"this is no way to eat, sweetheart!"
mom pointed out to her daughter
studying in the convent!
the girl didn't understand what her mother was indicating at!
seeing her perplexed look
the mother pointed towards her hands
"why are you eating with your hands?
looks so bad!
why don't you use a knife and fork!"
she said.
"but grandma had said you always had your food this way when you were young! grandma taught me eating like this. she said this is our culture!"
the girl retorted.
the mother was not happy now.
"it was then. we are talking about now!" she said, angrily!
"this are modern times! moving with the world is more important than culture!" she underlined her authority!
the girl stood up
washed her hands
and picked up fork and knife!
the argument seemed to have settled!!
--
next day the family went for a day out!
they strolled on the mall
watched a movie together
had a lot of fun
and
for lunch
they then went to Dominos
and ordered for mouth watering piping hot cheeze burst pizzas for all!
--
pizzas came...
everyone claimed his or her
...and the feast started!
--
everyone was hungry
and silently enjoying the pizza
when the girl broke the silence with a piercing question
"mom, can i have fork and knife!"
the mom looked up
speechless....
she looked around
and saw written on the board
"our pizzas taste best when had with hand. as a company policy, we don't serve fork and knife"
mom looked around
everyone was enjpying their pizza with hands
mom looked at the daughter with a strange look and said
"darling, when at the dominos, it is ok to eat as per your culture!"
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
the race
independence came
like the gunshot
fired in the air
to mark the start of a race!
--
those with shoes
overtook the barefoot
--
left behind
were those
without feet!
--
how different
from the race to dandi!
like the gunshot
fired in the air
to mark the start of a race!
--
those with shoes
overtook the barefoot
--
left behind
were those
without feet!
--
how different
from the race to dandi!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
uniform
i chased the bus
and somehow managed to get into it.
inside
it appeared as if the entire city was there!
but perhaps that was a daily scene for everyday commuter.
i wriggled through to the center of the bus
and got lost in my thoughts...
--
i must have been in that lost state for several minutes
till a heavy voice over my shoulder brought me back
"excuse me!"
i bent on one side to let the man get ahead!
but when i saw the police uniform
i bent much more and abruptly
"i'm sorry" slipped out of mouth!
the bulky policeman smiled
and moved ahead!
i must admit that i had seen a policeman smile after a long time!
--
a youngman
seated near the place where the policeman was standing
got so much unnerved by the standing beat-man
that he stood up and offered his seat.
but to every onlooker's surprise
the policeman refused
politely but firmly.
the youngman didn't know whether to sit down back again
or keep standing.
"please be seated" insisted the policeman!
--
at the next stoppage
the nervous youngman got up and got down the bus.
the seat became vacant
but none around dared to claim it
in the presence of the man in khakhi!
"please come and sit here!"
to everyone's amazement
the policeman asked the elderly lady in his front!
the elderly lady blessed him
and occupied the seat.
--
conductor came
and asked everyone for the ticket
but
not surprisingly
skipped the policeman.
the policeman called him from behind
"one ticket for cannaught place, PLEASE!"
the conductor looked back
and gazed into the policeman's eyes
to check if it was a real offer.
but when he saw the seriousness
he quickly produced the ticket
but hesitated to take the money
till the policeman pressed it into his hand.
--
what a sight it was!
all kind of good thoughts started running through every commuter's minds!
--
suddenly
at the next turn
the bus driver slammed the brakes hard.
everyone was thrown off balance
including the cop.
he lost his balance
and fell on the man in front.
--
"i'm so sorry!"
came a voice draped in genuine apologetic soft tone.
not surprisingly,
it was again from the man with the authority!
--
the discomfort could now be seen on every face around!
none was used to all this!
--
at the next stop
he finally moved ahead
and
to everyone's big relief
got down!
the driver took extra care that he didn't move the bus till he had completely got off!
"thank you!" said the cop after getting down
leaving everyone shell shocked one final time!
--
when the bus started to move again
my head was still turned in the direction of the amazing policeman!
"what a cop!" i couldn't help saying
"no, he is not a cop" said a youngman standing behind me
he is an undergraduate in St.Paul.
They have a dress rehersal for the drama fest today!
and somehow managed to get into it.
inside
it appeared as if the entire city was there!
but perhaps that was a daily scene for everyday commuter.
i wriggled through to the center of the bus
and got lost in my thoughts...
--
i must have been in that lost state for several minutes
till a heavy voice over my shoulder brought me back
"excuse me!"
i bent on one side to let the man get ahead!
but when i saw the police uniform
i bent much more and abruptly
"i'm sorry" slipped out of mouth!
the bulky policeman smiled
and moved ahead!
i must admit that i had seen a policeman smile after a long time!
--
a youngman
seated near the place where the policeman was standing
got so much unnerved by the standing beat-man
that he stood up and offered his seat.
but to every onlooker's surprise
the policeman refused
politely but firmly.
the youngman didn't know whether to sit down back again
or keep standing.
"please be seated" insisted the policeman!
--
at the next stoppage
the nervous youngman got up and got down the bus.
the seat became vacant
but none around dared to claim it
in the presence of the man in khakhi!
"please come and sit here!"
to everyone's amazement
the policeman asked the elderly lady in his front!
the elderly lady blessed him
and occupied the seat.
--
conductor came
and asked everyone for the ticket
but
not surprisingly
skipped the policeman.
the policeman called him from behind
"one ticket for cannaught place, PLEASE!"
the conductor looked back
and gazed into the policeman's eyes
to check if it was a real offer.
but when he saw the seriousness
he quickly produced the ticket
but hesitated to take the money
till the policeman pressed it into his hand.
--
what a sight it was!
all kind of good thoughts started running through every commuter's minds!
--
suddenly
at the next turn
the bus driver slammed the brakes hard.
everyone was thrown off balance
including the cop.
he lost his balance
and fell on the man in front.
--
"i'm so sorry!"
came a voice draped in genuine apologetic soft tone.
not surprisingly,
it was again from the man with the authority!
--
the discomfort could now be seen on every face around!
none was used to all this!
--
at the next stop
he finally moved ahead
and
to everyone's big relief
got down!
the driver took extra care that he didn't move the bus till he had completely got off!
"thank you!" said the cop after getting down
leaving everyone shell shocked one final time!
--
when the bus started to move again
my head was still turned in the direction of the amazing policeman!
"what a cop!" i couldn't help saying
"no, he is not a cop" said a youngman standing behind me
he is an undergraduate in St.Paul.
They have a dress rehersal for the drama fest today!
at your service
tata winger was cruising towards the picnic rendezuous
carrying a dozen young university students
under its wings!
--
"look at the smiling faces of the shameless big thugs!"
said the girl, who wanted to be a journalist,
pointing towards the big hoarding on one side of national highway
caryying the photo of three beaming faces with folded hands!
--
"and all rubbish written below..."
pointed out the youngman who aspired to be a literary critic
--
"they should write "WANTED" in big bold letters in place of all those lies!"
quipped the girl who wanted to be an IPS officer.
--
"UNWANTED"
uttered a low voice from behind!
--
the two faces on the side smiled
and the one at the center winked!
carrying a dozen young university students
under its wings!
--
"look at the smiling faces of the shameless big thugs!"
said the girl, who wanted to be a journalist,
pointing towards the big hoarding on one side of national highway
caryying the photo of three beaming faces with folded hands!
--
"and all rubbish written below..."
pointed out the youngman who aspired to be a literary critic
--
"they should write "WANTED" in big bold letters in place of all those lies!"
quipped the girl who wanted to be an IPS officer.
--
"UNWANTED"
uttered a low voice from behind!
