A Christmas night

It was 25th Dec and I had already got an invitation from my owner to attend their celebration for the Christmas. I stay in the first floor as the only tenant in their house. Decent families with Dsouza aunty staying with her daughter in law and few kids- Bevan, Daisy, two other kids…don’t know which one is whose!! As the day progressed, I got engaged in household work, as usual in a holiday. I saw the kids getting a heavy material with grills covered under a big bowl like structure, did not take much time to realize it is a home-made barbeque. Looked like there’s going to be a feast today.

I was surfing around the net, for quite sometime now. Suddenly, my eyes looked at the extreme right corner of the screen, saw the timer…oh!! Its 11.17pm. OMG!! I was supposed to be attending the C’mas festival at my owner’s place now. Quickly freshened myself up, went passed down the stairs. I could see the BBQ being lit down and the smell of the descending fire surrounded the Berandah. This was embarrassing, but I had to wish them. I could hear people talking and laughing out loud. Somehow, pressed on the calling bell, and waited with a grim look on my face.

“Oh, hello! Aunty!! Merry Christmas!!!” I did not wait for her to start. “Where were you all this while, come on in”. There were couple of guests still around. I got introduced to all of them, shook hands with them. Couple of uninteresting girls around, I did not feel like giving a glimpse (Alright!! I saw them once, but that’s it). “Hey, man!! I told you be in early, right”!! The Dubai-returned engineer son of Aunty retorts. “Man, I slept off” came out of my mouth. He gave a I-know-it look and rushed towards the dining table. Oh god!! How could I tell them that I already had dinner? Ah! I could see some beer bottles and another bottle, looked like a whiskey bottle. “Beer or Scotch” he confirmed. “Oh no! I won’t”. “You can’t go without a drink, its mandatory today for all guests today” Everyone in the room echoed the same voiced. “Alright, get me a scotch”. I looked around, kids running around with the new puppy that they got gifted from their father. Wait, Gift?? Am I supposed to get gifts for the kids, at least chocos for the kids? Huh!! “Water, soda?” voiced my engineer friend. “Ah! which one did you say the scotch is” I wanted to be sure….”Chivas Regal” he was waiting. “Ok great, just put come cubes in, on the rocks, thanks”. “Here’s your drink”!. Passed me a bowl full of Beef kebabs and Pork fingers- “Try these as well”. I gave a ‘oh! I have it everyday’ smile and turned around towards aunty for a chat. I tried all these stuffs when I was a kid, but I don’t know, as time passed, I kind of developed this spiritual discipline which led me to have categorize my food habits. Besides, I’m supposed to be a Vaishnav.

The scotch was good, pretty smooth as expected. I began to explore Dubai thru my engineer friend; the palm islands, high rental, recession in Middle East, ‘Middle East n Mallus’ etc. It had become a little chaotic because of the kids. All the adults suddenly concentrated on the kids. Everyone is trying to calm them.

Bevan is mischievous, rolls around with the puppy. He’s not letting the other kids touch upon the puppy. Daisy reached closer but was opposed with a push; she fell down and started crying. She looked very cute while crying; her mom could not resist the call and came for the rescue. Seconds after she went in to her mom’s lap, she was all fine and smiling. She followed rest of the gang; joined the ‘Ring-o-ring-o-roses’ campaign. That’s innocence at its best.

Suddenly, I felt like getting connected with my inner self. I began to miss my childhood. Adulthood has never been this kind; with all the fun and frolics around, but I still miss the innocence and lack of responsibility in the mind and soul. I wish life was as simple as it looked like. I wish I had people around who would understand at my very gesture like parents do. Wish I had enuf time to do things that I like doing. Wish I could sleep and wake up not worrying at the forecast figures in China that bothers me everyday. Wish I could get along with anyone that I feel like talking to without social and gender baggage. Huh!!

I quickly woke up, conveyed my vote of thanks and walked my way up the stairs. Opened the fridge, got myself a cola to help my burning vocal chord. Logged in to Orkut only to see there’s none who remembers me at this point. I really miss my days, my heydays, my childhood…the material world it is; emotional bonding seemed to be a long forgotten term.

Newspaper- A quick scan!!

As we grow up, we learn to be aware about the world, its people and what’s happening around. I’m no different; I do catch up the newspaper every morning. I look up for all the good things to happen in the morning, so as to get some positivity flowing around me.

