And November still wakes me up!

I never had such a happening birthday since sometime now. I did not want to have any celebration at all but I ended up cutting 3 cakes. One at home in Indore, one at the Airport  and one at home in Mumbai and it stretched till today around 2 am.m. Ek baat toh satya hai ki Jis cheez se bhago, who tumhare peechey bhaagti hai. And now since I have mentioned abot my birthday, therefore I must mention about the strangest flowers ever received. And since it was perishable, there I thought of putting a picture of it here to make it everlasting.

I even thought of naming this post as Bhopal Gobhi phool(read as Genda Phool). Such was my experience in Bhopal (Nliu). It was as wonderful as always to be at Nliu. It will always have a special place in my heart and memories and I shall always do any possible thing for it. But things have changed drastically. The students (ofcourse since they pass out every year), the culture, the surroundings (which I liked) and most importantly the air. I do not know whether it is good or bad but it was a bit repulsive. For eg. It is a very small thing though, but I never thought the students I knew would fight over the college T-Shirt. And change is unavoidable. It happens but the air shouldn’t flow in the opposite direction. There is something wrong. Anyways. I do not know how am I concerned with it. It is a dynamic institution which makes its own way. Just like a river. It may be good it may not be good. Everything in life in uncertain.

Okay now coming back to the wake up call of November. It is the November. When I was on my way to home in Mumbai from the airport, I got a call from a stranger who told me that I had picked up a wrong luggage from the conveyer belt (okay. A small sentence on my observation about conveyer belt. How many of you have noticed that conveyer belts are manufactured by and show the name of “Gannon Dunkerly”- the famous case on works contract taught by Mr. Ghayur Alam???). That stranger was very polite inspite of the fact that it was entirely my fault. I went back and right at mid-night, when my birthday was getting over, I was exchanging the bags correctly at the Airport. Wake up call here is that you cant be careless. If you do something foolish, then you have to somehow pay for it. But when I reached back, there were a lot of surprises with friends waiting for me at home even after 12. It was a pleasant surprise. And I am really thankful for making me feel nice. 

The other wake up call was at office. And its a hattrick now. Hard days in November when MFKP isn’t happy with your work. Despite of pressure, your work shouldn’t be shabby. It should be as good. Learn to handle pressure. And I am still fighting with deadlines including finishing this post before 12 to keep my promise. December starts tomorrow. So does the WG Cricket season. Take care.

Before October Ends………

We all know about the famous poem by Robert Frost – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. And since I have a keeda of keeping promises and commitments, I am specially writing this post to keep the promise that I had made with myself and this blog that No matter what, I shall write at least once in a month.

I feel as if I am in army because my mom keeps asking – “Ghar kab Aaogey”. I should be there in Indore this Monday for a week. I was supposed to leave for Delhi today morning but I did not get tickets. But then unexpectedly very early in the morning that there is an urgency in a matter and I have to stay back. Though I do not have substantial things to do in Office but I am here. Such uncertain has been things in my life since sometime now. But that has given me a chance to write to you. I really hope you all are doing well. My best wishes are always there with all of you. Yesterday it felt really good to hear that Vikram got through the main exam of the MP Judiciary. Well done!

I have now been working in Bombay since 2 ½. So far so good. This profession is such that it either causes burn out in a year or two to those who are bright but do not really enjoy doing such hardcore legal practice or who do not have what we call Aptitude or stamina (mental) to sustain the consistently swift pace and ever increasing load of work. Those who are able to manage but are not from this town find themselves in a catch 22 situation where they have a good job and handsome salary but life style is totally screwed. They feel they cant go back to their respective home towns to start from scratch on their own. After all who wants to give up on lakhs of rupees they are earning. And in their home towns there is no guarantee of earning even a decent sum of money, getting good clients. So they are stuck in their jobs just for earning money and being on their own. It should be respected. Everyone is fighting for their survival. Then there is another category of people who are talented and doing pretty good in this profession but who do not know what else to do in life are not very ambitious at this point of time. And of course there are focused ones who are brilliant. They plan for everything considering their growth in the profession. They invest, earn good appreciation and interest from their properties and reach at the higher levels in the profession. And there are other classes of people as well who are not covered above.

I am not discussing here the reason for people being like what they are. There could be hundred of such reasons starting from their family and economic background. I am just assuming and accepting those people as what they are today. Point is that this kind of classification exists in every profession and field in life. May be this creates balance. Because just because of such classification there the CEOs, the Secretaries, the Clerks, the peons, the drivers, etc they all exist in this system. I am not questioning the so called “Quality of Work”. I believe work is work. And if required, even a CEO should do what a office delivery boy has to do. I am not just preaching but I do this in practice.

Okay coming back to my life. I have abnormally lost some weight in previous 5-6 months. Plus haven’t been lucky with weekends either. And in most of the weeks I have ended up working on 7 days. This isn’t a complaint but a fact that I realized after a very long stretch of too much work. You people remember my “its raining men” posts in this regard. Anyways. It has been damn good fun and learning as well.

Looks like that not too many things are going in the right direction for me. Lack of physical exercises is not showing effects. While playing sports I realized that my stamina has come down considerably. That is obvious. And somehow I have realize that I wont be able to play competitive football much. As I would be playing with a fear of breaking my right fibula. Which is very saddening. But then I am weird. I know I will still play until I really break fibula once again. And too add to my misery, Liverpool is in the relegation zone and is being extremely unlucky. And Rajasthan Royals are out of IPL. Quite mysterious is sequence of all these events. But I am determined.

Finally I am Home for a week after 4 months. It is always good to be back at home. May be on November 3rd and 4th, I will be in Bhopal. I miss being in Bhopal.

Dear Blog, I am fulfilling my promise in the 11th hour. Please forgive me for this. And dear readers, I shall try come up with some more interesting stuff next time.

P.S.: I started writing this post a couple of days back and have finished it today.

सितम्बर का सितमगर

माना  कि  हमने  बहुत  गम  सहे  और  आंसू  बहाए
तुझ  ज़ालिम  के  ख्यालों  के  समुन्दर  में  बेखौफी, बेदर्दी  और  बेशर्मी  से  डूबे
फिर  ज़िल्लतें  सहीं  और  लोगों  कि  नज़रों  में  बदनाम  भी  हुए
पर  जब  बदनाम  हुए  तब  मुस्कुराये  और  शर्मसार  हुए  तोह  खिलखिलाए
क्योंकि  इस  गुस्ताख  की   हर  गुस्ताखी  में  शराफत  और  मासूमियत   थी
तभी  तो  भले हमारे   कदम  लडखडाये   लेकिन  सितमगर  तुमसे  ही  सब  सीखा  और  होश  में  आये
अब  कहो  मैं  बेचारा  हूँ  या  वो  गरीब  जिनकी  जिंदगी  में  ऐ  सितमगर  तुम  कभी  न  आये !

