I never met my husband, before we decided to get married. Talking to each other, dating, starting a serious relationship et al, happened over the wireless means of communication. So basically, mobile phones are the main reason why, we're together today. There is another reason actually, but its more or less insignificant.
One Winter, my uncle (mother's brother) had come over to visit us for Christmas. Even though he's my uncle, there's not much of an age gap between us (I, being mom's eldest daughter and uncle being mom's youngest brother). I used to address him by his name. All of us were meeting him after 5-6 long years, so just to update us with what he had been doing, he brought along some photographs of his college days and the places he'd been to, as he was a pilot with Lufthansa.
One particular friend of his from college, was strickingly handsome. I started probing my uncle with questions about that handsome guy. My uncle never foresaw what was going to happen because of his indepth and detailed answers.
I made use fo this opportunity to extract Mr.Handsome's mobile number from uncle. I started giving a series of missed calls to that number. I guess after getting completely annoyed, he called back and that is when I heard my husband's voice for the very first time, 5 years ago, and that too caustic words of abuse. But then, I coaxed him into mellowing down and we spoke for the first time, as if we've known each other for years together. It was unbelievable; my uncle was left dumbstruck. He must've never imagined that this Christmas, he was playing Santa Claus for me!
My uncle went back after the holidays but my conversations with Jose never ceased. It wasn't long before which we started dating and officially, I was his girlfriend, one he had never met. While Jose was a Mexican residing in Mexico City, I was staying in New York.
I don't really know what kept me so committed to this guy. Probably it was his Mexican accent(which I somehow found very sexy), which kept me entangled in some sort of an invisible web, which took away all of my freedom. The hyper-possessive Jose made me stop my interactions with all my male friends, one after another. I used to interact with my uncle regularly and when he got to know about the whole thing, he asked me why I was being so imbecile and advised me to break off the relationship immediately. That is when I revealed to him that I had sincerely tried doing that a few days back but then Jose said that he loved me more than anything and threatened me saying that if I break off, he would slash his wrists and commit suicide.
Uncle told me that he knew Jose very well, he wouldn't do any such thing and that even if he did, what difference would it make to me if a Mexican committed suicide 2000 miles away from New York? But, I was paranoid. I didn't want a 180 pound man losing his life because of me and hence clung on to the relationship.
No sooner had I stopped talking to the last male friend I had, Jose ordered me to stop talking to my uncle. Uncle got furious and confronted Jose and that was the end of their solid friendship. I decided that I would still talk to uncle no matter what, but will tell Jose that I've stopped my conversations with uncle.
But, after a couple of weeks or so, I had this guilty conscience that I'm doing something I was ordered not to do, behind my master's back. I told this to my uncle who gracefully distanced himself away from me and I haven't heard from him ever since. That was 5 years back. Though my mother keeps in touch with him now and then, I do not have any interactions with him whatsoever.
A few days after the "breaking away from uncle" episode happened, my folks came to know about my wireless affair. They tried everything they could to make me stop this bizarre thing that was brewing in their daughter's life. But, no matter what they tried, I was too stubborn for them. I didn't know whether I love Jose then or not, but I didn't want any Mexican in any corner of the world, dying because of me.
We were entering the third year of our relationship. By then, both the families had gotten involved in the drama. I, being a smooth talker, was able to impress my would-be in-laws with my speech and behaviour, when they met my parents for the first time. It was the first I met Jose too. The tall and handsome Jose, unlike the Mexicans I've pictured in my mind, as I had never met any Mexican before. During that period, Jose had expressed a desire to go for a research or something so we all decided to wait for the marriage till then.
I completed my studies and siezed a vacancy in Bank of Mexico, in Mexico City. This way, I could be near Jose and we could get to know each other much better, now that there wasn't much of a physical distance between us. But then, this close proximity between us was like a wanted disadvantage, as we couldn't keep out hands off each other. Our families then decided that before something went out of hands, we should tie the nuptial knot.
As a result, last summer, Jose and I were married in a quiet ceremony at Jose's ancestral home in Mexico City. Neither Jose, nor I, invited uncle for the wedding as we had long before severed our ties with him and in any case it no longer mattered to me whether my uncle was present to grace this occasion or not.
Showing posts with label Non Poetic Crap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Non Poetic Crap. Show all posts
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Breaking news : The most brave dare being attempted by a man
This was what the headlines (in different lingos) on every local news channel read, after I made the announcement, which was actually a casual SMS, I had sent to all the contacts in my phonebook.
I was all over the news channels. The TV journos hovered around my house just to get a glimpse of me, probably my parents, and if not, even the housemaid would do. I was a celebrity overnight. So, everything associated with me had some or the other significance; even the housefly which occasionally made a landing on my head. My neighbours were interviewed and even teachers from some random school who claimed to have taught me.
The channels traced by family lineage up till my great great grandfather, whom even my grandfather wouldn't have known. Hazy footages of my SMS being typed and sent were being replayed over and over again. A talk show involving industrialists, social activists and film personalities was announced for the evening, the subject being - my announcement. People, the world over, were sending SMSes to the news channels, voting in favour of, or against my decision. The channels were cashing in on my publicity.
The world was perplexed as to what had instigated me to make such an attempt. Frantic phone calls from friends and relatives never ceased. Everyone thought that it might probably be the last time he/she would be speaking to me over the cellphone. I was warned, counselled and even threatened; the repercussions of my act could be drastic.
I really could not fathom what this hue and cry was all about, as I did not intend to do anything but to just renounce my mobile phone and lead a cellphone-free life for some time. Can this decision of mine be that questionable or surprising?
I was all over the news channels. The TV journos hovered around my house just to get a glimpse of me, probably my parents, and if not, even the housemaid would do. I was a celebrity overnight. So, everything associated with me had some or the other significance; even the housefly which occasionally made a landing on my head. My neighbours were interviewed and even teachers from some random school who claimed to have taught me.
The channels traced by family lineage up till my great great grandfather, whom even my grandfather wouldn't have known. Hazy footages of my SMS being typed and sent were being replayed over and over again. A talk show involving industrialists, social activists and film personalities was announced for the evening, the subject being - my announcement. People, the world over, were sending SMSes to the news channels, voting in favour of, or against my decision. The channels were cashing in on my publicity.
The world was perplexed as to what had instigated me to make such an attempt. Frantic phone calls from friends and relatives never ceased. Everyone thought that it might probably be the last time he/she would be speaking to me over the cellphone. I was warned, counselled and even threatened; the repercussions of my act could be drastic.
I really could not fathom what this hue and cry was all about, as I did not intend to do anything but to just renounce my mobile phone and lead a cellphone-free life for some time. Can this decision of mine be that questionable or surprising?
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Cherubic Face
I was standing in the queue to buy a railway ticket when my eyes struck upon an angelic face, the kind of face that is seen on drawings and in mythological serials depicting Lord Krishnas and Lord Ramas, when they're infants. A cute little baby boy, no more than 4 months old, lying on a lap, very happy, very content. He was neither crying, nor making any kind of bawling sounds that babies are known for. He was enjoying himself, shaking his hands and legs, lying where he was, on the lap of a "Beggarwoman"!
This whole scene appalled me. I couldn't believe that this pretty child was borne by that particular woman. While this boy was fair, cute and charming, the "supposed mother" was hideous, repulsive and dirty. I knew for sure that the child was not hers. It is true that all babies are pretty creatures but this is not the first time I'm seeing a mendicant's child (I hate myself to have even coined that phrase for that little one). There was another boy of 4 or 5, playing next to the woman, who was similar in all respects to the mother, but not the one lying in her lap.
