The Never Ending Madness....Unravelled!!!

Weaning your child from breast milk requires a methodical approach

2013-06-04T16:19:00.002-07:00

The mother child relationship is inexplicable; even when the umbilical cord is severed, the maternal instinct is what keeps the relationship going always. Post child birth, mothers are often advised to feed their new born babies with their breast milk, which is said to hold the maximum protein required for the baby’s mental and physical growth. However, the fact remains that feeding toddlers is not an easy task, ever. Moreover, a tougher task is wean the toddler away from breast milk after a few months. Here’s some help on how you can successfully wean your babies without causing too much discomfort.

When do you wean them away?

To be honest; it’s entirely on the mother how she wants to go about the feeding process. The concept is extremely simple; however, you need to know when you as well as the baby are ready for the transition from breast milk to other types of food. Ideally, post 6 months, you can safely wean your child away from breast milk and start putting him onto other types of supplementary food.

However, some doctors advise that you should let the baby decide when it wants to discontinue breast feeding. This is for the simple fact that babies tend to feel closer to their mothers during the breast feeding process. When the child is ready to discontinue, you should also be able to wean them away without any hitches.

Making weaning easier for you and the baby: some essential tips

Who said being a mother was easy? It not only comes with a lot of preparation, but also, needs a lot of effort to be able to proudly declare yourself a proud mother. So, if you want the weaning process to go smoothly, you should check out some of these steps:

Keep a track of what you feed your baby: So the first step of weaning the baby away from breast milk has been done. But does that mean you can feed them anything? Feeding toddlers might be easy, but weaning is one task that has to be accomplished correctly. Consult a doctor and get a written list of what all can be fed to the baby (solids and formula milk), so that the child gets a nutrient efficient diet. Post breast feeding, they need a lot of iron, so you can consult your doctor accordingly.
Supplement the breastfeeding time with other food items: Babies are extremely habitual which is why they may wake up again and again close to their feeding time. So whenever you’re feeding them, try and do it around the normal feeding time. This will soothe their frazzled nerves and help them move onto other diet options easily.
Give your baby lots and lots of liquids: You don’t want to dehydrate your child, right? If you’re weaning him/her away from breast milk, make sure you supplement the diet with lots of water, juices and shakes. This will help them stay healthy and fit as a fiddle always, especially during the weaning time.

Weaning is extremely necessary for it ensures that the child is put onto a proper diet immediately. The whole idea of weaning is to make sure that the child does not develop any kind of deficiencies post the breast feeding ritual. Once you have successfully managed to wean him/her away from breast feeding, you can give yourself a good pat on the back for you have achieved a major milestone in parenting.

NOMOPHOBIA: r u a victim too?

2011-02-21T22:01:00.001-08:00

The closeness towards material belongings has long ago taken over personal relationships. In today’s date, we measure our success buy how many gadgets we own, how many cars are standing in our driveway or how many dwellings are on our name. With the excuse of “we have money and don’t know where to spend it” or “we are investing in assets which would be carried down to our future generations”, we have managed to fool ourselves long enough now.

Of all the things we possess, our cell phones have won over all other kind of gadgets. Building a connection with others is an excuse, for fixed line phones have majorly taken a backseat and mobile phones rule the roost. Even though we reside in a world where everything is just a ring away, we are still disconnected with ourselves.

The excuses to be in touch with everyone all the time is just a façade. Using it as a shield, technology has developed us into mere puppets in its hands.

Joining the list of phobias is another phobia, namely, ‘Nomophobia’. As many can guess, it denotes a stage where people are separated from their mobile phones. Either by loss of battery, credit or no network coverage, it drives the people to high levels of stress, rage and sometimes, even self deprecation.

Just leaves me amazed out of my wits. Could anyone have imagined that there could have been such a time when we would be rendered useless without the use of technology to aide us? Well, certainly not. The higher the dependency on mobiles, the need to remain connected increases manifold.

Consider the times when the call rates and especially, mobile handsets used to cost a fortune. Before making a call from your mobile, apart being ready to shell out Rs 15-20 for a minute’s call, we had to brace ourselves for making the call. The contrast has made itself glaringly clear these days. Available at every nook and corner, cell phones have become a must have fashion statement for everyone. Irrespective of the status symbol, or the strata of society you belong to, if you don’t have a cell phone by your side, you’re looked down upon.

Have you ever asked yourself…What would happen if you were stranded without your cell phone for a day, maybe two? If the thought has never crossed your mind for fear of being lost without it, then guess you are affected by the nomophobic syndrome as well. Surprised, but its true!

Addiction for drugs or alcohol has well been surpassed long back by this new development in the list of phobias.

Some reasons why people don’t want to switch off their cell phones:

Keeping in touch with friends or family is the main reason why they are so wedded to their mobile.

More than one in two said this is why they never switch it off.

One in ten said they needed to be contactable at all times because of their jobs, while 9 per cent said that having their phone switched off made them anxious.

Experts say nomophobia could affect up to 53 per cent of mobile phone users, with 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men questioned admitting to experiencing feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or have no network coverage.

This is true…The next time when you end up losing your cell phone’s charge, and are about to go into panic mode, then think again. You may be the next target for Nomophobia.

