A thoughtful little fella...

I met this little fella yesterday, who must be hardly about 10 years old - And, Oh my God! Wasn't I shaken out of my dream world!! I had a wonderful, thought provoking and a totally enjoyable conversation with him for about an hour.. and here's what he had to say -

LB - Akka, I just hate this city life. The noise and the pollution just irritates me no end. I want to go far far away from this city and live in a world of my own. My dad has some ideas of building a farmhouse. Wouldn't that be great???

I am planning to start a Wild Life Sanctuary, and do some Agriculturing also. We can have 3 dogs - two to protect the sanctuary and 1 for our protection. Also we will have a guest room, so that we can invite weary travellers to take rest there ... ofcourse we will not let them into our house, because its not right to trust anybody.

We will take all near to extinction animals, and take care of them so that they have children and their numbers grow. I am going to plant lots of trees, so that I can get the vegetables and fruits for daily use from them itself.

Me - But kutti, where will you get the money for all this? You know, I have just fallen for your idea, but it isn't that easy to start off on it.

LB - (thinks a bit and states matter of factly) - But Akka, if we start a wild life sanctuary - The Govt will fund us, will it not? So there goes the problem of funds!! Also, I have 2000 bucks in my piggy bank, and my father has saved money for me as well.

Me - (Wow!!!! What do I say here????).

LB - Akka, I won't even go to school, because all the knowledge is available in books, and I can just read them and improve and learn about the world.

Me - However, if you want to get a job later in life, you would need a degree certificate dear boy, and you would have to go to school and then college for that to happen.

LB - But why do I need a job? I can work as an officer in my own Sanctuary and help in the project to make the animals and greenery stay intact. What do you think of this akka? Can you please talk to amma and make her understand that we must do this and we must help our nation grow in the right direction? Akka, we must also control the population growth and stop breaking down trees and forest areas - we must build lots of trees and make people understand that if the trees are all cut down, we will not be able to live any more and lose all the comforts and the beautiful weather that we enjoy. People just understand all this, do they?

Me - True dear boy and its amazing that you have a great idea like this in your little head - and I would love to think that this will happen in the near future. Keep up this thought and work towards your dream. I am sure it will work out some day.

[Isn't it a wonder that a 10 year old loves the world so much and wants to do so much for it. And we, the common people, know all about the imminent dangers, but still pretend that life is just rosy, and turn a bl

Wada paav and chai ...

Just the plain thought of it makes me drool, imagine what would happen if I actually was gorging on it right now!!! Wada paav and chai is one of the most famous snack - A favourite among people in the state of Maharashtra - starting from school kids to as old as 70 year olds...

Be it for breakfast, lunch or an evening bite - Wada paav is the unconquerable leader.

College days was when I was introduced to this delicacy! Starting at a meagre Rupess 3 for a wada paav and a 2 rupees 50 paise for a cutting (this was how a half cup of tea was known as) - this was the most affordable and lip smacking eat.

What with a few pennies in hand, all of us friends had no better work than to sit at the all time favourite Gokul bhaiyya's katta and gorge on the wada paavs and a cutting each. All the while, the guys making sure that they don't miss out on any of the babes coming out of the ladies hostel, and us girls just content with each others company and enjoying the stupid jokes (:P) that the guys used to crack.

Wada paav is basically potato wada (which also has lots of coriander, ginger and garlic), stuffed in between the two folds of a buttered and toasted Paav (you could call it a burger bun), with a generous spread of ground nut chutney and onion slices. A bite of this heavenly concoction, and a sip of tea to go along ... yummmmmmmm... you need to experience it to understand what I mean here!!

Kudos to the discovery of wada paav. :). Oh how I missed it in my 3 and a half years of stay in Bangalore!! And those who haven't had a taste of this - what are you waiting for??? Get up and GO EAT ONE immediately!

Psst - An advice... I have not tasted as good a wada paav anywhere else in India. So don't take a chance and taste one outside Maharashtra!!

An afternoon well spent ...

There are so many little children in this world, who are not as lucky as all of us to have had a wonderful childhood. Little children who have had to sacrifice their innocent childhood in doing tasks which are not meant for them - working as rag pickers, working in Tea stalls, and whatever not. All this, in an effort to earn a little bit of money, to support their family and to be able to eat atleast one decent meal a day. At their tender ages, these children are burdened with much much more than they can handle. They end up growing too soon and miss out on the wonderful experiences of childhood. Though they might go to school, once they are back home, what are they in for??? Again the same scenes of drunken fathers, fights, smoking, ... things which are absolutely not meant for them.


So, it was a wonderful feeling on the last sunday afternoon to see these same little kids of lesser privileged parents, enjoying themselves at an art class organized by an NGO. The kids were having a good time there - which was the main aim - to let the kids be what they are - KIDS.


