The moon and you

Often it is much easier said than done

To accept the changes around you

Accept them graciously as a part of fun

For life which hates being a dead heartbeat

Meet new crossroads and fresh intersections

Pause for a while, think, re-evaluate, decide

Choose between the paths new and old ones

With the fear of guilt that cloud the dark gray sky above

The flickering quivering lights on the street

Make you wonder if this is a signal or a sign

To add the ups and downs to a live heartbeat

And then you question since when you adopted superstitions

You are running out this invaluable time

Dawn is so close, make up your mind quick

Wasting this moment, nothing is a bigger crime

A position where no regret can be afforded

You see far, try to envision what it will be like

A small source of illumination is all you see

But the same on the counterpart, you lose your psyche

It seems *exactly* the same, what will you do now?

Nothing seems the same, nothing at all, none

Even the stars have lost their shine

And one by one, the journey its companions

But this delta is the only motivation long lost

Just to keep your heart reassured, you want that one thing

Which tells you things haven’t changed, it’s just an illusion

And that’s when you looked up in the sky, to gaze

At the moon which was, has been and will be the only constant

Picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vlumi/21763773181/in/photostream/

When he built his own firewall

Intentions of a child they say are harmless

Innocent, the kid feels the same way

His heart feels fearless; it is so safe, no deep sorrows

At least doesn't know how to experience pain as we may

Alas he is hit hard the first time he was cheated, selfish was defined

What reward on earth could make his best friend betray him?

Far too young, the world is yet left to be seen

His days have just begun with the lights too dim

With the rising kicks of agony and traumatic defeats

He gears himself up as he enters his teen

The tender heart of his moulds a thin membrane

He needs to grow strong for he knows his friends can be mean

It was that phase of life when infatuation seemed love

Girls came, bonded in a relationship that eventually broke

The scars on his shield started getting profound

This journey of life seemed no longer a joke

Even when life ditched him on all levels his faith dangled

Suspended on a feeble string held by very few people around

Sentiment protection layer high for he knew life was always up for a game

One snip and his emotions will perhaps shatter on the ground

Exactly as he predicted was what happened to him

Emotionally drained, he couldn't even remember how to cry

Alone is what I have, he thought, alone will protect me

I will pass through all days of the rain - floods or dry

Adult as he is called now, he built himself a firewall

With no way in, it was a firewall tougher than the toughest steel

No sword can pierce through no matter what

And those hypocrites call him cold, frigid and a man without any zeal.

Will it be the same?

“People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past.”

We laughed, we played, we sang, we danced, we attended boring lectures, we ate in the canteen together, we gave birthday treats, we played pranks, we watched movies, we debated over silly things, we chatted, we bitched about people, we discussed long philosophies, we solved long problems, we took pictures, we encouraged, we mimicked each other, we bunked class, we did last minute studies, we planned our careers - we did it all, together.

 

10 years down the line, will it really be the same?

Friends, as we call them have led us through everything in life as if it were a cakewalk. While the rest of our peers were busy giving us pressure, they told us how "chilled out" our lives were.

I need not elaborate about how graciously our lives get affected by the little things they do for us. I need not tell you how big a deal my friends are for me when I know your's are equally integral part of your life. I need not describe how easily we cling on to them, eventually depend on them.

In fact, sometimes this scares me. It instills fear, a deep fright of what will I do without them?

Ranging from a wide range of personal problems to notorious ideas to serious discussions I rely on them. Little things that matter much and big problems that were ignored, all are discussed without hesitation. Honest feedback and consolation both are expected at the same time! Imagine how impossible it will be without them!

I am aware, I still have a year to go with these people. I have a lot of time to collect more memories. It's a long way, really long way! It was yesterday I realized how quickly did 2 years pass by. Won't the same happen again? Even the next two years will pass by swiftly and that long way will just seem insignificant and tiny. On top of that the mere thought of separation scared me. 

But why am I finding this so difficult now?
I passed out of school, an institution with the same set of friends for more than 10 years however good or bad they were. I spent 2 years preparing hard to get into a good engineering college (Read IIT) with a new set of excellent friends. I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of the engineering course with again, a new bunch of crazy 'items' ( :P ) Perhaps, after a year, I will be going with the flow with different graduates in another company or B-school! Simple as it should be, it isn't!

