My Sweetheart !

Finally I met her today morning ..
She reached town by yesterday noon, 
But the office hours pulled me back from seeing her


She is a little calmer compared to our last time meeting a year back.
Slightly more fair and surely more pleasant.


She is just as beautiful as I saw her six years back
Will be around here for a few months 
And this time I wanted to spent some time with her.


My wife also kind of like her, but not as much passionately as I do
May be a little jealous, she don't like me spending too much time with her


When she knocked our door early morning, I sprang towards her with excitement, 
And my wife with her typical nagging style shouted from behind


"You want to go with her then go, but atleast take this Umbrella" !

Solving a puzzle in 10 slow minutes ...

Every time you walk out of our workplace and on your way towards home, what do you think? You could be walking, driving, being driven or may be even flying, but what is there in your mind. Well, I don't know abt ur case, but in my slow 10 min walk back home, I used to think about some random stuff and hardly notice things around me. But one day on my way back I, for some strange reason, I thought of watching things around. I was a little surprised to see the pace in which things are moving outside. People are hurrying all along their way, their walking seemed more like a mini jogging. The vehicles are honking hard and going like a mad bull. Looked as if everyone around lost their lungs and are trying to search and find it before they are out of breath.
I slowly started to think why all these people are moving this fast. Why can't they take it easy and slowdown? May be, like most of the folks around, they also have the wrong conception that by moving fast they can accomplish more things/jobs/responsibilities in their lives. Well that seems reasonable in a normal orthodox perspective. But if you are ready to go beyond reason and break the things to discreet parts and analyze each scientifically, you will realize that it’s a grave mistake. In fact it’s a myth and a misleading direction board in the high way of life. If you were also thinking in the same old ways and is confused, if u wants to solve the puzzle and get urself enlightened, you can continue with the below part where the puzzle will slowly unveil.

Let’s take the situation and break it in to pieces. "If I move fast, I finish more things in life". I'm splitting up this statement and making an equation out of it.

"I move fast" => "I finish more things in life" --à(1)

Now let me process the LHS part first, which says “I” (ie you) is moving forward and is moving fast.

"I” => Moves forward, moves fast --à (2)

I prefer to use one of my favorite theories for this calculation – Relativity theory by Mr Einstien. Relativity theory needs at least two objects for comparison and both objects should be measurable in a same frame of reference. For the second object, I am choosing something that moves in the same direction as the first one and in fact moves pretty fast nowadays. I am choosing “Life” as second object

“Life” => Moves forward, moves fast --à (3)

Here you can see that objects in (2) and (3) are moving in same direction and moves with high speed. Their exact speed limit can vary slightly. To be precise "Life" is a selfless process moving in a constant high speed and seeing the way people hurries through their lives nowadays one feels they are a little ahead of life.

Now as per relativity theory if two objects moves in same direction with a very close speed difference and if you are looking from the perspective of relatively lesser speeding object then the higher speeding object turns out to be moving with far lesser speed. (You can relate this with you sitting in a moving train and another train slowly overtaking you from the adjacent track.)

Hence we can see that the statement “I move fast” if processed in scientific and detailed level will contradict itself and reverses its very meaning.

Coming back to Equation (1), we can see that the LHS part is reversed. Now let me take another simple equality theory,

"If X=Y and X and Y are true, then if X reverses and becomes false then Y also should reverse and become false"

Applying this common sense theory to Equation (1), the final conclusion is that the RHS part also needs to be reversed, and the final verdict is some thing like,

“I will accomplish less things in Life”

Hence the proof !!!

By this time my 10 mins was almost over and I reached my doorstep as well. My better half, waiting for me with a hot cup of tea, asked,

"You walked 10 mins and you are looking tired as though you walked some 10 kms".

I first took the cup of tea and then replied with my typical trade mark smile,

"Honey, may be its just 10 mins but in those 10 mins I did more than walking 10 kms”

“Now what’s that” she asked eagerly

I paused for a moment, took a sip of tea and answered quietly,

“I solved a puzzle”

Flick of an eyelid

He was feeling the cold mud … it was slowly creeping through his legs …or was he going down ?

