THE JOURNEY WITH A FRIEND

My best friend is someone I know since 1993 and it feels great that we have been in touch ever since and we are not far away from 20 years of knowing each other well. I recollect a brilliant scene from a recent Rajnikanth starrer, a story of his real life where he talks about friendship. At a school annual day function where he is the chief guest, he says the following

‘’look around at your classmates; you are all the same. Your friend today is what he is because he likes you for what you are right now and not for what you might become. Hence pick your best friend today and treasure him/her for life for only that is for keeps. He/she doesn’t even know or care for what you would become but will be beside you come what may." He then remembers his best friend who is the very reason for his today’s success and progress in life.

The ardent Rajni fan that I am, this scene moves me to tears and I remember my best friend!! Here is to many more years of knowing him and getting closer to each other.

MUSIC & COOKING AT THE END OF THE DAY

There are many days when I come back after a hard day’s work; drained completely of mental energy. It’s amazing what music does to me. Put the head phones on, play some lively tracks and there I am; completely refreshed and did help me unwind totally. I also have realized over the 8 months that cooking does the same to me; helps me de-focus and relax. Maybe it has got to do with the focus and eye for detail that you need to have while cooking; looking out for when the oil has heated up enough and remembering if you have already added the salt. I think cooking as a whole takes me away from anything else during those 30-45 mins and that’s completely relaxing.

MY TEACHER

During my recent trip home, I visited my Physics teacher. My professor who taught me Physics as when I was preparing for the IIT-JEE. I have known him since 1991-92. 17 years of knowing someone is a long time.

I didn’t make it through the JEE but I met and came in touch with a great human being. I have always been in touch with him updating him of what I was upto in life. I spent half a day with him reliving those days; sitting next to him – the man who taught me so much Physics, so well and so wonderfully. I loved Physics because of him; I couldn't solve all the problems I encountered but I enjoyed working on them, attempting to solve them; trying to apply those wonderful concepts.

That learning was greater joy to me than anything else; the intellectual stimulation; that I was learning; that my mind was sharp and active; that I was challenged and needed to solve problems that looked me in the face.

As I sat next to him and spoke with him, as I took him for a walk, sat in the park I was very humbled, feeling tiny next to a great man, felt very simple like a student should always feel and be. I was very emotional and moved that day. I bought some fruits for him. He can hardly see and hence very rarely steps out of home, apprehensive of maybe the traffic, the kids playing around or worried he might bang himself against some objects. But I told him that I would hold his hand and guide him, that he can get some fresh air.

As I held his hand and walked, thoughts were flooding my mind. It hit me hard that all of us would age, would wither, would experience weariness, the tide will turn and we might not remain as strong as now, either physically or emotionally. I took his blessings, told him that I was honored to have been his student, privileged to see and spend time with him. I updated my mobile number in his small notebook where he maintains data of all his old students in alphabetical order.

As I said good bye and left, I asked myself, what am I going to do for him, how am I going repay my gratitude, for the immense learning he gave me at that point in my life? I left extremely satisfied though for seen him in person and spent quality time; having gone back to my past and relived those days.

WELCOME HOME SON

I recently made a trip home for some important personal work. Spent about 2 weeks there in my home, my home town, where I grew, where I studied, where my roots are.

Drove around on personal tasks in my Wagon R; my first car; my first big buy; from my hard earned own money . I felt absolutely calm, wonderful, free, happy and independent. Early morning drives, late evening drives. I was off work that week. On a personal front, it was the most calm and peaceful time I have had for a long time. A feeling of simplicity, a feeling of being there for someone special; a feeling of wanting to and reciprocating for all that I have got, a feeling of calmness, a feeling just being there in person, of doing nothing in particular, of no time lines.

I enjoyed the change. I was myself....just my own self. Was thinking of what I call 'the inner circle', the people who ACTUALLY matter to me and my existence, people to whom I matter the most.

Looking back, it was as though I was in another world during those 2 weeks. A world where I was no one but myself; my true inner self.

THE WALK

I walk back home every day post-work and have been doing this for almost 3-4 months now; I catch a rick otherwise.

Its about 3-4 kms I guess and I decided to walk it one way (always the evening) coz it helps me expend some energy and makes me hungry enough for a nice dinner. Also, it helps me kind of unwind and look at life outside of work as I head back home. Though 7.30-8ish in the evening is not the best time to look at life!! Or maybe it is!!

