Mom n Dad : Fam(ILY) ❤❤❤

On Sunday evening, I got a wonderful WhatsApp message from a friend. It read:

“VERY HEART TOUCHING.

(BITTER TRUTH)

An old man took his phone to a Repair shop. 

Repairer told : NOTHING IS WRONG with this phone. 

Old man with tears in his eyes said : Then why DON'T my children ever call me ?”

I instantly loved the message so much that I added a few lines from my side and broadcasted it across all my contacts. Here is the message I sent everyone :

“VERY HEART TOUCHING.

(BITTER TRUTH )

An old man took his phone to a Repair shop.

Repairer told : NOTHING IS WRONG with this phone.

Old man with tears in his eyes said : Then why DON'T my children ever call me ?

We are so busy growing up that we forget our parents are growing old too..

Miles may separate you,

But communication should keep the love alive

No matter how busy life gets. 

Because,

Dharti p rup maa bap ka,

Us vidhata ki pehchaan hai..”

Instantly I got over a 100 replies saying they really loved the message and how true it was.

P.S. : I am so much in love with the song "Yeh to sach hai ki Bhagwaan hai", that it has been my caller tune since November 2014; and I have no intents of changing it. A lot of people who call me and hear my caller tune sometimes tell me as to how much this reminds them of the unconditional love of their parents.

I sometimes wonder, when I'd become a parent, would I ever be able to shower such unconditional love to my future kids ? Would I be selfless enough to put them as my number one priority and make unspoken sacrifices for them ?  I don’t have the answer to these questions as of now.

But I really know that whatever I am today, every inch of me, every iota of my cell, I owe it to them. I know that no matter what I do, I can never repay them, ever, for all the sacrifices they have made behind our growing years. I never remember being denied anything I “Wanted” or “Desired”. My needs were taken care of even before I knew them. I had everything I wanted.

The biggest asset they have given me is the empowerment. I have never ever been treated as a “Girl child”; I have always been generously endowed upon all the freedoms and luxuries, generally denied access to a girl in a traditional conservative family. My mom would tell me at times, that my father went on a bicycle to get then enrolment form for an English Medium Convent school – that too the best in the city. I was enrolled in drawing classes, mehandi classes, garba classes, for swimming, skating, badminton, basketball, calligraphy !! I would never have spare summer vacations. During tough times, we would go to a restaurant only once in 6 months, but there would never be any book I didn’t possess that I would “want” and not exactly “need”. Each summer vacation I’d be learning a new hobby. We lived in a “city” area for the most of my childhood, yet I was never among the kids who’d be idly be playing cards. I would be playing with my “Mechanix” or “Picnic” or “Buisness” set.

I can never count the sacrifices they have made to make me what I am today. The tables have turned. It is our turn now to make them happy and give them everything they would “want” and “desire”.

And more importantly, if you’re far away from them, make it a point to call them at least once in a week and talk to them. I call my parents every single day. Infact my day starts with wishing them “Good Morning, Jai Jinendra”. The joy they get in just hearing your voice and all you’ve got to talk to them is impeccable. I remember an instance when I was feeling really homesick one evening and I called my mom and told her how much I was missing home and how lonely I was feeling. My dad couldn’t sleep at all the whole night. Another time when I fell sick, they left everything behind and took the next train and came down to Mumbai just to be by my side.

I have never seen a love so pure, serene, unconditional and selfless. Love you Mom & Dad. If I can only bring a smile on your face ALWAYS, I would consider myself a “good” child.

PS : Another random thought :

I loved Chetan Bhagat’s “2 States” the most because he rightly puts forth the point that it is no sense eloping with someone breaking all the bonds of love and trust your parents have showered you with, through all the years of your life. Hurting them, can never bring complete happiness. It would be mingled with a tinge of betrayal. Happiness is complete when they smile with you ! 

Also the gesture of the Krish, proposing to not only Ananya, but her entire family is soo soo soo sweet ! <3

By your side !!

In your arms I'm home,
I don't ever want to leave your side.

You warm my soul,
Like the fireside on a cold winter eve.

Without you, I am a traveller lost,
Bewildered in an unknown city sans a map.

I'm an alien in here,
Nobody but you understand what I speak.

