India, the Republic @62

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा


खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

 तू शेर-ए-हिन्द आगे बढ़

मरने से तू कभी न डर

उड़ा के दुश्मनों का सर

जोश-ए-वतन बढ़ाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

 हिम्मत तेरी बढ़ती रहे

खुदा तेरी सुनता रहे

जो सामने तेरे खड़े

तू खाक में मिलाये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा

चलो दिल्ली पुकार के

ग़म-ए-निशाँ संभाल के

लाल क़िले पे गाड़ के

लहराये जा लहराये जा

कदम कदम बढ़ाये जा

खुशी के गीत गाये जा

ये जिंदगी है क़ौम की

तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा


Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja... was the regimental quick march of the Indian National Army. Composed by Ram Singh Thakur, the song has since became an extremely patriotic song in India, and is also currently the Regimental quickmarch of the Indian Army. Listening to this tune has always filled my heart with compassion for my countrymen, and it continues to thrill me. When I see the Republic of India today, which turns 62 tomorrow, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction, of belonging to a nation which has risen from the slumbers of doom to a land of oppurtunity.Not even the great Father of India nor his legendary son, Pandit Nehru, the man who dreamt of a modern and secular India, would have imagined that in mere 62 years of becoming a Republic, India would be striving for a stake in global governance.Contrary to the doom predicted by most political pandits, the seeds of democracy have only deepened further and India has retained it's secular and pluralistic character,inspite of an increasingly hostile and polarised neighbourhood.Our enterprises have not only arrived at the world stage, but look poised to redefine the trade balances across the globe.Indians have been voted as the most happiest people on the planet,and the freedoms we enjoy under the Indian constitution have allowed the citizen to challange the might of the state.We are the youngest country in the world with over 500 million people in the working agegroup.We have the largest pool of scientists,engineers and doctors in the world and are moving at a tremendous pace towards making significant contributions to research and development.I can think of a thousand reasons for feeling very upbeat about the prospects of this young Republic.
Yet, India at 62 is not all about Gandhi or Nehru.We still have the largest number of poor in the world.Our literacy rates are deplorable compared to the developed countries.The effects of governance deficits have taken the shape of separatist movements, be it Kashmir or the Maoist movement.A large section of the population has never enjoyed the privileges as offered by our constitution and power is still weilded by few in the name of democracy.Values,ethics and accountability are at a all time low in public life, be it our political leaders,bureaucrats or business leaders.The evil of corruption has become a part of the system and is looking to conquer one and all.Regional biases have started to overtake national identity,as is evident from the Telangana and the Naga movements.Collusion of big businesses with all major political parties,as is evident from the 2G scam, is a threatening move to the very basics of a democratic Republic.Environment is being seen as a roadblock for development, and is being destroyed at a pace that can only result in doom.The notion of Inclusive Growth finds place only in political speeches,and is forgotten thereafter. Public spending in Publice Health, Higher Education, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Infrastructure, are far below the benchmarks of a modern and developed Republic. Judiciary, which is supposed to the protector of the rights of the public, is itself struggling to keep the faith of the people in it and looks to avoid being accountable to them.

Indian Republic, at 62, looks so much like India.Chaotic,brutal,raw, yet hopeful, of a bright future.India at 62 stands as the youngest and largest Republic of the world in terms of population, and it is these young men and women, with dreams in their eyes and strengths in their hearts, which hold the power to transform this great country to a land of dreams, one which is free for all, which values individual liberty, faith, and one which provides oppurtunities to unlock the potential hidden inside an individual.India @62, can look to be bold, courageous and assertive in redeeming it's founding principles.It can look towards people like you and me to turn all the challenges it faces into oppurtunities and contribute to the ever growing legend of this humble civilisation.

India, the Republic@62, is perhaps entering the most challenging time in it's entire history. Only time will tell how it fared and where it will reach, but I will play my part in taking it from here to only greater and greater heights. India @ 62 reminds me to sign off with a song that goes like this:

हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के




पासे सभी उलट गए दुश्मन की चाल के

अक्षर सभी पलट गए भारत के भाल के

मंजिल पे आया मुल्क हर बला को टाल के

सदियों के बाद फ़िर उड़े बादल गुलाल के



हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के

तुम ही भविष्य हो मेरे भारत विशाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



देखो कहीं बरबाद न होवे ये बगीचा

इसको हृदय के खून से बापू ने है सींचा

रक्खा है ये चिराग़ शहीदों ने बाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