I was terribly depressed at the fate of that little one. I presumed that he might've been born to some other mother but because of some ill luck, was having his fate written by the hands which waved a tattered bowl at the onlookers. I felt like snatching the baby from those hands and do whatever was possible from my side to provide a better life to that child, but what if the kid really was that woman's son?
A concoction of emotions was flooding inside me. My eyes never stopped gazing that graceful face even as I was moving forward in the queue. When I finally got to the ticket counter, I bought my ticket for Rs. 9, got back the 1 rupee change for the 10 rupees I had tendered. While heading to the platform, I dropped that 1 re. coin into that tattered bowl which that beautiful boy would soon learn to use. Unable to look at that precious face one last time, I walked away dreadfully melancholic.
This whole scene appalled me. I couldn't believe that this pretty child was borne by that particular woman. While this boy was fair, cute and charming, the "supposed mother" was hideous, repulsive and dirty. I knew for sure that the child was not hers. It is true that all babies are pretty creatures but this is not the first time I'm seeing a mendicant's child (I hate myself to have even coined that phrase for that little one). There was another boy of 4 or 5, playing next to the woman, who was similar in all respects to the mother, but not the one lying in her lap.
I was terribly depressed at the fate of that little one. I presumed that he might've been born to some other mother but because of some ill luck, was having his fate written by the hands which waved a tattered bowl at the onlookers. I felt like snatching the baby from those hands and do whatever was possible from my side to provide a better life to that child, but what if the kid really was that woman's son?
A concoction of emotions was flooding inside me. My eyes never stopped gazing that graceful face even as I was moving forward in the queue. When I finally got to the ticket counter, I bought my ticket for Rs. 9, got back the 1 rupee change for the 10 rupees I had tendered. While heading to the platform, I dropped that 1 re. coin into that tattered bowl which that beautiful boy would soon learn to use. Unable to look at that precious face one last time, I walked away dreadfully melancholic.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Drinking Etiquette of Malayalee Men
More often than not, on every trip I make to my homeland, Kerala, I make it a point to go to some or the other bar, atleast once. Frankly speaking, I've never bothered to look around at the fellow drinkers at other tables, once I've got the glass and whiskey in front of me. But this time around, my eyes did happen to circumnavigate the entire bar, owing to the late arrival of my glass and whiskey.
At one particular table, I saw a group of autorickshaw drivers monitoring the level of brandy that was being poured into their glasses by the waiter. I was astounded when I saw that every single one of them had their glasses half-full with the liquor. They then filled their glasses to the brim with plain water. They didn't even bother to utter "cheers", before which each one of them had gulped down the contents of the entire glass at one go! I thought it might've been a competition of sorts to find out who's the fastest drinker or something and ignored them.
By then my glass, whiskey and a small plate filled with watery pickle (complementary) had arrived. I ordered for a plate of chilly chicken as I wasn't adept with having pickle as a side dish along with alcohol. As I sat there sipping my first 30ml peg of whiskey as casually and comfortably as possible, I would've seen atleast 4 - 5 malayalee men coming and sitting opposite to me, ordering a 120 ml peg, mixing as little water in it as possible, gulping down the mixture in one go, dipping their index finger into the pickle-plate, slurping the contents on the finger and leaving the place as quickly as they had come.
Be it a bottle of beer or a quarter bottle of rum / brandy, it wouldn't last in front of the malayalee man for more than 5 minutes. He doesn't make a distinction in his etiquette on the basis of the liquor, the brand or the size of the glass! His policy is; "Either the glass is full or it is empty and in case the glass is full, it should be emptied immediately". No man in Kerala has the time and patience to drink in sips. It's as if the iron in the alcohol gets attracted to the astonishingly strong magnet in the mallu man's stomach.
So, even while I was in the bar for an hour, I managed to have only around 120 ml in 4 pegs(sheesh!!!) and brought dishonour to the clan of malayalee men.
At one particular table, I saw a group of autorickshaw drivers monitoring the level of brandy that was being poured into their glasses by the waiter. I was astounded when I saw that every single one of them had their glasses half-full with the liquor. They then filled their glasses to the brim with plain water. They didn't even bother to utter "cheers", before which each one of them had gulped down the contents of the entire glass at one go! I thought it might've been a competition of sorts to find out who's the fastest drinker or something and ignored them.
By then my glass, whiskey and a small plate filled with watery pickle (complementary) had arrived. I ordered for a plate of chilly chicken as I wasn't adept with having pickle as a side dish along with alcohol. As I sat there sipping my first 30ml peg of whiskey as casually and comfortably as possible, I would've seen atleast 4 - 5 malayalee men coming and sitting opposite to me, ordering a 120 ml peg, mixing as little water in it as possible, gulping down the mixture in one go, dipping their index finger into the pickle-plate, slurping the contents on the finger and leaving the place as quickly as they had come.
Be it a bottle of beer or a quarter bottle of rum / brandy, it wouldn't last in front of the malayalee man for more than 5 minutes. He doesn't make a distinction in his etiquette on the basis of the liquor, the brand or the size of the glass! His policy is; "Either the glass is full or it is empty and in case the glass is full, it should be emptied immediately". No man in Kerala has the time and patience to drink in sips. It's as if the iron in the alcohol gets attracted to the astonishingly strong magnet in the mallu man's stomach.
So, even while I was in the bar for an hour, I managed to have only around 120 ml in 4 pegs(sheesh!!!) and brought dishonour to the clan of malayalee men.
Friday, June 13, 2008
THE EULOGY
Love just happened between us. It was not a love at first sight. We were together for a long time and during that period it happened. No formal words were spoken, no questions asked, no answers given. It was not long before we decided to tie the knot.
We couldn't keep our eyes off each other. Each day was new to us. We were happy that everything was so monotonous. Nothing ever happened to change the situation. The love between us grew more and more as each day passed. She used to go the office for work, while I worked from home. Even those few hours of separation were too much for us to take. I used to long for her to come back from work as just her presence itself at home, used to fill my heart with joy. The joy of having her in my life.
Then, yesterday, as usual she was leaving home for work and as she always used to, gave me a kiss and whispered in my ear, "Miss me". I missed her while she was gone. She didn't come home at her usual time in the evening. At night I got a call from the police, who told me that, there had been an accident, where a bus had overturned. All the passengers in the bus survived except one. That one was her. But the police were wrong. She was not the only one who died, she had inside her, our baby, who was due in a coupla months' time.
She was the best friend, partner and would've been the best mother, anyone ever desired. She never argued with me ; just gave me her opinions and suggestions and if I acted too uncomfortable while listening to her opinions, she would know where to stop. She would then take me in her arms and cuddle me, would treat me like a baby.
She would never get angry, even though I have been angry at her, have shouted at her. But, she never uttered a single word in return and would just keep her temperament and allow me to cool down. Then she would explain as to why she did / said something which she had and at the end of it all, I would realise that she was correct in saying or doing so.
She was a brave woman. Even while I was paranoid about certain things, she always had the courage to face the boldest of the situations. She pulled me up when I used to be depressed, filled in for all the incompleteness in me. She was always THE ONE in my life and will always be. There can be no other to replace her.
