If I had a chance to travel the world...

If I had a chance to travel the world, I would make the best of it. I would visit all the 7 wonders of the world, both the ancient wonders and the current ones. I would visit all the places that I have only heard of, or dreamt of, like Alaska, Antarctica, Siberia, Sahara desert to name a few.

I would specifically love visiting:
a. Norway, to see the Northern Lights
b. Antarctica, to see miles and miles of snow and the scientific observatory on the south pole
c. Siberia for it's -55 °C chilly winters
d. Hawaii for it's active volcanoes - (trust me there's nothing on earth, more beautiful than a volcano)

Finally I would end my globe trotting right in the lap of the Holy Ganges, taking a dip in it's divine waters to redeem myself of the sins committed during my international sojourn. Bon voyage.
(Micromasters Table Topics Marathon - If you had a chance to travel the world)

Attempt the Himalays

Speak not only of the brave hearts who successfully climbed the Himalayas,
speak also of the folks who attempted climbing it. 

Attachments and detachments

All through our life we keep on accumulating things, and then spend all our resources maintaining it, whether it be our feelings or material possessions.
Detachment is the key, difficult to practice but not impossible. Stay light stay Buddha.

Knowledge

Knowledge dispels all delusions and confusions.

Missed my flight

My wife was at her parent's place for delivery of our kid. I had booked a 17th.Feb flight, but in order to surprise her I told her that I have booked a 18th.Feb flight. Telling the same lie over and over again, does its damage - it camouflages the truth. It was set in my mind that my flight was on 18th. So, on 17th morning I came to office, and I was working on my workstation, as usual. My coworker Ravi was sitting behind me in my cubicle, working on my test machine.
I was excited to be going on a 2 week leave, the next day, to welcome the baby in the world and to enter the world of fatherhood. I opened my air-ticket, to fire a print. Once the ticket was open, I checked the flight date and time, and to my surprise my flight had already departed in the morning. My eyeballs started bouncing like ping pong balls between the flight date on the ticket and my system date. I froze for a moment, and then exclaimed – ohh no, I missed my flight. It took me a while to realize that the damage had been done.

After some time, to add insult to injury, my wife called me and said that the doctor had advised them to go for the delivery, the same day. She was sobbing, and I felt helpless and so damn stupid, for missing my flight – when I could have made it on the birth of my kid. I called up the airline, asking them for a partial refund and to book my ticket on the next flight to Baroda. The airline stated that the airfare won’t be refunded since it was a “no show”. So, I booked the next flight, which didn’t leave till early next morning. I spoke to my parents and booked them on the evening flight the same day.

But, the Delhi attitude had gotten into them to the core. Reaching the destination on time, is a strict no-no for Delhities, whether it be a marriage or the airport. They left home at leisure, and didn’t make it to the airport on time, thus missing their flight too. The worst part was that instead of cutting a sorry figure in front of my Mom, my Dad went to the airport coffee shop, and bough himself a nice hot coffee. My Mom was fuming with anger. Hadn’t it been winter time, the whole airport would have experienced corona temperatures.

At around 3pm my father in law called me and said that a boy was born. But, his underlying tone had a crisp and clear message – “now that you have become a father, come out of your boyish attitude, and grow up”. I was super excited to hear the news but felt equally miserable for missing my flight. My friends came home to congratulate me in the evening, but, most of them hurled abuses at me instead of congratulating me. Well that’s friends, they show you the real mirror.

I took a late-night bus to the airport the same day, to catch my early morning flight, but, the airport security wouldn’t let me in, because there was still a long time for my flight to depart. So, I occupied a bench in the airport waiting area, and slowly and steadily I stretched my legs till I covered the whole length and breadth of the bench. It was chilly outside, because it was Winter time, but I managed power naps, constantly keeping a watch on my watch.

Next day I reached the hospital in Baroda and looked at my baby sleeping in the pram. It was the best moment of my life. I just couldn’t take my eyes off the little chubby, Chinese looking reddish infant. I bent down on the pram, and kept staring at this most beautiful thing, I had ever seen. I picked him up in my arms and hugged him gently. I then went to my wife and said, “you did a great job”. My parents too reached Baroda the same day, thankfully nobody missed the flight.

Don't underestimate the little butterflies

School’s Annual day brings in a lot of excitement and fun. One, because it marks the end of a strenuous year, and gives the children an opportunity to dance, be playful and break out from the mundane study schedule.

It was my kid’s annual day on 18^th.Feb, one day after his birthday. On his birthday we had a party, and he ate as many chocolates as he could lay his hands on. During that night he had an upset stomach and vomited out everything he had consumed during the day. We feared that he may not be able to participate in his school’s annual day, since he was dehydrated and energy less. We thought we will call the school and inform them that Bhargav won’t be performing in the annual day. But he persisted, so we allowed him to go.

There he was, a lower kindergarten kid, dehydrated and energy-less, but not spirit-less. He was super excited to be a part of the annual day. Indeed, he had practiced hard for this day, and he didn’t want to let it slip.  At just 4 years, he was getting a chance to show the world, how to dance, and how to be happy, tapping the feet. 

While I was dropping him to school, I told him that we are planning to get a big banner with his name printed on it and we all will shout “Bushy Bushy” (his nickname). I dropped him to his class and told the teacher not to exert him much. Teached assured me that she will take good care of him and not exert him much.

I came back home, only to return after 2 hours, when the annual day would actually start. The kids had to be dropped early, so that they could dress up and rehearse before the final act.

We came in after 2 hours and were seated somewhere in the back. All the front rows were already taken by the super excited parents. All the parents were eager to see their little butterflies perform today.

The annual day was dedicated to all mothers and their ultimate sacrifices for their children. The performances continued one after the other, and was fun to watch the toddlers perform with full enthusiasm and energy. While a performance was underway, the next performing batch would stand next to the open stage, to occupy it after the ongoing performance. After a couple of performances, we saw a batch of kids standing next to the open stage and among them was an overzealous kid, waving at the audience.  I was amazed, at this overzealous kid, waving at the swarm of people in front of him. Suddenly my wife burst out laughing and said “See Bushy’s waving at us”. I was like “Ohh Boy, this kid has got a lot of nerve”. He not only spotted us amongst hundreds of people but was also continually waving at us. We were happy to see him finally, and were eagerly waiting for his performance. He had no stage fear, and nothing could make him conscious.  If I would be in his place, I would have fainted, seeing so many people in the front; leave alone waving at them and then dancing in front of them. 

