One of my American team members recently asked me “Amit, why did you need 15 days for your sister’s marriage? I mean it’s just a marriage”. I asked him back: “How many people get invited in a typical American wedding”. He replied: “Around 100”. I said: “ Well, we invite around 900 people”. Then I asked him one more question: “How much time it takes for a marriage to finish in America?”. He said: “3-4 hours”. I said: It takes more than 2 days in India”. Then he said: “OMG! Indians are unique”. I told him with pride and a smile: “Yes, we are”. What I didn’t tell him was: “It also happens once in a life time for us, so it’s more important”. Hehe.
I’m not appreciating my culture at the expense of some other culture. It’s just the way we Indians are. India is unique. Diverse but unique. Some western observers have written lengthy articles about Indian traditions and customs and how they change every 100 km. They have wondered over many Indian customs and the example which I gave is only one of those others. And there are so many things in our culture, which either we don’t know about or if we know, then we don’t understand their meaning. But I got an insight into many of them recently.
Marriages in India are one more way to celebrate life. A get together with your loved ones and what follows is to remember and cherish all life. It’s generally a two days affair in our culture and all the close relatives come before day 1.
Day 1. It starts with “Ganesh pooja” as it happens before any “Shubh-kaarya”. This is followed by “Devi pooja” where parents worship “Durga” to provide her blessings to the bride. Next function is called “Mandap” where a “Havana-Kund” is put in the centre and four pillars surround it to make it a sacred place. Basically, “Mandap” is the place where all the remaining ceremonies take place. Some “pooja” is done to make it fit for all the ceremonies. Then, there is a “Rasm” called “Cheegat” where maternal uncles gift clothes to the bride and her family amidst all the banter. And then the evening is that part for which all the cousins wait for. Its time for “Mahila Sangeet”. Though its name can be misleading, “Mahila Sangeet” actually means that whole extended family gets into the groove and perform on the stage. Day ends typically by 2 am.
Day 2. The day starts leisurely as there is no function or ceremony scheduled till afternoon. First half of the day sees more and more guests coming. In the afternoon, the “Haldi rasm” is done which is followed by “Satyanarayana Katha”. And then everyone gets into the mode of welcoming the groom’s family as they arrive by 5-6 PM. From this time to the time groom comes to the “Swagat Dwar” on a “Ghodi”, you find people looking for a shampoo/moisturizer/deo/tie/perfume et al. Finally when groom arrives at the “Swagat Dwar”, bride’s family welcomes him with bride’s sisters holding the “Kalash”. Then its time for “Jaimaala” exchange and photo sessions which last for 2-3 hours. I pity the couple who have to bow down to touch feet and then keep standing for that whole duration! In parallel goes on the sumptuous dinner! By the time clock ticks midnight, many of the guests either leave or go to sleep. But then start the real “Vivah” stuff which includes “Saat ferey” and “Kanyadaan”. Ah, also the time for cousin sisters of bride to rob the groom by stealing his own shoes! And in the morning, its “vidaai” time where brother of the bride takes her to the car in the most sentimental part of the whole wedding.
Maybe, I have skipped some of the ceremonies but in a nut-shell, this is what my whole family was waiting for from last 8 months. All the ceremonies have their own meaning and relevance. But personally for me, “kanyadaan” was the most sentimental where parents of the bride gives away the hand of the girl to the groom with bride’s brother as the witness or “Sakshi”. There only the groom promises to keep bride happy his whole life. That was really very emotional!
The Indian weddings, despite all their pros and cons, are the best one I would say. They really give an emotional experience of a lifetime. In all these years, I always believed that marriages should be a low key affair and should be over in at most a day. And my mom has kept warning me that “a-single-day” wedding custom will definitely not start from our family. She says that you need to understand the difference between a “show-off” and a proper wedding with all the ceremonies. But after my sister’s marriage, I have become more understanding of our culture and its importance in our lives. And there’s no prize for guessing who’s the happiest person with this new-found understanding of mine;)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Craziness!
2011 is going at a crazy pace. So many things are happening in such a short span of time. Yeah, we see many things happening in our lives but here I’m talking about things which belong to that coveted “To remember all life” category.
