That Box…Those Faces….and the 90s kid!

Since my childhood Ma taught us (read my brother too) to preserve all those wonderful greeting cards our loved ones once gifted us on several occasions. And may be because of that we still have, may be hundreds of them very well kept, with all love. The oldest amongst them is from my mother’s friend which was given on my parents’ wedding day…25 years ago. Well, this time the note is not on the box in which we keep those greeting cards:p

Don’t exactly remember the year, date and time but yeah I still remember how I used to make a mountain of those greeting cards imitating exactly the way Renuka Sahni used to do at the talk show Amul Surabhi, which was aired every Sunday on Doordarshan. Another personality who shook me up during those years of bachpan was Smt.Nalini (‘Smt.’ is being added coz I don’t remember her surname). Her show Aankhon Dekhi on Doordarshan made me visualize her as a woman of substance with her look comprising a khadi kurti mingled with a scarf, she left her hair fall on her shoulders and a big black bindi completed her look. Looking her everytime on the smallscreen encouraged me to become a journalist…though it was my dream of early 90s:p  Again I remember the times when during festivities specially Durga Puja, kids particularly twins, were dressed in Shaktimaan attires, the brown superhero dress with a golden chakra intricately designed on the chest. Mukesh Khanna indeed instantly became our desi superhero with all his powers to destroy Shakaal:p   Raja Aur Rancho gave birth to the detective instinct among ourselves. Mandira Bedi is still popular as Shanti with homemakers and working ladies admiring her corporate look like never before. Vishal is more popular than any other VJ of channel V today…may be just because the late 80s and early 90s people grew up watching Disney Hours. And what to say about Mahabharat, Ramayan and Shri Krishna which were Sunday bonus to every mythological grandparents, parents and children respectively! That was a beautiful Doordarshan time…but cable tv didn’t bring any disaster however. Rather the cable era has brought with it globalized dreams…glittering paparazzi….spicy thoughts….a strong voice!

The Three Stooges taught us humor, I Dream of Genie made me rub all bottles and jugs with a belief that a beautiful Arabian girl in pink or green harems would make my world magical and finally Dennis The Menace, made us do all kinda waywardness! Small Wonder with Vicky, Jamie and Hariet made our world a beautiful small wonder indeed….my pet’s name even fell after Jamie and it was the same show which introduced me to the word ‘date’:p!

Meanwhile, fights over which channel to switch on began blossoming in every home. The Adam’s Family,Flintstones,Dexter’s Laboratory dominated the Cartoon Network with many naming their puppies with the super tag Scooby. Malgudi Days on Sony still reminds me how I used to hum the tune….tanana nanananana :p  Meanwhile all mothers would complete all their tasks just to watch Ghar ek Mandir starring Gautami and Ram Kapoor (these days mothers are busy watching Bade Ache Lagte Hai:p) and on a happy note they used to watch Hum Panch…the way I still spell it:p I still remember Late.Priya Tendulkar’s role where she used to talk from her portrait. It was fun watching them!

There were times when watching Hip Hip Hurray on Zee TV made us wear short skirts in schools….later Remix on Star One brought the hap thing amongst the teens with characters like Yuvraj, Ranbir, Anwesha and Tia. Terms like ‘hey bhaggu….paliz’ became the in thing. However the entertainment is still on with D3 and Suvreen Guggal!

No matter how much we criticize the soap operas, we have to admit that atleast at some point of time we watched them…..we need to watch them even to criticise:p Ekta Kapoor is undoubtedly the ambassador behind those creative and masaledar characters:p   10.30 pm soon became the primetime with the telecast of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Every mother hoped to get a daughter-in-law like Tulsi, every girl hoped to get a husband like Mihir, every fan of this soap opera hoped to calculate Baa’s age:p  That non-living box in our bedrooms and living areas indeed blessed us with immense entertainment with versatile emotions:p

Once I was shocked to see Kumkum sarees on a sale and Ramola’s finger rings at a street market. These saas bahu dramas made characters like Komalika,Prerna,Anurag,Parvati,Om,Kusum,Kumkum,Mandira household names:p  And its more entertaining to see how these shows khatam hone ke naam hi nahin lete and kept on stretching and stretching. Omit the weeping on part of the sushil sanskaari bahus and leave the practice of polygamy aside…I wonder how Tulsi’s son,Gautam married thrice and you will love them:p

