Hail Pujo!

One of my initial posts had something that I had to say about Durga Puja and how I missed it then. This Pujo (as we “Bongs” prefer calling it) I, thankfully, don’t have to mourn thus!!!! I am all here in Kolkata raving to enjoy every moment of the festival that so precisely describes the Bengali fervor

Pujo is much more than a mere festival to Bengalis( I remember reading a Vir Sanghvi article in which he defines a Bengali as one who’s ever had anything to do with Bengal)….But then each festival is special to one who celebrates it! So let me put what I personally feel about Pujo instead of a generic description of it……

I have been more of a cosmopolitan for most of my life. I would probably have spent only a handful number of Pujos in Kolkata….but even that memory is flabbergasting!! Be it the frenzy that drives people (count me among those too, readers) as if this is the first time they’ve been to a store since lightening struck all their clothes or the suffocating crowd that rushes before the pandals(read: designed arenas where the idol is worshipped…..actually it’s a lot more than I can describe) …….the Pujos have it all. It is perhaps the only festival that satiates the hysteria we Bengalis are so infamously famous for!!

I feel Pujo in the mellow fragrance of Autumn winds, in the blue of the sheath above, in the smell of new clothes, in the rumbling of the dhhak( read: Bengali version of drum) around in the anticipation of the Bengali heart within....I feel Pujo everywhere….

An ode to the Potter fan in me......

I know I have been shamefully laid-back about blogging over the last few days…..but that’s because there’s been a lot of new things happening in my life….

Awrite…I do not plan to bore you busy bloggers with tales of a 24 year old’s life. But as usual, I’d like to share my thoughts….

I’m reading (actually I’m going to complete it today, I know , that’s slow….) Harry Potter (7)…..And the avid Potter fan that I am, I keep pondering over it for quite sometime during the day…..

At the risk of being a spoiler (I assume most, interested to read, have already read it), I think I expected a lot more from this book than what it gave me. There were answers to all questions alright. But the unpredictability was somehow lost. Blame it on the (unnecessary, I daresay) hype surrounding its release or my over-estimation, I confess that this book has not lived up to my excitement.

I have always vehemently opposed Potter cynics when they said it was just another over-hyped story book. I stick by that even today. Its not!!! It is undoubtedly a well framed creation by a lady who knows exactly how to touch the chord of one and all…..But there’s absolutely no denying that Madame Rowling has tried to mix elements from (fairy) tales all over the world….and has been somewhat successful in that ,may I add….I feel, however, the essence and innocence of the initial few books has been progressively diminishing….

I am enjoying every bit of the book…..but somewhere deep down it has failed to satiate what I was looking forward to….I know that’s absolutely abstract….but that’s how it is….

For the heck of being with “the boy who lived” till the very end (I doubt that very much though)….go get yourself a copy!!!

Home again....

Finally!!!
Finally I’m posting after a hiatus….finally its raining like crazy here…finally I am home.

Today I do not have any string of thought or any opinion to express….Today it’s just a feeling I’d like to share….

I have been away from home for about 6 years now…almost felt like a guest in my own house…with delicacies being prepared every time I came, with tasks being listed down for every moment that I stayed, with relatives complaining my lack of social interaction during the few days that I graced my presence at home. Being at home was almost synonymous to holidays for me…..and somewhere deep down that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to be at home- literally and beyond.

So today that I am here….. (Touchwood) but I’m loving it. Screaming roadies, honking buses, water-logged streets, and humidity – no one in their right state of mind would call this bliss. But I do. I do because this is where I want to be….this is where I need to be…and this is where I have to be.

I doubt if I’m making much sense to readers…Pardon me for this abstract piece of writing…but as I said my “Sentience” shall only reflect my state of mind….and this is exactly how it is.

Yes, I am home.

Education or ignorance?