Once we had an IT top gun at IMT who lectured us on project management. He said: “Forget about all those management mantras of team work and other jargons. You may need the team support but there is only one person who is responsible for every thing: Project Manager.” And then he gave the perfect analogy which I have ever heard: “Project manager can only be compared to bride’s brother during an Indian wedding. And you are intelligent enough to guess the rest”. I couldn’t agree more with him as I’m project manager at my work and was bride’s brother this January. I don’t want to get into the details, but everything went as per (even better than) the plan and was simply perfect!
I’m a big music lover (and here goes the biggest secret of my life. hehe). Anyway, I love songs with good lyrics and that’s why Gulzar sa’ab tops the list of the people I would love to meet someday. But this love of mine for songs has been mostly for Indian songs only. Having grown up on a staple diet of hindi songs, I got the exposure to english songs a little late. But when I got it, I instantly became fan of one of the greatest performers and on last Sunday, I got the golden opportunity to watch him perform: Live!
Bryan Adams. If you enter any classroom of any college, one thing that you’ll find for sure is the writings on the benches. In my polytechnic classroom, someone had written over the black board: “Everything I do, I do it for you”. I was bowled over by that pretty simple line. I liked that line but never knew that it’s a song by some Canadian singer until one of my friends told me. That was the day when I decided to listen some more of this singer. Since then, I can claim that I follow at least one foreign artist and can actually contribute to those discussions of my friends where they enthusiastically discuss the Hollywood and lot.
Last weekend, I got a chance to attend his concert in Bangalore and I must say that the experience has been really enthralling. There were 20,000+ enthusiasts and it took us nearly an hour and a half to enter the place. We were still in the queue when he sang “Here I am” and the frenzy that ensued cannot be described. What followed then were my all time favorites like “Lets make a night”, “Please forgive me”, “Cant sop this thing we started”, “Summer of ‘69”, “Everything I do” and he ended it with “Cloud number 9”. We were indeed on Cloud number 9 that night!
People often ask me my favorite Bryan Adams number and I really get confused. But if I have to choose, then I’ll definitely pick “Everything I do” and “Please forgive me”. Though every song of Bryan Adams has that potential, but these two really play naughty with your heart☺
So, I was just wondering that it has not been even 2 months of 2011 and I have got 2 experiences in my kitty that are right there on the top! Heaven knows what more this year has in store. Just keeping my fingers crossed!
Once we had an IT top gun at IMT who lectured us on project management. He said: “Forget about all those management mantras of team work and other jargons. You may need the team support but there is only one person who is responsible for every thing: Project Manager.” And then he gave the perfect analogy which I have ever heard: “Project manager can only be compared to bride’s brother during an Indian wedding. And you are intelligent enough to guess the rest”. I couldn’t agree more with him as I’m project manager at my work and was bride’s brother this January. I don’t want to get into the details, but everything went as per (even better than) the plan and was simply perfect!
I’m a big music lover (and here goes the biggest secret of my life. hehe). Anyway, I love songs with good lyrics and that’s why Gulzar sa’ab tops the list of the people I would love to meet someday. But this love of mine for songs has been mostly for Indian songs only. Having grown up on a staple diet of hindi songs, I got the exposure to english songs a little late. But when I got it, I instantly became fan of one of the greatest performers and on last Sunday, I got the golden opportunity to watch him perform: Live!
Bryan Adams. If you enter any classroom of any college, one thing that you’ll find for sure is the writings on the benches. In my polytechnic classroom, someone had written over the black board: “Everything I do, I do it for you”. I was bowled over by that pretty simple line. I liked that line but never knew that it’s a song by some Canadian singer until one of my friends told me. That was the day when I decided to listen some more of this singer. Since then, I can claim that I follow at least one foreign artist and can actually contribute to those discussions of my friends where they enthusiastically discuss the Hollywood and lot.
Last weekend, I got a chance to attend his concert in Bangalore and I must say that the experience has been really enthralling. There were 20,000+ enthusiasts and it took us nearly an hour and a half to enter the place. We were still in the queue when he sang “Here I am” and the frenzy that ensued cannot be described. What followed then were my all time favorites like “Lets make a night”, “Please forgive me”, “Cant sop this thing we started”, “Summer of ‘69”, “Everything I do” and he ended it with “Cloud number 9”. We were indeed on Cloud number 9 that night!