2010-12-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

BAND AID BIRTHDAY

It was 11:45 PM, my drowsy eyes glued to TV (though all I could see were moving frames), the music on my laptop was playing softly, and all my endeavours to keep myself distracted from falling into deep slumber were proving to be infutile.

Water from my eyes dripped like a continuous flowing stream. However, my determination to cross the 12 AM mark was one of the two things that preoccupied my sleepy brain (the 1st being sound asleep...zzzzz...)

I felt as if the sleep goddess was trying to revenge some wrong made earlier. Every possible effort that I made to stay awake; it got countered by yawns and drowsiness. Being just 15 minutes away from the deadline made matters all the more unbearable and I could not, in any case, let the obscene tag of a lazy bum stick on me yet another time.

“How would Sasha feel if I was the only one who didn’t wish her Happy Birthday at the strike of 12?”

The room seemed cosier than ever and perfect for a Good Night’s sleep, even with the TV and music on. On normal days, when there is no pressure to open my eyes till midnight, the goddess is on strike but abruptly appears when I pray to her to keep me up and about till 12.

I smiled, as a witty idea creeped into my devilish mind. “Why not set the alarm and take a catnap for 5 minutes.”

Oh...!!! The very idea sent a wave of relief in me and I quickly set the alarm at 11:58 (2 minutes were enough to regain my senses). Before I knew, I was robotically pulled into the interior of my twin bed and in no time started my ‘Romance with dreams’.

The alarm cuckooed, ending my short stint with self gifted hibernation. Repelling the tough magnetic pull of my snuggery, I somehow sat cross-legged, crookedly smiling and eager to see the winning crown decorating my cranium in another minute. “Wow...!! I did it.” I was left amazed at my own triumph.

The Birthday girl’s number ornamented my handset’s monitor, and the thumb right in position to hit the green signal sharp at 12. As the moment to smash a rifle butt in everyone’s face neared, the excitement grew and so did the tension. Excited that I will wish Sasha after fighting a battle with my forty winks and tensed because what if, after all this effort, someone else goes on the first whishing spree?

The countdown began. 10 seconds to go. “Here I come babes, hu hu ha ha ha.”

Suddenly the phone started ringing. But with all my senses intact it sounded like my phones ring!! “Awww...the alarm!!!”

“The alarm??” I exclaimed with an eerie. “How come?? It already signalled me for a wake up and I just called Sasha!!”

“Crap! No, don’t tell me I was dreaming.”

Oh man, what do I see SASHA CALLING!! “An incoming call!! But where’s the alarm.” I thought.

Chuck the alarm. It’s supposed to be Sasha’s Birthday. How can she be the caller and me the receiver? “Maybe I am her lucky charm and she wants to start her beautiful day with my saccharine coated wishes.”

“Heyllo...!!! Would be Happy Birthday girl.” I giggled answering the call.

“It’s not would be, it is The Happy Birthday girl.” She said in the finest sarcastic tone ever, leaving my head spinning like an amateur boozer.

“The Happy Birthday girl? Oh Hello...!!! Your Birthday is tomorrow, still a few minutes to go.” I said with self-confidence like never before.

“And it is tomorrow, you sleepy head!” Sasha reverted, sounding more confident.

Without another word I started flipping news channels to confirm Sasha’s declaration, which meant another splendiferous defeat in my case.

“12:20 AM!!! How is this possible now?” I thought in bubbles.

All the channels showed Pandits, Guru’s and Devi’s predicting how the day for different star signs will be, reassuring it was the next day and Sasha as ‘The Happy Birthday girl’. How I wished the earth would have opened up and I never had to come out to face what was waiting next. I totally felt how Sita (Ram’s wife must have felt at that moment) I gazed at my cell phone dewy eyed and muttered, “I trusted you. But...!”

Sasha was still there. This fabulous idea of trusting the snooze ruined the whole midnight moment. I said keeping my hair on and eyebrows puckered, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sasha.”

“Yeah, Thanks.” She said sarcastically. “But tell me one thing. Why the hell you fall asleep on Birthdays. I mean you cursed or what?” And I heard a few people burst into laughter. “If you are done with your sleepy state, come downstairs, we are waiting for you.”

“Down???? Now???? WHYYYYYY???” I drawled....!

“Beggars are not choosers. You don’t have any right to question me as today is my Birthday. Come down in two minutes, else we are going.” She ordered.

Friends are the only ones who can curse you, kiss you, blame you, support you and Yes, order you ... all in one go....!!!

I gave one last angry look to my phone which made me look like a stupid loser in front of the birthday girl and then went to change into the proper attire.

In no time at all, I dressed as hurriedly as possible. When the time is short, and you know that your life is at stake, the body starts to respond automatically. For a change atleast! Running down the stairs, I quickly made a dash for the car standing on the opposite side of the road.

Everyone was standing outside the car. I hugged Sasha in a tight bear hug, cooing away ‘Happy Birthday’ mixed with ‘Sorry’s’. Giving me murderous glares, Sasha hugged me back after a few minutes (Actually, I’d refused to leave her till the time she did not forgive me).

