Last evening was a new chapter in self introspection. I have had such bouts of introspections earlier. But,
I have never written about it. After listening to the whole incidence some of you may write it off as a trivial issue that I am getting little extra sentimental about. Nevertheless, sentimental or not sentimental, I am writing about it.
I had wrapped up my day very early yesterday. Well, very early for me but normal time for those punctual office leavers. I had finished my work and was feeling pretty exhausted mentally. Just then one of my colleagues walked up to my table and asked me if I was leaving. Initially, I was a little hesitant or rather a little uncomfortable to leave this early. But then, in a spur I shut my computer and walked out. It really felt refreshing to walk out of the office this early. As we climbed the station the train to CST had reached the station. I decided to take the other train that starts from Vashi, so my colleague wished me bye and dashed to catch the train.
I was thinking If I should get down at Chembur and catch up with a friend. Or maybe get down at Tilak Nagar (TN) and just walk home enjoying the evening. While I was working out these plans I realized the train had left Chembur station. I thought I should get down at Tilak Nagar and walk my way home. But this time the train reached TN station, but I was feeling a little lazy so I decided to alight at Kurla. The train was a little crowded, but I got to alight comfortably. I was moving with the crowd when I realized that the crowd was suddenly parting into two. As I reached near that spot I saw a old lady lying on the platform and looking helplessly at the people passing by. She was looking up and murmuring something that wasn’t louder than a whisper. Her expressions showed she needed physical assistance. Everybody was passing her as if she did not exist: I can still feel that unbearable squeeze in my heart when I recollect that scene. I wanted to help her. Something within me was screaming GO HELP HER. I don’t know why but I disobeyed that voice within and walked away with a stony feel along with the wave of the crowd. I desperately wanted to help her, but
I could not figure out what was stopping me. I was feeling like somebody has placed a stone on my heart and I was making no efforts to relieve myself off the burden even though I could and badly wanted to.
While I was battling these tumultuous emotions and by the time I could come up with a concrete decision
I already reached the top of the over bridge. Just then, another train arrived and then there was a deluge of heartless passengers aimlessly dispersed all over the station and on the over bridge. I just kept walking ahead frustrated that I did not reach out to help that needy old woman. What disturbed me the most was despite having the urge to reach out and help that needy old woman I lacked the courage to convert my thoughts into action. I reached home but I could not get over the incidence the whole evening and I kept asking myself ….Can I really call myself a good human being?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Meri Christmas
26th December 2007
That’s not a blaring spelling error, but a common phrase used by Hindi speaking people in this part of the globe (India, Mumbai) while wishing their near and dear ones Merry Christmas. If you are still wondering what the word ‘Meri’ means. It means ‘Mine’ in Hindi.
This probably explains why Christmas has grown to become popular among the non-catholic communities in this part of the globe, India. Christmas is celebrated throughout India with same zest and zeal with which it is celebrated in the other parts of the world having Christian majority. Christmas touches the young and old together. There is a mood of brotherhood and revelry throughout.
Till some days back, there was no sign of Christmas and festivities in Mumbai. In fact, I remember I had written to a friend in the US stating that there is not much celebration for Christmas this year. But, by the weekend the entire city of Mumbai transformed into a celebratory mode. Shops were lit with Christmas trees. The newsprints were flooded with offers. The malls donned a brilliant stunning look. Center One, a fast growing mall in Vashi erected a huge Chritsmas of around 20 feet and decorated its entire premises with jazzy lights and stars that gave a very special feel to the entire ambience. There were Santas everywhere and school children were walking out wearing Red hats. The whole atmosphere was magical.
“There is a feeling of peace and tranquility. No loud noises; just melodious carols ringing in the ears. This is what makes this festival truly different,” comments an elderly lady walking out of the mid night mass. “What we like the best is that we receive plenty of gifts, and Santa Claus,” adds Stephen, her grandson. When asked how they are going to celebrate Christmas, Mrs D’souza answers with excitement, “My elder son, daughter-in-law and grand child have come down after years. Besides, them I have few relatives and close friends coming in. We will have a quite get-together and intend to spend the day together.” “The celebrations are not just restricted to Christians and Catholics. Not all people attending the Midnight Mass are Christians. Many people attend these masses because they enjoy it,” answers Sandeep, an enthusiastic teenager when asked why he attends the mass. “In fact, today you find many non Christian homes having a Christmas tree, balconies lit up with star of Bethlehem, and offering charities,” he further adds.