People often ask me my favorite Bryan Adams number and I really get confused. But if I have to choose, then I’ll definitely pick “Everything I do” and “Please forgive me”. Though every song of Bryan Adams has that potential, but these two really play naughty with your heart☺
So, I was just wondering that it has not been even 2 months of 2011 and I have got 2 experiences in my kitty that are right there on the top! Heaven knows what more this year has in store. Just keeping my fingers crossed!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
To My First Friend
If you have a sibling who is couple of years younger or elder to you, it’s more likely to be a friendly relationship. Not saying that it won’t be possible otherwise, but its “more” likely if the age difference is lesser. My sister is around two years younger to me.
My sister. My one of the sweetest (and probably the earliest) memories of her is her first day in school when she refused to sit in her class and kept crying until her class teacher brought her to me and then she happily sat next to me. My mom says that this routine continued for over a week!
She never had any qualms in declaring that she likes what her brother likes. If I chose compass box with Mickey Mouse, she wanted the same. If my favorite hero was Bigb, then hers was the same. If I loved cricket, then she loved that too. In fact, I remember coaxing my friends to let her play cricket with us and bowl only underarm balls to her. And she used to play from both the teams!
She has always believed that her brother is the best! If none of her friends were getting solution for any complex math problem then she’ll declare, “My bhai can solve this, lets go to him”. If she is stuck with the theme of the role-play or with the choice of the group song, to be performed at school events, she’ll bring all her friends to me and say, “Bhai, we need you for this”.
I’m not highlighting my qualities here. I’m highlighting her belief in me. Her trust in her bro, who can never do anything wrong! This definitely sometimes scared me. Made me afraid of what if I don’t live up to her beliefs?
But as mischievous as I was (and am), I did many things that cannot be called as correct. And many times she was my partner in all those crimes that we committed together. She has always been my trusted lieutenant. My mom can tell you all our pranks together which we cracked on our friends of neighborhood.
She tops the list of the people who understand me completely. She knows what I want even when I don’t say it. She knows my exact reactions to most of the situations. She has lied, sacrificed, and got punished for me. She even remained silent for me. I remember those days when she got the air of my puppy love but she silently assured me that she wouldn’t tell Mom and Dad!
I know that despite her belief in me, she is the strongest amongst us. Calm, composed and intelligent. Not a loud and emotional fool like me.
Come 26th of this month, she will start a new phase of her life. And I know that she will be the best wife, sister-in law and daughter-in-law just like she has been the best daughter and sister one can hope for.
This one’s for you. My mom. My sister. My first friend. Wish you all the happiness of this world☺
My sister. My one of the sweetest (and probably the earliest) memories of her is her first day in school when she refused to sit in her class and kept crying until her class teacher brought her to me and then she happily sat next to me. My mom says that this routine continued for over a week!
She never had any qualms in declaring that she likes what her brother likes. If I chose compass box with Mickey Mouse, she wanted the same. If my favorite hero was Bigb, then hers was the same. If I loved cricket, then she loved that too. In fact, I remember coaxing my friends to let her play cricket with us and bowl only underarm balls to her. And she used to play from both the teams!
She has always believed that her brother is the best! If none of her friends were getting solution for any complex math problem then she’ll declare, “My bhai can solve this, lets go to him”. If she is stuck with the theme of the role-play or with the choice of the group song, to be performed at school events, she’ll bring all her friends to me and say, “Bhai, we need you for this”.
I’m not highlighting my qualities here. I’m highlighting her belief in me. Her trust in her bro, who can never do anything wrong! This definitely sometimes scared me. Made me afraid of what if I don’t live up to her beliefs?
But as mischievous as I was (and am), I did many things that cannot be called as correct. And many times she was my partner in all those crimes that we committed together. She has always been my trusted lieutenant. My mom can tell you all our pranks together which we cracked on our friends of neighborhood.
She tops the list of the people who understand me completely. She knows what I want even when I don’t say it. She knows my exact reactions to most of the situations. She has lied, sacrificed, and got punished for me. She even remained silent for me. I remember those days when she got the air of my puppy love but she silently assured me that she wouldn’t tell Mom and Dad!
I know that despite her belief in me, she is the strongest amongst us. Calm, composed and intelligent. Not a loud and emotional fool like me.
Come 26th of this month, she will start a new phase of her life. And I know that she will be the best wife, sister-in law and daughter-in-law just like she has been the best daughter and sister one can hope for.