During our office retreat i heard someone saying that everything in Bombay is double. So is this second post. Just because I am too tied up, I dont think I will be able to be in touch with you all for sometime. But nevertheless, here is my Second Post.

Dear Teachers,

A VERY HAPPY TEACHERS DAY TO ALL OF YOU!

I believe that if the thoughts are wishes come from within your heart then they somehow get communicated or absorbed by the subject even if you do not communicate. No ! This is not an excuse for not being there for you not only on phone but also not being on your msg boxes and inboxes. But all of you are always there in my thoughts and memories. Each one of you. I rememeber. Being an Indian, I also celebrate teachers days by thinking about all teachers I have had in my life so far and wishing happiness, peace and prosperity for all of you. I wont name any but they all know who have been my teachers. Including you! 

Today wherever I am or whatever I am, its also because of you teacher (I know its sounding very childish but thats what you are to you teacher. A child). I still remeber what all I have learnt from each and everyone of you and how valuable and dear you all are to me. You might just not remeber my name or what you have done for me or in my life, but I always (especially on this day of every year) pray for you. May you all have happiness, prosperity and peace in your life. I owe you alot.

P.S.: 

Dear Friends,

I honestly do think I would be able to see all of you on eid in Bhopal as i had committed. Professional hazards. But I am surely going to visit Bhopal and see you all on whichever coming weekend I get free.

Samachar

Dear G1G2 and its regular readers (presuming that there are no stalkers. Who would stalk on me anyways???),


I have been really out of touch and deliberately so. As you all know I am not on facebook anymore so you, dear G1G2, are the facebook, okut and all other social networking mediums of this minutely social person who walked out of “social networking” a few months back. I only tweet rarely. And twitter too has become an office tool since we started representing ex big chief of IPL. Okay as a principle I wont ever discuss my office or work here. It isn’t that I was super social before this. To my surprise I was told by someone that I am a Social Butterfly. But then again it is not unreasonable as everyone has his own perception which must be accepted as it is. Okay accepting all perceptions as they are, here is the brief record of a few things happening with me or things which I have come across and thought about:

 First of all many congratulations to all those who have been placed in the first session of placements this year at NLIU. It’s a delightful news that placements are back on track and of course behind this success is the lady with the magic wand – Dr. Raka Arya. Res Ipsa Loquitur. I hope the glory-hunters now realize that placements are not a cakewalk. Ofcourse, I am taking away the credits from students, their merits and the hard-working committee. But then it is not that the students from previous batch were less meritorious or so. So, it has to be the magic wand.

 It is damn funny but true as well that Lawyers do not get credit card easily. Especially those like me who are located out of their hometowns and staying on rented premises and not having too many assets to show. I do have an office credit card and it isn’t like that I badly need a credit card. In fact I am totally against this concept of credit howsoever practical it may be. My third credit card application got rejected last week. And the most ironical thing is that the bank this time is HDFC. Boy! Everyone knows that we do so many transactions for HDFC but you cant get their card. Very stupid but true.


 I have been so busy and more than that so much out of touch with my friends that I did not even know that Danish took a very big step to convert his idea into a movie. Yeh Gustaakhi hai. Aur jisme yeh gustaakhi karne ki himmat nahi hoti who bada bhi nahi bann sakta. Main abhi bhi aisi koi gustaakhi karne hi himmat juta raha hoon. Insha Allah……tumhara yeh project kamyab ho. Aaj nahi toh kal ho lekin zaroor ho.

 Okay I am taking my own liberty to discuss something about my work. Not what type, variety, nature of work but something about satisfaction. Apart from doing work for big fishes, big banks, developers, etc, working on very small matters of wills, family disputes, making old couples, men, women feel secured about their properties n similar such matters which provide repief to them give a lot of satisfaction. Trust me. At the end of the day you (at least I) don’t even care to know how fast numbers in your bank account are increasing.

 My Brother just came back from Australia and got settled here with a new job here. And just see his luck. He is now going to France and Switzerland for training. What a luck. If anyone know palm and foot reading, please come and tell me ki mere haath mein kuch aisa yog hai ki nahi?????

 The Mumbai v. Delhi debate has increased like mad. This is good about Delhi, that is bad about Mumbai. Even a minister in UPA Government during BCCI disciplinary comm. proceedings made a statement (off the record obviously) about how Mumbai lawyers tend to increase the size and bulk of their documents. Very unfair. This is not true as I have experienced it. People here care so much about environment. Its not that much as well but better than anywhere else. But I am neither for nor against for Delhi or Mumbai. I love and enjoy both the cultures and I am not at all a city specific person. Except Jabalpur and Indore, put me anywhere. I so badly wish to go back to Bhopal and settle there. I might just do it. Wait for a few years.


 I am still confused whether to buy a classic 500 or a car. I have to buy either of these within next 6 months.


 I have to cover mansarovar or amaranth, Bangkok, Andmaan and Europe in about next 2-3 years. I really have to. I am not including in the list rest of India which I am going to visit as and when opportunity strikes.

 I never ever thought that I will have hair like what I have right now. It has been 75 days since I last used a comb. Thanks to elders, senior partners in office who tolerate me this way. Its not at all indecent but still only a couple of people have their hair like that. Every looks sober as I used to. Ha ha. I am still sober but do not look like one. Its damn cool. I am liking it.

 “Dil ko laga ki tumse kuch kahoon... lekin zubaan ko laga ki kya main dil ki sunoon??? Dimaag inhi khayalon mein uljha raha aur ehsaas hi nahi hua ki hum kitni aagey nikal gaye!!”


 
Phir Milenge.

Ladki Kyun na jaane kyun Ladko si nahi hoti!!!

Ladki Kyun na jaane kyun Ladko si nahi hoti!!!

Ladki Kyun na jaane kyun Ladko si nahi hoti – Remember this song from Hum Tum?? Yeah ! only difference is that here in this post it is not a question. Its a statement. Looks ironical to me.

Amidst heaps of pending and new work piled up before me, I was today successful to find a thought to share with all of you (Assuming that there are atleast 2-3 readers of my blog). It was something which I was forced to think. And the reason for this was a call. An old and respected relative of mine (the name and relation is not so important hence not mentioned) called me up today to find out the postal address of our home at Indore.

