The strangers

Hi, I am Sanjay, Just after entering into the compartment of 2138 Punjab Mail, the young guy introduced himself in a very friendly way. He was around 26 year old with a professional body language and was looking bit stylish in his lower and white Reebok shoes. These days it’s becoming quite common to travel in lower and slipper, may be because of the comfort it gives or maybe due to the fact that it adds a bit into your cool look. A family of four (with two naughty boys) also joined us. Soon after our introduction, we began to talk about our college, work, company and colleague. As I am more of a patience listener so my smile was participating more than my words. During the chatter, I realized that it’s a common human tendency to boast as much as one can do especially in front of some unknown person. I am not sure why people try to prove there superiority to the strangers especially when they know that their artificially lifted stature is going to be forgotten once the journey ends. Any way it’s a different philosophy!! Normally after few conversation things settle down and normal talk begins. We all befriended very soon. The boys had their breakfast and everybody except me took a break for a small rest. I was trying to find out and justify the criteria of ranking engineering colleges in the current issue of the India Today which had ranked Indian School of Mines at 20th position and I was not quite satisfied with that rank.

My curiosity dragged me to the door to enjoy the beautiful valley of Chambal. I always love traveling by train standing at the door, holding the bars and fighting with the mighty wind trying to push me in. it’s lovely to watch the fields with different crops, the villages with changing culture, small mountains with young rivers and dense green Jungles. You get lost in the thought, natural beauty and the rhythmic thud of the train. Chambal is unique in the way that its small mountains are made up of soil and not of rock like other valleys .I was surprised that why those mountains of soil have not been weathered or eroded yet. I got a glimpse of what I had seen in Bandit Queen but later on my co passengers informed me that whatever I had seen was far less than the actual Chambal valley.

The last co passenger in that compartment joined us at Jhansi. When Pratigya enquired about her seat I directed her to the next compartment, but when she returned back I realized that the berth I was seating at was hers. She was a young girl, fairly tall with an endearing round face adored with a beautiful smile. Her small delightful eyes together with slightly elongated nose and fairly round temple were creating a cute aura. She was looking very elegant in those neither so traditional nor so fancy, simple and sober cloths. From the beginning itself she was very friendly and easy to go with, a smooth talker, showing no sign of tedium even with our useless chatter and no artificial attitude which is generally very common in modern day’s girls. At first she looked a very normal girl but as we spent more time I realize that her sheer presence was mesmerizing and she was a perfect personality with all the positive energy. In fact she was a well balanced story which you cannot resist to tell again and again.

Soon it converted into a small family with uncle, aunty, and their two kids, Sanjay, Pratigya and me. It was a very pleasant environment. We found out a better way to pass our time and started playing cards. Aunty shared some snacks with us which she had brought from some local shop. (Everybody ate it forgetting the instruction of our parents to not to share foods with co-passengers). Those two kids were the centre of all liveliness and always made us laugh with their funny styles. Although Pratigya had not played cards before but she picked it up very quickly and soon she was an active player… of course with passive support from us. All of us were enjoying the game and the gossip with it. We engrossed ourselves so deeply in the game that we could not realize how fast the time was actually flying. We passed almost 6-7 hours playing cards. I felt like I was sitting with my close friends and my family members. I never had such nice people in my train journey. We were so involved with each other that I never felt the need to open my magazine again .It was a memorable journey and I was so happy to witness the love and affection in the environment. It was not just acquaintance but a close association, as if we knew each others for years.

It’s a completely different kind of feeling when you make friends, sometimes close friends, within few hours, exchange all your thoughts and then say goodbye for almost forever. Although they often cross through your mind but there is no hope to see them again. I have started loving the train journey of late, which every time gifts me some beautiful experience and some golden friends with the tough lesson of life which Rabindr Nath Tagore has taught us in his story The Postmaster.