They were such a curious and competitive lot. Some were quietly and keenly doing the work given to them, while some were making me do it for them!! Others were busy comparing their work with that of their friends, and making sure that their own was no less. There was a lot of running about, sharing of paint brushes, spilling of the coloured waters, and at once getting a cloth to clean the mess... all these small little things teaching them the basics of life. Ofcourse there were some petty fights, and arguments between the little ones, and it took a lot of efforts on the part of the teacher and the volunteers to try and instill into them the rights and wrongs. But isn't that the challenge? To give them the freedom of their thoughts and expressions and mould them into beautiful human beings who can take care of their lives and be independent.


Well, within no time the class got over. All of them, chattering and playing, formed small groups. Some trooped to catch a train, while some started walking home. Walking along with me, they wanted to know where I stayed and how I would go home. They invited me to their houses, and I had a difficult time convincing them that I would make it some other day. Some wanted a ride in the car when they learnt that my dad was coming to pick me. Some wanted to know whether I stayed in a bungalow, or an apartment. My my... the questions were never ending. :).


It was an afternoon well spent - with children who were so enthusiastic, and so much in awe of everything around them, and who will take on the world, if only given a chance...

Dear Friend ...

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to. You are not a very grounded person. You prefer dreams to reality. For you, it's all about possibilities. You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

This one is for all my friends who have supported me through my entire life... For all those friends who have shared all the happenings in my life, be it the most joyous moments of my life... or even the most difficult times in my life.. I have always had them with me through the various ups and downs that I have gone through in my school and college days...

Friends are the most beautiful possessions in one's life.. I have ended up learning the most essential lessons of my life from the time spent with my friends..

And it just doesn't end there .. The same friends (and now even more), even with their busy schedules, with their daily routines of work, marriage, children, ... The same friends still make sure that they are always there to help me, lend a ear to the happenings in my life.. pull me up when I am distressed, buck me up with words of encouragement, to give me a shoulder to weep on... and to let me know that they have tons of faith in my abilities...

Through the various moments of fun, sorrows, separation, reunion, I have gained so many important lessons. Though at those moments of emotions, it had never been obvious of the influence that it would have in my life... but when I look back... I realise that they were what has made me the person I am today...

When I was made fun of by my friends, I used to be hurt. But I realised that they made fun of me so that I would stop being a baby, grow up, and learn to face the world and to stand on my own feet.

The trips that we went out together, they have helped us in getting to know each other so well, and we are all so strongly bonded now.. This has made me value the presence of any and every person/event in my life, however small it might be..

We used to go cycling together, racing against each other and against time... this has embedded within me, the quality of facing life's difficulties with a challenge and with a smile, and also to always remember to lend a helping hand to someone who is left behind...

This blog is for all of you guys and gals... This is to thank all of you for being there always.... Three cheers to all my dear friends... Here's wishing you luck in all the endeavours in your life...

With nothing to do on a weekend

Blog blog blog - Am back - But the bad news is that - I have no special news to blog about. Have finished all the work for today at office. And I am wondering what I should do next. We have TGIF celebrations at our office today. But I am in no mood to attend. I want to go on treks and meet my old college friends and just freak out this weekend .. but got no company Boohoo .. so that's that.. and here I am, cribbing about it. All friends are in the US of A. Except a few who are totally stuck with work. Which is really bad because then they are not available on weekends to freak out with. And what is a weekend for if its not utilised properly? That statement makes me cry ... Am all set to put the city on fire.. but I don't have company. This is not fair.

Random thoughts

Life's like that -

Not always sweet and rosy - sometimes I just don't seem to understand how people think, see and act, or what makes them see things the way they do.. and not the way I want them to ...

I can never seem to get people to see things from my perspective- because I myself don't have clear explanations to my way of seeing things, I just think the way I do without giving a thought as to how (or how not) feasible it might be in the long run..

So there you go.. what can be done in this case? Guess no one's really understood what I am trying to say here..

Traffic Rules

You Are Somewhat Honest

You do tend to tell the truth a lot But you also stretch the truth on occasion You figure a little lie isn't a big deal As long as it doesn't hurt anyone too much!

How Honest Are You?

Traffic rules - I thought they were there for us to obey them! And wow - people just impressed me totally today by breaking them so easily and causing trouble for all the others on the road - who look like fools following the rules...

As the saying goes - Rules are mean to be broken - Poeple are taking this statement very seriously and go about breaking the rules without even a hint of a prick in their conscience!

30 seconds more to go for the green signal, and the traffic is flowing from the opposite side, but Mr Car Driver honks and honks - and the Bike driver in front gets the cue - He moves breaking the signal and the Mr Car driver follows him as if it was the right thing to do - and glares at the others who are still standing, waiting for the green signal... How very nice of him, isnt it...???

AAAAAARGH... these things just totally get on my nerves... Why do the so-called learned and educated people turn Oh-so noncivilised? How will their kids learn if the elders themselves behave so ignorant... ??!?!! What is the hurry? Why doesn't a person start a little earlier than usual, so that he could be on time, just driving normally, instead of causing unnecessary troubles to all the others? One can actually enjoy a drive. Why the tension in the mind of the driver? Why not start early and enjoy the beauty of the morning instead of spoling your mood as well as that of others....?? Will people ever learn?

