Loveless Lives

Last evening, the three friends met again. This has been a regular habit of theirs since they graduated. Earlier it used to be strict Sunday evening meets. But now Sunday’s are defined in a different way. It is a special day saved for family and girlfriends.

What was so special about last evening? Well one of them has mistakenly fallen in love and is expecting a marriage any moment. The other one is still looking hard for a prospective bride after having browsed and grilled fifty odd wife materials. The third one always makes it a point to keep the attention nailed on him. How does he manage to do so? In his mind are stacked stories of all genres. His tireless conversations on love, life, profession, marriage, identity crisis, sex and humour helps him grab the limelight. But, what was so special about last evening?

Last evening was a blend of confusion and chaos. One of the friends who is expecting marriage any moment failed to display even an inch of excitement. The third one who happens to be the storyteller questioned his intentions and inquired about the lack of excitement. The truth was to be told or else the confusion would have persisted. The conversations between the three were a rerun of episodes, which had taken place in their life and had led to heartbreaks. It is difficult for a person who has never been in love to fall in love. Now that one of them has got him bit by the love bug, it is difficult for him to withstand the sting. His love is not unconditional but prone to conditions. His girlfriend has laid a series of conditions and he has to either accept them or reject them. To begin with their families would soon be at loggerheads over the issue of caste. If the guy belongs to a specific caste, the gal belongs to some other caste. Whose caste is superior and whose isn’t is still not clear? And they both have decided that both the sides have to be amicably convinced for their conjugal union. Even if a single member differs the conjugal union would be put on hold.

The wife browser inquired about the motive of such a decision with the guy in love. He began spilling the beans. Love is not that easy. Its tough, especially when you belong to a family where love marriages are a complete no no. He is not against anybody but he is upset with the familial pattern of marriages. He is complaining against the practise of being questioned about decisions made as an adult. His rebellion is against the thinking of his father who chooses to discuss matters with relatives rather than discuss with him. So is it a threat to his love story, which has just begun? Or the beginning of a change in a titanic sized close-knit family. All said and done, the guy in love looked upon his other two friends for a solution. The storyteller inspired him to speak up while the wife browser motivated him to face his father. The guy in love says he is ready to go against the wishes of millions but is still confused about the after effects. In the trio, the storyteller is somebody who is experienced as well as inexperienced. His life is amalgamated with marriage, love, liking, hatred, jealousy, ego and an entire gamut of unexplainable problems. Though he has never succeeded in love he has not given up the hope to do it again and again. The wife browser is till expecting his Mrs. Right to walk into his life. The guy in love is expecting a quick solution to his problem. And the storyteller is still looking for one big thing. The only problem with the three is they are saturated in work. They have no time for love but still looking for it. Even though they make fun of each other, what they need is love. The problem faced by the guy in love is just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots to happen now, tomorrow or in the unpredictable future.

COMING SOON IN YOUR CARD HOLDER

My New Card

Finally my creative instincts have come alive after a long time.

The last time, I had my visiting card done was in the year 2000.

This year, with an intention to bring in more creativity, I have

myself designed this card in my office.

Thanks to millions of inspirations.

COLOUR OF MONEY

Money is addictive. Money is decisive and money is dangerous. I am not saying it out of nowhere. My personal experience with money handling, made me learn a lesson. I learnt that money disregarding the value should never be taken for granted. I would not even have written about this incident, had I not been personally involved with the incident. It happened and I lived to tell the tale.

On Sunday March 19, 2006 I visited one shop in the suburbs to purchase a ceiling fan and a pair of exhaust fans. The total amount was declared to be Rs. 3350 by the shop owner. I ended up calculating Rs. 2350 disregarding what he was saying. Still, I ended up paying Rs. 3350. Late evening, when I sat down to tally the entire days expenditure, did I realise that I was running short of an exact Rs. 1000 from my transactions. From the time, the renovation work at my home begun, my friends and others advised me to keep an eagle’s eye on my cash transactions. This is the first time I was left miffed. Quite unluckily the bills of the exhaust fans were missing which were not handed over by the dealer. The next day being a Monday, the shop remained closed and I was not able to discuss the issue.