Long time ago when yours truly was in school (I love acting old. Don’t I??) , there existed one concept. It was mainly cultivated by those cynics who claimed that it’s difficult to score good marks in state board. Hence ICSE or CBSE (both being national level boards for secondary / higher secondary education) was “simpler” compared to the prevalent state board. I vehemently opposed to the concept that time, perhaps because I was in ICSE board myself.

But the fact remains that our education system needs to be revised. My humble opinion is that all boards should be merged into one. Probably that would be the only answer to this inconsistency existing in the nation. Marks are disbursed among students like crazy!! How does this system recognize true merit if almost 60% students from a school get +90% marks in their boards?

Another concern remains the introduction of English as a language in fifth standard in Government schools. I am not aware of the current implementation of this rule in the country. But I feel it’s absolutely horrendous to imagine a kid would waste first few years of his academic life learning sweet-nothings. However he would always expected to be as competent in the language as others who live by English since they step in schools. Generally the morale of the former is lower when he faces the world after a decade…a world where English is the lingua franca!

But I prefer being an optimist. I loved one particular line from a popular movie I watched in recent past. They say that no country is perfect; the citizens have to strive to make it so. True…..
It’s very easy to criticize and to leave the country for our own growth ….What is difficult is to stay here…to implement all the progressive ideas that breed in an educated mind. I hope someday we all realize that…Say Amen!

The fan.......

Typically I should call this post to be “inspired” by this particular write-up I read. These days I have been reading “Chicken Soup for Working Women”(Awrite there…..Don’t laugh at me)…Nice inspirational stories-yes…..But I read them for the real life ones which are everyday stories like those Readers’ digest stuff I usually like.

So there was this article about a working mother, also a single parent to a two year old. She talked about how she would strive hard to stuff the kid with toys / objects that could keep him busy and her free for other chores….till one day when she told him to watch the ceiling fan whilst she did other work… And then he pulled her to watch the fan so as to provide her with respite from those humdrum stuff…..

I could completely relate to this bit. Very often we tend to get so occupied in our daily lives that we forget to live in the present….I do not remember watching a starlit sky in years now…or observing a butterfly sitting on the wall before me…..or smelling the first rain….Though I love them all….Then what am I aiming for, in life???

Blame all these so-to-say boring posts on those philosophical pangs that occasionally trouble me nowadays. But I have reserved this blog to express my state of mind…I have to push off now. I was allowed only these ten minutes of spare time to spend on my thoughtful stances. Enough for the day. I guess?!! :)

But really…..I would love to watch the ceiling fan rotate one day….minus thoughts of the past failures or future endeavors…of meetings I goofed up….of appointments that await me….I would love to live in the present moment…one day!!!!!

BrewHaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many times have you tried out your mommy/daddy’s clothes as a kid? How many times have you tried on those attractive looking bottles of cosmetics and perfumes (okay this one’s for the girls alone) or dad’s shaving foam (you get who this is for …don’t you?!!!)?

I just happened to revisit all those days of fascination and apprehensions for adulthood…..all those moments of secret pleasure in imagining oneself as a grown-up…..all those pangs of ire on listening the same old “After you grow up kiddy!” rebuff.
And why!??!...you may ask.

I was walking to office the other day when I saw this seven/eight year old child striving real hard to reach the foothold of his cycle. Absolutely nonchalant about the bulk of an adult sized vehicle this child kept falling and grasping onto the paddle time and again. Every time he managed to reach to the paddle a satisfied smile flashed to reveal a broken set of milk teeth!!

Life’s all about getting what we don’t have…..and then lamenting on what we lost. All through my childhood and adolescence I yearned to be an adult …..And now that I am one….. I wish I were a kid again….Probably it’s this longing mixed with boredom that predominantly engulfs our lives, I landed up indulging in some unadulterated fun this weekend.

So yesterday some of us friends went to this new hangout in Bangalore called "BrewHaHa" to (hold your breath now) play!!! And play what???....Games those were so integral of our growing up years….Lovely moments to cherish, some amazing hours with your loved ones and good food!!! BrewHaHa’s all about that and more.