--
the two faces on the side smiled
and the one at the center winked!
by invitation only
...and with those words
the entire auditorium burst into a big round of applause!
it was a mesmerising discourse on god!
swamiji was elated at the unstopping resonance of clapping by over a thousand deligates!
after a brief pause
the open-house question and answer session started.
question after question was tossed in front of the brilliant guru
who gave answers which triggered fresh burst of ecstasy among the sea of followers!
no wonder the swamiji had become so popular so fast!
everything was gliding smoothly as planned when a question surprised everyone
"swamiji, what if god were to come amidst us in flesh and blood? how would we recognise him?"
everyone was struck with awe with the question-of-the-day by a youth!
swamiji was delighted at the question.
answers to such questions had helped inflate his clout!
"don't worry!" replied swamiji, to an ultra-attentive audience.
"i am with you. i will recognise him."
the answer was greeted with a thunderous applause by everyone except the youngman!
"what if he asked you to vacate the high seat, swamiji?" he quickly threw his supplementary question.
this question killed the thunder in a flash!
the smiles on the face of the followers of the sect turned blank and then into anger!
everyone was shocked at the mischievous question!
even swamiji felt a lump in his throat.
he had never faced such a blunt question in his entire "career"!
the cameras were rolling live
swamiji brought smile on his face back
and returned a calculated answer
"in that case i would have to ask him for his identity card!"
the entire gathering again erupted in joy!
they were proud of their guru and his quick-wittiness!
but the joy in the air was short lived.
the young guy was in no mood to let swamiji off the hook in the duel!
he had sensed that swamiji's makeup was coming off.
"what if the god produced his identity card?"
the audience now wanted this guy's blood!
the security guards started inching towards him.
entire world was watching.
swamiji handled the delicate situation by quickly intervening
"in that case i would send the identity card to the forensic lab to check whether it is forged!"
swamiji rebutted, unable to hide the tense breath!
this time there was no applause
everyone turned towards the youngman to see if he had anything left to say more!
"what if the concerned examiners confirmed the authenticity of the i-card?"
"that's not possible. those officers are my followers!" swamiji's toungue slipped under provocation in an unguarded moment.
now it was personal face-off between swamiji and the challenger!
"what if god sacked the obliging officers?"
this was too much for the officers who were sitting there only!
"we will never allow that!" they shouted. "our union will never let it happen!"
"what if god dissolved the union."
"over our dead bodies!" declared the president of the union sitting in the front row!
swamiji was pleased at the show of strength!
"god can't do whatever he wishes. he isn't even invited! this is democracy. god would have to do what the majority wants! "
"yeah! yeah! yeah!" everyone in the hall shouted in support!
"and majority will want what our swamiji will desire!"
the entire auditorium burst into a big round of applause!
it was a mesmerising discourse on god!
swamiji was elated at the unstopping resonance of clapping by over a thousand deligates!
after a brief pause
the open-house question and answer session started.
question after question was tossed in front of the brilliant guru
who gave answers which triggered fresh burst of ecstasy among the sea of followers!
no wonder the swamiji had become so popular so fast!
everything was gliding smoothly as planned when a question surprised everyone
"swamiji, what if god were to come amidst us in flesh and blood? how would we recognise him?"
everyone was struck with awe with the question-of-the-day by a youth!
swamiji was delighted at the question.
answers to such questions had helped inflate his clout!
"don't worry!" replied swamiji, to an ultra-attentive audience.
"i am with you. i will recognise him."
the answer was greeted with a thunderous applause by everyone except the youngman!
"what if he asked you to vacate the high seat, swamiji?" he quickly threw his supplementary question.
this question killed the thunder in a flash!
the smiles on the face of the followers of the sect turned blank and then into anger!
everyone was shocked at the mischievous question!
even swamiji felt a lump in his throat.
he had never faced such a blunt question in his entire "career"!
the cameras were rolling live
swamiji brought smile on his face back
and returned a calculated answer
"in that case i would have to ask him for his identity card!"
the entire gathering again erupted in joy!
they were proud of their guru and his quick-wittiness!
but the joy in the air was short lived.
the young guy was in no mood to let swamiji off the hook in the duel!
he had sensed that swamiji's makeup was coming off.
"what if the god produced his identity card?"
the audience now wanted this guy's blood!
the security guards started inching towards him.
entire world was watching.
swamiji handled the delicate situation by quickly intervening
"in that case i would send the identity card to the forensic lab to check whether it is forged!"
swamiji rebutted, unable to hide the tense breath!
this time there was no applause
everyone turned towards the youngman to see if he had anything left to say more!
"what if the concerned examiners confirmed the authenticity of the i-card?"
"that's not possible. those officers are my followers!" swamiji's toungue slipped under provocation in an unguarded moment.
now it was personal face-off between swamiji and the challenger!
"what if god sacked the obliging officers?"
this was too much for the officers who were sitting there only!
"we will never allow that!" they shouted. "our union will never let it happen!"
"what if god dissolved the union."
"over our dead bodies!" declared the president of the union sitting in the front row!
swamiji was pleased at the show of strength!
"god can't do whatever he wishes. he isn't even invited! this is democracy. god would have to do what the majority wants! "
"yeah! yeah! yeah!" everyone in the hall shouted in support!
"and majority will want what our swamiji will desire!"
Thursday, December 16, 2010
my personal private god
i started from shimla by 10am
and expected to reach bachchauri in around 6 hours
more than me
my god inside me was excited
about the journey ahead
leading to the magical countryside!
vast fields
fresh air
great food
no automobiles
simple people
laid back life
lives full of stories.....!
i reached chandigarh on time
but beyond chandigarh
it took me 4 hours where it should have taken 2
courtesy
demostrations
and on-going construction of flyovers!
what was expected to be a refreshing drive
turned out to be a very tiring one
especially considering that i had been driving
half of the previous day as well while returning from chindi to shimla!
my personal private god inside me
was more tired than me!
upset and annoyed!!
finally,
both of us reached bachchauri.
i parked the car
had a refreshing tea
relaxed a bit
and took a bath which gave some life back to my tired body
and my god inside me!
the tasty food thereafter
gave it all back!!!
both me and my god
were atleast mentally refreshed by now!
after the dinner
both of us decided to have a small walk
in the narrow lanes of the sleepy village
getting ready for an early retiring to the bed!
by the time we returned back
our
bed was ready!
both of us jumped in
and don't know when sleep got the better of us! --
i don't remember the dream i had
but it must have been a beautiful dream
for i was having one of the most sound sleep
i had had in a long long time!
--
all was all right
when
suddenly
a big noise
shaked me out of deep sleep!
"what's that?" i blabbered!
--
it didn't take me long to realise that
some great soul
had switched on the loud speaker
of the local worship place
to play the recording of scriptures!
it was shockingly loud
at the shocking hour!
simply shocking!!!
i pressed the light button on my wrist watch
- it showed 4.05am!
i wished someone would realise the mistake
and turn the loudspeaker off, mercifully
and let everyone sleep!
but since it wasn't a mistake,
it was not switched off!!
--
i could neither be angry nor happy
lest god got annoyed at my blasphemy!
--
but wait a minute!!!
"i didn't have to fear god! i had my private personal real god always inside me!" i recalled!!!
i searched frantically inside me
and got the shock of my life!
he was not there!
he was missing!!
--
where had he gone?
i checked again
thoroughly!
yes, my god inside me was missing!
i jumped out of my cozy bedding
switched on the lights
and searched all room for him!
he was nowhere to be found!!
i opened the door and went out.
--
outside, it was pitch dark
and much much louder!!
"who's listening? who wants to listen?"
i murmurred!
--
but for the moment i was more worried about my lost god!
i searched for him in the streets without streetlights...
he wasn't there.
when i had searched all probable places
i decided to go where the loud noise was coming from
looking for him!
--
the loudspeakers had won the war
of calling me in!!!
i went in and searched.
but to my utter shock
he was not there as well!!!
in hearts of heart, i knew he couldn't have been there!
i knew my god more than others.
so where was he?
i couldn't ask anyone
for there was no one out in the streets
not even the dogs
at that sleepy dark hour
pierced by the high decibel preaching!
