Z for Zoom

Zip , Zap , Zoom ….. such was the momentum and energy of the A to Z Challenge . We zipped into it ….Zappped through it and Zoomed out of it .

My objective of being into this challenge is achieved more than 100 %  and I hope to keep my blogging habit on from here . Met some wonderful people in this journey and definitely intend to stay in touch .

Gratitude to Durba Dyani , because of whom I got into this challenge on the 3^rd Day with C for Challenge and have actually survived through it . Survived happily , evolved as a writer , with innumerable learnings …

Will definitely keep it going ….

Y for Yesterday

Today is the Yesterday , we will look back at tomorrow . So let us live each of our today’s meaningfully , so that when we look back to our yesterday tomorrow , and feel fulfilled about  it .

It is never too late to start something fresh , something consequential or something that we really desire, that is an inner calling. Don’t we at times think , that just in case we had started something or focused on an activity 4 years back (yesteryears /yesterday) , we would have reached a point of success by now.

Being a marketer in the banking segment , I am connected with the relevant investment advices in the market. I have known for the last one decade at least that real estate investment is a very potential area to focus on and I have all my financials elaborated around it by investment experts who are my friends from the industry .

The plan of investing on a 2^nd home started with the suburbs of Mumbai .By the time we managed to bring in some momentum to  this plan towards execution , the real estate price in these areas had already boomed . So our plan shifted to Pune and Nashik …. The delay again in taking time out for a focused research , and we experienced a gradual upward movement of  the prices these towns too. Finally visited few projects in Pune and Nashik and the price had already appreciated from the time we started our research and we decided NOW is not the time , as it may not be profitable from here. Today I look back at Yesterday which was the Now then, when we had decided against our investment . And if we had made that move positively then , we would have made a 200% profit from that investment. No regrets but yes …  it definitely was a significant miss.

This is just a reference to material gain but it is even more important to invest in self and our immediate physical and natural environment which will help us create long term values and memories .It is not about living with regrets but act on the today  which translates into the Yesterday,we look back in pride.

On this note , let’s hum to Beatles …

 

 

X for X-Ray

“Will you stop yelling at me” , the child was apologetic for her behavior and promised her mother that she will never ever repeat this kind of behavior ever again

“Do you know , you look like Mr.Bean , when you try to pass on these unrealistic targets to us” Sanjay accepted the monthly targets, confident of over achieving them and the boss was happy.

“Lady , do something about your body odour before you flaunt the expensive brands” , the love struck gentleman flatters his fiancée with generous compliments about her beauty .

Before my esteemed reader starts feeling that I have lost my mind or I am wasting their time, let me clarify that it is none of the above . Do I agree the 3 sentences or situations above completely contradict with each other ? Yes I do …. The very core essence of the communication disagree with one another .

Dosen’t that constantly happen in our world , in our immediate environment . However upfront we are as a personality ….how many times do we honestly speak our mind ? Most of the time we are not even cognizant what is going on in our minds and we spontaneously speak out the most appropriate phrase for the situation .

I often wonder , what the world would have been , if an X ray machine for the mind was created . It could be a WOW kind of a situation where we could have overcome huge amount of misunderstanding, saved time in conversations and probing to understand what is going on in the mind of any person , it could save few relationships going ashtray or maybe save a life or two.

But getting into a level deeper , it will not actually be a very comfortable or interesting world to live in .What is life without surprises and new discoveries ? The nuances of humans and human relationships and the learning and unlearning in the journey of discovery and re-discovery leads to the adventure of everyday life

So speaking of the brief pros and cons of the imaginary X-Ray machine discovered for the Human Mind , my attempt is to know your mind in this subject . It will be good to know your views on the same and what would be the 1^st area you would explore , if you were gifted with the power of this X-Ray machine.

W for Work – Life Balance

I have mostly failed to appreciate the contradiction in this expression . It is a widely used ( misused), phrase specially in today’s environment of the rat race . Work is a word closely associated with stress, anxiety and all things tight and something that weighs you down and in order to get a life we need to lighten,to breathe,to relax … we need a break  from work . Is it too much to ask for work and life to go hand in hand ?

