Auggie Rants

The Itch - Poem

2026-09-17T17:43:45.082+05:30

Don't forget to check out the previous poem:

Rhyme On The Rocks

Let's Catch Up... Sometime

2026-06-27T12:57:02.574+05:30

There are four words I've started to dislike.

"Let's catch up sometime."

Not because they're offensive. Quite the opposite. They're warm. Friendly. Polite.

They're also, more often than not, completely meaningless.

Whenever someone says it to me, my instinctive response is always the same.

"Sure. When?"

And that's usually where the conversation dies.

"I'll let you know."

"We'll plan something."

"Things are hectic."

Even an open invitation—"You tell me the day and time, I'll make myself free."—is often met with silence. Or one of the usual excuses.

Which makes me wonder...

If you don't actually want to meet, why say it?

It's perfectly okay to enjoy a conversation and leave it at that. Not every interaction needs to end with a promise neither person intends to keep.

Because here's what I've slowly realised.

We don't find time.

We make time.

For the people we love.

For the things we enjoy.

For the hobbies we're excited about.

For the events we don't want to miss.

Somehow, those always find a place in our calendars.

Friendships, though, seem to have slipped lower and lower down the list.

Everyone is busy. I get that.

Work.

Home.

Kids.

Travel.

Life.

They're all genuine responsibilities.

But when months become years, and every invitation is answered with another reason why this week doesn't work, eventually the excuse stops mattering.

The answer is simply no.

I've watched groups of friends who once met every couple of months slowly become people who now only interact on WhatsApp. Meeting in person is reserved for special occasions, and even those seem to become fewer with every passing year.

I've seen family gatherings shrink from thirty-five people squeezed into a tiny house to struggling to gather a handful of relatives despite everyone living in bigger homes than ever before.

Distance used to be measured in kilometres.

Now it's measured in willingness.

Someone will happily drive an hour for something that matters to them, yet five minutes can suddenly become impossible when the destination is a person.

And that's okay.

Not everything has to be a priority.

I just wish we were more honest about it.

I've also learned that friendships often exist only within the environment that created them.

Some are workplace friendships.

Some are convenience friendships.

Some survive only as long as there's a project, an office, free food, free drinks, or some mutual benefit.

When those disappear, so do the people.

Others only seem interested when they think you can help their career.

Or when your career can help theirs.

Then there are the people you think will be lifelong friends.

Those hurt the most.

Not because they leave.

But because they stop trying.

I've tried making new friends too.

Joined classes.

Accepted invitations.

Lunch instead of dinner.

Weekdays instead of weekends.

Made it as easy as possible.

Some people showed up.

Most didn't.

And after a while, you stop asking.

Not out of anger.

Out of exhaustion.

These days, I have a simple rule.

I'll suggest meeting twice.

If life genuinely gets in the way, I completely understand.

But after two attempts met only with excuses and no effort to suggest another date, I quietly stop trying.

Not because I don't care.

Because I've finally accepted that relationships require effort from both sides.

The strange thing is that I'm not someone who enjoys being alone.

I'm someone who feeds off people.

Conversations.

Laughter.

A spontaneous drink.

A long dinner.

Watching a match together.

Meeting people has always been how I reset my mind.

It takes me away from my own problems.

It reminds me there's a world outside my own head.

Maybe that's why this bothers me more than it bothers others.

Or maybe this is simply what adulthood looks like.

Maybe people haven't become less caring.

Maybe they've just become more selective.

Maybe friendships naturally become less frequent as responsibilities grow.

Or maybe we've become so obsessed with being productive that we've forgotten the value of simply spending time with another human being without a purpose.

I honestly don't know.

Maybe that's just adulthood.

Maybe I'm expecting friendships to look the way they did twenty years ago while everyone else quietly accepted that this is simply how life unfolds.

What I do know is this.

One day, we'll all stand beside someone's photograph or their grave and say,

"We should have met more often."

By then, it'll be true.

And it'll also be too late.

Maybe I'm the one who's stuck in the past.

Maybe everyone else has simply moved on.

I honestly don't know.

But one thing I've realised is this:

The people who genuinely want to see you don't end a conversation with,

"Let's catch up sometime."

They end it with,

"Are you free next Friday?"

Because people don't find time.

They make it.

Hello 2026… Let’s Really Go

2025-12-31T20:39:00.000+05:30

Here’s to the year of 2026,
’Cause 2025 felt stuck, it needed a fix.
It moved so slow, but that’s alright,
We close that chapter—out of sight.

Not to say that ’25 was bad,
There were steady days and moments glad.
No big wins, no loud display,
Just solid ground that held its way.

Some things stalled, refused to move,
Teaching patience I didn’t choose.
Letting go of what pulled me down,
Clearing space to turn around.