I remember, when I was in 9th standard, everyone in the class had to read out the morning news, during the morning assembly. When it was my turn, I locked myself in the bathroom, and stayed there, till the morning assembly was over. Such was my fear of stage.
Another surprise awaited us; Bushy was playing the lead role in the act; that of the mighty King Shivaji. We never knew that he was playing the lead role. The opening scene was that of ‘Shivaji’s’ mother ‘Jijabhai’ doing his ‘Aarti’ and praying for his longevity, before his departure for a battle. The song that played in the background was “Ram Krishna Ka Avtaara”. After this act, Shivaji (Bhargav) is shown going into a battle with his enemy, and returns after defeating the enemy.  To celebrate his victory, Shivaji (Bhargav) and his army, dance to the tunes of the ‘Malhari’ song “Bajne de Dadak Dadak Dhol taashe Dadak Dadak” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3b8Vy4vkxI).

The toddlers danced so well that it was hard to believe that they were all 4 years old. During the whole dance act, I was hooting at the top of my voice.  In my excitement, I even forgot to hit the record button on my camera, even though I had held the camera up, during the whole act.
That moment I realized that our kids are capable of achieving much more, than we think they can.  Sometimes, we should just let them span their wings and let them fly. Let them try and discover their true potential. They may fall and fail multiple times, but, let them get up on their own.

Let them go through the metamorphosis of becoming a butterfly from the infancy of the chrysalis.
Later I met the class teachers ‘Bhagyashree’ and ‘Rose’ and congratulated them for a splendid performance by their kids. It was a day full of joy and a good parenting lesson.

Japanese man’s travel to Banaras

It was 26th.Dec and I was travelling back from Tokyo to India. I had been there for 6 months, for a client project. Now that the project was over, I was returning home, to celebrate the new year with my family. I was a happy man to come back home. During these 6 months I missed my folks, home cooked food, and that extra warmth at home.

I was taking the Japanese Airlines flight (JAL) from Tokyo to New Delhi. I boarded the flight, and there was a nice Japanese young man (probably in his late twenties), sitting next to me. We greeted each other and settled down for the flight to take off. While the flight was mid-air, he stuck a conversation over mid-air dinner.

Ito San: Hello, my name is 'Ito'. Where do you live in India?

Me: Hello, my name is 'Amit', I live in New Delhi.

Ito San: How far is Banaras from New Delhi, and how to reach there?

Me: (curiously looking at him) Hmmmm I don't know. I have never been to Banaras. (after a pause) Are you going to Banaras.

Ito San: Yes.

Me: (Now even more curious) Why are you going Banaras?

(I was thinking, why is this guy not going to metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or tourist attractions like Agra, Goa and Andamans, why only Banaras???)

Ito San: Banaras is a sacred place, popular destination for attaining nirvana. My friends went there last year, and they told me all good things about Banaras.

Me: (More bewildered) Ohhh!! Really! I don;t know about that. (Feeling ashamed of my ignorance, about my own heritage and religion)

Ito San then told me a lot about Banaras, and that day I realized that it is not only important to chase your material goals, but also to find a way to attain moksha, by way of knowledge and spirituality.

That moment

That awkward moment - when you are singing along with the music system and suddenly the power goes off, you continue singing, only to realize that your voice sucks.

That triumphant moment when the soap slips out of your hand and you grab it like the Kung-Fu Pandaaa.... yeeeeaaa hooooooo

Loser’s team in football

Football always has been my favorite sport. My school had a football field partly grassy, partly bald, and we had vowed to make it fully bald. Given a chance I would have gone to school, to play just football, putting my books in the fireplace – ‘ouch that burnt’. Even the harsh Delhi heat at 45^oC couldn’t stop us from playing. I used to be extra happy on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s; it was the sport’s day. Rest of the days we had to sit on our benches half-sleepy, half-awake, as if in a state of trance.  

We had a basketball court, 2 volley ball courts, full-fledged gymnasium and a badminton court in the school, but my favorite sport was football. My signature football gear was a pair of leather ‘Bata’ shoes, shorts and the school T-Shirt. The leather shoes were a part of the school uniform. During those days football studs would have been a luxury, I suppose. Today I see kids, flashing their cool Nike football studs, even though they can't kick properly; they would be happier playing a video game or two on their mobiles or iPads.  

The school football ground was no less than a battleground. You could actually envision it somewhat akin to the movie 'Saving Private Ryan'. Just that the target here was to save the goal, and to kick the ball into the opponent’s net. The bald portion of the ground would give way to a lot of dust, making it a scene close to that of a bomb blast, and people running amok. You could also see people kicking each other in the butt, if the ball was tackled away from them. All in all it was a fun filled game, though a bit aggressive at times. Yes, we were at full liberty to use our aggression to our advantage, and to the disadvantage of the enemy.

Many tactics were used - fair / unfair to score a goal, whether it be pushing, shoving, shouting while getting hold of the ball, or purposefully hitting someone in the crouch - ouch that hurt (no wonder 'crouch' was called just that - "crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-ouch").

If by chance I would reach the ground a little late, I would first enquire the score, and then choose to be on the losing team’s side. Common sense - losing team is weaker, and would need to push really hard to score a goal; and there I was, the ‘messiah’ who would bring the losing team their much anticipated ‘nirvana’. Siding with the losing team would also give me the opportunity to play my best, whether in defense or in offence position. I would usually play in the defense, and was considered a formidable wall against all attacks. But, at times I would play in the attacking positing, and my attacking was just that - attacking!

We would put in our best to score a goal; sometimes we would win and sometimes we would lose. If we won we would take the heroic compliments, for fighting the war so well. If we would lose, we would save the grudge for another day.

It’s been many years that I am out of school now; but I still play football with my office folks. Though a lot has changed now; the patchy bald field has given way to the turf with artificial grass, fancy lights and stands. The full-fledged football ground has given way to a much smaller 100x50 feet ground (roughly 1/4th of the full-fledged football ground). But, the love for football is never ending and never dying.

You can take a footballer out of the ground, but you can’t take football out of a footballer.

And yes, I am not one of those footballers who watch football on their idiot boxes, like a couch potato, and wear football jerseys supporting their respective teams. That seems melodramatically disconnected and disoriented. My love is much more serious, damn serious… Goallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll...

A true footballer!

Hukus Bukus (Kashmiri poem)

Hukus bukus

Telli wann che kus

Onum batta lodum daeg

Shaal kich kich waangano

Brahmi charas pone chhokum

Brahmis buttney tekhis tyakha

Itkhyan ne Itkhyan

Tse Kus Be Kus

Teli Wan su Kus

Moh Batuk Logum Daeg

Shwaas Khich Khich Wang-mayam

Bhruman daras Pone chokum

Tekis Takya bane Tyuk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTPZZD_ZJVM

Who cuts sliced cake on a birthday?