I have had my own musings on this topic but never tried to assemble my thinking . Where has this transition and the division of work and life happened ….and why is work everything bad and life everything good .

Why can’t we develop what we love as work and then there is no balancing act required . Easier said than done … but seriously , with this awareness , can we actually work towards bringing in this harmony for our next generation .If we could channelize their interest , talent and energy towards a structured progress and guidance of their interest . Through this effort , create a situation where the generation next  can earn a living out of their passion and also cultivate it further from there . Organizations , institutions , Parents , Teachers and all other stake holders can make an attempt to join hands to make this possible.

Imagine what a beautiful environment this will create !! A situation where no one strives to strike a WORK-LIFE balance …

While I write on this topic , there are many who still have lived their passion and do what they love. Is it a higher percentage struggling to strike the balance or have I bumped into too many since I live in the commercial capital of India . Are the semi metros or smaller towns better in this aspect ? What is the global story ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last few days of the A-Z  Blogging Challenge and I guess most of us who have survived the challenge have performed distinctively well .

The primary contribution of this challenge has been to set momentum to my blogging habit ,but an additional interesting aspect is that it has managed to grab my 12 year old daughter’s attention and liking too . Infact , everyday , she would ask and discuss with me on the word I am taking up .

Last night , during our bed time chat , I mentioned to her that I have too much work scheduled the next day and may or maynot have time to write in between my meetings.We discussed and tried to reach some solution but could not fit in time in the way my day was planned , also none of the words we brainstormed quite helped .

Today , exactly half an hour back , I receive a mail from my alternative email id to which Snigdha has access to and the content of the mail is below . I chose to not make any alterations to it and publish it…

 

V for voctronica

It is a really well known indie band who gained their popularity via the internet . It is not like any other normal band where they use instruments . This band creates music by using their voice modulation and body percussion [beatboxing]. Infact Voctronica is India’s 1^st beatboxing band.  There were usually 6 members in this band but sadly one of them exited the band last year.

A lot of their music is instinctive and about playing off of each other, the members anticipate what the other is going to perform and take off from that. Based on this, they have also included a segment called the Circle Jam in their performances, where they compose numbers on the spot taking cues from the audience. It could be a random word or a name like organ, P.T. Usha or Nirma and we come up with a track. They generally have no idea what they will perform in that segment ; it’s a leap of faith, this was explained by Arjun Nair in one of his interviews  to The Hindu.

AR Rahman was extremely impressed by the band as they performed outstandingly at the Kala Ghoda festival, Mumbai, at a very young age.

They have made covers of famous songs in youtube like Sing by Ed sheeran, Rolling in the Deep by Adele, Roobaroo etc.

A very interesting interpretation of the Indian Classical Advertisement  ….

 

P.S  – Snigdha , with her interest in English and writing is inspired by this challenge and she has decided to take up a challenge by herself offline and once she is done with it , I create a blog for her where she continues with her writing . Her interest areas are around Music, Food and Art….

 

 

 

U for US 

US

You and Me

Laugh out aloud

Wipe tears

Just share an understanding smile

Or an acknowledging nod

The encouraging pat on the back

Conversations galore

Prank calls and bullying

Heal the hurt heart

Speak to the Sore soul

Climb mountains

Sail through

Explore food adventure

Humming and rocking along

Travel to known and unknown destinations

Experience the experiences

Create memories during the journey

We  are together in isolation

Enjoy our own “Me” time too..

You and me …unique in our own self , yet inseparable

That’s US.

 

 

T for Tea

I had thought of T for Travel , this being one of my Top 3 passions zone …but my thoughts were all over the place trying to structure the topic . Infact, Travel is uninhibited by it’s own nature,it is a an pursuit that cannot be constrained …. It is boundless and require a much larger canvas to be explored. This cannot be restricted to a T for Travel piece of writing ………….it has to be a subject in it’s own entirety  .