“Its ok dahlin”, she replied, a big grin creeping along her round face. “Now, can you please get your big bum onto the rear seat so that we can be on our way!”

The taunts were surely hitting me right onto the spot…

Priceless moments in life....

2010-08-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Some of the priceless moments in life:
• Hair falling on your partner’s forehead when he/she is asleep

• The way your pet dog wags its tail on seeing you return from office

• Holding your first born baby in your arms and feeling it clutch your finger with his tiny hands

• Falling asleep in your partner’s arms without even realizing it

• Eating the food made by your mother, even though it tastes horrible, but just so that she does not feel bad

• Supporting your best friend in his/her time of need, even though you know he/she is at fault

• Seeing the boy/girl of your dreams, and secretly realizing how badly you want to have them by your side
• The first dance in the moonlight with the love of your life

Listening to the pitter patter of the raindrops on your window pane, with a cup of hot steaming coffee in your hand
• Candlelight dinner on the beach, with bottle of Champagne and your partner by your side

These may surely be some of the best moments in one’s life, for all the other things money can buy, there is always Master Card!!! Cheers…..

DREAMY ME...!!

2010-07-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

Along with me was born a dream...!!

A dream to be the most successful person in life. A person at whom the world will look up to with admiration, and maybe, sometimes with envy as well. As I grew older, the dreams began to get more & more vivid, with life being the canvas, and my dreams playing the role of the water colors. Though the painting is nothing less than a chaos (which you will figure out soon) but then even MF Hussain’s so called modern art is considered to be a rare creation.

Sometimes, imagining myself to be a caped crusader, to being a muscular hunk like He-Man; I saw myself as a savior of mankind, saving the world from unseen blunders and humongous monsters.

The list was endless and the world my vast horizon, I set on a mission to carve out my niche in the society.

So here goes a list of my dream jobs…yup, not one b
ut a few (list just because the day I get one of these jobs it will no more be a dream, so don’t want my dreamy list to exhaust ever) Let’s see though, how many of these I am actually able to accomplish in this lifetime (wish there was an option to carry them over to the later lifetimes as well)

AN ANGEL (Dunno if there is a actually an angel who is a male)

The role of Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty inspired me so much; I ended up thinking myself to be invincible. I could not help but wonder, how cool it would indeed be, to fly on the clouds, look onto the sparkling water of the blue oceans, or just to be able to visit the stars at my own convenience (and even take my girl there).

To be able to flirt with the other angels (obviously those who are the female angels), and to be able to visit nah actually dine and talk with God, to sleep on a bed made of clouds, to jump on a running unicorn…and also have a halo over my head. With my skilled pair of wings intact and ready to flutter I won’t ever dread traffic jams even.

Or even crazy become a tooth fairy like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and have kitty full of shrink paste and amnesia powder, sprinkle it on people and erase whatever you don’t want them to remember. How cool! Abuse your boss (which I so wanna do) and then sprinkle the dust. (I know all of this is a myth, but then so is this job…it’s a dream after all guys!!!)

A FIREFIGHTER:

I remember, when I was just a small kid, I saw a big red colored fire fighting engine zoom past my car. Wondering what it could be, I asked my dad. He told me it was a Fire engine, and the way the Fire fighters were hanging out of the back of the truck was something which could not help but inspire me to bits. Thus, came up my next dream job. To become a fire fighter and rescue people from the trap of blistering blaze. The way, the orange flames snake up their way over its prey, with the hunger and passion no one can ever hope to possess, fighting fire with fire (the idiom) has always held true for me and made it one of dream jobs.

A BUSINESS TYCOON:

Seeing the overpowering personalities of the Ambani’s and the Birla’s and the Mittal’s has always left me in awe. The way they exude confidence and enthusiasm is something I would always want to achieve in my life (and be on the Forbe’s list as well).

Even I want to dive in my larger than life locker brimming with money just like Uncle Scrooge did and have money eyes twinkling like Dollar nah Rupee ` since the symbol is out! `

Like Mr. Lodge in the Archie’s comics, I have always wished to sway on a big leather chair, or to be able to control the business of big empires, and to have people on my beck and call. The thought is just too good to be true but then dreaming is tax free.

A TALK SHOW HOST:

Oprah Winfrey or Jay Leno or even our very own Karan Johar, how all the celebrities drool and die to be on their shows. (Even a coffee hamper excites a man more than Pamela Anderson on Karan’s show) And brooommm ask them anything from professional to personal to very personal to very very personal all they do is smile and hug you even if they hate to be asked such questions. But at the end you will be loved, respected and not to miss the most important become very FAMOUS!

TO BE A FARMER:

Would like to thank Farmville (FV1) and Frontierville (FV2) on facebook for such a dream. But only if it works the way it does on FV1 and FV2. Crops growing ever hour or even every 5 minutes, clobbering snakes and groundhogs. Using the unwither powder, friends coming and lending a helping hand on your farm and even you go visiting. Gifting barn material or chicken coop material. Where even being the first one to buy a milk churn for my farm makes my happiness shoot to a level as if I have just got myself a customized Rolls Royce. Wow this sure is crazy! And to top it the entire race to jump from one level to the other. (Aha! Only FV1 and FV2 addicts can understand what I am talking about LOL)

They say, “Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.”