This one’s for you. My mom. My sister. My first friend. Wish you all the happiness of this world☺
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Happy Endings
“Why am I not feeling happy? Have I made a big compromise contrary to my belief that compromises should be avoided? You got to be happy. Take this as a challenge. Use your “creativity” to design marketing campaigns for your company. Look at so many other people who are still not sure about their future. Did you not witness your senior’s fate? You got a better deal. You will definitely overcome this as well.”
These were the thoughts going on in my mind when 2010 was knocking at the door. I had just got placed and taken up a job which was not there in my list when I joined IMT. I was trying to console myself very hard. Sometimes even trying to find that consolation out of other’s misery. But isn’t that the way humans generally behave? Whenever you are down, you try to cheer yourself up by looking at others and say " Yeah, things could have been worse". But what pinches the most is that "Things could have been better". Well, recession was anyway not in the hands of my college. All said and done, I still feel the unease of trying to make a “smaller” line "bigger" by comparing it with even much “smaller” line!
So I entered 2010 with a big baggage with me. My group (which was my family at IMT) was aware of my situation which was visible when none of them actually congratulated me. They knew I have made a compromise (just like some of them had already made and remaining would do in coming days). They just gave me a hug and a pat on the back. We all knew that we would definitely get what we wanted sooner or later. I had predicted December 2010 as the month by which we will get that. And bingo! We got it latest by November when last amongst us, our beloved “Shri Shri 1008 Pandeyji”, got into Infy! So for once in my life, I actually justified that “Pundit” tag of mine.
Singling out IMT placement as an aberration would be unfair on my part. I have always got things with a little hiccup and a bit late. What suits me is “Ruk-ruk ke chalti hai apni gaadi”. I believe someone up their trusts me a lot and always gives me tough assignments. I believe that He gives you tough things because He knows you can handle them. But I must say that at the end, I get the best!
2010. Though it started on not a very happy note, but as it progressed, it proved to be one of the most eventful years of my life. Trips with friends to Shimla, Delhi, Vaishno Devi. Trips with family to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Amritsar. 3 months at my hometown doing nothing (and everything!). My sister got engaged. Trip to Orissa and AP (btw, my count now is 15 states…yuppieee…but still 13 to go not including UTs). Met my “moti” sister after almost 2 years when she flew down to Bangalore from US. Got a dream job. And more than everything else, spent later half of the year planning and shopping for my sister’s wedding!
So at the end of 2010, I can say that I’m the happiest person on the planet. As I always look at things, it was the year of "Kabhi khushi, kabhi thodi kam khushi". I tried. I failed. I kept trying. And I succeeded. That’s the way it works.
2011 promises to be a fantabulous one as well! It starts with a bang and then there are many events which may unfold in coming months☺ Just wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year with the following message:
“Sab ka bhala ho, sab ka sahi ho,
apna bhi lekin, sabse sahi ho”.
These were the thoughts going on in my mind when 2010 was knocking at the door. I had just got placed and taken up a job which was not there in my list when I joined IMT. I was trying to console myself very hard. Sometimes even trying to find that consolation out of other’s misery. But isn’t that the way humans generally behave? Whenever you are down, you try to cheer yourself up by looking at others and say " Yeah, things could have been worse". But what pinches the most is that "Things could have been better". Well, recession was anyway not in the hands of my college. All said and done, I still feel the unease of trying to make a “smaller” line "bigger" by comparing it with even much “smaller” line!
So I entered 2010 with a big baggage with me. My group (which was my family at IMT) was aware of my situation which was visible when none of them actually congratulated me. They knew I have made a compromise (just like some of them had already made and remaining would do in coming days). They just gave me a hug and a pat on the back. We all knew that we would definitely get what we wanted sooner or later. I had predicted December 2010 as the month by which we will get that. And bingo! We got it latest by November when last amongst us, our beloved “Shri Shri 1008 Pandeyji”, got into Infy! So for once in my life, I actually justified that “Pundit” tag of mine.
Singling out IMT placement as an aberration would be unfair on my part. I have always got things with a little hiccup and a bit late. What suits me is “Ruk-ruk ke chalti hai apni gaadi”. I believe someone up their trusts me a lot and always gives me tough assignments. I believe that He gives you tough things because He knows you can handle them. But I must say that at the end, I get the best!
