How to keep the spark alive in your relationships

Relationships are manifestation of love within you. Love is one of the most intense emotions which dominates and defines the existence of human relationships. Relationships differ in their expression of love; it can be in the form of profound parental love, intricate bond with siblings, strong connection with friends, or passionate one with your partner. No matter what the relationship is, but it surely adds a meaning to our life.

During the commencement of a relationship, everything feels amazing and exquisite. However, with time the magical spell of the relationship starts fading and there are those moments when you wonder- why the hell you got into the relationship at the first place? Continuous endeavors are required to maintain and nurture a healthy and happy relationship.

The first and foremost element necessary for maintaining a happy relationship is mutual respect for each other. Love can only coexist with mutual respect and admiration. It is the foundation of a strong relationship and your actions should reflect the respect you have for your partner. Dr John Gray stated, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus,” so get used to the fact that you and your partner are different beings. You should learn to respect the differences of opinion and thought process.

Trust is an essential key on which the life of your relationship depends. It helps the individuals involved to have an unmatched degree of confidence in their relationship. It is the base on which every relation grows. Trust helps in providing emotional security and thus is one of the most important building blocks that nurture the relationship.

Another indispensable element is communication between the partners. Effective communication can only happen when you trust your partner. To open up our heart and confess our innermost feelings, we need to have the conviction that the person we are talking to will not let us down, no matter what. We should not anticipate that our partner is bestowed with mind reading prowess. Living in silent melancholy and not communicating what you want is both frustrating for you as well as your partner. Non addressal of vital issues leads to death of a relationship.

One of the most underrated notions is the idea of personal space in a relationship. We do not realize the importance of personal space, but its lack leads to monotony in a relationship. Personal space gives you time to celebrate your own individuality by investing time and energy in things you like doing. It is great to be with somebody whom you love but it is equally significant to have some quality time alone or with friends. It gives you something other than your relationship to talk about, when you are with your partner.

If you have common hobbies, it is an added advantage and if you don’t then do try to inculcate interest in their hobbies. Indulge in your partners interests with him as it helps you both to connect at a deeper level and showers both the partners involved with unexpected moments of love and sharing, thus strengthening the relationship.

Every relationship is different and you are the best person to discover the driving force that makes your relationship going.  Keep the romance alive by leaving small love notes or surprising each other, get bit unpredictable to spice up your love life with a pinch of excitement. So, make some efforts in analyzing your relation and keep it nurtured and healthy, both for your partner and for your own happiness.

Disaster Management in India

The republic day celebration on 26^th January 2001 in India came to a standstill when a massive earthquake left thousands of people homeless and helpless. The air became heavy with heart wrenching cries of desolation, blood stained lifeless limp human forms were seen all around and tears mixed with drool streamed down the soiled faces of motherless toddlers, whose eyes were looking for their mothers. The people of Kutch lost everything within a blink of eye, they witnessed the tragic meltdown of their dreams and aspiration in the debris of their own house and their heart was punctured with irreparable loss of their loved ones. It has been more than fifteen years but some of the scars of devastation can still be seen.

Efforts to cope up with such fatalities resulting from disasters are not in line with the frequency and magnitude of disasters. However, the last decade has seen unprecedented emergence of disaster management at global level. India too has realized the significance of proactive and preventive approach towards integrated disaster management. The quick reaction of national disaster management authority of India in June 2013 during the destructive Flood in Uttarakhand is a proof that we as a country still need to gear up our efforts to manage disasters. However, the humanitarian aid and rehabilitation thrust of the government to redevelop the Kedarnath shrine is noteworthy.

As per the world disaster Report 2009, major disasters which cause destruction of life and land are hydro meteorological events related to climate change like floods, storms triggered by cyclones, heat waves, drought etc.

If we look at disaster profiling of Indian subcontinent 85% of its area is vulnerable to disasters. Storms spawned in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal result in cyclones which are intensified by the coastal configuration and low depth topography of ocean bed. It leads to gales, heavy rain and intense storm surges.

Floods are perennial in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa. In Indo-Gangetic- Brahmaputra plains floods render lakhs of people homeless and lead to damage of several hectares of crops. 

Scanty or no rainfall leads to situations like Latur and severe droughts in arid and semi arid areas of the country which account for about 40 million hectares of land. Earthquakes resulting from crustal movement in the Himalyan region which falls in seismic zones lll-V make most of the north eastern states vulnerable to tremors. Forest fires often threat the existence of both flora and fauna.

The above mentioned disasters lead to major causalities. On the basis of their origin, they are often classified as natural and manmade disasters. 