दुनियाँ के दांव पेंच से रखना न वास्ता

मंजिल तुम्हारी दूर है लंबा है रास्ता

भटका न दे कोई तुम्हें धोखे में डाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



एटम बमों के जोर पे ऐंठी है ये दुनियाँ

बारूद के इक ढेर पे बैठी है ये दुनियाँ

तुम हर कदम उठाना जरा देखभाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के



आराम की तुम भूल-भुलैया में न भूलो

सपनों के हिंडोलों में मगन हो के न झूलो

अब वक़्त आ गया मेरे हंसते हुए फूलों

उठो छलांग मार के आकाश को छू लो

तुम गाड़ दो गगन में तिरंगा उछाल के

इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के

Let Me Love

The moment I close my eyes,
I see you passing by,
I just can't think anymore,
Touch my lips with yours, so pure.

The world looks so dark,
Come be my light.
Failure seems to be the only mark,
My success,come stand by my side.

Every time I look into that mirror,
A dead man laughs, to my horror.
Oh my savior, bring me peace,
Heal my wounds,put me at ease.

Remember, the long walk,
Words melted hearts, when we talked.
Hold my hands, just once more,
Like a sea,melting on the shore.

The wind, teases me,
loneliness, freezes me.
Will you come, be my spring?
Would you, take thy ring?

Let me love you,
every moment, each time.
Let me tell them,
You are mine.

Win Some Lose Some

It seems weird, but somehow I feel that the last two months have perhaps been the longest of my life so far. I have never ever learned so much about myself. The entire world has gone topsy-turvy. Change is life, and being the change, is perhaps as challenging as climbing Everest. I have learned that all change looks good, only if we are not paying for it or we are not asked to change. Changing mindset, habits, idealogies, values, priorities, is a challenge that can only be won by scholars in quest for fiction. Life, sadly, is lot more complex and change is only a sub-system of our priorities and value systems, for the reverse case is a distant possibility.

I have learned this the hard way, but have I really learned my lessons? Life is an unending war, with battles waiting to define our success and fall. You win some, sometimes you lose.

School Chale Hum

Congratulations India!!

Better late than never and even if it ranks as 132th country to do it, India has finally notified the Right to Education as a fundamental right. The move acquires an immediate significance as it promises delivery of Education to the one of the poorest and the biggest adolescent population of the world.
This is a bold move, one with the potential to change the destiny of this country of over a billion people in the coming two decades. Our politicians and leaders need to applauded for backing the RTE and passing this historic legislation, only to reminded of the fact that this is just the first milestone they have crossed in a tortous journey, which will only get tougher in the days to come. For the moment, Mr Sibbal and his team can afford a bright smile, so can the teeming millions of Indian kids, out there in the villages, towns and cities of India.
Sadly, passing a legislation on a sensitive issue like Education is not the solution as most of us think.
The Primary Education sector in India suffers from mammoth issues like:

• Accute shortage of quality teachers and high teacher absenteeism
• Lack of Infrastrucutre in Govt Schools
• High drop-out ratio of over 50 % and more so in case of girls, either due to social customs or lack of financial resources
• Only 7% share of private sector in primary education, as it is non-profitable in rural areas and non - affordable in many tier 2 and 3 cities
• Official corruption and red-tapism

And many more. The RTE bill has addressed most of the above issues, some of them like:

• Minimum Infrastructure to be provided has been mentioned as a legal requirement
• A minimum qualification for the teachers has been prescribed, which they have to attain within 5 years of their joining the job.
• Absenteeism over 10% will lead to official action
• 25 % of the seats of all private schools for class 1 have been reserved for children of economically weaker sections of the society
• Huge huge investment by the Central and State governments over the next 6 years amounting to approx 4 lakh crores to be spent on education

The centre as well as the states will have to recruit around a million teachers in the next 5 years in order to make this bill a reality, which, is the biggest challenge it faces. How are we going to ensure that the existing faculty and those going to be recruited will deliver quality education to the future of our nation?
From where will these million teachers come? Why any bright professional will venture into teaching profession with salaries lower than that offered to a class 4 "sarkari peon"? How will we ensure that tons of thousands of crores of public funds meant for our future generations are not eaten by the moth of corruption?
How are we going to ensure that girls won't drop out of schools that don't have a separate ladies toilet?