So let the new year bring fresh cheer,
Clearer roads and better steer.
Good thoughts first—let that be the call,
One right step can change it all.

May travel return in ways unseen,
With fuller days and spaces in between.
May work rise up to newer heights,
And life feel lighter—fewer fights.

Health stay strong, spirits free,
And peace find its way naturally.
Here’s to growth, momentum, and flow—
Hello 2026… now let’s really go.

Rhyme on the Rocks - Poem

2025-12-12T21:23:00.000+05:30

Don't forget to check out the previous poem:

Celebrate Your Freedom Today

Celebrate Your Freedom Today - Poem

2025-08-15T12:36:00.001+05:30

Check out the previous poem:

I Don't Want To Live In This World

I Don't Want To Live In This World - Poem

2025-07-19T17:29:00.000+05:30

Check out the previous poem:

Stranger

Prada Stole Our Chappals. But Did We Even Want Them?

2025-07-12T10:16:00.000+05:30

A luxury brand copying an iconic Indian design should spark anger. But it should also spark introspection.

Recently, Prada released a sandal that looked suspiciously like the humble, hand-crafted Kolhapuri chappal. Priced at over ₹1.2 lakh, it featured the same structure, same silhouette—and not a whisper of where the design came from. Only after public outrage did Prada quietly update the product description to mention India’s contribution (source)

The plagiarism is obvious. But what’s worse is the pattern it reflects: India often needs foreign validation to notice what’s right under its nose.

The Kolhapuri That Wasn’t Cool Enough—Until Now

The Kolhapuri chappal, made by artisans in Maharashtra for over 800 years, is part of India’s rich craft legacy. And yet, before the Prada scandal, when was the last time you saw them on an Indian fashion runway or magazine cover?

Indians themselves had stopped valuing these crafts—until they saw it tagged as “luxury” in Milan. We mocked it as old-fashioned, not runway-worthy, much like Khadi, which for decades was considered boring or 'netagiri fashion', until international designers began weaving it into sustainable chic. Now it’s cool, because Vogue says so.

We don’t need colonizers anymore—we’ve outsourced validation to the West.

It’s Not Just Fashion. It’s a Pattern.

This isn’t about a pair of chappals. It’s about a mindset.

When someone in Brooklyn drinks haldi doodh, it’s a wellness ritual.

Here, we call it “grandma’s cure” and roll our eyes.

When yoga studios abroad chant Sanskrit shlokas, it’s spiritual.

When it happens at home, it’s either political or passé.

Even our history is subject to this collective neglect—or worse, deliberate erasure.

Just this year, Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra had to be barricaded and guarded round-the-clock after threats to deface or destroy it due to political anger (source).

Instead of preserving monuments to educate and reflect, we’re trying to erase chapters of history we dislike.

So, Why Don’t We Care First?

India is rich in design, craft, textiles, and monuments. But we only seem to appreciate them when someone else sells it back to us with better marketing and a dollar tag.

If Prada hadn’t copied Kolhapuris, would we even be talking about them right now?

Prada’s appropriation isn’t the only scandal here. The bigger one is that India didn’t care first.

Until we learn to value our own stories—whether it’s what we wear, eat, or stand on—we’ll keep watching the world profit off a heritage we barely protect.

Let’s not just demand credit from Prada.

Let’s give some to ourselves. While we still can.

Stranger - Poem

2025-04-12T17:23:00.000+05:30

Do check out my earlier poems too:

A cycle of heartache

A Cycle Of Heartache - Poem

2025-04-02T15:44:00.001+05:30

My Previous Poems

My Ode To 2024

Adrift

My ode to 2024

2024-12-24T11:22:00.002+05:30

2024, what a year it’s been,

It raced by faster than I'd ever seen.

Though there’s still some time for a lucky streak,

I feel blessed for the highs of each week.

Started fresh in a brand-new land, (Bhutan)

And now two more stamps are on at hand.

A new city (Spiti!) graced my way,

And work took me to Japan, KL, and TH to stay.

The workload grew, so did the stress,

But all ended smooth, I must confess.

Even the ones that didn’t take flight,

Taught lessons that made the future bright.

Post-COVID calm, the year has been a neutral start,

From here, I’d say, life found its heart.

New friends were made, though some old did stray,

And family gatherings were fewer this way.

Low moments knocked, but I stood tall,

Even two months of no work couldn’t make me fall.

Depression came, but I turned it aside,

With a positive outlook as my guide.

Here’s to 2025, may it be divine,

With brighter days and moments to shine.

Auggieism #65 - Politician God

2024-05-29T19:50:00.000+05:30

This is a humorous post; any resemblance to any living god is purely coincidental.