And I say, “Who doesn’t want a long life! Bring it on”

Indian Media....misusing its freedom...!!!

2010-07-21T04:40:00.000-07:00

There is a well known saying, “With great power, comes great responsibility”. It's definitely not stated by any well known thinker, or by any influential politician. It was stated by a common man to his nephew, explaining the value of power. Shouldering power comes with the expectations of freedom, which if misused, may shatter the dreams of millions.

I would say that’s the way the cookie crumbles. The media, with it high galore of promises, right from the time of its existence, has proved to be no exception. Treated like an individual, with the power of freedom at it beck and call, the power has been misused right from the inception.

Thinking how advantageous it would be to society, it has been reduced to be a puppet in the hands of the people who have the power to manipulate the facts to their own convenience.

Many forms and many mediums later, a cat fight erupted over what do consumers like the most. The Television, aka, The Idiot Box, The newspaper (so called desh ki dhadkan) and the radio on which all you get to hear is the blaring of the RJ’s (after all that’s what they are paid for @ the end of the day).

It is said, anything in excess is not good for one’s health. In this context, the uncurbed freedom given to the media is something of a concern, as it has not affected one person in particular, but the whole nation as a whole.

Just a small hypothetical narration between a Newsperson and the common man:

Agent: This is X reporting from XYZ district…We are gathered here to witness a small child who has fallen into a well. Let’s find out what his father, Mr Y, is feeling at the moment!!
Agent to Mr Y : Apko kaisa mehsoos ho raha hai, apka beta neeche hai aur aap yaha? (how do you feel about your son being down there and you over here)
Mr Y: Ab main kya bolu…..aap logo ne(the media) madad karne ke ilawa sab kucch kar diya hai abhi tak (what can I say! The media has done everything apart from helping out here)
The media person is unaffected and continues to brag about his channel….
Agent looking into the camera again: Mat bhuliye…..live coverage dekhi aapne apne channel pe. Mr X reporting live from ABC channel. (don’t forget, you saw the live coverage on your own favourite channel.)

The above mentioned dialogue is just an insight into how insensitive the media has become over the years. They have the audacity to ask a parent how he/she is feeling, at the time when their son has fallen into a well and crying for help. This was just one of the examples.

• If the readers can recall the much talked about sting operations which were done couple of years back. Although, done with a good intention in mind, the whole episode ended up blowing right in the face of the media itself. Starting off with the idea to expose the corruption pervading in the political society, the end result turned out to be the politicians paying the media, moolah, in order to prevent them from exposing their misdeeds to the public. Another example to show where the freedom at first was utilized to expose the wrong happenings of society and eventually ended up acting as the beneficiaries for the miscreants.

• Today’s media channels lay their focus on creating news which would sensationalize the nation (its only according to them, unfortunately, no one else seems to think the news to be sensational). May it be from the audacious and outspoken Rakhi Sawant and Mika Singh, who used the much talked about kiss ka kissa to rake in the badly needed publicity and eventually ended up singing a song based on the whole event. When the event happened, the people who got to benefit the most were the general public, who were badly in need of some lip locking sessions.

• TRP TRP TRP….dedo dedo dedo!!! It sure sounds like a fish market or maybe a line said by Ekta Kapoor, the TRP Queen. But if you notice carefully, this is what the media has been reduced to as of today. Living by this motto , its like the gayatri mantra for channels of today. Ranging from serials like Bigg Boss(not to forget the Extra G in Bigg) to the Saas Bahu sagas, the news channels are kept at bay. Right from who got evicted from the Bigg Boss’s house, to which daughter in law was able to take revenge from her khadus & atyachari mother in law, the latest news are all covered by the media. With the contest being held to who’s bindi is the longest, to who’s twirls are the strongest…..all will be covered under one roof!!!

• Matters which should be of the prime most concern to the public are conveniently side tracked and instead trivial matters, are governing the front page of each and every newspaper. God forbid, some Bollywood star does any kind of show off charity event, then, be we can be assured, that event will rule the front page for days and days together

• The hunger for publicity goes unabated till date. Just to get themselves famous, the media will concoct stories and the repetition is for all to see. It would be not for many to doubt, how some poor children have actually been pushed into a well and then a hue and cry has been raised by the media, just to have a hot and juicy story to recite on their channel

The moments will be countless, and the attempts to overrule it endless. All it requires in the end is the courage to face the reality and also, the courage to face your own self. Once exposed, the media will be reduced to nothing but a vamp in a saas bahu saga and the nation being the innocent victim, being bitten time and again, and having to bear the brunt of the shortcomings of the media.

All in all, what can be said is, no matter what the medium be, the powers are in the hands of the common individual at the end of the day. After all, its all on how the power is used and the best is extracted out of it. The moment the freedom is let to rule your senses is the time when one should realize that the worst is yet to come.

2010-07-10T14:32:00.001-07:00

The madness begins.....the moments are left countless!!!

2010-07-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

As the title suggests, the madness began right at the time I was born. Well, the earth did not stop revolving or people did not stop breathing, for I was pretty much a normal baby boy. I know, the moment this line would be read, people would raise their eyebrows, maybe in apprehension (and some with incredulity) but then, that is what I believe is the focus of this article.