I still remember how apprehensive I was about finding my kind of people when I joined junior college. Contrary to my hesitations, things rolled so smoothly! It hardly took me a few days to get accustomed with them. In a few months, we felt like we knew each other since years! And then when we went separate ways - different colleges, different cities, tears built up saying goodbye. It was difficult, impossible to imagine living life with the same enthusiasm post them. But whoa, what happened later? I got a new atmosphere, new things to worry about, new opportunities and new people with the same old me. Now I feel indifferent to those changes, as if I was so stupid to have encountered such feelings! Yet sometimes, I wish I could carry them all along wherever I went. Yet sometimes, I feel how awesome it'd be if we all worked together!

Same will happen now I assume. It's not that I won't get friends later on. It's not that they won't be good. It's not that I won't miss the old ones. By saying that I know I am merely convincing myself to believe that life will be good without them, that things will change only for the good, that going separate ways will only give us more things to discuss about and of course, progress on an individual level.

Perhaps where the problem lies is - we invest so much in relationships. Look at companies, governments, institutions - they have departments which 'look after maintaining relationships'. How much more can that explain what I want to say! As humans we have this inseparable urge to connect to people emotionally. Which makes them more important than us at times! There are times I often question if such a high level of involvement is needed. And ironically,  I end up attaching myself the most with them! However, I will talk about that sometime later..

The point now is

10 years down the line, will it make a difference? Or are my concerns today just like those yesterday and I will only feel foolish to have encountered them years later?

Probably I need to forget such uneasy thoughts as a bad dream and live the present to the fullest awaiting the surprises the future has stored for me!

Hopefully these were ramblings and rantings of just another human, who gets attached to another easily, but carries the spirit of embracing changes with enthusiasm minus fear :)

The bright feathered bird

There are times when all I see is darkness. Darkness so much so that I feel afraid if I'm seeing anything at all. And then I question myself, are my eyes even open? Vulnerable to such situations, I feel like running away. Running away to some place carefree, where no one gives a damn to what I do. A place where I can be who I am. Who I want to be.

What am I bound with? Tied with this concept of society, relationships, fine lines of mannerism and behavior, unnecessary interest in social things around and keep track of favors and gratitude. It's like as if these obligations have made me a slave. A servant who blindly follows what his master commands. A slave whose own wishes are diminished against the godly wishes. Just learn to adjust, sacrifice and quietly do as asked to do. Gulp everything down given to you like medicine. You never know if that medicine is gonna do some good in the future but for now, it's a bitter liquid. No complaints - not allowed. Just acceptance.

What do I want? Freedom perhaps? Freedom from these conventional thoughts. Freedom from these "patterns" of stages in life. These patterns are being carved out since ages with little reference to the need and more intake from what-has-been-happening-to-everyone-will-happen-to-you. And we are just randomly being incorporated in this design. Lost with no identity. The only identity is that of the pattern. That has and always been lime-lighted, awarded the prime importance. And hopes shatter. Once inside this maze, there is no help given to find a way out.
But then, just like it happened in the movie The Shawshank Redemption - Hope is good.

"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."

I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged.

When Morgan Freeman said that in the movie, it blew my mind. Literally I was stunned to how positively a dialogue like that could fill up my mind. Maybe someday, someday they'll realize some things are best when left free. Maybe someday they'll know I am not someone they can keep confined. Maybe they'll all know then that my nature demands freedom, that I cannot be caged. Just like Andy - nothing can keep me in prison - neither the warden, nor the high walls, nothing.

Just clinging in to the hope that they realize it sooner. Sooner than I decide to leap forward and break those barriers away. Their feathers are just too bright. Perhaps they'll know I deserve that leap and hand it to me rightfully.

And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice.

So eventually those birds will end up freeing themselves. With or without their master's will. And what could be better than being not regretted and grieved upon. Free of guilt. Perhaps they'll feel good, feel proud that I dared to attempt something that nobody else had done. Tried doing things that were not convetnional. Did things that pleased me, that bought joy to my heart. And that happiness in the sinful part of their soul will bring peace to my soul.

Maybe people need to learn that 'Set things free. If they are yours, they are bound to return back with your right.' Infact I'll be glad to get things rolling back after I am given space, given comfort zone.