It was my coworker’s birthday on 21st May; and we decided to celebrate it with lot of pomp and show. Actually 21^st May was his birth date only on the papers; the actual biological birthday was something else. I used to take a dig at him, by saying that - after the gods you are the only one who is born twice.   

I decided to do something wacky on his birthday, to show him how special he was to me and how much I cherished his friendship. I bought him a sliced cake instead of the fresh cream cake. ‘Yes’ you heard it right “Sliced cake”. 

I invited the whole team to the conference room, for the cake cutting.  As soon as people poured in, they broke out into a roar of laughter; on seeing the sliced cake on the table, with 2 candles neatly placed on either side of the cake. It was fun to see people laughing their heart out during the office hours.

We clicked a lot of photos of the birthday boy and then asked him to deliver a birthday speech. He obliged, and spoke about how much embarrassed and happy he felt at the same time.

It did not stop there! After the cake was cut and shutterbug did its work, we wanted to give birthday bumps to the big boy. But, he started throwing tantrums like a kid; he started running all over the place, as if we would crush his balls with our Shaolin soccer kicks!

Happy birthday dear! Muah J

Theft and the Chocolates

Who doesn’t love chocolates? As a kid, I was so fond of chocolates that I would go to any extend to get a bite.  I probably was 6 years old, when I stole my cousin’s pocket money, ventured out of my house to a shop a mile away - in the dark, to buy my favorite chocolate bar.

Growing in a joint family has its own merits. I was lucky to have more than a dozen cousins of all ages around me; who would pamper me and play with me. We had a huge ground in front of our house, where all of us would play in the evenings. One day, while playing, I noticed something shiny on the ground. I picked it up - it was a wallet. I checked inside and found some money in it. I thought of going to ‘Noora’s’ grocery store, which was a mile away, to buy my favorite chocolate bar. I knew the way to his store, as my mom used to buy groceries from his shop. I started walking towards his store, while it was starting to get dark.

When I reached his shop, I handed over the money to him and asked for my favorite chocolate bar. He was shocked to see me alone, and asked if I was accompanied by anyone. I said, no. He was horrified that a 6 year old boy had just walked down a mile, alone to his store, to buy chocolates. He took the money and handed over the chocolates. Then he asked his wife to look after the shop, while he drops me to my place. It was completely dark now.

We had walked half a mile when I saw my aunty and my cousin ‘Neelu’, whose money I had stolen. My aunty was relieved to find me. But, my cousin was mad at me, as I had stolen her money.  My aunty told me that the whole house had been looking around for me. When I reached home, my grandfather ‘Bobji’ was waiting for me in his room, looking furious. He scolded me, but I couldn’t understand much of what he spoke.  Though I don’t remember my father scolding me, but I guess he wouldn’t have spared me either.

As kids, we do many such crazy and stupid things, and this was just one of the crazy things I did. If you have a crazy incident from your childhood, to share, do post it in the comments below.

Karma is like a Boomerang

Karma is like a Boomerang; it always comes back to you…  

I like ODDS that make me EVEN

Success has no address,
No landmark,
No calling card,
But the path is steep,
And some will take the elevator,
But i will take the stairs,
Some will get there faster,
But i will get there stronger,
And adversity will be my
Traveling companion,
Because when i get the there,
I can turn to adversity and say,
So long,
And heave the bag of taunts
and insults i gathered
along the way, and scatter them
to the birds,
I will miss them,
But feel lighter,
Yes,
That will be the day,
When i stand at
a large bay window,
And unclench my fist,
For there will be no more
odds to conquer,
Not even the mind,

I like odds, they help me get even

(By :  Praveen Kumar)

Life and Death

Death is not when you die,
Death is when, you forget to live! (Anon)

Life is not the number of breaths you take,
Life is the number of moments, that take your breath away! (Anon) 

Simplicity

In this world full of fancies and fantasies, simplicity still hasn't lost its charm !! 

Value of things

I once had a chance to go to Mother Teresa charity house in Vadodara (thanks to my wife).
The thing that I loved about this place was the kids, running around, laughing, having fun.
They were so joyful, even though they had very little with them - no toys, no gizmos, not even proper shoes.

And our kids? They throw fits if they don't get a candy (or whatever they are asking for).
This opened my eyes. The perception of being "happy" is different in an orphanage, than in a comforting, cozy home that our kids are now accustomed to.

Our kids are born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Without even them asking, parents dole out expensive branded clothes, shoes, all kinds of toys, gizmos and what not!

Perhaps its important to teach our kids the value of things; to edify them about being contended even if they had little on their plate. 

No Money, No Honey!

Money may not solve all your problems, but it surely reduces your miseries !

Success

Start with your passions, Grow through Hardwork !!

Mind it!

A girl shouldn't lose her mind to the extent that she wakes up on someone else's Pillow.

A man shouldn't lose his mind to the extent that he wakes up on the ruins of the castle, he once built.

My day of glory

Cricket has never been my favorite game probably because I didn’t play the game so well. But as a kid, that is the sport I have played the most. Most of my friends were good at it, except for a few, including me. I was neither a good batsman nor a good baller, but an excellent fielder. I would never let the ball pass through me - a formidable iron wall. Once we had a match with the boys from other school. It was summer time, and the sun was burning. The match started at 4 pm, on the Empire Pitch. The opponent team won the toss, and elected to bat first. They played well and put up a total score of 76 runs. Our team was the next to bat, but the few opening batsmen barely put 24 runs on the scoreboard. I was the last man down and all the hopes were stuck on me. The tension was peeking with every passing second.

The match proceeded, and the baller threw the ball at me. Nothing happened in the first 3 balls. The leather ball would just swoosh past me into the gloves of the wicket keeper. Then came the fifth ball on the onside, which I flicked with my bat, towards the back of the wicket, and it went straight for a 4. The next ball met the same fate – a 4. Cricket is a game of uncertainties and the whole game can turn around at any point of time. My friends looked at me as if I was the white horse who will turn around their fortunes. I had to lead the team to victory but it was a huge feat. I took a run on the last ball, so I managed to keep the strike. The next baller balled, and I managed to score 2 more runs. My partner on the other end, kept on hitting the ball left, right and center, and we kept on adding to the score card. My partner put in a total of 22 runs, while I was rotating the strike with him.

We were nearing the target of 77, and were playing at a steady pace. I took the crease and a guy named ‘Akshat’ balled to me. The first few balls went past me, but then the 3^rd ball hit my stumps, and I was out. We were all out for a total score of 57, and lost the match by a mere 20 runs. We had 7 players in our team, and I thought to myself, had all the players scored 11 runs, we would have easily reached the target and won the match. But, I was proud that we, the last 2 batsmen, could put up a total of 33 runs, before getting out. That was our moment of glory, though a bit overshadowed by the felling of losing the match.