Neways, I usually look around at people on the road, inside a shop, at the bus stand, in their cars and bikes, some waiting for someone, some on an evening walk/jog, some with shopping, some catching up with a friend at a roadside café. A wide of people and emotions are completely on display.I would look at an autorickshaw guy looking with hope at a prospective customer and looking in the eye asking AUTO?? I would look at a hawker busy preparing for his business for the evening, cutting paper and heating the peanuts. I would look at a girl waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up. I would look at someone shopping at a 50% off cloth store. I would look at someone being choosy at the vegetable shop.

I would look at the beggar at the signal full of renewed energy trying his luck around the most expensive car or a sympathetic looking passenger inside it. I would look the master sales man selling yellow colored wiping cloth at the signal neatly displaying the various sizes. I would look at the guy at the signal hoping the lights would turn green asap while another guy hopes he can make it just before it turns to amber.

All of us in absorbed in our lives, in small errands of our own, completely absorbed in it.

HUNGRY OR HELPLESS

Today as I was washing clothes and wrapping up cooking, I got really bugged with all this household chores and being stuck with it. Had some cleaning at home to do as well and that really got unnerving. Why the hell am I doing all of this? Wasn’t this my choice? No one is asking you to do this? You surely can get a maid to do all of this….This is boring and tedious. Do I need to do this? Why am I not outside visiting a place or partying or eating out?


Well then I kinda calmed down and said to myself - ''Listen dude, you have been out of town for 2 days and having gotten back, what you are doing is just getting the house in order. Food is anyways priority for you and so is getting your clothes ready for the week ahead. You have been cooking for a while now and you like it. So don’t get ruffled by small things and stop getting flustered by little things. Take a step back and relax dude''.

It was only after the first few morsels of lunch went in that I was actually back to my cool relaxed self. Guess food did the trick. HOME MADE SIMPLE DELICIOUS FOOD!!!! should I stress here (ahem!!). Suddenly also recollected my dad’s ever-wise words that one gets upset/angry only when two things happen – one, when you are hungry or when you are helpless. Nice one Pa!! It was the first one in my case surely.


There are times this happens to me….not a good thing. I need to take a deep breath, relax and regain my composure.

Coming back, I then followed it up with a weekly grocery shopping and a nice walk in the neighborhood. This relaxed me totally and now back settling into a lazy Sunday evening and awaiting the Monday blues.

Ok then!! Here goes my short next post…its out on my blog and out of my system.

THE LANGUAGE DISCUSSION

There was this very engrossing episode on WE: THE PEOPLE on NDTV a few weeks ago and the subject was HINDI AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE and why we haven’t been able to enforce it strongly and why there are still so many widely discussed language policies.

The speakers included experts in society and culture, filmmakers, teachers to remember a few. The points discussed were as below:
· Is Hindi really the national language?
· Why do we still have issues on this and different language policies across various states?

My thoughts on this are as below: The strongest point is that a language if to be proclaimed as a national language should be able to bring people together. And Hindi doesn’t do this. At least I don’t believe so. Restricted to its usage to predominantly the Northern parts of India, that’s where it stops. Western and Southern states have their own languages and with strong history to add to that. That’s precisely why there isn’t an acceptance for Hindi in these states. Let’s not forget the passion each of these states has for their native languages and culture that flames this issue more than anything else. Last but not the least, there is the political twist for short term gains that only complicates this issue.

Somewhere I also believe that people across the country don’t believe that Hindi is the common thread. In fact English probably is a stronger and more accepted bond. The influence of the British surely has created that belief far more than Hindi I believe. Well I speak Hindi for a livelihood and so do many millions across the country whose native language isn’t Hindi. And that’s exactly where it stops. However, this doesn’t happen with English because its usage is almost indispensable.

If 2 strangers meet today in any part of India, English surely will connect them better than Hindi. And that’s reality. Also, English has opened up the world to us; for employment, business and all that’s related to growth. Maybe being even indispensable. Then, why Hindi? A language which can’t take you beyond a few states within India.

That is my contention. Funnily our diversity is what’s killing this acceptance of Hindi as a national language. That’s India for you and we need to live with it. And funnily or ironically should I say, an invader’s language has a greater acceptance here. But there are a few logical reasons which I spoke of earlier.

That’s what I wanted to write about recollecting the NDTV episode of WE: THE PEOPLE. Very thought-provoking. Bye for now!!