With these warming thoughts, I do go back to bed with a sense of satisfaction. Because with me I have Hope. Hope is good. Deep down I know, if I try things will be as I want them. If the ppotter will not take efforts and shape the pot, it will only be a dry brick of mud - useless and worthless. If I thrive, thrive just like Andy did, keep myself engaged in living, perhaps I will get to see the light in the tunnel.

I know it all sounds like perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.. Waiting for a magical sway of wand from the sky and the scenario changes. Just doesn't work in real life. What works in real life is :

Just like Andy said, Get busy living or get busy dying. Choice is ultimately ours.

Thought-flying

They stood right in front of that huge banner which read, “World class Kite Maker”. Even before their steps entered into the shop, Veer and Kusum could catch glimpses of the variety about to be served to them. Veer, 15 was a poor farmer’s son and Kusum; his younger sister had turned 8 only today. Their mother abandoned them shortly after Kusum was born due to ill health. Kusum’s eyes gleamed as the infinitely many kites in the shop made the big shop appear small. It was nearly impossible to see all the kites in one glance.

“Which one do I take?” Veer asked his little sister. His head was in a total mess. And he was not to be blamed, for the gentle red kite reminded him of the faint memories he had of his loving mother. While the huge yellow circular one looked exactly like their pot-bellied land owner. He was favoring the kite with beautiful flower designs as it stood for Kusum, the Indian meaning of the word ‘flower’.

After a lot of argument in her head, Kusum pointed out to a rainbow colored kite. It was the most beautiful kite she had ever seen with every possible color flaunting the patterns it made. The kite maker looked at the worn out clothes of the kids and with his eyeballs rolling from top to bottom of their dress he chortled to say, “Ah that! Kid, you will not be able to afford that one.”

Veer had managed to save about 76 bucks from his daily wages at the carpenter’s shop for his beloved sister’s birthday. Earlier this morning when Veer asked her for what she wanted, she promptly expressed her wish to learn to fly a kite. But to Veer’s agony, the first kite little Kusum pointed to could not be afforded by him. Of course, he thought in his head, what was I thinking? Everything in this world comes for a price doesn’t it? Last year to get a wage appraisal I had to work for 15 days straight at the carpenter’s store, missing my Night School.

Kusum immediately realized the situation and said, “Oh bhaiyya, actually that one is too colorful. Let’s take the plain pink one instead. I really like it.” Those words hurt Veer a lot. Compromise wasn’t a word his sister was supposed to learn on her birthday. Nevertheless without any choice, they bought the pink one and left silently.

The bright green pasture behind their farm was the ideal place to fly kites. The wind was perfect and the sun glowed enough for a fun filled afternoon. A couple of other kids from nearby farms were also kite-flying. Veer with a superior feeling took the kite in his hand and tied it to the thread for flying. ‘No sooner will we be flying it’ thought Kusum enthusiastically.

Veer held the kite in his hand close to his chest and showed it to Kusum. He then said, “Baba taught flying kites to me when I was of your age. You’ll be surprised on how this colored piece of paper reflects our story.” Kusum was standing still in bewilderment. He continued anyway, “You hold the kite like this, run a bit and set the kite free in the air, giving it a little push.” He demonstrated the push in the direction of the flowing wind and let the kite fly.

It’s just like our life, isn’t it? A small bit of motivation and Lo Behold! We are makers of history. Just that little "push" and we realize how limitless the sky is. How much our potential can stretch to fulfill the wildest of dreams. Anyway, the kite flew higher and Kusum was clapping louder than ever.

"Once set for flying, you need to constantly guide the kite using the thread. That is where the skill lies. Neither too tight neither too loose", said Veer as Kusum looked straight in his eye. She looked particularly amazed as if something had just struck her head and she smiled.

Hesitation - the thread tying our lives. And surprisingly, who controls this thread? It's us ourselves! Tighten it, keep clinging to your fears and you never seize a chance to move forward. Life is at a standstill with fear creeping your mind. Loosed it too much, and you become much of a risk-taker. The ego (which later turns a habit) of letting things free snatches away your reasoning capabilities. You donot think before you leap. The control should be just right. Right enough to allow you to grow and right enough to keep you secure.

"Oh look at that blue kite brother! I want my kite to higher than that!"

Ah, this is all where it starts getting nasty. You know you've overcome the fear, you know you've got it in you. Enter competition. Moments when you want you to out run every single chap out there, for what? For just proving you're no less. What does it give you? Satisfaction, err no really no! It's greed, you beat one. You wanna beat the next. You wanna keep climbing the stairs to superiority show.