Come back to me and be my lantern,
Guiding me through the rocky roads.

Be the moon walking with me every step,
Be the stars twinkling my paths with joy.

You're the sun in my day, without you I'm all dark.
Without you my tears bleed, every breath is so hard to take.

I'd fly down from a cliff,
To touch the serene waters of your love.

But, be there to catch me,
Else I might hit the rocks.

I'd die a hundred deaths to see you smile,
In this life and many more to come.

If you're taken away from me,
I'd knock on the doors of heaven till eternity.

Like a child look for you in every shining star
And Like a lark search for you in the sunny skies !

I'll be yours !

When you're sad,
I'll be the tickle that makes u laugh.

When you're happy,
I'll be the music that you sing.

When you're asleep,
I'll be the blanket that warms you.

When you're lonely
I'll be the pillow you can hug on to.

When you're tired,
I'll be the shady tree you can rest under.

When you're blue,
I'll be the chocolate to beat the blues.

When you're lost,
I'll be the pole star guiding your way.

When you're lousy,
I'll be the caffeine to keep you going.

When you're tensed,
I'll be the feather to soothe your worries away.

When you're working hard,
I'll be the lady luck to help you check mate.

When you're mad,
I'll be the dishes you can smash.

When you're insanely happy,
I'll be the song you can dance all night on.

When you're hungry,
I'll be the tasty morsel to tantalise your taste buds.

When you're thirsty,
I'll be the first shower of rain in the tormental summers.

When you're nostalgic,
I'll be the pictures which bring your happy memories.

When you're away,
I'll be that handwritten letter you can hold close to your heart.

When you're sick,
I'll be the apple that keeps the doctor away.

When you're bored,
I'll be the shopping sprees that lift your heart.

When your depressed,
I'll be the art you can vent out your anger and hurt.

When you're looking for peace,
I'll be the temple bells and the incense  aroma that pacifies you.

I'll be there for you. Always.
Even when I'm gone,
I'll be the sun, moon and the stars to watch over you from heavenly skies. 

Happiness – The Kids Way

I came to Ahmedabad today morning around 9 am at railway station. I had my dad waiting for me happily, to take me home and help me with the luggage. On our way back home, I was fretting about the late train and chilly winter breeze in the wee hours of morning. We stopped by a traffic signal. I looked around just to observe and admire the small changes in the city I loved and missed so dearly. 

For those few seconds I saw a badminton shuttlecock flying in the air. I missed playing badminton in club with friends a lot. I fixed my gaze and found my eyes on the small compound of a municipal school. Two kids wearing slippers were playing with wooden table tennis rackets and that badminton shuttlecock (which we so fondly called “Fool”). 

We came ahead a bit and I focused my gaze and saw that the eyes of these kids were filled with such genuine pleasure and happiness that for a moment I felt ashamed. These kids were so much enjoying the moment like they had no worry in the world or no complaints to make.

Those kids were happy with their slippers, wooden racket and fool. They had no regrets at the moment.  

In spite of having so much comforts, here we are fretting about every imperfection that comes our way.

But what we fail to realise is that life is not always fair. Life in fact can’t be fair or perfect to any one. Not even to the lovely butterflies nor even to the wealthiest man in town. Perhaps, beauty lies in imperfection. The blemished moon is the best example for it.

Happiness is not found in material things. Happiness is a state of mind. Sometimes happiness is just meeting up with your best friend or having a chat with your old teachers or savouring yummy mom made food after months. Happiness is simple. Happiness is loooking at  your school building with pride  after your school days and trying to remember the verandas where you once got punished; meeting an old friend after years accidentally on the road and talking as if you’ve never been apart; the touch of a friends warm cheek in winter with frozen hands; Roadside pani puripuri treats for winning a bet; night out with friends and never ending fights with sibling. Happiness is sometimes a loved one holding your hand while you cross the traffic signal which makes you feel safe and treasured !!

Material things are necessary for easy going life.

