Sawan barse...

Sunday, 15 Aug 2010

One thing which has always baffled me is why do we like the sound of water flowing near a beach? Why do we feel happy on seeing flowers? Why does sunrise gives us a new hope ? Why do we feel optimistic on seeing new green leaves in spring? Why do we enjoy being so close to nature and yet try to run away from it? We have built houses, buildings etc to protect ourselves from rain, and yet when you actually drench in rain you really enjoy it !! Or at least I did last Sunday.

We set out to meet some friends on our humble two-wheeler and were enjoying the ride. Since it had just rained in the morning, the weather was absolutely blissful. Cool nice breeze flowing with green trees lined on both sides of the road. I was lost in my own world when something suddenly woke me up. A tiny drop of water on my arm. Then another, and another....and finally big huge drops of water all around us. By the time we got a decent place to park the bike and stand outside a shop, we were totally drenched. And we had reached only halfway. We pondered and decided to drop the plan and return home. Rain was only increasing and it would have been difficult to reach back home.

Then we thought again whether to start right away or wait for some time till the rain subsides. With a twinkle in our eyes, we took the wise decision - yes, u guessed it right. We started right away, driving through the pool of water - with a lot of splash and slush, hurrays and yoohoos. Even though the raindrops were hitting me really hard on my head, it was really nice to be drenched in rain after a really really long time. I don't even remember when I intentionally got drenched in rain last. After about 20 crazy minutes, we reached the heaven called home. A cup of steaming hot adarak ki chai marked the evening perfect !

Writing !

Was arranging my papers yesterday when I found my old poems and writings written on tattered pieces of paper. Nostalgic! All those moments reappeared in front of me when these things were written.

I realized writing is a big stress-buster for me. I feel elated after writing a good piece (prose or poetry). My poems are very simple, straightforward and direct. No hidden meanings, no metaphors, no exaggerations. They are simply my thoughts put into rhyming words. Writing is a passion that I have often ignored and never took it up seriously. But I realized, whenever I have felt strongly about something, I have written about it. If I am happy about something, I have written it down, if I am sad about something I have definitely written it down. I generally resort to writing things that I cannot share with anyone, and maybe that’s the reason why most of my poems have a sad vibe. But the good thing is they always end on an optimistic note. Because as I start writing, I start feeling light in the heart. Somehow, all the tension is released from my system. I start seeing things from different, more positive perspective. Writing is a way of self-introspection for me. Its my method of playing with my thoughts – trying to make sense of them. Well, if you read my blog description that was the basic reason why I started writing this blog.

I have often sat down with a pen and paper thinking I will write something today but never been able to. I have never been able to decide and write. Its always been a sudden spontaneous urge to write. Many times it’s been so involuntary that I do not even realize I am writing. I want to be able to write whenever I decide to. Any ideas on how I can generate writing at will?

Mumbai Meri Jaan

Its been raining since morning, finally relief from Delhi's scorching heat. I miss Mumbai the most today. Its now clear and pleasant outside, a nice breeze is flowing, perfect weather ! And I am confined in my cubicle surfing the web for some useless unimportant information. Life can be so harsh sometimes !!

GenX Docs!!

Last week I was suffering from a severe stomach pain. But that’s not of so much concern. When the pain did not subside in 2 days and only grew into a full body pain I decided to take the risk and go to the doctor. Yes, believe me going to the doctor for something as small as stomach pain is a big big risk in today’s world.
To my astonishment, the doc didn’t even ask me where exactly it was paining or what kind of pain it was. He just listened to me for 30 seconds or so, looked at his watch (seemed like he was in a hurry) and wrote some 5 medicines on my case paper. Yes, that’s not a typo. He wrote FIVE medicines !! That too for 5 days. Only when I asked him he told me eat something light for the day.
I got medicines only for 2 days and took only one dose after which the problem subsided by itself.
That posed a serious question in my mind: What has happened to the doctors today? Instead of diagnosing my problem, why did he give me so many medicines? I recall a scene from the movie Anand where the doctor gives some fake medicine to a rich lady because she always feels uneasy. When questioned, the doctor tells his friend that he does this so that a poor cancer patient coming to his hospital can be given treatment free of charge. So, is this why the doctors simply give medicine and not actually tell us that “You have eaten something rubbish outside. Don’t eat for 2 days, have lots of fluids and you will be fine.” Or, is it the other way around? Because the doctors give us instantaneous relief medicines, we also do not bother to find out the root cause. All in all, neither the doctor nor the patient tries to find out the real cause and rely heavily on instant relief medicines. The vicious cycle continues and things continue to worsen.
Where and when will it all stop?