Veer loosened his grip on the thread wheel, let the kite rise while he gave it directions to flow along with the wind. The kite soared higher into the sky till only it looked like a pink aircraft gliding smoothly. Both the kids were loving it. A few children even praised Veer for his efforts and you could see him beaming. As it goes, how long can it last?

A bunch of bullies from the other end of the field couldn't tolerate the heights at which Veer's kite flew. Swoosh, a black kite came in Veer's view. The siblings had little clue of what was happening. The intentions were becoming clearer as the black kite started crossing the pink kite Kusum bought. The evil kid was trying to tie his kite's thread around Veer's in order to snap it away.

People will try to put you down. For the weak one's rise only when they suppress the strong one's. The key lies in remaining strong-headed and focused. If others are trying to sabotage you, you know you have done enough to scare them. You're that great! Think of this and build courage to come out of such a situation. If you give in and run away, you've lost the battle.

As Veer thought, he swung his arm and put in his best efforts to untangle the kite. He managed pulling it away. In the process, the black one got snapped. "Deserved it", he muttered. You don't mess with people who have reached heights with their own efforts.

As the kite kept gliding away in the sun, it became a little monotonic. The kite acquired the maximum stability it could achieve just when... A sharp change in the winds was noticed. Wind was blowing so hard, it could pierce through the kite and tear it into pieces. Veer could not have afforded to let go off the kite. He had bought it after a lot of savings. He had to do something. He rose to his feet and steered the kite in the direction of the wind.

Sometimes, things are just not in our control. Destiny as we choose to name it. Whatever has to happen, will happen. Be it against your will. What are we to do in such situations? Well, just like how Veer did, adjust yourself in the situation. Find a way such that the situation gives you resources to grow. When Veer oriented his kite in the wind's direction, he simply used the wind's strength to make it fly higher. That was indeed a smart move. Had he been stubborn, the kite's true identity would be revealed - a thin piece of paper after all.

"That should be enough for the day", Veer called out to Kusum. They called the kite down slowly, wound up the thread to the wheel and headed home. Kusum was ecstatic after the whole kite-flying experience while Veer just was going home more mature a person after thought-flying...

21st Century's Narova Kunjarova

Speaking of the truth may not always be easy and may not be the right course of action either. The ambiguous nature of the Universe first became apparent to me when I heard of this famous story:

Drona being a formidable warrior, it would be difficult to stop him and the only weakness that seemed to stop him was his affection for his son Ashwathama. Krishna hence works out a strategy and asks Yudhishtir to lie, to tell Drona that Ashwathama is dead and disturb his morale. Renowned to always speak the truth, Yudhishtir’s resistance to lie was overcome by Krishna in the name of rules of warfare. Meanwhile, Bhishma kills an elephant named Ashwathama and roars loudly, “Ashwathama is dead!” Hearing this, Drona asks Yudhishtir if what he heard was true. Yudhishtir says what Krishna asked him to and replied, “Yes Ashwathama is dead.” He pauses for a while and adds another sentence under his breath, “I don’t know if it’s the man or the elephant.” (Ashwathama hathaha iti, narova kunjarova)

Since Drona knows Yudhishtir never utters a lie, he believes him. Bowing his head, he chopped it off!!

I was dumbfounded by this excerpt from Mahabharata and it set me thinking. What is the scenario today? While we complain that we are outrageously being sacked by the competition in every field in the outside world, we simultaneously are trying to find out quick and easy solutions for the same. And, the best solution which lies within our capacity – The Half Truth.

Of course, technically speaking they are not lies. So basically you’re saved from the “guilt” of doing something wrong. If the correctly manipulated half is blurted, Bingo! Congratulations, you have managed to fool someone with your truth. And if you have had a bad day, Oh my my! Beware, you could easily get caught! You do not really need a Sherlock to figure out a half truth.

Evidently the Indian politics is a perfect citation of where such deceitful means work. Before the elections, the voices shout “Free laptops to college going children”. Once elected, only very few children get that privilege. Sadly, it still works. Another popular example could be of the Ad agencies. They highlight the prime features of the product in the fanciest manner and what the consumer forgets, the tiny little asterisk on the top inscribed in the smallest font, Conditions Apply! Let’s say for instance a washing soap bar saying Lemon Power. And the asterisk says, contains no lemons. Haha, cheated!! Social networking and internet also have given rise to such cases because often the truth is hard to predict online.

