Will miss you Lalpari

1st April 2013, you came into our lives. I kept saying I had made a fool out of myself falling for you; but I was wrong. Yesterday after almost a year and half, when you left us I am again saying to myself that I have made fool out of me again by letting you go.

For the last whole one year and more you stuck with me through sun-shines, rains and storms; amidst all the ups and downs; you stuck with me no matter what road I was trudging, hills, plains, villages, beaches what not; you were always there like a best buddy.  

Life had become so much easy with you around, never had to think twice before doing anything; whether it was just a boys night out or hanging out with the loved ones you just made everything special.

I remember how on our first day she christened you "Lalpari"  and you were so much happy about it that I could see the glitter in your eyes. You know what was the best part of our relation, you never complained about anything, not when I farted right next to you :D or burped after eating all those "punugulus"; you didn't complain even when my "gf" complained about my tummy everyday; you just listened and smiled. 

I learnt from you; how to be patient, how to keep moving forward and take a step back when there are obstacles in your way and then again start moving ahead. I understood its not the speed or power that would take you the distance, its the consistency and the attitude to meet the challenges with a smile that keeps you ahead.

Couple of lines from one of my favourite poets Basheer Badr which suits our situation

ये कसक दिल की दिल में चुभी रह गयी 

ज़िन्दगी में तुम्हारी कमी रह गयी 

एक मैं एक तुम एक दिवार थी 

ज़िन्दगी आधी आधी बँटी रह गयी 

मैंने रोका नहीं वो चला भी गया 

बेबसी दूर तक देखती रह गयी  

There are so many moments that if I started penning down each of them here I would keep on writing forever about you and our adventures together. Instead of going into all the minute details I would say I had fun with you and I loved your company.

Life moves on; so we will. Now that its time to part our ways all I would say is "dasvidaniya"; but I will always treasure the moments that you bestowed upon us.

Stay safe.

                                                                    Me and My Lalpari

  

47kms, 3.5 hrs and over Thousand calories

Ah! quite a catchy title I came up with, but honestly that’s how it has been. One of the two good things that happened to me due to moving my base to Pune is cycling. The other thing I would leave unmentioned due to third party involvement.

So, first question that must be coming to you is what made me take up cycling? Well, like many other things that have happened to me, here as well the answer is same, “Abhishek Upadhyay”.  Most people reading my blog must be knowing this celebrity and will agree that this person dramatically influences your thinking ability and can sometimes make you do things that you would not do or at-least you  would not like to do. For ex: On a weekend you would like to sleep, but this guy would wake you up and take you on an unplanned trek and you will not have a chance to refuse.

When I moved to Pune I was told, cycling keeps you fit and will help you lose your paunch. And within a month I got my bicycle – a Fantom MTB 6000 with 21 speed gears and disc brakes…Oooo la la!! Who bought it for me? Yes, correct “Abhishek” is the right answer again. And since then I am cycling to my office.  Nothing has happened to my paunch as such, but I have saved a lot over petrol :D.

I was at Abhishek’s place for the weekend and it was decided that we would go for a cycle ride in the morning. I said fine, thinking it would be just regular round and we will be back even before we sweat as the weather was really nice and cool.

So, Saturday morning we started, the pro cyclist and the newbie. Abhishek, bought a lot of cycling gear from his recent trip to Bangalore. Once he was suited up, I was feeling like an idiot wearing shorts, collared t-shirt and sandals. Now I am thinking he wanted to test all the gear he bought and that’s why we went on this ride.  Well anyways we started off and like a good host he asked me, off-road or city ride. Unaware what was coming, I opted for off-road thinking we would go to some nearby location and come back.  So, off-road it was.

Starting at 9:30 am from The Parkland, I began following the pro cyclist. We came to Pune-Mumbai Highway and turned towards the Balewaadi stadium. We took a by-lane and started our off-road trail entering into Mahalunge Village. The roads were broken, muddy and covered with overflowing water due to the heavy rains that continued over last week, but more than that the village was full of greenery and it was really soothing (who knew what was coming up, well Abhishek knew). I was enjoying the scenic beauty cycling slowly as Abhishek was showing all the stuff around. From a distance he showed the IT park at Hinjewaadi and as we moved further we saw the beauty of nature was at its best. Hill ranges laden with greenery and white clouds covering the top of the hills, it was like we were in some hill station.