I hope she is happy wherever she is. I know she would be. She used to feel extremely happy when I used to tell her that I miss her, when she was at work. She used to feel happy because she knew that this separation was temporary and that when she returned home, we would have the sweetest of the moments. Moments filled with love. I miss her more than anything now. And to my unborn, " Sorry my little one, I couldn't do anything to stop all this from happening, couldn't bring you to this world........"
Thank You
We couldn't keep our eyes off each other. Each day was new to us. We were happy that everything was so monotonous. Nothing ever happened to change the situation. The love between us grew more and more as each day passed. She used to go the office for work, while I worked from home. Even those few hours of separation were too much for us to take. I used to long for her to come back from work as just her presence itself at home, used to fill my heart with joy. The joy of having her in my life.
Then, yesterday, as usual she was leaving home for work and as she always used to, gave me a kiss and whispered in my ear, "Miss me". I missed her while she was gone. She didn't come home at her usual time in the evening. At night I got a call from the police, who told me that, there had been an accident, where a bus had overturned. All the passengers in the bus survived except one. That one was her. But the police were wrong. She was not the only one who died, she had inside her, our baby, who was due in a coupla months' time.
She was the best friend, partner and would've been the best mother, anyone ever desired. She never argued with me ; just gave me her opinions and suggestions and if I acted too uncomfortable while listening to her opinions, she would know where to stop. She would then take me in her arms and cuddle me, would treat me like a baby.
She would never get angry, even though I have been angry at her, have shouted at her. But, she never uttered a single word in return and would just keep her temperament and allow me to cool down. Then she would explain as to why she did / said something which she had and at the end of it all, I would realise that she was correct in saying or doing so.
She was a brave woman. Even while I was paranoid about certain things, she always had the courage to face the boldest of the situations. She pulled me up when I used to be depressed, filled in for all the incompleteness in me. She was always THE ONE in my life and will always be. There can be no other to replace her.
I hope she is happy wherever she is. I know she would be. She used to feel extremely happy when I used to tell her that I miss her, when she was at work. She used to feel happy because she knew that this separation was temporary and that when she returned home, we would have the sweetest of the moments. Moments filled with love. I miss her more than anything now. And to my unborn, " Sorry my little one, I couldn't do anything to stop all this from happening, couldn't bring you to this world........"
Thank You
Saturday, June 7, 2008
And yet another one gets convicted.....
The court has announced the verdict and yet again sentenced one of the cousins to life imprisonment, as he was found guilty of being single in his late 20s. He gets married late this year.
This unequitable judgement has instilled a sense of fear in most of the single ones - nearing 30s, in the family. The until - now - spared - ones in the family seek refuge under various claims viz. Sainthood, Chronic - Bachelorhood, Homosexuality & Impotency, but the last two claims have been written off as null and void as the persons claiming immunity under those two claims have been found in compromising positions with members of the opposite sex.
Sainthood and Chronic Bachelorhood have not been impeached as yet because the court is cognizant of the fact that these two claims provide just a temporary aegis and not a life-long cover. Further, the persons seeking indemnity under this claim neither seem to be heading anywhere near to being saints nor have they shown any aversion towards the opposite sex.
So, it seems that there is no escaping the court's judgement and that the punishment is inevitable for every member of the family. But, all is not lost still. In few years' time, a Gladiator will rise and battle it out till his last breath, to avenge the punishment imposed on his comrades and the sentence being served by them.
---- The Gladiator
This unequitable judgement has instilled a sense of fear in most of the single ones - nearing 30s, in the family. The until - now - spared - ones in the family seek refuge under various claims viz. Sainthood, Chronic - Bachelorhood, Homosexuality & Impotency, but the last two claims have been written off as null and void as the persons claiming immunity under those two claims have been found in compromising positions with members of the opposite sex.
Sainthood and Chronic Bachelorhood have not been impeached as yet because the court is cognizant of the fact that these two claims provide just a temporary aegis and not a life-long cover. Further, the persons seeking indemnity under this claim neither seem to be heading anywhere near to being saints nor have they shown any aversion towards the opposite sex.
So, it seems that there is no escaping the court's judgement and that the punishment is inevitable for every member of the family. But, all is not lost still. In few years' time, a Gladiator will rise and battle it out till his last breath, to avenge the punishment imposed on his comrades and the sentence being served by them.
---- The Gladiator
Thursday, May 22, 2008
GIVE ME BLOOD AND I WILL GIVE YOU FREEDOM
Contrary to everyone's expectation on reading the heading, this write-up is about blood donation and not Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's renowned words. I chose this heading because after I donated blood the other day, I felt free, liberated from the guilty conscience that I have never done anything significant in life.
One of my colleague's sibling was to undergo a surgery and a word had spread in the office that voluntary blood donors were being sought. I was asked whether I was willing and I instantly replied with a "Yes".
On that particular day when I was to donate my blood, I went straight from the office to the Blood Bank in the hospital. There, I was met by a nurse who gave me a form to fill, which I did, religiously. Then there was the regular procedure of checking the weight, haemoglobin count etc. After making sure that I am, in fact, a healthy man, I was made to lie on a very comfortable seat and then the whole process commenced. They gave a sponge ball in my hand and asked me to keep pumping it and I could see the bag getting filled with my blood, which might be in someone else's body in a matter of time, probably giving him a new lease of life. Once the bag was filled, the entire set-up of the needle, tube, bag were removed systematically and I was offered a few biscuits and a cup of coffee.
My colleague embarassed me a little by offering me a 100 Rs. note for the conveyance but I refused decently because it was not for money or incentives that I had come till there. Though I felt a little uneasy for the later part of that day, I was definitely instilled with a sense of altruism and pride.
One of my colleague's sibling was to undergo a surgery and a word had spread in the office that voluntary blood donors were being sought. I was asked whether I was willing and I instantly replied with a "Yes".
On that particular day when I was to donate my blood, I went straight from the office to the Blood Bank in the hospital. There, I was met by a nurse who gave me a form to fill, which I did, religiously. Then there was the regular procedure of checking the weight, haemoglobin count etc. After making sure that I am, in fact, a healthy man, I was made to lie on a very comfortable seat and then the whole process commenced. They gave a sponge ball in my hand and asked me to keep pumping it and I could see the bag getting filled with my blood, which might be in someone else's body in a matter of time, probably giving him a new lease of life. Once the bag was filled, the entire set-up of the needle, tube, bag were removed systematically and I was offered a few biscuits and a cup of coffee.
My colleague embarassed me a little by offering me a 100 Rs. note for the conveyance but I refused decently because it was not for money or incentives that I had come till there. Though I felt a little uneasy for the later part of that day, I was definitely instilled with a sense of altruism and pride.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
THE MIGHTY DWARF
The word "NANO" comes from the Greek word "Nanos" which means - a dwarf. The Tata Nano is a dwarf, both, by way of its size as well as its price. It has created history by being the least priced, metal bodied, petrol fuelled car, in the history of mankind.
It is a boon to the common man ( "Common Man", depicted in a precise manner in R.K Laxman's cartoons - The man who is present everywhere, yet doesn't participate in anything thats happening and is just a mere onlooker ), who's got his chance to add some extra wheels to his life. Till now, he had been using public transport or maybe just a motorcycle, but now that he can afford this car, he can travel with his entire family in his own private vehicle.( Though, in India, we often do witness a whole family of 4 or even 5 on a motorcycle ).
This would boost the profits of driving schools, which would witness a throng of these new car owners, for driving lessons.
