter.

Turning towards the direction of the sound
What I saw did make me astound.
The orders were coming from the lady
What is next to her she could never see.

A good samaritan

2009-01-26T16:31:00.004+05:30

Never have I seen him before
But in my heart the memory I would store
A little thought and bringing to my notice
Helping me avert an accident, his act so selfless.

Riding on the main road, my son as pillion rider
The happiness increasing as we rode faster
So much so that everything else felt unreal
It was only the lovely breeze we could feel.

Little did I realize in the fun joining
Was my dupatta fluttering and flying.
And soon it was beckoning the tyres along
The two together trying to make a song.

Honking his horn was this gentleman
Irritated was I by this action.

Pointing out my dupatta’s enjoyment
He brought me from reverie to present.

2009-01-23T14:40:00.002+05:30

The theme provided to me by a friend I just tried to put words and make it a poem. And here it is:

If I don’t start and reach there early I know
Winding like serpentine, the line would grow
I cannot stand in this endless queue
My legs are weak, and I cannot pursue.

Though advanced by years, I too desire
To cover my shame and so I require
This long piece of cloth that would erase
Many a disgrace I very often face.

Outside my hut in this pitiable plight
I stand waiting to see if there’s some light
Came this gentleman, sent by the divine
With his help I was first in the line.

Oh....Absentminded me.....

2009-01-20T15:07:00.004+05:30

Along with my husband, I visited a good friend. When taking leave of them, they gifted me with a lovely handbag. I had the wonderful opportunity to use it that very day. All set in the evening for shopping and to have dinner outside, I kept some cash in a purse and asked my daughter to place it in the handbag I had received from my friend. Shopping luckily was done with credit card that my husband had with him.
As we were entering the restaurant, some intuition prompted me to check my new handbag. And my intuition proved right….there was just Rs.10/- and my keys in the bag. No amount of checking helped. I kept asking my daughter why she did not take the purse that I had given her and she insisted that I had not asked her to take. Well my husband’s wallet did hold some cash and the restaurant did accept credit card. So without being embarrassed we walked out of the restaurant.
As we were walking to our two-wheeler, I was remembered of another incident that took place 18 years before.
Newly married, my husband took me to Guruvayoor temple. The temple rules insist on men not to wear pants or shirt. Only dhoti and mundu allowed. So my husband gave me his wallet and asked me to keep the same in my handbag. So sweet of me, I did so and followed another instruction that my husband did not give me. I placed my handbag in the car and free hand had a wonderful dharshan of Lord Guruvayoor. My husband asked me for cash to put in the hundial………oh god I said……..it is in the car.
While returning to our car, we met one of our relations who insisted that we have some lunch. This relative was well known for his miserliness. Try much my husband could not avoid. Anyway he said…we have your watch and my watch, if need be. We restricted to eating bare minimum while our host went in full swing. Time to pay…..not having a penny, my husband volunteered to pay the bill. Being newly married has its own benefits. So our host said it does not deem fit for us newly weds to pay and he would only make the payment. Not a person to leave it at that usually, my husband immediately agreed and heaved a sigh of relief.
Two incidents are more than enough for me to ensure I have my wallet filled with cash when I take you out, so said my husband as we returned home.

A beggar and his friend

2009-01-12T13:47:00.004+05:30

Read in a tamil magazine about a dog howling beside a dead beggar,

thought why not put in words to make a poem. And so here it is.

Seated along the roadside corner
Adorned in clothes tattered all over
Begging for alms to see him through
And what he gets he shares it too.

Today he was not seated but sprawled
A scene so different as he was walled
By the many who did throng
Letting him die they moved along.

Sitting beside was his four-legged friend
Someone who with him did append
Gratitude was what it did show
By staying beside when others did go.

When whole human kind was against him
Finding not a morsel to eat and life was dim
Here was a heart showering & sharing love and meal
With the beggar’s demise, life now has lost the zeal

As his howling seemed to deepen
People considered it an evil omen
They threw stones to shoo him away
But he stood transfixed filled with dismay.

Mom's home

2009-01-10T14:33:00.004+05:30

Trying yet to come to terms
And overcome the sadness engulfing us
Due to our dear mother’s demise
A question in our minds did arise.

Who would now adorn the role?
Played by mom, our loving soul
A character so significant in life, that bind
Us into a relationship of unique kind.

My sister felt to suit the role, I am tailored
Till at least from abroad, my brother returned
My husband expressed a different view
Saying I was younger, and might not fit into the shoe

Each pointing our hand to others around
Yet the solution remained unfound
In between something my sister told
Took me high which as a treasure I would hold.

Mom’s demise, dear Lakshmi, is a big blow,
And now we need a mom’s house to go
It is in your home that we do find
Exactly what we have in our mind.

school friend

2009-01-09T18:52:00.001+05:30

Some are remembered for being good in academics. Some are remembered for being champions in sports. Some are known for being notorious. Yet some for their good nature. But being a student who remains silent and way too reticent by nature and yet remembered is something I did not expect at all.
As I walked out of the Nilgiris Departmental Stores, I saw my husband in conversation with another young man whose face seemed very familiar. As I neared them, he asked me if I remembered him. I shook my head in the negative. I knew him well enough, but I just could not place him. He did not give me too much time and said - I am Sundar from Vanavani School. Oh god, I thought, yes indeed… Sundarram it is.
He said he had seen my daughter Anu waiting outside the departmental store and immediately recognized her as someone very closely related to Lakshmi, a girl who had been in the same school he too had studied. And so he had gone directly to my husband and asked if the girl waiting happens to be Lakshmi’s daughter.
And thus they entered into a conversation. After chatting for few minutes, Sundar gave me his email id to keep in touch. He also said he would put me in touch with other schoolmates of mine.
A pleasant surprise indeed it was for me. Being an introvert by nature, I hardly ever mingled with my classmates, leave alone other section students. One could say my presence in the class was probably known by the silence I maintained in the class. (I remember one of my teachers paying me credit in this regard) And now after 23 years a person from the science group recognizes me.
I felt extremely happy in meeting Sundar. And I hope through Sundar I would be able to reach out to my other schoolmates.

towards my final journey

2008-12-14T05:53:00.003+05:30

A day will come when I will have to bid adieu
To all those who are near and dear
Bidding farewell not to relocate
But to leave here and meet fate.