I will not blabber incessantly about myself any longer than required.

Recalling my moments of madness, the first thing which comes to my mind (and brings a coy smile to my face at the same time) is when I hear my mother complain about the way I used to trouble her(the unborn me) when I was still a mixture of blood and veins. I am told that I seemed to be reluctant even to be born. After all, who wants to leave the comfort of the womb and come out into a world which is so cold and dreary, but, lets not divert from the topic at the moment.

The next moment of madness happened when I visited Thailand. She Boys(men who have converted to women by a sex change operation) put up a live show. They were cavorting all over the place, oozing sensuality and enthusiasm, in tune to the thumping foot tapping music. My friends challenged me to dance with the She Boys and that too, live on stage in front of an audience. Gearing up, and putting together all my confidence, I went up to the stage and danced my guts out, savouring every moment. It all ended with an applause, but the only reason (I later realised) was cos my friends were cheering and hooting for me, and one of them actually came, took out a bunch of notes and twirled it all over me(Like Nazar Utarana) and then threw them in the air. It was such an embarassing moment, but surely a memory worth holding onto forever.

I can't stop laughing while recalling this episode of sheer idiocy. It was somewhat mid-december, with the cold winds blowing and the chill in the air at its peak. It felt as if I was on the peaks of Switzerland, like a Bollywood hero, with nothing but a thin net shirt to protect me from the biting cold. Irrespective, me and a few guys from college, planned a trip to an Adventure Park. Armed with nothing but bustling excitement, all of us reached the place even before it had opened up for business. While purchasing the tickets, all of us were arguing and planning on how to get the best out of the 300 bucks ticket.

Out of uncontrollable joy, I tried to jump a fence in order to break the long queue for Bumping Cars(it's a ride and the queue was as long as if it was in front of a Ration shop).

All engrossed in climbing over the fence, I heard a ripping sound, and me being such a fool, thought, someone had farted. Giggling to myself, I realised at a moment's notice, that the ripping sound had come from me(I had not farted myself, so you can get that idea out of the mind!!!). Looking down, my eyes literally jumped out of their sockets. There was a huge gaping hole in my favourite jeans. The best part being, it started right from the middle and extended to the bottom of the pants. My face turned a shade of beetroot red, and highly embarrased, I turned to find my friends literally rolling on the floor with laughter. Such sadists they turned out to be, not one of them helped me out. But then, my brain came to the rescue. I turned my jacket into a skirt and wrapped it around my waist.

It was such a disaster cos my friends kept on picking up the so called leather skirt to peer inside. The so called makeshift skirt was the centre of attention for one and all in the amusement park. Right from toddlers, to staring aunties, everyone had a perverted smile on their face, thanks to the tear in my pants(hole sounds a bit perverted, after all) Whatever you call it, I just somehow, cant help but laugh as I recall that day full of embarassing but crazy moments. The episode surely did not stop me from doing full vasooli of the 300 bucks.

This event was just like a cherry on the cake. On a regualar basis, in my previous organization, there used to be Rewards ad Recognition programs. All of us(me and my colleagues) used to attend it out of complusion, but the only factor which used to make it bearable used to be the free pizzas and Pepsi. So, in one of the events, me and P(one of my colleague's and closest confidante) sat in the back of the hall, with our eyes glued to the back door. The moments the Pizza's arrived, we both could not get our eyes off them. She was mainly checking out the delivery guys, while I checked out the free yummy pizzas.

The moment the event finished, we jumped on the pizzas as if we were hungry from birth. One of my colleague's(I made him stand in the long pizza queue) handed me 5 boxes of pizzas(they were meant for everyone). I told P to pick up 3 bottles of Pepsi, and both of us scoooted down the stairs with the loot. Thinking them to be pizzas of different varities, we opened the boxes with a lot of enthusiasm. The sight which met our eyes, made us fall to out knees laughing. If any of you remember, Pizza Hut had launched some stupid Cheese filled twirls some time back(which I can assure were a BIG disaster). Eating them at that time, as we were left with no other option(and being hungry doesn't count) made it hell for me later(You can just about imagine the reason why). When my remaining colleague's finally caught up with us, we had no option but to grin sheepishly. Asking how the "So Called Pizzs" were, they mocked me all the way home. But then, I laughed so hard that day, it felt as if my lungs would just pop out into my hands.

The moments can never end, for at one point or the other, all of us have gone out of our normal routines and acted out of sheer madness. But, all I can say at this point of time is, "All these moments made me recall the times which in normal circumstances would not even have the time to think about". Guess, this article will always remain very close to my heart, for it reiterates all those moments of my life, which I would never wanna forget ever.

2010-05-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

There are some inexplicable moments in life….when even your senses give up on you. Some of these moments can lead you to total bliss or sometimes, be the cause of such bad luck.

I met her for the last time, and a simple hug, unleashed her passion and the wrath of her fury at the same time. Hugging her, for all my worth, there was confusion written all over my face. The reason for her outburst was indeed, very unclear to me. Dousing her tears with my fingers, I could not help but smile.