From these family shows, let me move to some laughter therapies….no no I am not talking about Raju Srivastav,Sunil Pal or Qureshi. Sad but I am referring to the Indian horror shows which make me laugh instead, with the make-up overdo:p  The Zee Horror Show, Aahat, Sannata and Sshhh….koi hai, the last being the most humorous:D  Then there came real comedy shows like Khichdi and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai….if nothing else we smiled atleast;)

Meanwhile the 90s kids grew up and they started switching from desi to videshi channels…but it was the same box:p  The Amazing Race and Ripley’s Believe it or Not became popular and we tried our best to publicize our adventures:p  That time Late Steve Irwin with his crocodiles delighted us and now its Bear Grylls with his survival skills. Friends, Desperate Housewives, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Koffee with Karan….to name a few more,engaged us in Star World.

Again, Reality shows began to amuse us like never before. Shilpa Shetty and racism in Bigg Brother created a lot of sensation indeed. And how can we forget our very own Bigg Boss….every season brings with it heavy surprises. It was fun watching both censored and uncensored versions, whether its Pravesh and Claudia or Veena and Ashmit Patel…undoubtedly his name changed to Ashlil Patel after the show or its Dolly Bindra and Shweta Tiwari’s fights and how to forget the superstar…nah, not Salman but Kamaal Khan:p   Shows like India’s Got Talent, Indian Idol, are kinda less competition and more emotions:P  Roadies, Raghu’s masterpiece is the oldest Indian reality show. And all what I can say about the show is ‘RESPECT’. Splitsvilla…another  show on MTV which should be banned according to the parents of 90s kids:p  But to my surprise, rather horror, my mom followed each episode of Roadies 9 and to her, the gals and guys at Splitsvilla are very chic:p   Nathing else but Star Plus’s punch line, rishta wohi soch nayi stroke me:p

Arnab Goswami insists us to share a word for the nation, Anup Soni of Crime Patrol warns us to be alert and ACP Pradyuman justs reminds us of ‘Daya,Abhijit, darwaza tor do’:p  Rajiv Khanderwal, still known to be Sujal, encourages us not to be a part of Sach ka Saamna:p  and Ravi Kishan thrills us with Raaz Pichle janam Ka…..

Oh, how can I forget about the contemporary social issueswala serials:p  Child marriage,widow remarriage,witch hunting-all in one@Balika Vadhu…..dads hate Gauri, moms hate Jagat, parents love Anandi….I toh love Shiv with the Magadheera music on his backdrop:p

Desi and Videshi television has made me its super fan….but it doesn’t mean I’ll start watching Uttaran:p  

At this moment of time…Ek Hazaron mein meri Behna Hai has made me fall in love with my sister:p  Be Blunt with Adhuna Akhtar is provoking me to get some bucks from dad and visit Headturners:p  Bear Grylls is really not encouraging me to mess with a shark:p  I Shouldn’t be Alive is stirring me to be alive:p  Master Chef always makes me think this is what I should have opted for literally:p  Sweet Sixteen reminds me of the fact that I am still in India…sapne dekhna bandh karo:p  Feels good watchin Oprah’s Next Chapter with the colorful Indian states. I love another show in Turbo, I don’t remember the name, the 90s kid is growing old:p………where three teams are engaged in transforming damaged cars into some extraordinary motors that rides, flies and swims….in Videsh every other person is an innovator!  DID all seasons is just 3(kya baat):p and Satyamev Jayate is so very satya! And obviously the most favourite….how can I forget about it…afterall every other sister is a victim of her brother who watches it….Smackdown and Raw….newcomers are inevitable, but the 90s kid cannot forget the champion Triple H, the dead man Undertaker, the big Big Show,the sudden sensation Brock Lesner, the entry of John Cena into WWE with a fight between him and Kurt Angle, the notorious Ric Flair, the death of Eddie Guerrero, revealing of Kane’s face and the most popular Heart Broken Kid. Sorry for I never liked Rock and Hulk Hogan:p

Undoubtedly that box…irrespective of shape,size,color,price……has indubitably shaped our lives gratifying and amusing us with those enormous characters and faces………afterall the 90s kid didn’t grow up poking on FB and playing with an i-pad!

P.S.-  This note is dedicated to that faithful box which gives us a mini heart attack when it suddenly stops working. Happy load-shedding this summer:p

A true try (A hypothetical vision)

‘I’ makes no sense in love,

Provided ‘we’ are not together,

I have no issues with your past,

Provided I can trust you with our present and future.