When the hourglass of my life
Ticks towards the final journey
I wonder how prepared I should be
Who and what can I take and leave?

Will my love come along with me
Will my siblings or kids give me company
Will I have to be alone in the final journey
When my soul leaves behind the body?

Will the jewels and wealth be of any need
Or will the attires I had be of any use
Will I have to leave behind my lovely house
And all that I had prized along with my spouse?

Will the anger I sometimes showed
Over power the love I had showered
Will there be some cherished memories
Or remembered of my great follies

I know I would not need jewels or wealth
Nor would I need house or the clothes I held
For life is short and full of surprises
And we are left with no choices.

I realize that all I want before I leave
Are some fond memories and happy thoughts
By leading a life filled with joy and cheer
And be remembered by all I hold dear.

2008-12-06T07:53:00.000+05:30

Friendship is what we did share
Relationship so very genuine and rare
And then some acts I began to misdo
Too late when I began to rue.

A jealous feeling engulfed me
For I wanted friends to be close to me
And so I tied an invisible rope
Binding them, and not able to cope.

Writhing very much, heart filled with pain
And yet from me they did not refrain
Waiting patiently for me to understand
That friendship sans any type of band.

Fool that I was I failed to get the message
Bind I did tighten, and created a slippage.
Endurance power they seemed to lose
And soon to me they bid their adieus.

I stand all alone looking at the horizon
Because of the folly never to be undone.
Filling my heart with feelings of jealousy
Losing everything, I wander aimlessly.

To my mother

2008-12-05T18:36:00.000+05:30

As I entered my mother’s place

I felt a shiver run down my spine
Waiting were you inside the ice box
For your son to have a glimpse of you.

Your face showing a look of serene
As if under the caress of gentle sleep
Decades of pain you went through
Now you are released from all sorrow.

Kith and kin paid their condolences
Crying out loud - why you had to leave
And this ma makes me wonder
Are you aware of the love they shower?

Their heart filled with gratitude
Your generosity they had forever valued
For even in times of pain all day through
You invited them with a loving smile

It hurts a lot to let you go
But we were given no other choice
And then I feel you sent a smile
A smile that says I am with you.

A whisper too you send to me
Telling us not to grieve
For you have joined dad above
To shower us with eternal love.

The blind beggar

2008-12-04T05:54:00.000+05:30

Seated on a bus by the window side
I saw him climb up with cane as aide
His eyes covered with dark glasses
He extends the bowl to the masses.

Tapping his cane he reaches each seat
Saddening the travellers at his pitiable plight,
Into his bowl the coins find the way
He profusely thanks and moves away.

The driver returns to start the bus
We shout out to him in chorus
Helping the blind man climb down
Happy we feel to erase his frown.

As the bus moves, I happen to notice
A Change in our blind man’s status
Dark glasses his face sans
And the cane waving in his hands.

Laughing heartily as I look by
He bids me a barbed goodbye
From the bowl he counts the coins
Moving ahead his group he joins.

The manipulated lot

2008-12-04T05:49:00.001+05:30

None to care or show concern
Different places they stand to earn
Be it temple entrance or street side
Garbage bins or station platforms they reside.

Some blind, some dumb too
Sick to the core, their numbers accrue
Some handless, yet some on crutches
Their face is marked by wrinkles and creases.

Tapping at your car window
You see a face filled with sorrow
Eyes that sunk deep by starvation
Dishevelled revealing poverty-stricken

As you lower down the window pane
You notice her with kid deep in pain
She says, "hungry ma for many days
A little mercy would show some ways."

Suddenly you see her face turn in fear
Her emotions seem totally unclear
Turning towards the direction of her eyes
You see a man one would sure despise.

The sad plight of these beggars
Is revealed when they hand over
What they earned by way of begging
To the ruffian, without thinking.

Taking away the lion’s share
He moves away as they stare
And meekly the beggars go their way
For tomorrow they face another hard day.

Irony of human mind

2008-11-27T07:18:00.001+05:30

A snippet of what I watched on TV in some comedy channel.

Let us name him Mr. X
Mr. X arrives in a village……with not a penny in his hand and no idea of how to make a living. Moving around the village he notices the villagers to be real simpletons. An idea flashes across his mind and he is all set to put it into action.

A crowd is gathered around him. Two men, of which one happens to be a Brahmin see the crowds flocking around him and go near to find out what it is about. They hear Mr. X shouting – Rs.100 for the darshan of God, Rs.100/- for the darshan of God. So this Brahmin asks him if it is real. Mr. says, if God does not give darshan he would return the amount as Rs.200/- Our Brahmin friend shells out Rs.100/-. All are asked to assemble near the hill top. The D day dawns and the crowd throng around Mr.X again and put their doubt to him. Mr. X now more confident says if God does not give darshan, he would return not just Rs.200/- but Rs.2000/- This makes the people believe him more and all wait for the darshan of the God. Suddenly Mr. X screams – Oh my Lord you did not fail me amidst these villagers. Thanks to you Lord that you have given your darshan today. One man says he is not able to have the vision of God and immediately Mr. X says – Oh poor man, it is because your wife has sinned and been unfaithful to you that you are not able to have the darshan of God. Suddenly the Brahmin also shouts out – Yes Lord I see you, I see you. When asked by his friend he says, it is better to lie than put his wife to shame. And immediately, all the villagers praise the Lord, for having given them his Divya Darshan.
Mr. X quietly leaves the place his hands full of money. He remarks – so long as there are such foolish people living, it would never be hard to earn money.

There is hardly any comedy in this snippet. All along it says the worst nature of mankind. Their views about God, their thoughts to cheat on innocent people and their ideas about defaming women folk, all along it is a negative notion.