Those tear stricken eyes could not fool me for one moment. The passion in her eyes said it all. The moment of separation was indeed near, but it would be like this, I had not imagined. I just sat there, as cold as ice, holding her close to me, feeling her warmth and trying to reciprocate the same.

It was as if all the heat from the air had just evaporated, leaving me to my own devices.
All that I could think of at that moment was “How should I control her tears when there is no way to control mine?”

Seeing the simplicity and eagerness on her face, I knew the moment of truth was there. I had to let go of her, for her flight was due in less than 2 hours. Exchanging words of comfort, she stepped out of my embrace, never for a second, her eyes leaving mine.

Saying our final parting words, I just turned my face away to look at the Gurudwara on the opposite side of the road. All those memories came flooding back in a moment’s notice. The way we had held hands for the first time, and entered the holy space, was something I was left with. We had both prayed, and like a typical movie scene, my eyes were only on her face.

The serenity, the simplicity had indeed drawn me to her like a magnet. While she prayed, I stared at her face, wondering what she was praying for, although, there were no doubts in my mind.

The memories just come flooding back, tiding me along with them, without any mercy on my heart. It’s been 2 long years since we first met, and since we first hugged each other.

All I am left thinking is, wish I had a time machine and somehow had the control to stop time and turn it back, to moments I so cherish and the times I never wanna forget.

The Born Perfect...

2010-05-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Some people think themselves to be perfect...often to the extent of overbearing self adulation!!! It seems to me, that soon a time will come, when self proclaimed marriages will be allowed and the only people to benefit from this law would be such people.

Make them stand in front of a mirror, and they will be able to spend hours and hours together, doing nothing but just admiring at their own reflection in the mirror.

Sometimes, even going to the extent of talking to themselves.

Take the example of "The Great Amitabh Bacchan"....In Amar Akbar Anthony, a movie liked by many, he spoke to himself while looking into the mirror, and to top it all, putting a band aid on his image in the mirror, thinking it to be real.

It is true, no one is born perfect, and to achieve near perfection is considered to be a blessing which only some great people have been able to achieve till date.

Trying, the most successful quality of a person, is what makes the desire to excel and the perseverance to achieve great things in life, which convert into reality from a dream.

Guess in the end, often, it is one's own will....which makes one the person they truly are and truly deserve to be!!!

Numbness personified.....

2010-04-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

I just sat there...numb as a log!!! It just felt as if the blood in my veins had turned to ice.

The bus started to move and all I could do was just sit and look. A wave of despair swept over me....seeing her go away from me, was like getting stabbed right in the chest!!! The look on her face betrayed her emotions, for the tears had begun to well in her eyes already.

All the moments spent together, flashed in front of my eyes like a mirror image. The good moments had just begun and ended even quicker than usual. I turned back to catch a last glimpse of her simple face. The oncoming traffic had soon taken over her compact car and the moment of separation had begun to sink in.

Sitting in the bus, on my way to the airport, I could suddenly feel everything becoming hazy. Wondering what was the reason, I found myself crying. First time in my whole life, I found emotions which I never knew existed. Although, I knew somewhere inside, that the separation is temporary, for she was going to come to Delhi very soon, still the emotions were tiding me over.

It was as if a part of me had been snatched, and I was left to bleed all the pain out. Putting on my ear phones, I tried to lose myself in the songs. But it was one of those moments. The simplicity on her face, those tears which would make anyone go weak in the knees, the smile which can turn the foulest of moods into laughter, everything returned to haunt me.

Reaching the airport, I could not help but call her up. Her sweet voice hypnotized me and that was all I needed at that moment. Boarding the plane, there was little left to do but catch up on all the sleep I had avoided till the time I was with her.

Even my dreams betrayed me, for they engulfed and transported me to a world, where there were only good memories. The silky hair, the dazzling smile, the look of wanting on her face, everything made it all the better. I did not feel like snapping out of the dream world.

At that point, reality sunk in. Realizing that distances indeed maim the best of relationships. No matter how strong or how weak one may think himself/herself to be, there will always be moments when nature will take its course, and lead you to a point where everything will seem like a surreal dream, making you wish the world would come to a standstill, for now and FOREVER!!!

Visit to London- The Land of Dreams

2009-12-28T02:32:00.000-08:00

Today, as I sit to reminisce ….I go down memory lane ……my wonderful unforgettable trip to London. Like a typical 11 year old kid, I was way too excited about going to a place.

The day my parents decided that we would be soon vacationing in the city of the Big Ben, exultation overpowered me. It actually felt like sitting on pins and needles for I could just not sit down at one place and was rushing to and fro, calling up all my friends to tell them the good news.

After all the necessary arrangements for the tickets and the accommodation were done, the D day finally arrived. With everyone bustling about the house trying to do last minute packing, and dad securing the house locks, we finally boarded the car and started the one hour journey to the airport.

At the airport, I was as usual on my toes running around here and there, being fascinated by the planes and the people around me. It was my second plane journey and I wanted to savor every moment of my vacation. I thought to myself, “Yippee, finally I am off to the land of dreams”.