I was very nicely told that he (my relative) is genuinely very concerned about my brother and our family. I don’t have any doubts about that. Therefore ( he continued) , as a matter of concern, care, respect, worry and other bullshits, he was looking for a nice homely girl and wanted to mail photos and kundli of that girl. Despite of not been so inquisitive by nature, something forced me to ask the question WHY and WHO IS THE GIRL???. Then he went on answering my simple question (who is the girl) with his additional CARING inputs. And since language should be no bar in describing his real intention (and also since I am not the master of this language), I shall narrate the real hindi version. He said – Ladki bohat Sundar hai. Chemical Engineer hai. ME kiya hua hai aur Indore based hi hai (minus markings for those who pronounced it as Mera wala Me. Its Master of Engineering). Dekho beta ! Apan toh aisi ladki dhoond rahey hain jo maa baap ke boodhey hone ke baad unka khayal rakh sakey. Jissey khana banana aata ho, jo sanskari ho, baat maaney aur zyada tez naa ho. Aur Dahej toh achha milega hi kyonki tum dono bhai badi achhi posts pe kaam kar rahey ho. Despite of disagreeing with each and every word, I kept saying yes for everything because of two reasons. Firstly I did not want to waste my time in office in getting into any kind of useless arguments. And secondly there is no point arguing with old relatives unless and until it is earth shattering for you.

Now let me highlight the issues in the above conversation. Firstly, all these old relatives just for the sake of their ego, image, reputation and word given by them, why do they unnecessarily bother looking for girls and increase my heartbeats ( ofcourse they are finding girl for my brother but after him, its me). Kata kata bechara bakra..........kata kata bechara. It feels as if ki humari aarti uteri jaa rahi ho bali dene se pehle.

Another issue is that y a homely girl only?? This is the most popular and accepted fact by 75% of guys that ki shaadi toh gharelu, homely type ki ladki se hi karenge. But y? Ask yourself that are you homely too? If not, then why do you expect your wife to be homely???? And homely means who makes home. Takes care of every household thing. And behaves well. Listens to what parents/elders say. Doesnt argue much and all that. I am saying all this because if being homely mean and therefores having all these characteristics, then I am not homely and I do not expect my wife to be homely. I believe that love always happens between equals. And unless it is not mutual, then it is not love. Just like this, even in cases of arranged marriage, it is marriage between equals. A guy or his parents shouldn’t expect their bahu to be extra talented and dedicated than their son (Ofcourse my statement is quite unreasonable but in my views thats the way it should be). Why do you want only that kind of bahu who can take care of old parents? Ladka marr gaya hai kya? Ya ek dum dabboo aur gadha hai ki he cant take care of his parents? If he cant then why should his wife take care of them????

Next issue is. Y is it necessary that ladki should be sundar if your son is ugly??? Is she going to increase your TRPs in the social circle???? Is she going to be a showpiece????

Why do you expect your prospective wife to be an expert chef when you yourself do not know how to cook?? I am actually very lazy and unless and until I don’t get a kick from my own self or I am in a mood to cook, I don’t cook. Infact If i had to live alone and on my own then one day I will die starving. Ofcourse I can cook few things but then I will get bored eating those things and wont cook only and then die starving.

Next is dahej. What have you done in life that you should get dahej in your marriage????? Its okay you might be an IAS or a CEO or whatever but you did not become an IAS to get dahej? You became IAS because you wanted to become an IAS. For your ambitions and satisfaction. Now to avoid the terminology of dahej, now a days parents of girl “GIFT” her car, loadza jewellery, cash, gadgets ,etc. If they gift her these things, then your parents should also gift them similar stuff??? Or otherwise nobody gifts anything to each other. Make it equal.

I don’t know how many of you would get inspired by my these stupid thoughts. But I think like that. I am trying to run away as fast as possible from this devil (being institution of marriage). It isn’t that I want to be in a live in relationship. Infact I do not want to be in relationship unless and until I find, meet and have a girl who I like. Infact, I am not looking or waiting for any girl at all. I am just living my life in the way I want to. If I had a girlfriend then I would be on phone uselessly chatting with her instead of writing this post here.

p.s.- Substantial part of this post was written long back. Today I have just finished it. Had been working like mad since sometime now.

Its still raining men !

Today I have resumed work after the holidays. But I find no change in the circumstances. The intensity of rain has become stronger. Its pouring cats and dogs. Its raining so heavily and so much that authorities (MFKP) have informed that I wont be able to get out of this city for a holiday (which is always of minimum 7-8 days for me) till December. I hope weather changes fast. Too much of any of the seasons is injurious for life. Isnt it???? I am not complaining. Till this weather changes, I will resist and fight with all my heart. I will try to develop a new approach/technique to handle these rains and will try to enhance my existing skills. After all, my batteries have been recharged. Pray for me and visit me to boost my morale in these hard times as I wont be able to visit you. Take care. Sorry for keeping out of touch for sometime now. I shall get back with pending posts as soon as I get some time to breathe.

Ghajini

Wondering about the title of this post? Even I wondered about the title of Amir Khan`s Ghajini before it was released. And I again wondered and was surprised when I saw my face in a mirror after getting haircut this sunday. It took a couple of seconds to identify myself and also to realise that I have had the shortest hair ever in my life. Yes, that is what Ghajini is what all about. I knew people are going to give weird reactions and everyone is surely going to ask Y? People did give their feedbacks. I took all of them as compliments. I will tell you why! There were 4-5 people who said it was looking good. A woman in my office said I looked scary. This is a compliment coz I dont really want to look good or handsome to impress women. And thirdly a couple of women told ame that I have very nice hair and I look good in long hair. And most of the comments focussed on Ghajini. That I look like Aamir Khan of Ghajini (except for that stripe and few scars on my head. I do have a few scars on my head which reminded me of so many head injuries I have had). Thank you very much all of you. But I had this haircut just for myself. Because my insticts asked me to get it done. The aim was not at all to have the Ghajini look or to look scary or to let people compliment on my (missing) long hair. We, the human beings, realise value only when a thing/person/feeling goes missing. Its true.