India is a cauldron of different religions and ethnic groups like Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddists and Jews. Further there are Goan Christians, Mangalorean Christians, East Indians or Keralite Christians. Everyone wants to add a dash of their culture and traditions to the celebrations. This gives this festival a very multifarious feel, yet making it one’s very own.
There is one community of Bengali Catholics in Mumbai who have migrated some 25 to 30 years back. Today there are 4,500 or more such Catholics living throughout India along with Assamesse and Manipuri Catholics. A few families reside in Kalina, Santacruz in Mumbai. These families have added a distinct local flavour to the Christmas celebrations. They use their local Kokata jaggery in the preparation of sweets which gives it a distinct flavour. They distribute these sweets among their neighbours during Christmas and it has become an integral part of the celebrations. In fact, their neighbours eagerly wait for Christmas to dig into these sweets. The Kolkata jaggery used is much tastier than the local jaggery and has slowly begun to be used in sweets prepared by others too.
Social messages have become an integral part of the Christmas celebrations. Around 1000 Catholic families in Vasai held an unique community exhibition to celebrate Christmas. They have created a Rs 50,000 al-fresco crib on a local pond to draw attention of the youths towards concerning issues like: AIDS, old age neglect, young widows, abortion & alcoholism. Another group of young Jain men, dressed as Santa Claus’s, dropped into the Home of Aged in Andheri and spent time with people in the old age home. One of the popular malls towards the town erected a huge stocking where people can deposit gifts. These will later be distributed among various underprivileged children.
In fact, the revelries are not restricted to the rich only. Christmas also brings in loads of smiles on the faces of street children. Celebrities too have been in the forefront in spreading joy among the underprivileged. Many Bollywood stars spent considerable time among children from the orphanages and basked in the warmth of their smiles. A great number of social institutions organized Christmas parties in orphanages for underprivileged children, distributed gifts and spent time with them, making this festival special for them.
Christmas also brings a wave of joy among street urchins selling flowers and other miscellaneous goodies at the signals and near railway stations. Car owners who generally raised their car glasses to keep away these children at the signals, for once, lowered their car glasses to buy Santa caps and masks. “We generally made paltry sum selling flowers everyday. But, during Christmas our business is flourishing. We sold 50 masks in just two days. My parents are overjoyed and there is a happy feeling back home,” exclaims a young girl selling masks and caps at the signal.
The other trend that has emerged this Christmas is Ms Santa Claus or Santarina. Young girls dressed as Santa Claus entertain children in 5 star hotels and malls. Many young women entrepreneurs are exploring this opportunity. The entire Santa get-up is conducive to keeping the identity of the person playing Santa Claus a complete secret. What initially began as teachers donning Santa’s costume to distribute gifts and sweets to school children has taken shape of a full-fledged profession. “We can handle children better. They generally do not shy away from us,” comments one of the women entrepreneurs playing Santa in a five star hotel. “Children too are more comfortable when they find a slender looking Santa before them,” adds another woman jokingly.
Even though the government has imposed many rules like no drinking and driving, it has not hampered the spirit of the festivities. Christmas successfully evokes the feeling of brotherhood and joy among the young and old; rich and poor. It is the feeling of doing something good to someone that helps it connect with the hearts of the people from diverse culture and ethnics. Everyone wants to add a shade of their culture and give Christmas their distinct feel. Despite blending with such myriads thoughts, traditions and feelings, what remains untouched is the core feeling of spreading joy and harmony. Perhaps this is the strongest reason why Christmas has become everyone’s while making everyone its very own. Christmas in the true sense of the word has become “Meri” for the entire world.
That’s not a blaring spelling error, but a common phrase used by Hindi speaking people in this part of the globe (India, Mumbai) while wishing their near and dear ones Merry Christmas. If you are still wondering what the word ‘Meri’ means. It means ‘Mine’ in Hindi.
This probably explains why Christmas has grown to become popular among the non-catholic communities in this part of the globe, India. Christmas is celebrated throughout India with same zest and zeal with which it is celebrated in the other parts of the world having Christian majority. Christmas touches the young and old together. There is a mood of brotherhood and revelry throughout.