The jest about having the darshan of God shows the length to which human beings can portray themselves. We stoop too low in our attitudes by using God’s name and cheating out the innocent people/simpleton. And the villagers who are most willing to pretend having seen something that they in reality have not and in that process prove that they have not sinned shows the height of foolishness inherent in them.

This reminded me of the story – The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Where exactly are we heading to by this lowly act of ours? A sure sign of making people move farther away from believing and trusting in God.
I searched for you My Lord almost everywhere. So desperate was I to see you and know you that I failed to search the place where you actually reside. I realized my foolishness and searched for you inside me and there I found you waiting and smiling at me as if asking why it took me so long to reach you.

The Lord dwells in every heart. So if you desire to win the Lord's pleasure, just do not cause hurt to any one's heart. Shanti Vachan Bhandar, 21.

"God is within you, and that which is within you is subject to self-realization. No one can show God to anyone else. One has to independently realize his real self; thereby he realizes the self of all, which is called God. In the state of ignorance, the student thinks that God is a particular being, and he wants to see that being exactly as he sees something in the external world. It never happens. But when he realizes that God is truth and practices truth in action and speech, then his ignorance about the nature of God disappears and self-realization dawns. Swami Rama (2001). Living with the Himalayan Masters, P.64. "

2008-11-27T07:06:00.001+05:30

When the morning dawns

The Sun sends out its first ray
Giving us two options
Either feel happy or sulk entire day.

Today is a gift from god to you
Wrapped with love and happiness
A day one would never have ever again
Once missed we can never regain.

Or if you want to sulk all day long
Go ahead do it if it pleases you
But remember you sure would be
Not just a loner in life, but a loser too.

That is what those would face
Their lovely face devoid of smile
Choice is yours dear mankind
So says the Almighty.

Yesterday is gone, do not rue
And tomorrow will never come
But today is right before you
Enjoy it before it slips right through.

Smile through the day
For it costs you nothing
It brings happiness not only to you
But to those near and dear too.

Religion Conversion

2008-10-28T17:27:00.000+05:30

There was a time when Hindus, especially the downtrodden classes were forced to convert their religion by the Christians. This was an easy task due to the ill treatment meted out to them by the upper class Hindus and at such times, the Christians offered solace.

Now it is the vice versa. The Hindus are forcing Christians to convert religion and that too with threaten of death if failed to do so. These Christians do convert their religion and to identify themselves as Hindus, they either shave their heads or wear a swastika symbol around their neck. Do they think that by just converting into Hindus and wearing the Hindu symbol around their neck…these converted Christians are Hindus now. Does not the heart and mind have any say in this. The lips might chant the Hindu mantras. The rituals performed might be that of Hindus, but Jesus is who is in their hearts. Why not let them be so? What are the Hindus trying to prove by forcing Hinduism on them? That they are superior, that they are the supreme beings. That Hinduism is the BEST RELIGION? What does it matter to them as to the religion that is being followed? Do they not realize that by forcing Hinduism on Christian, all that they are inculcating is hatred for the religion? Does not an individual have the right to follow his/her religion? That which brings peace to my mind and heart is the one I should follow, not the one that brings tension or hatred to my heart.

What to call such an act on part of the Hindus? Is it stupidity, or is it foolishness on their part? Or is it better to address this act as insanity and cruel mindedness? Why does it not strike to those who are performing such an act that this thing brings out the cheap-minded thoughts and actions that demean this religion?

Waking up to better days in our lives with no hatred but love for each other as an individual should be the motto. After all what is this thing called religion – something created by man only. Follow the simple rule of Live and Let Live. Be there for each other as and when the need arises. Shower love to one and all. Just remember there is someone high above all of us, The Supreme Creator.

2008-10-19T07:28:00.000+05:30

Pay tips or else – the threat looming at almost every household people when they receive the refilled cylinder. Booking and receiving LPG cylinders has become a big problem. Almost each household is met with unreasonable demand from the boys who deliver the cylinder.
I narrate some instances that I happened to witness:
Having shifted our residence from Mumbai to Chennai in the year 1996, our first job was to get the cylinder connection in Chennai. We went to the nearest dealer and got all the paper work done. We then enquired as to when we would get the cylinder. He said we could either take it along with us or wait for three days. We decided to take the two cylinders along with us and paid him for two cylinders. The person in charge asked us to give him Rs.5/- extra per cylinder. When asked why he said, it was towards charges for delivering the cylinder. Charges for delivering, but we are taking them ourselves, my husband shot back. So what he said. When he realized after some arguments that he would not be paid, he said if that is the case, we could come and collect our cylinders each time in future also. He made it clear that he would ensure the cylinders would not be delivered at our place in the future. So be it said my husband and we returned home. Though he did not enforce his threat I had to concede the insistent demands made by the delivery boy by paying him extra over the normal charges for cylinder.
When my neighbor had her cylinder brought after a delay of more than a week, she had this to contend with. When she handed over Rs.345/-, Rs.6/- more than the price of Rs.338/95, he demanded Rs.5/- more. When asked why, he said Rs.10 was the charge that they were collecting for delivering a cylinder. When she refused, he returned the Rs.6/- asking her to keep the tips to herself or shell out Rs.10/- as his delivering charges. Fearing future problems of delayed delivery of cylinder or being given a half-used cylinder, my neighbor paid the tips as demanded by the delivery boy.
Her fears are not unfounded since these boys do create problems by not delivering the cylinder due to the concerned people.
When asked why they are demanding tips when told it is not allowed, the cylinder delivery boy say they are forced to collect tips since their employer has not been paying their salary for the past few months. And that their daily living depends wholly on the tips that they get. These delivery boys do ensure they get what they consider is their legitimate share.
There was another incident when I was told that I would be receiving the cylinder in 4 days time. Not receiving my cylinder even after a week had lapsed I called the dealer and was told that the cylinder has already been sent. The same response came from the storehouse also. And yet, I had not received the cylinder. When there was no sign of the cylinder reaching me, I went to their office and demanded an explanation. The person there had the cheek to tell me that I probably did not receive the cylinder as I had refused to pay tips to them before. I showed him the invoice and asked why is it typed out in bold and red "DO NOT GIVE ANY TIPS TO THE BOYS." And why have they put so prominently in the notice board that salary for the delivery boys have been increased and so tips are not to be entertained? He said that it was just for compliance and I should not give importance to all those. And I still could choose to either pay them the tips or just let go and wait for the cylinder to come. However he did assure me that I would receive the cylinder in the afternoon. I did too. And I had to shell out their rightful tips.
There are some smart boys who sell cylinders to people willing to pay extra, not just tips but something more than Rs.25 to Rs.50 per cylinder. This happened during a shradham at my mother’s place. My mother had to pay Rs.25/- extra plus their regular tips besides the original cylinder rate. It is wrong I know, since someone is waiting for the cylinder elsewhere. But that is exactly how these people manipulate.
The delivery boy had the nerve to sell the cylinder that was to be delivered at my place to someone else. And few days later he brought me the cylinder and said it was not necessary to sign the receipt, as it was not compulsory. Later I realized the reason was because my receipt had already been signed and handed over back to the agency.
It sure is a considerate thought to pay some extra amount to these delivery boys, who bring these heavy cylinders withstanding the heat and rain. But insisting that the consumers have to pay them tips and deciding amongst themselves on what amount to be paid puts off even those who are willing to be considerate. The delivery boys follow this policy. "Pay the tips or else face the consequence of not receiving the cylinder. Choice is yours."
Though this is not consumer friendly, we just give in to their demands thereby facing a literally helpless situation.