--
i returned back
dejected
and empty handed.
i closed the door behind.
the sleep had vanished from my eyes!
and so had my god from inside me!!!
--
it was very cold and i felt like zipping myself up in a warm jacket.
i opened the almirah
and amidst the layers of warm woollens
saw huddled and sleeping cozily with a smile
my personal private god.
--
and expected to reach bachchauri in around 6 hours
more than me
my god inside me was excited
about the journey ahead
leading to the magical countryside!
vast fields
fresh air
great food
no automobiles
simple people
laid back life
lives full of stories.....!
i reached chandigarh on time
but beyond chandigarh
it took me 4 hours where it should have taken 2
courtesy
demostrations
and on-going construction of flyovers!
what was expected to be a refreshing drive
turned out to be a very tiring one
especially considering that i had been driving
half of the previous day as well while returning from chindi to shimla!
my personal private god inside me
was more tired than me!
upset and annoyed!!
finally,
both of us reached bachchauri.
i parked the car
had a refreshing tea
relaxed a bit
and took a bath which gave some life back to my tired body
and my god inside me!
the tasty food thereafter
gave it all back!!!
both me and my god
were atleast mentally refreshed by now!
after the dinner
both of us decided to have a small walk
in the narrow lanes of the sleepy village
getting ready for an early retiring to the bed!
by the time we returned back
our
bed was ready!
both of us jumped in
and don't know when sleep got the better of us! --
i don't remember the dream i had
but it must have been a beautiful dream
for i was having one of the most sound sleep
i had had in a long long time!
--
all was all right
when
suddenly
a big noise
shaked me out of deep sleep!
"what's that?" i blabbered!
--
it didn't take me long to realise that
some great soul
had switched on the loud speaker
of the local worship place
to play the recording of scriptures!
it was shockingly loud
at the shocking hour!
simply shocking!!!
i pressed the light button on my wrist watch
- it showed 4.05am!
i wished someone would realise the mistake
and turn the loudspeaker off, mercifully
and let everyone sleep!
but since it wasn't a mistake,
it was not switched off!!
--
i could neither be angry nor happy
lest god got annoyed at my blasphemy!
--
but wait a minute!!!
"i didn't have to fear god! i had my private personal real god always inside me!" i recalled!!!
i searched frantically inside me
and got the shock of my life!
he was not there!
he was missing!!
--
where had he gone?
i checked again
thoroughly!
yes, my god inside me was missing!
i jumped out of my cozy bedding
switched on the lights
and searched all room for him!
he was nowhere to be found!!
i opened the door and went out.
--
outside, it was pitch dark
and much much louder!!
"who's listening? who wants to listen?"
i murmurred!
--
but for the moment i was more worried about my lost god!
i searched for him in the streets without streetlights...
he wasn't there.
when i had searched all probable places
i decided to go where the loud noise was coming from
looking for him!
--
the loudspeakers had won the war
of calling me in!!!
i went in and searched.
but to my utter shock
he was not there as well!!!
in hearts of heart, i knew he couldn't have been there!
i knew my god more than others.
so where was he?
i couldn't ask anyone
for there was no one out in the streets
not even the dogs
at that sleepy dark hour
pierced by the high decibel preaching!
--
i returned back
dejected
and empty handed.
i closed the door behind.
the sleep had vanished from my eyes!
and so had my god from inside me!!!
--
it was very cold and i felt like zipping myself up in a warm jacket.
i opened the almirah
and amidst the layers of warm woollens
saw huddled and sleeping cozily with a smile
my personal private god.
--
Sunday, December 12, 2010
welcome home
the alarm hasn't gone off
the newspaper hasn't come
neither has the milkman
nor has the bin collector
no morning tea to make
no water to store
no dresses to iron
no shoes to polish
no utensils to clear
no clothes for the machine
no brooming
no mopping
no aastha
no bloomberg
no aajtak of overnight
no to-do list
no deadlines to meet
no calls to take
no waiting customers
no boss to be
no boss to see
---
surrounded by a hundred tall deodars
carpetted by a thousand idle apple trees
few koels and meerkats
wild cats
occasional humming car passing by on the serpentile sleepy road
alone in 'the mamleshwar'
amidst cold winter winds of chindi
waiting for the warmth of the fresh sun
of what is
a monday for the world
but an eternal sunday for me
the morning hasn't started......
welcome home
dear life!
the newspaper hasn't come
neither has the milkman
nor has the bin collector
no morning tea to make
no water to store
no dresses to iron
no shoes to polish
no utensils to clear
no clothes for the machine
no brooming
no mopping
no aastha
no bloomberg
no aajtak of overnight
no to-do list
no deadlines to meet
no calls to take
no waiting customers
no boss to be
no boss to see
---
surrounded by a hundred tall deodars
carpetted by a thousand idle apple trees
few koels and meerkats
wild cats
occasional humming car passing by on the serpentile sleepy road
alone in 'the mamleshwar'
amidst cold winter winds of chindi
waiting for the warmth of the fresh sun
of what is
a monday for the world
but an eternal sunday for me
the morning hasn't started......
welcome home
dear life!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
grandmother
"papa, i want to ask you something!"
"what's that,son!"
"hope you will not misunderstand!"
"ok, i will take it with open mind. pl tell me."
"papa, when i was a boy
you allowed me to choose my own books
my own clothes
my toys
my friends
you gave me the freedom to eat what i liked
you allowed me to do what i wanted to do
you gave me the freedom to say no to what i didn't want to
you even allowed me to choose my own religion
you allowed me to choose my own career
you allowed me to choose my life partner
you allowed me the freedom of thought and expression
you allowed me to have my own point of view....
now i want to ask you for more...
i am fed up with the state of affairs in the country
i am in deep pain to see the state of rot
and the extent of it!
i don't see any silver lining for as long as i can see
i have just one life
i don't want to waste it
so,
will you allow me one more time
to choose the country of my choice to live my life?
i will keep coming every month to meet you
afterall the jets can take us anywhere in a matter of hours!
also, you can come and stay with me"
---
the father went silent
this was the toughest question he had ever faced in his life as a parent.
he couldn't say "yes"
he didn't want to say "no"
the son gave his father some alone moments to find out the correct answer
to a life changing question!
---
afer remaining silent for what seemed like ages
father asked
"son, this land is like your mother!"
"but papa! the world is like my grandmother!"
"what's that,son!"
"hope you will not misunderstand!"
"ok, i will take it with open mind. pl tell me."
"papa, when i was a boy
you allowed me to choose my own books
my own clothes
my toys
my friends
you gave me the freedom to eat what i liked
you allowed me to do what i wanted to do
you gave me the freedom to say no to what i didn't want to
you even allowed me to choose my own religion
you allowed me to choose my own career
you allowed me to choose my life partner
you allowed me the freedom of thought and expression
you allowed me to have my own point of view....
now i want to ask you for more...
i am fed up with the state of affairs in the country
i am in deep pain to see the state of rot
and the extent of it!
i don't see any silver lining for as long as i can see
i have just one life
i don't want to waste it
so,
will you allow me one more time
to choose the country of my choice to live my life?
i will keep coming every month to meet you
afterall the jets can take us anywhere in a matter of hours!
also, you can come and stay with me"
---
the father went silent
this was the toughest question he had ever faced in his life as a parent.
he couldn't say "yes"
he didn't want to say "no"
the son gave his father some alone moments to find out the correct answer
to a life changing question!
---
afer remaining silent for what seemed like ages
father asked
"son, this land is like your mother!"
"but papa! the world is like my grandmother!"
Monday, December 6, 2010
crossroads
at the crossroads
the lights turned red
everyone stopped.
traffic lights - what great levelers they are!
cars and buses and rickshaws and bikes and trucks
all standing together
without discrimination.
everyone was drowned in some thoughts
when a voice suddenly brought them back
"today's newspaper!"
