I traveled a lot. Mostly by bus. With Volvo and a/c buses, long distance travel has now become much comfortable. Still, I avoided to travel by sleeper bus. Although, I really loved to travel by sleeper coach of the train, I remained prejudiced to take sleeper bus for any of my tours. I never liked the idea to travel by sleeper bus. Few of my friends recommended me to travel by sleeper bus on few occasions. They were all in praise for the comfort they experienced during their travel. I always laughed at the idea, sometimes ridiculed it. I felt the idea to travel sleeping on sleeper –seat with some unknown co-traveler lying next to me, very funny. I could not consume the idea. But, last week I had to travel the way I disliked.
I had to rush to Aurangbad to attend a meeting. Only linking bus available from Kolhapur was sleeper coach! I reserved a seat reluctantly.
It departed from kolhapur at around 9.30 p.m.. Till midnight I just sitting on the seat with window fully open. My co- traveler was telling about the comfort of the sleeper seat. When he found me uneasy, he offered me his mobile handset so I could listen to songs on FM radio. His efforts were to make me at ease. Finally, I did lie on the seat. I was restless initially for few moments. Then I felt it comforting. Rest of journey was beautiful. When I alighted form the bus, I was feeling totally fresh; no sign of wakefulness. I blamed myself for depriving me of such comforting journey earlier.I returned same night. I was so fascinated with the journey earlier night, I tried to get sleeper coach for my travel back home. No sleeper coach was available. I traveled back by Volvo bus. I was thinking during my return journey, why I was so averse to travel by a sleeper coach earlier? Why I was so prejudiced to that?
Really, I do not have any answer how the prejudice was formed and why I nurtured it? This could be a minor thing. But there are many other things, we find ourselves prejudiced to, many a times, without any valid reason or for no reason. Why? It is a mystery.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tale of `untimely` rain…
Life is not like Maths we learn in school. We may score 100 % in Maths , but life does always not go 2+2 = 4 way. It has its own Mathematics, different from what we learn in our school books. That is evident every now and then, in minor or major events and process of learning this Mathematics of life is unending…
It was very sunny morning when I set off from home to pursue itinerary for the day. All of a sudden, I was caught in the heavy rain, unguarded, which upset my whole itinerary , left me fuming for few moments.
There were no signs of the rain till I reached the ferry ramp. The moment I boarded the ferry to cross the river, it started raining. I did not mind it, as departure time was 15 minutes later. The ferry usually takes 10 minutes to cross the river. I had to face, these 25 minutes, idly. I was mentally prepared for that expecting the rain would stop by the time I reach the other bank of the river. These showers in Bhadrapada are usually not long lasting. But the rain this time failed me. It receded when ferry reached the other bank. I pushed through the thin showers only to face it going dense gradually. I was all wet and there was nothing around where I could take shelter. After driving for about 5 kilometers, I found a restaurant. I stopped. The moment I entered the restaurant, raining was also stopped. I ordered for a tea. There was no rain at all. Intimating my friend of my getting late to reach the destination and requesting him to adjust the schedule accordingly, I restarted my journey.
I would have covered hardly few yards from the cafeteria, the rain resumed. I stopped at a bus shelter, it also stopped. I took off and it started raining again. This time very heavily. It made me much difficult to drive the bike. I stopped at milk collection center, fuming over the untimely rain. I was about to curse and abuse the rain for spoiling my day`s programme. Suddenly, something from inside resisted the potential outburst….
This year, we, in Goa , are witnessing heavy showers continuously for last few days, including days of Ganesh Chaturthy, that dampened the enthusiasm for the festival. I have heard people blaming and abusing the rain for its`untimely` appearances. I remembered it. That made me mute. The next moment I was telling myself, for last five momsoons, I had not been using umbrella or raincoat. It was my conscious decision. I told my friends that I would rather get wet in the rain. I have been doing this for last five seasons. So, I have no right to blame the rain and I also do not wish to fall in line with others who blame the rain for its untimely appearances.