I have a habit of starting off the newspaper from the end. With some sports, then to Business, International, national, state, and finally the front page!! It started off way back during my student days and remained the same.

Sports edition- Ah!! Finally I get to see some not-so-regular photos in the sports section, The likes of Balaji, Agarkar etc not seen too much in the international scene are in the forefront for their efforts in domestic matches. Ah!! The Aussies downfall…wish I had enuf time to witness this…never mind…I just hope this will bring about a cultural change in their country…!! Lanka in comfort zone…Kiwis victorous…wait a minute….the whole of first page, is completely cricket!! God…ain’t we getting an cricket OD?? A soother…Steven Gerrald celebrating his goal against Newcastle…Imagine football replacing cricket in India, huh!! Can someone do a Six sigma project on all major sectors about the increase in productivity, the impact it will have after replacing 8 hours to 90 mins of guaranteed thrill every minute.

Business- Saw good news for air travelers. All major airlines are slashing fares. What caught my eyes? The Kingfisher staff in reds! I mean Mr.Mallya is certainly a bigger and inspired brand for Kingfisher as well as the airline industry than those sweethearts in red. It’s high time print media gets the right visual management tactics in place. Ahha!! my organization has also made into the cut. Guess how, it appeared to have donated an unused piece of plot to the WB Govt. thereby setting an example of helping the govt. and corporate houses to make use of it. I just wish they would have made some sincere efforts in revising the payroll as well. For us, ‘peanuts’ is an understatement. GM cutting jobs in India as well? Huh!! GM is supposedly the pride in US of A. You know, there is this whole learinng that we all can get from the present times. I mean we have been hearing statements like- when the US sneezes, the whole world catches cold. This perception needs to be changed immediately; US markets are very large, so is EU but where are the Asians! I guess we needs to open more trade routes and avenues to each other, rather than looking straightaway for the big brothers in the west. China and India has lots to offer. Expand more with the kids in the neighbors/region. And the Chinese, I salute those guys for technical edge, but will they ever get over their ‘duplicate’ tagline and come out more with originalities.

International- Here’s the end of an era for Uncle Sam. Some of his funniest photos are on display. But being an Indian, let me also thank him, inspite of all his policies on Iraq, afganistan, for he’s been instrumental in fostering and leading the way on how US should recognize India. With my statement, Manmohan Singh’s remark on Bush becomes true- ‘People in India love you’ J Some violence again, Israel retaliated the Hamas…Israel, I like them for their ammuno prowess, but please, for god’s sake!! Your strikes are too powerful for the Hamas…Gaza cannot face it anymore!! Try options other than large scale strikes, ‘am sure Israelis will find many other ways to hit targets rather than the innocent lots.
There she is, Condoleezza Rice, I like this woman. Very strong, she signifies grit. She was condemning Hamas for breaking the cease fire. Next comes Carla Bruni…now this is what I hate. Bruni holds no importance…maybe she is filming an anti-drug movie. At least, Sarkozy would make sense to me, maybe his comments on Indo-Pak tension would do…but not a Bruni…I mean we could have something more important printed in there.

I quickly flipped into the Editorials. I cannot imagine a Jug Suraiya’s repute writing up about bombarding Pakistan. I mean this is what exactly the Islamist’s extremists want. Then they would jam up with Pak military and straightaway run the show for Pakistan. They want Pakistan. Just three days back, I heard Shashi Tharoor in an interview, he was bang on and thinking exactly the same way, the govt is thinking. The war drama is a technique…A war is never a good option, it would unite the Islamist’s mujahideen’s of the world, they want this to happen. The govt.of India is rather thinking in a much matured way not seen by many countries. Shashi Tharoor gives other alternatives. What is Pakistan’s strength, do they have any? Stop economic supplies and ties and they’ll kneel down. Put international pressure from all ends…they are wound to take positive actions….which is what is happening…China for a change, understands the fact..hope she does put more pressure on their good friend.

K. Subramaniyaam says it right…it is a divert act being followed by Pakistan. They basically want to create pores in the Afghan belt so that their jehadi friends have easy assess into Pakistan…under the pretext of security concerns over the Indian side. “Wake up, Washinton”!! Subramaniyam says.

Omar Abdullah!! The next CM…a successful election in J&K. A nice story to hear from the northern tip in a long time. Personally, I like both the father and son duo..followed them couple of times in TV, pretty good orators..made sense when they spoke. But again, I got a trigger for myself; I need to know more about J&K, very limited knowledge.