2010. Though it started on not a very happy note, but as it progressed, it proved to be one of the most eventful years of my life. Trips with friends to Shimla, Delhi, Vaishno Devi. Trips with family to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Amritsar. 3 months at my hometown doing nothing (and everything!). My sister got engaged. Trip to Orissa and AP (btw, my count now is 15 states…yuppieee…but still 13 to go not including UTs). Met my “moti” sister after almost 2 years when she flew down to Bangalore from US. Got a dream job. And more than everything else, spent later half of the year planning and shopping for my sister’s wedding!
So at the end of 2010, I can say that I’m the happiest person on the planet. As I always look at things, it was the year of "Kabhi khushi, kabhi thodi kam khushi". I tried. I failed. I kept trying. And I succeeded. That’s the way it works.
2011 promises to be a fantabulous one as well! It starts with a bang and then there are many events which may unfold in coming months☺ Just wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year with the following message:
“Sab ka bhala ho, sab ka sahi ho,
apna bhi lekin, sabse sahi ho”.
Monday, December 20, 2010
December Mega Sale!
Yeah, I know that this title suits more to a shopping mall advertisement but how do you say it when you are purchasing a lot? “December Mega Buy”? Anyway, I’m (and my family) on a shopping spree this month. Well, the occasion justifies every single penny spent. My only sister is getting married next month and it’s the first marriage in our family of our generation. So that means my cousins’ preparations are also going on in 4th gear.
We were supposed to get only 15 days for this shopping but as the events turned out, we then got almost 7 months! I’m a firm believer of the saying that “Everything happens for the Best” and it proved to be true here as well. We got good time to plan everything in detail.
One of the things I love the most has always been to fulfill all the demands (warranted or unwarranted) of my sister and she knows the power she enjoys and that’s why she has been very careful and judicious in her demands so far. But yeah, as a ritual of sort, I keep telling her: “Hey Ram, abhi ye bhi bacha hai khareedne ko!!” Hehe..
Well, my sister’s shopping has not given me that much trouble as everyone else’s advice to spend some extra bucks on myself! I have, unsuccessfully, argued that: “Boss it’s not my day” and got the same response from everyone: “It’s round 1 for your day”. Argghh…And my mom says “Lagna chahiye ki dulhan ka iklauta bhai hai” . And I can’t argue with my mom. And if I’m not wrong, I have spent on myself more than my would-be-brother-in-law has done on him.
So, December would be known as the month when my debit card lost its weight considerably and for the first time, I crossed my Credit card limit! Shopping is at full throttle in Bhopal, Mumbai and Bangalore. And yes, because of that I got a chance to go to Mumbai last weekend and then a mandatory visit to Pune.
Mumbai trip was full of shopping malls but Pune, as usual, was more subtle. A heart-to-heart talk with “Dagdu Sheth” of Laxmi road . I discussed with “Sheth” my future plans and thanked him for many things. And then a customary evening on FC road which always takes me on time travel: whether I want or not. And FC road is exactly that place where I end up doing things that not necessarily I want to do!
In short, exciting times ahead☺
We were supposed to get only 15 days for this shopping but as the events turned out, we then got almost 7 months! I’m a firm believer of the saying that “Everything happens for the Best” and it proved to be true here as well. We got good time to plan everything in detail.
One of the things I love the most has always been to fulfill all the demands (warranted or unwarranted) of my sister and she knows the power she enjoys and that’s why she has been very careful and judicious in her demands so far. But yeah, as a ritual of sort, I keep telling her: “Hey Ram, abhi ye bhi bacha hai khareedne ko!!” Hehe..
Well, my sister’s shopping has not given me that much trouble as everyone else’s advice to spend some extra bucks on myself! I have, unsuccessfully, argued that: “Boss it’s not my day” and got the same response from everyone: “It’s round 1 for your day”. Argghh…And my mom says “Lagna chahiye ki dulhan ka iklauta bhai hai” . And I can’t argue with my mom. And if I’m not wrong, I have spent on myself more than my would-be-brother-in-law has done on him.
So, December would be known as the month when my debit card lost its weight considerably and for the first time, I crossed my Credit card limit! Shopping is at full throttle in Bhopal, Mumbai and Bangalore. And yes, because of that I got a chance to go to Mumbai last weekend and then a mandatory visit to Pune.