Be in touch my friends…………………………………………

IPL: Flip side of the coin

Third secession of IPL is on and people are enthusiastically discussing each and every ball with excitement. We are waiting for Dhoni to recover from his injury more eagerly than we had ever waited for our exam results. Everybody is in very delighted mood to get this free of cost mega entertainment. After all we are saving our movie tickets cost and enjoying the evening in some pub with friends and free pitcher at every alternate six. IPL is being discussed in every cup of tea, each puff of cigarette, every home, office, bus stop, local train and may be sometimes bedroom also. The mega event will soon turn into a giga one as more teams are being added. And the price at which the franchise of the new two teams, Pune and Kochi has been bought is indicating towards the more free fun. We are so deeply enjoying these moments that we forget to or may be choose not to think about where from this money is coming? The huge franchise cost , the huge sum at which players are being contracted and the money involved in sponsoring the fours, Sixes , catches and may be no and wide bolls also in coming years. All big guns are running to buy a team as it is turning into a big business for them. But is this entertainment worth this money, is the business of IPL generating some productive output other than making money for the owners. All the money which is involved in IPL is coming from sponsors and the advertisements and these sponsors are not donating it for the cause of cricket. The money they are spending, they are/will be recovering from us, the consumer. The more they will sponsor or advertise the more the cost of their product will go up and ultimately the more we will pay for it. So the funda of free entertainment is actually costing us way more than we realize. I may be blamed for seeing negativity behind a good cause of developing cricket in India but I strongly oppose this waste of money and time for the poor nation like us. We are paying a huge sum to the foreign players when half of our population is living below poverty line. Ohhh I am not going to buy the shit that IPL will make India a super power in cricket, even if it does then also at the cost of spoiling other sports and many more things. I don’t have sympathy for other sports but yes I am concerned about wastage of huge money for it as I believe in very simple concept of अति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत... The payment and attention cricket is getting will cost us in other areas and the disparity of society will continue to rise with such extravaganza.

The Naked Truth

I was very excited because I was visiting my village in winter after three years. Its so beautiful there, mild cold winds with pleasantly warm sun in afternoon and all dry and green fields. Always dreaming about chana sag, raw gud (a form of sugar) and guava from my garden. The excitement was even fueled by thinking about playing cricket in sweet winter evenings with the respectively younger but highly affectionate pals. But the main reason, as usual, was the same, to see the family, to meet my elder sister who had come home as she was expecting a baby and my younger brother was coming home second time within a week only to meet me. Excited about spotting the brightness and glow in my mother’s eyes after seeing me as if I was visiting after a century. After all she is a mother. Although my papa doesn’t show it off but his face, voice and eyes cannot lie. But above all the satisfactory smile of my grandmother is heart wrenching. She greets me with such a love and happiness as if she has got a chance to visit a holy pilgrimage. She uses to take care of all my comfort even not being in so good health herself. Now I can understand her emotional smile in better way…….

Those six days were very pleasant and enjoyable. Even I extended my stay for two more days risking my ongoing project. During that one week I ate delicious food, played lots of cricket, enjoyed the family love and affection and got blessed by twin nieces. I came back to Mumbai to be away again as usual. But something was not to be usual this time …. I am going home again just after two weeks but this time there in nothing to be happy about. All the things, weather, cricket and green fields are the same…. But this time that satisfactory smile of my grandmother will not be there to welcome me. I didn’t understand her smile and desperate love until I lost her. It was her sense of insecurity which she was scared of. Now I can understand her very affectionate but saddened look while saying me goodbye every times. Probably she knew that any of these goodbyes can be her last goodbye to her beloved grandson. This thought never crossed my mind. I always thought that things will remain the same until my next visit. But now realize that I was fooling myself by not accepting and acknowledging the truth. I cannot even imagine how my home will be without her. Her alive face is always dancing in my mind. I am unable to accept this naked fact that she is no more to smile and hug me with affection. How can somebody disappear suddenly? Is it kind of some magic of God? I become restless when I realize that I can’t see her again. Many things in this world are uncertain but the uncertainty of life is the biggest one. The feeling of loosing someone forever cannot be expressed in words. I am sure the world will not change, we will forget it and adjust ourselves in her emptiness but why and where has she gone? I miss u too much dadi .. I love u….

May your soul rest in peace.