"today's newspaper!"
"MPs double their salary!
"today's newspaper!"
---
a government servant inside the bus
already late for his office by an hour
took out three coins for the newspaper
"when will they double ours?" he murmurred with a frown on his face.
the ceo in the adjacent car
ignored the newspaper boy
"i am not impressed
i am earning many times more!" he quipped with a snub on the face.
the unemployed youngman on the new mobike gifted by his dad
shrugged his shoulders
"i am not interested!". he sniffed with a dejection on his face.
the 75 year old man pulling the rickshaw
took out 3 rupees from his pocket and then put them back
"i must save these 3 bucks for my retirement!" he said to himself
with a face covered with sweat!
the lights turned red
everyone stopped.
traffic lights - what great levelers they are!
cars and buses and rickshaws and bikes and trucks
all standing together
without discrimination.
everyone was drowned in some thoughts
when a voice suddenly brought them back
"today's newspaper!"
"today's newspaper!"
"MPs double their salary!
"today's newspaper!"
---
a government servant inside the bus
already late for his office by an hour
took out three coins for the newspaper
"when will they double ours?" he murmurred with a frown on his face.
the ceo in the adjacent car
ignored the newspaper boy
"i am not impressed
i am earning many times more!" he quipped with a snub on the face.
the unemployed youngman on the new mobike gifted by his dad
shrugged his shoulders
"i am not interested!". he sniffed with a dejection on his face.
the 75 year old man pulling the rickshaw
took out 3 rupees from his pocket and then put them back
"i must save these 3 bucks for my retirement!" he said to himself
with a face covered with sweat!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
"do you believe in reincarnation?"
"it's cold, isn't it!"
"o yes! freezing!"
"when is the party?"
"tonight!"
"who all are coming"
"all neighbourhood"
"what all has been ordered?"
"hot pizzas and momos and pakoras...."
"and what else?"
"who needs anything else when you and me are there! Ha,Ha......!!!"
"Ha!Ha!Ha!!!!!!!"
both Coke and Fanta had a hearty laugh!
and waited in the fridge
for the wonderful evening ahead!
---
evening came
and in came the guests
kids, elderly, ladies and gents...
all dressed superbly for the celebrations!
everyone was so happy and excited!
hundred lights were lit
and music was turned on!
in came the piping hot pizzas
followed by momos
and spicy pakoras...
but everyone was still missing something
"where is the coke?"
"where is the fanta?"
yeah! give me the chilled coke
and me fanta!!!
me too!!
we too!!!
coke and fanta in the fridge felt like kings!!!
desperately needed and immensely respected and loved!
cans of coke and fanta were taken out of the fridge
and taken in trays
amidst the party
and loud cheers!!!
it was so intoxicating for both heroes!!!
everyone rushed to have one
rapid fire opening of cans after cans sounded like 21 gun salute!
"Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers!"
and over a hundred lips kissed their cans and started gulping the first heavenly sip!!!
"Wonderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfullllllllllllllll!"
everyone announced in chorus!
it was ecstatic for the duo!!!
and then everyone got busy.
a few ladies started discussing dresses
and some about their husbands
gents in the corner were discussing business
while those on the table were talking politics
the kids were dancing
while the elderly near the fireplace were talking philosophy
"do u believe in re-incarnation?" asked one elderly gentleman with golden locks!
"yeah, i do!" another replied.
coke and fanta were enjoying everything except the philosophical talk of the senior guys!
they neither liked fire nor the talk of philosophy!
the party kept going on
till the crescendo!!!
and then the party got over.
everyone said bye and started to leave.
all put down the empty cans
they were not excited about them anymore!
suddenly the cans felt like unwanted, ignored and immaterial!
it was heart-breaking!
it was too real to be true.
they just couldn't believe the turn of their luck
all in just over an hour!
"this is so unfair!"
"u can't treat us like this!" they yelled
but nobody seemed to listen!
they all left.
lights were turned off one by one
and music stopped abruptly.
the catering boy collected the cans
and...
and...
and...
threw them in the waste-bin
and closed the lid!
"it's so dark inside!"
"and so hot!"
saying this both went silent
and then the empty can asked his buddy
"do you believe in reincarnation?"
"o yes! freezing!"
"when is the party?"
"tonight!"
"who all are coming"
"all neighbourhood"
"what all has been ordered?"
"hot pizzas and momos and pakoras...."
"and what else?"
"who needs anything else when you and me are there! Ha,Ha......!!!"
"Ha!Ha!Ha!!!!!!!"
both Coke and Fanta had a hearty laugh!
and waited in the fridge
for the wonderful evening ahead!
---
evening came
and in came the guests
kids, elderly, ladies and gents...
all dressed superbly for the celebrations!
everyone was so happy and excited!
hundred lights were lit
and music was turned on!
in came the piping hot pizzas
followed by momos
and spicy pakoras...
but everyone was still missing something
"where is the coke?"
"where is the fanta?"
yeah! give me the chilled coke
and me fanta!!!
me too!!
we too!!!
coke and fanta in the fridge felt like kings!!!
desperately needed and immensely respected and loved!
cans of coke and fanta were taken out of the fridge
and taken in trays
amidst the party
and loud cheers!!!
it was so intoxicating for both heroes!!!
everyone rushed to have one
rapid fire opening of cans after cans sounded like 21 gun salute!
"Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers!"
and over a hundred lips kissed their cans and started gulping the first heavenly sip!!!
"Wonderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfullllllllllllllll!"
everyone announced in chorus!
it was ecstatic for the duo!!!
and then everyone got busy.
a few ladies started discussing dresses
and some about their husbands
gents in the corner were discussing business
while those on the table were talking politics
the kids were dancing
while the elderly near the fireplace were talking philosophy
"do u believe in re-incarnation?" asked one elderly gentleman with golden locks!
"yeah, i do!" another replied.
coke and fanta were enjoying everything except the philosophical talk of the senior guys!
they neither liked fire nor the talk of philosophy!
the party kept going on
till the crescendo!!!
and then the party got over.
everyone said bye and started to leave.
all put down the empty cans
they were not excited about them anymore!
suddenly the cans felt like unwanted, ignored and immaterial!
it was heart-breaking!
it was too real to be true.
they just couldn't believe the turn of their luck
all in just over an hour!
"this is so unfair!"
"u can't treat us like this!" they yelled
but nobody seemed to listen!
they all left.
lights were turned off one by one
and music stopped abruptly.
the catering boy collected the cans
and...
and...
and...
threw them in the waste-bin
and closed the lid!
"it's so dark inside!"
"and so hot!"
saying this both went silent
and then the empty can asked his buddy
"do you believe in reincarnation?"
Saturday, December 4, 2010
just one wish!
"in your exams, if u come out with flying colours
i will grant your one buying wish" dad told his son!
son was filled with ecstasy!
he worked harder
and did it!!!
son started making a list of probable targets
still camera
music player
tv
pen-drive
palmtop
gaming console
radio
movie camera
watch
scientific calculator
dictionary
torch
digital diary
dictaphone
gps
phone
all-in-one remote control
scanner
infra-red massager
fax
portable inverter
blood-sugar monitor
blood-pressure monitor
portable water disinfectant....
the list was long!
which one to choose and which one to drop - was a big dilemma
as he had only one wish!
"have u decided?" father asked
"yes, papa! i want to buy a hi-end cell phone"
saying this, he smiled hearts of heart
to recall that the cell phone contained everything in the list!
but by next morning
both son as well as father were still not happy
"had he waited, i would have gifted many more inbulit gadgets in the same budget!" father thought.