Government of India has set up two institutes in New Delhi — the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with an aim to mitigate the damage potential of natural disasters. Their endeavour is to control the advent of a hazard into a disaster by identifying its causes and minimizing or preventing its damaging impact. To accomplish this some administrative policies are introduced which govern the existence of overcrowded buildings in earthquake prone zone; land, vegetation and drainage planning in flood prone areas and certain laws regulate various facilities to minimize the risk of disasters. The Disaster Management Act 2005 has been instrumental in providing a legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at various levels. The federal policy of India clearly illustrates that the prime accountability of disaster management rests with the State Governments. The Central Government precisely monitors the policies and guidelines including requirement of technical, financial and logistic support. Most of the operations are carried out in collaboration with central and state level agencies. 

Tragically, statistics are an indication that the present disaster management plans have so far focused on the post disaster period of rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction rather than preventing deaths. There is need to link disaster management and development plans, keeping in view the three phases of disaster management i.e. pre crisis, during crisis and post- crisis. Probably planning in advance and carrying out informative drills and workshops to deal with unforeseen disasters can result in prompt response and can minimize substantial loss of lives during calamities. Sustainable Development and preparedness to combat a natural crisis can reduce the impact of disaster. 

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR PREGNANCY EASY

The best thing in the world is when you know a life is fluttering inside you. But pregnancy is a difficult phase both emotionally and physically. Here are five basic things which require least effort from you.

1.   Sleep on Your Left Side–

The easiest of all is to sleep on left side because it is known to be a position where in heart receives maximum blood. Thus, it improves blood circulation and the fetus  receives maximum blood (oxygen) and  nutrients.

2.   Proper Diet and Proper Hydration–

Your focus should not be eating for two, but to eat a diet rich in nutrients ranging from proteins, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Try to include eggs,  lentils, yoghurt, cottage cheese and unpolished or brown rice etc in your diet . In last trimester, try to eat easily digestible food in less quantities with more number of  serves per day to avoid acidity.

3.   15 to 30 Minutes of Walk Daily–

Try to make walking your routine. 15 minutes of walk daily will do the trick to keep you healthy .Ensure to stop walking if you feel  breathless. Wear comfortable shoes while walking because during pregnancy the centre of gravity of our body changes.

4.   Practice Kegels-This is a simple form of exercise which you can do anytime and any where, it makes your pelvic floor muscles strong which support your uterus, bladder and small intestine. These muscles help in issues related to urinary incontinence and in smooth delivery . First,get hold of the right pelvic floor muscles by trying to stop urination (during urinating) in the midway, these muscles are between your vagina and anus. For practicing Kegels hold(contract) your pelvic muscles for 5 seconds and release. Repeat this process 5 to 10 times a day, try to expand the contraction time from 5 to 10 seconds .

5.    Yoga– Yoga’s like pranayaam and anulom vilom give you a practice of correct breathing. During active labor right way of breathing helps you in conserving your energy which is very much required to give that final push which brings the little life in this world.

Every pregnancy is different and unique in itself but the above basics will help you combat those difficult yet beautiful days of your life.

DIY- Shorts From Old Jeans

Here is a quick way to give a new look to your old jeans by converting it into shorts 

Requirement - Old Jeans, Scissors, Sewing machine, 1.5 - 2  meter lace, thread

Step 1 : Take Any of your old jeans that  you don't wear anymore , probably its gone out of fashion or is damaged on the knee or below knee.

Step 2 :  Cut it a inch more than the regular  size of your favorite shorts , fold it 1/2 inch and stitch it with the lace which you have picked for giving this a new look.

Step 3 : Add one more layer as shown in the picture of the lace , you may create a pattern of your choice, if the lace is broader then one layer towards the end would also do.

Quick Tips to combat dental pain when your dentist is out of reach

Ogden Nash very well explained the pain of a person suffering from dental issues in his poem- "This is going to hurt just a little bit”. I seriously wish somebody should have written on how to stop that throbbing dental pain when you can't pay an immediate visit to your dentist but want quick relief. I being one of the person, who suffered from dental issues since my eighth grade,is writing few tested tips which will help you ease out that horrible pain and believe me, these tips are damn quick in providing much needed relief.

1- Every kitchen has cloves if not clove oil. Pressing a clove between your teeth (including the aching one) helps out in easing the pain. If you have clove oil, take just two drops in a cotton ball and press it between your teeth. The wonder working agent in clove/clove oil is eugenol which numbs the veins of the gums thus easing out the pain.

2. Salt has got both healing and cleaning properties. My Granny used to advocate the usage of a pinch of salt with a drop or two of mustard oil as an effective teeth cleanser. Hence, a mouthwash made from glass full of warm water with a heaped table spoon of salt helps in recuperating from dental pain.

