The "Change"

This is the first memory that I have of Poona. Just out of school and straight into Law School, I was a teen with a lot of spunk. After two days in the city, I had walked into the nearest post office (the Deccan one) and bought some stamps. I gave the lady 50 rupees and she had to return 44 and after rambling and ranting for quite a while, she looked at me fiercely spouting these exact words, “sutta ahe?” Now all North-Indians know that a sutta means a cigarette and I was obviously oblivious of the fact that the word has a completely different connotation in Marathi, it meant “change”. I was shell-shocked. Why would a government employee offer me cigarettes instead of change? I told her “I don’t smoke” and she got even more agitated and waved the 50-rupee note at me and shouted “sutta ahe?” She was clearly having a horrible day and I wasn’t exactly soothing it out for her. I look back at that day and laugh my guts out. Quite literally…

Poona for me and comrades has been the time of our lives and nothing in the world can change that. The slosh of the puddles, the irritatingly crater rocked roads, the untimely rains, the 4 months of constant monsoon, the pollution, the clubs, the college, the “katta”… it’ll take a lifetime to cover up for all the mischief. About time as well :-)

Wondering aloud

The New Year is here! With its multitude promises and scares in equal measures, I wonder what lies ahead. Going back to the roots would be an easy transition, but it’s the uncertainty of tomorrow that is slightly perturbing.

Last year has been exciting, boring, new, fun, and extremely disheartening- the blasts. In a single flying moment, thousands or more were affected. It gives me a shiver down the cord to even consider what if it was one of mine? And that’s the city, which I wish to make an abode.

The agony of the saint and the pride of a queen
The life of a fable teller and the pace of a stream…

Hind hai, hind hi rahenge!

Having lived outside the country for over 14 months, I have realized that our language is sweeter than most. When you hear two people converse in Hindi, it seldom sounds like a catfight or like scratching surfaces. While I wouldn’t like to degrade other languages, neither is that an intention, and there would be an obvious bias, it does sound pleasant and non-offensive.

I sincerely believe a mind should explore in order to expand. Travels and adventures teach you a multitude of things whose presence/knowledge might have been previously ignored. I never thought I’d smell an envelope, which traveled all the way from home like they show in the movies and actually relish that smell!

Haven't been here in a while..

Aaah… Another rainy depressing day on the Island. The mind wanders far and wide and stumbles upon myriad things. Another prose another word… another life and another soul.
How does one start counting his/her accomplishments without ever having lifted a finger to do anything? The clutter outside, becomes the clutter inside and the space around envelopes the “distort”.

What will I miss the most? The nights of “dum maro dum”, the nights in the grid, the days of being called “Rasheeta”, the days of playing UNO like there is no tomorrow.. The last months of freedom before being thrown into the wheel of life to become another spoke, to be taken away to the distant land of sweat and the grind. The days of counting ducks, watching sunrise before calling it a “night”, Sunset at 4 to Sunset at 11… Changing clocks. Sending postcards back home… long quiet walks with myself thinking of what lies ahead?

It really doesn’t end here, and it shouldn’t

Cheers mate!

One of those countless days…

Blue skies and winding road, miles and miles ahead to go...
One wrong turn, loss of time, impatience abound

A gypsy doesn’t know the meaning of home,
But the place he goes back to is where his heart lies...

Another day, another life...

The little insanities in life which make it al so special, have all started to take shapes and sizes of different kinds. when u experience different highs and lows, and myraid emotions at one go, it all takes a new meaning.

u fight this feeling within u and u ponder aloud, when nothing makes sense, all that u've got it is urself. plans may not work out, schedules might not be followed, and the brain starts to sing a different song.

the grunge and the low, the high and the slow, the dark n the blue, all the black inside of you..

I am I, and you are you, there shall be no converging lines. there shall be no parallels and there shall definitely not be any compromise.

at the crossroads, take the way which looks the longest for it might be the most interesting and eventful coz u know u r together...

The bliss in ignorance

Why is that the mere mention of the topic of human rights to your contemporaries incites them to categorize you as a “jhola-kurta” type comrade or they instantly suggest you to join politics!Strange… At least the law students of the country should be sensitized and made socially responsible. Today, the “big” law colleges go about brandishing their moot court winners, not the activists. The young students would follow what’s glamorized to them.

Moving onto a bigger problem is the sheer apathy of educated people towards the problems plaguing the society. They lack the grassroots level knowledge and blame everything on the system. Little do they know that the very politicians they vote for run the brothels which treat sex workers as bonded labour, the big beggary rackets in which little kids are maimed in order to beg for alms. If we don’t do something then no one else would either and we can all live blissfully ever after in our little ignorant world.

warwick castle 

Worcester Cathedral 

Wonder years

"Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you’re in diapers, the next day you’re gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a place...a town...a house like a lot of houses...a yard like a lot of other yards...on a street like a lot of other streets. And the thing is...after all these years...I still look back...with wonder." -- Wonder Years (abc)

People my age from India and millions of Americans would remember these lines, forever. Growing up has been such an adventure. Triumphs, pitfalls, memories... A whole lifetime has gone by it seems...