"had i waited, i would have got many more inbuilt gadgets in the same wish!" son realised.
i will grant your one buying wish" dad told his son!
son was filled with ecstasy!
he worked harder
and did it!!!
son started making a list of probable targets
still camera
music player
tv
pen-drive
palmtop
gaming console
radio
movie camera
watch
scientific calculator
dictionary
torch
digital diary
dictaphone
gps
phone
all-in-one remote control
scanner
infra-red massager
fax
portable inverter
blood-sugar monitor
blood-pressure monitor
portable water disinfectant....
the list was long!
which one to choose and which one to drop - was a big dilemma
as he had only one wish!
"have u decided?" father asked
"yes, papa! i want to buy a hi-end cell phone"
saying this, he smiled hearts of heart
to recall that the cell phone contained everything in the list!
but by next morning
both son as well as father were still not happy
"had he waited, i would have gifted many more inbulit gadgets in the same budget!" father thought.
"had i waited, i would have got many more inbuilt gadgets in the same wish!" son realised.
Friday, December 3, 2010
pedigree
a german shepherd's life was saved by a street dog from a speeding car!
both became friends.
---
german shepherd was the pet of a business tycoon.
he flew in his master's private jet
travelled with him in his limo
ate the best fortified dog food
got treated in the best vet clinic
slept in a cozy bed in a air conditioned room
had a beautiful expensive collar
and the name of a great breed in his blood!
all in all, he was leading a special life!
---
his street friend, on the other hand
had no master to pamper him
wandered day and night from street to street
was chased away by the street bullies
hit by stones thrown by the street kids
ate from the garbage drums
never got treated when ill
slept in the open even in the harshest of weather
and had no name of breed to fall back on!
all in all, he was living a typical street-dog's life!
---
but friendship is friendship
whatever the pedigree!
---
on sunday evening they planned an outing together!
they went to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
they held each other's hand
and saw the majestic sunset in front of them.
both closed their eyes to pray silently!
the german shepherd prayed
"god! in next birth bless me with the life of a tycoon like my master!"
the street dog prayed
"god! in next birth bless me with the life of a german shepherd!"
both became friends.
---
german shepherd was the pet of a business tycoon.
he flew in his master's private jet
travelled with him in his limo
ate the best fortified dog food
got treated in the best vet clinic
slept in a cozy bed in a air conditioned room
had a beautiful expensive collar
and the name of a great breed in his blood!
all in all, he was leading a special life!
---
his street friend, on the other hand
had no master to pamper him
wandered day and night from street to street
was chased away by the street bullies
hit by stones thrown by the street kids
ate from the garbage drums
never got treated when ill
slept in the open even in the harshest of weather
and had no name of breed to fall back on!
all in all, he was living a typical street-dog's life!
---
but friendship is friendship
whatever the pedigree!
---
on sunday evening they planned an outing together!
they went to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
they held each other's hand
and saw the majestic sunset in front of them.
both closed their eyes to pray silently!
the german shepherd prayed
"god! in next birth bless me with the life of a tycoon like my master!"
the street dog prayed
"god! in next birth bless me with the life of a german shepherd!"
the relief camp
the flood was unprecedented
3 districts got submerged under water of river Toshi
lacs of people had to abandon their homes for safer destination
thousands were caught amidst the flash-floods and had to remain perched on roof tops till rescued
hundreds were reported missing
over 50 relief camps were erected overnight by the administration
---
the largest camp was near Pulwa
it had 3000 men,women and children
besides 5000 cows (including their calves) in the periphery
the livestock had followed their masters
when the water had started to rise!
---
there was almost no food and fresh water in the camp
in the afternoon
it was announced that 5 truck-loads of rice and water cans would be reaching the camp by the evening
evening came
but no trucks!
none still till dawn!
---
by next afternoon
people noticed rising dust at the horizon!
"Trucks!!!" someone shouted!
whosoever heard
started running
in the direction of the trucks....
when others saw them running
they understood what was happening
and started to run as well
when children saw their parents running
they too started running behind them
elderly, who could barely move
were either left behind
or dragged themselves slowly behind everyone...
from the sky it appeared as if an army of a million people was charging on foot...
clouds of dust started to rise
like a holocaust...
everyone was running in the direction of the loaded trucks...
hundreds fell
and hundreds over them!
children, women, elderly
all got caught in the human tornado!!!
---
far behind
5000 cows and their calves
saw this massive receding wave of desperate mankind
---
suddenly
the cows started to make a line...
"kids, elderly and the sick cows,
pl be seated in the adjacent ground
you shall be served by others automatically"
ordered the senior elderly mother cow in the front!
"all others please make 5 lines for 5 trucks".
---
as she ordered
everyone regrouped in 5 lines!
the elderly cow came in front and again asked
"if the food and water is less
do we have any volunteers to sacrifice it for the needy?
those ready to volunteer pl sit down whereever you are!"
---
not surprisingly
everyone sat down!!!
3 districts got submerged under water of river Toshi
lacs of people had to abandon their homes for safer destination
thousands were caught amidst the flash-floods and had to remain perched on roof tops till rescued
hundreds were reported missing
over 50 relief camps were erected overnight by the administration
---
the largest camp was near Pulwa
it had 3000 men,women and children
besides 5000 cows (including their calves) in the periphery
the livestock had followed their masters
when the water had started to rise!
---
there was almost no food and fresh water in the camp
in the afternoon
it was announced that 5 truck-loads of rice and water cans would be reaching the camp by the evening
evening came
but no trucks!
none still till dawn!
---
by next afternoon
people noticed rising dust at the horizon!
"Trucks!!!" someone shouted!
whosoever heard
started running
in the direction of the trucks....
when others saw them running
they understood what was happening
and started to run as well
when children saw their parents running
they too started running behind them
elderly, who could barely move
were either left behind
or dragged themselves slowly behind everyone...
from the sky it appeared as if an army of a million people was charging on foot...
clouds of dust started to rise
like a holocaust...
everyone was running in the direction of the loaded trucks...
hundreds fell
and hundreds over them!
children, women, elderly
all got caught in the human tornado!!!
---
far behind
5000 cows and their calves
saw this massive receding wave of desperate mankind
---
suddenly
the cows started to make a line...
"kids, elderly and the sick cows,
pl be seated in the adjacent ground
you shall be served by others automatically"
ordered the senior elderly mother cow in the front!
"all others please make 5 lines for 5 trucks".
---
as she ordered
everyone regrouped in 5 lines!
the elderly cow came in front and again asked
"if the food and water is less
do we have any volunteers to sacrifice it for the needy?
those ready to volunteer pl sit down whereever you are!"
---
not surprisingly
everyone sat down!!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
bankruptcy
the year 2025 AD
class : IIIA
---
"what is the meaning of bankruptcy?" the teacher asked.
out of 30 students in the class only one hand shot up
that of little rudra!
teacher got nervous
she feared the creature's unpredictable answer!
"anyone else?" teacher provoked the class
no other hand popped up
either out of tiny rudra's fear
or for not actually knowing the answer.
"ok, rudra, tell me - what do you mean by bankruptcy?"
"teacher,
when you become a rich man from being a poor,
and then become richer and richer and richer,
but still, all you can think about is
what to buy with that money
all you can think about is gadgets and assets
and can't think beyond buying property or clothes or accessories
can't think beyond cars or shopping malls or toys
can't think anything except money and stuff money can buy
can't think anything except bank balance
when financial insecurity simply doesn't go away
and there seems nothing left in life except money and material
...that is bankruptcy
bankruptcy of ideas
thankyou!"
after saying it all in one breath
rudra sat down
with the entire class with mouth open in awe!
teacher took out her handkerchief and wiped the droplets from her forehead.
class : IIIA
---
"what is the meaning of bankruptcy?" the teacher asked.
out of 30 students in the class only one hand shot up
that of little rudra!
teacher got nervous
she feared the creature's unpredictable answer!