"Loneliness is such pain, isn't it? … it creates such a painful heat in the heart that sometimes you prefer to treat it with something as cold as death ...”

"Who are you ... I cannot see your face in this darkness"

"How does it matter... anyway you only choose this dark night and the comfort of this quick sand. Well I can understand the limitations of an old man when it comes to choices for a suicide ..."

"It’s not a suicide... I call it a journey to meet someone very close… and how do you know all these... Who are you??”

"Let that question remain there ... you have less time left ... good bye and see you soon"

He felt the mud rising slowly through his chest ... he could feel the cold smell of death. Someone said ‘people will see their whole life as a flash back just before their death.’ But for him it was too late ... the mud started rushing through his nostrils ... he started searching for a ground below. But the dry sand slowly swallowed him more deeply... he struggled to keep his head higher and tried to shout ..

"Hei wake up ... another dream???”

Kalpana was holding his shoulders; rubbing her sleepy eyes ... It took a little while for him to come back to normalcy.

"Yeaah, don't know why ... it was so real ... I was a very old man and there is this quick sand and ...

"Come on ... it’s just a dream"

"But it’s so real honey ... so real ..."

"You should first stop watching all those crazy old movies online... "

"Well honey ... if that was about the movie I watched last week, dear it was Inception, one of the best movies at that time ... and you know what, I watched it first day, second show and ..."

"... it was a Friday 16th of July 2010."

"Sh**, God oh God these girls ... what all they remember"

"Hmmm ... but you might remember 17th July ... don't you ...

"Why not ... our weddin..gg ... no no it was not in that month ... our house warmingggg .. or was it .."

"Enough ....don't struggle ... it was the day when a stupid boy from my class,who didn't even talked to me for three years, came and proposed me and finally end up making my name in passport look even worse by adding his name as my surname ..."

"Goshhhh ... how could I miss that ... that 'special' special class, getting that chalk missile attack from Thomas sir, standing on my knees and looking at that beautiful eyes and seeing that beautiful little smile from my three year long untold love ... I still don't know what gave me the courage to come and propose you just after that class...may be that smile ... and what a change it made ..." he said, holding her closer to him.

"Life is sometimes like that dear, your world can change in the flick of an eye lid..." she slowly whispered to his ears.

"Good bye honey ..." seeing her happy smiling face through the half opened door, he walked hurriedly towards the elevator. He was already late for office.

He was the only one in the elevator and he felt strange. In this peak time an empty elevator is a rare thing.

He pressed Level 0. The numbers 11, 10 , 9 started showing one by one. Suddenly the elevator stopped. Even the floor number display disappeared. He started to search for the elevator phone in that darkness. Suddenly his cell phone rang.

"Hello"

"Hello son...how are you". The sound felt familiar to him.

"I am OK .. I did not get you?"

"Forgot so fast?... we talked yesterday also ....I was watching you going down the quick sand"

He started to sweat,

"Who .. who are you ..?

"I am just an observer ... watching you and all the time and when it’s time to say good bye I just stop by here ..."

He disconnected the call in a hurry. He was gasping and sweat was pouring out.

The cell phone rang again. This time he took the phone and bang it on the floor. Every trace of blood was evaporated from his face ... Suddenly the elevator phone started to ring. With trembling hands he slowly took the phone. It was the same dreaded voice.

"Banging your phone will not make a difference son.... "

"What .. what do you want now ??? Was that just a dream or ...."

"Well .. What do you think?”

"I... I don't know ...and what now ..?"

"As I told I am here to say goodbye ...you have seen enough now … its time for you to go back ..."

"Go back where ..."

"Where you belong ..."

"But this is where I belong, this is my life ... this is all I ever wanted ..."

"I know... and that’s why you are here and believe me that’s exactly why you need to go back son ..."

" But I ..."

