Saturday, June 28, 2008

Movie Review

Weekend was movie time, and this is what I learnt.

Jab We Met: Karina is as jovial as ever, Shahid imitates Tom Cruise, it gets kind of difficult to see Tom in a Hindi flick. His, anguish of having lost Kareena, is Visible through out the movie.
Two Lovely Songs. But then there is a problem with all these movies, the lady being denied love by one, has to find another by the end of the Show. Not Done. Why Cant she just walk into the sunset alone, with a big smile on her face. Why Do these movies try to preach empty moralities to the society, all middle class women would think eventually that, one has to have a man in her life to be happy. Nonsense.

A Good Year : Great Movie, I would someday want a house like that and life like that. Best line, " My lips find, joy in unusual places".

Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic: Crap movie, Rani looked like as if she was not paid for the film. One good song.. Lyrics actually..meaning.." ever since I have seen you, My life makes sense, Twisting of Lips is called smile, falling water is rain... etc. etc.". Amisha Could be that Hot, I never imagined.
Moral: Never ask for less from God, He Grants a few people whatever they ask for at least once in their lifetimes. it is just that it could be any day of your life. Not all beings can Cry.. and feel good about it as well.

LEARNINGS

Last evening I learnt a few things

Threre are two ways to survive a massive storm.
One is to become a bigger storm and scare the strom away or become like the himalyas and stand arms crossed against your chest, braving the gails. I have been practicing theese two over last few years.

The Second one is to become like the tiniest grass, , the stormiest winds cant blow the grass, he just enjoys the wind. ofcourse there are chances of being trampled upon and eaten at the top. but I observe that, the grass just grows back and the roots get stronger.

If you get attracted to the sun and try to get close to it, you will burn yourself. If you maintain a distance, life will prosper on you.

Being Mr. Liberty, I am trying to focus on rights of the fairer sex. One can understand the obvious bent. It makes good commercial sense as well. First I am trying to sort out issues at home front, most important.

Friday, June 27, 2008

FUTURE BRIGHT

Amrendra works for us as a food technologist, his sister was married to Anil around a year ago. Anil used to work in one of the gulf countries in an oil company. Both Anil and Amrendera’s families belong to eastern U.P and it was an arranged marriage. It is usually perceived that marriages like this never go wrong, due to family and social pressures.

Anil lived in Mumbai before moving to gulf, his wife stayed back, waiting for her passport, visa and other documents to arrive.
It had been a few months since Anil were gone, that his wife got a call from Anils brother who used to work in the same company as her husband. Anil was critically ill and he wanted her to come over at once. As no one in the family, living in India had a passport, and also being an employer to her brother, I was at once entrusted the job of arranging the passports. Just as I was managing things, I got a call that Anil is no more and his body is being flown into Bombay and then Lucknow, nearest airport from his village.

Anil’s wife was advised by her in-laws to go to her parent’s house and not to come to Anil’s ancestral House. Initially it was perceived that, this might be in consideration of the trauma that Anil’s parents must be going through and that the widow could be better handled at her own home.
But very soon it was realized that, she was immediately shunned from the family. Anil’s two brothers and his parents connived to keep all the wealth that Anil had created. Keeping his widow out of her right and only source of survival perhaps.
House in Bombay, postal savings, fixed deposits, life insurance, ornaments.
She was disallowed to enter the Bombay house; even her educational certificates and clothes were searched before packing her bags.
It is well known that, in these days, it is not so difficult to get these people behind bars quite easily. But then, there are a lot of people who are willing to take it lay back, and in a moment of grief, all these things seem trivial to the sufferer.

Traditional Hindu girls once married do not look at their parent’s wealth. Though law provides enough guarantees, but society does not work like that.
Even though parents of the girl would surely have a soft corner for their child, siblings usually object, citing that already much must have been spent on the wedding itself.
So now this girl has no where to go.
Girls get a B grade education compared to their male counterparts; in situations like this they are left with so much of uncertainty that their lives could be made miserable.
Just when, the girls family was contemplating legal course. A long torn battle and the miseries of Indian legal system. Something unexpected happened.
They got a mail from the oil company that Anil was working with.
The company had insured him for an approximate of Indian Equivalence of Rs. 1 crore.
And the beneficiary is his wife, by default.