Albeit it has such positive effects, Nano is definitely a bane. The already highly congested roads of India would worsen. Where, a motorcycle could manoeuvre through the little space left between the buses and the cars, would be filled up by these Nanos. The pavements will have to be either shortened or tarred, allowing no room for a man to walk. Well I doubt whether there would be any person left walking, once the Nano hits the roads. A man who once used to walk a 100 metres to buy vegetables from the market, would probably drive in his first car, which would've become his status symbol, that of a common man.
The condition of the roads would deteriorate. The unscrupulous techniques using which our roads are laid, do not allow them to survive even one set of showers. The more number of vehicles on the roads, the quicker the damage. Further, the parking space would be reduced. In a city like Mumbai, where a vehicle has to be parked kilometers away from where a person desires, the people would be taking the cars along with them to park in their office cabins perhaps. Though, the parking mafia should be looking forward to Nano's antics.
The biggest problem would arise when the upper class parents would start gifting their children Tata Nanos before the kids even enter their teens. These spoilt kids would exploit this freedom by driving without undergoing proper traffic lessons and a valid licence, which would result in an increase in accidents. At an age when the children should be playing with hot-wheels and toy-trucks, they would instead be behind the steering of this little meany enthralled by just the mere fact that they have been promoted from being a bicycle rider, to a car driver. Other than gifting the Nano to their children or for weddings and birthdays, the launch of this car wont affect the people in the upper class cadre. They would still be topping up their shopping carts with the Hondas, Toyotas and Benzes.
Even though the nano is claimed to be an environment friendly vehicle whose emission levels would be even lesser than those of motorcycles, a large number of these vehicles would definitely contribute in some way to the pollution levels in the country. This line of thought cannot be ruled out.
The couple of positives because of this car's launch cannot oppose the large number of negatives that come as added features along with it. In short, when the NANO hits the road, we'll have to bid TATA to whatever little traffic serenity is left in this country.
It is a boon to the common man ( "Common Man", depicted in a precise manner in R.K Laxman's cartoons - The man who is present everywhere, yet doesn't participate in anything thats happening and is just a mere onlooker ), who's got his chance to add some extra wheels to his life. Till now, he had been using public transport or maybe just a motorcycle, but now that he can afford this car, he can travel with his entire family in his own private vehicle.( Though, in India, we often do witness a whole family of 4 or even 5 on a motorcycle ).
This would boost the profits of driving schools, which would witness a throng of these new car owners, for driving lessons.
Albeit it has such positive effects, Nano is definitely a bane. The already highly congested roads of India would worsen. Where, a motorcycle could manoeuvre through the little space left between the buses and the cars, would be filled up by these Nanos. The pavements will have to be either shortened or tarred, allowing no room for a man to walk. Well I doubt whether there would be any person left walking, once the Nano hits the roads. A man who once used to walk a 100 metres to buy vegetables from the market, would probably drive in his first car, which would've become his status symbol, that of a common man.
The condition of the roads would deteriorate. The unscrupulous techniques using which our roads are laid, do not allow them to survive even one set of showers. The more number of vehicles on the roads, the quicker the damage. Further, the parking space would be reduced. In a city like Mumbai, where a vehicle has to be parked kilometers away from where a person desires, the people would be taking the cars along with them to park in their office cabins perhaps. Though, the parking mafia should be looking forward to Nano's antics.
The biggest problem would arise when the upper class parents would start gifting their children Tata Nanos before the kids even enter their teens. These spoilt kids would exploit this freedom by driving without undergoing proper traffic lessons and a valid licence, which would result in an increase in accidents. At an age when the children should be playing with hot-wheels and toy-trucks, they would instead be behind the steering of this little meany enthralled by just the mere fact that they have been promoted from being a bicycle rider, to a car driver. Other than gifting the Nano to their children or for weddings and birthdays, the launch of this car wont affect the people in the upper class cadre. They would still be topping up their shopping carts with the Hondas, Toyotas and Benzes.
Even though the nano is claimed to be an environment friendly vehicle whose emission levels would be even lesser than those of motorcycles, a large number of these vehicles would definitely contribute in some way to the pollution levels in the country. This line of thought cannot be ruled out.
The couple of positives because of this car's launch cannot oppose the large number of negatives that come as added features along with it. In short, when the NANO hits the road, we'll have to bid TATA to whatever little traffic serenity is left in this country.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
THE BUILDER IN ME
I'm an architect. I specialise in castle design and construction. Building castles in the air is my passion. I lay out the drawing paper of my life is front of me, on the table of imagination and ponder over the design I have in mind, for a while. Then, I draw an outline of my hopes and aspirations. Once the outline is there, I try and draw every single line of my hopes, with precision. I dont want anything to go wrong which can be attributed to an architectural fault.
After I've completed the design, the builder in me springs up. The foundation of dreams is laid and I start building the castle upon it. The pillars of hope, the parapet of expectations, etc. come into existence one by one.
One fine day when I'm at my peak, the "castle in the air" is complete. It looks so marvellous, an architectural masterpiece. No sooner do I feel content and commend the builder in me, that, the castle crumples down. Obviously, how can I expect it to be erect all the while when the foundation itself wasn't strong enough? How can a foundation of dreams be possibly laid? But, this doesn't deter me from continuing in this business. I'm an architect. I specialise in castle design and construction. Building castles in the air is my passion.
After I've completed the design, the builder in me springs up. The foundation of dreams is laid and I start building the castle upon it. The pillars of hope, the parapet of expectations, etc. come into existence one by one.
One fine day when I'm at my peak, the "castle in the air" is complete. It looks so marvellous, an architectural masterpiece. No sooner do I feel content and commend the builder in me, that, the castle crumples down. Obviously, how can I expect it to be erect all the while when the foundation itself wasn't strong enough? How can a foundation of dreams be possibly laid? But, this doesn't deter me from continuing in this business. I'm an architect. I specialise in castle design and construction. Building castles in the air is my passion.
THE SERVICE INDUSTRY
I'm working in the service industry. Here, I have to assume the role of a football, am kicked here and there, get dribbled between customers. But, I have no say, have to obey what the customer orders. I cant afford to lose a single penny. I have to trade anything and everything I have, for just that extra buck. If i'm left with nothing to trade, I have to sell my dignity, to earn a little something more.
The dictionary says that service is, "the assistance given to customers" but the industry policy is that : "The customer is the Master and all the people working in the service industry are his slaves". A slave is not someone who assists, but an object which is "owned" and can be made use of, in every possible way.
If the customer is dissatisfied, I'm the one who pays for it (by getting kicked out of my job) and even if the customer is satisfied, still I'm the one who pays (by being made to serve the customer even more ie; getting kicked around here and there all over again)!!!
The dictionary says that service is, "the assistance given to customers" but the industry policy is that : "The customer is the Master and all the people working in the service industry are his slaves". A slave is not someone who assists, but an object which is "owned" and can be made use of, in every possible way.
If the customer is dissatisfied, I'm the one who pays for it (by getting kicked out of my job) and even if the customer is satisfied, still I'm the one who pays (by being made to serve the customer even more ie; getting kicked around here and there all over again)!!!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
WHO WILL BELL THE CAT??
He woke up one fine morning, normally. All of a sudden he had a wish; he wanted to bell the CAT this year. He called up his comrades. Though it took a lot of convincing from his side, finally even they were willing to try out the impossible. Thus began a series of brain-racking sessions between the rodents, trying to devise means by which they could bell the CAT. They knew that there were millions of other rats out there with whom they would be competing. Without proper training and a systematic approach, they wouldn't be able to come anywhere near the CAT, let alone the idea of belling it. So then, the search for an institute commenced. At the end of it all, a lot of options lay in front of them. But, they've come to a conclusion that, whether they get the required training or not, they would be successful in their attempt only with TIME. So no more searching for training centres.