Today’s biggest news in Bangalore!! A student flees traffic police, trespasses the army area…guards shot him down assuming him a terrorist. Such are the times, am sure the guard was in no mood to kill, but circumstances must have led to take action again an unarmed. So, difficult to say why these things happen…

The big question is…where is the positivity I started off with?? I dont see any such thing. This is the world we are in, we have to live with it!!

Walking down the memory lanes- Sainik School Goalpara

Its 4.30 in the morning. I got a Denzil Washington series today but managed to finish just one of them today. Then got into Youtube as usual. Went on to watch a video created by school alumni. Huh!! a three minute video ( it's a mere collection of photos with some serene background music) was nothing short of memory tabs, within fraction of secs, i went back to my school life. Like a trip on a time-machine, i went thru all the events that took place suring my SSG days, pictures right infront of me on a 70mm screen.

SAINIK SCHOOL GOALPARA...

Its been a wonderful journey during my stint in SSG. HOw it all started...a written cum personal interview during my 6th standard. Personal interview along with parents was quite unheard of then. Sitting opposite to me was a Lt.Col taking my interview, literally screwing me up in front of my parents. I came out shattered but my confident dad showed confidence over what had happened in the closed room. Well, he teaches student's psychology, I could not question his blind faith in me!!

After my call letter came in, another letter followed in with all the pre-requisites...preparation nothing short of a to-be-bride shopping. Four pairs of shoes, same no.of socks, hold-all, mattress, 4 half and full shirts, briefs, undies etc. I could neither understand the reasoning behind those numbers nor did i tried to find out. For i was the happiest to see so much shopping being done for. The day came and my parents saw me off the hostel. The emotions were very much similar to TZP (not that i was dyslexic) when my parents left me in the early summer morning after a day's stay. Couple of days went by to acclimatize with the culture and learing survival instincts with kids from all blocks. The next i remember was of the crew cut that i got, got into a new high...felt like yes! i belonged to this place. First year in hostel, most of it passed by listening tosuicide stories in the hostel, spirit-calls, lot of sports, PT, no studies...managed to get the mere average marks.

CLASS SEVEN- Gained further more confidence in terms of people touch. I had this Bhutanese guy, Dorjee, who used to steal my Horlicks...but man, he was an amazing basketball player...could the Bhutan govt.promote anything apart from Basketball...Some of my Shillong friends, rather flunked friends, used to whistle around in that 'Winds of change' theme, typical of them...exchanging casettes and walkies under the bed in the midnight...Ahha!! my favourite part....Recitation competition...i enrolled myself for junior level recitation comp.,as usual, the winner was already announced even before the idea of comp. took off. My hostel warden, Mr.Phukan, adviced me to go on for some training on recitation at my English teacher's quarter after school. This was a golden opportunity, not many got it. Tell you what, my teacher was a divorcee, many of the students actually had crushes on her...i did not say 'am an exception either. I used to visit her, come back hostel...the kids rounding me up, just to hear my creative self drawing imaginary situations that looked so interesting for the 12-13 year olds. Then came the D-Day...i had this bad memory, could not cram a 50-some liner poem. What i did was, once i reached the stage, went ahead into the dais before the start and kept the pages in there, that's the last resort i'd opt for in case i screw up the recitation...the comp.started, one down, two down, i was third...Man! cant tell you, my legs were shaky, oh god!! what am i supposed to do...i dont remember anything....took off the paper clips and started reading without looking anywhere else....somehow i closed, displayed a big thank you for bearing me out and sat across. RELIEF!! did not bother how it went...it was an achievement in itself...anyway, the results were known in advance, the Headmaster's daughter, my classmate...was always deservingly the best..cant contest her...even others were better...the chief judge came by and declared the results...1st.Esha (huh! as expected), 2nd Prabal...(huh!! wait..did i hear it right)...it was me...could not believe it...looked at the judges..were they doped?

Eighth standard- Tough year this was...the kids were being tranferred to the senior hostel. The seniors were not the usual 10 or 10+ students...they had undergone the rigorous trainings for years now...their physical attributes said it all, looked very fearsome, each one of them. We had all heard about the ragging days, the INTRO sessions and the year of slavery that would follow. Huh!! where do i start from...you hear 'Room-5', someone among the kids would run for the service!! what did not i do...polished the shoes, metals etc. of seniors, their NCC belts...i was the favored choice for all the 40+ senior students during their practicals...for my duel skill of drawing and decent handwriting became my killing habit...numerous sleepless nights followed during the yearends. I did enjoy breaks from different schedules because of that as well, would enjoy a treat from their account in the school cafeterias.