What I mean to say is, the half truth can be such a powerful weapon to get things done according to our whims. And men who are not ashamed to use this path improvise on their skills day by day. Falling a prey to this are innocent one’s who believe that the world works on trust. What a pity!

Now obviously you cannot have control over what others say but you can definitely have a stringent check on yourself. Accepting failures or mistakes simply doesn’t make you small. It in fact gives the opportunity to rise and learn. People do make mistakes and it is not the end of the world. Lying is nowhere close to a solution. People play such games under a false notion that their work will get done. However little do they realize it is only a short term saver.

And the half – truth saga has been a pain to people since ages, it has been a major reason for miscommunication. We as ethical people should try our level to stay away from using this destructive weapon. Otherwise, we may repeat history and lose combative warriors like Drona having the potential to amend changes which in turn, affects the growth of our future potential to grow as a community.

Hence as they say:

½ truth + ½ truth = 1 whole lie...

Marketing - A budding future!

This goes back to those times when I used to buy a pack of Cheetos just for the "free" tazos! And I am pretty sure quite many of us did the same as kids. Or maybe buy a bubble gum for a free tattoo which despite the pathetic designs, you'd vigorously rub on the back of the palm to ensure it lasts long. Then 2-3 days later it would turn all black and shabby. Whatever it be, free gifts have been a major reason we have bought many products from the market.

Women are known as shopaholics, buying stuff they remotely wouldn't need in the future. Yet they do! Even I do. Why? Because we fall prey to the "free" or "discount" or "sale" - the words which catch a glimpse and make us go on second thoughts. "I think I should buy it. I won't get such an offer later." That greed of an excellent bargain gives a huge temporary importance to something small.

I would often assume I was not one of those dumb girls buying anything and everything! But as I came across marketing techniques, I realized, I was already behaving like a padhi-likhi gawar! And adding to my fantasy is my mum, equally pushy towards buying new items. All in all, the word "free" is like a vada pav of the roadside stall. It looks like the tastiest thing in the world despite it's flaws.

Getting back to "free". Let's take the simple example of the Cheetos pack. On the detailed level, manufacturing that one tazo would have perhaps costed Fritolay less than 10 paise. But we as kids bought them for 10 bucks, 100 times the cost of the original. Let's say I ask my mum to buy me a pack of tazos, 10 tazos for 5 rupees, it'd still be cheaper! But no! We want the "joy" of adding each to the collection. Phew! Stupidity, stupidity, stupidity.

Effectively, the free item gets overvalued! And its essential purpose gets lost midway.

How brilliant a marketing technique for the PR persons. Considering recent publicity stints, even newspapers have not been spared of the advertising concept. Generally a paper can at max have a featured advertisement of a particular product. A shampoo sachet stuck along with the front page of the newspaper -  I never thought of advertising it that way! Innovation - when Volkswagen had a sensor attached to the paper, when you open the paper, you'd hear a car zoom in full speed and the newspaper would vibrate. Realistic feeling everywhere.

Taglines. Another strategy to keep the word of mouth alive. Let me share this experience with you. As a standard 10th student, a guest lecturer from the advertising field was invited to share her experience of the vastness and the scope of a career in advertising. She mentions the word "Thanda". We, the zesty crowd reply, "matlab Coca-cola". Her next question, ever wondered why did it become so famous? Amused, we couldn't answer. She mentions, in village areas of India, a soft drink is referred to as thanda. Agreed, we all knew this. But when in a village you demand a thanda, what the shop keeper gives you is a local branded soft drink. The tagline "thanda matlab Coca-cola" ensured that when thanda was demanded, Coca-cola was handed. Smartness, sheer smartness I'd say!

Perhaps that's what publicizing and advertising is all about. You need to know how to sell. Not only sell products but sell yourself. Don't take it in a literal way ;) but unless you cleverly highlight your resume, you can never be sure of being a hit with the interviewing panel.

Then there are always those fake "meet this celebrity" contests which want you to keep messaging them all day. Not to mention the heavy phone bill you pay later. No gain, only pain! But these techniques are getting older and new ones are replacing them soon. Say for instance, visit-our-website has become like-our-facebook-page or download-our-android-app.