3. Chewing gum is less known for shiny teeth (if we don’t believe in gimmicky ads) more for preventing bad breath (no wonder people prefer them post lunch and before meetings) but here I have another good use of Chewing gum. Sometimes the cause of hypersensitivity or pain could be that your cavity filling has come out of its place and needs refilling. In such cases pressing a non-sugar chewing gum over the damaged area will not only help out in soothing the pain but will also help in protecting the cavity area by protecting food deposits in it.

4 .Chewing a piece of ginger is a quick way to get relief from dental pain. Applying paste of garlic on the area is also known to give good results though personally I find it bit cumbersome.

Hope the above tips come to your rescue in combating toothache during those tough nights when your dentist is out of reach. 

Seven Steps to beautiful eyes.

STEP1-


Start with cleansing your face i.e. your eyelids and under eye area with good cleanser. To get rid of residual makeup from eyes use normal lotion on a cotton swap.

STEP 2-

Apply primer on your eyelids and under eye area, it forms a film on your skin by making it soft and smooth. In addition to it primer helps the makeup to adhere to it and avoids after makeup fallouts and patchiness.

STEP 3-

Apply concealer either with a brush or fingers to cover up dark circles (in case you have them). Use a flesh toned powder to set the concealer.

STEP 4-

Now you can apply eyeshadow as per your choice, either a single color or a mix of color as per your choice. But do remember that to enhance your brow bone you should apply a lighter shade of what you are applying on your eyelids. While applying the colors go from the outer corner of your crease towards the inner corner of the eye. Blend the colors to give a natural and cohesive look.

STEP 5-

Apply eyeliner from using an angled brush if its liquid or you can go with the pencil liner as well . You can line up the lower lid to get a dramatic effect. Liner is applied from inside to outside of your lids.

STEP 6-

Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler by holding the clamp for about 4-6 seconds.

STEP 7-

Choose your mascara as per your choice ranging from volume, length and definition. Apply the mascara starting from base of upper eyelashes sweeping upwards. In order to apply more than one coat, apply while the first coat is wet to avoid clump formation

Matheran – An Eco Paradise

The Mumbai local running on the slow central track of Mumbai Pune link came to an abrupt halt with a mild screeching noise and it was time for us to de- board at Neral. The station was serene in contrast to the fast city life of Mumbai & looked like a scene from a regional flick with few women wearing traditional ‘Laguda’ some of them carrying a fish basket over their head while some of them walked swiftly with huge overstuffed ‘Jholas’ .

We came out of the station, crossed the parking lot & entered a narrow lane with strings of small wooden shops on either side selling fresh Vada Pavs. The aroma of garlic & chilies rising from this famous Maharastrian street snacks was so alluring that we bought them, despite the ugly sight of the shopkeepers hands dipped in yellow dough & the way he wrapped the snacks in an old but clean newspaper. Ten minutes later, we were in a cab on our way from Neral to Matheran entry point still relishing the tongue tingling taste of Vada Pav. The journey was hardly of 20 to 30 minutes & our cab sashayed through curved roads giving full view of hillocks on which the vegetation gleamed in golden sunlight.

We reached Dasturi, which is officially the entry point of Matheran & also the last point till which vehicles are allowed. Matheran not only boasts of being the smallest hill station in India but is also a vehicle free zone and has been declared an eco-sensitive region, by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. Its proximity to Mumbai makes it a favorite weekend getaway for the urban population.

We were late by fifteen minutes & unfortunately missed our pre booked journey of the colorful & enchanting toy train from Dasturi to Matheran. So, we were left at Dasturi, with other tourists surrounded by numerous porters, rickshawalas & horse owners bargaining like a housewife at the local grocery shop. We hired two sturdy horses, with glistening muscles which rippled at their slightest of movement .The horses galloped on the dusty road lined with wildflowers with numerous butterflies, towering trees & macaque monkeys hopping from one branch to other seeking opportunity to grab any of your belonging which remotely resembled an edible item.

On the way from Dasturi to the top of Matheran, one finds numerous points worth visiting. Our first halt was Panorma point which provides a breathtaking view of hills with river Ulhas flowing alongside. It’s also known as Sunrise point. Our Horseman was self proclaimed guide & he requested us to halt at Monkey point to get a close view of numerous coexisting gangs of monkeys to which we politely declined. However, we enjoyed his informative chatter & he stated that Matheran was discovered in 1850 by Hugh Poyntz Malet who was the district collector of Thane. The credit of developing Matheran goes to the British government who saw it as a destination to beat the summer heat. Being a hill station it is pleasant almost throughout the year however winter nights can get a bit chilly.