These are tough challenges to tackle and require every bit of committment from every stakeholder, be it the politicians, or the bureaucracy, the teachers or the school administrators, the parents, the kids, civil society, NGO's and nonetheless me to ensure that the gift of oppurtunity reaches to each and every kid of our country in the name of Education.

N R Narayanmurthy studied by a lamp-post, Dr Kalam studied in a village government school, and why to go far, my father did his own primary schooling in a tribal school. Narayanmurthy has given India and every Indian a global recognition, Dr Kalam has tutored India to follow it's dreams and my father has educated me to be a good human and stand on my feet.
The onus is on us to extend a helping hand to the Murthy's and Kalam's, the Manmohan's and the Raman's , the you's and me's , waiting for that lamp post, that village school, that oppurtunity.
Let's teach them a new poem, " School Chale Hum, School Chale Hum"

In Conversations With.... Part 2

On Adoptions, with Ankit Agarwal and afterthoughts

I don't know whether it was the effect of the weather or the Chai that we were having at a roadside tea-stall, but we were feeling back to good old college days. Returning back from the office at 11 30 pm in a chilling, foggy nite, we decided to have Maggie opposite the CSC office, sector 58, Noida.

We were toying with the idea of joining an NGO in Noida, impart education to kids, and even considered the idea of starting something at our own, towards creating oppurtunities in the life of under privileged kids.

Call it stupid, but then we jumped towards our own future kids. I wished I had a girl child, he wished he had a girl and a boy, an ideal pair. And then, out of nowhere, I suggested, is there a probability of adopting a child?

We both discussed the option. We both acknowledged the fact that motherhood is an essential part of the life for most of the women. Motherhood, the whole process right from fertilisation till the birth of the baby, transforms a lady. That whole period of nine months, are unique for the couple, and especially, for the lady. We men can only understand, but cannot experience that pleasure and pain. In that case, we may consider the idea of having one baby, and adopting another, was my simple reply to Ankit.

He brought out the various practicalities involved in the whole process and we decided to go home, for it was already close to midnight.

I reached home and kept wondering. I know there are thousands of reasons that come in way of adopting a kid, especially when the couple can bear a baby, or the couple already has a child.

Social status, economic status, genes, love, emotions, there is just almost everything at stake.

I know there are millions of orphan kids in the world, and that every man has his own destiny, but then, will I not help one change his?

I will give this a long long thought.........................

In Conversation with..... Part 1

The last few days have been quite exciting, and I have had some really intersting and enriching conversations with my friends.
I am writing the extracts here for future reference, for they are quite engrossing and may lead to a better clarity in my thought process.
On Reservation with Ananya Sri and the afterthoughts

Reservation to the SC, ST and OBC as provided for by the constitution of India is an issue which needs a matured relook and solution. Is the sacrifice of merit justified? Or, to be precise, does providing reservation to over 50 % of the population of the country, majority of which is under-developed, help in imparting social justice or strengthen the caste and class divide in our society? Is the provision for reservation a political weapon, or an essential component of the Indian democracy?

The fact cannot be denied that majority of the members of the reserved category have been exploited for ages by the dominant upper castes.

Also, the Indian government has been told by the Directive principles of the state policy to create social and political justice in the society.

Few intellectuals advocate providing reservation to the under privileged on economic criterion. Practically, this is not possible, for there are 500 million + people in India who do not form a part of the economic workforce, and stats can be manipulated by the remaining 600 million.

I as a member of the unreserved category, have seen my merit being under mined by the policy of reservation. If I look at the bigger picture, I see some sense in the policy of reservation, for we need to reduce in equalities. But then, it has been 60 years since independence, and yet, the situation has not improved much. Has the pain of losing on merit by a general candidate gone waste when he sees the benefits of reservation being exploited by generations of many of the so called reserved classes?

Or, if I as a candidate of the reserved class use the benefit of reservation, why does the state not make it my responsibility to seek social upliftment of my community, why does my child need the same qouta which got me a job, why?

Who gains here, and what?

Both the general and the deprived masses are on the losing side, yet, hold each other responsible for the outcomes of the reservation policy.

I am not sure, how are we going to eliminate the evil of caste from our society until such policies hold ground.