We might or not chosen either…and our families approved this match,

Hope with the intermingling of some respect, understanding and patience,

We win this test.

There will be a ton of expectations,

But I’ll never leave you in isolation,

I want us to be that crazy duo,

Creating for our families coherent sensations….

I’ll never ask you for your passwords- Facebook or ATM,

You’ll have the liberty...

But I’ll undoubtedly keep an eye on your domestic action.

I want us to value each other’s decisions and personal choice,

I want us to protect each other’s families from unwanted noise.

I will try to wait so that we can together dine,

But sorry as you have to say a permanent bye-

To your favorite wine,

I wanna go for a long drive with that fanatical speed,

I wanna hold your hand and walk on the highway when the city sleeps.

I want us to go for adventures rather than slow boat rides,

I want us to stand for each other against the life’s treacherous tides.

I wanna cook occasionally for your entire family so that my duties change,

I’ll take care of your parents after our families exchange and expect the same.

I don’t wanna get wet and enjoy the rain,

But I wanna fly with you over the sea, without being trained.

I can’t knit you a muffler with the initial of your name,

But I will be always a call away-

Whenever life is cold and full of pain,

Hope our life gets filled up with witty and sarcastic good humor,

Hope our friendship lasts forever without any space and rumor.

Everything seems to be an unusual episode with God being the divine spy,

I am ready to give this new beautifully bizarre thing a true try!

Youth, Politics and Change: Questions of humanity!

No matter what, Politics has always been dominating the lives of every commoner. Whether it’s watching the 7pm news headlines together or discussing the political malpractices over dinner or flipping the newspaper in the mornings or just updating your political status on Twitter or Facebook. Being fallen into the category called ‘youth’, Politics in India regarding anything and everything attract me to rethink about the question of security, and more of humanity.

The other day I attended a lecture by Dr.Manindra Nath Thakur, Dept. of Political Science, JNU, at Cotton College. He addressed on Democracy and Social Movements. Unfortunately we know it well that Indian democracy is under deep crisis. But he rightly pointed out that it’s not a systematic crisis but a fundamental and philosophical crisis.

Choices are immense in India regarding anything and everything, but not in terms of recent developments where commoners are left with no choice to live a peaceful life. Blaming the government has never been my cup of brew, after all we were the ones who chose and elected our government amidst many choices. But just voting and getting your favorite political party win the elections doesn’t end your duty as a citizen. India is the largest democracy but certainly not the successful one. We don’t speak up at the right of time. And whenever we speak, we criticize our government. They are people, not God. She complained she can’t control the class of 40 students….how come you can expect your Chief Minister to control a million population? And again you will say why did he contest elections then? My solution is why don’t you plan to contest in the next Assembly Elections and bring things into track? No doubt government works under extreme pressure……some people want to work but others dominate them and these others don’t want to work but those some people don’t try to dominate them. Politics is not dirty; the corrupt ones make them so. Yet deep down there is a guilt in the hearts of many youngsters for they are constantly the viewers of the country’s degradation.

Obama government kills Osama, we become happy. But what about those terrorists, fanatics and insurgents who are killing Indians physically, socially and mentally everyday? Few months back Aurobindo Rajkhowa has been detained officially from ULFA. And now he is all set to live a casual life……but what justice was brought to those innocent children who were killed by ULFA at Dhemaji? What happened to that aged driver of Network Travels, who left no stone unturned to rape a little girl and throw her body into the septic tank? That day I saw Ranjan Daimary of NDFB at the court. He was accused of the 2008 Guwahati serial blasts where hundreds were killed unofficially. He is a criminal who paralyzed each one of our lives. Justice delayed is never justice denied, yet questions arise big time. We are so busy signing peace treaties that we couldn’t keep a track on the people hiring boats and entering our country with arms and ammunitions and spreading bloodshed. Mumbai attacks……what was its death toll?

That lady in Manipur fasting since 2001 in response to that famous Malom Massacre. She is still raising her voice against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Do we bother to hear? Aruna Shanbaug is lying on the bed of KEM Hospital, Mumbai on life support since decades. Debates over mercy death are on rise, but did she get justice in the true sense of the term? What happened to Mahendra Nath Das who brutally killed a person and took his chiseled head to the Fancy Bazar Police Station? He was given death sentence…but how come he is still alive? And here our logical critics start debating over a ban on death sentences! Pritam Bhattacharjee, a Gauhati University student on his way to Delhi, was viciously murdered by goons and his body was thrown on the railway tracks in Bihar. He is yet to get justice. But will Nitish Kumar pay any heed to this unpopular local guy?