And then once we are completely surrounded by these nagging advertisements, we have the "Try us! No advertisements" set of services. Whatsapp for example, a hit completely because it has no ads guaranteed whatsoever. Ad-blocks for Google Chrome, DoNotDisturb services for mobile operators, etc etc.

The potential of one word Marketing has become so huge that it is a full time business grossing high profits in any case. Whether there is a Global Crisis or an inflation, new products will keep coming and companies will keep paying a part of their profits to marketing organizations.

Jo hota hain ache ke liye

This goes back to the times when Mughals ruled the holy land of India. Akbar was withering in pain when Birbal arrived at the scene. "What happened, Your Majesty?" he asked. Akbar informed him that an unfortunate accident diced his finger off. The other Ministers, unlike Birbal were still praising the king for his greatness and buttering him while Birbal said "Jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai" (whatever happens, happens for the good.) Offended by these nowhere consoling words of Birbal, Akbar fired him in no time. This time Birbal thought "Jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai. I can take a break from work for a few days and take my lovely wife on a vacation" and he set-off.
In the meanwhile Akbar appointed another Minister to take Birbal's place. As usual, Akbar went deer-hunting with his clad one fine morning. Akbar and his new found minister chased a beautiful black buck and before they could hunt him down, the deer sped away. Looking back, they realized they were separated from their army of soldiers and the two were now on themselves to find a way back home. They were trying to figure out the correct path when they were caught by a local tribe. On seeing the King, they got happy. They could sacrifice the King's body and please their deity God. Just when they were about to shred the King into pieces, they noticed his cut finger. Now a tampered body cannot be put for sacrifice. So they promptly released the king and caught the Minister instead. The Minister was killed as the sacrifice King hurried back to the palace.
On arriving his palace safely, he realized that Birbal was right in every sense. He summoned him and appointed him back.

What does this little story say? Be it the little issues here and there or a huge cluster of problems hovering around your head, always remember "Jo hota hain ache liye hota hai". You may not realize it then but later when things settle down, you'll know why it was good for you. And then you might perhaps feel thankful to God that because the problem arose, you learnt to fight it, endure it and emerge out as a winner. If that situation has not arrived yet, wait, it's not the end then. :)

By the way, if you thought the above Birbal story was over, one question still remained unanswered, "How was the dismissal beneficial to Birbal in any way?" To which Birbal promptly replied with a smile, "If I were not fired, I would have been in the Minister's place and got killed today." Impressed, Akbar rewarded him handsomely.

Take a moment to remember your toughest time and another moment to figure out why it was good. I'm absolutely sure, you'll realize "Jo hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai."

Mythologies, why not?

Mythology. Like seriously? How can I even try to discuss such a debatable topic in one blog! But I'll stick to what I aim to convey, why I believe we should believe in mythologies that have retold since ages!

I strongly believe there is a real life scenario behind the mythological stories that have evolved. It is just that our natural human tendencies have exaggerated them to another level.
Or it might have been that they were little pieces of experiences which were later compiled into one in the form of a narrative story.
It was us, who painted a picture of how they might have looked, we perhaps got so inspired that we started praying them. Meanwhile did not realise that they were men of ordinary powers but wise thoughts followed by the correct deeds and we literally idolized them to statues!?

For all my "scientifically advanced" readers, we laugh at Ravan capturing Sita in a Pushapaka Vimaan. But in reality we did manage to materialize the concept of aeroplanes. So what is different? Why look at it as if it is so Barbarian? Similarly the Brahmastra, it sounds like an impossible weapon to the modern thinkers. But what is nuclear weapon then? Both are described as weapons of infinite power, that can destroy every evidence that world ever existed in a matter of seconds.

Wars happen in real life too, then the Mahabharata was no exception. In fact it might have so happened that the war literally destroyed the human race then and later the civilization started from scratch again. Now you'd say I'm spinning a yarn. But then in my defense, it's like the Ice Age story. You never know if it's true! *smacking lips

Let's look at them this way: Why don't we treat our epics as an excellent portrayal of the daily life problems we might face and a guidance, a path to follow when life may not be sweet. They are the solutions of the greatest hurdles that hinder one's way to success and differentiate between the right and the wrong.