Mumbai trip was full of shopping malls but Pune, as usual, was more subtle. A heart-to-heart talk with “Dagdu Sheth” of Laxmi road . I discussed with “Sheth” my future plans and thanked him for many things. And then a customary evening on FC road which always takes me on time travel: whether I want or not. And FC road is exactly that place where I end up doing things that not necessarily I want to do!
In short, exciting times ahead☺
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Dilli Ki Sardi!
Ye Shehar nahi Mehfil hai. I think this line aptly describes Delhi. Delhi is a perfect blend of modernity and historical importance in this part of the world. Delhi is one of those rare cities which help you in time travelling. There are few areas in Delhi which take you hundreds of years back in time. And then there are few areas which may resemble the Manhattan! But my favorites will always be Chandni Chowk and India Gate.
Chandni Chowk. My first ever outing with my IMT friends was a day long Delhi trip. Everyone agreed when I suggested that we go to Chandni Chowk first and then to anywhere else, if time permits. Thanks to E. Sreedharan, a metro takes you to the by lanes of Chandni Chowk and then, in turn, 400-500 years back. Those narrow lanes welcome you with an aura which is unmatchable. On a 15 feet wide road, you will find parking, hawkers, Cycle-rickshaws, Cars, and Buses. Everything moving simultaneously on that 2 Km road from Lal Quila to Chandni Chowk. But not even once you feel discomfort. You look around and you feel that you always belonged here. Every building eager to tell you a story and welcomes you with open arms. Some of them even have their construction date inscribed (I remember reading in one of them: 1784!). And then you have the most famous address of Delhi..sorry..Dilli. “Parathe Waali Gali, Dilli-6”. That "Gali" is not even 5 feet wide and they really make the most delicious Parathas in the world. Its there only that you understand the meaning of that old saying: “Paet bhar gaya par dil nahi”. And there only Harsh and I kept ordering Parathas when everybody else succumbed! But its not only about Parathas. Moong/Gaajar ka Halwa, Dahi Bhalle, Gulaab Jamun…oye I already have water in my mouth! That trip ensured my return trips there many more times in coming days. I can now really understand the couplet by Zauq: "Kaun Jaaye 'Zauq' par, Dilli ki galiyaan chhodkar..."
India Gate. Well, this seems to be a bland choice for a favorite place in Delhi. But there are reasons. We never planned for our India gate trip and never went for it in daylight. It has always been a spontaneous decision and there can be any reason for that- even a long queue in mess! We normally used to start at around 9 PM and then would have our Dinner in one of the Dhabas on the highway where Pandeyji always had that extra butter Naan;) And the earliest we would reach India Gate was 12:00, midnight. First thing that we would do was to have “Chuski” in “Kaala-Khatta” flavor. And mind you, you will have to wait for at least 10 minutes before your order gets served. And yes, I’m talking about midnight only. That’s the kind of rush there at that hour! And it used to be more fun if the temperature was anything less than five degrees☺ That generally was followed by photo sessions (and especially the RDB pose on Kakke’s demand). We would roam around for next few hours having our coffee and doing all the bakar possible until someone shouts: “Oye, subah 8:30 baje presentation hai!” But by that time it was already 2 AM and we had not done anything at all on our presentation;) But that was the time when we were allowed to be careless and even if we were not: We didn’t care.
Ah! Those were the days. Anyway, I don’t want to start again on how much I’m missing those days but I’m definitely missing “Dilli ki sardi” here in Bangalore.
Chandni Chowk. My first ever outing with my IMT friends was a day long Delhi trip. Everyone agreed when I suggested that we go to Chandni Chowk first and then to anywhere else, if time permits. Thanks to E. Sreedharan, a metro takes you to the by lanes of Chandni Chowk and then, in turn, 400-500 years back. Those narrow lanes welcome you with an aura which is unmatchable. On a 15 feet wide road, you will find parking, hawkers, Cycle-rickshaws, Cars, and Buses. Everything moving simultaneously on that 2 Km road from Lal Quila to Chandni Chowk. But not even once you feel discomfort. You look around and you feel that you always belonged here. Every building eager to tell you a story and welcomes you with open arms. Some of them even have their construction date inscribed (I remember reading in one of them: 1784!). And then you have the most famous address of Delhi..sorry..Dilli. “Parathe Waali Gali, Dilli-6”. That "Gali" is not even 5 feet wide and they really make the most delicious Parathas in the world. Its there only that you understand the meaning of that old saying: “Paet bhar gaya par dil nahi”. And there only Harsh and I kept ordering Parathas when everybody else succumbed! But its not only about Parathas. Moong/Gaajar ka Halwa, Dahi Bhalle, Gulaab Jamun…oye I already have water in my mouth! That trip ensured my return trips there many more times in coming days. I can now really understand the couplet by Zauq: "Kaun Jaaye 'Zauq' par, Dilli ki galiyaan chhodkar..."