Today, is a very high on agenda day, where I have been out of the house since 6 am for my new business/passion venture shoot, followed by my music practice for the performance tomorrow . Evening there are two social engagements …..all of which I love doing , so no complains . Just a little hectic given that it is a weekend .

On my drive back from the jamming , while I was mentally scheduling the rest of the day …A to Z Challenge was on my mind too and I had to write something with T and my favourirte topic travel was just not taking shape . I thoughtlessly looked out of the car window while the new FM channel Radio Nasha was playing. This channel mostly plays hindi songs from the 70’s of the RD Burman , Kishore Kumar , Lata Mangeskar league . Just as they would play one of the very popular songs with the following lyrics “Shayad meri ,shaadi ka khayaal dil mein aaya hain , issi liye mummy ne teri mujhe cha ye pe bulaya hain”…meaning “Maybe the thought of wedding is playing on my mind and that’s why your mom has invited me for tea” , and as an introduction to this song , the RJ started speaking about the topic Tea. One noteworthy thought that grabbed my attention… Inviting someone for teas or drinking tea with someone means acceptance .

This thought was so accurate  … atleast for me, my cup of tea is very precious and I would like to share the cherished moment only with people I like to have meaningful conversations with . My tea moments mostly have a story around it (mostly great) , if I am sharing it with someone unusual , outside of my own self and family .

My thoughts get interrupted as the driver stops the car and I get off. I reach home and I know I have exactly 1 hour to finish off all chores , which includes finishing this piece of T for …… and leave again . I try to stay calm , quickly make my cup of tea and sit down to write this.

Having spent my growing up years in and around the subject of tea, as dad has been working with the Tea Board of India and we have stayed in and around the best of the tea estates from Nilgiris to Darjeeling to Assam. Thus tea has been a very passionate topic of discussion back home … have seen most of the intellectual conversations , debates , humorous addas and lot more happen over tea . I started drinking tea during my study leave before the 10^th standard board exams …. The story around it was – Tea would be my best company and also helped me stay up late nights for my last minute studies .

Back in college , when I would stay away from home as a paying guest ……I would kill my hunger pangs of limited food availability at the place I would stay , my drinking cups of tea(not a great memory at the face of it but just reminds me of my forever carefree nature where I am more focused on the solution than whine about the challenge) .That was the cheapest option to kill hunger .My parents will definitely feel terrible reading this , as they love me too much and would do anything to make me feel at ease but I really don’t know why , never really liked asking for that extra pocket money to fill up the gap of not enough food being served at the Paying Guest facility.

And there are many more tea stories with which I can actually go on and on ………..but as of now with the time constraint (of including all the stories here) , I conclude this narrating the story of tea in my present life stage ,the daily catching up of with our lives with my better half happens during our morning and late evening cup(S) of tea. Very special moment of the day for both of us.

Will definitely elaborate on my tea stories soon. Cheers to TEA..

S For Sunny

Obituary

Sagat Singh Rathod  aka Sunny

November 1975 to February 2015

Working with AAI for 16 years . His wife and 2 kids , 15 years  and 9 years…..

I kept typing and deleting , wiping my teary eyes  but simply could not get to completing this obituary . This was the evening after I received the call informing me about Sunny having left us forever. I donot recall the last time I felt so heavy in my heart and mind…and the last time I wept so much . Like most of our life events  where rituals take over the moment and the family does not even get time and space to grief in peace . Sunny’s entire family got together to discuss and execute the duties to be performed next . I refused to take up any of these duties as I could not get to move or convince myself . I never felt so weak and helpless in my life . The only responsibility they requested me to take up was to write his obituary , in which too I miserably failed .

I ended up writing a letter , just scribbling . …

Dear Sunny ,

I am sure you are smiling down at me , as I am struggling to write this for you . Remember you always would tell me , “ I will have my last laugh and you will be helpless” . Yes you told this to me every time we had a debate or an argument and mostly I won . Sometimes legitimately and sometimes you cheated and chose to deliberately loose with that parental emotion intervening in our relationship.