Nevertheless, losing doesn’t matter, playing in the right spirit is what matters. 

Small things make up for a happy life

As a kid painting never interested me, except for those Science classes’ diagrams. Science class drawings were more of a compulsion than a choice. The Art teacher had asked us to bring Wax crayons, for making posters, for the School’s annual day. I took 10 Rs from my mom, and went to the market to buy the crayons. I asked the shopkeeper for the Crayons, and he handed over a pack to me, which read; “Maximum Retail Price Rs 10”. The shopkeeper, however, asked for 4 Rs, which I paid to him. I thought to myself that the shop keeper asked for 4 Rs by mistake, instead of asking for 10 Rs. Anyways, I was happy to get the crayons at a throw away price.

Having stuck a good deal, I thought of expending rest of the money. So, I went to the Gajak cart nearby (Gajak is a dry sweet made with groundnut and jiggery). I got a lot of Gajak for 6 Rs. This was my lucky day! I ate the Gajak to my contentment, and the best part was that, I didn't have to share it with anyone.

As a kid these small things gave so much happiness, that can’t be bought back with all the riches of the world.

Losing or Winning is all a state of mind!

You don't lose when you actually lose; you lose when you accept that you have lost !! ‪#‎KingBruce‬

Everything of Nothing

There are some people in the world, who know nothing about nothing, but pretend as if they know everything about everything !!

Perceptions and the World

I have my own perceptions of how this World works; and it really doesn't work like that !! 

Mom on facebook

It was an enchanting experience to teach Mom how to use the facebook. It was like teaching a 3 year old to write ABCD… from scratch. She was enchanted with the facebook, more so, because all my cousins, relatives and her friends were on facebook. At the beginning she was like any other enthusiast learner, but as I started to explain to her how it worked, she became overloaded with information and I had to take it slow from there. (It’s the learning curve that every learner goes through, enthusiast beginner, mid level laggard and then an addicted enthusiast!)

At the beginning she even found it tough to find the characters on the keyboard, but after a thorough scan she would hit the right buttons. Bingo! The first thing I taught her was to post a new status on her wall, which read “Hi everyone, I am new to facebook, and hope it is going to be a great experience. Stay in touch”. Many friends and family members were happy to see her on facebook and warmly welcomed her.

She would eagerly wait for me to come back home, and pounce on my laptop to post new status updates. There after she would post about her daily routines. One day she posted her photos on her profile page; the next day she eagerly waited for me to come home, so that she could check, who all had commented on her picture. True as can be; at times she was disappointed when the response was cold!!

Next level was to edify her about logging into her account and logging off. She even did a revision to memorize her user id and password. At times she would commit mistakes, and key in incorrect grammar or spellings. I used to lose my nerve over it, but most of the time I thought about; “how much cool and patience she had maintained when I was a kid; she for granted all my sins and idiotic activities”. She has a lot of patience; which I unfortunately lack. Even though she committed mistakes, she would begin from scratch and keep on trying till she got it all right. Best part was that she would not hesitate to ask if she had written anything wrong. She had started posting pictures and commenting on pictures that she liked. It was mesmerizing for her to check the pictures of relatives abroad, whom she had not seen in ages. In just a few days she not only learnt about the facebook but also learnt a lot about computers.

She was so hooked to facebook, that she told me to get her a new laptop so that she can stay connected with everybody, and also do video chat with people who are far away. She said I would be able to do video chat with you guys also when I go back to Delhi from here. On that note, I am actually thinking of buying a new laptop for her so that she can enjoy the facebook and the virtual company of her friends and relatives. She can even do video chats with whomsoever she wants to. 

It's great to see her use the technology. And, she's really come up to speed using this new fad !

Turbo >>>>>

No Dream is too big, No Dreamer too small .... TURBO >>>

Monday Blues - ehhh

It was Monday and the office was opening after 4 days. The drive to office was comfortable, lesser traffic, probably people were still vacationing. I reached office at 11:30 a.m. In the elevator there was this office boy with a post it note stuck to his Id badge. I pointed to it and asked him, what it was? He smiled back at me and said that it's his “To Do” list for the day; setting up computers for new employees, replacing water bottles and delivering couriers. For once I was amazed with his dedication. He had his day well planned, in advance. As I exited the elevator, I smiled at him and bid him bye.

I thought to myself, my work is much more interesting than his, and yet we are so demotivated; especially when we walk into office on Mondays. We even term it as “Monday Blues”. I said to myself, let me go in and work dedicatedly today. There was a huge surge of enthusiasm in me. I went to my desk and put up my own “To Do” list for the day. Believe me, it was a gratifying day.

The day couldn’t have started better, and it couldn't have ended better. Yay

Of all things Kashmiri

1. You speak in a way that is called ‘Kaye-gee’, speaking in a manner that is satirical, and unfathomable.
1. You won’t speak in your own mother tongue, because you feel embarrassed.
2. The only Kashmiri song that you know of is the popular Bhajan that your parents used to sing while praying.
3. If a known person goes abroad, all relatives think that he/she is making a fortune there, and sending in kick backs via Hawala.
4. The first thing that you look for, in a marriage card is the surname of the Boy / Girl, to check if it is an inter caste marriage or not.
5. If it is an inter-caste marriage you just toss the card on the table. If its not, you read the details completely and plan to attend with enthusiasm (of course).
6. You are not interested to marry a Kashmiri Boy/ Girl, because of reasons that I myself could not fathom.
7. You are to dance on Mehndiraat’s more likely on a Bollywood number than on authentic Kashmiri songs.
8. You are a loud mouth. When 2 people are talking, the whole neighborhood would know.
9. If you live in a non Kashmiri neighborhood, half of the time neighbors think that you are having a fight.
10. The only time you meet someone is when it is someone’s marriage.
11. If you happen to meet a distant relative of yours at a function that first questin that will pop up in front of you is “Did you recognize me? Who am I, do you know?” You are left dumbfound.
12. You have a whacky sense of humor.
13. Your mom thinks that you are no less than Akshay Kumar in looks, and thinks superficially high of you.
14. You have 2 Papa’s, 3 Badey Papa’s, 2 Choti Mummy’s, 1 Badi Mummy, and 25 cousins, of whom you won’t even know half that well.
15. You give more importance to money than the social life.
16. Women only wear Kashmiri jewellery during marriages.
17. If you call up your relatives on phone, they would definitely ask you, ‘what was up for lunch or dinner’.
18. Going back to Kashmir is no more than a good vacation well spent. It no more means home coming.
19. The greatest festival is Shivratri, and actually means the kids getting richer the next day.
20. If you cook any Kashmiri cuisine, it is a special feast.
21. You love to eat Yellow rice balls, with curd and sugar on birthdays.
22. You will not pass on your culture to your kids either in form of edification, music, arts, food et al.
23. You will recognize a Kashmiri in a crowd, but will barely go and talk to them.
24. Kashmiri abuses (actually slangs), would soon be archived for non-usage by the UNESCO. Because now you rarely use these slangs.
25. You still brand a person based on his surname, ‘villager’ / ‘priest’ etc.
26. You believe in a lot of superstitions that have been fed in to our cerebrum since childhood.
27. If the elder generation sees another Kashmiri in a public place, they Switch on their Bluetooths to pair with each other; and actually find out, that they are related by nth order of 'x'. 