"anyone else?" teacher provoked the class
no other hand popped up
either out of tiny rudra's fear
or for not actually knowing the answer.
"ok, rudra, tell me - what do you mean by bankruptcy?"
"teacher,
when you become a rich man from being a poor,
and then become richer and richer and richer,
but still, all you can think about is
what to buy with that money
all you can think about is gadgets and assets
and can't think beyond buying property or clothes or accessories
can't think beyond cars or shopping malls or toys
can't think anything except money and stuff money can buy
can't think anything except bank balance
when financial insecurity simply doesn't go away
and there seems nothing left in life except money and material
...that is bankruptcy
bankruptcy of ideas
thankyou!"
after saying it all in one breath
rudra sat down
with the entire class with mouth open in awe!
teacher took out her handkerchief and wiped the droplets from her forehead.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
weapons of mass destruction
EMI
= Sorrow available in instalments
Credit Cards
= Sorrow for "free"
Debit Cards
= Sorrow for "money"
Social and peer pressure
= competition for sorrow
Envy
= sorrow for 'lack of sorrow'
Advertisements
= Sorrow glorified
Brands
= Sorrow standardized
Malls
= Sorrow enmass'
"Sale"
= Festivals of sorrow
= Sorrow available in instalments
Credit Cards
= Sorrow for "free"
Debit Cards
= Sorrow for "money"
Social and peer pressure
= competition for sorrow
Envy
= sorrow for 'lack of sorrow'
Advertisements
= Sorrow glorified
Brands
= Sorrow standardized
Malls
= Sorrow enmass'
"Sale"
= Festivals of sorrow
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
chariots of immortality
every morning when i go to drop my kids to their respective schools
on the way i see quite a few young and smart "government" officers
in "their" official cars and scorpios and jeeps.
the visual of them sitting in erect postures in the rear seat is really a treat to watch!
the serious look on their face is amazing!
they already seem to have what it takes to be top bureaucrats and officers!
snob can be seen perched on their nose even at this young age.
they seem to be the youngest officers of the country!
they seem least bothered about the traffic chaos outside
they keep sitting cosily in the rear seat with their elbow resting against the pillow
while "their" drivers negotiate the traffic jams basically created by them only.
they emotionlessly watch their "colleagues" jostle for a foot in the bus outside to reach the same destination.
they cold-shoulder their "buddies" left stranded on the way.
afterall the cars and the scorpios and the jeeps are "their" exclusive right!
afterall, they themselves are the sons and daughters of top government officials!!!
What if they are just kids
they feel good when they reach their schools like a prince or princess arriving in a chariot amidst the mortals!
on the way i see quite a few young and smart "government" officers
in "their" official cars and scorpios and jeeps.
the visual of them sitting in erect postures in the rear seat is really a treat to watch!
the serious look on their face is amazing!
they already seem to have what it takes to be top bureaucrats and officers!
snob can be seen perched on their nose even at this young age.
they seem to be the youngest officers of the country!
they seem least bothered about the traffic chaos outside
they keep sitting cosily in the rear seat with their elbow resting against the pillow
while "their" drivers negotiate the traffic jams basically created by them only.
they emotionlessly watch their "colleagues" jostle for a foot in the bus outside to reach the same destination.
they cold-shoulder their "buddies" left stranded on the way.
afterall the cars and the scorpios and the jeeps are "their" exclusive right!
afterall, they themselves are the sons and daughters of top government officials!!!
What if they are just kids
they feel good when they reach their schools like a prince or princess arriving in a chariot amidst the mortals!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Taking care of the dogs!
population of stray dogs was increasing alarmingly in the state
government constituted 'state dogs birth control society'
to control the menace.
many "favourite" unemployeds got employed.
they thanked god
and thanked dogs!
Many years passed
but the dogs' tribe continued to flourish....unchecked!
an enquiry commission was set up.
"why are you not controlling their population?"
"we can, provided you assure us that our services will not be terminated there-after!"
the commission chairman turned towards the advisor and asked
"are there any precedences?"
"certainly, sir!
state corruption control society
state poverty elevation society
state employment commission
state malnutrition taskforce
and many more..." counted the advisor.
"how many of these have taken care of their 'dogs' so far?" asked the chairman again.
"none, sir!"
"why?"
"their 'dogs' are their saviours, sir!"
government constituted 'state dogs birth control society'
to control the menace.
many "favourite" unemployeds got employed.
they thanked god
and thanked dogs!
Many years passed
but the dogs' tribe continued to flourish....unchecked!
an enquiry commission was set up.
"why are you not controlling their population?"
"we can, provided you assure us that our services will not be terminated there-after!"
the commission chairman turned towards the advisor and asked
"are there any precedences?"
"certainly, sir!
state corruption control society
state poverty elevation society
state employment commission
state malnutrition taskforce
and many more..." counted the advisor.
"how many of these have taken care of their 'dogs' so far?" asked the chairman again.
"none, sir!"
"why?"
"their 'dogs' are their saviours, sir!"
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
interview
A youngman was rejected in the Administrative Service interview due to his answer to the question
"Define Democracy."
But he got selected as the State General Secretary of a political party with the same answer.
His answer was
"Government by the party, of the party, for the party"
=========================
www.isawifeltisaid.blogspot.com
www.ministoriesbeforemyeyes.blogspot.com
"Define Democracy."
But he got selected as the State General Secretary of a political party with the same answer.
His answer was
"Government by the party, of the party, for the party"
=========================
www.isawifeltisaid.blogspot.com
www.ministoriesbeforemyeyes.blogspot.com
Red Light area
"Papa! what is a red light area?" a child asked his father after returning from his school.
The father was aghast to hear the question!!!
"Where did you hear that?" he asked the child.
"Two persons were talking about it near the Common Wealth Games village. What's a red light area, Papa!"
"Its a bad thing, son. Its an area where pride is sold for money."
This was the most sober answer the father could think of.
"But Papa, why were those people talking about this bad thing there? There was nobody selling pride around!" Children are notorious for stretching the wrong questions!)
"They might have seen nation's pride being sold somewhere around, son!"
The child was furious to hear that!
He loved his country the most!
"Can't we buy back the pride, Papa!" he asked.
"Pride can be sold but can't be bought, son!"
The child went sad to hear that.
He remained silent for some time and then again quipped
"Papa! Is it necessary that pride can be sold only where there is a red light?"
"No, son! It has nothing to do with a red light!"
"Why don't they put red lights everywhere the pride of nation is being sold, Papa? This way the bad people can be caught and punished."
"This can't be done,son. Otherwise the entire country will be visible even from the space!"
The father was aghast to hear the question!!!
"Where did you hear that?" he asked the child.
"Two persons were talking about it near the Common Wealth Games village. What's a red light area, Papa!"
"Its a bad thing, son. Its an area where pride is sold for money."
This was the most sober answer the father could think of.
"But Papa, why were those people talking about this bad thing there? There was nobody selling pride around!" Children are notorious for stretching the wrong questions!)
"They might have seen nation's pride being sold somewhere around, son!"
The child was furious to hear that!
He loved his country the most!
"Can't we buy back the pride, Papa!" he asked.
"Pride can be sold but can't be bought, son!"
The child went sad to hear that.
He remained silent for some time and then again quipped
"Papa! Is it necessary that pride can be sold only where there is a red light?"
"No, son! It has nothing to do with a red light!"
"Why don't they put red lights everywhere the pride of nation is being sold, Papa? This way the bad people can be caught and punished."
"This can't be done,son. Otherwise the entire country will be visible even from the space!"
Sunday, September 12, 2010
"Was it you ?!!!"
A man came home and found his God weeping!
He was shocked beyond words!
"What happened, God!"
"I want to go!" God replied
"Why God, Why?" the man asked with eyes wide open in utter disbelief!!!
"I am feeling suffocated with you!"
"But why, God! I love you so much!"
"No, you don't!" God said firmly, wiping his tears!