Check out the whole list of Auggieism's here

Auggieism #64 Over Positive

Auggieism #63 - Football

*All of this work is meant to be taken in the lighter vein. All of these are works of fiction, everything mentioned in terms of names, places, quotes, incidents are the product of the author's imagination and any resemblance to any person or thing, living or dead is purely coincidental,

Adrift - Poem

2024-03-03T13:23:00.000+05:30

A poem inspired by the images I clicked.

My previous poem: I have no time

You do judge a book by its cover

2023-09-09T12:50:00.001+05:30

Before you proceed with this blog, take a moment to look at the image of me below. I'll revisit it at the end.

Introduction:

"DRUG PEDDLER" - that's the label my late ex-MIL (RIP) bestowed upon me the first time she saw me. Her reasoning? I fit the stereotype: Goan boy, curly hair, shorts, and flip-flops. Little did she know that despite working in advertising for years on end, I had no involvement with any such recreational activities be it the trade or self-entertaining. It's been many years since this incident happened and today it makes me reflect on how our personal experiences shape our judgments of others. In this blog post, I wanted to delve into the topic of personal judgment and explore its impact on our perceptions.

The Subjectivity of Judgment:

Our judgments are inherently subjective, as illustrated by the diverse descriptions people assign to the same object or experience. In a classroom exercise, students described a single image using words like candle, light, fire, warmth, holy, lamp, prayer, etc. How could one image bring out so many different descriptions? Here is a better example, when reviewing a movie, individuals offer contrasting opinions based on their personal preferences, highlighting the subjectivity of judgment. Some people love the movie while some hate it. If you don't believe me, you can try this experiment yourself, individually ask the people who went with you to describe the movie, and watch how every person would give you a version based on their experience. Which begs the question, did not all of you witness the same movie. You still need to be convinced? look up the story of the three blind men and the elephant. We all interpret the world through our unique lenses, and this impacts how we perceive and evaluate others.

The Influence of External Opinions:

While we may believe that we form judgments independently but external opinions can sway our perspectives. Think about the last vacation spot you chose or the product you purchased based on recommendations. Would you go to a new restaurant if the majority of the reviews you read were bad? We often rely on popular opinions or the experiences of others to make decisions. However, blindly following the crowd can lead to unfavourable outcomes. Think of the person who smoked the first time because of peer pressure, the influence of their judgment purely came from the people around them. Historical examples, like the popularity of Hitler during his reign, demonstrate how people can be swayed by prevailing opinions without questioning their moral implications. Are you someone today who believes that your opinion is right just because it matches the opinion of the masses? Slavery, Child Labour, Racial Segregation, Sati are some of the examples that society once considered right and normal but not so much today.

The Filter of Collective Judgment:

In social settings, the power of collective judgment can significantly impact our perceptions of individuals. It's remarkable how a simple comment or negative impression shared within a group can swiftly transform someone's image. Take, for example, a group of friends who unanimously label a cheerful guy as a "creep" based on one individual's opinion. Suddenly, everyone starts scrutinizing isolated incidents, which were of no consequence, and collectively, they begin to feel uncomfortable around him.

Let me give you a similar but more relatable example, at a workplace. Imagine one employee expressing dissatisfaction with a co-worker's performance, accentuating perceived flaws and mistakes. Others within earshot overhear this negative opinion, and get influenced by it, they begin to view the co-worker through the same critical lens. This collective negativity, stemming from just one person's opinion, severely damages the colleague's professional reputation.

These shared perceptions essentially create a filter through which subsequent actions and interactions are viewed. Sadly, this filter tends to reinforce the initial collective judgment, often without giving the individual a fair chance to showcase their true capabilities.

Challenging Personal Judgment:

It’s important to recognize that personal judgment isn't always accurate or fair. Everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives, which contribute to their judgments. Imagine you're driving in heavy traffic, and suddenly, someone cuts you off abruptly. Initially, this might trigger intense anger and frustration. However, if you later discover that the person who cut you off was rushing to the hospital due to a medical emergency, your feelings of anger may transform into empathy and understanding. This scenario highlights how our immediate judgments can shift drastically when we gain insight into the underlying circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of questioning our initial reactions and considering the broader context before passing judgment Imagine, you caught a child stealing a loaf of bread and judged him as a robber, what you do not know is the kid had not eaten for days. So are you right in your judgment? Is the kid's action justified because he is a victim of his circumstance? From the kid's perspective yes from your perspective probably no.

Understanding this, we should strive to challenge our own biases and be open to re-evaluating our initial impressions. By questioning our judgments, we allow room for growth, empathy, and a deeper understanding of others.