When I caught the ants

When I was small, probably 5 or 6 years old, there were so many nasty things that I used to do.

I and my siblings were a menace in the big house that we had in Kashmir.  It was summer time and I set out to play in the lawn in front of our house. But, instead of going to the lawn I went to my uncle's garage, to check if his scooter was there, and to fake a ride on it (like kids of that age would do), and make noises like vrooom vrooom vroooom vrooom. As I was about to enter the garage I saw a colony of ants at the gate of the garage. I thought to myself it would be a great idea to capture these ants. I ran inside to get a bottle of Chelpark ink pot, with water filled in it.

I started hand picking the ants, and dropping them in that ink pot. The ants started to float on the water, and I didn’t know that they were actually dying. I was elated that I had captured them in my magic bottle. I continued doing this and soon my younger brother joined me too. We continued this till my elder cousin saw us and came near. He asked 'what are you doing’?

To which I valiantly replied that we are capturing the ants and safely storing them in my ink pot. He was taken aback. I asked him, “Why are the ants not moving in the ink pot”? He replied ‘the Ants are dying, in the ink pot filled with water’. I froze for a moment and felt bad that I was not capturing the Ants, I was actually killing them. My cousin took away the ink pot, probably to throw away in a corner of the huge lawn facing our house.

Nirvana

Angrez come here either for 'Nirvana' or for 'Marijuana' !!

Devtaa Aur Asur

Devtaon aur Asuron ke beech, Varchasva ki ladaai sada se hi chali aa rahee hai.
Donon hi Kashyap Rishi ke vanshaj hain, aur dono Devtaon aur Asuron ko janam toh unhone hi diya hain.  Devtaa unki pehli patni 'Aditi' se janme the, aur Asur unki doosri patni 'Diti' se janme the. Devtaaon ne Dharam ka maarg apnaya, aur Asuron ne Adharam ka marg !!

A mother's embarrassment

The schools had opened after the long winter vacations. I was in 2nd Standard. The first class was that of Geography. It was a room full of maps of different sizes and vibrant colors. Since it was first day of school after the winter vacations Mom was unable to wake up early enough to prepare my lunch.

My Tiffin box had 4 compartments 1 for rice, 1 for vegetable curry, 1 for curd and the last one for salads.

After a lot of soiling and toiling Mom prepared and packed my lunch box. Mom headed off to School to hand over my lunch box to me.

The Geography teacher's face resembled that of Medusa. She sat near the World map with a stick in her hand, pointing at different places on the map. When she opened her mouth, it seemed as if she would swallow all the children without even a burp. She would point at the map, and name the place;

all the students would repeat after her. She now got blood thirsty, and decided to test what she had just taught. She pointed her stick on the Map and began to ask the students, the name the places.

The cruel Witch now eyed me with her blood thirsty eyes that gorged out of their sockets. Her tongue came out as if wanting to taste my blood. She asked me to stand up and pointing at the map asked me to name the place. I didn't know the place, and kept quiet. The witch lost it, came over to me and asked me to put my hands out. She lashed on both my hands with her stick. I got a burning sensation on my hands, and the wintery chill made them pain. To embarrass me further in the class of 50, she asked me to keep standing.

My puppy love too looked at me with disgust in her eyes, and I hung my head in shame, as if I had done a crime. The witch began to edify the class. After a while I saw that my Mom was standing at the classroom door, with my Tiffin in her hand. She looked at me, and came inside the claasroom, and then looked at the witch. My Mom could not stand the sight of her child standing amongst 50 students in the class. Her heart became heavy and tears started rolling down her cheeks. I just stood there watching tears rolling down my Mom’s cheeks.

I felt like strangulating the evil witch, gorging her eyes out and chopping her evil hands for making my Mom cry. The witch had realized by now that the lady with tears in her eyes, was my Mom. She asked me to sit down, and went to my mother and began consoling her. My mother stooped crying and the witch asked me to go out of the classroom, to speak to my Mom. I went out of the classroom and apologized to my Mom, for having caused her all this pain. I didn't tell her anything about the lashes. But I wished, I had told her so that my Mom would confront the witch for imposing such a corporal punishment on an 8 year old. It still is fresh in my memory how I caused so much embarrassment to my Mom. And, I thank God that corporal punishment to tiny tots is banned in Indian schools. 

Circle of Life

A family man draws a circle around him, for his kids & spouse.

A good man draws the circle around him, for his kids, spouse, parents, brothers & sisters.

Only a legendary man draws the same circle for his kith & kin; & the the community at large.

Quote UnQuote

1. We should never look at one misdoing of a person; against his hundred good deeds
   
2. A hundred misdoings cannot be undone by a good deed.
3. Judge a person by his deeds and not by the wealth he has amassed.

Family

A Family lives its individual lives;
but unites together in times of peril & need.

Excuse me Mr. Rao

Genuine people don't carry a mark on their foreheads saying "100% Genuine with a lifetime warranty". The story goes way back to 2006, when I was on an official trip to Bangalore from Delhi.

I caught my Kingfisher flight & took the aisle seat. The flight was pretty much empty; probably nobody wanted to take an early morning flight in the Delhi Cold. The flight soared into the skies, & the Seat Belt Sign was turned off. I had to give a client presentation some final touches, so I took out my Notebook, & started working on my Presentation.

The Kingfisher Flight attendants dressed in a red skirt & a white shirt with a red half sleeved jacket were stylish, pretty & fashionable; that is what made the airline a hot seller 'but not hot enough to beat the Delhi cold'. The Flight Attendant came to me with a bunch of magazines & newspapers; I don't know thinking what (since I was already working on my Laptop). Obviously I let her down & didn't take any; I finishing my work.

She came back in sometime with the breakfast tray which I accepted; returning her a smile. I started thinking how come they can smile all day long (maybe fake it till you make it). If I had to smile the whole day, my jaws would surely droop down dead.