Another thing i want to discuss very shortly here is the latest movie I saw. RAAJNEETI. Yeah! The samePrakash Jha movie. The same movie which I wanted to see not because of subject, cast, director or any other reason except that it has been shot entirely in Bhopal. However, the nature of movie is such that if you concentrate on the shooting and glimse of Bhopal, you may miss links in the movie. However I did not miss either of this. Bhopal looks as pretty as it really is. I could have suggested certain better locations of Mr. Jha. The concept of movie is good. Where the themes of Mahabharat and Godfather have been merged. -Manojbajpai -Suyodhan- very nice;
Ajay Devgan - Karn- fantastic
Nana- Krishna
Ranbir Kapoor- Michael Corleaone (less shades of Arjun)
Katrina Kaif - looks more like Gandhari
Mother- Failed as the portrayal of Kunti
Arjun Rampal- Sonny Corleone/Bhim
Chandra Pratap- Pandu, etc etc..........


But they havent been merged successfully. As you can gather, I have negative reviews about the movie. The truth about the politics shown in the movie (as compared with Mahabharat) in nicely portrayed but not really new and convincing. The director has portrayed as if the characters in the movie as still living in the Dwapar Yug of Mahabharat. There is Rajgaddi, there are contenders which are all in a family, there is morality as well as immorality but where is the Law and Order which exists today? If one makes a very logical movie, then you have to make sure nothing about it should be either illogical or unreasonable.

However, seeing so many familiar places in a movie for the first time was a great experience. I could identify almost 80 percent of the locations bang on target. My entire life in bhopal including my college life has been around those roads and locations. The climax of the movie whether Ajay-Manoj's Scorpio is pushed in a ditch was exactly in the same place where i got down from my car to pull out a election pamphlet/poster of Katrina Kaif. The U-turn the cars take when Chandra Pratap dies in where I was stuck in a scarry procession of Muharrma with my mom inside our car. And there are so many memories attached to almost each oand every location. So inspite of not liking this movie so much, I will make sure I have this movie in my collection.

Girl Bashing???

A friend of mine liked my previous post (wooomen) quite a lot and asked for my permission for putting the same in the Wall of his facebook profile. (To all my readers who arent aware, I am not on facebook since March 29, 2010 which was also coincidentally birthday of someone i knew. I dont have an answer and I dont have a reasonable justification for all those who think that was foolish). So, with my consent, my post was published. And as usual it happens on facebook "x, y and Z and 5000 others like it", I was told that a couple of people liked it. Yes, everyone has a right to like and dislike things. But one person said he liked it coz he loved anything related to girl bashing. Whoever you are and howsoever great philosopher, stud, dude or a hunk u are, but that wasnt meant for girl bashing. I understand that depending upon so many factors, two different person can deduce different meaning out of the same sentence. I am not complaining but i got furious after knowing it. I dont exactly understand these modern, cool, hot and happening jargons. I dont need to justify to anyone what I write. So, I am not writing hereto justify what I wrote and why i wrote. But i need to write something about what I think to avoid misinterpretation in future.

In 25 years 6 months and 6 days of my life, I have had millions of experiences. And in respect of some of such experiences, I believed that those happened quite early and in younger days of my life. But I do not complain as there are miliion other people who would have had such or even bad experiences in even younger days of their lives.  And I have done a blunder once in my life. A mistake for which I cant really forgive myself ever. An act for which I have lost so much. And the tregedy which keeps hauting me. But anyways that is a part of life and it is going to be like that. I have learnt from it. And my character has grew much more stronger since then. I am on my own. And based on all kinds of experiences in my life, I now accept everyone the way they are. I am not judgemental about anyone. Just like a fool, I can now trust even strangers, a taxi driver, a beggar and even a thief for that matter. Anyways like always, main kuch zyada hi beh gaya. Coming back to about women. Everything I do and everything I believe is based on my personal experience and so are my words below.

It is true that at times I completely fail to understand women. But I know they get confused so easily. In this world, I do not know why but it has set up like that so many men are interested in the same woman at the same time. And hence she gets confused. May be it is like that every guy promises heaven, every guy promises golden dreams, every guys touches her heart and every guys promises to break all barriers. But point is that who actually does it. He is the man.  Most of the cases, she might be liking only one guy and rest are just friends. Such kind of friends who are not friend but who are hopeful that they will be able to get her one day. And like this latest Tata Docomo ad, "they hear only that tune which they want to listen. If a girl says "love you" to them, they believe she really loves them and they have some chance. And when they get to know she likes someone else, they call her bitch, slut and what not. They themselves do not realise that they were the real cheaters when in decoy of a friend, they were actually tempting for her. She is not a bitch, slut or whatever you call her. If there are many guys and she doesnt like one particualr guy and is again confused, it isnt her fault. The rule of nature is like that. And if you are frustated at her, then it is your own fault. You are frustated because you did not love her. You are frustated because you did not get what you wanted out of being in a relationship with that girl. If you believe in true n unconditional love, the guy shall not be frustrated. He will be heartbroken. He will be depressed but will keep loving her the way he did. No matter what you tell him about her, that she is like this, she is like that, she is unstable, she is inconsistent, but despite, respite and inspite of everythiing, the man will keep loving her. Anyways, I ended up discussing women in context of love, as i believe it was called for by the person who used the word girl bashing.

I am not favouring women or taking their side. But this is true. However, women are very strange. At times u give so much importance to them in life but in lieu you get ignored completely. You show the level of care for them, and they are careless about you. But then again it may be your fault that you were caring for here because you were listening to only that tune that u wanted to listen. But at times it is true that the more interest you show in them or howsoever truely deeply and madly you start loving them, they take you for granted. And would say "Atleast you should understand me". Yes I do understand you but i cant figure out why.

Anyways one can never stop arguing. There would be people who would give me quite valid and justified counter for my these words. But i am sorry, i believe only in my experiences. I have seen this world through my eyes only. I personally like women who are real, honest, sensitive, have a sense of humour and have a sense of loyalty. And I know they are confused. They arent inferior to us. If you believe in switching relationships n changing gears, they shouldnt be played with. Whenever you figure out the wrong they did, ask yourself what was the reason for that wrong. In 99.9% cases you will see a reason in yourself. They have feelings, a kind but naive heart, an intelligent brain. If you are extra potent, they arent the means to show your potency. Neither they are slaves nor they are baby producing machines. They are like us. Respect them and respect yourself.

The Girl-Bashing guy may not read this, but I think your all possible queries have been answered.

Women!

Woooo-men!

First you woo
then  feel blue
force your ego to boo
then strain your brain and leave eyes full of dew
put your heart in pain and all feelings you slowly chew
amidst all this one you discover who are you
then you meet another wooo-men and you think she is new
you go with the flow and try giving life another view
and you again woo !
Alas, it isnt so simple, its a circle which may forever continue!

Its raining men !