My driving lessons

2008-10-11T07:22:00.000+05:30

Sitting beside my husband and watching him steering the car with such effortless ease, I developed an instant desire to do likewise. How wonderful it would be if I could also drive so well, I thought. When I expressed my wish to my husband, he readily agreed to teach me. The very next day before he made me hold the steering wheel he taught me the ABC’s (accelerator, break, and clutch) of car driving. Only after some more theory lessons and quizzing me, he let me start the car ignition. Nervous and excited I put the gear in 1st position and pressed the accelerator. A sudden jerk and phut went the car abruptly. Baffled I turned towards my smiling husband who told me to let the clutch slowly and press the accelerator equally slowly when giving the car a start. After a few trials and testing the patience of my husband…the car started to roll. Even as I was getting instructions as to when to change the gears etc, I soon felt I had learnt it all and was happy that I could drive the car like he did when his hysterical and sudden shout brought me back to reality. He was frantically pointing to a large herd of buffaloes casually moving towards the car with reckless insouciance. Oh wow what an audience I thought for a moment. I stopped the vehicle waiting for them to pass the car and give me unrestricted space to move ahead. As we drove on we saw a man a little away walking on the middle of the road as if the entire road belonged to him. My repeated pressing of the horn had little effect on him with no indication from him to make way for the car. Seated beside me my husband told me, "The control of car is in your hands. The road ahead is not only for you but for other careless users also…make sure you don’t hit the vehicle on anybody. And if you do so, be clear that I would not be accompanying you to the police station." Newly married and not knowing whether he was serious or making a jest I gave a wide berth to the man on the road and managed to reach safely back home with the thought that there goes my dream to dust.
Few years later…an opportunity came for me to learn car driving. My friend and I found a driving school and enrolled our names there. After paying the initial deposit of Rs.1000/- each, we were thrilled when the tutor came with a tiny battered Maruti car the next day. My friend wanted to be the first to sit in the driver’s seat and we had the car moving with very little difficulty in starting it. She drove the car with no hurdle for a few kilometers and on our return I took to the wheel. I was immensely pleased when the tutor asked me if I had driven the car earlier and I was just refreshing my driving lessons.
The 2nd day was equally thrilling. More so because we found that the road was left entirely for us to enjoy and we could move without the fear of hurting anyone. My friend drove onward and I drove on return. The third day he took the same route. And this time we noticed that the petrol tank was on the verge of becoming empty. We did not enquire. But when it was the same in the following two days with the petrol level touching the red mark, we asked the tutor if we would be able to drive down both ways with the scanty petrol. He said there was no problem whatsoever and we could drive long distance with that level of petrol. This went on for five days with us picking our driving and theory lessons. On the sixth day he sent one of his drivers to teach us. This driver being smart said he would help us learn to drive a car earlier than the 22 days schedule provided we brought our own car and willing to pay him extra. Not interested to do so we declined politely. Three classes later neither our tutor nor his driver turned up. Upset at the delay in our becoming the proud owners of a driving license, all our efforts to contact him over the mobile failed. Assuming he might not be feeling well or so, we took an auto to the driving school only to find it closed. On enquiry we were shocked to know that Suvidha Driving School has been closed and the owner had left for his native place forever a few days back.
Disheartened we decided to take out our cars on alternate days and complete the lessons on our own. Luckily our husbands wholeheartedly supported the idea. So when I drove my car my friend became my tutor and when she drove the car I became her tutor. We slowly moved ahead driving around our colony and the nearby roads. When we became a little more confident we took our car to the main roads. It was just a matter of a few days before we obtained the license from the authorities.
Thrilled at having learnt most of driving by ourselves, and eagerly waiting to show my husband my driving skills, I took him in the car to the nearby Ayyapa temple. Receiving compliments from my husband, I felt I was in heaven.
I got an opportunity soon to showcase this skill of mine to my in-laws too when we drove down to Bangalore. Oh god! Was it not exciting and memorable to take to highway. And it gave me great joy when my co-sister asked me to give her driving lessons.
But not accustomed to driving car regularly, my skill seems to have slept now.
And the fact that learning to drive a car has been done without the help of a good tutor, there is some hesitancy to go ahead. So I know I need to refresh my driving skills and so am waiting for a good tutor to help me achieve the same.