Then arrived Tuesday March 21, 2006. From morning I was thinking deep. Also feeling a little let down by the fact that my Mom’s hard earned money was at stake. It was not the question of Rs. 1000. It was the question of being careless or say hassled in a situation less acquainted with. When you are sandwiched between loads of expenditures, you feel the pinch of every penny spent day to day. After having reached my under renovation home and having cleaned all the unnecessary things, I was at the shop. I chose to directly speak to the dealer himself. I chose to maintain my calm. I didn’t intend to get into a blame game fearing that I may lose on my money following a heated debate. I started with reminding him of the episodes that followed one after the other on that fateful day of an erratic transaction.

I explained to him the sequence:

I asked for a 56 inch ceiling fan and then I asked him to show me a pair of mini exhaust fans.

Ceiling fan was priced at Rs. 1250 while the pair of exhaust fans rounded up to around Rs. 1100 (Rs. 550 each).

I asked for a calculator but the dealer himself couldn’t provide me with one.

I calculated the amount on the calculator in my mobile phone.

Though I calculated the grand total to be Rs. 2350, he made me pay Rs. 3350.

While he was preparing the bill there was another person keeping him busy in his conversations.

Luckily the last sequence reminded him of having struck a conversation with his astrologer who it seems comes visiting his shop, every Sunday.

Being a staunch Sindhi entrepreneur, I should have not taken the chance of demanding my money back. But, I knew I stood by what had happened. He shook his head in disgrace. Also apologised and within seconds returned me my Rs. 1000 in cash.

Though the entire incident involved 30 minutes of rigorous conversation without a break, I ended up on a positive note. He said that he liked the confidence with which I spoke about my loss of having paid up Rs. 1000 extra.

Yes! I was confident. Because, I knew, I was not wrong.

The only good thing about this entire incident was, it reinstated my faith in God and the power to think positive. Besides being a major booster of confidence, the incident made me learn a lesson. And that lesson is “Think Positive because Nothing is Impossible”.

INDIAN CINEMA – COMING OF AGE

Indian films have changed in a big way. Though, the credit goes to Dil Chahta Hai, which was a sort of a pioneer in changing the viewers’ perception of Indian cinema. Now, Indian movies are travelling abroad for not being viewed by NRIs settled there but foreigners too are getting addicted to the magic of Indian cinema. Lagaan broke all boundaries by getting nominated in the best foreign film category for Oscars. Next, to map the chart were Devdas and of course the very recent, Paheli.

Going back to Dil Chahta Hai, the film revolved around three guys with super cool attitudes. But, everything changes overnight. The twist was just not so obvious. It taught the youngsters to respect relationships. Secondly, thoughts changed, pub culture barged into our lives and relationships flourished. These relationships were mostly between elderly women and young guys. Some just got involved for fun and some seriously got married. If Dil Chahta Hai dealt with three guys coming to terms with their own lives, Yuva was a breakthrough in the politicisation of youth. It had an attitude of its own. Three guys, who had never met, come together face-to-face following a single incident. Abhishek was terrific, Ajay was kick ass and Vivek tried his best to regain his days of Company. The message it carried was terrific. It conveyed that only a government managed by youth could bring a sea change in India’s political system. Then arrived Swades. It showed how India is still divided with the barricades of caste, creed and sex. Only a scientist like Mohan Bhargava had the courage to change it all. Not because he was well read. But, he loved his country and wanted his country to match steps with the entire world.