"Sorry son ... no more questions ... its time ... Good bye ..."

"Wait ...”

The phone got disconnected and suddenly the lift started to go down in full speed.... it was almost like a free fall... he tried to scream, but his voice was not coming out ... The elevator took a sudden shake and before he could think much, he was thrown up and his head banged to the ceiling ...

“Wake up you #$#% … yes you in the second last bench”

Thomas sir shouted in anger.... He opened his eyes. He saw a piece of chalk in the desk...

"You come here in front of the class and stand on your knees"

As the whole class was laughing he slowly walked to the front of the classroom and stood on his knees.

He looked up watching the smiling face of Kalpana who was sitting on the first bench. As the pain was coming up from the prick he gave to his own hand he kept looking at those beautiful eyes and slowly gave a smile back.....

The Half Time Fundas

Some says it’s the best time in anyone's life. The times when anticipation and excitement can overcome the normality of life, making you feel it’s greener than ever before. It’s like the moment before the first ball is balled in a test match, the moments you spent inside an examination hall waiting to get the question paper, the moments during those interval time of a suspense movie where the images of first half is still fresh in your mind and you are anxiously waiting for the all important second half… Yeah! I am talking about those beautiful moments towards the end of your much celebrated bachelorhood.

Many considers marriage as single most important occasion in life...’Un Comparable!!!!’ , they say. Well really??? I posed this question to one who is more matured, more informative and smarter than I myself is, my genius little Mind. As always he started to give his own fundas... yaaawn!!!

"Well look dude, many people have many definitions about marriage, for someone it’s about getting a soul mate to share all your little happiness and some bigger tragedies together, for some it’s all about adding more responsibilities to your already irresponsible pitiful life. Someone, if you ask about marriage, will say 'it’s how it always was and how it should be' and for someone it’s just a license to some free sex. And there are some morons who consider it as the first and foremost point in their list of 'How to get rich without getting sweat???' ...""Heiiii hold on!!" I interrupted. "I'm honestly not concerned about what the hell all these guys think. I am not yet a social thinker or a survey agent. Tell me what you feel!!! ".

Keeping his eyes on the infinite sky he resumed after a brief pause "My idea about this whole thing is a little different!!!”"I know it will be ... just pour out the %#%$ gyaaan out of your mouth!!""Ok here it comes. Let’s assume the average life expectancy of an average man is close to Sixty years which on bisecting will give you Thirty years. Now considering marriages of most males happening around 30 -, may be a couple of years more or less, we can safely assume that Marriage is the point that will divide your life in to two halves, right? ""Agreed ... please continue""If you go to the people who had chance to see both halves and ask them which half was better for them, I can bet that more than 90% will say the first half. Those beautiful and innocent child hood days, the sweet memory of your first love, those crazy things you did when you were young and energetic. Second half is usually a more serious, responsible and routine stuff.""So what are you coming to ....?” I again interrupted.

"For me marriage is a challenge... When you lie on your death bed with all the grey hair and lean tired old body, just moments before your journey to next world, a question will arise inside you 'Hei which half was better ?' ... Marriage for me is a challenge to make you confidently say that 'Dude ,first half was great, it was fun and memorable.. But second... it was even better!!!”"Wow ... that was not all that bad ... compared to some really crappy and boring fundaas you gave before. But is it really possible?""Well I sometimes think Marriage and communism has similarities""What the hell!!!”"Let me explain, Communism promises you of a new world, a world without injustice. But once you reach that ideal new world, communism will no more be required and people will start to ditch it. This will result in the dark capital forces coming strongly again. So the aim of communism is not to reach its ultimate destination, but the aim is to move in a path which will get you to that destination. In other words, it’s a classic case of journey itself becoming the destination!!!!... And should I need to explain about marriage in this context OR you are already confused? ""Well that’s enough for me to digest now.... let’s put a break!!!.. But finally a million dollar question.. you give all these gyaan, but are you actually prepared for this 'big' challenge in all ways !!!!"He gave me back that trade mark smile and told calmly.