Till some days back, there was no sign of Christmas and festivities in Mumbai. In fact, I remember I had written to a friend in the US stating that there is not much celebration for Christmas this year. But, by the weekend the entire city of Mumbai transformed into a celebratory mode. Shops were lit with Christmas trees. The newsprints were flooded with offers. The malls donned a brilliant stunning look. Center One, a fast growing mall in Vashi erected a huge Chritsmas of around 20 feet and decorated its entire premises with jazzy lights and stars that gave a very special feel to the entire ambience. There were Santas everywhere and school children were walking out wearing Red hats. The whole atmosphere was magical.
“There is a feeling of peace and tranquility. No loud noises; just melodious carols ringing in the ears. This is what makes this festival truly different,” comments an elderly lady walking out of the mid night mass. “What we like the best is that we receive plenty of gifts, and Santa Claus,” adds Stephen, her grandson. When asked how they are going to celebrate Christmas, Mrs D’souza answers with excitement, “My elder son, daughter-in-law and grand child have come down after years. Besides, them I have few relatives and close friends coming in. We will have a quite get-together and intend to spend the day together.” “The celebrations are not just restricted to Christians and Catholics. Not all people attending the Midnight Mass are Christians. Many people attend these masses because they enjoy it,” answers Sandeep, an enthusiastic teenager when asked why he attends the mass. “In fact, today you find many non Christian homes having a Christmas tree, balconies lit up with star of Bethlehem, and offering charities,” he further adds.
India is a cauldron of different religions and ethnic groups like Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddists and Jews. Further there are Goan Christians, Mangalorean Christians, East Indians or Keralite Christians. Everyone wants to add a dash of their culture and traditions to the celebrations. This gives this festival a very multifarious feel, yet making it one’s very own.
There is one community of Bengali Catholics in Mumbai who have migrated some 25 to 30 years back. Today there are 4,500 or more such Catholics living throughout India along with Assamesse and Manipuri Catholics. A few families reside in Kalina, Santacruz in Mumbai. These families have added a distinct local flavour to the Christmas celebrations. They use their local Kokata jaggery in the preparation of sweets which gives it a distinct flavour. They distribute these sweets among their neighbours during Christmas and it has become an integral part of the celebrations. In fact, their neighbours eagerly wait for Christmas to dig into these sweets. The Kolkata jaggery used is much tastier than the local jaggery and has slowly begun to be used in sweets prepared by others too.
Social messages have become an integral part of the Christmas celebrations. Around 1000 Catholic families in Vasai held an unique community exhibition to celebrate Christmas. They have created a Rs 50,000 al-fresco crib on a local pond to draw attention of the youths towards concerning issues like: AIDS, old age neglect, young widows, abortion & alcoholism. Another group of young Jain men, dressed as Santa Claus’s, dropped into the Home of Aged in Andheri and spent time with people in the old age home. One of the popular malls towards the town erected a huge stocking where people can deposit gifts. These will later be distributed among various underprivileged children.
In fact, the revelries are not restricted to the rich only. Christmas also brings in loads of smiles on the faces of street children. Celebrities too have been in the forefront in spreading joy among the underprivileged. Many Bollywood stars spent considerable time among children from the orphanages and basked in the warmth of their smiles. A great number of social institutions organized Christmas parties in orphanages for underprivileged children, distributed gifts and spent time with them, making this festival special for them.
Christmas also brings a wave of joy among street urchins selling flowers and other miscellaneous goodies at the signals and near railway stations. Car owners who generally raised their car glasses to keep away these children at the signals, for once, lowered their car glasses to buy Santa caps and masks. “We generally made paltry sum selling flowers everyday. But, during Christmas our business is flourishing. We sold 50 masks in just two days. My parents are overjoyed and there is a happy feeling back home,” exclaims a young girl selling masks and caps at the signal.
The other trend that has emerged this Christmas is Ms Santa Claus or Santarina. Young girls dressed as Santa Claus entertain children in 5 star hotels and malls. Many young women entrepreneurs are exploring this opportunity. The entire Santa get-up is conducive to keeping the identity of the person playing Santa Claus a complete secret. What initially began as teachers donning Santa’s costume to distribute gifts and sweets to school children has taken shape of a full-fledged profession. “We can handle children better. They generally do not shy away from us,” comments one of the women entrepreneurs playing Santa in a five star hotel. “Children too are more comfortable when they find a slender looking Santa before them,” adds another woman jokingly.