I strongly recommend the place for people who are game for some serious fun. Only regret: I wish I could have spent more time there with some friends I miss every moment nowadays…Guys- I wish our college days were back!!(See there….again I wish something….Didn’t I tell you??)

Who are they????????

This thought has been bothering me from quite sometime now…….What is being a celebrity all about???

It’s sometimes so funny the way these people (I hope calling them “people” doesn’t offend them) behave. Please do not get me wrong here. I have nothing against “them”. It’s just that their “holier than thou” attitude totally irks me.

I’m sure their work demands a lot of hard work and arouses hell lot of curiosity among us lesser mortals. I’m sure they often sacrifice basic joys of life as a price for fame. I’m sure they hate (actually here I’m not that sure!! :)) being hounded by paparazzi at each moment of their lives……

But what my otherwise logical mind cannot justify is their severe attitude problem. I mean, being a celeb does not entitle them to consider themselves super-natural (oh u bet they do!!!)…..Being able to get front-seat passes at award functions when other commoners are sweating it out at the back to get a glimpse of these “stars” is no license for them to behave as if they own the world.

I do not know if this attitude prevails only among the glamour world citizens or among all famous people in general…..But this definitely needs attention. As I read in a magazine the other day, these actors are becoming more of “people” than “stars”…Probably if we compare an “Audrey Hepburn” with an “Angelina Jolie” or a “Sridevi” with a “Preity Zinta”…yes they are…..But I am certain there’s still a long way to go.

After all, the toil that a daily-wage earner invests is as much as a film actor would put in…if not more!!! So what if both eat meager meals (one out of compulsion and other out of fancy!!)……Well, inequality is all life’s all about, I guess……..

My Sentience personified.......

My mum remarked the other day that somehow the word “ma” (in whatever form/language it may be) exudes a feel of security, warmth and unconditional love. She was probably missing my grandma (her mum) a bit too much that day…..

But those words really got me thinking. ….And this post shall have all those threads of thoughts that got me pensive after ages that day….

If I may bore you readers with a small walk down my memory lane, I’d like to share this small incident here. I had once met this nun (Pardon my amnesiac head here…can’t mention her name) as a kid. She happened to say something which has somehow left a mark in my heart, probably forever.

She told me that all mothers are special-but that mine was a little more. I’m sure each one of us would like to believe so. But since this is my post I’d like to tell you why I feel so (Readers please do share your thoughts about the same).

Today, when I can proudly and humbly (whoa!!!What a paradox) call myself a career woman, I do realize the importance of being on one’s own feet...The feeling of being able to wake up each morning to know that you would have to rush to work, the feeling of buying your dear ones cute li’l things with your own salary, the feeling of knowing that you are revered at your workplace…..the feeling of creating a niche for your own self is simply ecstasy! I understand that today.

And to be able to achieve all that and then give it up just for your child is something I call grit. A lawyer of my mum’s caliber could have soared high today….To give up all that and more so as to let your child grow up as an able human being is something that sure deserves appreciation.

So this goes as a thank-you note to her this “Mothers’ Day”.

Thank you for everything Ma!!!

“For I know the plans I have for you”

Of late I have been visiting quite a few blogs…And as I discover the thoughts of fellow beings, I can’t really help thanking God for what I have!!!

True, life hasn’t been a bed of roses so far…There have been moments of pique and failures…..There have been bouts of monotony….and pangs of untoward thoughts. There have been times I’ve complained of so many things that I almost sounded like Calvin (of C&H fame of course)….

And yet when I came across this article about Nick Vujicic, I realized how kind life’s been. I remember this poem I read as a child (and I’m sure many of you readers might just have glanced over it). It was a child’s confession as to how she complained of her ugly feet or eyes till she saw a lame or blind person…I remember the poem had got me thinking with that tiny little brain of mine even then….Nick Vujicic reminded me of the same poem all over again…..May his kind continue to motivate us earthlings……He sure is an exemplary creation of God!!!!This was a quote on his website(do take time out to check out the link):

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Kudos to all those who dare to dream ….to those who achieve them and all those who don’t!!!!