Every time she passed by me, she would throw a smile. This happened many times, till she finally broke the ice. She came up to me & said, "It's very odd to ask; please don't mind; but are you Mr. Rao". I didn't expect her to try these filmy lines that guys usually try on gals, so I firmly said “No, I am Shali”.
She froze stood there for a moment & then said, "Oh! I am sorry I mistook you for one Mr. Rao".
She left for her cabin & soon I realized the magnitude of the damage I had done, by letting a pretty girl swoosh away from my hands. I closed the lid of my laptop & started cursing myself for being such a wimp.

The flight landed, & with it crash landed a loser. While de-boarding the flight we exchanged gazes, & she said "Thank you Mr. Shali".

A quote fitted that moment very well, "Life is like a train of opportunities; you catching the right Bogie, at the right time & at the right Platform".

Mummy Ki Yaad Aa Rahee Hain

Engineering course can be highly demanding; churning violently even the sharpest of the brains. The focus always is on becoming a better problem solver; a thinker and having the right acumen for applying the acquired knowledge in the architectural paradigm. Even Ranchod Das Shyamal Das Chanchad (alias Phunsukh Wangdoo of 3idiots) said:
"Run after Excellence; not after Success; once you excel, success will come barefoot, running after you.

Curtain Opens: Control Systems Lab under the tin roof in the old campus (which is now declared as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India); with Professor Mr Jha. Mr Jha was 5ft tall; thin and lean with a specs hanging over his nose. He was a very strict person; with zero tolerance for any errors whatsoever. Despite his small figure Mr Jha commanded a lot of respect being a subject matter expert. A perfect example of 'Looks are deceptive'

One day he pledged to teach the most notorious group (E3 group) in our class a lesson. He gave us a problem to be solved in 30 minutes. I am sure, even if Albert Einstein or Nikolai Tesla was given this problem, they wouldn’t solve it even in their 7 births; bonus - nightmares throughout their entire 7 births.

So there we were, 10 most notorious guys of the class in the lab, trying to scratch our heads, to solve the problem. Most of us were flipping pens, looking around at the lab equipment as if they were some peculiar objects from space and almost all of us were cursing our parents for pushing us into engineering. There was pin drop silence and the clock was ticking like an F1 car. None of us were making any headway in resolving the problem. It was going to be the end of the allotted time; and the frustration was soaring with every passing minute. Suddenly 'Pankaj Sharma' from the last bench blurted out in distress: 'Mummy Ki Yaad Aa Rahee Hain'.
It was so appropriate at that point of time that the whole class burst our laughing. The despair and  frustration had given way to satirical joke; and the tension eased out. Needless to say we all failed the test, but we never failed our teachers and soared to heights that we didn't even dream of, at that point of time.

Se7en Vachnas

1. Together we will share prosperity & livelihood
2. Together we will develop mental, physical & spiritual strength
3. Together we will perform rituals & practice vows
4. Together we will fill our hearts with joy, peace & happiness
5. Together we will raise strong & virtuous children
6. Together we will cherish all seasons with happiness
7. Together we will remain faithful & lifelong partners

Discourteous She, Vindictive Me

Somewhere in the middle of the Bangalore-Pune highway the Volvo bus broke down; 1.4 crore worth beast wouldn't even lurch an inch forward ‘what a waste’!! The driver began his tear down & reengineering process to troubleshoot the problem. We were stranded in No Man's Land. There is this girl standing next to me, wearing a UNESCO logo T-Shirt (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

Me : Hi, Do you work for the United Nations?
She : Ohhh No, its a friend who works for the UN, & she gave me this T-Shirt
Me: So, what do you do?
She : I am a Software Rookie!
Me : Not intriguing at all, me too. Its boring working in the IT; doing the same copy paste...

She raised her brow, looking skeptically at me; maybe because of my satirical little talk. She acknowledged what I said & stood there for a flash second. Soon she started walking without a notice, to the tea stall across the road. She didn't even have the courtesy to ask me.
It was embarrassing, but I thought maybe her mental condition isn't sound !!

The engine problem was fixed & she took a seat adjacent to mine. But me hurt from her earlier act of discourtesy; plugged my earphones & deprived her of all conversation; that could have started (predictive vindictive scorpion-me). She killed the urge in me to talk to her.
At times she would look at me on the verge of starting a conversation; but I had lost all interest by then.

Teachings of Judaism

1. Life is a loan given to man. Death is a lender that recovers this loan anytime, any day along with interest.
2. Charity never makes a man poor but is fruitful if given earnestly. Charity donator should immediately forget it; but receiver should always remember it.
3. A duty conscious person in this world deserves salvation in the other world.
4. Everybody shall bear fruit of deeds in the Judgment Day.
5. Man’s rights are divine. A king can’t override these rights.
6. Charm & spell are worthless & end on attainment of true knowledge.
7. God is the creator of Universe & the mankind. We all are his children.
8. Tears of repentance wash all sins. Never repeat a misdeed after repentance.
9. Faith in God relieves all the sufferings.
10. Man is the only Hero who befriends an enemy.
11. Heart is the Best Preacher, Time is the Best Teacher. World is the Best Book & God the Best Friend.
12. Always remain away from bad conduct. In the start it is a cobweb, but later assumes the form of a rope.
13. Those who show mercy on fellow men are showered upon by mercy from God.

Computer is not a magic

This is a piece I wrote in 1996, while in 10th Standard & recently found it in my stockpile of books. I never knew that one day I will become a Computer Engineer; that I am today. Life comes full circle, full of surprises, shocks, laughs & madness!!

Computer is not a magic, it’s a device
Its brain in size is smaller than the mice
But even then correct, timely & wise
Works untiringly from sunset to sunrise
Never telling us any lies
You can check it all by your eyes

It is really worth Silver & Gold
So intelligent, seems not even a day old
Solves problems in ways manifold
Gives answers that are accurate
We have also been told
Withstands both heat & cold

Looks like a king sealed on the table
To tell us the most mysterious fable
HCL, IBM, HP is the label
And at the back has a black cable
Its monitor is very sable
& its language being totally nable

In front has a keyboard
That looks like a section of road
Ball in mouse is like a toad
As if it were sitting in its Ford
Keyboard makes it carry large input load
& for all purposes understands single code (1 or 0)

Wah Khoon Kaho Kis Matlab Ka

Wah Khoon Kaho Kis Matlab Ka,
Jisme Ubaal Ka Naam Nahi,
Wah Khoon Kaho Kis Matlab Ka,
Aa Sake Dessh Ke Kaam Nahi,