Even though the government has imposed many rules like no drinking and driving, it has not hampered the spirit of the festivities. Christmas successfully evokes the feeling of brotherhood and joy among the young and old; rich and poor. It is the feeling of doing something good to someone that helps it connect with the hearts of the people from diverse culture and ethnics. Everyone wants to add a shade of their culture and give Christmas their distinct feel. Despite blending with such myriads thoughts, traditions and feelings, what remains untouched is the core feeling of spreading joy and harmony. Perhaps this is the strongest reason why Christmas has become everyone’s while making everyone its very own. Christmas in the true sense of the word has become “Meri” for the entire world.
This Thursday Morning…
15th November 2007
I had a very different experience this morning while traveling to office. Life, I must say, has its own unbelievable methods to teach you a valuable lesson.
I boarded the regular 9:36am Vashi local from Kurla. Since the train was a little crowded I decided to stand near the door. I noticed an elderly gentleman in a pretty irritated mood standing very close to the door. He was carrying a small bag. I assume it had some products. He was probably carrying them to sell them in his shop or maybe even door-to-door. He was prodding passengers away who came pretty close to him or his luggage.
As the train began to move out of the station, a UP-ite hopped onboard and stood at the door. We were already four people and therefore it was a little inconvenient to stand. He hung for a few seconds and then decided to move in. By this time the train had moved out of the station. Since the doorway was quite full, he had to squeeze his way in. As he began to move in, this old man grew restless and began resisting. Since there was very little space I tried to move in a little to make way for this guy. I had released my grip and was moving in. At this very moment, this old man began to push me out. Thankfully, I had not released my complete grip and immediately held on tightly. I completely lost my cool and turned to face the old man and uttered the “C” word and, in a rather high tone, scolded him for his act. The guy retaliated verbally by declining it. He then made excuses like, “ I was holding your hand,” and what nots. We argued for sometime on his wrong action. But, I always maintained my calm and addressed him with respect as he was old. He suddenly raised his voice and began to question me as to why I was abusing him. I told him that I was addressing him with respect and I apologized if he felt that I was abusing him; which I was not. Then, he started to raise his voice and advancing closer. He started to threaten me. He began to challenge me to alight at Chembur and then he would deal with me. I calmly told him that it was he who using the wrong words and that I haven’t uttered any profane words, nor was my tone derogatory. But he kept on threatening me. I could not take his provocation any longer and therefore asked him to alight. I told him it was completely fine with me. I was willing to go anywhere he wished to, including the police station. I told him to pick his belongings and get down as I would also be doing the same. I noticed that he was slightly taken aback. The train had just moved out to Tilak Nagar station by this time. I began to insist that he get down at Chembur and told him that I was prepared to alight. He suddenly went to the back foot. His tone mellowed down, but he still started questioning that why I abused him. I told him that I had apologized to him and he was the one who is at fault. But if he is still insistent, he should get down at Chembur. At this moment, he completely mellowed down and started speaking emotionally. He told me that he was my father’s age and I should not be behaving in this manner. I replied that I very well acknowledge this fact and therefore I am speaking to him with respect, and that he was the one who was being offensive. He reiterated that I had abused him, and then he uttered one sentence that froze me completely, “Why did you abuse me like my son.”
That sentence completely left me unprepared. I was not livid, but just a little irritated till moment, but after that sentence I do not what happened to me. I only felt sympathy for that old man despite the fact that he had nagged me to the core all this time. All the frustration just vanished without any trace. Just then, the train was nearing Chembur station. By this time his tone sounded like a weakling pleading for mercy. He politely requested me to make some way for him to alight and hold no grudge against him in my heart. I assured him that I had held no grudge and smiled at him. Just then the train came to halt. The old man alighted and walked away.
The train began to move again. I was still thinking about the old man. His sentence kept resurfacing in my mind. A thought crossed my mind that he must be having a son of approximately my age who must be treating him bad. Or maybe someone close to him of my age must be mistreating him. I felt a strong urge to get down at Chembur and have a small chat with him over a glass of cutting chai. I am sure that this gesture would have made his day. But, by this time the train gathered quite a good momentum and it was impossible to alight. I stood there and my conscience was condemning me. It kept reminding myself that time once lost is lost forever. I need to be more spontaneous in giving actions to my feelings.