We need more electricity, more employment and more development……even if it is at the cost of completing the Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project and destroying the rural lives….leave marine lives aside. New hydel projects continue to dominate the politics of the country. The 2012 BTAD violence gathered momentum all over the country……even enraptured the city of Pune and Bangalore. Do we know the historical records of the region’s leaders? And now after 6 months, Rabha Hasong area is under deep crisis.

The Assam Movement of 1979 against the illegal migrants was the most peaceful movement ever after the Nationalist Movement. The Assamese people sacrificed their lives, shelters, jobs, education and even families. AASU struggled and succeeded to sign the famous Assam Accord in 1985. But the Accord has not been implemented even after 27 years and illegal migrants from Bangladesh are feeling free to call Assam their homeland!

Youth in India has always been labeled to be confused. May be because they read Chetan Bhagat, they watch Roadies and follow 3 Idiots. But excuse me; they know their roots for they still believe in Mahatma Gandhi’s values and Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s leadership. But yet they are doubtful of their Freedom of Expression. They are afraid to display their imagination for you never know when another Pragaash gets threatened, another Vishwaroopam gets banned, another FB user gets arrested and another many have to get scared of the system before they think to act.

NRC update, price hike, Assam and Bharat bandhs, ethnic conflicts, border issues, the blame game, cases of- burglary, extortion, killing, rape, suicides, eve-teasing, corruption, accidents….to name a few- are the regular newspaper updates. Aren’t the law makers and law breakers get bored??

Why can’t we have retirement ages for the politicians of the country? How about having a Politicians’ Eligibility Test before enrolling into politics? Are Autonomous Councils the only answer to preserve ethnicity and stop insurgency? Why the logic of juvenile delinquency can’t be limited to 16 years? Why young students can’t be trained to be good politicians the way doctors and engineers are trained?

If Indians can fight against corruption, if Indians can bring laurels with Olympic medals, if the country gets one, irrespective of religion, to celebrate 2011 cricket World Cup etc….then obviously change is possible through fresh vivid honest outlook. Indians are emotional and if good emotions start flowing, that idyllic India is not too far!

Recently I attended a seminar by Prof.Rajeev Bhargava at Gauhati University on ‘Secularism: How should states respond to religious diversity?” He raised some thought provoking comments on the dire need to respect the heterogeneity of Indian land.

Being a human being first and later a Hindu, we are believers of God- 33 crores. Every Friday we reach Majhar with a red rose. We offer riches at Golden Temple, Amritsar, travelling so far. Further we celebrate Christmas with all glitterati and paparazzi on 25^th of December. This way we are secular but where we are going wrong rest of the days? Aren’t we are hypocrites in calling ourselves secular? Aren’t homes, families and our own religion giving us wrong lessons of humanity and morality? We are taught ‘there is god’ but not ‘there is one god with different name’. Loopholes are in the mindset.

Yet youth have their hopes high for a better tomorrow. Learn to say NO to wrong no matter what. Every change does begin at home. Craving for the COOL tag, don’t compromise with your values. The more you motivate people to build a better India, the more you will get inspired to build a better India. Fight for your ‘rights’ and for what is ‘right’. More or less, every issue revolves round money and identity. Thinking positively and plausibly about these issues is sure to bring accurate answers to our confused questions! 

Those little moments of everything….

(1^st August,2012)

Sometimes its just tumhi din chade tumhi din dhale tumhi ho bandhu sakha tumhi  from Cocktail that can bliss your life….and sometimes its just a roadside poster of your fav hero worth twenty rupees that can bring you happiness. Sometimes it’s a CCD café mocha and sometimes it’s a garam chai from the morning thelas….can buy you happiness. Sometimes a missed cal from a loved one brings you surprises and sometimes a free mobile recharge widens your lips. Sometimes a Shakespeare or may be a local Amish Tripathi can entertain you and sometimes this kinda non-Oxford version, grammatically wrong note can provoke you to unfriend your FB friend but hold on people….parhna shuru kia hain toh complete bhi karlo;p

Sounding insane but still close your eyes and you gonna see not the love of your life but the best moment…best thing…best person in your life. If you cannot see anything, then congo….you are rich with infinite beautiful reminiscences. That day I got a free movie ticket at Cinemax and I was damn happy…happiness is everywhere just what is required is to keep your head cool no matter how angry you are...how pathetic you are feeling. Now the note doesn’t end with a philosophy on happiness but it has just begun with a whole lot of happy instances….