Moving further we took a turn towards Nande village and we had already done eleven kilometers. We followed the Mula river for about two-three kilometers and were pondering that about two weeks ago there wasn’t any water and now the river was flowing with full force. Though the water was still muddy but it was a view. I was missing my camera, but had to keep up with the pro so just kept pushing forward.

In a few kilometers we crossed two more villages Mulkhed and Ghotawade. Somewhere in Ghotawade we took a left turn towards Mulshi. As Abhishek was guiding I didn’t pay much heed to what road we were taking. He had already done it twice. Here was slight up-hill patch and I being the newbie fell back. But I kept pushing and once we were again on a normal track I caught up with the pro, my bro Abhishek. Then this guy did what even the enemies don’t do. He told, the patch that we just climbed up was not even the trailer of what lies ahead, and he told me with bright, smiling face. It was the “WTF” moment, but being the good friend I am, I said OK, buddy no problem.

And then came the dreaded moment, the uphill climb somewhere near Pirangut. I tried, tried my best but I had to get off my bicycle and walk the next three and half kms with cycle in my hand. Abhishek, trudging slowly already reached the top of the hill and since wasn’t able to find me behind him, came all the way down to keep me company. Now that’s what a friend does, isn’t it?

Well, the reward was coming down the hill, not a single pedal and we were cruising at a speed 50kms/hr.  In no time we crossed Chandni chowk and reached Bavdhan. We halted for a coffee break and had already done 33 kilometers. After a sumptuous breakfast and coffee, we started our trail again. Now the ride was much easier, mostly down the hill.

In another hour, we were home, full of sweat, dirt and a feeling of achievement.  The milometer showed that we did 47.5 kms in about three and half hours which according to Abhishek wasn’t bad. He said, hopefully in the second round we could improve it, as then I would probably not get down my bike as I would be aware of the uphill climb (huh, I am not going to his place for another month, leave alone the second round).

All that said, will have to admit, that it was a good experience. Enjoyed it  (in parts).

Looking forward to more.

April 28th 2014

Mango man diaries, ah it's been long that I had penned down anything. Well, may be life wasn't that happening or may be I was waiting for this change to come my way.

Yes, a change has arrived though not anything which was unexpected. The writing was quite clear and the walls were painted in bold and italics that the time has come to make the move. However, I didn't imagine the change will actually alter the path of my life in such a way.

Two weeks ago I said "Adios" to Hyderabad -
the city of nawabs, the city of charminar, the city of biryaani, the city that gave new wings to my dreams, the city that gave me the ability to realize my existing dreams, the city that gave me friends, the city that gave me 'life'. A city rich of experiences which one cannot have anywhere else in this world.

Today, I am here saying "Aloha" to a city which I hope will provide me some great experiences as well. Welcome to Pune, the city of peshwas, the city of saras bagh, the city of Dagdu sheth Ganapati, the city of Osho, the city which was once an epitome of marathi culuture.

And the journey begins ;)

9 pm and my work day is just starting but honestly I don't have anything to do. This is my first day(or better first night) at my new office.

10 pm waiting for my US counterpart.  I am supposed to work along with my onsite counterpart for couple of days to better understand the project I would be working upon. Seriously, staying up late in the night how am I going to understand anything.

10:30 pm my new email address created. Gosh!! one more identity on the web.

12 am mid of the night and mid of my work day. I am feeling sleepy.

1 am man!! I am already feeling sleepy and you want me to go over all that documentation. Let me go :(

2 am finally had a worthwhile discussion. Hahaha, that's what everyone here is assuming. I am fast asleep.

2:30 am Ok, I know what I am doing. I am dozing off. Even though every now and then I am replying you guys and I am also asking you questions that doesn't mean that I am awake at this hour of night. Believe me.
Let's have some watermelon.

3 am When will it be 4? How many more minutes before it will be 4 am, 60 more. Arrrgh. Ok 55 mins now, now just 45 minutes to 4 am, 30 minutes yayayay, 10 minutes start packing up.

4 am oh shit, its another hour to go.........no I am not playing this game anymore. I want to go :( :(

4:30 am. Say goodbye to onsite team. Talk to you guys tomorrow.

5 am Left for the day. How ironic for the first time in 8 years of my career I was actually leaving for the day.