Wah Khoon Kaho Kis Matlab Ka,
Jisme Jeevan Na Ravani Hai,
Jo Par-Vash Hokar Bahta Hai,
Wah Khoon Nahi Hai Paani Hai,

Us Din Logon Ne Sahi Sahi,
Khoon Ki Keemat Pahchani Thi,
Jis Din Subhash Ne Barma Me,
Mangi Unse Kurbaani Thi,

Bole Swatantrta Ki Khatir,
Balidan Tumhe Karna Hoga,
Tum Bahoot Jee Chuke Ho Jag Me,
Lekin, Aage Marna Hoga,

Aazazdi Ke Charno Me Jo,
Jaimal Chadai Jayegi,
Wah Suno Tumhaare Sheeshon Ke,
Phoolon Se Gunthi Jayegi,

Aazadi Ka Sangraam Kahin,
Paise Par Khela Jaata Hai,
Yah Sheesh Katane Ka Souda,
Nange Sir Jhela Jata Hai,

Aazadi Ka Itihaas Kahin,
Kaali Syahi Likh Paati Hai,
Isko Likhne Ke Liye,
Khoon Ki Nadi Bahai Jaati Hai,

Yah Kahte Kahte Wakta Ki,
Aankhin Me Lahoo Utar Aaya,
Mukh Rakt-Varn Ho Damak Utha,
Chamki Unki Raktim Kaya,

Aajanu Baahu Unchi Karke,
We Bole “Rakt Mujhe Dena”
Iske Badle Me Bharat Ki,
Aazadi Tum Mujhse Lena,

Ho Gai Sabha Me Uthal Puthal,
Seene Me Dil Na Samate The,
Swar Inklaab Ke, Naaron Ke,
Koson Tak Chaye Jaate The,

Hum Denge-Denge Khoon,
Shabd Bas Yahi Sunai Dete The,
Ran Me Jaane Ko Yuvak Khade,
Taiyaar Dikhai Dete The,

Bole Subhash Aise Nahi,
Baaton Se Matlab Sarta Hai,
Lo Yah Kagaz, Hai Koun Yahan,
Aakar Hastakshar Karta Hai,

Isko Bharne Wale Jan Ko,
Sarvasv-Samarpan Karna Hai,
Apna Tan-Man-Dhan-Jan-Jeevan,
Mata Ko Arpan Karna Hai,

Par Yah Sadharan Patr Nahi,
Azadi Ka Parvana Hai,
Is-Par Tumko Apne Tan Ka,
Kuch Ujjaval Rakt Girana Hai,

Wah Aage Aaye, Jiske Tan Me,
Bharteey Khoon Bahta Ho,
Wah Aage Aaye Jo Apne Ko,
Hindustaani Kahta Ho,

Wah Aage Aaye Jo Is Par,
Khooni Hastakshar Deta Ho,
Mai Kafan Badhata Hun, Aaye,
Jo Isko Hanskar Leta Ho,

Sari Janata Hunkaar Uthi,
“Hum Aate Hai, Hum Aate Hain,
Mata Ke Charno Me Yah Lo,
Hum Apna Rakt Chadate Hain,

Sahas Se Badhe Yuvak Us Din,
Dekha Badhte Hi Aate The,
Chaaku, Churi, Katariyon Se,
We Apna Rakt Girate The,

Fir Usi Rakt Syaahi Me,
Ve Apni Kalam Dubaate The,
Aazadi Ke Parvaane Par,
Hastakshar Karte Jaate The,

Us Din Taaron Ne Dekha,
Hindustaani Itihaas Naya,
Jab Likha Maha Ranveeron Ne,
Khoon Se Apna Itihaas Naya.

Understanding Women

There are some equations that can never be balanced; they always remain in a state of imbalance. One such equation is the one that exists between men & women. The male herd typically high on ego, need for power, sex and aggression. Women on the other hand crave for love, caring, consideration; & these urges are more powerful than any other urge in them. Being settled and leading a comfortable life is also on their priority list.

What Women want?
It is a question that many a love gurus & pundits have tried / failed to answer. Women want love, care & consideration, money, good looks (though still a matter of debate because women deny this), and a trustworthy partner. They are not driven by their urge for sex, but that of being wanted, to love and be loved. Metropolitan women are smart, manipulative and calculative when it comes to choosing their life partner. They keep many options open, dating many male friends during the same time and taking their pick from within this herd. They may have many flings. They are involved in innumerable one sided affairs that become so serious that the self proclaimed boyfriend has to be admitted to the hospital because he slits his wrist, showcasing his craziness for the girl. But he doesn’t showcases his love this way; he proves that he is a loser.

Women do have the 6th sense, with which they sniff their Mr. Right from amongst a crowd of zillions. They may go to great heights to find their Mr. right, and if they begin to believe that there is no such thing s Mr. right, they will eye the guy that they met on their journey of finding Mr. right, and get hooked to that guy. Doesn’t matter is they had dumped this same guy in the past for reasons galore. You have a bad body odor, you have a foul smelling mouth, you are not my type, you don't give me space, you don't understand me etc etc.

A women’s solution to a broken heart or a sour relationship is to move on to another man. Another man’s handkerchief & strong shoulder aid in fixing their broken heart as fast as the Fevicol. This man comes as a cupid & saves their day & cushion from getting wet because of tears. If women have a broken heart, they will take all the blame on themselves, thinking that something is seriously wrong with her; which caused the relationship & commitment to fail. If they have had a sour relationship they would still have the hope that they can turn back the clock & get their man back in their life. They still believe in miracles happening & fairy tales. They believe in the magic wand & the fairies that will come & resolve all their problems with the wave of the wand. Women do get crazy & berserk while on this rebound from their old relationship. Nobody has ever understood a Women's broken heart & nobody has ever been able to contemplate the time it will take to heal their broken heart. Ironically, they always want the men, who don't want them, & not want the men who want them.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend, and a successful woman is one who can find such a man. For a woman choosing the right guy/prospective husband, is like a big achievement tantamount to that of achieving Nobel Prize. Majority of women want to marry a guy who is rich, but they forget to think that do they really match up to the expectations of that rich man. That’s why rich men also have trouble finding a suitable wife, as they rarely meet prospective girls, in their circles who are up to their standards.

Disclaimer:
This is not a male chauvinistic post.
All characters in this post are imaginary and have no resemblance to any person living or dead.