I remember, during my childhood days 30 years back and even until recently till 25-26 years back, raining during the Ganesh Chaturthy was not uncommon phenomenon. Certain festivals like Vasantotsav (sometime in May ) certain Jatras like one at Shirgao (of Lairai ) always marked by mild or heavy rains. In the event of non occurrence of the rain, it was felt we missed something. We received monsoon showers till the end of October and witnessed floods at least 6 to 7 times during the monsoons.The phenomenon has changed during last about 25 years. ` `Irregularity` of monsoon has become so regular that the people take it as `regularity` of the monsoon! Change in that is now not acceptable to them. Even monsoon is, if found reverting to its regular pattern or cycle, it will be tagged `corrupt`. We are now living in pattern of `irregularities`. So, originality has become `untimely`. What a phenomenon!
I do not wish to subscribe to it!
It was very sunny morning when I set off from home to pursue itinerary for the day. All of a sudden, I was caught in the heavy rain, unguarded, which upset my whole itinerary , left me fuming for few moments.
There were no signs of the rain till I reached the ferry ramp. The moment I boarded the ferry to cross the river, it started raining. I did not mind it, as departure time was 15 minutes later. The ferry usually takes 10 minutes to cross the river. I had to face, these 25 minutes, idly. I was mentally prepared for that expecting the rain would stop by the time I reach the other bank of the river. These showers in Bhadrapada are usually not long lasting. But the rain this time failed me. It receded when ferry reached the other bank. I pushed through the thin showers only to face it going dense gradually. I was all wet and there was nothing around where I could take shelter. After driving for about 5 kilometers, I found a restaurant. I stopped. The moment I entered the restaurant, raining was also stopped. I ordered for a tea. There was no rain at all. Intimating my friend of my getting late to reach the destination and requesting him to adjust the schedule accordingly, I restarted my journey.
I would have covered hardly few yards from the cafeteria, the rain resumed. I stopped at a bus shelter, it also stopped. I took off and it started raining again. This time very heavily. It made me much difficult to drive the bike. I stopped at milk collection center, fuming over the untimely rain. I was about to curse and abuse the rain for spoiling my day`s programme. Suddenly, something from inside resisted the potential outburst….
This year, we, in Goa , are witnessing heavy showers continuously for last few days, including days of Ganesh Chaturthy, that dampened the enthusiasm for the festival. I have heard people blaming and abusing the rain for its`untimely` appearances. I remembered it. That made me mute. The next moment I was telling myself, for last five momsoons, I had not been using umbrella or raincoat. It was my conscious decision. I told my friends that I would rather get wet in the rain. I have been doing this for last five seasons. So, I have no right to blame the rain and I also do not wish to fall in line with others who blame the rain for its untimely appearances.
I remember, during my childhood days 30 years back and even until recently till 25-26 years back, raining during the Ganesh Chaturthy was not uncommon phenomenon. Certain festivals like Vasantotsav (sometime in May ) certain Jatras like one at Shirgao (of Lairai ) always marked by mild or heavy rains. In the event of non occurrence of the rain, it was felt we missed something. We received monsoon showers till the end of October and witnessed floods at least 6 to 7 times during the monsoons.The phenomenon has changed during last about 25 years. ` `Irregularity` of monsoon has become so regular that the people take it as `regularity` of the monsoon! Change in that is now not acceptable to them. Even monsoon is, if found reverting to its regular pattern or cycle, it will be tagged `corrupt`. We are now living in pattern of `irregularities`. So, originality has become `untimely`. What a phenomenon!
I do not wish to subscribe to it!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Brave at the beginning?
Long back I started this blog with an intention to venture into new world or new media of expression. I could not contribute regularly. Actually, after few entries at the beginning, it went blank. I am not brave at beginning type of person. In fact, it takes me considerably long time to start any new thing, project. Even, in case of my routine work, I can not get started instantly. I require little more time to take off, more than one may need to settle down or that generally defined as breathing time. But, once I start, I do not stop till the task at the hand is accomplished. That has been my nature. Many a times, I not only decided, but determined to change my habit, to change my style. Then, I experienced and realized the truth in the saying, `habits die hard`. I explored into this phenomena, why I am late at the beginning type of person. I found many reasons behind it. At the face, it does not carry a good image, and all the reasons are not justifiable, especially when certain issues relate to other persons, kins and friends; few aspects are really positive. Now, again these words are not being posted here to justify my absence on my blog, because absence is absence. One may have so many reasons to stay off, that dose not undo the happened. Facts may lead someone to paint an impression about me deviated from real me. It is my fault. If I want to be known as what I am, it is my responsibility to be shown and seen and experienced in the expressions what I am. That matters at the end. So, I will be writing about me and my Goa, henceforth, regularly.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The sweetener
It was a joyful evening after a long time. We were celebrating first birthday of our younger son – Ashutosh. His postures were pleasing and movements were captivating. The gathering was stunned with his certain actions. My photographer friend clicked a photograph and to our surprise, Ashu braved to face the camera with a huge laugh on face with mouth wide open. He was not scared of the crowd around. On the contrary, he enjoyed the crowd around him and responding to their cheers.