That man needed help

Yesterday
10th November 2009.
It was around 9 30pm.
After a good class on International Relations and an enjoyable discussion with Kannan, the "spolied genius", as Himani( his better-half) says, I was breezing past the dark and cold streets of Noida.
And then, something caught the corner of my eye. It was the image of a crowd, some 15 of them, in a circle, and looking down at something, near the UFLEX main gate, opposite Shopprix Mall. I don't know what prompted me, that after almost speeding past that scene, I halted and turned back my bike towards the mob. By the time I reached there and parked my bike, the number of people had soared to almost 30 and there was definite panic in the air. The sight of a bike crushed as a gunny-bag, whose pieces were spread across the width of a road, was a good enough reason for that. And then I looked down, in horror, to see a man lying down in a pool of blood.
The people surrounding that man had recovered his mobile and tried giving calls to the last dialled no, but no one responded from the other side. We called for an ambulance but none came in the next 10 minutes. He was lying on the road, unconcious. In an effort to gauge the damage, I just lifted his chest by pulling his shirt, someone held his head from falling down. My worst fears were coming true. His head was almost crushed in the back side and leaking blood like our municipality pipelines. That man was in serious trouble.

I had to literally bully an autowala to help me take that man to a nearby hospital, Fortis.
I requested two young men to sit in that auto with that man, while I showed him the way to Fortis on my bike. The police had also bursted into the scene by that time, and took that fellow's mobile and wallet and told us to to continue to FORTIS and they will follow suit.

As soon as the Emergency Staff of FORTIS transferred our victim from the auto to the strecther, they told all three of us that this fellow was in extreme critical condition and that the case may get complicated.
I could see the same fear that was gripping me inside, in the eyes and faces of the other two fellows who had bravely brought that man to the hospital. I knew from my experiences in college, things may turn messy. I thanked both of them and told them to leave instantly. I also apologised to the autowala and thanked him for showing courage.
"You have done a good job by bringing him here, but you need to take a decision immediately.
His pulse rate is 20, his pupils have expanded and his eyes are not responding to light.
We would request you to either call his relatives or take him to some other hospital, for we need written permission to carry CT scan and decide on his survival chances. You are an educated person, please decide boss"
As soon as the doc on Emergency duty said this, meri phat gayee.
I was concerned for the man, but also worried about what responsibilities would come on me if I sign on his relatives behalf. Tense, confused, I tried calling my room mates, but the network could not get me through them. I called Kannan, his phone was switched off. I knew I was running out of time. I then called Ananya, desperate to decide what to do. I thought of calling my parents and di, but that would have brought them more anxiety, so I skipped that thought.
And then, I decided, what would have I done if I was still in college?
I would have tried my best to save a life, and I am still the same.
As soon as I arrived at my decision, I walked back into the emergency room, only to be relieved a bit to see his relatives talking to the doc. I gave a huge sigh of relief, for i was still worried about the condition of that man.
After about 15 mins of explaining the whole situation to them, I felt comforted by the fact, that the same UP Police, who had harassed me two days before, was applauding my efforts and speaking for me in front of his relatives.
That man works in Noida Authority, age around 35, and according to his wife, one who drives regularly while high on alcohol. His condition was fading with every passing moment, yet, his relatives, mostly of rural back ground, decided to shift him to another low-cost hospital at that crucial time, when he was struggling to live again. I could not control my anger and bursted at them for not realising the fact that their loved one is critical, severely critical.

I returned from FORTIS at 11pm, full of praises, accolades and thanks from the relatives of that man, staff of FORTIS, and on-lookers who never miss to comment:
"Aaj ke zamane main itna kaun karta hai"
I hope, that man survives, and will pray for him.
I have seen blood in my college-life, and maybe that did not allow me to panic.

His relatives arrived at the right moment.
What if they hadn't?
What if anything went wrong? Would I have been able to defend my stand as a sensible one?

I don't have the answers.

Angry Young Man

Chutiye
Saale tere jaise itna maar khate hain, bhaag yahan se, nikal saaleee, bc...........

Humiliated, that's how I felt.
Slowly, I turned my back, put back my papers in the bag, put on the helmet, and with misty eyes, started again for my class, on my stunner.
I don't know, whether it was the Smog around, or the feeling of being humiliated in public by the UP Police, my eyes were burning, and for once, the sound of my heart pounding against the walls of my rib cage, seemed to compete with the throttle of my Japanese Honda engine.

What I saw yesterday was rape in broad day light by goons in Khaki uniforms.
In the name of Traffic Month, these people were simply out there to harass the common man.
If you had a DL, where is your RC?
If you had a RC, where is the pollution control certificate?
When did you renewed it?
Even if someone had all the papers, the manner and tone in which these goons were talking was simply untolerable for anyone who respects self-identity.