Now, with all the property that Anil’s parents must have illegally possessed from the girl, must be not more than 50% of what she was about to get now.
She would have to though wait for a while, and prove her heir.
But, now I guess even her in-laws must be crying over spilled milk. They could have been smarter. Kept the girl at home, got all the money, legally and then showed their true color.
But then goose giving golden eggs was already cut open.
I guess slowly, she would be able to get her confidence back, though her loss could not be made up.

I was not very pro insurance till a few months back. One of my friends told me a nice anecdote.
He said, ‘what if you were to die tomorrow, would you not want your wife to marry again and be happy”. I said, “I guess so”. “Then would you want her to marry for money or for love” he asked. “Obviously Love” I was prompt. “But then if you don’t leave her enough, she would have to marry for money”.
I got the point.
World is not getting to be such a bad place after all.

Comment on Comments

Property rights are not limited to Land or some physical Structure. Even knowledge is Property.
Migration is the essence of human evolution and all other evolutions. You are right Mr. Hunter, that the intellect of man sometimes, lets him forget the basics. One does get insecure, lazy and would like to stick his butt to a place, forever. But then there is no such time as forever.

In a way I agree with Mukri, matrimonial relationships should not have anything in hiding. Even Adultery should be convincing.
But then men are from mars and women from wherever.
Humans are not always rational and there are so many other dimensions to a relationship. No relationship is frozen in time and can not be seen in isolation.

Try answering this Question, with any women you care for.
“How do I look?”

Neha is my Wife you Moron.
Yes I am in love.
With all the women of the world.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Migration is Natural

Last week, The Bihar Chief Minister, was loud in proclaiming that, the farms in Punjab are effected as labourers from Bihar are not Migrating anymore. The State Government is providing enough opportunities here itself. Everyone is gay and happy.

Subsequently, central government joined the chorus. They say it is through their schemes and money that the Bihari labourers are not migrating.

The Media Joined the song. They were at our factory doorstep to do a positive story from Bihar, Finally. They were in for a surprise.

First, it was absolute rubbish that Migration had stopped. It was very much on and all i had to do was to show them the Barauni- Amritsar train on our way. filled to the brink.
So, Where was the story.
The Story is that, Bihari labourers will keep migrating, now and forever. reasons being Geo political situation here. floods, Agriculture, social conditions and state of industry.
We showed them, that our factory, we import Bihari Labourers from Agra and Delhi. We have a relatively season based work that we do, due to small capital. The food industry through out India is being dominated by Bihari Labourers, and it is only during the fruit season that we get them here.

At one side, the political dalals are taking people out of here and getting them jobs at say, Delhi metro projects, expecting votes in return. on the other hand, there is political party who says don't go. Decide guys.

Whats wrong with Migration, Birds do that, Crabs and fishes do that. why cant humans do so.
No Thackeray Can stop these men. Canada and Britain could not. these are Schools of fishes who would Swim along the current. this is perfect Human instinct. Any one trying to swim against the current is only trying to lay eggs.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

She is always a woman to me

With puffed up tomato like cheeks,
Dimples she gets when she would speak,
She would hug a stranger in a fit of a joy,
And hit a known when annoyed.
With a perpetual frown she would keep you at bay.
She wants to know more, but resist from listening.
She would tell you all but you would feel there is more.
She knows her limits, and that would be the sky.
She would tell you your limits and that wouldn’t be the sky.
She knows how to say please, but never say sorry the way it’s supposed to be.
She could lie thru her teeth and even though you would know, you don’t mind.
She loves to be praised, but ignores when done so.
You would be family as long as she wants; you could be enemy as long as you want.
She could handle a crowd, by just a few words, she didn’t really mean.
She would tell you that she has substance, without her knowing herself.
She would flirt with you not knowing the effects.
She would have choley chawal day in and out
And take you out for a six course meal.
She would show of her arms, and keep you off her eyes.
She loves her babies, but forgets to love herself.
She adjusts and compromises, not knowing for what.
She has all the men in her life but she misses the man in her life,
And that might make you feel important
She has all the pain, but willing to forget it.
She is lonely at heart but grows on her facebook
She has come of an age and is writing the future.
She is unclear of her virtues and vows but would soon realize.
She can be misguided upto an extent, but when she finds her way, you’d better watch out.
If you think she is charming now, wait till she is eighty, she will have elegance and beauty beyond par. (Praise, she would ignore)

Ooohhhh (like the Billy Joel poem)
She takes care of her self; she is always on my mind
She smiles like a child, she cries like a baby
She is always a woman to me.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Reflections

Narcissus was a boy who knelt beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning he fell into the lake and drowned.
The lake wept so much in grief that the waters turned salty. When asked why it cried? , and if Narcissus was beautiful?
The lake was silent for some time. Finally, it said:
“I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my banks, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected.”