Now the result of their efforts cannot be concieved of, presently. But this is generally how gladiators are born.
A CAT has many lives, its a universal truth. Each year umpteen number of rodents decide to crack the CAT but a selected few are successful. But, the CAT is re-born the next year in a different form, becoming an even more tougher adversary. So the bottomline is, unless one is thoroughly prepared, its not advisable to linger anywhere near this feline as it may leave you, as a (tongue twister) downtrodden rodent !!
Now the result of their efforts cannot be concieved of, presently. But this is generally how gladiators are born.
A CAT has many lives, its a universal truth. Each year umpteen number of rodents decide to crack the CAT but a selected few are successful. But, the CAT is re-born the next year in a different form, becoming an even more tougher adversary. So the bottomline is, unless one is thoroughly prepared, its not advisable to linger anywhere near this feline as it may leave you, as a (tongue twister) downtrodden rodent !!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
No title
Its been decided that I'll be sacrificed in 6 months time. The date is yet to be fixed but the judgement has been passed. The two parties involved have come to truce.
Earlier in the day, the adversaries had arrived. They bombarded me with verbal inquisitions and I tried to save whatever dignity I had with defensive answers. They had their fill and left me alone in the battleground with their prized soldier. I could not retract. It was as if my whole life was sitting in front of me and there were no two ways about it. I had been forced to choose this life. Whatever happened to the freedom of choice?
I cannot believe my mentors put me through this. People whom I've lived with, trusted and loved for the past 28 years have back-stabbed me. It would've been better if they had strangled me or slit my throat while I was asleep. But they thought otherwise and made me go through this tyranny.
I have not even passed my youth and they wish to rip, whatever little is left of it, away from me! I implore them for my freedom but its falling on deaf ears. Only 6 months. Only 6 months is the time given to me, to live my life with ardour. But how can I possibly fulfill all my wishes and desires in 180 odd days?? My execution is due in 6 months. A whole lot of audience will be watching it, somewhat like Saddam Hussain's execution. People who don't get to watch it then, will watch it on tape lounging, eating a snack or two. All this, while I'm being sacrificed.
In 6 months I'll be trapped in the vicious web. In 6 months I'll be trapped in sacred matrimony.
The joys of marriage.
* The above is purely a work of fiction and does not express the opinion of the writer*
Earlier in the day, the adversaries had arrived. They bombarded me with verbal inquisitions and I tried to save whatever dignity I had with defensive answers. They had their fill and left me alone in the battleground with their prized soldier. I could not retract. It was as if my whole life was sitting in front of me and there were no two ways about it. I had been forced to choose this life. Whatever happened to the freedom of choice?
I cannot believe my mentors put me through this. People whom I've lived with, trusted and loved for the past 28 years have back-stabbed me. It would've been better if they had strangled me or slit my throat while I was asleep. But they thought otherwise and made me go through this tyranny.
I have not even passed my youth and they wish to rip, whatever little is left of it, away from me! I implore them for my freedom but its falling on deaf ears. Only 6 months. Only 6 months is the time given to me, to live my life with ardour. But how can I possibly fulfill all my wishes and desires in 180 odd days?? My execution is due in 6 months. A whole lot of audience will be watching it, somewhat like Saddam Hussain's execution. People who don't get to watch it then, will watch it on tape lounging, eating a snack or two. All this, while I'm being sacrificed.
In 6 months I'll be trapped in the vicious web. In 6 months I'll be trapped in sacred matrimony.
The joys of marriage.
* The above is purely a work of fiction and does not express the opinion of the writer*
Can I call you back??
I have this habit of pondering over the usage of some phrases commonly used in casual communication whether over the phone or in writing. I have already dealt with "Take Care", but of late, the phrase which has been stalking me happens to be "Can I call you back?". I am not challenging the English language but once again I would say that this phrase is senseless as far as it concerns me.
"Can I call you back?". It is well and good if two people are having an official / business conversation but between friends, it is not something of significance. What would the person, who puts up this question, do or say if the person at the other end bluntly replies "No!!". I dont think anyone would've faced this situation but I guess it would be fun to try it out, just to find out what impact it has on the user of "Can I...".
I have been tormented by this phrase almost each time I call up a friend. At times I do understand that my friend might be busy, but then he / she can plainly say "I'm busy. Will call you back later." or not pick up the phone at all (thats what I do). Its not that I wouldn't answer their call or something if they call me some other time. But they use "Can I...." as a substitute for conveying that they are busy or it may be even to tell me, in an indirect way, that my calls will not be enteratained.
The crux of this whole article is that even though the person asks me whether he / she can call me back and I do give a positive reply, more often than not, the call that I await, never comes.
It is just out of this sheer irritation / frustration, whatever you call it, that I come up with these kind of vague / wierd articles. But I know, the way I potray these things, people might have a feeling that I want the whole to live my way or something, which is untrue. Blame my writing but not me!!
"Can I call you back?". It is well and good if two people are having an official / business conversation but between friends, it is not something of significance. What would the person, who puts up this question, do or say if the person at the other end bluntly replies "No!!". I dont think anyone would've faced this situation but I guess it would be fun to try it out, just to find out what impact it has on the user of "Can I...".
I have been tormented by this phrase almost each time I call up a friend. At times I do understand that my friend might be busy, but then he / she can plainly say "I'm busy. Will call you back later." or not pick up the phone at all (thats what I do). Its not that I wouldn't answer their call or something if they call me some other time. But they use "Can I...." as a substitute for conveying that they are busy or it may be even to tell me, in an indirect way, that my calls will not be enteratained.
The crux of this whole article is that even though the person asks me whether he / she can call me back and I do give a positive reply, more often than not, the call that I await, never comes.
It is just out of this sheer irritation / frustration, whatever you call it, that I come up with these kind of vague / wierd articles. But I know, the way I potray these things, people might have a feeling that I want the whole to live my way or something, which is untrue. Blame my writing but not me!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
THE HEP WORLD
Nowadays there's this thing about being "HEP" in each and every one of the
youth of India. I don't know whether its an effort to imitate their
counterparts in the Western nations or whatever,but the young guys and gals
feel that they ought to be in tune with all that is "IN" these days. The
list of activities that are "IN", is headed by the usage of drugs,of late.
Oops!!! I shouldn't use the wretched "D" term. Rather it should be said that
weed/dope/grass/marijuana is the fad these days. I have no idea whether all
these things are the same or there is any difference between any of them!!
This is a story about one such individual,whom I personally know,who was
introduced into the HEP WORLD lately.
He had heard his friends discuss about it and sharing their views and
experiences,which made him feel left out. So on one particular day, or
rather night, he volunteered for the "stoning" ceremony. He went on his two
wheeler to the beach, where his pals were eagerly awaiting him. They then
prepared the stuff in front of him, kind of like a cookery show where the
step by step process is inculcated in the viewers. He was privileged to have
received the virgin stick.
As he was already adept with smoking, he puffed on in his normal fashion but
couldnt quite get the "feel" of it. But, there was nothing to worry as the
stalwarts were present there and he couldn't get luckier. They gave him the
required tuition and an obidient student that he was, followed their words
to the dot. What happened after his third puff at the stick, was not under
his control.