I was happy that day when my little niece collected shells for me from Pattaya and more happy when she gifted it to me on my birthday with her painting of a blue rose...even she knows what can bring more happiness! I am happy when my six years old cousin keeps on running after me for a game of Business…which hardly ends. I am happy when my white pet keeps on sitting on my legs and makes me feel warm. I am happy when I get the new downloaded movies from my friends and happy to say I have updated myself with Bollywood and Hollywood.

I am happy when I cook something special that ends up with high salt level and my dad ends up flattering my effort. I am happy when I can steal even a spoon full of maggi from my brother’s bowl. I am happy when I get to wear ma’s best traditional attires. I was happy when the entire family waited fervently for my Board results. Waiting eagerly for that box of Cadbury Celebrations every Rakshabandhan makes me happy. I am happy when my favorite food is being launched on the dining table. I am happy when my brother’s exams are on…the best time for me to own the television. I am happy when I meet my cousins….the best people gifted to one by god. I am happy when I get the first birthday wish at the midnight from my aunt and the first birthday wish in the morning from my granny. These make me richer….

I was happy that day watching Airtel’s ad…har ek friend zaroori hota hain ….a flashback of all my friends just hit the heart at the right place and with a nostalgic touch indeed. I used to be happy when the guy I used to hate at school got punished. I was happy when my Marwari friends used to bring their aam ka achar in the tiffin. I used to be happy when I get the best and the most gorgeous handmade card from a friend. I was happy when the strict teacher was absent and more happy when we were allowed to go to the playground to play gharial pani. I used to be happy when I get any minor knee bruises…time to show off with a much bigger bandage as if I got my leg fractured. I loved when dad came to pick me up from school…it meant a shopping spree on the way. Moms are good companions during project and exam days….with lots of positive vibes. I was happy when I got my slam book filled up by my best friends….more happy and curious to see those words written in the ‘lines for you’ section…..just get delighted even today;p I used to be happy when my best friend got selected for some national level competition…..time to walk on the school verandah with pride as if I have been awarded with the wizkid title;p

Every minute of life is filled with happiness, just we need to feel it even if it sounds insane. Didn’t a mere ‘like’ on FB from your loved one make you happy? That day when you were sad, looking at the dark sky or may be strolling down the road lonely, a friend messaged you all of a sudden and it brought a pink smile on your blue face?  There were times when a ‘good’ or a ‘very good’ and in lucky days, an ‘excellent’ brought a proud smile in our school days. Sometimes an angelic sorry from your friend made you happy bringing an end to a not very long devilish fight. When you wish something for your loved ones and it’s fulfilled, you are at cloud nine thinking yourself to be God’s favorite fan. At teens, a walk with your love may be from school to bus stop, will definitely make you smile in all times to come, even if you broke up. Sometimes, you are in high spirits to recall those days when someone you loved, knowingly made you feel jealous and even when the person was mean to you. Sometimes waiting for your love doesn’t bring grief, it means more personal commitment and it gives you pleasure instead.

Sometimes a goal from Messi and sometimes infinite boundaries from Dhoni during crisis, sometimes a politician’s arrest for corruption and sometimes the appointment of some brave macho IAS officer, sometimes APJ Abdul Kalam’s dignity and sometimes AR Rahman’s fan following…..everything at some point or the other has definitely made you happy. Casting the first vote during elections and showing off with the blue mark on the finger may now embarrass you, but once it brought you exhilaration. Sometimes admissions and sometimes internships make you happy. Sometimes a BE, MBBS or LLB degrees made you happy and sometimes going to Delhi University made you proud. Sometimes BBM or a DSLR and sometimes Flipkart delivery makes you happy. Sometimes touching a Versace attire made you smile and sometimes posing on a Harley Davidson made you contented. Sometimes SOTC cruises bought you happiness and sometimes a local river ride to Umananda can bliss you. Sometimes Rockstar Ranbir, sometimes Satyamev Jayate and sometimes 2 States brought you delight. Sometimes dreams in Roadies, love in Splitsvilla and drama in Bigg Boss made you smile. Sometimes Bungee jumping at Rishikesh, scuba diving and paragliding in Goa waters and sky diving….choro jane do,I really don’t have guts for this stunt in the sky:p Sometimes waiting for midnight football matches, sometimes cheering the tigress Saina Nehwal, sometimes praying for Yuvraj, and sometimes just watching Federer and Djokovic brings pleasure. Sometimes a Ferrari and sometimes a BMW by the roadside brings a smile to your face…though I haven’t seen a LIVE Ferrari yet:p Sometimes Johny Depp’s new look and sometimes Katy Perry’s latest melody, sometimes everything around you and sometimes nothing around you has made you happy. And still our brain complains we are not happy;p