Monsoons havent arrived yet. I can feel stormy weather slipping in. I can hear the thunder.  I do not want to go out. I dont want let my self get soaking wet. But before I realise, its already pouring. The darkest cloud is right above my head. I have no choice except to get soaked.


What is stated above are my feelings right after I listed things pending to be done in my daily writing pad. There are already 21 things and the list is increasing. Work is pouring.

MAA

When despite of so many attempts I couldnt learn riding bicycle, my mom told me -"dont worry beta ! Just like you learned the multiplication tables, you would manage to learn riding bicycles." And I did manage. About 18 years later, I was in the final year of college and despite of a few attempts I could not manage to get a job. Since too many such things happened that time, I was very low and disappointed. My mom then told me that just like you managed riding bikes and multiplication tables, you will get a very good job as well.


Such has been support of my mom in my (our -including my brother) life throughout. Right since giving birth and showing us this beautiful world, taking us alone to doctors very far away in rickshaws when my dad was buisy in certain important meetings, teaching us all basic things essential in this world, being our full time tuitions, beating us to teach us lessons, singing for us, cooking for us everyday, making sure we always wear clean and well ironed clothes everyday, forgiving our mistakes, hiding our mistakes and saving us from dad's anger, understanding our needs and emotions, laughing with us, strengthening our characters, loving protecting and caring about us always (and for doing millions of such things), mom you have been like a god in our lives. Dad too has been equally important in our lives but this being a mothers day, all words here are for you.


I had never ever been away from home in my life of 24 years. I never stayed in any hostel or boarding school. And now here I am in Mumbai. Working and living alone and missing you everyday in my life.

माँ मुझे घर वापस बुला लो,
जो भी सब्जी बनोगी उसे मैं बिना शिकायत किये खाऊंगा,
जो काम कहोगी वह करूँगा और बिलकुल तंग नहीं करूँगा.
समय से उठूँगा और समय से सोऊंगा
गाडी धीरे चलाऊंगा और घर के काम में मदद भी करूँगा
सच बोलूँगा, मेहनत करूँगा, पैसा और शोहरत भी कमाऊंगा
ना  गलत काम करूँगा और ना ही गलत चीज़ को हाथ लगाऊंगा.

ये कहाँ आ गया हूँ मैं खुद समझ नहीं पाता हूँ
दिन रात सोचता हूँ और बस सोचता ही रह जाता हूँ
यहाँ आज़ादी है, मेरा वश भी चलता है और सब कुछ अपनी मर्ज़ी से करता हूँ
लेकिन सब अधूरा है, गहरा अँधेरा है जिससे मैं कभी सहम सा जाता हूँ
बड़ा हो गया हूँ, कमाने भी लगा हूँ और रोज़ ऑफिस जाता हूँ
पुरानी यादों में खो जाता हूँ पर नए सपने नहीं बुन पाता हूँ
काम में मन लगता हूँ पर रोज़ थक सा जाता हूँ
जब परेशान होता हूँ तोह खुद को समझाता हूँ 
हँसता भी हूँ , गाता हूँ और चेह्चाहाता भी हूँ
लोग हमेशा रहते हैं पर कई बार खुद को अकेला पाता हूँ
लोग कहते हैं कि मैं तरक्की कर रहा हूँ
जो कुछ भी हूँ, जैसा भी हूँ और जहाँ भी हूँ
आज मैं खुश हूँ

है हकीकत कि यह सब कुछ तुम्हारी बदौलत! 
मेरी येही  है आस कि मैं सदा रहूँ तुम्हारे पास!
वरना किस काम कि यह तरक्की और किस काम कि यह शोहरत !

gauravgopal99 and gaurav_gopal99

The above are my email ids. I am simply writing this post because a senior associate today wanted to mail a bulky file on my personal id as it was bouncing off from my office id. When I told him my id, he asked me what does 99 mean in your id? I gave him an answer. I shouldn’t have thought much about it later but nevertheless I thought about this. Is it only me who thinks so much or everyone does it? I think every sentimental emotional fool does. And i bet all such sentimental and emotional fools have a very good memory. Coming back to the question. I have answered this question so many times. And I have always lied. My usual answers include that the id was not available, i made id in 99, etc. Thats a lie. Truth is that when I was in 11th standard, I opened my first ever account on hotmail only to chat and send & receive mails from a girl (with whom i had a long relationship thereafter). Thats okay i suppose. I would have made a simple id, but just for the simple reason I was hitting on that girl, I made id with digits 99 as she also had 99 in her id. At that time, I guess she also asked the same question, but at that time I did not answer the question. Years later when i opened account on gmail, i again used 99 as I was still in the relationship. And now I am living with these ids permanently. I am writing here not because I am regretting anything, but just wanted to tell you this small truth about myself. One should never compare their present with past. Becauser when it was there in the past, it was beautiful. And once you compare it with present, it will look as if it was a waste.

FLIGHT DELAYED! SLP DISPOSED! OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED! FLIGHT MISSED! ROADS JAMMED! WORK POURED! BORED!

Mumbai se aaya mera dost ! Dost ko salaam karo! The song cobra and yadav sang when I landed in IGI Airport when I came for the first hearing on March 29 in this matter which got disposed off yesterday. And during these 3 visits to Delhi it really felt great seeing everyone after so long. Especially when I was lost in the web miseries and questions. And I felt equally bad when I came back this time. I have a feeling like an orphan whenever I go away from people who are so close to me. People say I am an emotional fool. I think I am.

May 3 was the date of hearing and for filing of consent terms which was fixed by the Supreme Court. The period from March end till May 4 was full of trips for me. BHOPAL-DELHI-INDORE-NAGPUR-DELHI-DELHI. And here I lie exhausted and tired. And guess what, I have been given 7 new matters to work on. Two years of ordeal in Mumbai are about to get over and much more responsibilities are dancing over my head asking me to take care of them and make all of them happy. And my nature has been such that I always wanted to make everyone happy so I am doing that.

In this matter which we call as “Worli Matter”, I was asked to take a lead for a real life compromise and settlement. Immidiately i went into the flashbacks of Dispute Resolution days in college. There was this ADR Cell lead by Dr. Surya Prakash. And it felt great to preside over a settlement and see it coming to an end so well. As I have told you all before, I still maintain that I am getting paid to learn. I spent the international labour day preparing for the delivery of my baby. Yes, I call this settlement my baby. And the evening was well spent with a dinner with some former colleagues of WG and accidently catching up the Laser show at Queens Necklace on Maharashtra Day. The best thing about living in India is that there are so many such DAYS. And you get off on most of such DAYS. Good fun.