I start to reflect, on my own relationships, thanks to friends and their friends.



Living away from my parents from the age of six, I must have known a couple of dozen people that I must have cried for when parting from. Every relationship that I have had reached a certain point where good byes were necessary. Guess, it is the same for everyone. I can only tell about myself.
The memories of old relationships always give me a wet eye and a smile, simultaneously.
Friendship to me was the only relationship worth pursuing.

Then I have a relationship that would never end, that was the commitment. Till death do us apart.
Having a hangover from 24 years of your life is natural.
Me, like a fool was looking for another friend, with whom I could do everything that I couldn't with my earlier roommates. Also I was expecting my partner to behave like my mother when it came to handling my family and then be a business associate and then the most social person I would have ever met, watch Die Hard with me, Make drinks for me, be cuter than Preity, sexier than Bipasha and make love like…. Whoever! Most men I guess have the same problem.

All my life I have had friends and they still remain my friends without taking responsibility for any of them.
There were relationships of romance and still no commitment and I still long for the same.
But then I am a committed man and all can do is long. Expecting that I could have done better and perhaps the feeling is mutual.
This would only make me an unhappy person, living in a situation that I can not change. Making it worse, for both of us.

In days of stressful activity, one forgets to identify the reasons of differences. Fights and makes it up, as carrying on is more important. But when I see the future, both of us, with time on our hands. Are we going to be irrational to our differences or do some soul searching?

In last few months of travel I did get enough time to ponder on my side of the story.
Every time that I narrated a leaf of my history book, where I had a cheerful and smiling face, I could see discontent on the other side. Forcing me to keep my happiness to myself.
Over the years, I learnt to think of my past as my sole area of solitude and bliss.

But as I share them with a friend, I learn to analyze my past. I learn not to make the same mistakes again. Trying, to find a way of keeping my commitments and not the negatives of responsibilities.
I always wanted my spouse to be my friend.
I was wrong in demanding that. A spouse can only be a spouse, maybe a little bit of friend but not all of it.
Similarly she can not be the sole love of my life, or a business partner or my mother. She can perhaps have some shades of all of it. Like the color white.
But to demand just one shade would be sacrilege for both of us. Because I would not really want that.
I can’t share everything with her and would not expect her to share all of them with me.
I can’t live like I lived in a boarding.
I need my space and she needs hers.
If I consider my spouse my responsibility, she would be considering the same.
So I would better understand that she is not my responsibility, in fact no one is.
The biggest responsibility that anyone has is towards oneself.
Friendship also has shades, at times very intimate, and possibly romantic too. But that is no reason for matrimony.
In fact if you wish to end your romance on a bad note get married.
Living is loving. And that is how all husbands and wives love each other; any other form of love is temporary, till you see him or her scratching their butt.

We will have to wait for some time for her to understand this idea, which I think would lead to happiness, for both of us.


I love my past and enjoy thinking about it more than I enjoyed living them. What I do today is going to be a past tense tomorrow. I am only making memories for myself.

As far as my good friends are concerned, you are my guiding star, which help me reach where I wish to go. More than looking at your beauty I reflect myself in your eyes. And when Narcissus was looking at you, he was not looking for your beauty, he was looking at his. I know, even you are looking at your self, in my eyes.

This is the best I can do to justify my lecherous behavior, I am doing it for us darling.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Does it matter

Does it matter…
That, I am the center of this universe.
That this world is in chaos or in order
If it was the egg first or the chicken
If it were apes or gorillas
If it was earth or another planet
If we are alone
If there is life after death or this is death itself
If seeing is believing or distraction from truth
If there is any truth
That pain gives me pleasure
Abstinence satisfaction
Whether you is me
All within me,
Stars, moon, night, river, love, passion, smile, life, death and finally the pyre.
Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

.....is the question. I have had a few drinks beyond my limit and paid for it once. If I continue, I will pay for it for the second time.