2009 !!

2009 - The year of the worst global recession ever. However, the year proved to be one of the most eventful years of my life - literally, a life-changing year for me. As I sit today and reflect back on it, following are the major highlights of this year in my life:

1. First meet: The year started with our first meet. The date was purely arranged by our parents. Reluctantly, I went with my parents to see him. My first glance on him and I thought, "Ohh no, he looks better than me, I will never marry him." Months later, I put a varmala around his neck and took seven marital steps (pheras) with him :-)

2. Engagements: Both me and my brother got engaged in March.

3. Moved back to India: Something that was on my mind ever since I stepped foot in US, finally materialised. I was finally able to move back to India after a stay of almost 4 years in a foreign land.

4. Bhaiyya's marriage: My elder brother got married and Sneha bhabhi was welcomed into the family.

5. I got married! : The major highlight of the year for me was obviously my marriage. It changed my life completely just as it does for any other girl.

6. Chhutku arrives: My sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby boy "Saatvik".

All in all, it was the year that connected a lot of new people with my life. There was one more event which I have purposely skipped here. Fingers tremble as I muster up courage to write this...will always miss you Appuji.....

Paraya Dhan

Preface: Wrote this poem about 4 months back, found it today while surfing on my Google Docs. Not in a mood to change the font to Devnagari right now.

Beti lakshmi ka roop hai
jane yeh kitna sach, kitna jhoot hai

jin haathon ko pakad kabhi chalna sikhaya
aaj unhi haathon mein mehendi rachi hai
waqt na jane kaise beet gaya
aaj usi beti ki doli saji hai

dulhan bankar, saj-dhaj kar
aaj badi woh khush hai
maa-baap, parivaar chhoot jayenge aaj
bas yahi ek use dukh hai

jab bichhadna hai fir milne ke liye
fir bhi kyon aankhen bhar aati hai
beti paida hi hoti hai jane ke liye
fir kyon sab rote hai jab woh sasural jati hai

jab jab uski yaad sataye
ghar par milne woh aati hai
apni hi kokh se toh janam diya
fir kyon parayi kehlati hai ?

do parivaaron mein bantkar
bhi woh khush rehti hai
uski duvidha woh hi jane
kisise na kuchh kehti hai

My 'bhaav' skills

One of the many concerns I had while re-migrating was how to buy vegetables in India.
I used to always refuse to go with my mom to the sabji-mandi as she used to bargain a lot or as we say do a lot of bhaav. 3 years in US was easy- just go to Cub Foods/Walmart/Krogers and grab whatever you need, put it in the cart, pay by credit card and drive back home happily. Even though you get vegetables in departmental stores in India too, they are not as fresh as the local sabji-mandi and expensive too. So one fine day, I went to the sabjiwalas that sit outside my house. I looked at cauliflower and said nervously "kaisa diya flower?" (I had gone reluctantly with mom a few times), he said "8 rupay paav". I had absolutely no idea whether this was cheap or expensive. But still I tried to maaro chance and said,"7 lagao, aadha leti hoon." To my surprise he agreed. I was thinking I should have said 6. Nevertheless, this continued for about a week by when I got an idea of which vegetable is running at what rate in the market.
I was back from jodhpur after a week and we went 'sabji' shopping. We took some 4-5 vegetables from the same vendor, the total cost came to 82. My husband gave me 105 Rs and said softly "I challenge you to get me back 30 Rs". Ab toh meri izzat ka sawaal tha. "pachattar laga lo bhaiyya",I said. He did no-no, I did yes-yes for some while after which I shouted loudly "Bilkul baraabar hai". He finally resigned and gave me back 30 Rs which I turned around and flashed to my husband smilingly.