Sunday April 2, I was awaken by the ring on my phone. There were certain fresh issues which had to be tackled with. This human brain is a deadly thing. It thinks so much. But anyways after sorting out things, I hurriedly packed my bag and reached airport on time only to find that the air craft had some technical problems. They took three hours to change the air craft and I could reach my Hotel only at 9:30. Lalit Intercontinental. Nice hotel. I prepared for the next day and slept. May 3 was supposed to be a big day and I made sure I had arranged for everything. Right from the conference with Mr. Counsel till the filing of consent terms, everything went perfect. And it was over. And so were my hopes coz I knew that I wont be coming to Delhi again anytime soon. But it was good to see people from my college in the Supreme Court. Some juniors who are still studying, some who just passed and some seniors who passed long back. I always feel good and excited when I get to meet students from my college or when I hear anything about college. I still feel attached.

Then I had RAJMA CHAWAL in Bengali Market at Bengali Sweets right opposite to Nathus. It reminded me of good old internship days. The yadav called me up telling me that he has taken off from office just coz I was not coming to Delhi anytime soon again. Yadavji you are a gem that I have in my life. Sandy also had not gone to office coz of other issues. And we asked sameer to bunk office for sometime. Aur jahan char yaar mil jaayein wahan raat gujar jaye ho gaya. At KHAN MARKET we kept drinking till we realized it was seven and I was supposed to board my flight at 8 20. And Yadav put everything behind for dropping me on time. Magar ye ho na saka. Aur flight miss ho gayi. Mere saath yeh doosri baar hua hai. Kya karoon meri sangat hi kuch aisi hai. But I was happy that I had an extended stay in Delhi.

When i reached back here in Mumbai, I was welcomed by the motormen strike due to which locals in Mumbai came to a hault. And the entire Mumbai came out on roads. All roads were badly jammed. Despite taking the Bandra Worli sea link I was late by 2 hours. And as I say, when it rains, it pours. It poured the entire day and I was exhausted.

This T-20 World Cup is looking as dead as Ranji Trophy in India. I don’t feel like seeing matches. I am bored of excessive cricket. I am desperately waiting for FIFA World Cup. Much more desperately I want to play football. But where is the time. When there is time, where is the field? When there is field, where are the players? So, I play inside my flat. My Anfield.

And I know this blog is getting as boring as sometimes my company is. Thats all i wanted to share with you as of now.

And yeah Kasab has been given death sentence today. Everyone knows that was coming. He will be hanged after sometime or some days or some months. Thats all right but its not something which is going to lead to deterrence. Govt prosecutor said in fancy words that “Kasab ka hisaab poora ho gaya.” But they do not know that there is no hisaab of terrorism. No such precedent can stop it. However it may further aggravate it. But nevertheless, it was something which was bound to happen. No sympathies and no further comments.

NAGPUR HEAT AND MADNESS

One of the most idiotic things i have ever done. I put the alarm at 5: 40 PM instead of AM. Thanks to the driver of Mega cab, which I had luckily booked previous night, for calling up at 5 38 to inform that he was there. I got up with lightening speed and did everything AFAP to leave from home for catching the flight at 7:00 am. Luckily everything went perfect and I reached Nagpur. We were put in the SUN N SAND Nagpur. Even thinking about the execution of the document in this transaction made me sweat. It was supposed to be signed by 34 parties. Just imagine 34 people signing on each page of the documents. There  were six documents in all. But anyways what has to be done, it has to be done. By the way, its the biggest land deal i have done so far and I am gaining some valuable experience.

DAY 1-APRIL 22,10

We were taken to the office of the parties which were selling their property. Oh ! forgot to mention that the temperature.It was 47 degrees. Majority of the documents were finalised but the vendors being individual, they were damn hard to deal and negotiate with. And till afternoon only we could freeze the documents. However, the figure 33 made life difficult for us, as there were supposed to be 33 receipts having different details and moreover the mega signing session also had to take place. I havent told you guys about my migraine. If I stay hungry for long (usually in the afternoon) my head starts aching. And it had to happen. When it rains, it pours. One kind gentlemen offered me crocin and it was really helpful in vanishing my pain. And then after lunch we formatted and printed the documents as we did not have the luxury of stenos that we have in our office. And then as we entered the room, I saw 33 faces eagerly waiting for us. All were very nice and accomodating people and  did not throw tantrums of any sort. However the mega signing session was sucessful, but still their were some pages left. We started preparing receipts at 8 pm and went on till 10 and then did the reamiong papers and it was 11 by then. I was agin damn hungary. Dad called. Everyone at home wanted to talk and I was very irritable. I told dad I will talk to everyone tomorrow morning and sat in our car to leave back for hotel. While going back, I dont know why I felt choked and wanted to cry. But I did not. May be its my eyes. They want me to cry as they have dried up. I am using artificial tears for them. But I guess I really need to cry. As soon as i reached back, I was too tired for thinking about dealing with my thoughts and emotion and crashed on bed. As I tell everyone, the best part of being employed is that you are still in your early years and are being trained. Infact you are being paid for getting trained. How wonderful is that. Furthermore, work keeps you buisy and away from the complexities, pains and sorrows of your life atleast for few hours in a day. It could be harmful as well if you become a recluse.

DAY- 2

Since we had hedged our risk of delay, we were quite relaxed in the morning and i spent half n hour under the shower. The drivers did not know the way to the registrar`s office. As clock moved, it got hotter and my eyes were itching as well. We all hijacked a nearby restaurant and started the process of finishing up the mega signing event. Finally we did it. Then we had wait in the registrar`s office till our clients were assured that they had bought the land. Huge deal it was. And at the end, the Vendors were rich, our clients got the land and we got nothing. Ofcourse fee would be charged and our work would be praised but still. Anyways i should say that coz i know i am not at all greedy. Actually i do not know what to do if i get so much money. I want so many things, i want to travel everywhere and I get confused. And amidst such confusion, I realise everything is temporal and i am becoming abstemious.

Nagpur Chalo....Nagpur Chalo......Nagpooooooooorrrr !!!

Remember this Nagpur episode performed by Ahsan Kureshi in Laughter Challenge ???? I feel like saying the same. I am heading for Nagpur tomorrow for closing of a transaction ! May god bless us. Its 45 degrees there and sitting in the 24 * 7 AC office has made me helpless against that kind of heat. And then after coming back, I have to pack up for Delhi for my second visit to the supreme court. Mr. Salve is stuck in London due to that Volcanic Ash thing and I have no clue what are we going to do in our matter. But something will be done ! I hope for the best. Pray for me and dear readers (if at all there are any) have a fabulous day.