Our mythologies have also been an incredible source of inspiration to one and all. "Jeet hamesha sach ki", the truth always triumphs is the core message underlying, and keep the little flame of hope alive even in the darkest storms.

I love reading the Panchatantra and take lessons from the little stories they say. Similarly, the mythologies may be treated as a story giving morals to the world. So that history does not repeat itself.

I may not really be a firm believer in God, and nowhere be close to worshiping idols, but deep down, I know I believe mythologies are true accounts and they were recorded for our benefit. Lets make the most out of their values instead of just fighting over religious issues or claiming God!

Dreaming about dreams

We often talk about the existence of a parallel universe in the fourth dimension where we occupy the same time but two different spaces. Dreams, however teleport us to a different world altogether literally without getting bothered about space and time.

This world where we are the Masters of our own destiny in the rightest sense because things shape up the way we want them to. We meet people who left us and build imaginary conversations which might be difficult to materialize in the real world. We face our fears and we either come up with possible reactions to particular situations or get scared and try our level best to avoid such encounters. Sad dreams tend to make us proactive while the inspirational ones buckle up our enthusiasm for the day that follows. Some dreams are just so random - a small incident we did not pay attention to during the day sets our brains racing.

Dreams have fascinated me since I was a kid. I am an avid dreamer. But there are several things about dreams that intrigue me..

------Surprise-----

Here I am in my imaginary world where the stage is set, the story has built up, graphics are mind blowing and the movie begins. I am in my room with my siblings in the middle of a dispute and I am red with anger. Suddenly the phone rings. I decide to spit my anger away and reach towards the phone to see who it is. But just before I read the flash, my sister is calling out my name and continuously poking me in an irritating fashion. Turns out that I slightly open one eye and barely see her anxiously handing over my phone to me as it rang. Surprising!
The story in the dream and all okay but why, why did my sister, the same ringtone of my phone, it ringing at the same time occur in real?

-----Surprise Surprise-----

In fact many times as I ponder over something when in solitude, I realize I have been in a similar situation with the same people before. That's when it dawns upon me, I had dreamt of this same exact thing the other night!
Can I predict my future in my dream? Do they indicate me what's coming?

-----Surprise Surprise Surprise----

And there these instances when after a sound sleep I wake up to tell mother how hilarious a dream I saw was - what I was wearing, what was I doing and so on. But then there are an equal number of times I wake up with a start, think of the dream for a fraction of the second in my conscious mind. Th every next moment, someone just hit the Shift + Delete button. Oh my God! I can't remember a thing about what it was!
Do you remember your dreams?

See? Dreams have left me unanswered to so many questions. They are mesmerizing things that occur to us and I love living them. Although not much is clear about it now, someday I'd actually like to know the science behind this unique phenomenon.

Letting Go

Often I wonder, when something unexpected happens, out of the routine, it is not highly appreciated by us. Just like Joker said in The Dark Knight, “Nobody panics when things go according to plan. Even if the plan is horrifying!” No matter how adverse effects the plan might have on our lives, we want it to be followed. He was right indeed.

Maybe it is because of the habit, the fact that we are accustomed to a certain set of routines which makes our future predictable and life appears to be without any hurdles. Or maybe it is because of a sense of attachment we hold towards the past and it is difficult to let it go.

Sometimes I feel it is the inevitable human nature which has resistance to change. Although they say changes are must and blah blah, we know it is not easy to accept. Let’s look at Sheldon, he doesn't sit anywhere but his spot, he doesn’t eat anything out of his routine, he has fixed days for fixed work and is just so “akdu” as we say in hindi. Perhaps there exists a little Sheldon in each one of us who is hard to be understood and difficult to kill.

What I personally feel is clinging on to things is a sure sign of weakness on the emotional front. Set things free in your life, if they are meant to be yours, they’ll fly and come back to you again.

Of course life isn’t very grateful to us to let things happen as our whims and fancies demand. But we can atleast let the handcuffs break open and cross all the barriers of fear, embrace freedom, look forward to surprises, accept things they are, strive to make them better maybe and try our best to stay happy in what has been bestowed upon us.

2012 may not have been a very good year for my life personally, but I want to resolve to let things go, consider them as a bad dream. I wanna welcome 2013 with open arms and look forward to whats in store for me. Just like Celine Dion says, “A new day has come!”

Happy New Year Folks! :D

Hope, never give up...