I have Been wanting to write about so many things lately,

Arushi murder case- that CBI is nothing but some Delhi police act enacted in some weird year, which has no relevance today and acceptance of crime is not permissible in Indian courts. the least that UP or Delhi police could do is watch Discovery channel to know how forensic evidence is gathered.

Iceland is the happiest country in the world as per UN DP report, as promiscuity is acceptable. owing to the old viking culture. I have a point to prove here. Details - some other time.

Sauvik, is a connoisseur when it comes to weed and classic liberalism.

I know why i like- who ever now- lets call her Priety , as i see the full moon today, she brings out the best of romance in me. something I have been missing for a long time, and could not pin point. its imaginary but i get to smile all day, and not get stressed about my routine business affairs. I am aware that I might edit, this tomorrow morning, but God give me strength to retain it. I am selfish to this extent. But then its a virtue i believe in.

china Garden serves good and simple Chinese food. Thanks Mr. Niel son Wong.

Sex and the city, a good movie for all women and men to see individually.....moral of the story " I love you, but I love myself more"...lets all love Our selves and rest will follow.

Mr. Hunter is Now the Hunted.

That I am Going Back to Patna today.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Getwell Soon Ma

Mother sleeps like a child in my arms for last two nights. An experience that brings tears into my eyes, as I watch every frown, every freckle, every mole on her face. Reversal of roles is unusual, especially in the case of mother son relationship. I have been fortunate enough to have this opportunity.

I Had shown my apprehensions on the doctors decision to remove her uterus et al. But after mush persuasion and understanding of the situation, we bought her to Delhi for a laproscopic removal of the organs.

Medical Science in terms of technology has revolutionised. No knives, no Incision, no Blood, and you can walk home in 24 hrs. after having some major organs removed from your body. The Doctor performing this does not have to be an 50 year old experienced hand with a stable arm. You need someone who is good at a joystick and computer games to perform well.

This Doc was not as pretty as her Patna counter part. But has a good smile. She came out of the OT with all the removed organs in her hand, tossing them she was showing us what went wrong with the appendicitis. The Whole operation looking like some chicken dressing exercise done playing video games.

Nights at the Hospital have been quite disturbing and full of revelation, though for different reasons.

I am convinced. I am now writing a book. will start soon and end June 2009. That is some planning. It is going to win Pulitzer prize and will make me famous and rich.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Happy Birthday

She must be 36 today. I haven’t been in touch with her over 13 years now. No, I don’t miss her much.
She was in practical terms my first love. I was 16 and she was 14. She used to come to our hostel every weekend. And I used to waiting for her.
Our first physical contact was a tight slap from her. It was an accident, I must have scared her with something and in a reaction, I got a tight rap. Like I am today, I took it in a positive way. She had after all touched me. she felt bad about it and kept saying sorry. This got us close.
Living in a boy’s hostel, where any contact to women was a dream. She did give me little importance and that was enough for me fall in love.
Later at the school fete she gave me a slip of paper, which said “please tell the man in the mirror that I am fond of him”. It was quite a strange way to propose. And quite a duffer I was, I did not understand till the whole school had read the proclamation.
Then everyone knew that I had a girlfriend. It was a great feeling.
We used to meet at midnight in the lawn, at her bathroom window, and on an occasion I had to hide under the bed as her grand dad entered the room on a diwali night.
Then came March of 88, my 10th std. boards were on and I was trying to get a little serious in studies. I used to avoid my late night meets.
My close friend, who tired of my boastful behavior on having a girl friend, said, “What’s the big deal, even I can kiss her”.
I believed....“If you love some one, set them free, if they come back they are yours for life, if not, they were never yours in the first place”.
I still believe in the same philosophy, I introduced my friend to her, later in the night I saw them kissing passionately.
It was end of the world for me, at least for next 3 months. Then I fell in love again with her cousin.
Though, we were good friends till 1995, and had several occasions to spend time with her. But it was not the same again.
She has gone ahead and become a famous designer, a wife and a mom.
I am sure she can’t forget me, at least not on certain occasions.
Like I remember her, on every 12th June.
Happy Birthday, sweet heart.