But to find happiness, look for it in the small wonders and blessings in this chaotic life 

Mumbai Musings – My Encounter with Kindness

“Mumbaiiii” just this one word is enough to personify the vibrant and electrifying spirit of this city. Call it Mumbai or call it Bombay or even call it Bambai just the name is enough to bring a sparkle to your eyes. Mumbai, with its “Always on the go” lifestyle will never fail to show you what dynamism is.  “Static”, “Passive”, “Slow and Steady” are words just absent from the dictionary of this city and every person connected to it. This city never  sleeps. Even at 3 am you can wander around Marine Lines and find hawkers selling you bhel and chaat. At 12 am, Dadar station is as crowded as the Delhi streets at 4 pm. At 5 am you can see people starting their day having small naps in the local trains while commuting to their destinations. EVERYONE and EVERYTHING is ACTIVE here.

This “Tinsel Town” has both a glamorous apeal as well as an inhumane side of poverty. It houses both the Malabar hills with residents ranging from film stars to politicians as well as Dharavi, the biggest slum of Asia, where life is worse than the worst. Just like the moon, it has a bright side as well as a dark side.

The city of dreams as often referred, like a magnet attracts people from not only all over the country, but all over the world. Diversity is the norm here. People from different age groups, different religions, with different purposes, with different dreams and aspirations come here to live their dream. Be it for business or job, vacation or a shopping spree or just to watch their favourite movie stars.

Exactly 1 year and 2 months ago, I came to this city. I got a job here and for the very first time in my life I was going to be living away from home. A variety of emotions filled me. Happiness, nervousness, excitement, tension, nostalgia and a sense of restlessness.

Everywhere I was advised how difficult life in Mumbai is. How we need to constantly keep on running to match our pace with this fast paced city or else we’ll be left behind. Right from local trains to the crowded streets everything was new for me.

In my early days here I was told “Yaha koi kisi  k  liye nahi  rukta” (No one would stop for any one no matter what). It’s not because people here are insensitive or they don’t care. It’s simply because everyone is so much busy with their own lives and running to match their pace with the life here, they simply don’t have much time to look what others are doing or think what other are thinking. Except in local trains where your neighbours would peep into your phone while you’re trying to clear all the candies in candy crush.

Since I’m not so much used to travelling here, I usually get stuck when I try something different than the set routine. For example once while returning from my home town Ahmedabad to Mumbai, I got down at Boriwalli and had to catch an AC bus that would take me straight to my place. It was BEST AS 125. I waited for some 10 minutes and the bus didn’t arrive. And I saw a BEST bus no. 125. I got onto it. Little did I know both the busses had different routes and it took me 3 and a half hours to reach my place which the AC bus could have took me in an hour !

For the Non Mumbai readers, I’d like to explain that Mumbai topology is divided into 3 major lines – Western, Central and Harbour line. Dadar is the connecting junction for Western and Central line; and it’s densely crowded 24*7. Local trains that run on these lines are of two types : Slow trains, which halts at all intermittent stops and Fast trains, which halts only at major stations.

Every time I travelled from Central line and Western line, I noticed a common station : Matunga. To change from central to western, I would usually go to dadar and change the platform; which I usually fretted. At the back of my mind, I had thought next time onwards, I’m going to be smart and change right away from Matunga.

Now, again this time I was returning from Ahmedabad. It was early morning 5 am. I couldn’t wait for the busses as they would start at 7 am. I decided to catch the next local to Dadar and thereafter go to Central Railways. Everything was as per the plan. Until,  I decided to act smart. I got down at Matunga, which was a station before Dadar. I had 2 bags with me full of stuff packed with love from my parents. Getting down, I asked a stall worker ” Bhaiya, central me jane k liye kaunsa platform hai ?” ( Which platform to take to get to Central Railways ?)

He looked at me for a moment as if I was an alien. I was confused and asked him again. And then he told me “Madam Central and Western ka Matunga dono alag station hai ! Central me Matunga station hai aur Western me Matunga Road. They are connected by a bridge but it’s currently under construction, so it’s not safe to use. You can get a taxi from outside.”

For those moments, I lost my senses. It scared me and made me shiver literally. It was 5.30 am and yet dark outside. I couldn’t dare walking out to catch a taxi.  I didn’t know what to do now ! How to reach where I want to. Platforms were empty except a few odd people. I saw 2 guys starting at me from a distance which made me all the more nervous.