They are pure extortionists, state-sponsored mafia, and I saw their bloody dirty face yesterday.
Inspite of all my best efforts to stay calm, I lost temper, and said:
" I have already shown all my documents. If I don't have my RC because it will take another week, I cannot help it yaar"

The moment I uttered the word yaar, I had committed the gravest crime in the world.
M****C**d
Bc
Hum tere yaar hain.


After 15-20 mins of teasing, they seemed to be getting bored, for more fools were in the queue.
Chutiye
Saale tere jaise itna maar khate hain, bhaag yahan se, nikal saaleee, bc.........

Angry, humiliated and disgusted, I had no option but to leave.
Is this my country?
Is this my police, whose duty is to protect me?
Why am I a Chuitya, because I respect the rule of law, I wear a helmet while riding my bike, or because I stand for what is just?

Bhadwe hain, dalaal saale, aur ismain galti us police waale ki utni nahi, jitni hamare system ki hai, kyunki use bhi uske political boss ne target diya hoga, jao aaj Noida se itna chanda lekar aao.

Is system main system follow karne waalon ki na koi aukaat hai aur na hi koi izzat.

I don't understand why don't these Khaki people realise that they are one of us, and if not for that Khaki, I would have really made them understand who the real Chutiya is.

One more thing, whenever a cop abuses, wo gaali lagti hai.

Salary Day

YIppiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
Rs 54,000/-!!!!!!!!!!!
Exactly on this day, the 30th of September 2008, my world had changed, forever.
For a boy whose monthly purse during college hovered around the 3k mark, I could not believe the text that was being displayed on my mobile:

"Your Ac xxxxxx544404 is credited Rs 54,000.oo 29 Sep."

My first salary, the feeling of earning, and being independent, well, it was just a wonderful feeling.

Prem Patra

Koi Deewana Kehta Hai, Koi Pagal Samajhta Hai,
Magar Dharti Ki Bechaini ko Bas Badal Samajhta Hai.

Main tujhse door kaisa hoon, tu mujhse door kaisi hai,
Yeh Tera Dil Samajhta Hai, Ye Mera Dil Samajhta Hai.

Bawaa!!!
I don’t know what to write, where to begin from, and where to end. I even don’t know if you will read this or not, yet I write to you.
I still remember, pearls of tears rolling down your pretty face, and mine, for this was it, the moment had arrived, I had finished my graduation, and in spite of all my wishes, it was time for me to leave, to step out of the college, into a new world. I could see the pain burning in your eyes, those eyes which used to carry the happiness of the world for me, which made me laugh, which stood by me, almost every time and anytime.
To be honest, it was your eyes that did the trick and made an Aashiq out of me.
The first day I saw you, those lovely, playful, naughty, big eyes, I knew, I was gone. 5 years have passed since, and honestly, I haven’t seen a more beautiful sight in this entire period, but for your eyes.
I don’t know what love is, but many say it’s friendship, well, friends we have been, almost the shadow of each other, from the day I saw you first, at the college gate, till the day, I walked out of that same gate, forever. Four years of trust, fun, courage and friendship. I never realized, you became my habit, an awesome habit. Mata ki Chai, Drishtant ki meetings, events, Ed-Board, TPO, the evening walks outside 7 no, the corridors of 5 no, c-top, the cricket ground, almost everything, reminded me of you.
I was struggling with life, but you never gave up, as my strength, you stood by me, steered my ship across maelstroms right up to the shore, to safety.
Yet, I walked out, left you behind, in the pursuit of my dreams, at a moment when you needed me most. Neither did you complain. Just smiled at me through the wall of tears, hoping I will come back, some day or the other.
I know I am selfish, I have made mistakes, I chase my dreams, yet, I miss you. Over the past year or so, I feel as if a part of me has gone, forever, lost into the cosmos. Everything is just perfect, but for you. I never made any promises to come back, and I regret this fact today, for I don’t see myself in the mirror, but a body which has lost its soul.
I don’t know whether I will come back or not, whether you still like me or not, will you forgive me or not. But I do want to tell you something, whatever I breathe; it has a tinge of your fragrance, soft and warm.
Someday we shall meet, and I may live again…

Main tujhse door kaisa hoon, tu mujhse door kaisi hai,
Yeh Tera Dil Samajhta Hai, Ye Mera Dil Samajhta Hai.

Love
Pathik

Note:

The post is inspired by a love letter that I wrote in early 2008 for a letter writing contest in one of my college festivals. I choose to write a love letter to my college and the pretty girl in this story is my college MANIT Bhopal.