Hope Pune brings in some better experiences than this ;)   

#Homosexuality #LGBT #Supreme Court #Qtiyaapa

Since afternoon a lot has been said and heard about the verdict that Supreme Court passed this morning stating that "unnatural sex, carnal intercourse even if it is consensual, is a punishable offence".

Lot of freethinkers, LGBT activists, NGO's are standing against the verdict and I too don't have a different opinion from them. Passing such a verdict is simply depriving a section of society from its basic right, the right to freedom. But what else could you expect from the people who have been raised & brought up in a closed society which though ranks second in world population but when it comes to discussing about sex (natural) it is still considered a taboo. I was reading through various posts, tweets, news articles and came across this question which one of my close friend posted on his FB wall - "Who decides what is unnatural?". He also added if something needs to be declared as unnatural it should be 'celibacy'. And I agree. Most natural thing, that is common to every living species is sex. It's  the basic instinct, isn't it. And it should not matter what kind of sex practices one follows, it is his personal choice. Why the F should it matter to me or anyone if my neighbour sleeps with a man or goes to a whorehouse. We are humans, we don't go f@$#ing around wherever we want. Neither we like getting disturbed nor we like to disturb someone while having sex, remember those "Do not disturb" signboards on hotel doors.

All that said let me give you a small analogy and tell you why this F*ing verdict is worth all the criticisms that it has received. I have a car, a small one but still its a car. I share my car with a person whom I love by all means. I take him on long drives. I allow him to drive my car, he changes the records, puts on/off AC as per his will and does whatever he likes with my car. I have a "Qtiya" neighbour. He is kind of jealous and I don't know why, may be he doesn't like me sharing my car with the person I love or may be I never ask him to join us on long drives. So what does he do? He goes to the nearby police station and launches a FIR against me and the person I love and suddenly you see two normal persons in love become criminals for the law.

This bloody verdict delivered today is going to do just what I have mentioned above. It should not matter to any "Qtiya" with whom I share my car and in the same way it should not matter with whom I share my bed. By the constitution of India everyone is granted the right to freedom and right to freedom means one can lead his/her life by his/her own ways till the time he/she is not causing any harm to others. I don't think consensual sex between adults(LGBT) is in any way  going to cause any harm to any individual as such.

To the best of my knowledge the verdict is stupidest that has ever come from the apex of justice. Hope, now the parliament does the right thing for LGBT community.

RUN for FUN

Yeah, the tag line goes along very well with the Deccan Chronicle 10k run and if you have any questions why it is being mentioned on mnagomandiaries the answer is simple, it was race for the common people and they made it successful. People from all walks of life, all age groups, men, women, kids thronged the People's Plaza today morning to be a part of it.

Now, let me share my experience. From the past two weeks I was planning to start jogging. Every day I used to wake up at 6 am put away the alarm and sleep again. It was just not happening or it seemed that my blanket was warmer than the air outside. 

Today, it was different. Don't know what propelled me to actually wake up at 4 am in the morning, get ready and reach People's plaza by dot 5 am. The air was cool but I was feeling good. The party was just beginning, the atmosphere around was getting electrified. The stage was set, DJ was ready and people had started pouring in. I got my runners kit and moved towards the holding area. There were two categories - the 10k and the 7k run. These two categories were again subdivided into - the elite and the fun & corporate runners. I was running for the 10k fun run.

The race was flagged off at around 6:30 am. The 10k route was a complete tour of Hussain Sagar, starting from People's Plaza going towards NTR gardens/Lumbini park. From there to Gems street via Tank Bund and then coming back to Necklace Road. The 7k route was just the necklace road, starting at People's Plaza going towards Yogibear park and coming back.

I started good, small steps slowly paced and went on for about two kms which was till Lumbini park. There they had kept water for all runners. I stopped to get water and that was it. My legs they were not listening to me. I told them to run and they said we will walk. I said run, they said walk and so our fight continued for about a km and half. Finally, I was able to force them to run. But as if it was destiny and there came another water stop and they stopped. I said no, we don't need water but they refused and forced me to get another bottle. Then they walked for another km. But now I was more determined to make them run and made sure that they run. I reached 6 km mark and the legs said "Come On! man!! you can't expect us to run all 10k in one shot that too when you don't wake up regularly and let us exercise". I thought that was right it was not there fault and gave them a break. Slowly, along with the flow I reached 9km mark and then I told them guys its the last km come on lets do it. Let's push ourselves for just one 1 km and they agreed though not readily and I finished my 10k. I knew from the start that I could complete the race but it took too much of time, one hour and 40 mins to be precise. The elite runner who won gold medal for 10k finished it in just 30 mins.....huh. God only knows what he had for breakfast.