Our elder son – Anurag is little a shy boy. And as seen usually happens on such occasions, he was a crying birthday boy and trying to run away or hide from the gathering, on his day. That compelled me to think that, such types of celebrations were not meant for them and we, the adults, arrange those for our selves under the pretext. Ashutosh proved exactly opposite. He is bit aggressive. I term him naughty, which my wife Nisha does not approve. Her philosophy is simple. `Every one is ought to be naughty in his or her early childhood days. So, Ashu is.` He delighted us. The beaming boy made the occasion meaningful compelling me to review my earlier thinking. The whole evening unfolded a treasure of sweet, memorable moments.
We are happy, contended today. But, one year back, the days were not so pleasing. We, especially Nisha suffered lots of pains. Some problems developed at last stage of her pregnancy, one month prior to the delivery. We were anxious and nervous. That gave me many sleepless nights. Even Ashu defied the day determined by the doctor for his arrival in this world. We had to rush to the hospital a day prior to the date fixed. That morning was scaring. Ultimately, it blessed us with a lovely son. I really do not have words to describe the intense pains the woman bear and battle against, when in labour. She is the most brave person in the world, who dare, battle and win over the ultimate truth in the world.
Ashu, with his endearing actions and responses, sweetened all those painful moments and memories. That is another truth revealed to me that evning.
(reflections 2)
Our elder son – Anurag is little a shy boy. And as seen usually happens on such occasions, he was a crying birthday boy and trying to run away or hide from the gathering, on his day. That compelled me to think that, such types of celebrations were not meant for them and we, the adults, arrange those for our selves under the pretext. Ashutosh proved exactly opposite. He is bit aggressive. I term him naughty, which my wife Nisha does not approve. Her philosophy is simple. `Every one is ought to be naughty in his or her early childhood days. So, Ashu is.` He delighted us. The beaming boy made the occasion meaningful compelling me to review my earlier thinking. The whole evening unfolded a treasure of sweet, memorable moments.
We are happy, contended today. But, one year back, the days were not so pleasing. We, especially Nisha suffered lots of pains. Some problems developed at last stage of her pregnancy, one month prior to the delivery. We were anxious and nervous. That gave me many sleepless nights. Even Ashu defied the day determined by the doctor for his arrival in this world. We had to rush to the hospital a day prior to the date fixed. That morning was scaring. Ultimately, it blessed us with a lovely son. I really do not have words to describe the intense pains the woman bear and battle against, when in labour. She is the most brave person in the world, who dare, battle and win over the ultimate truth in the world.
Ashu, with his endearing actions and responses, sweetened all those painful moments and memories. That is another truth revealed to me that evning.
(reflections 2)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Authority
People love to manifest their authority, real or otherwise. Possibly it is an essential ingredient of human nature.
They love to impress other people with this tool. Sometime, may be, just to enjoy it or to get some work done out of turn or to show how special they are.
It happened like this…
I was at sub post office to send a money order towards subscription to a magazine. It was 1 p.m. and time to close the office for lunch break. I saw people were still coming in to lengthen the queue. There was only one lady to handle the customers for all their needs. The lady single handedly serving them, right from giving out postal stamps to registering letters, accepting cash against various postal banking accounts. She was really busy and overburdened. A pitiable situation, for both, the employee and also for the customers, as they were made to wait for comparatively more time than required. The lady asked the attendant, possibly the postman attached to the office, to close the door to bar entry of any new customer. Idea was to clear the customers by the time of the closer of the office for the break. Had she allowed more people to turn in beyond 1 p.m., they would have continued to pour in and she would have left with no alternative but to attend them, which would have stretched her working hours beyond stipulated time schedule for the office. This is the usual practice in the offices where general public is entertained for different types of services.