I am very much fond of movies, but movies with a message work so well. I was very apprehensive about Rang De Basanti because Mangal Pandey despite being a well-made movie bombed at the box office. I was shocked to see the Aamir charisma fizzle out. Only this time, not only Aamir but also the entire team of Rang De Basanti left me mesmerised. At the end of the movie, I was spellbound. It was amazing to see the story of Bhagat Singh’s life being connected to today’s generation. If this is Generation Next then bravo! At least the director was honest to put forward a message, which is the most talked about today. Footloose youth, careless youth and cultureless youth are the tags to define the Indian youth. We are getting addicted to the western culture but we are only imbibing the bad qualities. The most important thing about western culture is time management and perfection. But in India there is neither time management nor perfection. We think, we say but we always fail to act. I am also a part of this entire matrix. I too sometimes stay idle without any work. In my spare time, I can utilise my skills and create what I love to. Being an Indian, I too seek pleasure in doing nothing.

My only concern is this revolution in Indian Cinema should not get suppressed. There are disturbing elements to pull the brakes on such real cinema. If Rang De Basanti is the beginning after Hazaron Khwaishein Aisein, then, Indian viewers should also learn to appreciate movies with a hard-hitting message. Perhaps, Mallika Sherawat should take note of such movies and improve herself. Don’t we know Tabu is respected for her author-backed roles like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Konkana Sen Sharma and Chitrangada Singh?

Wake up viewers, to witness the revolution in Indian Cinema. This is new age cinema.

OH MURUD

Ok Friends! Now I am finally bidding goodbye to my Murud memories and will be back with some other things. Bi

MEMORIES THAT NEVER FADE

MURUD STILL IN MY MIND

Can't just get Murud-Janjira out of our minds.

The memories are still so lime fresh.

“Yuhi Chala Chal”

Rajesh’s sister Amruta joined us to our

journey to the fort of Murud-Janjira.

These photos were clicked a little while we were

about to board a special boat which took us to the fort.

BREATHLESS

“Last Woo-man Sitting”

The only human being to make it to the top at the first place. Sybil proved that excessive smiling can take you places. She wronged the proverb ‘Slow and Steady wins the race’. Right from the beginning, she was fast, leaving us behind and geared up to strike a pose. She knew no one could ever make it to that place without her kind of pace.

“Take A Break”

We were desperate to take a break. While this photo was being shot, Kirti’s hubby dear Rajesh chose to pose in a different way. Seen here are Harshada, Trupti, Bindu, Baiju and Kirti. But, try to concentrate and you will spot Sybil. Just concentrate and you will realise, she exists in that small rounded portion.

BE COOL STAY COOL

“Kya Kool Hoon Mai” Says Purnesh – The Shooter. Don’t go by the shooters looks. This might be the only moment, he is posing without his Nikon coolpix pouch around his neck. He is smiling but, every team member knows the way he was running out of breath. He just poses to be cool, but no, he is not. He was thirsty and his super cool attitude was nowhere to be seen. The bubble had to burst!

“Hum Saath Saath Hain”

We set out as a team and continued as a team. Climbing the staircase was like hiking to the peak of Mount Everest and screaming at the edge of our voice, “Yes! We have unfurled our flag of success.” But no, still there was much to be covered. The higher altitude was draining out the oxygen from our lungs. Still, we tried to abstain ourselves from consuming excessive water. We were not at all running short of water. Rajesh surprised us by saying that the people dwelling at this place carry gallons of water on their heads during moments of extreme water shortage, without any break. And there we were in extreme need of an oxygen cylinder. Thankfully no one fainted or lost their balance.

“Din bhar ki tandurusti, ye hai YEN team ka vaada”

DO RAHI

“Kuch kadam tum chalo, kuch kadam hum chale”, Bindu seems to be saying to Baiju on the staircase leading to Datta Mandir, our first destination of the escapade situated on hilltop. There are in all 325 stairs leading to the temple. Enough to leave you tired and thirsty. But, when you set out as a team, nothing worries us. Right!

GLIMPSES

Ruf ‘n’ Tuf. Iss ST Bus ka jawab nahi. This one has got no competitors. We simply enjoyed travelling by this bus. The driver was an expert and the conductor was unexpectedly very hospitable.