Our next destination was the Honeymoon Point about which it is said that a British official once actually arranged his honeymoon there & later the point was used for apiculture. We shouted our lungs out at the Echo point and somehow managed the risky walk to the steep One tree hill were you can see only one big tree growing like a king. It is said that there are total 38 lookout points out of which worth enjoying are points like Louisa point, Malang Point, Alexander point, Artist point, Khandala Point, porcupine point, little chowk point etc.

  It was almost six in the evening when we reached Matheran Market, where you can see general stores, medical stores, shops selling packaged drinking water, snacks counters, small restaurants & in addition to it you will find numerous shops selling female sneakers were you can place orders by selecting your design from a wide range of miniatures which look like barbie’s footwear’s. It was quite dark & we were too tired when we reached ‘Rugby’ the official Guest house of Ambani’s where we had a quite dinner. While the other guests chattered & danced to the live music around a warm bonfire, we retreated to our cottage which had an old world charm with high wooden ceiling, big French windows & a small portico. In no time we were fast asleep averse to the background singing of crickets & howling of stray dogs or maybe wild beasts.

One more sketch goes public- OFFICE HOURS

Sketched after soooooooo long.......

CWG 2010 - Either wag your tongues or just do a bit......

I was pretty busy coordinating with a training programme when my cell phone sleeping in one of my pockets trickled me by its vibration.It was Kavs, one of my freinds who as usual without even giving me a chance to say hello started singing: "Darling! Guess what is making news today?"

I chuckled: "Well, somebody really felt pitty on you and donated you a brain".

She pretended to be cross- " Hey! Don't worry, I would not mind obliging you by gifting it to you instead."

I joined in the fun an added-" Probably, I would be the first biological miracle to have two brains"

Kavs quipped-" I am sure the news would give you a real shock, its the common wealth games again, one more mishap.The newly constructed 'foot over bridge' at 'Nehru Stadium' has collapsed injuring 27. I tell you dear these games are cursed and we shall be really ashamed once they are over. This is just not going to work, believe me.In the first place, I just dont understand why the hell we thought of having CWG here in India ?" I was wondering how can she go on at such a length without even pausing for a breath's break.

Before Kavs could eat up my small straining brain, Graham bell's invention mounted on my desk saved me by  its tring tring and before hanging up I retorted: "Sorry, an official call. I shall get back to you later dear". Though, I myself knew that so called later would never be before the weekend and I was mentally back to work again.

After the office, I was in the lift with two of my colleagues. One of them started it all over again -"Today in a string operation, an australian journalist mocked the security by strolling the CWG venue with a briefcase full of explosives.He was neither questioned nor checked by anybody. These are the arrangements which our government has made". Hearing this how could my second colleague lag behind-" I told it earlier also, these CWG are nothing but a planned strategy of Men in white to fill their pockets."

All this CWG mess was getting on my nerves, so I turned towards my only companion , my phone.I plugged in the earphones and tuned in to the radio, but like others, it ditched me. A wicked RJ was quipping with his melodramatic voice-"You just heard Anisha telling us about the swarming dengue larvae at the Khelgaon swimming pool. Delhi if you have such more details on CWG , share them with us by calling us on....." I helplessly switched on to other radio station were Daler Mehndi was crooning, "Mohe mohe tu rang de basanti...."

But rather than concentrating on the melody of the song I was wondering-"No doubt that we are in a big trouble as far as the games are concerned, but are we just going to participate in the critic's wagon.We are far behind the deadlines and still there is lot to be done. Our security arrangements are not up to the mark  and our venues are not as per international standards. Hygiene issues are being blown out of propotion, participating countries are raising concerns and atheletes are backing out at the last moment".

Despite all this, the fact remains that Common wealth 2010 are being held at Delhi, the capital  of India. During the games nobody would ask why things are gloomy, is it because of the mismanagement of resources or is it because of the selfish politicians? The participants would form an opinion about our country based on what they see. So as a nation, its our responsibility to present our best foot forward.If each one of us think ourselves as a part of one big family were some guests are arriving for a function than may be, we can get our act right.We need to hide our flaws together without fighting over the issues which already exist and saving the energy in finding a solution.

Wether we like CWG or not but since they are here, So lets do it together by atleast doing just our bit.........by being bit polite to the incoming guest's......by dumping the garbage in the dustbins.....by not pushing each other in the metro.....by following the traffic rules.....may be by doing it, we will be able to save the name of our nation.So, lets join hands together.

S(HE).......

S(HE)............

Mickey Mouse sadly left the house, when she moved from childhood to teen,

As her high heels replaced sneakers, mini’s lost to jeans.