His mouth bacame exceptionally dry and an urgent desire to pee followed. He
was shown a particular place in the distance where he could leak, but the
voices which were guiding him, seemed to be coming from some far off
distance. Anyhow, he staggered up till there and started urinating. Thats
when he felt his pants and shoes getting wet. There was a bad breeze blowing
from the sea which had helped him get wet in his own filth. The sand was
blowing all over his body from head to toe but he wasn't feeling it. He
didn't feel a thing even when the sand went into his eyes. After a while he
sat on a railing for some time, affixed there, as if he were a steel statue
welded to the railing. Though there were taunts and insults from the
audience, he maintained that posture and didn't move an inch (or rather, he
couldn't).
The audience were in for a surprise when this guy vomitted!! He was down on
both his hands and knees and was continuously letting out the cocktail of
fluids from his mouth. Even after he stopped vomitting, that dog-like
posture was maintained (somewhat like the statue on the railing, only this
time, it was a statue on concrete).
His tutors put him inside one of the cars as obviously he couldn't ride his
two wheeler back home. He was brought to one of the guys' house, outside
which, he discharged the rest of whatever was left in his stomach and maybe,
in the intestines even. He was put under a cold shower where he seemed to
regain a bit of his lost consciousness as well as conscience.
The next morning he woke up with bloodshot eyes and some invaluable memories
from the night before, his maiden stoning.
Last heard, he is / was in one of the holy cities of India, on the banks of
some river, smoking free weed along with the "dreadlocked" sadhus.
How "HEP" can that be ?
youth of India. I don't know whether its an effort to imitate their
counterparts in the Western nations or whatever,but the young guys and gals
feel that they ought to be in tune with all that is "IN" these days. The
list of activities that are "IN", is headed by the usage of drugs,of late.
Oops!!! I shouldn't use the wretched "D" term. Rather it should be said that
weed/dope/grass/marijuana is the fad these days. I have no idea whether all
these things are the same or there is any difference between any of them!!
This is a story about one such individual,whom I personally know,who was
introduced into the HEP WORLD lately.
He had heard his friends discuss about it and sharing their views and
experiences,which made him feel left out. So on one particular day, or
rather night, he volunteered for the "stoning" ceremony. He went on his two
wheeler to the beach, where his pals were eagerly awaiting him. They then
prepared the stuff in front of him, kind of like a cookery show where the
step by step process is inculcated in the viewers. He was privileged to have
received the virgin stick.
As he was already adept with smoking, he puffed on in his normal fashion but
couldnt quite get the "feel" of it. But, there was nothing to worry as the
stalwarts were present there and he couldn't get luckier. They gave him the
required tuition and an obidient student that he was, followed their words
to the dot. What happened after his third puff at the stick, was not under
his control.
His mouth bacame exceptionally dry and an urgent desire to pee followed. He
was shown a particular place in the distance where he could leak, but the
voices which were guiding him, seemed to be coming from some far off
distance. Anyhow, he staggered up till there and started urinating. Thats
when he felt his pants and shoes getting wet. There was a bad breeze blowing
from the sea which had helped him get wet in his own filth. The sand was
blowing all over his body from head to toe but he wasn't feeling it. He
didn't feel a thing even when the sand went into his eyes. After a while he
sat on a railing for some time, affixed there, as if he were a steel statue
welded to the railing. Though there were taunts and insults from the
audience, he maintained that posture and didn't move an inch (or rather, he
couldn't).
The audience were in for a surprise when this guy vomitted!! He was down on
both his hands and knees and was continuously letting out the cocktail of
fluids from his mouth. Even after he stopped vomitting, that dog-like
posture was maintained (somewhat like the statue on the railing, only this
time, it was a statue on concrete).
His tutors put him inside one of the cars as obviously he couldn't ride his
two wheeler back home. He was brought to one of the guys' house, outside
which, he discharged the rest of whatever was left in his stomach and maybe,
in the intestines even. He was put under a cold shower where he seemed to
regain a bit of his lost consciousness as well as conscience.
The next morning he woke up with bloodshot eyes and some invaluable memories
from the night before, his maiden stoning.
Last heard, he is / was in one of the holy cities of India, on the banks of
some river, smoking free weed along with the "dreadlocked" sadhus.
How "HEP" can that be ?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Its all a Fart of life
I was outta Mumbai on an official tour and had the pleasure of working with some farters who used to fart away to glory shamelessly.
It was as if farting was just another action for them like a cough or a sneeze or maybe even breath. Yeah right !! Breathing through their arses!!!!!
Bloody hell!!!
I understand its an absolutely normal phenomenon but they should atleast be considerate about the fellow paasengers who're travelling with them in the same car and the glasses are rolled up cos the AC is on !!
I guess its true that one doesn't seem to be bothered by his own farts!!
How come i'm the only one who has such outrageous experiences??
It was as if farting was just another action for them like a cough or a sneeze or maybe even breath. Yeah right !! Breathing through their arses!!!!!
Bloody hell!!!
I understand its an absolutely normal phenomenon but they should atleast be considerate about the fellow paasengers who're travelling with them in the same car and the glasses are rolled up cos the AC is on !!
I guess its true that one doesn't seem to be bothered by his own farts!!
How come i'm the only one who has such outrageous experiences??
What the hell??
I go to this particular travel agency and ask them for a bus ticket to Palakkad (in Kerala) from Mumbai.They tell me they dont have anything to Palakkad but they can get me a ticket to Bangalore......What the bloody hell?????
Its like I go to a restaurant,tell the waiter that I'm a pure veggie and ask him what all they've got in veg there.He tells me "Sir we dont have anything in veg at the moment but our chicken kebabs are world famous!!!"
Didn't I make myself clear on what I really wanted?
Its like I go to a restaurant,tell the waiter that I'm a pure veggie and ask him what all they've got in veg there.He tells me "Sir we dont have anything in veg at the moment but our chicken kebabs are world famous!!!"
Didn't I make myself clear on what I really wanted?
Take Care
Of late I've started pondering over the exact meaning of these 2 words. At the end of each conversation , the person at the other end of the phone or computer(while having an e-chat) tells me to take care or tc. Does he/she mean it? I dont know or rather, I dont think so. Take care has lost its literal meaning and has gotten reduced to a mere farewell notation.
When my mother rings me up,she gives me all sorts of advices and enquires each and everything about me ; whether I'm having good food, whether I'm taking care of my health, driving safe, following her instructions, etc etc. At the end of the conversation she asks me to take good care of myself and from the sound of these two words coming from her mouth I can make out the genuineness and affection with which she says those words.
I dont tell anyone to take care until and unless they are in some bad state of health or affairs because I dont feel the need to. If what I really want to do is bid the person at the other end goodbye,I just say the usual byes and ask them to keep in touch as that is what I want them to do most of all.
A person doesnt need to remind the other to take care but he definitely has to remind the other person to keep in touch with him,though even that would probably fall on deaf ears.
So the next time you talk to another person,dont use these words unless it is essential at that particular moment as the significance of these words would be lost somewhere in the goodbyes.
take care
When my mother rings me up,she gives me all sorts of advices and enquires each and everything about me ; whether I'm having good food, whether I'm taking care of my health, driving safe, following her instructions, etc etc. At the end of the conversation she asks me to take good care of myself and from the sound of these two words coming from her mouth I can make out the genuineness and affection with which she says those words.