Reflection

No Deflection from my own Reflection

Cobalt and Umber and Ultramarine

Cobalt and Umber and Ultramarine
Ivory, Black and Emerald Green
What shall I paint to give pleasure to you
"Paint for me something, utterly new"

I have painted you Tigers in Crimson and White
"The Colors were good, and you painted them alright
Now paint me a Country where nobody goes
and Paint me the people whom nobody knows"

Courtesy: (Poem in the 5th Standard Textbook, which I still remember faintly)

Breaking the Padma Spell

Padma was the most desired thing for me during my prime. I used to shout atop Mountains, crevasses, cliffs her sacred name, like a verse "Padma, Padma". She would reiterate by shouting back her name "Padma, Padma", which would eventually fade out. People told me that it was the echo. But, I knew that it wasn't an echo, it was my beloved calling back to me making me feel her omnipresence.
During rainy days & snowy nights; I missed her in my blanket so bad. I was lonely without her. I loved Padma, she was the Girl in my dreams. I searched for her in every nook & corner of the world, but couldn't find her. She died being the girl of my dreams.
Now since I am 60 I am at all liberty to confess my seduction towards Padma. Today I am going to open the Pandora's Box (Padma's Closet) & reveal all the secrets related to Padma. Padma a cold blooded homo-sapien, a commoner as you & me. She is no royalty; she is as blood & flesh as you & me. Padma term was coined by me for the ilk of all typical Southie girls in Bangalore.

Features:
1. Hair: Smeared with oil; neatly tied; & a Gajra clinging onto it
2. Skin: Dark skinned; no white = no black - bloody confusing brown
3. Face: High on features; nil makeup; traces of talcum powder - or maybe even Atta
4. Eyes: Traces of Kajal; even darker than the Dark knight (oopsy night)
5. Neck: Gold Jewellery covering it; A pendant pendant swaying from one side to another
6. Below Neck: Arrggghhhh Forget about it (Flatron TV's)
7. Typical Figure: 30-28-40 (Breast Waist Hips) - Her figure may give Kim Kadarshian a run for her money - All thanks to the Chawal chawal & more chawal
8. Legs: Skinny akin P.T. Usha's Legs
9. Feet: Let’s not talk about it; Even Krack Cream couldn't fill the crevasses
10. Clothes: Saree; Skirt & Blouse with a Chunni
11. Favorite Colors: Orange with Golden Borden; Brown with Golden Borden; VIBGYOR with Golden Borden; Anything with Golden Borden would do
12. Favorite Dish: Rice with Rasam & Sambar
13. Boyfriends: Nil till date

Characteristics:
1. Strengths: Her Charisma; Dusky Beauty; Rusty Makeup
2. Weaknesses: Craving for Rice; Fairness Creams; Fragrant Oil
3. Motto followed: Simple Living & Highly Freaking
4. Hangs out at: Gardens - (Discs; malls; pubs; etc are a total no no)

Similarities with Ugly Betty:
1. Smelly Body
2. Hairy arm pits
3. Un-waxed hands & legs
4. Her wicked smile
5. Lice infested hair

Fantasies:
1. Wants to see ice (not-rice) once in her life
2. Raise 2-4 kids

Photo Courtesy:
http://tusharanchan.blogspot.com/2010/08/south-indian-girl.html

Marriage & Change Management

1. Fun:
Earlier I used to freak out with friends; now it’s behaving nicely & in a sophisticated way with the wife.
Gone are the days when I was one nasty wolf, now it’s a Chihuahua going around, making no noise.

2. Yearning:
There was always a yearning in the mornings to hold someone tight in the bed, & this yearning has now become a reality.

3. Overcoming my vices:
My vices were never known to me before, more so because everyone used to think high of me; marriage made me mindful of my vices & I am working on to overcome my vices.

4. Carelessness & Negligence:
These are the things of the past. She's a perfectionist & the margin of error in doing things should be 1 part per million

5. Mitochondria Dysfunctioning:
Energy Levels have dropped considerably. Jog of 8kms a year back is now restricted to only 2kms; heavy panting & sweating an add on feature.

6. Kindness & Soft spokeness:
With my friends at times I was mean, but niceties & courtesies have become like the main course of life. Some of my friends even told me "there has been a considerable & commendable change in me post my nuptial"

7. Anger Management:
My worst nightmare is me angry to the core, but I am learning to let go of trivia, & managing my anger & impatience. Practice makes perfect.

8. Sacrifices:
I haven't done any so far. She is the one who has left her family, house, friends, job so as to be with me, for a lifetime & 7 others to come.

9. Compassion Vs Compatibility:
I always was of the view that it is the "Compassion" that keeps a relation ticking; but now I am sure that it is the Compatibility Quotient & Understanding that keeps the relationship ticking.

10. PDA (Public Display of Affection):
Holding Hands in the Park, on the road & where not; Bear Hugs while driving __Censored__ (else I will be censured)

11. Humor Dosage:
She's got a whacky sense of humor that can instill life in anything. It also helps keeps my heart healthy & sets a curve on my otherwise silly face.

12. Indulgence:
Breakfast served & fed - hot & crispy; Evening Tea hotter than she herself is;
Dinner cooked perfectly minus spices & oil, plus retained taste & aroma.
Savours my taste buds everytime

13. De-Stressing:
I am de-stressed at almost all times. Even if I am annoyed with something; I resolve the issue there & then itself, so as not to conflagrate it.Keeps the relation healthy & prevents it from rottening.

14. Freedom Bygone:
Freedom is far bygone. I have to seek permission to go to parties, take consent before doing anything substantial, even if that involves buying groceries. I have to be home on time. I guess freedom is the only thing that has been bartered for other attributes, comforts & conveniences.

15. Living not for yourself, but for others:
Dad once said, "If you live for yourself, what did you live, live for others". Adopting that to make others lively & lift their spirits.

16. Making the two ends meet:
Building our own warm, cozy nest speck by speck.

17. Running home to:
Earlier I didn't have anyone to run home to, but now I can't wait to wind up for the day & go back home to her warm embrace.

18. Soaring Temperatures & Settling Heat:
She has made every effort honestly to settle down with my ilk. She has accepted people the way they are, & in a short span of time. There was riff & raff in the beginning but the dust settled soon. Thank God for giving me such a good life partner.

19. Changing Interests:
Pop & Jazz has given way to Jagjit Singh's Ghazals. Chai waalah's chai has given way to CCD's & Barista's now. Chaprii shopping has given way to shopping at the Malls.

20. No Money No Honey:
Picked up this line from our Tour Guide in Thailand. Credit Card Bills have shot up exponentially, not just to buy honey but butter, bread & jam too. Having a little variety in life is very luscious.

Doing the Undone

People don't do things,
not because they can't do them,
but because of sheer unwillingness.

Dew

The rising Sun, the morning Dew,
The Sun Smiled & so did the Dew,
They said; the smile is a gift for you,
Carry it on, whenever you start anew.
And now the happiness is flowing through.

Courtesy: Divya's Diary