THE STAR CAST

Photo No 1: Bindu & Baiju, The Smile Boosters

Photo No 2: Trupti, Harshada, Kirti 3’s Company

Photo No 3: Kirti & Rajesh, The Creators of Murud-Janjira Escapade

Photo No 4: Purnesh, The Shooter

Photo No 5: Sybil & Kirti’s Mom, Miss Smiley and her Humsafar

PRELUDE TO OUR ESCAPE TO MURUD-JANJIRA

On December 7, 2005 we sent out a bright mailer to our clients declaring very ruthlessly about how, we had laid out the plan to escape to MURUD-JANJIRA. The entire credit goes to Kirti and her husband Rajesh, who came up with the idea to visit their hometown. The mailer ignited the excitement within us. Within seconds, we banged our heads on the dining table of our office. Thanks to our bosses Lata and Sunil for being considerate towards our weird behaviour. We discussed everything right from what to carry, do's and don’ts. Being avid lovers of junk food, we couldn’t abstain ourselves from overloading our bags with the same. There were biscuits and farsan and what not. But, hot idlis prepared by Bindu stole the show. This doesn’t mean there was nothing else to eat up to. But, yes the idlis set our tongues rolling. We deliberately tried to ignore consumption of heavy stuff because travelling by a ST Bus is no less than a scene straight out of Sholay wherein Basanti is chased by Gabbar’s loyalists. We mean that. Our picnic was typically organised to have fun, not just fun but loads of fun. There was no place was seriousness or being left aloof. We boarded the Murud bound bus from Thane Depot at around 7.20 am. Surprisingly we were all on time. The females deserve an award for the same. Don’t be surprised! All are aware that females need to put on heaps of makeup on their faces to put an impression on the weaker sex (read, male). Makeup was not at all evident and everyone looked fresh. Drowsiness lay behind and we all set our feet on the bus. The seats were reserved so we did not have to worry about first trying to push our bags into the bus before settling which is a regular scene normally at all the ST Bus Depot’s all over Maharashtra and probably all over India. At 7.30 am, the driver pulled the first gear and the bus drove out of the depot. There was no filthy smell. Externally the bus looked as dirty as a half bathed lunatic but, internally it was well dressed like a groom leaving the home to marry his sweetheart. It took us five hours to reach Murud. But, not for a single minute the journey seemed to be tiresome. How can it be tiresome? We were a complete platoon of ten. Instead of gun, we were loaded with smiles and one of the soldiers carried a digital camera (Nikon coolpix 4600) round his neck. This was not his, he himself had borrowed it from his friend by assuring him sleepless days and nights. It was a brand new palm sized camera completely unused and about to lose innocence. This guy just exploited the camera in capturing the scenic beauty of Murud-Janjira. Going back to the journey, it was super pleasant with short stops at Panvel, Alibaug and an unknown village. On our way, we came face to face with Ispat plants. Now don’t ask us which Ispat belonged to whom. Some argued one of them belonged to the Mittal group while some agreed to have known that the Birla’s owned them. Forgive us, if we are politically incorrect. Schoolchildren, college goers, fisher women, tribal women, almost everyone was a part of our journey. Remember Bombay to Goa, well we created our own script with Thane to Murud (fun intended). At 12.30 pm, the driver put his foot on the breaks to bring the bus to stand still. The conductor announced, “Chala Chala Murud wale utrun ghya” (“Murud bound please alight”). After alighting from the bus, we reached our host Kirti’s home. A hearty lunch comprising Pav-Bhaji and Methi Theplas were served hot. After gulping the same, we retired for a short Afternoon nap. There was no electricity but who cares about it now-a-days, when the whole of Maharashtra stays unaffected. Post, napping session, we set out to explore Murud. Beautiful bungalows and aesthetic courtyards of coconut and beetle nut palms arrested our minds. It would be unfair not to mention about the fresh coconuts downloaded from the coconut palms and the consumption of unlimited sweet coconut waters. Not just this much, there is much more to be said about Murud-Janjira. We want you to travel with us, while you browse through the pages of this album or say a coffee table presentation. Before you go ahead an introduction of the voyagers is a must. The next slide, would bring you face to face with the entire cast of the escapade. Enjoy….! And Enjoy and Enjoy…!