"Dude... I have told you many times before... and let me repeat it again …. as far as challenges goes, I am always BORN READY !!!! ...."

The circle of freedom ...

A couple of rain drops through the window woke him up. The train was approaching his native town. It just started to rain outside and was quite chilly too. His hands went to his left pocket where he used to keep the cigarettes. But suddenly he realized that he already said a good bye to his dear companion. A month ago on a rainy evening he had his last puff along with his last peg.

He looked at his mobile to check time; it was approaching 7 in the morning. He saw two missed calls too, but don’t feel like calling her back. Something was wrong somewhere. His mind seemed more confused. His whole life was in search of answers. But when he seemed to reach close to the answers, some where he missed out the questions. He was never bothered about the paycheck or the promotion like many of his colleagues. He cannot be so normal; at least he believed so. He always believed that he was not just another normal guy, but one sent out here for a purpose. He thought someday he is going to change the world. He was always aware of a void around him, a lot of empty spaces. Always there was a feeling of imbalance. He wished to fill the spaces, make things in order. But he never did or he never could. All he managed is to stretch his head and have a look at the world from his arm chair, thinking and sympathizing about it. He could never get out from his thoughts and never from that armchair.

But somewhere inside him there was a one who liked challenges. He quit smoking just because of an old man who came in the Discovery channel one day. He told it’s impossible for a smoker to quit it completely. He thought the old man was challenging him. He went a step ahead and said alvida to drinks also. It was difficult to resist the temptation. But it gave him the feel of a challenge, which he was winning. He knew that as long as he can manage to resist that urge, he can at least feel a success within him...But now its almost a month. He needs something more to keep his spirit going, some fresh challenges. He was realizing that he cannot always keep himself away from the empty spaces. The spaces were taking the shape of a monster, enlarging in size and about to swallow him. He finds it hard to breath. But he was chained to a rod and his movement was always inside its parameter. Its one thing to challenge and win over yourself, but he wish to go beyond. He wished to break the chain, he wished freedom. But suddenly he felt some mist is covering him, he felt helpless and weak. He felt the chain is tightening on him on his every attempt to free him from it. There were a lot of people around, laughing at him. He preferred to close the eyes.

He woke up as the train stopped at the station. Giving a break to the thoughts he get down and started walking slowly to the exit. He was walking as if in a dream. Suddenly he noticed two little children walking in front of him. The elder one was about twelve years old and the younger one was about five. He saw those sisters many times in the train, singing those old Hindi songs for the changes that the passengers will throw to them. The little one was talking nonstop to her elder sister and a smile was never out of her little face. The elder one was in a sort of deep thought and occasionally was nodding her head as a response to the little ones questions. Watching the innocent children he also started to feel a bit lighter.

Suddenly the little one hit her head in a pillar. She started to look at her sister first and started to cry. The elder one was more tensed now; she looked around and then scolded the little one. Nobody in the station was watching them. Everyone seemed busy and was walking past them, never giving a gaze to those sisters. He felt sorry for the little one. He wanted to console her, do something to bring that smile back. His mind was telling him excuses for why he should not do it as he just stood there watching the elder sister taking younger one out of the station. He felt a lot of noise inside him, the noises of discussions and debates inside his mind. The noise was telling him that its none of his business. The sound was hard and sharp as usual. He felt the noise as deafening now. He closed his ears with his hands and finally opened his eyes. He could see a glimpse of light. Neglecting the words coming out of the noise from inside, he moved towards the light.

He bought a couple of oranges from a shop nearby and walked out of the station. He could see the sisters walking through the road outside and the small one was still weeping. He walked briskly towards them, handed the orange to the little one and gave her a smile. Suddenly there was a light on her face, that sweet innocent smile came back. The elder one was even brighter and surprised. He never told anything to them but just a smile. But it was enough. The little girls must be feeling now that there is someone in this big world to give them a smile, a token of love.
As he was walking passed them he felt that the light was spreading out from those little girls. He felt it was removing the darkness that was around him a while ago. He knew he was still a prisoner of chains and was still inside the circle drawn by them. But now he was relaxed, now his mind is clear, he seemed to find the questions and its answers. He was realizing the beauty of life; he was realizing that inside the circle, he still is a free man...