Change

Your Mexican Name Is...

Doña Aracely

What's Your Mexican Name?

Pune - Back home. Feels great to be back home... to where I belong! And having all the attention of mom and dad. Exploring the familiar Pune roads on my two-wheeler, with the wind caressing my tresses! Wasn't that a wonderful feeling!!!
This was the place where I have the most beautiful memories. I can't believe that its already time for me to write about my memories about this place! It seems just like yesterday, when my friends and me used to go to school together on bicycles, and then to different colleges, but still managed to meet each other almost everyday, and exchange our daily events....

Now, it’s just me here. All of them are at different places. In the US, in Australia, living their own lives, bringing up their kids. Of course, still in touch. Life changes so drastically, it’s never the same. The best of friends we had, suddenly seem so far off and out of reach. And more so, this fact just merges so easily with our lives. The fact that things have changed, and that it’s no longer the same, that our friends are no longer with us, these things just become a part of our life so easily... guess that’s because our lives also have changed. We have our work, our family and OUR things to think about, we are so immersed in ourselves, that it doesn’t seem to matter anymore, not all that much at least, that our friends are not with us any more...

Like someone very rightly said - Change is the only constant in life

Why?

Your Personality Profile

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Sometimes, life can just be so beautiful and nice to you, that you end up wondering why?!! I wonder sometimes, why is it that God is being so kind to me??? Am I really worth all the nice things that he is doing for me? What good have I done to people??

We all know and believe that God is impartial. However, I am never able to understand that why is it that some people are poor and struggle even for a small meal, while others just manage to have everything and still crib about not having enough .. (I am surely not excluding myself from the latter set of people) ..

Then how come we still say that God is impartial? So is all this manmade? All are these inequalities due to man bringing in distinctions between people? Then why cant God just set these things right, and why can't everybody in this world have their little basic necessities atleast?

But then again, where do these basic essentials end??

Autos in Bangalore

Citizen1 asks the auto driver- "M.G.Road hogtheera?"
Auto Driver - Grunts ... "Illa hogalla"
Scene repeats with citizen 2 asking - "Indira Nagar?"
Auto Driver 2 - Gives a wry smile and just keeps moving.

This is a very common situation in Bangalore. I am sure Bangaloreans would agree with me. And it frustrates one so much, especially when we are in a hurry and want to get to some place at a given time, instead of being able to just take an auto and go our way, we end up walking about 15 - 20 minutes until we come across an auto driver who deigns to take us to where we want to go. And how??? -- After a great amount of haggling, at a 1 and a half meter rate!!!! Was it worth all this effort?

Its much more easier and feasible to just take a bus and keep moving. Sometimes I wonder, why don't the autos have a board, just like buses, stating that this auto will only go to this particular place. We wouldnt then even bother stopping and asking them whether they would please take us here...

I am sure every city has something to say about their auto facilities!

So whose fault is this? The auto drivers, when asked for an explanation, come up with the following reasons:
1. One ways on that road.
2. Too much of traffic on that side.
3. We will not get a return fare, so pay us one and a half.

So where do we go from here? The auto drivers too have a point here. They lose out on their income because of not getting a return fare, because of having to take round about routes due to the huge number of one ways that have been implemented, and also, because of having to wait for ages due to the huge traffic jams that happen at peak hours.

Shouldn't we be doing something about this issue? The population in Bangalore is growing by the day, so the number of one ways too cannot be avoided...

Will it help if we have a metering system which runs on waiting? This system is there at present, and is used when we ask the auto to wait for a few minutes while we finish off our personal work and come back. However, if it could also be used while the traffic jam is holding the auto up, the auto drivers might not think twice to take us to where ever we want them to.

Does any one have any solutions? What else could be done to better this situation? Also, this might not just be in Bangalore.

Thoughts on protection of trees

The other day, I and a relative were having a discussion, and I mentioned the rapid cutting of trees in Bangalore, which was totally unacceptable to me. However, when he voiced his opinion on it, I learnt that there were people who actually approve the cutting down of trees. The arguement he offered was, if the traffic was really high, and the trees are growing in the center of the road, blocking the traffic, then the only option was to cut down the culprit. The roads would have been smaller in earlier years, and so they would have planted trees, not keeping in mind the fact that the roads might need to be widened as the days progress, and when they are, the trees might prove as a block for the ever increasing flow of traffic. Though, practically this arguement makes absolute sense, but do you still think this is a valid solution? What if trees had brains and could think and walk and talk like humans, and they were growing vastly in population? Would they start killing humans because humans had completely occupied their land? Is that acceptable to us? Don't we realise that trees are the ones who provide the comfortable shade in days of sweltering heat, and who house a whole lot of beautiful flowers which are so pleasing to ones eyes, and fruits which act as our food? I agree we need them to provide our basic furnishings etc., but shouldnt there be a way of ensuring that we help the growth of trees in some way or the other? There was a mention about planting one tree for every tree cut... but does anyone know if this really happens? Do we really need to advance so much in technology that we neglect the very own nature which has provided us with so much so unselfishly?