We sometimes do not realize in the spur of the moment how much our words could hurt someone. We just say something and then its repercussions are so great that its effect become irrevocable. We are always consumed with what is happening to us or around us. We always fail to pause for moment to notice what is happening to people around us. We never make efforts to find out what the other person is undergoing or what could be the reason why a certain individual is behaving in such a manner.
If we did, I am sure, we would not have many dates to remember for our History test paper.
I had a very different experience this morning while traveling to office. Life, I must say, has its own unbelievable methods to teach you a valuable lesson.
I boarded the regular 9:36am Vashi local from Kurla. Since the train was a little crowded I decided to stand near the door. I noticed an elderly gentleman in a pretty irritated mood standing very close to the door. He was carrying a small bag. I assume it had some products. He was probably carrying them to sell them in his shop or maybe even door-to-door. He was prodding passengers away who came pretty close to him or his luggage.
As the train began to move out of the station, a UP-ite hopped onboard and stood at the door. We were already four people and therefore it was a little inconvenient to stand. He hung for a few seconds and then decided to move in. By this time the train had moved out of the station. Since the doorway was quite full, he had to squeeze his way in. As he began to move in, this old man grew restless and began resisting. Since there was very little space I tried to move in a little to make way for this guy. I had released my grip and was moving in. At this very moment, this old man began to push me out. Thankfully, I had not released my complete grip and immediately held on tightly. I completely lost my cool and turned to face the old man and uttered the “C” word and, in a rather high tone, scolded him for his act. The guy retaliated verbally by declining it. He then made excuses like, “ I was holding your hand,” and what nots. We argued for sometime on his wrong action. But, I always maintained my calm and addressed him with respect as he was old. He suddenly raised his voice and began to question me as to why I was abusing him. I told him that I was addressing him with respect and I apologized if he felt that I was abusing him; which I was not. Then, he started to raise his voice and advancing closer. He started to threaten me. He began to challenge me to alight at Chembur and then he would deal with me. I calmly told him that it was he who using the wrong words and that I haven’t uttered any profane words, nor was my tone derogatory. But he kept on threatening me. I could not take his provocation any longer and therefore asked him to alight. I told him it was completely fine with me. I was willing to go anywhere he wished to, including the police station. I told him to pick his belongings and get down as I would also be doing the same. I noticed that he was slightly taken aback. The train had just moved out to Tilak Nagar station by this time. I began to insist that he get down at Chembur and told him that I was prepared to alight. He suddenly went to the back foot. His tone mellowed down, but he still started questioning that why I abused him. I told him that I had apologized to him and he was the one who is at fault. But if he is still insistent, he should get down at Chembur. At this moment, he completely mellowed down and started speaking emotionally. He told me that he was my father’s age and I should not be behaving in this manner. I replied that I very well acknowledge this fact and therefore I am speaking to him with respect, and that he was the one who was being offensive. He reiterated that I had abused him, and then he uttered one sentence that froze me completely, “Why did you abuse me like my son.”
That sentence completely left me unprepared. I was not livid, but just a little irritated till moment, but after that sentence I do not what happened to me. I only felt sympathy for that old man despite the fact that he had nagged me to the core all this time. All the frustration just vanished without any trace. Just then, the train was nearing Chembur station. By this time his tone sounded like a weakling pleading for mercy. He politely requested me to make some way for him to alight and hold no grudge against him in my heart. I assured him that I had held no grudge and smiled at him. Just then the train came to halt. The old man alighted and walked away.
The train began to move again. I was still thinking about the old man. His sentence kept resurfacing in my mind. A thought crossed my mind that he must be having a son of approximately my age who must be treating him bad. Or maybe someone close to him of my age must be mistreating him. I felt a strong urge to get down at Chembur and have a small chat with him over a glass of cutting chai. I am sure that this gesture would have made his day. But, by this time the train gathered quite a good momentum and it was impossible to alight. I stood there and my conscience was condemning me. It kept reminding myself that time once lost is lost forever. I need to be more spontaneous in giving actions to my feelings.
We sometimes do not realize in the spur of the moment how much our words could hurt someone. We just say something and then its repercussions are so great that its effect become irrevocable. We are always consumed with what is happening to us or around us. We always fail to pause for moment to notice what is happening to people around us. We never make efforts to find out what the other person is undergoing or what could be the reason why a certain individual is behaving in such a manner.
If we did, I am sure, we would not have many dates to remember for our History test paper.