India Gate. Well, this seems to be a bland choice for a favorite place in Delhi. But there are reasons. We never planned for our India gate trip and never went for it in daylight. It has always been a spontaneous decision and there can be any reason for that- even a long queue in mess! We normally used to start at around 9 PM and then would have our Dinner in one of the Dhabas on the highway where Pandeyji always had that extra butter Naan;) And the earliest we would reach India Gate was 12:00, midnight. First thing that we would do was to have “Chuski” in “Kaala-Khatta” flavor. And mind you, you will have to wait for at least 10 minutes before your order gets served. And yes, I’m talking about midnight only. That’s the kind of rush there at that hour! And it used to be more fun if the temperature was anything less than five degrees☺ That generally was followed by photo sessions (and especially the RDB pose on Kakke’s demand). We would roam around for next few hours having our coffee and doing all the bakar possible until someone shouts: “Oye, subah 8:30 baje presentation hai!” But by that time it was already 2 AM and we had not done anything at all on our presentation;) But that was the time when we were allowed to be careless and even if we were not: We didn’t care.
Ah! Those were the days. Anyway, I don’t want to start again on how much I’m missing those days but I’m definitely missing “Dilli ki sardi” here in Bangalore.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
To Ganesh Yadav
It’s now more than 13 years since I left my hometown in search of my destiny. OK I know it’s a very heavy statement. So let me re-frame it: Its now more than 13 years since my parents kicked me out to go and do something in life. Well, since then, whenever I get an opportunity to visit my hometown, I get excited and impatient (which happens to every person who’s away from his/her home). And I got an opportunity to go to my hometown for this Diwali.
So, as excited as a kid, on the date of my departure, I went to the airport, picturing 567th time all the fun I’m going to have on this trip. So when I reached the counter to collect my boarding pass, the lady at the Kingfisher reception told me : “Sir, we have an offer for you”. I thought, I’ve got an upgrade and maybe it’s my turn, finally, to travel in Business class. I asked: “Yes?” She replied: “Can you travel to Mumbai tomorrow?” I was speechless and asked her again: “What!!?” She repeated the same thing. I said “Hello!!, I got a connecting train to my hometown”. Then she gave me all the good reasons (engine failure, festival rush, no backup etc) which reminded me of a perfect CRM case study!! Well, as we have been taught, I tried to be reasonable (did I mention that she was hot?). I said you get me to the nearest airport because Mumbai is not my destination. Then after sometime, she came with two boarding passes and told me: “Sir, you can go to Indore tomorrow via Delhi ”. And then, I reached my hometown after traveling over 3500 kms in around 12 hours!
During my lengthy journey, I kept reading some newspapers and magazines available at the airport. They did not have anything new to offer. It was the same crap: 2G, CWG and Adarsh Society. I was thinking that "Is Congress back to its basics?” but by the evening I read somewhere about Land scams in Karnataka under BJP government. So now, that gives Congress leverage over BJP. But where is the common man here? What about us? In the politics, its not that two wrongs make a right but it’s that every wrong is a right!!
When you read so much of depressing nonsense continuously, you yourself become a bit disappointed. What is happening in my country? What is the solution of all this mess? Should we shoot all the politicians and bureaucrats?
All these thoughts were occupying my mind space when I took a Cab outside Indore Airport. As usual, being a talker, I started a conversation with the driver. My nostalgia made me ask him more about the state of Indore. He kept on telling me how Indore has changed and how his own life has changed. He told me that 5 years back he was just a ticket conductor in one of the private buses in Indore but now he himself owns a Cab worth Rs. 8 Lakh. I was amazed and asked him: “How?” Then he told me a little more about his financial condition 5 years back. He was a poor fellow and the only one to feed 8 stomachs! But he made sure that he gives his children proper education. One of his sons is working in one of the MNC’s in Noida and because of this, he has taken a loan to have his own vehicle. Then he told me about how beautiful is the future of Indore and India. I was literally overwhelmed. Finally, I asked him his name. He said: “Ganesh Yadav”.