Ban on smoking

2008-10-10T10:07:00.000+05:30

Ban on smoking
So much of late has been written and spoken on the topic ever since it has been brought as a rule – Ban on smoking.
Might be we could learn a little from this village – A.Pudupatti – near Madurai, as reported in the Hindu. This village with a population of 3500 has a self-imposed ban on smoking cigarettes, beedies and tobacco, for the past 90 years. Solid 90 years of non-smoking, amazing is it not. The mention of tobacco sends people into rage. Any outsider seen smoking is gently told to go to the outskirts to satisfy the pleasure they obtain from smoking.
Well nothing is gained without loss, so it is said. The reason behind this ban happens to be a major fire that was caused when a person carelessly threw a cigarette butt on a haystack. This made the people resolve that never again would any shop in the village sell any of these products/items and neither does one find a wine shop in this village.
The village does have its proud moments when they say most of the youngsters here are non-smokers.
The question is do we have to face a calamity or disaster to strike on us, do we need our lungs to choke because of the smoking habits to resolve that we would never do this thing ever again in our lives? Which in most cases happens to be a belated one, more so because enough harm, has already been done.
It has been rightly put by Duane Alan Hahn in his quote – "When are people going to realize that breathing in smoke from anything that burns is not a good idea?"
What right do we have to knowingly cause harm to ourselves and to those around us? Each individual has to resolve that he/she would give top priority to their own health and that of others around him/her. After all of what use is this few moments of pleasure gained by putting the entire life into jeopardy which is a sure sign of dying daily.
So before we go to that extent of losing out on our lives let us fight tobacco, to ensure that we win the war against cancer."

Pleasure, which must be enjoyed at the expense of another's pain, can never be enjoyed by a worthy mind. Pleasure's couch is virtue's grave. - Augustine J. Duganne.

Listening to elders

2008-10-06T08:20:00.000+05:30

Why is it that one finds it extremely difficult to listen to elders, who happen to be one of our near family members? Why does it not register in our minds that our people have only the very good wishes for us and whatever they say or do is for our very own good? Especially more so, when they do have the experience about good and bad.
I found myself criticizing my sister for not listening or paying heed to what has been told by our parents. She considers advises and thoughts of someone else as the best one for her when she ignores those said by her own people. And most of the time the views/opinions/thoughts/ ideas told by an outsider is exactly what has been told to her for her very own good by family member.
And realization struck me that I too am behaving in exactly the same way. I decided not to listen to an advice given by my mom while the same given by my neighbor I immediately agreed. Only to find that what my mom told was much more apt in the situation. And that is how it happens in most of the cases where we heed not to their words or advises. (I do agree good friends and some neighbors do have good will in their heart for us.)
Questions I have been asking myself:
Why do we do so? Is it because we don’t want to hurt the feelings of our neighbor or is it that we want to be in their good books? Does it not strike us that in the process of not wanting to hurt outsiders we do hurt the feelings of our dear ones? So do we find it correct to hurt our own people while trying to be in the good books of others and more so when how we lead our lives is in no way something that they would be interested in?
Parents who have given their all to ensure their offspring does not suffer in life or at least minimize the children’s suffering are pained a lot by this childish act, they hide it so as to not disappoint their loved ones. But the eyes hide not the real feelings and emotions. Why do we ignore the tears and words that the eyes say? Have we become so blind to these in our life?
When are we going to come out of the false status that we have been building around ourselves in the wrap of doing the role of being a goody goody in the eyes of outsiders.

How rightly it has been quoted:
"I have noticed that many people can admire only those who are inaccessible to them. They cannot admit or admire the genius of a person within their local community or circles. This phenomenon is even more amusing when you find that a guru or a specialist ceases to be one in their minds as soon as he/ she is accessible to them."

Friends are there for you

2008-09-28T15:09:00.001+05:30

Friendship is a lovely gift
Never let it go adrift
Never let something to stain
For once lost you can never gain.

Give it the value it richly deserves
Ban unwanted thoughts that swerves

it has been shown - sure is friendship
Something more than just relationship

When in hours of need friends assure you
Never would they bid adieu
They would be there to erase your tear
And ensure to throw away your fear.

Rest assured you would never be alone
Never would they let you into the world unknown
They would hold your hands forever
Even after the warmth makes you abler.

Long after things grow old

The trust you place they surely would hold
A friendship so precious more than a jewel
That is something they want to be eternal

light at the end

2008-09-11T09:38:00.001+05:30

When the world seems to turn against you
When things don't go as you expected them to
When you feel this must be the end
As you find turmoils at every bend.

Deep inside you feel not the light
Something is blocking the vision from your sight.
As you strain your eyes to see
Not a trace of anything even faintly.
All of a sudden a flash of light
Blinds your eyes, being so bright
Hands covering tightly your eyes
Out of the situation you try rise.

Open your eyes you hear someone say
Let me lead you out of this bay
Give me your hand I shall take you
And together, to problems let’s bid adieu.

night so lovely

2008-09-10T16:58:00.001+05:30

Beautiful moon I do see
Peeping from behind the clouds
Shining little pretty stars
Adorning the vast sky
Sitting back and feeling relaxed
I love nature, its beauty I admire.

Yonder is the silhouette of trees
Bending and swaying to the gentle breeze
A lovely scene satiating our eyes
And in the silence of the night
Mild sound do I hear
Of the rivers flowing through
Crickets chirping and frogs croaking.

No musical instruments are played
None to render a song
Yet nature’s orchestra team
With its music divine to our ears
Fills our heart with inner peace.
I close my eyes and savour
The beauty of mother-nature
Happiness filling my heart to brim
And I truly wish and pray
This night would never end.

Then I hear night whispering to me
Sorry dear I have to leave
Across the globe I do have
Others also to please
But I promise to return by dusk
And fill you with happiness again.
Slowly the stillness of the night
Paves the way for sun to arise.
Elegant and majestic sun shows its face
And begins the day with joy and grace.

With lots of love

2008-08-28T05:53:00.001+05:30

Brought into this lovely earth
We know not what lies ahead
But pray please do pay heed
When told, never succumb to greed.

As we move and learn to live
To meet our demands, we do strive
In the process we meet people so true
Whose heart is so, beautiful and pure.

A relationship that lends us a shoulder
When life seems like pushing a boulder
God sent angels we call them friends
With them around we forget the bends

In friendship do you seek wealth and gold
Then stand back and do not hold
For friendship is such a priceless treasure
So precious, nothing can equal its measure.