Mr & Mrs Porter
I see them every morning at the railway station while I am rushing to work. They have a small family: Mr Porter, his wife, small daughter and their latest baby. They occupy a bench opposite to the platform from where I board the train for work. They seem to have made that bench their permanent home. In fact, they have been living there for such a long time that they could easily use it as an address for any correspondence:
Mr & Mrs Porter
Bench on platform no 6,
Kurla,
Mumbai – 400024.
There is nothing special in them is what makes them all the more special. They lead a poverty stricken life, yet find time to smile.
Mr Porter, as the name suggests, earns his living by carrying fish mongers’ and vegetable vendors’ wares from the station to the market. I am sure an average college student in a day must be spending double of what Mr Porter must be earning in a day. But, still he had a family and was living happily.
People get intimidated by the mere thought of having a family. They feel that they don’t earn enough to support a family despite drawing a monthly salary which could easily surpass Mr Porters five years salary.
The other day, I saw Mrs Porter bathe the infant early in the morning. She washed that tiny infant with a bottle of cold water. No soap or any other form of agent to rid the child of dirt.
The whole incident left me thinking. The hygiene part undoubtedly left me shock stricken. But what was more of an eye opener was that one could have a family in such conditions as well. That family was living life in the minimal resources.
Mr & Mrs Porter
Bench on platform no 6,
Kurla,
Mumbai – 400024.
There is nothing special in them is what makes them all the more special. They lead a poverty stricken life, yet find time to smile.
Mr Porter, as the name suggests, earns his living by carrying fish mongers’ and vegetable vendors’ wares from the station to the market. I am sure an average college student in a day must be spending double of what Mr Porter must be earning in a day. But, still he had a family and was living happily.
People get intimidated by the mere thought of having a family. They feel that they don’t earn enough to support a family despite drawing a monthly salary which could easily surpass Mr Porters five years salary.
The other day, I saw Mrs Porter bathe the infant early in the morning. She washed that tiny infant with a bottle of cold water. No soap or any other form of agent to rid the child of dirt.
The whole incident left me thinking. The hygiene part undoubtedly left me shock stricken. But what was more of an eye opener was that one could have a family in such conditions as well. That family was living life in the minimal resources.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Fountain of Joy
I haven’t begun my work yet. I am feeling a little low. Perhaps, it’s one of those ‘Monday Blues.’ The exact reason; I do not know.
I read an article about the joys of writing with a fountain pen. It has forced me to use my fountain pen again. Not that I had discarded it in one of the dusty corners, but I did leave it idle on the desk for quite some time now.
I have always felt special about writing with a fountain pen. There is something in it that’s simply inexplicable. The sheer pleasure of the nib caressing the white sheet of paper feels exulting. As one of the eminent writers put it, “I love the sound of the nib making love to the paper.” The feel of the nib caressing the pristine white paper triggers a divine feeling and entices you to continue writing. This sheer pleasure secretes a hundred thoughts.
With the growing use of computers and laptops, the habit of writing with a pen has been completely lost. Perhaps, that’s why I cannot write for long with a pen. Secondly, I also feel ‘I cannot write’ without a computer. But, I am seriously thinking of getting back to writing with a pen. I plan to write at least a paragraph everyday with a fountain pen. I am sure, in some time, the sheer feel of the pen giving shape to thoughts on paper will overpower the handicap of luxury offered by technology.
I read an article about the joys of writing with a fountain pen. It has forced me to use my fountain pen again. Not that I had discarded it in one of the dusty corners, but I did leave it idle on the desk for quite some time now.
I have always felt special about writing with a fountain pen. There is something in it that’s simply inexplicable. The sheer pleasure of the nib caressing the white sheet of paper feels exulting. As one of the eminent writers put it, “I love the sound of the nib making love to the paper.” The feel of the nib caressing the pristine white paper triggers a divine feeling and entices you to continue writing. This sheer pleasure secretes a hundred thoughts.
With the growing use of computers and laptops, the habit of writing with a pen has been completely lost. Perhaps, that’s why I cannot write for long with a pen. Secondly, I also feel ‘I cannot write’ without a computer. But, I am seriously thinking of getting back to writing with a pen. I plan to write at least a paragraph everyday with a fountain pen. I am sure, in some time, the sheer feel of the pen giving shape to thoughts on paper will overpower the handicap of luxury offered by technology.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Visit to Matheran
There have been many things on my mind for quite some time. I wanted to write about them all, but somehow did not manage to write about any. Why? Please don't ask me. I do not know the answer myself. All I know is that...tomorow never really came.