Mata ki Chai is a historical part of MANIT college life.

Drishtant is our literary society, TPO is our placement cell and I was a part of the Editorial Board as well.

This post is dedicated to MANIT, it's students and friends.

Accident!!!

I met with an accident today.
A small girl, around 8 years in age, came infront of my bike. I was driving at around 40-50 km/hr and inspite of applying the disc brakes, could not prevent the accident. My bike hit her and she rolled on the ground almost thrice. The girl got up at once and started crying. I immediately realised she needed a doctor and got down from the bike. I picked up in my arms but she told me to put her down. As soon as I did that, she started limping towards her slum dwellings. Guided by her neighbours, I somehow followed her to her house. She was bleeding from a wound on her elbow, and had a visible wound on her ab. I explained the situation to her parents and admitted my mistake, requesting them to kindly allow me to take her to the hospital. Although the on-lookers and her neighbours opined that she was at fault and blah blah, I knew, I was at fault. Finally I rode her to a nearby clinic, accompanied by her brother around 14 years in age. Although the setting of the clinic was in a village, yet the doctor had the warmth to welcome both me and the child. He inspected her from head to toe, dressed her wounds, gave her medics and injection, and told me, she is perfectly normal. Hearing this atleast three times from him, I got out of the clinic and bought biscuits, chips and toffees. I rode them back to their temporary canvas tent and handed over the medics to her mother. She quietly slipped into her mother's lap and gave a sigh of relief. I decided to stay there for some time, and offered my apologies to her family. They were landless laborers from MP, and the conditions in which they were camping, almost started choking me. They expressed gratitude for my help, and assured me of the child's condition as normal.
I had only thanks to offer to them, wishes for Pinki, the child, and gratitude towards the almighty, who always tries to prove to me the meaning of the term faith and belief.
But the guilt will stay, I could have injured that child.
When I think of the condition of her family, and her neighbours, the clouds of despair surround me.
Yet, the ray of hope shines through, and one of my friend says:
"Just touch someone's life, be a humble human, and do all thats in your control"
Hope saved me today, and hopefully, I will always be it's favorite son.

Birthday Boy!

Today 12th August 2009, I complete an year of corporate melodrama courtesy Reliance Infrastructure Limited or akka Reliance Energy.
From being one of the three GET's to be in HR department, to getting transferred into Systems and Procedures department, from handling TSSA with Black &Veatch to being the team member of the Head of Engineering, from forwarding mails which almost got me fired, a year full of adaptations.
Certainly not expected, not defined, but the cloud of corporate lust, has already started growing, thick and fast.
The rules of the game are simple:

"Keep changing the goal Posts"

Inspite of all the wisdom, money does make one feel good, if not better ;)

A Red Day

15th June 2009.
So?
Middle of the Year?
Very hot?

To be honest, one of the best days of my life.
By god’s grace, I finally bought a bike, a splendid machine, by the name of Honda Stunner CBF.
The Red beauty beamed towards me as a newly wedded bride beams to her groom, at the wedding ceremony, and boy, it felt awesome!!
Some men dream, few accomplish what they dream, and even fewer go beyond what they dreamt of. That evening, I felt, I belonged to that last category, maybe for an instant, but I was there, with a bang.
Like a gang of college friends going to attend a wedding, My colleagues Nitin , Bharat and Poornima, literally took me to the showroom as a groom is taken to the wedding Pandal, a little tense, and a lot more happy inside. By the time we reached to the showroom in Poornima’s car, excitement had taken over our office boredom. Then, we saw her, standing there, like a bride dressed in all red, ready to take the final step out of her house, into her new home.

After about an hour of chaotic documentation, after going through all those idiotic formalities, and the cash, came the moment all of us were waiting for.
Poornima, smiling like a fairy in dreams, handed over to me, the keys of my bike, and suddenly I realized, it’s done!
For a moment, I thought, I wasn’t there. I was seeing things, there was Bharat, beaming with joy, and also Nitin, acting his usual self, and everything was just perfect, but was it true?

Indeed it was, and the clouds of disbelief were soon drowned in the ecstasy of euphoria that followed. I touched my bike, gently, and put in the key. And then, away we went, my bike and me, out into the streets of Noida, as if, a Happy beginning…..

I had heard an old Indian saying, “Sabra Ka Phal Meetha Hota Hai”, and boy, it really is sweet, in fact, and it’s amorous.

As of now, life’s good !!