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.