The Catcher in the Rye

I just finished reading “The Catcher in the Rye” this morning. “A cult book” as one of my friends calls it…
An absolute marvel…I am so glad I read it…..So I just had to write about it in my web space!!!

There’s hardly any point writing about the story as I assume I’m one of those unfortunate few to have read this book so late in my life (Boy! !!Do I sound old??!!).But the subtlety in the book’s fascinating…if you happen to get them…. that is….

Frankly speaking, I’ve never been intrigued by the “inner meanings” of many books. But this one was an exception. How a 17 year old’s interpretation of the world and its people could actually reveal the futility of the conventional norms of society is amazing!!

The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, hardly ever misses calling people “phony” (I suppose that’s the most frequently used term in the novel).His world almost collapses as he realizes his solitude and seclusion from most people in the world (except maybe his sister Phoebe).Apparently its just a teenager talking about few days of “freaking out” .The subtle meaning however, is indicative of how our world’s so pretentious and weird.

I thought the title was absolutely apt. It’s from a Thomas Burns’ poem containing these words whereby a catcher stands all day at the cliff “catching” any child who’d fall off the gorge. It explains Holden’s state of mind where he wants to protect a child’s mind from the atrocities of adulthood….or maybe his own self.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read (and hasn’t already read it!!).I enjoyed the book and hope you do so too….

For a better world.......

Ignorant as one would call me, I have no qualms in admitting that I was unaware of the monstrous predominance of “Domestic violence”. I mean I did know it exists and that several women are subjected to it on a daily basis……But I had absolutely no clue as to how common it could be.

“Provoked” is like any other well-made movie with good performances (I confess I liked Ms Rai for the first time ever) and commendable direction. But what’s more striking is that it compels you to carry the issue along.What makes it even more touching is the fact that its based on the real-life story of the landmark case called "Regina Vs. Ahluwalia" - a case which re-defined the term "Provocation"!!!

Probably as a twenty-something I have a lot of apprehensions about life…And issues like domestic violence only adds to what I would call more of “dread” than apprehension!!!We are educated alright…..but can we really claim to be emancipated??

It’s been pretty frequent that I visited the theatre…but I’m glad I watched some real good cinema. I hope the future of the world’s as good as in the movie(I would call the ending positive if not happy)….Amen!!

Its all in a name.......

When I read “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri, I remember having identified with the characters. The feeling got re-juvenated after watching its screen version.

I have always maintained that books lose their charm once they are made into movies…But I must confess I did think otherwise this time. With powerful performances by truly talented actors, impeccable direction, and absolute technical proficiency (though I am no critic to technical aspects of movie-making, I loved certain camera shots…For eg: the Howrah station scene merging past and present)...The movie was indeed a delightful experience. I must specially mention the lead actor’s (Irfan Khan) amazing attempt at mimicking the Bengali accent. It’s commendable as to how he has brilliantly spun authenticity into it without overdoing it. (You have to trust my opinion on this one!)

One tends to identify with Nikhil ‘Gogol’ Ganguli. His character compels you to ponder on your cultural standing. You tend to question your attitude towards your family, your roots and your beliefs….I feel it provides an absolutely necessary halt to our otherwise fast paced lives…It re-emphasizes the need to live in the present…to feel the beauty of having a family and to feel how it is to be loved…Gogol is like a reality check to the hot blooded youth of today….

Not always would you come across movies which provoke you to carry the thought along once you leave the theater. I am glad I experienced this rare feeling last Saturday…This one’s definitely worth a watch(or may be more)!!!

Hail Loreto!!!

People are all moving on in life.....some going abroad for “higher studies”, some settling for newer jobs, some “settling” in the Indian sense of the term(read : marrying)...but all of them moving ahead ......

And here I am...reminiscing on those days of my past....specifically of the school where I spent some of my most crucial years – Loreto Day School. I thought I owe at least one blogpost to my school...So here it goes..................