Just then, an elderly uncle came to me. He had heard my conversation with the stall guy and asked me : ” where do you want to go”. I told him my destination. He smiled. And told me, “Beta, you’ve told me, but make sure you don’t tell any one your destination. You never know who might follow you. Plus you have luggage with you. Which would show them you’re not a localite. Wait here for 15 minutes. The next train would come here which will take you to dadar. Behave confidently like a localite and don’t worry. You’ll reach safe.”

Those words brought so much comfort to me. I did exactly as that uncle told me. It worked.

It was a very small incident in a way. But in a way, it taught me 2 very important lessons :

1.) Kindness is everywhere. When God can’t be present, he sends over this guardian angels for us.

2.) If people can be kind to you, you also should reciprocate with love.

At times, give a standing lady with a kid your seat in the train. Treat your watchman with a tea when he helps you carrying your bags to your home. Go and sit at your neighbours place for some time after work and catch up with them. They will surely like your gesture. Buy biscuits for the street dogs and treat them. Smile at people you see everyday instead of walking around with a grumpy face.

Kindness is also like a boomerang. So bestow it freely and it will return to you many fold.

Why I love Books

A book is truly the only companion who would not deceive you no matter what ! After a long tiring day at work she welcomes you to hold her in your hands and bring her close to your heart. She is warmed by the shine in your eyes you have when you look at her affectionately. 

She would love you no matter how many pages of her you fold when you don’t find a bookmark. She never complains when you drop some food on her just because you cannot keep her down even while having your dinner. She romances with you till midnight. Compels you to keep awake with her cuddling in your lap in the dim midlight. She is your cafene to keep awake. She loves to fall asleep besides you, in your arms.

She is enchanted when you open up her pages from the middle and smell her queer smell. She is always with you to wait when others are late and gives you the best company. She gives you dreams that become your dreams. She teaches you to live, care and love. She shows you what’s right and what’s wrong. She gives you tears and she gives you smiles. She compels you to laugh till your tummy hurts when you’ve had the worst days at work. She gives you hope that the story hasn’t ended yet when suddenly all your life appears gloomy and dull. She keeps your special roses in her care which make you nostalgic years later for those memories.

She is a best friend who is always there for you when no one else is by your side. She is always on your bed side table waiting for you. She inspires you when you think you have lost it completely. She moves you from a stone heart to a warm hearted person with her heart warming tales. She teaches you to have faith in humanity, give life a second chance, move ahead and love life for everything it bestows. She teaches you everything.

She is your friend, lover, teacher, personal coach, shoulder to sob, pillow to hold tight and laugh loud. She is a friend who will be with you in your bag at 3 pm in the noon as well as 1 am at midnight.

Cherish her and make her your best friend and you will never be alone.

My Biggest Competition is YOU !!

                   Lets Compete !!

Determined to get ahead,
Shine in my eyes, 
Vigour in my spirits, 
I rose early today.

I sat down and pondered, 
To get ahead, I need to grow, 
I benchmarked myself, 
Against friends and peers.

It drove me for a week, 
But the fervour was soon lost.

My benchmarks were complacent, 
Some made me lose hope, 
As they were much ahead in the race. 
The rest made me content and stagnant.

I went back to my chronic regime, 
Days passed by, resolutions broke by.

My neighbouring kid came by one evening, 
Footsteps thundering with energy, 
Face beaming with a smile.

A big chocolate he demanded from me, 
I gave him one and he asked for a bigger one. 
I asked him why, 
Proudly he showcased his report card.

I was impressed by his grades, 
I asked him if he stood first in his class.

He smiled at me and caught my hand, 
I was pulled by him to my room, 
He led me to the dressing table.

I saw a reflection of us peering from the mirror, 
He pointed at the mirror and shouted, 
“I beat him, I beat him, 
I had an A in last exam I got an A+ this time”.

Tiny little footsteps dancing about with joy, 
I gave him the biggest chocolate with a proud hug.

Once again I stood against the mirror, 
Like him I pointed at the mirror and said : 
“I’ll beat you, I’ll beat you, 
My biggest competition is You”.

Since then, every night I ponder, 
Did I do something better than I did yesterday? 
Sleep is sweet when I know I did.

          My Biggest Competition is YOU !