Raat ke humsafar ...the old Hindi song reminds me so many things. The year, 2010, is coming to an end. A new beginning, a new year, a few new resolutions which will be never fulfilled. Hope 2011 ushers something bright in every one's life. Wish you a very merry CHRISTMAS in advance.
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Starmark. G block, city centre. So many times I had visited the mall, but never did I walk into the book store. Unfortunate I was. Now, I understand. The red posters of Women's Day messages like "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission" (I think I am not misquoting the quotes!) were still shining bright. They made me feel better. Ma was with me that day. Transparent doors (was it Gautier?) welcomed us. What struck me first was Gulzar, not in flesh and blood but his new book on lyrics...and the song that came to my mind..."Tere bina zindagi se koi, shikwa toh nehi..."Yes, the cover page was so apt, it was Gulzar with his patent spectacles and crisp white kurta, wah kya ada hain janab:). The next moment, the book was in my hand and I flipped through the pages. The left hand pages had the hindi lyrics and the right had English. For all Gulzar fans, the book is worth a read even if you don't have the money to buy. And needless to say, a gift fo...
Billu cattie She is a mix of white and red patches. Has bright greenish eyes and a tail which is attractively bushy. That's Billu , a stray cat who became our new housing member a few months ago. I know it's 10 in the morning when Billu meows and waits on the sunset of our neighbour's flat. Obviously, for his daily dose of bread and fish prepared by my mother. My mom, an animal lover like me, feeds her every day despite her business at that hour. She takes all the pain to fry fish in a small frying pan and mixes it well with at least two slices of bread. Initially, her staple diet was bread and leftover fish bones. But now, Billu savours special sea fish especially bought for him. Thanks to papa who, too, takes care of Billu without a word of protest. Post breakfast, Billu takes a nap and watches the sun, looks at the sky, the birds and the flies, curiously. She gets irritated when crows bother her. She shoos them away by making a typical sound that we all are accustom...
Finding Mr Right Education and career kept me so busy all these years that I forgot that I was almost nearing 30. Before it's too late, I logged into one of the matrimony sites. The reason is as obvious as you know — to pin down the Mr Right for me. Let me tell you here, I have never been lucky in love. After n-number of crushes and a friendship which I misunderstood as love, I realised arranged marriage is "the" option for me. Sounds funny right? No, it isn't, but a reality, which I am getting used to every day. A friend of mine used to say, negotiation marriage is the option for those who are left with no choice. May be she was true or may be not. I am confused! So my parents began the search. Believe you me, this matrimony sites are very interesting. Though I am a member of one, I happened to browse many others with the hope that I will bump into someone from the virtual world. But the web dunia is no less complicated. It's like visiting the Levis showroom and ...
Marriage ceremonies hardly evoked interest in me a few years ago. Rather, I missed many of them since childhood. The reasons being one too many. But now things are different. Whether it's the wedding of my friend or my father's colleague's daughter's, I am keen to attend them. The incentive in these parties is the opportunity to meet old friends and acquaintances. A few days ago, I was at one of those ceremonies. My father's friend's daughter got married. Coincidentally or luckily, it was a Friday, my weekly day off. Though it was not closeby, but we drove down to South Kolkata from the North, where we stay. All these to meet the known ones whom I had lost touch in five years while I was away from the city. It was a pleasant surprise to meet my childhood bumchum, mashis, auncles, jethus, kakus, didis and dadas. In fact, it was difficult to recognise some of them. Some greeted us with warmth while a few others with a light grin. But it was fun to be with the k...
Time matters, dear doctor Indians are a typical breed wellknown for the poor sense of punctuality. It's often said that if you're late, it shows you are important. Earlier, film stars came under this category but it seems now doctors too have joined the gang. Today, I happened to visit one of the leading hospitals in Kolkata. Not that I was keen to visit but rather forced to. Thanks to the wisdom tooth that has been disturbing me for long. As advised by my neighbour, I had called up the doctor's personal secretary on Monday. He gave me a time. 12.30 pm sharp on Wednesday. I thought I was lucky because I won't have to waste a casual leave. I was at the hospital right on time. The doctor, much to my dismay, was missing. His assistant greeted us with a smile. He asked us to fill up the registration form and complete the formalities before the doc arrives. I followed what he said. Shelled out Rs 150 for registration. All these took me another 15 minutes. I was back to the c...