I dont tell anyone to take care until and unless they are in some bad state of health or affairs because I dont feel the need to. If what I really want to do is bid the person at the other end goodbye,I just say the usual byes and ask them to keep in touch as that is what I want them to do most of all.
A person doesnt need to remind the other to take care but he definitely has to remind the other person to keep in touch with him,though even that would probably fall on deaf ears.
So the next time you talk to another person,dont use these words unless it is essential at that particular moment as the significance of these words would be lost somewhere in the goodbyes.
take care
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Vipin Vs Nature (as written on 31 july 2005)
I'm stranded in Mumbai at my aunt's place(in Chembur).I was supposed
to leave for Chennai on the 27th of July ie;Wednesday and even while 3
days have passed,I'm still in Mumbai,thanks to the murderous rains
which caused havoc throughout the city! Its the second time I've been
in a place where a calamity has struck.First it was the Tsunami in
Chennai and now the killer showers of Mumbai and I wonder as to why I
wasn't affected seriously by the calamity(not that I want to be
affected).It was a first time experience for me.I have never seen such
a heavy rainfall in my life(well I must've quite forgotten what a
"rain" means as i've been in Chennai for the past 5 years or so).
On that day ie;26th of July,I was at my uncle's place(in Thane)and the
entire colony had near about waist deep water.I'm thankful that his
house is on the third floor,so nature was defeated in some way
atleast.On the other hand my aunt's house(in Chembur) being on the ground floor
was flooded with knee deep water.All the plywood on the beds and
cupboards has been wrinkled and tansformed into a pattern of waves on
wood!
I once had the experience of waddling through thigh deep water-sewage
'cocktail' and god knows what epidemic i'll be bed ridden with,in the
future.
So,due to these downpours I missed my train;well if I would've
gotten an opportunity to get out of the house,it would've been a big
relief in itself! But alas,I didnt have a boat! Adding to all my woes,I get
informed that a lot of frantic calls were being made to my aunt's
place enquiring about my well being and whereabouts.Can anyone guess
what the reason was? Well the treasury of mischief,my brother sent an
SMS to a news channel,"Vipin,where are you?.Ravin".He just needs a
flashing 4 digit number on the screen and he'll get typing on my
mother's mobile phone(Inside story - The night before,he spoke to me
over the phone actually).
Finally here I am at my aunt's place yet again and behind me,outside
the window,water is still running down the roof.
to leave for Chennai on the 27th of July ie;Wednesday and even while 3
days have passed,I'm still in Mumbai,thanks to the murderous rains
which caused havoc throughout the city! Its the second time I've been
in a place where a calamity has struck.First it was the Tsunami in
Chennai and now the killer showers of Mumbai and I wonder as to why I
wasn't affected seriously by the calamity(not that I want to be
affected).It was a first time experience for me.I have never seen such
a heavy rainfall in my life(well I must've quite forgotten what a
"rain" means as i've been in Chennai for the past 5 years or so).
On that day ie;26th of July,I was at my uncle's place(in Thane)and the
entire colony had near about waist deep water.I'm thankful that his
house is on the third floor,so nature was defeated in some way
atleast.On the other hand my aunt's house(in Chembur) being on the ground floor
was flooded with knee deep water.All the plywood on the beds and
cupboards has been wrinkled and tansformed into a pattern of waves on
wood!
I once had the experience of waddling through thigh deep water-sewage
'cocktail' and god knows what epidemic i'll be bed ridden with,in the
future.
So,due to these downpours I missed my train;well if I would've
gotten an opportunity to get out of the house,it would've been a big
relief in itself! But alas,I didnt have a boat! Adding to all my woes,I get
informed that a lot of frantic calls were being made to my aunt's
place enquiring about my well being and whereabouts.Can anyone guess
what the reason was? Well the treasury of mischief,my brother sent an
SMS to a news channel,"Vipin,where are you?.Ravin".He just needs a
flashing 4 digit number on the screen and he'll get typing on my
mother's mobile phone(Inside story - The night before,he spoke to me
over the phone actually).
Finally here I am at my aunt's place yet again and behind me,outside
the window,water is still running down the roof.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Freak Show
From the day I was born(may 1,1984),till early 2003,I never had
any fracture,any dreadful disease,I didnt have any disease for that
matter,even fever had attacked me only about a coupla times.Then God
thought that I shouldn't be left like this,I probably might conquer
the world or something.So on jan 12,2003 God really kicked my ass!
I was going from Delhi to Kerala on Mangla Express.My mom had
especially told me not to get down on any of the platforms.I said ok n stuff
at that instant.Then i went to the station,got in the train at around
10.00a.m and left Delhi.It was around 12.30p.m or something when the
lunch was served.Agra was the next station.I thought why not I get
down and buy a bottle of water!
So,without paying any heed to my mother's words,I got down,well there was no need to,actually.If I had asked the catering crew in the train,they would've gotten it for
me.But I didnt.So I got down at Agra station and was at the counter getting the water
bottle,when, I turned back to see the train moving.....my compartment had
already passed.So what I did was,with the bottle in one hand,I tried to
jump and get into the compartment which was the nearest.When I had just
placed my step inside the compartment,I saw the compartment door
closing on me(I dont know who the guy was who did
it,obviously he hadn't seen me).I lost my balance and slipped(mind
you,the train was still moving).If I had fallen and not slipped,I
would've probably landed up on the platform with minor injuries or
maximum,a fracture.
But that is not how God wanted it to be,so here I
saw myself slipping right inside the gap between the platform and the
train's side,with the upper half of my body on the platform and the
lower half hanging inside the gap.The train kept moving
continously,its steps hitting my back one after another,its speed
increasing! "Now thats what I call getting my ass kicked by the
almighty himself".People looking out from inside the train,saw my upper
half,ie; back and head on the platform and felt that I was not going to
survive,people on the platform saw me still "hanging on".I was in full agreement
with the people inside the train as my conscience said,"thats it buddy!
your game's over!" and I kind of humour myself "I knew my lifeline was
short but I didnt know my end would be in this freaky way!"
But I told you,God wanted to play games with me.He kicked me again and I came back on
to the platform.....and thats true,I dont know what force pushed me
back there,because I hadn't made any effort! By that time almost the
entire train had passed on my back.The people in the platform asked
the guard in the end compartment to stop the train and he did
that,then they carried me and put me back on my seat.To my
astonishment,I did not have any external injuries,no sign of any
injury for that matter,other than just a bit of dirt on my pants!
The entire compartment and some train crew were around me looking at
me,as if I was from outer space or something.Then the TTE arrived and
he made a call for a doctor from the next station.The doctor arrived
at the station after that and looking at my external make
up,concluded that I didnt have any fracture or anything.She gave me
some pain killers and slapped a bill of 150 bucks on my forehead(before doing my "check up",she had asked whether I had 150
Rs,her fee,to pay her!).I thought,okay,if the pain killers gave me
some relief,I'd go to kerala and get some treatment done,if
needed,as I didnt know the extent of the problem I had,then.After she
left,I lay there like a wounded animal and after some time I got a
call of nature.With some 4 people supporting me,I walked to the loo,and
to my amazement I was not able to pass it! This happened
repeatedly some 3 or 4 times.Someone said,its because I was not
drinking much of water.So,I drank lots of water! Again the same
episode(me not being able to pee!).So now the situation was that,I had
lots of water in my bladder but was not able to pass it outside.Then I noticed that my abdomen had swollen.I was withstanding all the other pain,but this one I
couldn't! I had 2 bellies now.One,my normal one and the other was the
abdomen which had taken the shape of a belly!