I had been to Matheran yesterday. It was one of our unplanned execursions. I had never visited Matheran before. Honestly, the place did not meet my expectations 100%. I had a much lovely picture about that place in my mind. The scenic beauty was not at all special. Something that would give you a tranquil feel. There could be many reasons for feeling so. But, one reason which truimphs over all is -commercialization. The place seems to be infested with vendors and horse renters. The moment you step into the premises (i call it premises because you actually have to buy a ticket and enter the vicinities) they hound you with their offers. "Sir, do you want a horse. Just 300 rupees to see 5 points." Half your excitement is overwhelmed with a feeling of guilt for rejecting their services. I really feel bad for the horses. They are mechanically drawn up and down the hill, and throught the terrain aimlessly carrying some tourist in a frenzy mood. But, what was heart wrenching was the sight of-Human Rickshaws & women porters. Your heart goes out to those frail looking people enduring high levels of physical strain to pull the rickshaws with tourist and heavy luggages uphill, or carrying piles of heavy luggages on their head and walking up those testing trails.
Being a tourist destination the cost of food and beverages too were undoubtedly on the higher side. Everything had a price. Besides, people with their irresponsible behaviour have littered at some of the points and caused irrepairable damages to the scenic beauty of some of the locations.
The experience was undoubtedly worth the efforts and exhaustion. I got to see many new things I have never witnessed before. I patted a horse after ages. The last time i did so was in my childhood. Perhaps, the journey was too short to leave a mark. I sure plan to visit that place again, but when I really don't know.
(Ps: I know this piece reads very negative. I will share good things about Matheran and my visit in my next posting. Till then chow)
I had been to Matheran yesterday. It was one of our unplanned execursions. I had never visited Matheran before. Honestly, the place did not meet my expectations 100%. I had a much lovely picture about that place in my mind. The scenic beauty was not at all special. Something that would give you a tranquil feel. There could be many reasons for feeling so. But, one reason which truimphs over all is -commercialization. The place seems to be infested with vendors and horse renters. The moment you step into the premises (i call it premises because you actually have to buy a ticket and enter the vicinities) they hound you with their offers. "Sir, do you want a horse. Just 300 rupees to see 5 points." Half your excitement is overwhelmed with a feeling of guilt for rejecting their services. I really feel bad for the horses. They are mechanically drawn up and down the hill, and throught the terrain aimlessly carrying some tourist in a frenzy mood. But, what was heart wrenching was the sight of-Human Rickshaws & women porters. Your heart goes out to those frail looking people enduring high levels of physical strain to pull the rickshaws with tourist and heavy luggages uphill, or carrying piles of heavy luggages on their head and walking up those testing trails.
Being a tourist destination the cost of food and beverages too were undoubtedly on the higher side. Everything had a price. Besides, people with their irresponsible behaviour have littered at some of the points and caused irrepairable damages to the scenic beauty of some of the locations.
The experience was undoubtedly worth the efforts and exhaustion. I got to see many new things I have never witnessed before. I patted a horse after ages. The last time i did so was in my childhood. Perhaps, the journey was too short to leave a mark. I sure plan to visit that place again, but when I really don't know.
(Ps: I know this piece reads very negative. I will share good things about Matheran and my visit in my next posting. Till then chow)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Clueless and Restless
Last few days have been very hectic. I have wrenched myself dry, but just could not manage to extract a few extra drops of time to key-in some thing. I was also not keeping well. I desperately wanted to catch up with some extra time of sleep, and never managed to do it. The more I planned, the more there were last minutes assignments. The result- reaching home after midnight. It seems to me that God has forgotten to assign some leisure minutes in my life. I am always racing against time...and always loosing. Perhaps, I just need to sit and do some introspection (Ok. Ok. It sounds familiar. I must have said this umpteen times.) But, the truth is that I badly need some time alone. Everything in life seems disoriented at the moment. Nor am I writing something, nor do I find time to indulge in some other hobby activities. I am just running aimlessly. Nothing worthy actually happening in life. I come to office in the morning and return back. I feel I like a preprogrammed machine that does a task without questioning or understanding the reason. I need to do something worthwhile. Things need to change in life big time. When & How? I am clueless at the moment.
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