While we were the closest of friends during the post graduation days , you also displayed the exasperating (that’s how I felt about it then) possessiveness to guard me from the any individual from the opposite sex, in college,who displayed a bit of affection towards me and also severely jealous during events like,once when I took off for a picnic without taking you or even inviting you . But,beyond all the frivolous friendly emotions , you took over a bigger responsibility in my life . It was the responsibility of pretending to be my Daddy in the City of Joy , while my parents were far away  .

Yes , since my “Bapi” (that’s what I call my dad) is in the Tea industry , my family has been in a constant state of shifting locations from Nilgiris to Assam , from Darjeeling to Tripura . So , for my 11^th standard onwards , we decided to bring in some stability as far as my location for education  was concerned and I started my boarding days , followed by staying as a Paying Guest etc . That is the phase of my life when my effort to create my home away from home started.

Sagat Singh Rathod aka Sunny , you , came into my life along with lot of other very good friends during my Management days . The huge built guy with a moustache hailing from the  Thakur  community of Rajasthan … this was the visual imagination of you ,which was instinctively associated  with your  name which had quite a bit of weight/seriousness in it . I had decided to consciously stay away from any weightiness(that’s you) in this phase of my life, from the time I had glanced through your name in the admission list .

But Sunny , my friend , you were different in every way . Your genuineness and affection is what touched me the most . I could always be unpretentious with you , just be my own self . Our relationship had a very smooth transition towards a lot of ease and comfort ,before I realized when and how .You became my guardian and my friend in this city .

The wonderful soul Tanu came into your life , and she complemented you perfectly . After Tanu came into my life , it was like my family got extended . My home sickness took me to your house , missing home cooked food took me there, whenever I needed the warmth and love I was with both of you and gradually became every weekend. My mummy , daddy as you two would like to be addressed as.

My future husband , Subham , was in the city , to meet me before our wedding and you attended to him and performed all your duties and responsibilities like a dad would, while my dad was in another city. During my wedding , it was a very frequent sight of seeing you console my dad when he would have the emotional burst of tears with the thought of post wedding parting  and also give that understanding nod towards me , whenever I looked up helplessly at you .Sunny , you were completely in charge of everything and you seamlessly played so many roles in my life .

I left Kolkata for Mumbai after my wedding and you got a transfer to Delhi . By then Joy was already in your life … your lovely bubbly son..

In November , 2012 , on my way back from my vacation at Uttrakhand , I refused to come and meet you at your relative’s place … my usual tantrums with you . The liberties I always took with you . Who would know … that was the first signal of your tumor because of which , you were shifted to your Brother in law’s place who is a doctor .

You informed me about you being unwell . The tumor being positioned at a strategic place of your spinal chord for which undergoing a surgery will be a difficult decision to be taken .

Me , in my usual chirpy self , always called you and tried to lift your spirits . I spoke to you about everything but your health but did not realize it was getting worse everyday.Till the time , there was an  official trip planned to Delhi in August 2014 and I connected with you well in advance. My plan was to reach Delhi a day in advance to spend sometime with you . The response from you was very lukewarm ,which honestly did upset me a little. I had still kept that extra day but scheduled other engagements with friends .

August 16 ,2014 , as I land in Delhi , and switch on my phone .. I receive a message from Tanu … “He is home , please drop in.” I immediately cancelled all my other appointments and went directly from the airport to Dwarka , where you stayed . I met you almost after 1.5 years and you were lying in bed , less than half the size of what I had seen you last . You did not have the stamina to talk or interact . That reminded me of the lame joke we used to crack on you during college days, “ even when Sunny cries he smiles.” Sounds vague but our Sunny’s expression was such that even his normal straight grumpy face appeared like he was smiling. There was something about your vibe my dear. Now the same lips did not have hint of smile … it was lost somewhere far away . Seemed forever .