A thousand wishes like these…

One of the most beautifully made movies of its time is Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi. The movie has made many a fan of Sudhir Mishra. It draws the thin line between the murky politics of the emergency period in the late 70’s and the leftist movement in Bihar. Here’s a dialogue from the movie..

“(Comrade i have not given up...) main mass base mein izafe ki baat kar raha hun. Chote mote self defensive action ke khilaf nahi hoon, yeh aap bhi jante hain…”

Ponder over it…

Potala Palace- Courtyard 

Potala Palace- LHASA 

The Forbidden Land- Tibet

Tibet has enchanted people for centuries as the forbidden land of Shangri-la which has been described in Buddhism as the “Garden of Eden”, tucked away from mankind where only those who are enlightened can have access to. This plateau called the roof of the world is surrounded by myth and mystery. One can only experience the beauty of the ancient land if one treads there.

However, somehow the plight of Tibet has gone unnoticed by the Western Media and in general, the whole world. After forced occupancy, human rights violations and violations of every fundamental right known to man, China continues to inflict torture on any person possessing even a picture of HH Dalai Lama. The ratio of Chinese: Tibetan in Tibet is 12:1. The Han Chinese have taken away trade and administrative responsibilities from the Tibetans and despite the fact that China is developing the region, its doing so for its own profitable purposes and none of this money ever reaches the locals. The tightened Media regulations and a lack of right to information law in China adds fuel to the fire.

When China destroyed the Buddhist Monasteries in Tibet and ruined their cultural and religious heritage, proclaiming to liberate the Tibetans from Lama-ism, the biggies kept quiet and so did everyone else. It’s not your problem till it happens in your backyard or worst still – your own house. The only country (and I’m proud to say this) which came to their aid was India who offered them political refuge.

I’m glad that something I was an integral part of for 3 years did something to further the cause of Tibet- check this, second posting about Human Rights Cell, Symbiosis Law College, Poona- http://www.friendsoftibet.org/indiahomepage.html

Buddhism is the most peace preaching religion in the world, and what does China call its war on Tibet? War on secessionists and hence war on terrorism. Jeez…

If you read this, make sure you pass it the message on…

Not made for winter sports!

The excitement of an unseen world is inexplicable. When you don the skates, and step into the Ice-Skating rink full of experts, you feel like you can glide around like them in a matter of a couple of seconds. Splash! There went my dreams in a fizzy. Barely being able to hold the railing, I tried hard not to fall and didn’t even venture out in the middle. After irritating the steward a couple of times and trying hard not to topple over with my back on the ice and the legs crossed over, I made the smart decision and off went the skates! Not cut out for this for sure!

P.S: Don't be fooled by the seemingly easy glides!

prayer wheels in the middle of the mall 

the temple 

a man selling beads in mcleo 

young monks in mcleodganj 

McLeodganj

If you want to find calm and peace on this planet, you must go to Lhasa at least once in your life or at least to the Dalai Lama’s Monastery in McLeodganj (Himachal Pradesh, India). The quaint little town which nests in the Dhauladhar’s, 5 miles from Dharamshala, has been given to the Tibetan refugees by the Indian Government as a token of help to escape we all know what. As you reach the town centre (let’s call it that for the sake of convenience), you see German Bakeries, Tibetan artifact shops, Chinese Restaurants (the irony) and vegetable sellers, etc. The famed calm will hit you in the face as you walk about the market place, no noise, no pollution, and absolute serenity. The silver jewels, Tibetan precious and semi precious stones, and handmade wall hangings are nothing short of exquisite. And on the way you’ll come across spotless, ageless and beautiful monks- their skin aglow with health. The monastery seems like a microcosm of its own, and the big golden Buddha statue will hold you in its awe for quite a while. You can always pick up souvenirs and Buddhist books from the Temple Bookstore and Souvenir shop. To me it’s the most peaceful place I have been to yet.

My personal favourite glut place there is down the mall, across the veggie sellers, in a little hut shaped cake shop called “Chocolate Hut”. Living up to its name it serves old English style breakfast cakes, chocolates desserts and fresh bread, etc- it’s to die for, no kidding.

The option of trekking can be fully exploited there with the RMC (Regional Mountaineering Centre) just a couple of minutes walk from the German cake shop. They will take you to the highest peaks of Dhauladhar and even to two mighty glaciers alongwith a professional trekker. And group costs are economical. Not to forget that the temple of Bhagsu Nath is only a couple of miles away and with its stone lake with water coming out of lion statues' - is worth a decko. Looking forward to my next trip there!