WATER BOTTLE

Pani lo… pani  lo… pani lo…. A 6-7 year old boy was running along the platform with a bottle filled with water... bare footed , pulling his pant above his thigh with one hand trying to hold it there, running window to window to sell that bottle along the sleeper compartment of 8610 Ranchi Express. It was some station between Allahabad and Mughal Sarai in UP. I was desperately looking for water as there is no pantry in that train and the last bottle I had purchased from Jabalpur station had finished almost four hours before.  As he passed along my window I stopped him and asked how much the water costs? Panch rupya (Five rupees) he replied. I realized that it was used bottle discarded by passengers and was filled with normal platform water. I asked Mahnga wala nahi hai (don’t you have the original one??)  He didn’t get me and moved ahead. Just after few seconds he again appeared and said tim rupya me leb$ (will u pay three rupees)? I tried to smile while swiefly denying his request but it was a tight smile. Before I got out from my thoughts about him, 2 -3 girls appeared with buckets filled with water in their hands. Girls also of same age group, 6-7 years old, bare footed, frock with no hooks in it exposing all their back, dirty and dry hair with some colored ribbons, slender legs with dry skins and a placid smile on their face. They were moving along the window to feel the empty bottles of the passengers in general compartment at the rate of Rs 2 a bottle. I just was watching all that but a silent combat was going on in my mind. Who is responsible for their condition? Why we can not do anything for them?

I had my empty bottle with me. When the same boy again crossed along my window, I called him and passed my empty bottle thinking that he will fill it and sell some one to get some money. But he again got me wrong and ran to fill the bottle for me without taking time to listen my purpose. He returned back within two minutes with filled bottle. He was very happy to help me rather than in the hope of earning some bucks. An innocent smile was dancing on his face when he tried to clean his already cleaned nose by swiping it from hanging sleeve of his shirt. He has a small round face with little nose. Two of his front teeth were absent adding more cuteness and smile to his face. Upper two buttons of his shirt were undone and it was almost hanging to his shoulder upto just above his knees. I noticed that the shirt was quite longer than he actually needed.

My hand went into my back pocket to search for my wallet. I pulled a 2 rupees coin and gave him swiftly denying taking the bottle again. He ran back to the platform almost dancing happily to show his earning to his another friend. I saw him telling something to his friend by pointing his finger towards me. The joy at that innocent face was so illuminated and obvious that it seemed that he got a very precious thing. At that day I realized the value of that two rupees coin. Is it causing such a sweet happiness for someone!!! Possibly Yes. Rich people spent a hell lot of money just for their dogs. But the condition of human just adjacent to us is so bad, we never realize. I realized that there is no end of making and spending money but our small contribution to the needy people can bring smile at their faces.

At platform a vender was dip frying Aalu chap surrounded by customers when the train again started moving. I was looking in blank my eyes opened but my mind lost somewhere in thoughts…..

यादें 

26^th Oct 2008

Terror Attack & UPA Govt.

We all are very much aware about the terror attack on Mumbai on November 26^th. It was one of the worse terror attacks India has ever faced. What are the relevant of this? It happens every fortnight in India. We Indian have been habituated to such kind of attacks and blasts. Nothing new…. It something is new then the Post attack politics. This is the worse government India has ever seen. Powerless and toothless PM and worse President. The only power house is Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and she is nowhere close to the Great Indira Gandhi and a strong leader Rajeev. I cant really understand what this govt is doing. They have no purpose, no vision, and no dreams. This govt only play the politics of vote. Loan wavier and Muslim favorism is the only agenda of this govt. People of India were expecting strong response from the govt after this terror attack on Mumbai . But what we are seeing is our new hero sorry Shaheed Mr Shivraj Patil . This govt is busy saving and improving its vote bank by forcing Mr Patil for resignation. I don’t know how is resignation is solving the problem of Terrorism? And if its moral responsibility then I am afraid that these politician understand the meaning of word Moral.

This is the time to take decision, to act and not just bark. This is the time when India should attack on Terror factories operating in Pak occupied Kashmir (POK).We must send a message to Pakistan and to the world that we will not tolerate such nonsense and can go to any extent to punish the force behind it. It’s not going to end with verbal peace talks until we will not do something on ground. Pressurize Pakistan with the help of global forces. But one thing is very clear .If I won’t take initiative then no one will come for my rescue. But wait I have no time I am busy with this fucking vote politics and chanting the song of first women president. Pardon me but she is a joke not a president and Mr Manmohan will do well only as Finance Minister. This govt is a total failure. I request you all to topple it so that we can survive. We need someone who can take hard steps to fight with terrorism. Please I don’t want to hear explosion every fortnight and if it has to be why should it not explode in Pakistan. Attacking POK is the only solution because politics is not the solution and even if it is, our politician only know the Hindu –Muslim politics and not the real international Politics.