The final announcement to board the plane was made and believe it or not, I was actually the first one to board it. In my excitement, I actually dropped one of the bags of my fellow passengers and in return, got reprimanded by the airhostess along with a few dirty glares from the passengers. So with a finger on my lips, I was strapped into my seat. Sitting quietly and looking out of the window, I just kept on breathing in the sights of the airport, considering myself lucky to be able to be there at that moment. It was indeed an exhilarating moment, irrespective of the scolding I had received from the airhostess. After all, I was not going to let anything dampen my mood at that point of time.

Reliving the enthusiasm while I recollect all those special moments, I sometimes actually wish to be a kid all over again, armed with the same innocence and naivety. But knowing that to be impossible, I sometimes just feign the childish innocence and appease myself. After all, it is never too late to live your life to the fullest, irrespective of the age.

After a journey of 3 hours, we reached our destination. I was awed by the décor of the Heathrow Airport. It was simply a breath taking view, complete with the various alleys and baggage claim counters. On exiting, there was a man with a placard which had our name written on it. We followed him to the car, stowed our luggage and off we were into the city. Right from the automatic geared car to the bridge on the Thames River, the city had not yet ceased to amaze me.

On checking into the hotel, I could not help but continue to jump on the plush mattresses. The fluffed up pillows were beyond compare. Our hotel was in the Indian neighborhood, which helped us feel at home even in a different country. The hospitality and the warmth of the people bestowed upon us were truly worth a mention.

After having our dinner that night we retired to our room, in order to be fresh for the oncoming day. The next day dawned bright and sunny, with the slanting sun rays waking us up and as quickly as possible, with brimming enthusiasm, we got ready, finished our breakfast and without further ado, started from the hotel for the sightseeing.

Our itinerary consisted of a general tour of the city on the first day. So, all geared up for the day, we sat in the car and began the general tour of the city. The first place of visit was the Trafalgar Square. The large number of pigeons which flocked there just had me stupefied. I could not resist, so I quickly ran to the food vendor and bought some seeds to feed the pigeons. The pigeons of all sizes and colors flocked together to eat from my hands. At first, I was really scared thinking “ What if they chew off my fingers as well along with the seeds” , but then with a bit of persuasion from everyone, I got the confidence to feed them and it was a moment of pure fun and frolic.

Next, we went to the Buckingham Palace. My eyes literally popped out when I saw it for the first time. There were acres of rolling gardens everywhere and the palace itself was a piece of art. The exquisite carving and the way it was made in the typical British architectural style was indeed worth praise. The guard changing ceremony was to follow the palace tour, but then due to the rain, the ceremony was carried out wearing raincoats.

The best part was that I slipped in the bathroom while getting ready one day and twisted my ankle very badly. Owing to this, I had to wear a bandage and was not being able to walk properly as well. Taking an umbrella as support, I was forced to hobble around the city with a twisted ankle, but the enthusiasm went on unabated.

It so happened that I was traveling through the city and my dad suddenly decided to take a bus. I conveniently stepped onto the bus with a lot of difficulty owing to my paining ankle. But not sure of the route to take, my parents did not climb onto the bus. My pathetic luck, the bus started and I could not get off on time. Seeing my parents going away from me, I panicked and started crying. Somehow, on the next stop I got off and feeling lost and confused, I continued crying. Till the time my parents did not reach the stop, I did not stop crying. Never till now had I felt so lost, so helpless. But then, it was another experience worth a mention.

After the bus experience, we proceeded to see the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The sight which met the eye was astounding. The wax models which were there were so lifelike, I was having trouble in trying to figure out the difference between the real and the wax models. I remember, there was a guard standing on the doorway, and he was so still, all of us went up to him to check if he was a wax model as well. It was worth a good laugh for sure.

Today, as I sit to reminisce ….I go down memory lane ……my wonderful unforgettable trip to London. Like a typical 11 year old kid, I was way too excited about going to a place.

to be continued

A Paradigm

2009-12-25T03:50:00.001-08:00

Some of us detest the spring season because it brings flu along with it, but some of us are left untouched by it too…. the chilly breeze is a nemesis for some, but for the rest it is sheer bliss, poetry in motion, romance in the air. Spring is constant and inevitable year after year…what... however, is changing ...is your attitude towards it!!

In the same way, my story will expatiate an incident in my life, which has been a stepping-stone to the growth of my maturity, my evolution and transition as a good human being as well as from a fledgling to a man. Over the various seasons of my life, it has been a continuous process, of positivity, right unto this day, since it is only through this transition that I am, as to what I am today, proud to be myself, "a loving child"," an endearing and supportive friend", “a hardworking and well balanced professional.”

I would like to unfold a first hand incident, which was an interlude to my metamorphosis.

On flipping back to the pages of my life, my most traumatic experience was, when I was 10 years old. My maternal grandmother, who had played a pivotal role in my upbringing, had started keeping very unwell. Being a child and highly immature, the gravity of the situation was not made aware to me at that point of time. Later in the same day, she suffered a major heart attack due to which she had to be immediately hospitalized. The sudden urgency in everyone's tones and way of speaking brought about a doubt in my mind. There was something more to what met the eye. Later, the same evening, my grandmother is driven home, but what I saw shattered me into a million pieces. The person I had idolized all throughout my life was no longer there to support me in my times of highs and lows. All I now possessed were a few sweet memories with which I had to spend my whole life. The fact of life, “Death”, had struck in my family and snatched away the most precious gift I had, from god, in the form of my beloved granny.