DOWNPOUR DISTRESS Wish I had a camera! I blurted out when I tiptoed from of my uncle's house. Wondering if it was a Kodak moment. No. It was water, water and only water that had engulfed my locality, Dum Dum Park. I had read a lot about Kolkata floods but, this time, I had a real encounter with a similar crisis. Sept 23 (the night before): It had started raining from 6 pm or so. Or rather it was pouring, literally. But, being in a posh media office it was impossible to fathom the severity within closed doors. My parents, by 8 pm, had already alerted that it was getting worse outside. I did not bother much. Work got over at 9 pm when I came out for dinner. Yes, it was raining heavy. I was worried, but little. At 10 pm, I took my office vehicle, a Tata Indica, and headed straight towards my home. I was alone and warned my driver that he can't take the usual route — via Ultadanga— to the destination. But, he claimed to know better. So I abided. As it had had to happen, we ...
statutory warning: All characters in the story are fictitious. There are days when, in spite of all around, I can feel a void. Yes, I miss you. As always. You keep coming in my thoughts. But, I hate to call them memories. I fear you will become my past. Wish the fear never turns into a reality... W ondering what these lines mean? Sounds like some love-sick moron’s narration. But it is not. It's difficult to shrugg off things easily. Dont' know when did the feeling sank into my system. February 16, 2005. The Valentine's Day fever had just got over. But, the hangover was still in the air. Not that I am one ardent believer of these special days. But, at times, it's really difficult to overlook the importance of these days. Anyway, that particular day I got a mail in one of the social networking sites. Hesitatingly yet curiously, I clicked on the mail and opened it to read what the stranger had to say. I had ignored many others like this. But, this one was of special inter...
Flashback 2006. Let's take a look at the beauty framed by the photographers . Credit: Reuters, AP-PTI, AFP and TOI In this file picture taken on November 09, 2006, a keeper plays with a finless porpoise, a cousin of the baiji dolphin and one of five in Wuhan Baji Aquarium. The baiji dolphin, as it has been known in China since the mammal was first mentioned in mainland records more than 2,000 years ago, is on the verge of extinction, crowded out by cargo shipping on the river, heavy pollution and illegal fishing. (left) File picture dated 11 April 2001 shows bear Ursa with her cubs at Skansen zoo in Stockholm. Due to an unusual warm autumn, bears in Sweden went on hibernation a month later than usual. (down) Jawans have always made India proud. A moment where they are seen before a parade. (Down) A woman pushes a baby cart as she strolls under arched yellow leaves of ginkgo trees in Tokyo, December 03, 2006. AFP Winter has set in Delhi. A train enters station cutting across fog tha...
The missing link 2006, right now am in Bangalore. Elbowing through the huge crowd in the Forum Mall on a Sunday evening . Many who throng here have more than one credit card in their wallets to buy a coffee mocha in Java City, shop in Westside and Mochi. The scene is no different in many such departmental stores in the city. But something is missing in these poshe stores __ a bond. A bond which can neither develop with the big businessman nor the buyers. Flashback to 2002. I still remember Bishnu of Bishnu Stores, Laxman of Laxman Accessories and Monu of Priyadarshini Jewelleries. Those shopkeepers of a small township of Batanagar. A huge locality of small shops was the heart of the town. The joint where youngsters to oldies used to meet for different reasons. There was not much of a polished touch to these small stores, yet there was a friendly relation that existed between the buyers and the sellers. The locality people could pick up any thing from a shop and pay it later. It was wri...
Who am I? Being the only child have been quite a privilege for me since I was small. I had always got the attention that I wanted. Not that I got whatever I demanded __ not a barbie doll or a pink ballerina __ but it was great being the precious one of my parents always. Trust me, I used to love when I had fever. The care and attention was something which I used to crave for. Buy yes at times the concern was suffocating too. I have grown up the way they wanted me to be. Exactly like them with the values instilled in me. Good or bad I don't know but I stand here at this jucture with whatever lessons they have given to me. It never came to my mind if they were right or wrong. Because I never felt it necesary to ask them back. After years being with them, now I am working alone in this city, miles away from my parents. I studied in a hostel. Experieced a different life. Away from them. Had to decide by myself what was right and wrong for me. Yes, at times I was baffled. But I did not ...