It was one of those wet, sultry rainy days of June’92 – my parents took me through those huge green gates...to meet Sr. Mary Ross (my fellow Loretians would already have some bells ringing by now)...A highly revered Irish hexagenarian with the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen...that’s exactly how I’d describe her!!!

And before I could know any further I had spent 8 years of my life on campus on 9, Elliott Road. Loads of my girlhood memories are perhaps seeped in those massive yellow buildings....those strong house fights (Tagore house still rocks!!), morning assemblies (oh boy!!!What adrenaline rushes they were), innumerable events/contests (Winning them were as good as the Oscars, I daresay!!!)....unit tests (and merit cards and uncontrolled rivalries) ............I’m sure it already sounds like a "My School" essay!!! :)



This is how “My School” still affects me.....And why not....I met some of my best teachers there....Mrs Sen (her affable charm still never fails to fascinate me), Mrs Bhattacharya (Thanks to her ...I was addicted to Mathematics),Mrs. Chatterjee (No one knew Shakespeare better than her...I’d like to believe)..................[far too many to list I guess]....I made some of my closest friends there....and I treasure some of my most cherished memories there...

Pardon the length of this post....Its more than just nostalgia I feel for my school....no wonder I still revel at the mention of its name and I still remember my school song by heart.....
“Loreto’s banner gaily floats in lands both east and west
Loreto’s name each girl reveres and holds it ever blest”

Mouthshut.....NO WAY!!!

Sometimes it fascinates me – the fact that humans are so opinionated.
Now, don’t mistake me…I’m not much into criticizing people around...I am very much a
part of the brigade I am going to comment on.

I was reading a couple of articles on a news portal ….and each article has a tagging list of comments attached...The inquisitive “thing” in me wonders if the author’s ever going to peruse those comments in his/her lifetime!!!!...and yet people keep commenting…..and opining…..and talking…… :)

Well, I guess it comes as a package with the meager education we receive…We are endowed with a free license to opine on every matter that affects us and every one that doesn’t!!!!

There is this particular fashion journalist who writes for a news portal…I like the humour in his posts ….and therefore have visited his blog quite often…I understand if people comment on the content of the posts….But no…we humble mortals are just not cut for that….They comment on his command over the Queen’s language and about thousands of other details which are absolutely besides the point….Hell, if that piece of article bothers your night’s sleep….DO NOT read it…Now, isn’t that simple???

But “social” creatures as we are….we would still keep brewing our coffee with the political state of our nation…we would still watch those loads of Bollywood flicks (only to term them as “trash” even as we are watching them)…we would still take an active interest about numerous inconspicuous matters which neither require nor deserve our attention….and would still secretively get a sense of satisfaction when we get some positive “comments” on our latest blogpost!!!That’s the way we are. …I guess!!! :)

An afterthought....

I just read this news article which I thought was quite interesting….

Being a celebrity has its own pros and cons – one would agree…You are under constant vigil of the entire world and each thing you say/do would be scrutinized till the end…My due respect to them all. It’s definitely a tough life under those arc-lights…

But the money/fame going into the head, though inevitable, cannot be justified. Now what on earth could vindicate Ms. Campbell throwing her cell phone at that poor guy??? It’s yet more ludicrous how a certain twenty-something singer shaves her head off and that becomes the talk of the glam-world…

I’m really glad that these re-habs are being practically implemented (that’s if the link up there states the fact!!) Not that it guarantees such irresponsible actions won’t be repeated but at least it’s a step towards building a better world!!

A beautiful Sunday......

Yesterday was just another warm Sunday in Bangalore for me until I went there…

After a heavy lunch at a dear friend’s place, some 3 of us headed for our much planned trip to Sneha Nilaya. For those who do not know, that’s an absolutely wonderful place that about 65 kids call home…

On my way back from the place, as I walked down the lane, I thought of something that I feel I must share on my blog.

As my roommate puts it – life’s so very unfair….unfair to those kids who do not even know what they are missing….to those senior citizens of the world who have done nothing to be stacked in old-age homes….And yet under the given circumstances, life’s been so kind to them as well….