Instructed her granny, “No more ponytails and no more cycling with boys in the noon”
In due course, her Barbie’s cabinet was taken over by Mills and boon.

She grew too big for her mother’s lap, but had her share of hugs and pecks,
Now, she was ‘pretty’ instead of ‘cute’ for Mrs. Sharma who kept adjusting her specs.

It was when, feelings undefined developed within, so strange and new,

World was changing so was she, like her other friends, she too knew,

She realized people around who would answer her queries were few.

She enjoyed walking on the grass drenched in the morning dew,

Flowers were beautiful in the daylight and stars equally enchanting at night,

She found butterflies colorful, life was full of joy and was so wonderful.

Despite all this, there was something missing for which she was craving.

Why was she attracted to the roaring silver metallic birds, flying high in the sky?

‘I want to be with them’ her innocent heart fluttered inside and would secretly cry.

On her way to school, she smiled seeing the small river, so peaceful and calm.

Contrary to the vast ocean, whose waves hit the shores with mighty rage.

She wished for someone who knew, ‘How to tame and ride those furious waves’?

On her shooting training camps, she would watch the cadets in uniform

Handling heavy weapons with macho ease and her heart would miss a beat

She once bunked for a glimpse of the weekly drill, got caught & was grilled

Her friends would first blush and then gush on and on about their love interests

She wondered, ‘Will the amateur’s whom they are dating, be able to protect?’

Will they be true enough, to have the courage to commit or to fight the odds?

She wished her friends luck for a life full of bliss with those nerd’s.

She held her heart tight, protected it with all her might, for the one, ’Her Mr. Right’

With whom she would walk throughout her life with hand in hands,

And with a smile shall run all the daily errands.

With him at her side no fear will ever creep, she will lie awake just to watch him sleep

In all the woes & weals, a sight of him would be enough, to bring back her lost smile,
With him springs would be beautiful, winters cozy and rains would be red and rosy .

Still waiting for the day when her man would come out of her dreams to make her alive,
When he will hold her hand, in front of the world and declare, ’Yeah! She is the one for me’

ON A RAINY DAY...DASHRATH BECAME THE FATHER OF KRISHNA

It was quite difficult to guess the time of the day due to black monster like clouds which had engulfed the daylight. I drew aside the blinds of my back office window to view the traffic status  and could only see hundreds of slow moving stars on the road below .

I was staring blankly at the clouds while struggling within to control my unspoken desires...... to run out into the open arms of the nature......to let my bare feet caress the earth.....to let the damp air kiss my bare skin......to feel the touch of the first drops of the rain .....to let my heart savor the ecstasy.It was then the office boy called out "Madam, apke liye phone"...Huh ! thanks for the timely intervention....I thought to myself and plastered a fake smile as if the person over the phone is going to see me.In a couple of seconds I was busy attending queries and replying to the flooding emails before they cross the danger mark.

When the clock struck six, I was smiling as it was the time to leave & I was a free bird. It was still raining heavily when I left the office premises.The road was flooded and the water was outrageously flirting with the raised pedestrian lane. I folded one fourth of my trousers above the ankles & stepped down on the side lane.I was enjoying the rainy walk, when I overheard a duo walking just ahead of me.

A hoarse male voice of one of them was beaming with excitement- "Hey ! dude, It would have been similar rains when Dashrath might have crossed the yamuna with Krishna on his head & Shesh Nag forming the canopied umbrella". Hearing the exclamation...Dashrath instead of Vasudev...., I was shocked at the ignorance of the speaker.Somehow, I  held myself back from interrupting and making the correction.

"Yup buddy, but How could be Kans so dumb...to keep Dashrath & his wife in the same prison? He could have easily controlled the birth of Krishna had he been bit sensible to keep them in separate cells." came a squeaky reply followed by laughter.

I suppressed my smile but the small conversation was enough to churn the thought process. One part of me was smiling at the basic logic given by the second guy while the other was feeling sorry for our present generation who is miles away from our scriptures & holy books.

I was wondering that if you ask today's generation about any of the latest flick then they will score a perfect 10. On the other hand, if you ask them basics of 'Ramayana' or ' Mahabharata' they will still score a 10, the only difference shall be that the numeric 1 shall be missing...leaving behind a big egg.In fact, its not their mistake, its all about the pace of life where both parents are working and they don't have time for their children. The kids grow on their own with little or less guidance, thus making them self dependent but in the process our culture & traditions are left far behind.

I thought to myself "Welcome to today's world".