For a change, my latest sad moment includes I couldn’t make to JNU, bohut mann tha jane ka:p Ultimate tragedy enraptured me for three days. All blames to my degrading luck factor…silly you, you just always show your jalwa in a wrong way in wrong times. Don’t give any excuse as I have a lot of instances against you. But me too a fighter….just bang on…lets see who wins the life game:p

My next set of happy moments aka plannings will include getting some holy stones and jaributi from the Sadhu I often see sitting on the pavement outside Vaio showroom, Paltan Bazar…hoping to get some solutions for my future from him:p  Next, going to a neighbourhood studio and get a snap clicked with a picturesque Switzerland poster surrounding me:p  Next, sitting and chatting over the Chandmari flyover:p  Next, taking up swimming classes…..hope I don’t get drown during coaching:p  Next, knocking a few more publishers who get ready to publish my light fiction without money:p  Just the question lies who shall be my partner in these ‘happy moments’- sister darling or BFF…God save you both:p

When we are blessed with so many things….there are a lot more to jott down though, just a couple of negative news shouldn’t affect us…We get everything in the best of time, neither before nor  later:p My brother once told me when happiness prevails, watch out for any adversity down the corner. But when sadness prevails, be happy as it’s the welcome indication for prosperity. Let the destiny once again decide the dream for me…you itself making me lazy:p

So here indeed lies another happy ending of those little moments of everything:p

And of course thank you as I am done now in convincing you read it and sorry for tolerating these mumbo jumbo all the while;p

Salad…

                                                                                      

And once they shared all puns and pranks,

These days they are like disliked radishes on the plate….

Those ties have always been healthy…

But cucumbers’ cool effect somewhere receded from the gawky family.

Omit those rotten tomatoes and enjoy its little tartness,

Carrots, onions and lettuce with strength…without bitterness…

In this continental salad garnished with mayo…

Lavish are those who forgive, forget and let go.

Respect the chilies,

Balance the diet….

Get back those old faded ties.

Salt to taste and a little love without condition…

These will sprinkle happiness, and that’s my little prediction!

On the city streets…..

                                                                           

The four sizzling seasons banish some hidden pain,

Yet some unsaid words continue to hit the heart hard and dominate,

With a developed life and a sleazy heart,

We stand high on the city streets with all dirt.

Mansions and hovels dazzling the order of the day,

Clarity and courtesy have become illusive across life’s bay,

Many have lost faith in family ties,

False prestige and pay have hardly made men wise.

Over-indulgence making men poor,

Confused beings are standing aloof and feeble for sure,

Sometimes think of others, who cared,

 You’ll be lost literally without your prosperity shared.

Came across many on the city streets,

Few touched my heart with true peace,

Sinister motives and ego have ruled high time,

They are just harsh on life and are not famed to be crimes!

Made for each other...

At all times….when things are just beyond my control, troubles just surround me from all directions, an array of hope no longer welcomes me….he has been my hero whose shadow never deserted me!

He drives me crazy at times…..I refer it as ‘interference’. He decides where I should go and where I should not go…I call it as ‘dominance’. He doesn’t like some of my friends who are guys…I call it as ‘orthodox’. He hardly accompanied me to school after class KG….I call it as ‘lazy’. But still he is my IDOL!

We fight like hell….we just get pissed off one another at times…our thoughts keep on clashing like thunders…but at the end of the day, it feels like bhaar mein jaye duniya….we are made for each other!

He is a good cook….and I am good in copying his recipes and getting all the applauses. New Years and Urukas are great times to fill our tummies with his delicious authentic cuisines, and that too food cooked in firewood. His food discoveries are too good to give Sanjeev Kapoors and Tarla Dalals hefty competition. But sometimes disasters are ought to occur amidst following TLC cookery shows!