Death is, very hurtful and an appalling experience - but along with it comes the maturity to handle life and proceed with an iron fist. The whole experience was very unnerving and when I realized it, the bitter truth of loosing a grip on myself, was glaring at me in the face. The morbid situation had put me in despondency. Often, one looses control of one's own self due to emotional dependency and attachments, which usually hinders your overall personality growth. I was, in fact, no exception to this, although, the harsh reality hit me at a very tender age, it enabled me to take control of my feelings and in understanding the complexities of life, and how death plays an inseparable part of it in our lives.

This incident instilled in me a sense of oneness and all the innocence and childishness in me was replaced with a sense of purpose which was to help my relatives and parents specially my mother, to overcome the depression and to further be a pillar of strength for them, as this was the time when my worth as an individual would come to the fore.

Still, the memories of that dreadful day haunt me, but what I learnt that day… that no one is invincible and to believe in things blindly, is a foolish attempt and endurance is all it takes to be successful in life. So, in the end, no matter how many traumas and obstacles come your way, one should always strive to surpass them and try and be a good human being, because, after all that is what is the essence of life.

A Usual Day

2009-12-25T03:35:00.000-08:00

It was early morning when the alarm on my cell phone began its monotonous blaring. I was actually caught between thoughts of whether I should get up or just put the alarm on snooze and nap for another 10 minutes. But then, I guess my laziness took over me as usual, being a typical Libran. I checked the message for my office transport and once I saw my colleague’s contact number in it, I thought, “What the hell, guess I can snooze for another 10 minutes!!!”

So, with sleep over-ruling my senses, I switched off my alarm, and slipped into the dream world all over again. But, without realizing I kept on sleeping and suddenly I am jostled out of my slumber by my mom’s screams. All I can hear are the words, “Sahil, get up or you will miss your cab!!!”. Thinking it’s just a part of my dream, I keep on snoozing away to glory. But suddenly, I feel something cold hit my face like being slapped with a big piece of ice. Realizing it was my mom throwing cold water over my face, I woke up with a start. Taking that as my cue, I jumped out of the bed, feeling as if all the adrenaline had already started pumping throughout my body.

Before rushing into the bathroom for my bath, I decided I needed to take out my clothes. Have you ever realized when you are in a hurry, you never seem to find the things you are looking for!?! It seems as if everything in the world has to go wrong at the precise time when you are in a hurry and too impatient to figure things out. So as usual, in all the hasty movements for taking out my things, I conveniently slipped and fell, cursing my ankle which got twisted.

Thus, began my morning ritual.

Crying in agony and cursing the wretched bed post, I wobbled around trying to find the necessary stuff and finally being satisfied with everything, I tried to rush for a bath. But, alas, that was not meant to be for I slipped and fell inside the washroom as well on the bathing soap. Not knowing what to do, I slowly got up and thinking it’s the end, I managed to get ready.

Having gotten ready somehow, I gobbled my breakfast and then like a maniac rushed out of the house as if the whole world was on fire. Once I reached outside my house, I noticed my office cab standing right there, adjacent to the triangular park, with its headlights on, like the glowing eyes of a ferocious animal in the bowels of a jungle.

The toughest task actually lay ahead of me. I opened the cab door (A Tavera which had a capacity to seat 8 people) and I saw there were already 7 people sitting cozily in the backseat of the car, sneering at me as if trying to challenge me to get in. Somehow, with a lot of pushing, shuffling, and grunting I managed to squeeze myself into the limited space available, though this task was not managed without attracting a few glares from my fellow travelers.

After this abominable task, I finally began the bumpy ride to my office. Geared up with my I-Pod, the ear phones plugged into my ears, I just sat with my eyes closed trying to concentrate on the things to be done in office that day, but to no avail. My inseparable companion, as usual took over me in a matter of seconds. With Shania Twain cooing in my ears, ‘forever and always’, I dozed off.

While sleeping, it felt like I am on a bumpy sleigh ride, wading through the snow, pulled by reindeer and the icy wind hitting my face, refreshing me through and through. But then suddenly, I am snapped out of my stupor. I woke up to find the window of the car open, the cold wind gushing and hitting me straight on the face. That’s when I realize the reason for the ecstatic feeling.

Finally, the car rolls into the office driveway. Struggling to open the door, I almost fell out, when the door is pulled open from outside by my colleague. In an attempt to conceal my embarrassment, I step out as if nothing had happened at all. With a straight back and bubbling confidence (but a slight limp because of the morning misfortunes), I walked ahead, entered the office premises, with my colleague by my side. Suddenly, he asks, “Sahil are you all right??? Why are you limping so much?” I just smiled and coyly replied, “Buddy, it’s a long story” laying the proper amount of stress and intonating the word ‘long’ as if I am a born voice and accent trainer. Seeing his confused look, I started reliving all those moments and just winced at the thought.