Identity

I am sitting in office and having a normal day so far. Just signed in to put something here which i just realised. On my first day at NLIU and in the very first class, I intoduced myself as "Gaurav Gopal from Bhopal" and since then till final year people used to tease me with that or rather it was like my identity. Now I am no more in NLIU or in Bhopal. While dealing/calling up/following up on phone calls, I just realized that I have become Gaurav Gopal from Wadia Ghandy & Co.

ALL IS WELL !!!

जीवन में एक सितारा था


माना वह बेहद प्यारा था

वह डूब गया तो डूब गया

अंबर के आंगन को देखो

कितने इसके तारे टूटे

कितने इसके प्यारे छूटे

जो छूट गए फ़िर कहाँ मिले

पर बोलो टूटे तारों पर

कब अंबर शोक मनाता है

जो बीत गई सो बात गई



जीवन में वह था एक कुसुम

थे उस पर नित्य निछावर तुम

वह सूख गया तो सूख गया

मधुबन की छाती को देखो

सूखी कितनी इसकी कलियाँ

मुरझाईं कितनी वल्लरियाँ

जो मुरझाईं फ़िर कहाँ खिलीं

पर बोलो सूखे फूलों पर

कब मधुबन शोर मचाता है

जो बीत गई सो बात गई



जीवन में मधु का प्याला था

तुमने तन मन दे डाला था

वह टूट गया तो टूट गया

मदिरालय का आंगन देखो

कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं

गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं

जो गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं

पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर

कब मदिरालय पछताता है

जो बीत गई सो बात गई



मृदु मिट्टी के बने हुए हैं

मधु घट फूटा ही करते हैं

लघु जीवन ले कर आए हैं

प्याले टूटा ही करते हैं

फ़िर भी मदिरालय के अन्दर

मधु के घट हैं,मधु प्याले हैं

जो मादकता के मारे हैं

वे मधु लूटा ही करते हैं

वह कच्चा पीने वाला है

जिसकी ममता घट प्यालों पर

जो सच्चे मधु से जला हुआ

कब रोता है चिल्लाता है

जो बीत गई सो बात गई



— हरिवंशराय बच्चन

 
This is one of the most inspirational poems that I have read till date. And the effect is that whenever I am low or if things are not well, a positive thought among those 999 negative thoughts appears saying that Chhod naa yaar...ho gaya. Tu kya kar sakta hai. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. This is the underlying thought of this poem. What a masterpiece.
 
I have an additional point to make. Life always goes on. And definitely nothing can stop this. Even when something very precious or someone extremely dear and special slips/goes away. Life does not stop. It has to go on. However the meaning, the emotions, thoughts everything changes. In a way it is redefined. Life is life, you have to live and it will remain wonderful and beautiful. However it would have been much more meaningful, wonderful and beautiful if you (that thing/person) were there with me. I am helpless. I wish.
 
We, the human beings,  only havedivided our lives in to years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds. And we have become slaves of this classification of our life. No doubt it organises our lives. Like school 12 years, then college 3-5 years, duration of a lecture 1 hr, exams 3 hrs, etc. But it makes the fun and pleasures we derive very limited. Some phases of our lives are such that we want to live forever. Somethings in our lifes are such that we want to do forever. Some relationships/persons are such that you want to be with/have them forever. But due to the web created by us only everything comes with limited life. It seems that everything has an expiry date including our lives. And till the time we start loving something/someone and life becomes colourful, there starts decolourisation. I am a hardcore pessimist, but at times it appears to me as if there are more sorrows in life than happiness. But then these sorrows only determine the measure of your pleasure you get from good times. This is just a thought which passed through my mind.
 
I got my eye check up done. I was seriously worried about it. But I am happy that my vision is 6/6 and everything is fine. Only a bit of dryness in my eyes as some pores are blocked. My vision got blurred for 4 hours after they put some drops (technically known as dialation) for doing routine check up.
 
And i think i should sleep now. A lot of work has piled up as I have been unfocussed and lazy for past few days. I must finish everything by this weekend. I promise you and to myself that I will try my best. May liverpool and rajasthan royals both do well next season.  Things arent going the right way but surprisingly the 13th day of both march and april were good for me.
 
I am dozing off now. Life would be so much meaningful, wonderful and beautiful if you were there with me. I am helpless. I wish.

United we stand !!!

Surprises, Dreams and Conspiracies

When I was in fourth year of law, I once had a thought that I would never be able to visit the Supreme Court of India. Reasons were very obvious since I had started interning in corporate law firms. As a law student I had a strong desire to visit the place where the top guns exist. It was my like my dream which I thought was never going to be fulfilled once I was recruited by a law firm in Mumbai. But such is unpredictability of life. It is true that when you honestly believe and know what you want, the whole world conspires for you to achieve it. Trust me. In on of the writ petitions pertaining to certain premises in Mumbai, an SLP was filed in the apex court. All this happened when I attempted a visit to Bhopal give a surprise (a happy and pleasant surprise). But I realized that happiness or pleasantness of a surprise is never determined or judged by you. It is always determined by the person you are going to surprise. And your doings, your behavior and the person inside you is reflected in such determination. Good lesson indeed and no complaints or grievances whatsoever.

Anyways hopping back to the topic, I got instructions to go to Delhi on March 29, 2010 for attending the listed mentioning (a technical term which you may ask me) of the SLP. And I got further excited when I was told that we were going to retain Mr. Harish Salve for the matter. I made the travel arrangements and decided to stay with friends at Lajpat Nagar as I did not want our poor client to shell out extra money for my stay in a five star hotel. A lawyer needs to have qualities of empathy and sympathy towards his clients. Taken aback, plundered and absorbed by complex sentiments, I landed in Mumbai at mignight and spent next few hours in finishing up the pending work that I had kept way below in my order of priorities and preferences. (Trust me, by default everyone has got this order of priority in their sub-conscious mind). Then I had to wake up early next day early to pack up for delhi. I was desperately waiting for Shrawan as he was supposed to carry my formal black shoes which I had given to him for keeping as I did not have space in my office bag (which was my suitcase). To add further to my miseries, Shrawan told me that he forgot to bring my shoes. No complaints either. You dig your own grave at times I thought and without wasting even one second cribbing about it, I started looking for my old shoes which I had bought during my third year of law. I found them. They had turned brown due to dirt. I started cleaning them and out of guilty poor Shrawan offered me help which I refused to take as I was sulking. While cleaning them, I realized they were badly torn. I told myself, let it be. May be you deserve it. And I wore them and started off my journey. Reached office, forced myself to be intense and focused, collected necessary papers and sent out all important emails and left for the airport. While I was waiting in the lounge, I saw a familiar looking old lady which I thought was my friends’ Nani. I was told that she was in Hong Kong and that’s why I wantedto confirm. Suddenly without realizing that I was barred and disqualified to call her, I dialed the number but instantly realized the next moment and hence cut the call. And I spent the rest of the time wondering if she was her only.