"No, Never, God! I can't even think of that!"
"You ridicule me, you hate me, hurt me, you have bad feelings for me, you curse me, you hit me, threaten me......"!
"Oh, God! What on Earth made you feel that!
I can't even think of doing all this to you!
I always thought I was your favourite child.
I worshipped you religiously.
I never forget you even for a moment.
I did a lot of charity in your name.
Then why have you slapped me with these unimaginable sins!"
"My child! You ridiculed me when you saw my children worshipping me during Ganesh Chaturthi!
You hurt me when you saw my other sons and daughters bowing in front of me during Ramzan!
You had bad feelings towards me when my children were singing hymns during Gurpurb!
You cold shouldered me when my kids were pouring milk on me during Shiv Ratri!
You looked the other way with bad feelings when my children were praying to me on Christmas!
You were rude to my children wearing white strip on their mouth!
You hit my kids when they were coming to me enmass on the Abhidhamma Day!
You threatened my young ones when they were reading Kitáb-i-Aqdas!
You disturbed my children when they were performing Shema!
You have also hurt my many other kids!
...........You have hurt me. You don't love me. I feel suffocated here. Let me go!"
==============
"Oh God! Was it you !? How can it be you!!!"
God turned his back
and removed his shirt
"Here! Look at these marks!"
He was shocked beyond words!
"What happened, God!"
"I want to go!" God replied
"Why God, Why?" the man asked with eyes wide open in utter disbelief!!!
"I am feeling suffocated with you!"
"But why, God! I love you so much!"
"No, you don't!" God said firmly, wiping his tears!
"No, Never, God! I can't even think of that!"
"You ridicule me, you hate me, hurt me, you have bad feelings for me, you curse me, you hit me, threaten me......"!
"Oh, God! What on Earth made you feel that!
I can't even think of doing all this to you!
I always thought I was your favourite child.
I worshipped you religiously.
I never forget you even for a moment.
I did a lot of charity in your name.
Then why have you slapped me with these unimaginable sins!"
"My child! You ridiculed me when you saw my children worshipping me during Ganesh Chaturthi!
You hurt me when you saw my other sons and daughters bowing in front of me during Ramzan!
You had bad feelings towards me when my children were singing hymns during Gurpurb!
You cold shouldered me when my kids were pouring milk on me during Shiv Ratri!
You looked the other way with bad feelings when my children were praying to me on Christmas!
You were rude to my children wearing white strip on their mouth!
You hit my kids when they were coming to me enmass on the Abhidhamma Day!
You threatened my young ones when they were reading Kitáb-i-Aqdas!
You disturbed my children when they were performing Shema!
You have also hurt my many other kids!
...........You have hurt me. You don't love me. I feel suffocated here. Let me go!"
==============
"Oh God! Was it you !? How can it be you!!!"
God turned his back
and removed his shirt
"Here! Look at these marks!"
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Yesterday was Independence Day!
Yesterday was our Independence Day.
Now when the anniversary euphoria is over, wish to share my hidden thoughts!
This day 63 years ago our country was free from the colonial rule.
We became Independent to rule ourselves.
It was and is an Independence Day.
"An"
What about the other Independence Days?
The remaining Independence Days?
Independence from Poverty, Hunger
Independence from Filth, Lack of orderliness & systems, lack of cleanliness
Independence from shabby quality everywhere and in every product and service,
Independence from lack of civic sense
Independence from inferiority complex, disrespect for mother toungue, mother culture, mental slavery
Independence from corruption, weak character and absent morality
Independence from intolerance, racism, casteism, fundamentalism
Independence from illiteracy and hollow education,
Independence from population explosion
Independence from poor infrastructure
Independence from injustice
Independence from poor or misgovernance
...and so on
Needed Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Patel, Nehru, Ambedkar, Shivaji, Vivekananda, Subhash Chandra bose....
Not outside
but inside each one of us!
Unfortunately, after the successful struggle for one independence, that from colonial rule,
the struggle for the remaining independence fizzled out even before starting!
Once again,
Happy Independence Day
All the best for the remaining ones!
Inquilab Zindabad!
(Long live the revolution!)
Not just physical but mental also!
Now when the anniversary euphoria is over, wish to share my hidden thoughts!
This day 63 years ago our country was free from the colonial rule.
We became Independent to rule ourselves.
It was and is an Independence Day.
"An"
What about the other Independence Days?
The remaining Independence Days?
Independence from Poverty, Hunger
Independence from Filth, Lack of orderliness & systems, lack of cleanliness
Independence from shabby quality everywhere and in every product and service,
Independence from lack of civic sense
Independence from inferiority complex, disrespect for mother toungue, mother culture, mental slavery
Independence from corruption, weak character and absent morality
Independence from intolerance, racism, casteism, fundamentalism
Independence from illiteracy and hollow education,
Independence from population explosion
Independence from poor infrastructure
Independence from injustice
Independence from poor or misgovernance
...and so on
Needed Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Patel, Nehru, Ambedkar, Shivaji, Vivekananda, Subhash Chandra bose....
Not outside
but inside each one of us!
Unfortunately, after the successful struggle for one independence, that from colonial rule,
the struggle for the remaining independence fizzled out even before starting!
Once again,
Happy Independence Day
All the best for the remaining ones!
Inquilab Zindabad!
(Long live the revolution!)
Not just physical but mental also!
Happy Rakshabandhan!
An honestly corrupt official went to his sister's house on Rakshabandhan.
She tied Rakhi on his wrist and put a 'tilak' on his forehead!
He gave her a watch and Rs.1001.
"What Bhaiyya, You make 2% in every deal. Each of your deal is worth a few crores. And you are giving me this?"
"So, what does my sweet sister want!"
"Promise me that you will save me harrassment from every corrupt official for entire life."
"That I can't, sister."
"But I promise that I will keep giving you enough bucks to effortlessly keep bribing your way thru them!"
The sister nodded with a beaming face!
"Thank you, Bhaiyya!"
"Happy Rakshabandhan!"
"Happy Rakshabandhan!"
She tied Rakhi on his wrist and put a 'tilak' on his forehead!
He gave her a watch and Rs.1001.
"What Bhaiyya, You make 2% in every deal. Each of your deal is worth a few crores. And you are giving me this?"
"So, what does my sweet sister want!"
"Promise me that you will save me harrassment from every corrupt official for entire life."
"That I can't, sister."
"But I promise that I will keep giving you enough bucks to effortlessly keep bribing your way thru them!"
The sister nodded with a beaming face!
"Thank you, Bhaiyya!"
"Happy Rakshabandhan!"
"Happy Rakshabandhan!"
Thursday, June 24, 2010
sitting conscience!
Seen inside a bus
Sitting:-
Seat no.1: a university student willing to change the world
Seat no.2: a businessman who knew how to get successful in a system which wanted to eject
you.
Seat no.3: a social worker leading a crusade to reform society
Seat no.4: a journalist exposing the hypocrisy of the world
Seat no.5: a politician who wanted to clean politics
Seat no.6: a lawyer who stood for justice and rights
Seat no.7: a preacher spreading light and love
Seat no.8: a young girl who wanted to be an air-hostess
Seat no.9: a corporate executive who had left millions behind with a six figure package
Seat no.10: a sportsman who believed in sportsman spirit
Seat no.11: a teacher who taught life and living
Seat no.12: son of an MLA who had claimed his MLA/MP reserved seat
Seat no.13: a policeman who had claimed his unreserved reserved seat
Standing (no seat numbers):-
A pregnant lady
An ailing patient
A child
An elderly man
A young man who had only one leg
Sitting:-
Seat no.1: a university student willing to change the world
Seat no.2: a businessman who knew how to get successful in a system which wanted to eject
you.