Tried creating an analogy here, hope I got it right :)

Over and over again, TIME kept saying the same thing.." This world is too selfish and mean for you to survive".
I said "No!  Time, you waited for none and that's why you so. I have Somebody, Somebody who cares for me much more than I do. I call him a FRIEND."
Time stood still..It seemed like it wasn't moving.
It whispered, "Oh! I have heard enough of this shit..What did you get the last time too? Betrayal?"
Collecting all th goodness in my soul, I had to give an answer.
"I want to give it another try."
"Oh really? i have seen many like you. They realise things too late. I am waring you in advance, Live Alone And You Stay Calm."
Retaliating I yelled, "Just go away. You don't have a heart! My friend means everything to me. Don't you dare tear us apart."
How stupid is time, I said to myself. Unlike what people say, Its not him but friends who heal all our wounds.
When with my company, days passed into months and months onto years. Life's journey became such a cakewalk.

------------------------------ YEARS LATER-----------------------------

The whole world was conspiring against me. How sad I was, and I walked upto my friend. He looked at me and thought, "Surrounded by danger, but not a penny in the pocket. Such great talent, but equally a threat."
He said, "Umm.. Who are you?"
Yes, he failed to even recognise me!
"Dear I am your friend, don't you even remember me? Believe me, you are my only strength."
"No! Just leave, I don't want you anymore", this was all I got to hear.

Tears filled in eyes, I walked down th moonlit bridge when I heard a  murmur, "I warned you before; the world's a nightmare. You still have me, I won't leave you alone."
I didn't say a word as the tear fell off. My mind was a battlefield, 'TIME-FIREND-FRIEND-TIME-WHAT!!'
I sat down on the bridge, staring at the silent water.
Tears clogged my sight but my heart was pounding as hard as it could.
Thoughts stopped.

My vision became clearer as I saw a figure in the dim light.
Hopes build.
Things finally seemed bright.
Neglecting Time, I walked upto the figure and boldly said,

"HEY, WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?"...

Padhi-likhi Bai - A new concept

P.S. (before the Script to ensure there is no prejudice while reading) :My second post yet, too early too be critical, yet this was pinching me since long and hence...

The very first episode of Satyameva Jayate, focussed on how important a girl child was to the Indian household. Very well discussed and lighted upon for that week. Newspapers carrying the after-effects of the show, how the episode made an impact and blah blah blah..Well after that, it was forgotten!

Anyways, this isnt what I really want to tell today. "Stri shikshit hogi toh saara desh shikshit hoga" is what was said for the promotion of girl education. It was understood, implemented, it worked!

Seeds of high ambitions in the eyes of little girls were sown. Each of them wanted to be a doctor, teacher, engineer when she grew up. She wanted to walk along with the boys giving them a neck-to-neck competition. As she moved on the quest to fulfill her thirst for knowledge, she realised what she wanted to be, what she wanted from her life. And when success was standing right at her door-step, she was shown the brutal face of reality.

What I imply here is, no doubt that girls are given equal opportunities to grow and learn however there is an end to it. Her career is given a full-stop when she is of the right age i.e. when she is ready to be married.

To carry on her man's household, she gives up all her dreams. The life full of comprimises begins. Why? Afterall, why is she told go conquer the world when you know that she will be summoned back? Why at all tell her that equality in gender exists when she has to give in forcibly at some point of time? Just because she is the girl - emotionally strong, empathetic and has courage to do so?

And surprisingly, all the men want their wives to be smart, intelligent, holding atleast a bachelor's degree and should know to cook good food, keep the house clean,know how to raise children and so on...
But they also want that she should not be working, because if she works, she satisfies the first half of the criteria but who will step into the second set?


Like what my title says, a new concept of Padhi-likhi Bai has emerged.


So what was the use of her hardwork that she put into not to just pass but to secure a good job, a position in a renowned firm? Some men say "self-satisfaction" as an answer, but believe me, it sounds as lame as it could on Earth.

However.. But.. On the other hand..
This is the major difference in the Western and Indian cultures. If women here in our country were given the complete freedom to do what they wanted to, we would be no less like Europe where children grow up in boarding schools, food is never cooked at home, inegrated families would be a distant dream.

Someone or the other has to sacrifice to make our institutions work,
and like they say:
Ladies first!

#IfOnlyLifeHadAnswersToEverything