Yes this is it..."LOVE"

I was in the mid of my favourite morning nap when I was startled by a husky female voice chanting" stay that way" right into my ears.... rather I should say right into my head.Rubbing my sleepy eyes with the back of my palms, I realized that it was none other than my ageing cell phone trying to wake me up. The alarm tone kept increasing by few decibels per second till I shut it up

Gathering up my nerves I kicked off the duvet with full force & thought that if Christiano would have done the same....it would have been a goal for sure & the cheerleaders would have performed a double somersault.I knew that neither Christiano nor the sexy cheerleaders could help me in today's exam.So, brushing up my weird soccer thoughts I rushed through the chaotic series of daily errands as quickly as i could.

In next 45 mins., I was waiting at the metro platform & the silver centipede was right on time. I boarded it with a management book in one hand & my handbag in other.Thanks to the metro authorities for being bit impartial in reserving few seats for the fairer sex. Adjusting myself on one such seat within minutes I was lost in the black & white lanes of my book.

It was at " Rajeev Chowk", when my concentration went on a spree as an elderly couple in late seventies boarded the train.The lady was in night gown with a brown shawl hanging on her shoulder.She was seemingly disturbed & was trembling while the old man supported her plastered hand. He with utmost care helped her in sitting as if she was a new born baby. He took out a white handkerchief out of  the pocket of his immaculately ironed linen trouser and wiped the sweat droplets from his wife's forehead.

She despite her weakness gazed lovingly in her husbands eyes.The old man reciprocated by pressing her right hand between his wrinkled palms & murmered " take deep breath & everything will be fine".The lady smiled weakly, closed her eyes, tilted her head & rested it on her husbands shoulder. The man raised his free hand to caress her head.

I thought to myself.....yes this is it...."LOVE".....which brings & keeps two hearts close forever....which makes you smile despite the physical pain.........which is not superficial but something deep within......which makes you forget the world around.....yes this is it......"LOVE" ......which sustains life.

I realized that my station had arrived & I found myself smiling oblivious of the fact that I was to sit for an unprepared exam in next 5 mins.

BEING GRAND IS PRACTICALLY NOT SO GRAND

Date: 24th September 2009 Time: 1:30 PM Place: Café Coffee Day, Karol Bagh Metro station, New Delhi

She was an old lady, somewhere in her early seventies. Her back was a bit arched either due to old age or it was merely an illusion caused by the hump on her back. Her left eye seemed to be devoid of an eyeball owing to the duskiness caused by prolonged cataract. Her silver hair was tied loosely in a thin braid. A grey bag hanged from her left shoulder and she was desperately trying to push open the glass door of the café. She tried thrice before a girl helped her with the door.

She entered the café, scanned the surroundings with her right eye & placed her grey bag on an empty table. She stood there for a moment, deep in her own thoughts. Finally she went up to the counter and said something. The waiter looked perplexed & he bent himself over the counter & whispered to which the lady replied–“EK Garam Coffee”. There was something primitive in her tone,

WHAT AN IRONY……….STRANGERS IN ONE’S OWN HOMELAND

After winding up an exhausting business meeting in Connaught Place, I thought of having a coffee at CCD. The name ‘Cafe Coffee Day’ makes an instant connection with coffee cravings without burning a hole in your pocket. Hats off to the creative mind behind its punch line - 'A lot can happen Over Coffee’ How relevant.
I seated myself on a couch near the glass window and ordered for my regular 'Tropical Iceberg'. The waiter who took my order gave a fake ear to ear smile - 'Mam, with ice-cream".
I too equaled him with one of my fake smiles adding-'Yep! With a scoop of Vanilla'. I don’t understand that whether the smiles of these waiters are just courteous or a tool to compel you to add few more calories to your coffee. Luckily for the time being, calories are not a matter of concern for me.
While waiting for my coffee, I had two options either to scan the young crowd with my eagle eyes or to drown myself in the tabloid lying on the glass table like a lazy dog. I retreated to the later option rather than making some of the young love birds conscious with my scrutiny. (Here I will like to confess that sometimes I enjoy being mean.....enough to make others uneasy). The unusual delay in the order left me with ample time to chew on an article on "Racism in OZ".
I was in the midway of the article when somebody on the side table piped - '' I just love chowmein, especially if it’s red hot''. Though the tone was casual, the person has clearly emphasized the word love which sounded more like laav. "Chinese is my all time favorite but just the thought of sphagetti’s waters my mouth "- followed a comparitively louder reply in a deliberately modulated husky tone. Both the conversant gave a high five followed by deafening giggles.
I lifted my head from the article to notice what had urged the guys to declare their love for Chinese so loudly. The dual meaning of their conversation sank slowly.