Deciphering Right from Wrong:

Who holds the correct perspective? How can we determine what's right? Is your viewpoint automatically correct because you strongly believe in it and it aligns with the beliefs of those around you? Consider a person fighting for freedom; they see it as their right, while those in positions of power might view it as terrorism. The question arises: How can we ascertain the correctness of our judgments? In truth, there may not be a definitive answer. However, it's crucial to maintain an open mind and acknowledge that a single situation can be seen from various angles. The determination of what's right or wrong often remains a subjective and ever-evolving process. Embracing this complexity, and remaining receptive to diverse perspectives, enables us to navigate a world marked by empathy, understanding, and the potential for finding common ground

Conclusion:

As human beings, we are prone to judging others based on our personal experiences. However, it's crucial to remember that our judgments are subjective and influenced by external factors. By embracing empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge our own biases, we can foster a more inclusive and understanding society. So, the next time you catch yourself making snap judgments, take a moment to pause and consider the diverse stories and experiences that shape each individual's journey. What may look like a NO to you might look like a YES to someone else.

Remember, we do judge a book by its cover, but we have the power to turn its pages and discover the chapters within.

My Personal Take:

When you first saw my picture at the beginning of this blog, what went through your mind? Did you form an opinion? If you don't know me personally, perhaps you thought, "He seems like a smiling, cheerful guy." Or maybe you noticed my messy hair and wondered about it. Did you observe that one of my eyes appeared larger than the other and consequently formed a different impression of me?

You might assume that those who know me decently well would be aware of the reason. However, several months ago, someone I frequently hung out with jokingly commented on one of my social media images, asking why I looked like I was about to stab the cameraman. Surprisingly, that comment served as the inspiration for this piece. And though I had written this a while back, today while people are debating the change of name from India to Bharat, I finally decided to publish this.

Back to me, I initially wrote a lengthy scientific explanation about how both my eyes don't open the same amount and the reasons behind it. Just to let you know that on some days they appear normal, while on others, the difference is quite noticeable. The reason behind this isn't as important as the judgments it elicits. But if you do want to know I have had Bell's Palsy twice and never recovered from it fully. Over time, various people have approached me on days pointing out the difference but there are many who notice, and pass judgment but have never known the reason. There isn't much I can do to change the way I look on certain days and I definitely can't prevent people from forming their opinions.

So, the next time you perceive someone as looking at you strangely or assume they might be a drug peddler, consider taking a few moments to get to know the person at least a little more before passing judgment. You may still not end up liking the person, but chances are you'll have read a completely different book than what the cover suggested.

Note: The content in this blog is based on personal experiences and reflections. It serves as a discussion point to encourage self-reflection and empathy towards others.

I Have No Time - Poem

2023-04-04T19:13:00.000+05:30

My previous poem: Lockdown Mind

Auggieism#64 - Over Positive

2022-03-18T16:40:00.001+05:30

This post is dedicated to all the people who call themselves hero's because they overcame all the hurdles and achieved a good outcome in the end. But those same people forget or rather since they only focus on being positive that it was their own bad decisions that caused all the mess in the first place.

A very simple e.g for such people, is when advised to reach the airport early, they will wait till the last min to leave, then rush with all their bags, get irritated at the driver for all the traffic, then push all the people walking who are in their way and just making it to the boarding gate as the last person running all the way. Then their over positive self feels "they did it" and they will repeat the same mistakes all over again just because they can do it, completely ignoring all the people they hurt, pushed aside and insulted to get to where they are.

Check out the whole list of Auggieism's here

Auggieism #63 - Football

Auggieism #61- Expectations

Auggieism#63 - Football

2021-06-19T18:29:00.003+05:30

This one was inspired by the current ongoing Euro 2020.

Check out the whole list of Auggieism's here.

Auggieism#61- Expectations

Auggieism#62 - Burn Bridges

Auggieism #62 - Burn Bridges

2021-06-11T15:38:00.003+05:30

Check out the whole list of Auggieism's here.

Auggieism#60 - I Care

Auggieism#61- Expectations

Lockdown Mind - Poem

2021-06-03T23:19:00.001+05:30

Also, read my previous poem Never growing old

Never Growing Old - Poem

2021-04-23T20:03:00.002+05:30

Also, check out my previous poems

QuaranTime

My aching heart

Auggieism#61 - Expectations

2020-07-20T15:01:00.002+05:30

Not an original thought by me, but still such a relevant one.

Think of any problem, hurt, anger that you have and you will realize that bigger the problem higher was the expectations.

Here some examples

You did not expect your government to do something

Your boss or colleagues did not perform to the expected standards

Most importantly, your loved one or family or friends who hurt you are because you did not expect them to say, do, or behave in a certain manner expected by you.

Check out the whole list of Auggieism's here.

Auggieism#59 - Linkedin

Auggieism#60 - I Care