(Neha ji, do I need to explain this one, or will you consider this my literary creativity!)
Yes and I remember that I once wished you one day in advance.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Bad Day


Today has been a bad day.
It is offical that the litchi season will not last more than a few days now.
We have not been able to do even 30% of last year. God knows what we are going to do about it.
All the money is over, buyers want their goods despatched soon, we dont have them.
Visited Moms doc again, Mom has to her self operated upon soon. so much for my Orthodoxy.
Doc has lost a lot of weight, burnt her shoulder somehow, it couldnt be a love bite, she lied to me, she said she liked my strawberry jam. later she admitted that she did not try.
Muski, pasted a big "happy fathers day" Poster on the newly painted wall, I yelled, everyone is unhappy.
I sit alone in the office at midnight, thinking how to brighten up things.
Drinking is not an option.
IPL is over, preity is travelling with the bachhans.
All preity's are Bz.
Even, dreams will be difficult to come by today.
Good Night.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Black or White

Obama would loose the presidential elections. America is not ready for them. Nither a women president nor a colored one. The writing is on the wall. If a women of a stature of Hillary rodhanm Clinton could not get nominated, neither would a colored man.

Americans lead a dual life, one in front of the camera and the other in their bars. They would kiss their wives on camera, hold hands and play with thier dogs, Family values. In a bar, they would be stuffing notes on a striptease artist, hitting colored men with bottles. History of racism is deep rooted, and anything other than white is still not american. Ofcourse, there have been civil wars for this issue. and that is precisely the reason, why america would vote out a colored man. they do not want another civil war. Polarising of Black Votes would mean concentration of white votes too. You need a BJP to revive a congress. If it was clinton, mcain did not have a chance. but now, he will have a cake walk. The more the media talks about Racism, and black candidate. worse it is going to be for Obama.

It would be music to my ears if my prophecy is wronged.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Evolove Dear Apes

“ girtey hai sair sawar maidan- e- jang mey, wo kya khak girengey jo ghutno key bal reengtey hai”

Though it does not go quite like this, it summarizes the essence. It says, “Only those who ride the beast have the courage to fall, those crawling on their knees do not have this privilege”.

There are doers and there are watchers. To do a job takes immense effort. The first step is the most difficult. Any work taken as a responsibility on self is worth admiration. It is like the first cell that broke free, the first fish that came on ground, the first frog that leaped and the first bird that flew. To take onus upon oneself to accomplish a task is the essence of life. One could get hurt in the process, and they seldom do. One has to flounder and stretch rules to reach the goal they have set for themselves, to meet their responsibilities. Not every individual is capable of doing this, which is why they still have apes, when humans already evolved.
We all know there are apes among humans too. The bureaucracy, not just in India, but world over. There are people, who would tie you to the “system” and once you learn their trick, they are left with no choice but to change the rules, shift the post. You can’t win the apes if you had to fight against them on the trees. So get them to the ground. Play by your rules and win.
Ambani’s and the clan learnt the game, rest is history. One fights these people in everyday life; the whole clan of babu’s are sitting here even in your office.
Every quotation has to be accompanied with 5 other quotes. (Of different companies). Obviously, if it is for once, one might send you quote for seeking an order, if it is repetitive over the years. One just learns to print quotes by self. One still understands the essence of auditing and requirement for transparency. The problem starts when, the Ape in your organization starts verifying those quotes. Hello, Buddy, I had a job to do, and I just did that. Any creases if left behind, should be ironed by you. Yes tell me if the job done was not up to the mark. It is because, I did the job, you have a job to do. And you are getting it wrong; we are in the same team. Working for the same goal, don’t stand conflicting me. Rather, walk beside me. Even you can be a part of evolution. Or you will just stand here and remain an ape.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

YSL, Daylight Saving and Banana Republic.

YSL
The Man who made women wear pants just left this planet. YSL, a pathbreaker, inspired by Piccaso, Van Gogh, Dior. His contribuiton was more than what he did for Fashion or Style. He inspired women to have confidence, not just by dressing but carrying atttiude. Women break quite a few moulds, the day they adorn Pants.

PAKISTAN
Indian Press has not covered this one, atelast not justifiable enough. Pakistan has taken cue from thier/ our colonial rulers and have started using daylight savings, by taking their clocks one hour early in summers. For last few days, people have been missing their Namaz, school, factory and offices. General Saheb will not be affected as he is in offfice 24 x 7.
Personally I dont think it will work. England is a different country, countrymen are aware and govt. takes pain to include people in decisions like this. One does not impose things like this and expect people to follow.
I expect chaos to prevail soon.

NEPAL
King has been asked to vacate his palace. Palace is now going to be a museum. But then the king was the most important artefact and he should surely be on display.