Sneha Nilaya is one such platform where life’s kindness personifies into a beautiful “home”. Run by Society of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, it reminds one of those residential schools you would read in Susan Coolidge novels .That’s how nicely they seem to live. They have absolutely nothing to demand, absolutely nothing to complain of, absolutely nothing to disturb one’s busy schedule. And that’s perhaps what I thought was most peculiar to the place.

On my request they gave me their card and contact details which I thought of putting up on my blog.Thats probably my bit into improving the lives of those lovely kids at Sneha Nilaya. I look forward to visiting there sometime soon.

P.S.: Please find the details here
Sneha Nilaya
No 11, Langford Gardens
Bangalore – 560025
Ph. : 080-22210432
Email: fsibgl@vsnl.net

tempo libero.........

What does an IT professional do when there's no release coming up....when there's no exciting tool to be studied..or no enhancement in progress...and of course when there's a computer at one's disposal???Well,in one of those bouts I happened to spot these links....calls for a decent time-pass...Thought of putting these up on my blog..........
http://blogthings.com/thefivefactorpersonalitytest/
And then there are the types which know "all"(mind you) about your past....
http://blogthings.com/whowereyouinhighschoolquiz/
Then I got a bit intrigued by the funny captions that could put the latest tarot card readers to shame...Sample this:
http://blogthings.com/whatcolorshouldyourblogorjournalbequiz/
But this one takes the cake....
http://blogthings.com/howmuchhaveyouchangedin10yearsquiz/
Somehow wanted to put my personalised one up here:

You've Changed 44% in 10 Years

You've done a good job changing with the times, but deep down, you're still the same person. You're clothes, job, and friends may have changed some - but it hasn't changed you.

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

Oh and I heaved a sigh of relief with this one:

You Are 23 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

India really Poised??

21st Century has indeed re-defined a lot of things in the world…..

Certain incidents compel me to say things which make me sound as what we, the youth, would rather brand as “senile”. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking “where are we heading to??”

There was this “breaking news” being covered on a certain channel. It was about this couple on whom “sting operation” was in progress. The husband (married for 10 years) was forcing his better-half to visit a party where people “swap” partners.

How ridiculous is that? When people talk of commitment phobia or the futility of arranged marriages….I understand. Everyone’s entitled to hold an opinion. I also understand extra-marital affairs (though my present state of mind never testifies it). But this is horrendous!!!

If one’s bored of one’s spouse, law allows them to separate. But how can such outrageous act of promiscuity be justified? Indulgence in such acts of consensual adultery is nothing but a manifestation of one’s diseased mentality. It is nothing but a changing face of society and our thinking...

No wonder number of divorces is only rising exponentially. No wonder movies based on a hexagenarian falling in “love” (oh yeah!!!) with his daughter’s friend is being critically acclaimed. No wonder newspapers are sprawling with “news” that only reflect the degradation of morale of the society.

This isn’t the 21st Century that I’d like to live in….We really need to start working on this…Do let me know what you think about it..…

To the land I've left behind..........

Deep down somewhere each of us nurtures tender feelings about the place where we’ve spent our childhood ….I am too much of a mortal to be an exception. That’s precisely why I
am so nostalgic when it comes to Guwahati…

I have spent nine years of my early life there….mentioning the gorgeous hill-laden town
as my favorite wouldn’t be an overstatement! Somehow I associate Guwahati as a place where I could breathe happiness into every moment of my life….More so because I haven’t really spent the unpleasant moments of adolescence/adulthood there…

Guwahati has been an abode of solace, gaiety and happy memories for me…a place where everything seemed just picturesque – those green hills, those vast expanses which we could call “playground”, the occasional hail-storms(and many a times tremors) , some amazing friends ( Thank God I’ve still retained some) and ever pampering list of uncles n aunties…..Probably it was all part of being a child…but nonetheless I love the place…

These feelings would probably not have erupted on my blog today if the media were not required to focus on my city so often…I am probably one of those rare Bengalis who absolutely loathe politics and therefore care the least about who’s responsible for the situations in Assam. But I have too many people I care about out there…and more so its about the place which I adore…

I do not know when the turbulence would meet its end….I do not know which set of people would have the last laugh…. I do not know when these days of common man living in perpetual state of fear/apprehension there would get over….But I do hope and pray that the place that bore some of my sweetest memories would get back its essence – The essence of life and mirth!!