 At times when my friends go out for adventurous trips to Europe and U.S….we end up being couch potatoes with a bowl of sliced fried potatoes and watch Bear Grylls’s survival strategies. I had no interest in cricket or football until he made me watch them and enjoy them as well. Now we end up spelling black magic to India’s opponents predicting the intensity and frequency of wickets per fifteen minutes;p And as far as football is concerned we are no less than Paul…the octopus, wishing evil against Germany, and Spain won 2010 World Cup….but we are true Argentina supporters!

We are shopaholics….impulsive shoppers…..we are choosy but don’t hesitate picking up anything and almost everything. He is a miser….but never compromises on food and clothes. Terrible indeed!

We can sleep for hours. We avoid a lunch party and always ready for a ‘yes’ to dinner invitations. Yup we are lazy….and like father…like daughter. We are the bulls, someone commands us, we go crazy. Extremely emotional, we understand the language of love. We are stubborn….approach others for suggestions but end up deciding what our heart says.

The best part about him is that he can make me smile even after the most tragic moment of life. The way he sings TV jingles to himself can make you think…..what’s this now after the tragedy?

He loves cowboy movies…Good Bad Ugly is his favourite film, on the other hand I love super Bollywood masala movies…..but the waka waka factor is common between us:p  Moreover we love watching all kinda Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies……also not to forget decades old sensational Ghayal and Karan Arjun:p

 Atithi Devo Bhava is something he is best at….from a sweeper to his entire doc fraternity is never allowed to leave home without a cup of tea. He is not concerned whether there is sugar, milk or tea at home and orders for tea, and it pisses my mom off:p

Bargaining is something he can’t go without. He hardly visits malls because of its ‘Fixed Price’ tag, even if prices are low, bargaining fascinates him. Plannings don’t fit in his dictionary of life. Sometimes it gives us nightmares, but now we welcome it with open eyes. He is the laziest doctor I have ever seen. At times when the doctors of his age were planning their children’s future, deciding between medical and engineering, we were not allowed by destiny to have such high dreams. Being teenagers, we were annoyed, but now it’s like life is better if it’s full of surprises. It’s difficult to find a doctor of his kind….who sleeps half the day just because he ended up watching movies last night. But as it’s said if you are good at something, nothing else matters. May be that’s why all his patients keep on calling him even if they are abroad.

As he doesn’t take money from the poor, sometimes on way back home from hospital or his chamber, Mom gets a shock seeing local chickens, eggs, vegetables, home-made pickles and traditional dishes in steel boxes:p  And its not because he is a specialist from a top medical institute, it’s just because he keeps his profession human-oriented rather than money-oriented. And this will make me proud of him even if we don’t lead a lavish life. Thoda hain par kaafi hain:p  

Sometimes rather often he goes to hospital an hour late, just because he is lazy, but he has a record of working 10 to 12 hours at a stretch, his shift ends but a patient’s agony doesn’t come with a doctor’s shift, he believes. Opportunities keep on rolling and rocking infront of him, but this sleepy, foodie and lazy doctor returns them whole heartedly:p

Another thing that makes him so very striking is that over the years no matter how cruel life and circumstances have been, he never lost his faith upon god……which people of my age often forget. If we get things, god is good or else not. Sad but true.

Music is very close to him. He is a very well tabla player and he was a drummer too in his college days. Loves singing…..no matter what the lyrics are:p  His record players will definitely be a collector’s  jackpot. He has got a collection of more than 300 long plays….more than enough to build a career as a DJ! These are his priced possessions, and he loves boasting about them:p  Food, sleep, music, movies are kinda rockarolla of his life, but alas, he has to get up early for his duty…his ultimate tragedy:p

Family always comes first in his priority check. He gets provoked at the tiniest cause but at the same time he is always ready to have some splendid time with his family forgetting all gile shikve:P….family doesn’t just count his wife and children, it extends to the oldest kiths and kins of his second cousins living in our ancestral home back at village. May be that’s why he is contented in life….if you don’t have any regret or guilt about what you did, you can have that ultra-ordinary peace of mind!

He is someone who never hurts me. I can rely on him always. He forgives me for all stupid mistakes. He is my shopping card at any time of the year. He is a true entertainer. He drives me crazy with his all of a sudden decisions. His mood swings are immense.…I inherited it from him, I am quite sure now:p  Long live our dining table fights  over India Vs America. But like every daughter, he too is the best man in my life…none can take his place. We are indeed made for each other!

P.S.- Today love for you is blooming at the highest tempo afterall any day can be a Father’s Day……:p