Night time vehicle users - Use your dippers please

2008-08-22T05:56:00.000+05:30

Travelling by road during night is probably the worst nightmare one could ever go through. Riding my two-wheeler during night, I notice vehicles coming in the opposite direction speeding down the road with their headlights on in high beam. (This blinds the vehicle users and pedestrians coming in the opposite direction for a few minutes. Total black out one could say. A sort of panic or tension is created when visibility is next to nothing for those few moments.) I have tried indicating to them that the headlights are in high beam position and can be dipped for better vision for the other vehicles by alternating my lights from dipper to high beam and back to dipper again. The sad point is most of them neither acknowledge, having seen me alternating my headlights nor do they change to dipper position. They just speed past and in that fraction of a second all that I see ahead is total darkness. I have to strain my eyes for a few moments before I can see ahead clearly.

Same, is the case of vehicles coming behind with lights on high beam. The lights seen in the rear view mirror is equally glaring for the vehicle user, this in turn ensures the rider/driver of the vehicle (going ahead) has no clear sight of what is coming behind him.

I have also come across drivers of heavy vehicles and cars who probably feel they would save on their battery life if they don’t switch on the lights during night. They feel streetlight helps in seeing the way so why waste their vehicle’s battery life. And there are some very smart drivers of heavy vehicle who manage to keep just one of their headlights on in high beam. And vehicles coming in the opposite direction are lucky if the lights or on the right side of the oncoming vehicle. If it is on the left side and with the high beam lights glaring and blinding the eyes…it sure looks like an invitation from high above saying "Welcome home dear".

Some accidents occurring in the night could be averted to a large extent if the vehicle users just use their mind a little and switch their lights from high beam to dippers when they see a vehicle approaching.

An earnest request to vehicle users – Let not the high beam headlights that you use for your own convenience and sometimes due to negligence be the reason to create darkness in some lives.

Time and Tide waits for no one

2008-08-13T14:22:00.001+05:30

Seeing him walking up and down the room
Sit down with me please she requested
An argument erupted and he did fume
Brushing aside the tears, her chores she attended.

Let's go for a walk, she asked of him
Not now dear am too tired, he replied.
She knew his tensions were up to the brim
Smiling away the disappointment, she stepped aside.

Ready for a drive, she put forth her desire -
Have a meeting he said matter a bit crucial.
Not wishing to further enquire
Into her kitchen she did hustle.

Let's take a long ride she pleaded
Not now dear, put aside your pleasure
Kids needs are first to be acceded
Postpone your desire for the future.

Spare a few minutes and let me be thine
To this request, let kids settle in life he said
Oh god what a selfish desire of mine
Guilt overwhelming, her heart did bled

Sit with me dear, he requested
Holding his hands she did as told.
Sitting with him was what she wanted
Worth it was much more than gold.

He once requested for a stroll
Anything for you she did remark
She needed no words of cajole
Together they went to a park.

Set aside some time for me he said
All my time, she said, is at your disposal
Being with him was what she wanted
Moments for which anything she'd cancel.

Sitting in the verandah beside him
Her fingers clasping, deep in bliss
Looking up at him she smiled in the dim
A smile before he happened to miss

As he felt her fingers loosen slowly
All that he could see in her place
When tears blinded him like a curtain
Was a silhouette of her lovely face.

Leave me not, he put forth his request
And he woke up from his reverie
Her absence he could not digest
And his life he felt was dumpy.

Tears whelming again he recollected
Her words, never again to be heard
"When the time really comes my dear
For all you know, I might not be near.

Random thoughts

2008-07-17T14:15:00.000+05:30

1. However rich in terms of money
a man in this earth happens to be
the oxygen he needs to breathe
is god's gift to him for free.

2. Smile - lights up the face
gives the owner a lovely grace
it keeps the frowns away
ensures tears are at bay
provides a life filled with cheer
for what else are we for here.

3. When things go wrong as they should'nt
when life seems difficult to sail in rough weather
when everything seems so bleak and thinner
when you feel you can go no further
think of and keep faith on the one in the altar
who is here to see you through thick and thin
for he who created the night
ensured sunshine is not far away.

4. Warm morning wishes sent your way
to wish you have the very best day
Smile and laugh and keep cheery
live life today and be merry

5. Wishes adorned and sent with a smile
Are so sweet and worthwhile
To the sender it adds a grace
While the receiver's worries it does erase.

To my love

2008-06-16T13:24:00.001+05:30

Tomorrow my love leaves, ere the day would be bright

So please stand still I requested of the night

I need memories to last through during his absence

So let me savour every second of his presence.

Don't move I requested the moon
don't go to send the sun so soon
with my love leaving me tomorrow
I don't want the night to narrow.

Be still I pleaded with time
each second to me is worth many a dime
Tomorrow I have to bid my love adieu
So please postpone the arrival of morning dew.

Tomorrow for sure may be too late
and I don't want to blame it on fate
and with no intention to rue
Tonight I will tell him - I love him true

unity/disparity

2008-06-11T22:21:00.001+05:30

Learning many a things to stay alive
When at school to adjust, we strive
English, Hindi math or game
Together we would try to achieve fame.

Teachers always held in high esteem
To support us do they act as beam
Trust in them is what lets us go
To reach for the stars high above.

Somewhere did we all go wrong
To unbind the love that was so strong
For otherwise would we ever hear
Hatred in hearts all due to fear

Some teachers don’t keep up to the respect
Stooping way below in many an aspect
Biased are some in their view
To them are favorites not all but few

Morals and values of life put to shame
Parents and teachers each other they blame
Where oh where are these heading to
Affected are the children by what we do.

Come out off this negative shell one and all
Lets go way beyond what is our fall
Lets join hands and vow to be friends
And create unity that never ends.

Message for my love

2008-06-11T22:14:00.001+05:30

Oh mighty sun shining so bright
paving the way from darkness to light
pass this message to my dear
am thinking of him, when he is not near

gently flowing oh sweet breeze
swaying as you move, the pretty leaves
as you flow and reach my beloved
tell him how I long to be loved

easy to send and lots one can say
any time of the day it makes its way
oh today's postman, we call you email
please tell him, love can never fail.