Please do say “Amen” to that……….

Lock or Freeze???

I just got back from home. Need I elucidate on my state of mind any more???

Glued (once again) onto the 17” before me I browse through the innumerable news channels sprawling the Net…and Voila!!!I’m duly educated on the achievements of a certain Ms. Shetty, on the pre/post nuptials plans of the “Marriage of the year” (Madame Hurley kindly excuse…Bachhan-Rai rock u see!!), on Badshah’s utmost attempt to “copy” the Shahenshah…..on almost everything that actually wouldn’t make a trifling difference in my life!!!

And as someone (I don’t really care who) rightly put it…even the most ignorant person has the right to opine…so here I go!!...after all it’s my blog and I never did claim to be “different”. Did I???

Over the last 2 weeks, whenever I happened to be at home and doing nothing, I’d fix those myopic eyes of mine to the “idiot box”…Now all I could find on TV were “reality shows” (Ah!!What a misnomer)…Roadies4 boasted of a herd of unruly youngsters speaking more beeped words than normal …A cinestars’ hunt contest having more tears than TRPs….and of course Bigg Boss completing the training which Saas-bahu sagas miss out on(of quarrelling tactics of course!!)

So SRK was a welcome change…I did like the guy during my adolescent years…though not his monotony any more…He exudes some charm/charisma whatever you call it. I would have liked his presentation any day…had I like lacs of others not compared him to AB!!! He’s definitely not bad…if not superlative…a bit of over enthusiasm to reach to the masses may be….but definitely can’t be written off…At least 9-10 henceforth would be something I’d look forward to….Now “freeze that”!!

Flying good times!!!

I just came across this article today which rather got me thinking….
As the caption read “Flying isn’t fun any more”…Well, I couldn’t really agree more!!!

Gone are those days of glory in Indian aviation where “flying” would be preserved for the “privileged” few….when I would rather boastfully mention to my school friends that I “flew” to Calcutta(wasn’t Kolkata then, you see)…when the air hostesses would give airs to being second only to Bollywood “Queens”.....

Today flying is just a click away…Long live Indian economy!!! But in an attempt to make the experience accessible to common man, flying really isn’t very different to a travel by train any more…probably by first class(or sometimes even less)….Low cost airlines flaunt their cost-cutting strategies rather proudly….less cabin/ground crew, omission of catering services in-flight(Ah! How I miss those yummy croissants!!), runway optimization….there’s the cost-cutting bug everywhere……

I do remember this particular incident where our flight from Guwahati to Calcutta had been delayed by 2 hours and it really had hit the headlines the next morning….Big thing it was then indeed…when delays in flight departure was absolutely unheard of…any delay would be stuffed with compensations (in form of “refreshments”, added “smiles” from gorgeous airhostesses, and what not….)….And today a couple of hours do not really matter…After all they’re getting you to your destination in lesser time than those step-sibling of theirs down on those sleepers. Aren’t they???

And this free seating affair has indeed added to our miseries…No-one really bothers about etiquette when they have to get a FCFS seat…to hell with pregnant women or wailing babies or tired senior citizens….They don’t really care!!!

When the façade of a happy citizen raving about her nation’s economic progress wears off… deep down somewhere I do wish to re-live those moments of savored “air travel”…Borrowing the punch line from one of the less “low –cost airline”s, may I confess - I don’t really mind “flying good times”…:) once again…..

P.S. : This post has not been sponsored by any agency/company/organisation.The views expressed are purely the author's!!!