Who is destroying the Indian Culture ? – Lets hear them both

Probably one of the most discussed and debated topic in these days.  And most of the times the accused side will be filled with the youngsters – the so called modern guyz and gals. Yesterday we saw the hippie culture and today we are hearing the Pub and the IT culture. We can see different voices around, some supporting the new trend and some others opposing the change. Let’s try to see various perspectives. 

An incident which triggered it …

One of the main incidents that ignited the discussion recently is the Mangalore pub incident. A group of ‘Moral police’ attacked a pub or in other words aimed their attack at the women folks out there. And of course when some men folks came in between their business they gave them their share too. Well let’s try to figure out what each side would have to say, 

Note: The below conversations is a pure work of fiction and imagination. This is derived purely based on what a normal person might feel from what he/she see around them.

Interview 1 :  Moral Protector's version 

(Q) Why were you targeting the women folks?

Moral protectors (MP): We attacked the women because they are not supposed to come to the pub and drink along with their men folks. This is against the Indian culture 

(Q) Then according to Indian culture what is the role of women?

(MP): (Looking at the interviewer with a sarcastic smile as if “u doesn’t know it yet??”) Indian women are supposed to sit inside home, prepare the food and wait for their men late at night. 

(Q) Then what about the men? Are they allowed to go to the pub and drink?

(MP): Well men are the one who is working hard and earning the daily bread for the family. So there is no fault if they relax a bit at the end of the day. Even in purana’s you can see the divine men drinking Surapanam, which can be considered as alcohol. But we can’t see any where any divine women drinking any think like that!!! 

(Q)But beating women in front of TV camera’s … is it a right thing according to Indian culture?

(MP): Ofcourse its right. For us aim is important and path is always insignificant. You know what happened to Shoorpanaka in Ramayana. This is not even close to that. TV camera was used so that we don’t need to repeat it every where. Now every one know what we can do (A smile on his face , more like a grin) 

(Q) So according to you who is actually responsible for destroying the culture here?

(MP): These youngsters who thinks this is America. Just because they have money or job in some big IT company does not mean they can do what ever they want. This is our country and our culture and we have our own rules here. We have some family values and moral systems here. We won’t allow these freaks to destroy the age old system and values here. (temperature raising) 

(Q) But what about the fundamental civilian rights? This a democratic country, isn’t it?

(MP): We have a war out here man. And we don’t need to tell you that at the times of war civilian rights are insignificant. We are having a broader outlook and individual freedom is our least priority.

Interview 2: Youngster's version 

(Q): Do you think the pub culture is suitable for our country?

Youngster(Y): Why not??? It’s a matter of individual right. This is not any Taliban. We have a constitution and we have our rights. If pub culture is against the Indian culture then let the government have the balls to stop all the pubs here. (follows up with naughty smile)

 (Q): But is it right for the women also to follow this culture?

(Y): Which year are you living dude. (a little sarcasm) Women sitting inside house and cooking food can only be seen in old movies nowadays. If you say going to the pub is bad I can understand, but if you say just woman going to the pub is bad…..Then I would say you are not defending a culture, but you are defending your petty complex. 

(Q) But what if I say that today’s generation is blindly following the American culture?

(Y) So what’s new in that? We always did just that. Every fashion and every life style here were influenced by foreign countries. Let it be the European style brought here by British, or the hippie culture from US or even the Elvis Presley’s style. It’s a global village now and we have the right and we have the sense to know what is good for us. 

(Q) So does that mean the future family system and values in India will also be similar to what we see in US?