12:50 AM Dec 01, 2008

जो प्यार मिला था उसे कभी…

Please do not search any story behind this poem... better u use ur imagination to feel it.

एक पत्थर था दो आँसू थे
एक ख्वाब सुहाना पलता था,
हर पल मे खुशियाँ रह्ती थीं
हर पल एक नया सितारा था।

महसूस नही तुम कर पाये
वो मोम जो कभी पिघलता था,
तुम उसके आजीवन ॠणी
हर साँस मे तुमको जीता था।

वो इतने भोले कैसे थे
वो इतने सच्चे कैसे थे
जो याद करे तो रोता है
वो कैसा टूटा तारा था।

निर्मल निश्छल पावन धरती
प्यार सभी को बाँटे है,
वो पागल बादल आवारा
कब समझा था कब समझा है?

एहसास नहीं इस दर्द का
क्यों दूर किनारे रह्ते है
आजीवन अपने सपनों में
वो उसको पूजा करते है।

जीवन की इन राहों मे कितने हीं राही मिलते हैं
कुछ पाने को कुछ खोने को कितने ही सपने पलते हैं,
क्या पाया उसका पता नही क्या खोया उसका पता नही
जो प्यार मिला था उसे कभी संजोये आजे बढता है॥

3:45PM
Sep 12, 2008

GOAL OF LIFE

What is the goal of your life?? What ???..Speak louder, I couldn’t hear you .. Probably you are thinking and exploring yourself for a suitable answer. My dear if you are thinking to decide about your goal of life after I asked you then you really don’t know it. And this is what happens with most of us .Yes most of us are not aware about their Goal of life. They don’t control their life but the life controls them. They flow with the Fast current of life and never get time to even think of that for what purpose they are here on the Earth. Yes we go on living without any aim, any ambition and before we realize, life fully takes us under its control.

Now for those who at least know about their goal. If you will go out for a survey about goal of life of a person you will get thousand different answers. But when you sit and analyze all you will find that people’s goals are revolving around only three things Money, Name and Inner Harmony (Inner peace).

The first two are very much related and most commonly found Desire in the human being. If one will be granted permission to collect money as much as he can, I assure you he won’t be satisfied even after collecting all money available in this world. It’s a Hunger which never gets satisfied no matter how much you already have. Of course we need money for our better living but is there any definition of this better living. People want to become Bill Gates and Dhirubhai. But do you realize that they didn’t utilize even 1% of their wealth for themselves. So what is the point making so much money for your coming seven generations? I do support that these people are very very important for the growth of a country and society. But it’s a hard truth that county’s growth is only a side effect and they never made money for this intension.

The second one is NAME. Yes this is nothing but the ego and pride of a man. We want to be remembered by others but again WHY????? What makes the difference if people admire you? Yes you feel proud of yourself if you are alive to hear it.. and u get nothing if u already dead. Then why should I run behind Name? Only to feel that ohhh I am Great!!! It’s completely ridiculous. Again like money the hunger for name in a never ending race.

Very few people live for their Inner Harmony or Self Satisfaction. Live the life not only for your name and your money but for your Heart also. One more hunger is also there which we need to develop and it is “The Hunger of knowing oneself". First of all you have to know yourself... What I am and for what reason I am hear. I do support that money is an important part of life but that doesn’t feed to your hunger of self satisfaction. It doesn’t mean that if you are having money and/or name then you are a happy person. The happiness we keep on searching through out our life comes from inside and not from the outer world. The nice feeling of Loving someone, being loved by someone or helping someone is beyond the imagination and one can not buy it by his money or name. Become a human being in reality, look all people with equality and soft heart, try to help the others at your level and above all never give pain to anybody as you do not have authority to do so. Never compare your life with others because no two are same. Make yourself compatible to hear your inner voice and strong enough to follow it.

Try to come out from your shell, pull out some time to think and proceed in the direction your soul is suggesting to go. Keep collecting the beautiful moments of your life but never forget to light a candle on the path which you have already traveled because it will lighten the life of many others who are coming behind.

Neither I want to earn huge money nor to be popular, all I want is to be HAPPY.