The night passed,but I was not able to sleep.The
next morning I told one of my co-passengers to call up my father,who
was in Chennai, and narrate the situation to him.Thankfully,the train was going via
the "konkan" way,so the train passed just about near bombay,at a station called
kalyan.My dad called up 2 of my uncles in bombay and they came to my
rescue.So after surviving around 22 hrs in the train,I got out of it
and my uncles took me to an ortho clinic,because they didnt know exactly
what the problem was with me is.4 minor fractures were found in my pelvic
area,but howmuchever minor they were,they were in the pelvic area where
obviously plaster coudnt be wrapped! The minor farctures gave rise to a
major problem,a scar in my urinary track,which has blocked the urine
flow! The doc said that if I had gone to kerala without passing urine
throughout the journey,the urine would've started flowing along with
my blood and it wud've been sayonara time for me!
I was made to stay in a small room in the small clinic and an external urologist was called,who made my stay there a living hell! He did some test on me,with just local anesthesia,which took the life out of me.He was planning to operate me the
next day,but my dad,who was staying along with me in the clinic,decided
upon a second opinion. He went to a more established hospital and the
HOD for urology said that nothing was to be hurried now.He gave the
reference of a doctor in chennai and asked my dad to take me there.My dad told this
to the ortho guy,so he said okay,but probably out of jealousy or
whatever,slapped a huge bill amount.I came to chennai,missed my 2nd
semester classes entirely,decided to write the exams anyway,flunked in 8
outta 10 of them.Meanwhile my bones were improving.After finishing my
exams I went to the doctor in the hospital in chennai and he operated me.Some
after effects would be there for some time,he said.The stay in appolo
was a luxury and the treatment was absolutely fantastic.Though even
they slapped a huge bill amount,it was worth it.I never felt
uncomfortable in appolo.
I have never felt so much pain and fever(umpteen number of times)during this
endeavour of mine,in my entire life.I later on cleared all of my
left over papers.
Now you can guess what all consequences can be faced,if you dont pay
heed to your mother's words!!
any fracture,any dreadful disease,I didnt have any disease for that
matter,even fever had attacked me only about a coupla times.Then God
thought that I shouldn't be left like this,I probably might conquer
the world or something.So on jan 12,2003 God really kicked my ass!
I was going from Delhi to Kerala on Mangla Express.My mom had
especially told me not to get down on any of the platforms.I said ok n stuff
at that instant.Then i went to the station,got in the train at around
10.00a.m and left Delhi.It was around 12.30p.m or something when the
lunch was served.Agra was the next station.I thought why not I get
down and buy a bottle of water!
So,without paying any heed to my mother's words,I got down,well there was no need to,actually.If I had asked the catering crew in the train,they would've gotten it for
me.But I didnt.So I got down at Agra station and was at the counter getting the water
bottle,when, I turned back to see the train moving.....my compartment had
already passed.So what I did was,with the bottle in one hand,I tried to
jump and get into the compartment which was the nearest.When I had just
placed my step inside the compartment,I saw the compartment door
closing on me(I dont know who the guy was who did
it,obviously he hadn't seen me).I lost my balance and slipped(mind
you,the train was still moving).If I had fallen and not slipped,I
would've probably landed up on the platform with minor injuries or
maximum,a fracture.
But that is not how God wanted it to be,so here I
saw myself slipping right inside the gap between the platform and the
train's side,with the upper half of my body on the platform and the
lower half hanging inside the gap.The train kept moving
continously,its steps hitting my back one after another,its speed
increasing! "Now thats what I call getting my ass kicked by the
almighty himself".People looking out from inside the train,saw my upper
half,ie; back and head on the platform and felt that I was not going to
survive,people on the platform saw me still "hanging on".I was in full agreement
with the people inside the train as my conscience said,"thats it buddy!
your game's over!" and I kind of humour myself "I knew my lifeline was
short but I didnt know my end would be in this freaky way!"
But I told you,God wanted to play games with me.He kicked me again and I came back on
to the platform.....and thats true,I dont know what force pushed me
back there,because I hadn't made any effort! By that time almost the
entire train had passed on my back.The people in the platform asked
the guard in the end compartment to stop the train and he did
that,then they carried me and put me back on my seat.To my
astonishment,I did not have any external injuries,no sign of any
injury for that matter,other than just a bit of dirt on my pants!
The entire compartment and some train crew were around me looking at
me,as if I was from outer space or something.Then the TTE arrived and
he made a call for a doctor from the next station.The doctor arrived
at the station after that and looking at my external make
up,concluded that I didnt have any fracture or anything.She gave me
some pain killers and slapped a bill of 150 bucks on my forehead(before doing my "check up",she had asked whether I had 150
Rs,her fee,to pay her!).I thought,okay,if the pain killers gave me
some relief,I'd go to kerala and get some treatment done,if
needed,as I didnt know the extent of the problem I had,then.After she
left,I lay there like a wounded animal and after some time I got a
call of nature.With some 4 people supporting me,I walked to the loo,and
to my amazement I was not able to pass it! This happened
repeatedly some 3 or 4 times.Someone said,its because I was not
drinking much of water.So,I drank lots of water! Again the same
episode(me not being able to pee!).So now the situation was that,I had
lots of water in my bladder but was not able to pass it outside.Then I noticed that my abdomen had swollen.I was withstanding all the other pain,but this one I
couldn't! I had 2 bellies now.One,my normal one and the other was the
abdomen which had taken the shape of a belly!
The night passed,but I was not able to sleep.The
next morning I told one of my co-passengers to call up my father,who
was in Chennai, and narrate the situation to him.Thankfully,the train was going via
the "konkan" way,so the train passed just about near bombay,at a station called
kalyan.My dad called up 2 of my uncles in bombay and they came to my
rescue.So after surviving around 22 hrs in the train,I got out of it
and my uncles took me to an ortho clinic,because they didnt know exactly
what the problem was with me is.4 minor fractures were found in my pelvic
area,but howmuchever minor they were,they were in the pelvic area where
obviously plaster coudnt be wrapped! The minor farctures gave rise to a
major problem,a scar in my urinary track,which has blocked the urine
flow! The doc said that if I had gone to kerala without passing urine
throughout the journey,the urine would've started flowing along with
my blood and it wud've been sayonara time for me!
I was made to stay in a small room in the small clinic and an external urologist was called,who made my stay there a living hell! He did some test on me,with just local anesthesia,which took the life out of me.He was planning to operate me the
next day,but my dad,who was staying along with me in the clinic,decided
upon a second opinion. He went to a more established hospital and the
HOD for urology said that nothing was to be hurried now.He gave the
reference of a doctor in chennai and asked my dad to take me there.My dad told this
to the ortho guy,so he said okay,but probably out of jealousy or
whatever,slapped a huge bill amount.I came to chennai,missed my 2nd
semester classes entirely,decided to write the exams anyway,flunked in 8
outta 10 of them.Meanwhile my bones were improving.After finishing my
exams I went to the doctor in the hospital in chennai and he operated me.Some
after effects would be there for some time,he said.The stay in appolo
was a luxury and the treatment was absolutely fantastic.Though even
they slapped a huge bill amount,it was worth it.I never felt
uncomfortable in appolo.
I have never felt so much pain and fever(umpteen number of times)during this
endeavour of mine,in my entire life.I later on cleared all of my
left over papers.
Now you can guess what all consequences can be faced,if you dont pay
heed to your mother's words!!
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