I keep the doors open for him
lights at home, shining in the dim
my waiting proved to be fruitful
when you came in with your arms full

Hardly any space I had I realized
so, the things I just pushed aside
In your arms I want to cherish
the memories that I forever relish

Friends and Friendship

2008-05-20T03:55:00.001+05:30

All alone trying to hold

Is not easy, everyone told
But I did try my level best
To realize, true were the rest.

Dear, the almighty said
You sure can go ahead
But remember, friends are there
to assist you, when in despair.

But do you have to eternally wait
for these pressing needs to state
why in friendship, hesitation impedes
friends are waiting to show warmth thro deeds.

To my love

2008-05-10T05:10:00.001+05:30

Never do I tire of seeing you

Believe me these words are true

It’s your presence that makes me live

If I have hurt, I ask you to forgive.

If your eyes mine don’t meet

Never assume our relationship is beat

Something said has hurt me deep

Seeing you that time, tears do seep.

The hurt in heart does seem to pain

But never have I felt the relationship strain

Deep from my heart I say with zeal

The Love for you that I always I feel.

It is your charm that sent slow my pace
I’d give anything to see the smile in your face

brittleness in relationship, would be erased by the angel

And the Love we share will be made eternal

Atrocious Act by human beings

2008-05-05T19:47:00.000+05:30

The newspaper had this news to report. "Child thrown into well survived."
A 7 day old child (happens to be a female baby) was found in a well. It appears that the baby was thrown into the unused irrigation well, but the infant got caught and entangled in thick thorny bushes in the 60 feet deep well which had 20 feet water. The cries of the baby brought the nearby residents and fortunately or unfortunately the baby was saved. The picture showed the baby’s hands all wound in bandages.
Same news also reported about a 5month old baby girl abandoned in a drainage channel.
These babies were probably thrown because they happen to be girl babies, or because of financial constraints to rear a girl baby or that the baby happens to be an illegitimate child.
If the babies have been abandoned because it happens to be a female, then people please remember, even in the poorest families, girls have proved to be real gems, and in no way inferior to boys in any field in the present day of living.
If the babies were abandoned because of financial constraints, parents please make use of protection against unwanted pregnancy when you want to satiate your physical desires. There are so many cheap options available in the market nowadays, even the nearest government clinic would provide these.
And if the babies were abandoned because it happens to be illegal, then my question is why ever did the mother have to undergo the 10month trial, bring life into this earth and just throw the babies into the drainage or well to let them die. It would have been better if an abortion has been done in the initial trimester itself. And the best suggestion for the couples is, to get, themselves sterilized so that they can go about satisfying their physical needs and lust and yet not do the inhuman act of abandoning the babies.
Whatever be the reason, it just shows the ruthless, heartless and inhuman act by the people involved in this cruel deed. In this regard animals happen to be a better creation of God. Even at critical times of their life, they only think of saving their babies and not abandoning them. A lesson to be learnt from this wonderful creation of the Almighty.

Subdued Fire

2008-04-15T18:00:00.001+05:30

Writhing in pain because of betrayal
From unexpected quarters – so very brutal
Tears welling and rushing out
Controlling it she could not.

Opening the valve of the shower
She let the water flow on her
Clearing the tears as the water flow
Closing her eyes she let them go.

Her eyes now closed she could sense
Yellow and red fire so dense
She realized the feeling with awe
She was burning inside, very raw.

Allowing the water do their charm
Thereby releasing her from the alarm
Slowly she saw the obtuse fire
Whimper and letting go the ire.

As she now opened her eyes
She could feel the cool slowly arise
Allowing the form of an aura of peace
Not anymore she felt the crease.

As she closed her eyes again
Doubting, if exists the fire of pain
What she saw amazed her
In place of fire a lovely white flower.

Friends

2008-04-14T01:06:00.001+05:30

Friends that I have are very few
but from heart I know they are all true
I do keep regular contact
but never felt the need to keep a pact
for friendship blossoms from the heart
and good friends never go apart

2008-04-04T22:11:00.000+05:30

Never stop or own the moral excellence in a person. It would be futile, since moral excellence as a character in a person, is like the fragrance of the flower that spread far and wide as the wind blows, with no boundaries for it. Everyone in this world needs to smell the fragrance of moral excellence and follow the same, so as to spread it further.

Initial charm weans as time passes.

2008-04-04T05:13:00.000+05:30

The initial enthusiasm with which one gets involved, the inner depth and interest in any activity is soon followed by a neglected attitude in them.
Any activity for that matter, be it movies, corruption, murders, ruthlessness amidst people, the scam, the scandal, sports, etc. make sensational news today and is soon forgotten.
The good deeds are remembered if the person happens to be an extraordinary person or has done something exemplary. Even these people are forgotten and are remembered either on their birthdays or death anniversary, soon to be forgotten again.
And what about the crimes and mistakes committed. Do people learn from these mistakes? No, never, they just brush it off like some dust speckle and continue to do the same. And in most cases, this paves way for others to follow and commit any mistakes. And such crimes soon become news of the past when justice is denied or delayed.
Ok what about love. Here too the intensity is lessened. It is almost taken for granted when it has been accepted by both. And when it leads to marriage, well the honeymoon is over and so is the fun and frolic, so back to mundane activities seems to be the motto.
Unfortunately so is the case of many friendships. Starting with a hesitating hi, it goes on to blossom into a wonderful friendship, but sooner or later, there too it vanishes, either when one of them moves away to a different locality. The words and promises – your friendship is like life to me, not a day can pass if I don’t speak to my friend, so on and so forth, are not even remembered.
Why does the initial charm fade away? Is it because a new path has paved its way or is a new path being paved because the charm has lost everything it could say?
One of my friend was leaving for USA. And he had this to say to me, "Lakshmi, I expect at least one mail from you everyday. I sure would respond to all your mails. If I fail to receive even one mail per day, I would punish you severely when I return back home." Well I kept up the word from my side. Initially he responded to all my mails. And soon I would receive replies to mails after one week and the gap widened. Now I hardly ever send or receive mails from him. We do chat once in a while. Might be I too am to be blamed, why did I stop the regular activity that I used to do? But however deep inside I know, and so does he, that the friendship between us is still fresh and will be forever so.
Probably, in relationship, it is best not to pay attention to the weaning of the initial charm. The core matter probably lies fresh deep within, no matter how many days have elapsed. It can bring back the interest whenever needed. That is why it has a special name Friendship.