I again pretended to be normal with you , I did all the talking . Again , I spoke about everything but your illness . I went on with my stories even though I did not receive any reaction from you  .I sat by your bedside for 2 hours , while you lay down . Now , it was time to leave , and I sounded as casual as always , “Come on , at least get up now and give a hug  when I am leaving”.  I hugged you tight and whispered , “ Smile , you will be fine soon”.. I was almost at the breaking point then .

This  was the biggest lie,I ever uttered to you or to anyone else. If only I knew that was the last time I was seeing you , I would have hugged you tighter and longer.

Even today , I choke thinking of you . ….

….. and I could not even successfully end this letter.

 

 

 

 

R for Romance

Girl meets Boy , Love at first sight , a very ROMANTIC mode of proposal with ring dropped into the wine glass . Then starts the meeting up on weekends which extends to weekdays after college/work, missing few commitments in order to meet the urge to be with each other , cannot live without each other moments . Also ,in the Indian context  where there is a extremely towering influence of Bollywood in our lives ,we also imagine dancing around the trees , singing a song or two with or for each other , the family opposition but they stand by each other , sometimes elope ………… Few years later when everything is slightly settled down ,it is all about the solitaire gifted for anniversary , or an international holiday and dinner at five star for birthdays . Increasingly the relationship is all about a very theatrical manifestation of Love to be labeled as Romance . And I have heard friends say , “ My partner is not Romantic” , just in case the relationship lacks most of the above obvious and more popular expressions.

There is definitely nothing wrong with any of the above demonstrations of love . But ,to me, Romance is much beyond this .

It is the morning cup of Darjeeling first flush tea served to you while you are still lazing in bed and the chit chat that extends to the balcony .

It is the meaningful conversations you have , discussing your life , your fears and insecurities, celebrating your success and applauding your achievements.

It is that unnoticed slipping of a fruit in your hand when you had to skip breakfast because you woke up late and have to rush out for a early morning meeting .

It is that note on the post it which is pasted on your lunch box .

It is a call that you miss ,in the middle of the presentation and is followed by a message “ All the best for winning the Pitch” .

It is when you are sharing one car and he agrees to take a cab to work because you have too many back to back meetings for the day.

It is when the warm chicken soup that is served to you ,when you are down with bad health .

It is just holding your hand tight and nodding , just to say a silent “You have had a bad day … but life is beautiful .”

It is when you can expose all your vulnerability to him without being judged …. Just a Hug .

It is when he encourages you to take a Holiday as a reward to yourself .

It is when you call up to check on your kid and everything else  back home, from your Solo Holiday and he says , “You will receive a call from us in case we need help , till then just disconnect and enjoy your time”

It is when he pulls that blanket over you to make you feel warm , when you are curled up and cold but fast asleep to be able to help yourself .

Yes Romance is ,these humble small moments that create memories.

Q for Quick 

Lately with my consciousness higher on self time , quality time with people who matter , doing things we love doing … I have also come to realize that I use the term Quick too often .So do most of us , don’t we?

“Quick , Quick wake up “

“Quick , finish off your bath , whole lot of work pending before you rush for the school bus”

“Quick , finish off the cereal and carry the banana, eat it on your way to the bus” to my daughter

“Quick, let’s leave home for work , before the traffic  multiplies ”to by Husband

“Quick, hurry up , you are late by 10 minutes already” to my driver

“Quick, the deadline of the presentation is Friday and you are still on the research!!” to my team at work.

…….. and this list can actually can go on and on .

The day ends with

“Quick , hurry up with dinner, let’s get to bed ,else waking up early tomorrow morning will be a challenge”

What are we doing to ourselves ? Why are we always in a hurry to do things ? What are we trying to achieve by doing this? These are few questions through which I try to probe into my own self .

Every time , I use this word QUICK  ,it comes with a heaviness , I feel the pressure ..

What if we gradually slow down , one step at a time and replace the word Q for Quick with Q for Quiet . There is so much of tranquility in the very thought of the word Quiet.

What are your thoughts on Quick and Quiet? Happy to hear …