While the boy was closing the door, one person tried to enter the room. He was stopped. The man burst at the boy, saying `how you are closing it now as office time is up to 1.15 p. m. ` He retreated, but told it loudly enough to be heard by everyone present in the room, that he was also central government employee.
Actually, that was unnecessary. He might have felt let down or might have irritated with the idea to come back there later to get his work done. He tried to make known to all and especially the staff their, his `authority`. People have this tendency in their genes. It` s manifestation is ignited by petty reasons.
(Reflections:1)
They love to impress other people with this tool. Sometime, may be, just to enjoy it or to get some work done out of turn or to show how special they are.
It happened like this…
I was at sub post office to send a money order towards subscription to a magazine. It was 1 p.m. and time to close the office for lunch break. I saw people were still coming in to lengthen the queue. There was only one lady to handle the customers for all their needs. The lady single handedly serving them, right from giving out postal stamps to registering letters, accepting cash against various postal banking accounts. She was really busy and overburdened. A pitiable situation, for both, the employee and also for the customers, as they were made to wait for comparatively more time than required. The lady asked the attendant, possibly the postman attached to the office, to close the door to bar entry of any new customer. Idea was to clear the customers by the time of the closer of the office for the break. Had she allowed more people to turn in beyond 1 p.m., they would have continued to pour in and she would have left with no alternative but to attend them, which would have stretched her working hours beyond stipulated time schedule for the office. This is the usual practice in the offices where general public is entertained for different types of services.
While the boy was closing the door, one person tried to enter the room. He was stopped. The man burst at the boy, saying `how you are closing it now as office time is up to 1.15 p. m. ` He retreated, but told it loudly enough to be heard by everyone present in the room, that he was also central government employee.
Actually, that was unnecessary. He might have felt let down or might have irritated with the idea to come back there later to get his work done. He tried to make known to all and especially the staff their, his `authority`. People have this tendency in their genes. It` s manifestation is ignited by petty reasons.
(Reflections:1)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Blog and Essay
What is a blog ? Blogging ? Blogger ?
These and few more related questions were in my mind when I was asked to deliver a talk on BLOG to the group of higher secondary students. I did the job. I found the students much excited throughout the lecture. Frankly speaking, I did not know exactly why? Was it because of my style of the delivery or for it was something new for those pupils coming from the rural areas? I knew it for certain that the information I divulged was of primary nature. Yes, but they enjoyed. That was the nice thing for me to remember.
I am still trying to understand the term in its fullest sense and also to acquaint myself with the world called BLOG and so.
The term has its technical definition. It has its terminology. But just while straying from it, something struck me …
What is an essay ?
Many years back I was reading different definitions for this term. I had to answer at examination. I did not find the definite definition of the term. The definers also put a footnote saying it can not be defined, it would be vague. (Still it is called a definition!) Few things go that way only. In spite of that it provides you good material for understanding the core theme.
So, I recited many definition to obtain good marks, if question paper contained related question, right from … `it is a spontaneous overflow` ….to something like,` ….short piece of writing from an author's personal point of view…`
i.e. anything on literature, art,observations, recollections,reflections … on any topic from personal life to politics, economics to spiritual life.
So, what is blog ? It is an essay !
These and few more related questions were in my mind when I was asked to deliver a talk on BLOG to the group of higher secondary students. I did the job. I found the students much excited throughout the lecture. Frankly speaking, I did not know exactly why? Was it because of my style of the delivery or for it was something new for those pupils coming from the rural areas? I knew it for certain that the information I divulged was of primary nature. Yes, but they enjoyed. That was the nice thing for me to remember.
I am still trying to understand the term in its fullest sense and also to acquaint myself with the world called BLOG and so.
The term has its technical definition. It has its terminology. But just while straying from it, something struck me …
What is an essay ?
Many years back I was reading different definitions for this term. I had to answer at examination. I did not find the definite definition of the term. The definers also put a footnote saying it can not be defined, it would be vague. (Still it is called a definition!) Few things go that way only. In spite of that it provides you good material for understanding the core theme.
So, I recited many definition to obtain good marks, if question paper contained related question, right from … `it is a spontaneous overflow` ….to something like,` ….short piece of writing from an author's personal point of view…`
i.e. anything on literature, art,observations, recollections,reflections … on any topic from personal life to politics, economics to spiritual life.
So, what is blog ? It is an essay !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