Seat no.3: a social worker leading a crusade to reform society
Seat no.4: a journalist exposing the hypocrisy of the world
Seat no.5: a politician who wanted to clean politics
Seat no.6: a lawyer who stood for justice and rights
Seat no.7: a preacher spreading light and love
Seat no.8: a young girl who wanted to be an air-hostess
Seat no.9: a corporate executive who had left millions behind with a six figure package
Seat no.10: a sportsman who believed in sportsman spirit
Seat no.11: a teacher who taught life and living
Seat no.12: son of an MLA who had claimed his MLA/MP reserved seat
Seat no.13: a policeman who had claimed his unreserved reserved seat
Standing (no seat numbers):-
A pregnant lady
An ailing patient
A child
An elderly man
A young man who had only one leg
stop, pause, look! (Js)
One morning
all newspapers were blank
all tv channels went blank
totally blank...
Next day
gossip levels at offices reduced
more and more people reported at their offices on time
stress level of people dropped
more people took bath
lesser junk food was consumed and more fresh food was cooked
road rage incidences were drastically reduced
fathers spent more time with their kids and spouse
lesser calmpose tablets were sold
husband-wife relations improved
lesser "eno" and "hajmola" were sold
more music CDs were sold
lesser visits to clinincs were reported
lesser FIRs were registered
lesser cases were filed, more cases were disposed with compromise
more work was done at offices
"thank you", "sorry" and "excuse me" were heard much more
more people appeared fresh
queues (instead of jostling) at bus stops were seen after a long time
lesser flashy mobiles were sold (no Ads the previous day)
lesser bribe was taken (lesser fuelling of fire)
more people visited Mandirs and Gurudwaras and Churches and Masjids for prayers
more people reported for morning walk
no politician got mind-space
rat race was paused
sheepish behaviour was absent
minds started working
emotions came alive
day became of 28 hours
social animal died
a human was reborn!
all newspapers were blank
all tv channels went blank
totally blank...
Next day
gossip levels at offices reduced
more and more people reported at their offices on time
stress level of people dropped
more people took bath
lesser junk food was consumed and more fresh food was cooked
road rage incidences were drastically reduced
fathers spent more time with their kids and spouse
lesser calmpose tablets were sold
husband-wife relations improved
lesser "eno" and "hajmola" were sold
more music CDs were sold
lesser visits to clinincs were reported
lesser FIRs were registered
lesser cases were filed, more cases were disposed with compromise
more work was done at offices
"thank you", "sorry" and "excuse me" were heard much more
more people appeared fresh
queues (instead of jostling) at bus stops were seen after a long time
lesser flashy mobiles were sold (no Ads the previous day)
lesser bribe was taken (lesser fuelling of fire)
more people visited Mandirs and Gurudwaras and Churches and Masjids for prayers
more people reported for morning walk
no politician got mind-space
rat race was paused
sheepish behaviour was absent
minds started working
emotions came alive
day became of 28 hours
social animal died
a human was reborn!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Lets litter our country with brands!
Chutki Mouth Freshner (empty pouch)
Dabur Amla Hair Oil (empty bottle)
Wills Navy Cut (empty packet)
Crocin (Empty strip)
Aquafina (Empty bottle)
Frooty (Empty tatrapack)
Lay's (Empty packet)
Novino batteries (Empty packet)
Colgate (empty tube)
Maggi Sauce (empty sachet)
Sunsilk shampoo (empty sachet)
Britannia bread (empty polybag)
Good-Day busicuits (empty packet)
Reynolds (empty refill)
Philips (fused bulb)
Bikano Alu Bhujia (empty sachet)
Airtel (scratched recharge coupon)
Wrigley's Chewing gum (empty strip)
Vadilal Ice Cream (empty cups)
Cinthol (empty wrapper)
Munch (empty wrapper)
Pepsi (empty pet bottle)
Heyward's 5000 (Empty bottle)
Dixcy (empty packet)
LipGuard (empty tube)
Boroplus (empty tube)
.....and hundreds more
All these found littered all around me at a public place in a city in my country.
Each of these brands is worth hundreds or thousands of crores!
My country is truely on a roll!
Dabur Amla Hair Oil (empty bottle)
Wills Navy Cut (empty packet)
Crocin (Empty strip)
Aquafina (Empty bottle)
Frooty (Empty tatrapack)
Lay's (Empty packet)
Novino batteries (Empty packet)
Colgate (empty tube)
Maggi Sauce (empty sachet)
Sunsilk shampoo (empty sachet)
Britannia bread (empty polybag)
Good-Day busicuits (empty packet)
Reynolds (empty refill)
Philips (fused bulb)
Bikano Alu Bhujia (empty sachet)
Airtel (scratched recharge coupon)
Wrigley's Chewing gum (empty strip)
Vadilal Ice Cream (empty cups)
Cinthol (empty wrapper)
Munch (empty wrapper)
Pepsi (empty pet bottle)
Heyward's 5000 (Empty bottle)
Dixcy (empty packet)
LipGuard (empty tube)
Boroplus (empty tube)
.....and hundreds more
All these found littered all around me at a public place in a city in my country.
Each of these brands is worth hundreds or thousands of crores!
My country is truely on a roll!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Rich man's asset declaration
Total Assets = Rs.43,60,12,325/-
Breakup :
Goods never returned=98,20,000/-
Forced obligations taken=35,00,000/-
Tax not paid=5,82,65,741/-
Bribe received (Cash)=12,90,842/-
Bribe received (Kind)=66,43,005/-
Payments never made (later written off by harassed sellers)=37,44,365/-
Payments promised but still pending=76,70,000/-
Under-payments (mis-use of power & "connections")=1,10,26,855/-
Loans not returned=2,50,00,000/-
Willfully snatching others' share= 93,56,425/-
Under-invoicing=1,75,73,098/-
Over-pricing=2,22,48,742/-
Manipulation of Employees salary/bonus/PF/etc.=33,10,000/-
Under-payment/non-payment of Labourers & Coolies=4,35,550/-
Gold & Jewellery=2,00,00,000/-
Houses=3,50,00,000/-
Household goods=86,87,500/-
Cars and capital goods=65,00,000/-
wrongful take-over of property share from brothers/sisters=1,25,00,000/-
Benami Stock investments=50,00,000/-
Benami investments=1,65,25,000/-
Benami bank account deposits=1,50,00,000/-
Receivables=1,00,000/-
Fraudulent (general) insurance claims=1,50,00,000/-
Earned = Rs.33,15,202/-
Over-invoicing of charity= 85,00,000/-
Misc mis-appropriation=Rs.10,00,00,000/-
Breakup :
Goods never returned=98,20,000/-
Forced obligations taken=35,00,000/-
Tax not paid=5,82,65,741/-
Bribe received (Cash)=12,90,842/-
Bribe received (Kind)=66,43,005/-
Payments never made (later written off by harassed sellers)=37,44,365/-
Payments promised but still pending=76,70,000/-
Under-payments (mis-use of power & "connections")=1,10,26,855/-
Loans not returned=2,50,00,000/-
Willfully snatching others' share= 93,56,425/-
Under-invoicing=1,75,73,098/-
Over-pricing=2,22,48,742/-
Manipulation of Employees salary/bonus/PF/etc.=33,10,000/-
Under-payment/non-payment of Labourers & Coolies=4,35,550/-
Gold & Jewellery=2,00,00,000/-
Houses=3,50,00,000/-
Household goods=86,87,500/-
Cars and capital goods=65,00,000/-
wrongful take-over of property share from brothers/sisters=1,25,00,000/-
Benami Stock investments=50,00,000/-
Benami investments=1,65,25,000/-
Benami bank account deposits=1,50,00,000/-
Receivables=1,00,000/-
Fraudulent (general) insurance claims=1,50,00,000/-
Earned = Rs.33,15,202/-
Over-invoicing of charity= 85,00,000/-
Misc mis-appropriation=Rs.10,00,00,000/-
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