The good thing about the race was the enthusiasm of the participants. I saw kids aged 8-10 years running along with their parents. I saw men and women in their 50s and 60s running. It was an awesome crowd. People from everywhere, the locals, the corporates and there were even a few visitors(I think they must be the corporate clients visiting their Hyderabad offices). There were police personnels, newly recruits, NSS/NCC cadets, students from different schools.....wow.  There were hunks adding to the glamor quotient of the race and then there were beauties raising the already heated mercury. It was an extraordinarily amazing experience for me. This was almost after three and half years that I was participating in any such race, that too on such scale. It is going to take quite long for the feeling to sink in and surely the memory is going to last long.

However, I still have one small complaint with the people of Hyderabad. They were running for a cause. "Run for Fun, Run for your city" that was the tag line. But people remain people they simply don't understand simple things. When you drink water and empty your bottles, those need to be put in the dustbins after they are used. But it seems nobody had time to put those empty bottles in the dustbins. After the first water stop at Lumbini park I saw a huge line of bottles spread along the entire tank bund stretch. But there is always a ray of hope and saw it too. Of all the people I saw this young lady who took the water bottle, waited near the dustbin till she finished it, put it in the dustbin and then moved ahead. Salutes to her. If only other people also could think equally logically.

At the end I would say, it was great great experience and a lot of thanks to Deccan Chronicle and its associates for organizing the entire event so nicely.

Not in this Life......

It was 8 am in the morning and Prem was honking in front Kusum's house continuously. After 10 minutes she came running carrying a half eaten sandwich  in one hand and clutching appointment diary in the other. With a bit of kohl in her eyes, a little blush, hair curling over her face she was looking nothing less than an angel draped in a black designer saree. As she reached the car, she saw Prem looking at her with an awe. She shouted at him "Are donkey.....what are you looking at? Can't you see my hands are full, open the door". Prem, as if came out of some trance, opened the door, let her settle in and drove off.

As the car moved Prem said to Kusum "Hey babes, when are you moving in with me. Are you talking to Dad or shall I come and talk". As Kusum gave the expected answer  Prem was in lipsync with her mouthing her words "Not in this life". And then they both laughed to their hearts content.

This was a regular scene from Prem and Kusum's life for over a year now. Prem and Kusum worked for a multinational and knew each other for more than two years. Prem was an IT consultant while Kusum was part of HR team in the company. Prem was a flirt and that was a known fact about him in the company while Kusum was straight forward, to the point girl yet when they bumped into each other during a recruitment drive the friendship just clicked. 

The relation that started just as casual friendship, over the time, grew into a very strong bond. There was nothing that the two didn't share with each other. They used to talk on almost everything, their work, their family, their ex-es and even sometimes the socioeconomic conditions of the country.

Prem was dumbstruck with the mix of intelligence and beauty that Kusum added to his life. Unknowingly, he started falling for her. One day while he was driving Kusum home, he told her how he felt about her and expressed his love. Kusum, knowing about Prem's flirtatious adventures brushed him off with laugh and told him it was just a momentary attraction and nothing else. But Prem was more than sure. He had been in many relationships but it was nothing like he had experienced earlier. It was something different. He kept pursuing Kusum.

Two months ago, he formally proposed Kusum. Kusum was taken aback with his gesture but then controlled herself and told Prem, she could not marry him, not in this life. He is a perfect man but she has some criteria for her groom and he simply does not fits the bill. Prem was very sporty about it, but then on he always asked her the same question and used to get the same answer "Not in this life".