TO BE CONTINUED...............

Marriage is a bliss

I'm just back from a close friend's place. He's married and has a beautiful wife (he holds his head high and walks only for this one reason). We spent some time together. As usual we discussed office, life in general and came back after some snacks and power LASSIs (you cant escape lassi from a punjabi household, can you?).
There are few things that kept tickling in my mind which is why i sat down to note everything down. My friend, who's also a colleague of mine, utters his better half's name 5-10 times daily. Not that i hate it, but i was wondering what makes him do so. He'll start his day in office, exchange couple of mails with her in the mean time with her (both of them are working in different offices), shall call her up to check if she had lunch, scold her for skipping it; call her again during tea (a quick cho-chi-cho there), call her again in the evening to check if she's back home. Dont go my the numbers, i was not wrong...in the meantime, he'll ensure he utters something which makes it all the more interesting to note that she is his world. 'Am sure BHABI also reciprocates in the same way. (What? you've not seen the other side of marraige!!) I dont need to, 'cause the glitters in their eyes bears testimony to their happy marriage (touchwood!!). However, my point is something else!! Well!! not that i'm playing nepotism out here being baised to my friend...but i observed some positive things from their marraige and you know what!! i always have this habit of copying best practices shamelessly (i work with GE and its an ol' tagline :-)) from my surroundings.
I have seen couple of marraiges (wont say much, because i also fall under the bracket of 'getting married soon', too many would take me further down), people who are otherwise in relationships, i was in one too !! There's something contrastingly different between the above mentioned and my friend's marraige. Alright!! lets name them, repeating 'my friend' gives a feeling of favouritism. They are (Mr King & Mrs King, wow!! Sing is king, mind you!!) I saw people who have been married for couple of years old, they are good in their own ways...but somewhere they are lost within the challenges in life. The holy words (ILU) sounds GREEK to them now, when they have actually spent lacs in their marriage. If someone tries it by mistake, the other would question you for not having said that for ages!! why?? Relationships were never closer anyways...I saw friends, i saw myself...but i did not find that certain energy and commitment..it was never there.
Now, what is it? It is this 'never ending' effort that Mr King makes, which is exceptional. He does it because he also gets it from the other end (BHABI). Boys!! Couple of take-aways here. HE speaks and expresses himself time and again...let's do this, use THEY from now on...a success happens because of their team work, so 'they' would be more apt. Sometimes, you make efforts in life, and it goes unnoticed, but THEY would do things which would only bolster their commitment. I could see Mr King being dumb at times, but again he makes effort and in a very innocent way and very true to him. I mean we are what we are but again, the effort is what makes a difference among us. They also have problems in their world but they are still young. They also have commitments apart from the two-some, but they are going hand in hand. They also want to start a family but they are also living the awesome-twosome life for now!! They too earn decently, but understand the meaning of extravagance. They go to Kulu-Manali, Goa but have not forgotten Bhatinda or Gurdaspur either. They want their kids to grow up as 'Global kids' but also want to show the doors of the Guruduara. I heard most of 'husband-wife' rituals from Mr King . They remain on fast for each other for their long life and well being (and yes!! i dont see them cheating on the fasting aspect).
How the hell did they reach here? Ain't they just an year and half old? We know marriage is only an institution, we grow and learn as we live by, isn't it!! Going back to the basics, we learn things faster only when we practice good things faster, is n't it?? If i ask Mr.King how did you get here, how could you do this? I suppose this is your only marraige??..blah..blah!! and he would be lying if he says he knew it all. It is a culmination of efforts that both of them brought in together; which led to a day when they understand each other so well. Having said that, they have not stopped here, they are on the run!! to please each other, make each other happy!!
For they know that its going to be a lifetime journey!! and they are building a strong foundation, laying bricks everyday (efforts) and one day for sure...Mr.and Mrs King, with their greys hairs, will look into each other and say- "This has been an incredible journey with you". And i bet my money on this, Mr King would go all out, bend his knees, will ask her all over again and say that- "I would love to be in this journey over and over again, would you like to be part of it".
This is conjugal bliss, my friends!!