Losing dreams….Losing life ….losing future ...all just in a sniff
For me it has been a month of repeatedly losing my way in the unfamiliar territory of thoughts. It’s eating me like hell and finally I thought of writing it down though I am well aware that it’s not going to help me in any way.

Everyday in the evening I notice them on my way back to home from office. Their grim faces drooping over hunched shoulders are always there…..on the pavement just a few yards from the traffic signal at the junction of Panchkuian road & outer circle of Connaught Place.

Men, women & kids, all covered in layers of dirt with flies soaring over their uncombed hair. Men, all in rags are either with stubble or with beard sticking to their fleshless cheek bones. Kids have their thumb in the mouth, running noses and wearing dirty underwear in the name of clothing. The women wear thick kohl in their sleepy eyes & metallic jewelry which is in contrast to their soiled apparels. For the first time when I watched them from a distance I thought them to be beggars ………but when I got closer I found that…… THEY ARE NOT BEGGARS.

Gold is rare but honest angels are the rarest. In Delhi, if summers are this much hot than I don’t know what the thermometer will read in Sahara. To beat the rising mercury we “Baccha Party” of 8 people all above 18 years thought of having fun at ‘Splash’, It is a much talked about summer hub, a water park which is at Alipur i.e. on the outskirts of Delhi. Thanks to our good stars of being employed in this recession that we were left with no option other than zeroing down on Sunday to have fun….. at least we have a Sunday off unlike the housewives who work 24 X 7 throughout the year. To me beating the heat seemed to be an idea as good as winning a kick boxing against your computer when you have lost a game of chess against it.

I will say that probably it was one of our worst ideas……. at least in the past seven ages …….. we realized it only when we arrived there…..It was like a full fledged fish market …….in addition to that most of the fishes were too plump……some carrying a pumpkin & some carrying a watermelon instead of their bellies. The scene looked quite similar to the outrageous art work of M F Hussain. I was just wondering how hygienic the water in the pools would be when more than a hundred people were pulling each other like crazy crabs in a pool which had a capacity of about fifty.


The water park is managed in a way of its own …..out of total seven slides three were not working………you would only get a air tube if you have not committed a sin through out your life and unluckily none of us fell in that category…….. the floats are also few in number and you have to literally beg the safeguards to grab one….…Guddy Maruti should be kept away from the creaky rain dance floor. But somehow the shortcomings are too be ignored compared to the thrill you feel while coming down a high slide and making a splash in the water at the terminal.

My brother is as finicky as any other guy in his 21st year is. His assets are his never ending stock of advises which he gives at least thrice in every two hours ….whether you need his advise or not but he makes sure that you listen till he finishes. He addressed our younger sis – “This is a water park and not a fashion parade, you should not be wearing your chain, earrings & finger rings. You must know that when you are in water your rings may escape your fingers “.


She replied him with a glint of red in her eyes and a knot in her eyebrows –“everybody is entitled to have his/her way of life and I don’t understand why you always come in my way just like a traffic policemen ready to fine me even if the signal is green”.


He quipped- “dear I know that everybody has his/her way of life and so does everybody have opinions the only difference is that mine is fine and yours is stupid as always”.


My Jees was busy capturing us in his handicam. For about an hour we were busy climbing the stairs to skate down the high slides. Every time I climbed up the stairs I thought the water park authorities should seriously think of replacing the crumbling staircase with an escalator/ elevator.

It so happened that after an hour my sis revealed that her gold chain was missing. The realization came as a shock to us & as an open invitation to my brother to give one more advice. He said “This is just an after effect of not listening to me, fools turn there mistakes into big blunders when they don’t follow a wise man”
We all were busy searching for the chain by running our hands on the surface of the pool and within five minutes almost everybody in the pool came to know about the incident. Our idea of fun was lost in a gold chain…..How materialistic?

A lady of about ten years less than half a century murmured to her two brownie kids and to a man who seemed to be her better half-“If we are able to find it then today’s outing would be free of cost”. My cousin overheard it & when she shared it with us we were shocked at the lady’s thinking as she seemed quite educated…..but yeah getting education is different from being educated.

I thought to myself-‘If you sell your honesty you end up being rich quite quickly’. We observed that the lady with her family were busy searching for the chain as if it was the Kohinoor of Mughals & if they did not find it they shall be hanged to death…..too much yaar. Ironically we had lost all our hopes as it was just impossible to find it in such a crowded pool.

We were just trying to forget the incident when a boy approached us & handed out the chain to us. We were surprised to see that one of the loops of the chain was broken still the pendant was in its place. We were too happy & thanked the guy again and again…..in our excitement we even forgot to ask the name of the guy. However, we suppressed our happiness and made sure that our detective Mrs. Sherlock Holmes – with her team shall be busy finding the chain on the cost of fun she might had otherwise.