(Y) Look buddy, a family is ultimately built by persons. We youngster’s following western style does not mean we are all turning ourselves to a westerner. A civilization is like a river, which is not built by staying where it is. But it will grow by moving and accepting different cultures and different civilizations along the way. A change of lifestyle is a part of life. If we were not doing it, we will still be living inside the caves. 

(Q) So what do you want to say about the attacks aimed at you people?

(Y) We believe it’s nothing but some dirty politics. It is an attack of some organised people against the unorganised. People who have nothing to loose against the ones who have every thing to loose. This is a slap on the face of the democratic India. (Hmmm a little rush of adrenalin !!!) 

******

Hmm so you have seen both sides of the story. I might be no one to decide who is right and who is wrong here. We got our freedom some 60 years back from the British. It’s been a long journey since then with a lot of changes. When we look at this whole thing the question is not about who is right and who is wrong. But the real question is whether you can say YES when you look around and ask yourself the question “Am I really free?” 

The Most beautiful moments of life ...

When some one asked you what was the most beautiful moment in you life , what will you say ? There will be a lot of moments in you life which you will cherish to live again.... Here I am putting three different moments where I felt I have realized the most beautiful moment of my life.... Even though there are much more breath taking moments I felt these three are special.....



Moment one
Every evening I wait for her near the college bus. Every day she comes along with her friends. That day too she came and I was looking at her without taking my eyes off, as that day I felt she looked more beautiful than ever. And just like every other day ignoring me completely she walked her way in to the bus. As usual she was busy talking to her friends. But I couldn't just take my eyes from her even though I knew that I might never get even an acknowledgement to all these love I am pouring on her.
The bus slowly began to start as my eyes keep on following her all along. When it was just about to leave my sight some thing unusual happened. She looked back at me and gave that most beautiful smile I had ever seen in my life. That was not just a smile; it told me a million things. It was not just an acknowledgement but a whole reply to all the love I was giving her. At that moment I felt "to love and to get it back" is the most beautiful moment in life.

Moment two
Days were moving just like the needles in a clock. At the same directions and almost at the same speed every day. Moving restlessly as though it had to reach some where but at the end it ends up at where it was all started. That day also fighting with all those lifeless computer programs and the deadlines I was back at home. Due to some server break down I was free to go a bit early that day. Even though it was already night I was early at home as no one else among my roomies had returned from work. After taking a shower and a light dinner I went to the terrace and sit there looking at the starlet sky which was filled with clouds at some places. It was calm all around and no noises of keyboards or conference calls. The whole nature was calm and quiet and I sit there for a while enjoying the sweet music of silence. At that moment I felt that "this silence and this peace" is the most beautiful thing you can have in your life.

Moment three
It was another dark night and I was walking my way home from a busy day at office. My thoughts were still very much on what I will have for dinner that day. I was really hungry and was in no mood to have the "2 minute noodles". The bread with Omlet no longer keeps me happy, as it was also becoming a routine food. There is enough raw materials for a good dinner at home. But it is not my fault that I don't know the art of cooking. And besides I was never interested in putting any effort on cooking more than making noodles or Omlet. I cursed my friend who used to cook food at room. He had some stupid support work today and will return home late. "Oh god why are you doing this to me and I have to live with that Noodles and Omlet today too ....". I asked god.
Some people believe that God will listen to what ever we say to him. But not much people believe in God replying to us. But that day he did.The next moment after my question to God I saw a man completely dusty and just wearing a torn towel searching some thing in the waste bin near the road. I always had my nose covered tightly when ever I walked near that waste bin. After some search he got some thing in his hands which seemed to be some thrown away food remains. He started to eat that food with much delight. Walking my way back, I started to feel Noodles and Omlet much more delicious. At that moment I realized that there is nothing like a beautiful moment in life. But then I knew that at every breath I am taking, I am having the moments which are nothing short of greatness....



Disclaimer : The stuff written above are not related to any persons dead or alive nor to any incidents that ever really happened. This is written just for the sake of a good read (as I call it) and purely came out of my imaginations.