MY DEAR FRIEND

2008-04-03T18:32:00.001+05:30

These words as a poem I wrote with a particular friend in my mind.
My thanks to him, whose encouraging and inspiring words,
prompted me to try my hand in writing. I know I am still an
amateur and have a long way to go and improve myself.
Thanks dear friend. I could go on saying more, but the pages
Would just not suffice to accept all my views.

Thank you GOD for giving me a true friend

Searching for a wonderful relationship
The best is what I call true friendship
I keep asking GOD for one such friend
And wondered why I lack in this end.

Many a people did he show
I later realized why HE did so
Trying to make me understand
The inherent qualities I can withstand.

And when HE knew I understood
HE did send me a friend so good
A relationship so pious and true
My dear friend, it is YOU

Platonic Relationship/friendship

2008-04-02T22:49:00.000+05:30

Is it so difficult to have a platonic relationship?
I put forth this question to a very good friend of mine. His answer to it is - Ideally speaking yes, but practically speaking NO. Such relationships might be possible but the percentage of it is way too minimum, to even be seen.

Can there not exist a relationship between a man and a woman that is devoid of physical desires in it? Why does the society show narrow mindedness when it sees a man and a woman together and brand their friendship as an ‘affair’ or say there sure is "something" going between the two?
Why should it mean that in a good friendship between two people, there is a hidden affair going on?
Does friendship between a man and a woman culminate only to satiate physical desires between the two? Does love between friends of opposite gender, only mean something to do with carnal cravings?

My views about a platonic relationship is not where the friends sit with each other for hours together, either face to face or chat over phone or internet and in the process neglect their family life or ignore their spouse. It is also not about a situation, where the friends feel missed if they don’t see each other or talk to each other, even for a day.

I do believe a platonic relationship between a man and a woman is possible. It is one of the sweetest friendship that one can ever experience.

If such friendship is fading away from our lives it is more so because of the possessive feeling of their spouse. The suspicious nature inherent in the spouse of the friends leads them to conceal this relationship. The fear that such a relationship can not be accepted or will be misunderstood or what the society may say, to such a friendship, which in turn affects their family life, leads them to hide this relationship. When a situation arises as to which to hold on to – family or friend, to ensure smooth running of the family, family seems to be the one they have to choose as they are committed to it. Thereby the friendship remains hidden, or nipped off in the bud stage itself.

Trust/faith/belief call it whatever you want, is the base that holds strong and tight any relationship. Marriage is based on this concrete foundation named trust. If that trust is not visible, then how can one ever lead a life with happiness and joy in it. The absence of trust makes one suspect the other in life. Injecting venom in the seeds planted will lead to the death of the plant even before the shoots show their face, the plant just withers and dies, because the venom has settled in the roots. Does the root survive? Never. Such is the disaster that is created because of venom in the form of suspicion in relationship.

Physical relationship between spouses is something that binds them together. And it is a form of expressing love between them. And in that love is the trust that they share between them. I cannot, in thoughts or deeds, imagine a person having physical relationship with someone other than their own spouse. The relationship that one shares with their spouse is totally different from those shared with friends. There is this component of love in both the relationships. They have their own way of being expressed.

If the heart and mind is pure, the relationship is genuine, the trust is incomparable, then just seek out with sincerity in heart, one is sure to find a friendship that has only pure love in it – platonic friendship .

'Tis the perception of the beautiful, A fine extension of the faculties, Platonic, universal, wonderful, Drawn from the stars, and filtered through the skies, Without which life would be extremely dull"
- Lory Byron

When in Debt - Mangala

2008-03-31T18:38:00.001+05:30

Mangala earned her livelihood working in many houses as a maid. She had to feed her three children and her good-for-nothing drunkard husband. Her husband felt it his right to live off in her salary, just drinking and betting on horses, even though all that he has ever done was drain her salary in full. The daily wage job that he attended, he felt was not upto his level. So the number of days that he stayed away from the job was more than the number of days he would go to work. More so he needed to be away from his job so that he could be present at the racing and gambling places. End result, the money that he brings home was not sufficient even to meet just his needs alone.
Not having had any education herself, Mangala wanted her children to study and now her children were in class 11, class 10 and class 7. Studying in corporation schools, her children did not disappoint her, they studied dedicatedly and the efforts were proving good with them gaining good grades in school. The income she earned was meagre and so she worked doubly hard to provide for their school facilities also. There were times when she found it real difficult to meet their school demands and so borrowed from the houses where she worked. Being an honest and sincere lady, she repaid the loan the day she received her salary. Of course within a span of few days, she used to return to the lady of the houses she worked for another loan. Amidst these she managed to save a little for her children.
But hardship seemed to follow her severely. Her husband was hospitalized and an appendicitis operation was needed. The very little savings that she had and borrowing from the houses she worked, were just not enough to tide over the hospital bills. And so with a heavy heart she went to the pawnbroker’s to pledge her jewels. At an exorbitant rate of interest, she received money to tide over the hospital expenses. She could repay the loan borrowed from the houses that she worked, on a later date, but the pawnbroker would need his dues at the right time. And to tide over this phase of her life she added the number of houses she worked. But things went bleak when the time for repayment of the principal was past over due and the pawnbroker would just not hear anything from her. At her doorstep would he come each day demanding his money and hurling the worst abuse ever possible when she pleaded for time. And ultimately the pawnbroker sent a notice saying her jewels would be put for auction. Poor Mangala, could do nothing when the Pawnbroker said no balance remained as all the money received from the auction was just enough to pay of his loan.
And so it is true when it is said: "The only man who sticks closer to you in adversity than a friend is a creditor." - Unknown