The moral is – “Never go to a water park imitating Bappi Lehri that to on a weekend because if you lost your gold you may not be as lucky as we .....as honest people are really rare …… if you don’t believe me then why are you waiting …..go & experiment ”.

Femininely Macho......can outwit females by their vanity cases
Two days ago, I was going through one of the articles about Gordon Brown’s exposed vanity case and his make up regime. I felt it to be a bit funny…..just ask him.......he might be red hot & even his make up wont be able to hide it. I was really amused at the detailed description the male author has provided …..it seemed as if he might have tried some of the beauty products himself.

It reminded me of the time when I was a hostler during my senior secondary. I still remember very well that how our PTI had suspended a boy from attending the classes of Physical education for about a week …………..just because his beautician had threaded his eyebrows too an extent that they looked like arch’s drawn with a sharp HB pencil. The poor boy was grounded for a week …………………though I am sure he might have thanked the stars that he was not asked to run 15 rounds of the big school ground………..which was the favorite punishment of our macho PTI.as if it was a national news.....How mean of us. believe me I don’t lie,its just that sometimes my imagination runs wild which is as rare as seeing a camel desperately trying to make his way through Delhi's traffic. Though Mr. Xprsns nick name had nothing to do with any of his unusual habits which qualified him to a direct entry in Agra's mental hospital ......contrary to his name he was always expresionless. We were taken aback when he recommended his home made pack of fuller’s earth (multani mitti) & some other peculiar ingredients to Deepanjali, my best friend.
He insisted - “Deepanjali, belive me the usage of my pack followed by Ever youth’s orange peel off shall make your skin soft and blemish free, just like mine”. “Hey! Why are you guys laughing”-he quipped bit shyly………He sounded much more like a fair & lovely commercial……..….too girlish, isn’t it.

“I am sorry, I won’t use it and after all I don’t want to compete with you in the forthcoming beauty pageant” Deepanjali had replied just the way she used to with a glint of mischief in her eyes. She added-“I will prefer to clap for you while you are being crowned”

These are not the only instances which make me feel that –‘males love to look good & secretly use beauty products’. Somehow accepting this truth is hard for them as it doesn’t gel with their Macho image. Males do have a skin, they too can get a sun tan & even pollution can also affect their skin. So it’s not a big deal if they use some of the skin care products.
But believe me it really becomes funny when you think that some of the males even apply foundation, compact, concealer etc. I will rather call them Feminine Macho’s and believe me I shall love to see one in real life…….I wonder what this new clan of ultraaa -metrosexuals look like.

“F” Encyclopedia’s………………What’s that?

‘Hey! Babes How you doing?” the guy with a spiky hairdo beamed. “Fucking bad….., this bloody heat sucks man” came a husky reply from the gal wearing purple colored lenses that matched her equally purple nail paint.
Oh! What a horrible color to wear on such a sunny day when you can just make an oamlate by breaking an egg on your palm. I thought to myself which I often do in public.This was the fourth time I came across the wild usage of ‘F’ terminology that too within a week’s time. More interestingly all the user’s who came under my scrutiny were females either at the metro stop or while I was taking a short cut from Janpath or while shopping from East Delhi Mall . We being humans tend to note something which is unusual and so do I.
Now you will ask what’s so unusual about it?. I somehow don’t have brains big enough to understand the logic behind the casual usage
Even some of our college going guys & birds seem to have done their Masters in ‘F’ology. I don’t know from were they got their classes & degrees. And some of our hunks are mobile encyclopedias of this ‘F’ mania.

Though I sincerely advocate “Equal rights for both males & females” but somehow can’t digest it when I hear those F words from a fair sex. May be it’s the deep rooted ideology of being Indian that expect girls to be soft-spoken and sophisticated or its that……I just don’t know. .

First time......always stays

This is my first blog.........too perplexed to pen down anything.......just putting down some words....phrases....sentences......and than erasing them. I think that this happens with every new blogger, its just that some accept it & some are too self obsessed to do so.

There are so many things which happen to us for the first time. Its the first time which is always special & remains in our heart forever............................. whether it was your first tricycle which made you the most sought under five......................your first crush during your kindergarden days with whom you shared your lunch & candies..................your first pocket money which made you Bill Gates in your own eyes......................the first time when you bunked the class, got caught & not to mention what was the after effect.........................your first board exam which made your heart beat faster & brain numb...............your first day in the college & how you desperately tried to escape from the ragging ordeal........................your first date when you thought you should have carried an Oxford or collins Dictionary to avoid that obvious loss of words.