After talking to him for 30 minutes, all those depressing thoughts just evaporated within a flash. I know I just happened to meet him after reading all that BS but still he helped boosting my confidence. On one hand we have those buggers and on the other hand we have this Gentleman who is trying his best to make his family and, in turn, his country prouder and stronger. I understood that its people like him who make India a force to reckon with! We don’t need to worry about those crooks who will be there but we always have these Ganesh Yadav’s to save the day! This is the real spirit of India which stands unscathed despite a few cuts on its body. Hats off to you Mr. Ganesh Yadav and all those people like you who make India. Real India.
P.S.: As I write this blog, one other Yadav, who made one of the most beautiful states of India poorest and a laughing stock, has been made to eat dust by the people. A stern warning to others of his league! I just wish that the state returns to its past glory and then it puts an end to all the brain drain!
So, as excited as a kid, on the date of my departure, I went to the airport, picturing 567th time all the fun I’m going to have on this trip. So when I reached the counter to collect my boarding pass, the lady at the Kingfisher reception told me : “Sir, we have an offer for you”. I thought, I’ve got an upgrade and maybe it’s my turn, finally, to travel in Business class. I asked: “Yes?” She replied: “Can you travel to Mumbai tomorrow?” I was speechless and asked her again: “What!!?” She repeated the same thing. I said “Hello!!, I got a connecting train to my hometown”. Then she gave me all the good reasons (engine failure, festival rush, no backup etc) which reminded me of a perfect CRM case study!! Well, as we have been taught, I tried to be reasonable (did I mention that she was hot?). I said you get me to the nearest airport because Mumbai is not my destination. Then after sometime, she came with two boarding passes and told me: “Sir, you can go to Indore tomorrow via Delhi ”. And then, I reached my hometown after traveling over 3500 kms in around 12 hours!
During my lengthy journey, I kept reading some newspapers and magazines available at the airport. They did not have anything new to offer. It was the same crap: 2G, CWG and Adarsh Society. I was thinking that "Is Congress back to its basics?” but by the evening I read somewhere about Land scams in Karnataka under BJP government. So now, that gives Congress leverage over BJP. But where is the common man here? What about us? In the politics, its not that two wrongs make a right but it’s that every wrong is a right!!
When you read so much of depressing nonsense continuously, you yourself become a bit disappointed. What is happening in my country? What is the solution of all this mess? Should we shoot all the politicians and bureaucrats?
All these thoughts were occupying my mind space when I took a Cab outside Indore Airport. As usual, being a talker, I started a conversation with the driver. My nostalgia made me ask him more about the state of Indore. He kept on telling me how Indore has changed and how his own life has changed. He told me that 5 years back he was just a ticket conductor in one of the private buses in Indore but now he himself owns a Cab worth Rs. 8 Lakh. I was amazed and asked him: “How?” Then he told me a little more about his financial condition 5 years back. He was a poor fellow and the only one to feed 8 stomachs! But he made sure that he gives his children proper education. One of his sons is working in one of the MNC’s in Noida and because of this, he has taken a loan to have his own vehicle. Then he told me about how beautiful is the future of Indore and India. I was literally overwhelmed. Finally, I asked him his name. He said: “Ganesh Yadav”.
After talking to him for 30 minutes, all those depressing thoughts just evaporated within a flash. I know I just happened to meet him after reading all that BS but still he helped boosting my confidence. On one hand we have those buggers and on the other hand we have this Gentleman who is trying his best to make his family and, in turn, his country prouder and stronger. I understood that its people like him who make India a force to reckon with! We don’t need to worry about those crooks who will be there but we always have these Ganesh Yadav’s to save the day! This is the real spirit of India which stands unscathed despite a few cuts on its body. Hats off to you Mr. Ganesh Yadav and all those people like you who make India. Real India.
P.S.: As I write this blog, one other Yadav, who made one of the most beautiful states of India poorest and a laughing stock, has been made to eat dust by the people. A stern warning to others of his league! I just wish that the state returns to its past glory and then it puts an end to all the brain drain!
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