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Today, it was 8:30 am. Kusum was pacing anxiously in her verandah waiting for Prem. He was never late.  She had tried Prem's mobile a couple of times but he was not responding. Suddenly, her phone rang. She looked at the screen, the number that flashed was that of Avinash's; Prem's colleague as well as flat mate. Kusum was not sure why he was calling, he never called her. They knew each other just formally. With a bit of hesitation she lifted the phone and said "Hello". On the other side Avinash was panting heavily, he said "Kusum, where have you been I am trying to reach you for last 45 minutes, your phone was unreachable. Prem met an accident while coming to pick you up. There are serious injuries on his head and he is being operated right now at the Apollo hospital. Can you make it here quickly". Kusum was stoned, she could not understand how to react. She spoke to Prem barely an hour ago when he told her that he was on his way to pick her up. Finally, after a minute or two she told Avinash she would be coming.

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It had been 4 hours since the accident and operation was still on. Kusum had reached hospital and was sitting along with Avinash near the OT when the doctor came out. Avinash reached to the doctor and asked about Prem's health. Doctor said, its a tough situation. There has been a lot of blood loss and severe injuries to Prem's brain. Right now he is in comma and there is one chance in hundred of his revival. Kusum, who was still sitting on the bench heard the  news and sulked into her shell. She was slowly remembering all the fun filled moments she had with Prem, his charm, the way he used to take care of her and then she started crying and praying for his good health.

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A week had passed by and there was no improvement in Prem's condition. He was still in comma. It was Sunday, weekly off. Kusum was in hospital since morning, sitting next to Prem. There was no sign of improvement so far. Suddenly, the pulse meter started to show some activity. Kusum was about to call the doctor but found Prem holding one end of her duppatta and calling her near. He was trying to say something. She went more close to him and heard him say "Kusum you told me always, you will not marry me in this life. For almost every question of mine you had just one answer - "NOT IN THIS LIFE".  See your GOD has given me an opportunity to go into next life. I am moving on but remember I will wait for you in my next life. In my next life, I will surely marry you". Then suddenly the pulse meter became silent. There was no activity on it, just a simple straight line. Prem was no more. Kusum was standing next to him, her eyes fixed on his (they were still shining).

A moment later as if a dam of emotions was unleashed she burst into tears and kept saying - "What was the hurry Prem, what was the hurry? I used to say NOT IN THIS LIFE, but I never meant it.......I never meant it".

 

Chanakya's Chants

"Adi shakti namo namah, sarab shakti namo namah
 prithum bhagwatee namo namah,
kundalini mata shakti,
mata shakti namo namah"

The aforementioned shloka is the base of the political thriller by Ashwin Sanghi and it's his second book after the equally successful "The Rozabal Line". The plot is simple, the protagonist wants his protege to be crowned as the premiere of the Indian Democratic Republic and he derives his inspiration from the world renowned master strategist "Chanakya".

There are two stories running in parallel. One, of the protagonist Gangasagar Mishra and his protege Chandni Gupta and the other is of Chanakya and his protege Chandragupta. The story line in particular is nothing new and mostly revolves round Gangasagar and his tactics to make sure that his protege reaches the epitome of politics. What's interesting is the way Gangasagar implies the strategies which Chanakya used more than 2000 years ago to ensure his protege becomes the Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of India. He uses all the four mantras "Sam, Dam, Dandh, Bhedh" i.e. reasoning, money, punishment and division. Chanakya mentions to win over any opposition the four principles will always work and should be followed in the same order. First, one should try to reason with opposition and convince them about his/her ideas, if it agrees nothing like that. If opposition do not agree then apply the second principle "Dam" which means to buy them out. If that does not works use the third "Dandh" i.e. punishment, make oppostion fear one's authority and get the work done. If none of the first three prinicples work, use the fourth "Bhedh". "Bhedh" can have two meanings and both of them are equally good. "Bhedh", creating differences between the opposition will lead to a divide in the power of the opposition and thus can easily be won over. "Bhedh", using the hidden facts/secrets of opposition to bring it down.

Gangasagar, to acheive his goal of making Chandni the rising star on Indian political arena uses all possible mechanisms. He gets down to lowest level of politics and commits things which a normal readers conscience might not approve. He even murders(twice) the lover of his protege just to make sure that she is not diverted from her duties towards the nation. But then if its not dirty, its not politics.

Even though, the story line is not new yet the way it is presented keeps the reader engaged. Pace of the story does not allows the reader to put down the book. The way Ashwin Sanghi has narrated the two stories going back and forth from one to another, defining Chanakya's methods in one and their implementation by Gangasagar in the other is quite mesmerizing. Writer's vivid imagination to add fiction to history is also captivating.

All in all a book worth reading.