The two hours of my journey were spent in reading papers and preparation to brief my Salve. However after landing in Delhi, I was told that conference was to happen in court only then next day so I was free in the evening. Yadav and cobra picked me up from the port. Yadav bunked his office and Cobra took the day off. And we were driving in roads of Delhi. Reminded me of my old college days when I used to be in Delhi for internships. I really like Bombay. But I love Delhi as much. My parents and my friends are my assets. Nothing much matters to me more than relationships (of course if doesn’t mean I am not sincere and dedicated towards my profession). We had some goodtime at Pebble Street at NFC and had shawarma as well. Then we went to tillu-amar-sameer’s place in Lajpat where we chatted, did all bakchodi and LOLchodi (a new word made by me) and played Lajpat Football Cup in their PS-2. And then went to sleep. This makes me realize that I haven’t slept properly since quite sometime now. I don’t realize when I fall asleep late at night and end up waking up at random hours like 5 am, 6:30 am, etc. Anyways all this isn’t the highlight of this post.

Next day I woke up and got ready in black and whites for my maiden visit to the SCI. Yadav was my guide to the Supre Court. He was making fun of me as to him I looked like a baby bird who is dazed and confused after coming out of its nest to a new world outside. Supreme Court was really like a new world to me. I wore my band and gown, got a pass made and very proudly entered the premises of the SCI with my torn and air conditioned shoes. When I saw the Tricolour over the dome of the CJI`s courtroom, hair over my arms stood up. (I have a similar feeling whenever I sing or hear our national anthem.). I checked the list and our matter was to be placed before CJI at 2:00 pm. I went for the tour of the SCI and outside cafeteria, I found a huge gathering. I was told that a female junior advocate had bashed up a male advocate who was following/teasing/harassing her by calls and msgs since one year. And this was a second such incident in a month. I wondered whether I was really in the Supreme Court or all this happened only because it was the Supreme Court???? But anyways it happened. Then I had vada-sambhar in the canteen. Just imagine, how bad I can be with taste at times. Then I met a few alumni in the SCI premises. It good to see all of them. Then I was called in the consultation room to brief my Harish Salve. And to my surprise I saw the Appellant (we were for one of the respondents) standing outside Mr. Salve’s chamber. It was funny that both the sides were about the brief the same counsel. I whispered and told our advocate on record that it was the appellant. Later it was confirmed that Mr. Salve was going to take our brief only as we had approached him days before the other side. And Mr. Appellant panicked. I saw him running here and there, yelling at his lawyers and talking continuously on phone. In the meantime, Mr. Salve had his lunch and called us in his chamber. I and our delhi advocates, three of us entered the room and there was he. The face and voice as I had imagined. And I sat right opposite facing him. Our delhi advocates started to brief and I took over. Sometimes I wonder how simple everything is for these senior advocates. He patiently listed to us and then told us what he was going to do. We did not question his knowledge, experience and credibility. And in about 10-15 minutes, the conference was over. And I rushed towards the CJIs courtroom. And after making so much efforts in the mad crowd of lawyers, I was able to be in such a position that I could listen to what he and judges were saying. He got a favourable order for us. He is expensive. But then he is the best counsel as well. It was very well put up by Sarvesh sir that for such fees, you are not only getting the best counsel, then other side is not getting the best counsel. Next date is April 19, 2010. I hope I get to go again. We have developed this case very well and it will be good to see the good outcome. At 3 pm (in the skin burning heat) I went back to Lajpat Nagar where Cobra was waiting for me. I had to meet our advocates in def col. So we went and after the meeting, me and cobra went for a drink. Cobra had a tandoori duck while I had a mushroom dish. And we were discussing life……Soon it was time and I prepared to leave for airport. Yadav, sandy and cobra dropped me back. The flight took extra long hours due to severe congestion in Mumbai airport. And I reached back home in the mig-night. That’s how yet another dream of mine got fulfilled.. One must see many dreams. And should keep on fulfilling them one after the other. Life is uncertain. It keeps on pulling out new rabbits out of its hat everytime. But if you honestly believe and know what you want, the whole world will really conspire for you.

Motorbiking in Mumbai !!!

Being a lawyer, you have to be very careful with words you use. Hence I am using the word "motorbiking" to put in the picture the real meaning i wish to assign. I apologise for not keeping up the promise of writing about my job in mumbai and about my dream girl. The posts are in pipeline and Im gradually figuring out things, work, policies, principles, ethics, morals, politics, complaints, appraisals, critics and also bitching in the place I am working. And about my dreamgirl - Go n ask any elder relative or uncles n aunties who knew me when i was in korba and bilaspur, about the song i used to sing when i was a small kid. Yeah it was DREAMGIRL -the title song from movie Dream Girl starring dharmendra and hema malini. And coincidently dharmendra got married to his dream girl in real life in the year 1979 which is two years after that movie was released. Unfortunately my dream girl is either not aware how madly im in love with her, or she does not even notice, or she notices and ignores because she does not like me at all, or she doest not want to love me, or she does not have time to love me or she loves someone else, or any other reason that she only is aware of. Or may be my dearest lord ganesha would convey y my love and wishes to her and convince her to come and find me. Okay i know it is getting a bit what you call FILMY and i can go on writing about her. So my love, like my understanding of the place i am working, too appears to be in the pipeline and it has to be figured or dealth with somehow. I am hopelessly optimistic and insanely in love. And I have realised that I am deviating away from the topic. Here I come back:

Motorbike (hereinafter referred to as "Bike") (defining words is an aspect of legal drafting) is the best means of conveyance in a city like Mumbai fro distances upto 10-12 kms. Reasons being:

1. You avoid the mad sweating, smelling, pushing and unpredictable crowd in local trains and buses in mumbai;

2. Your parents are not paranoid coz any bomb may blast any time in any train in mumbai (though i believe that it can happen anywhere in India these days);

3. Bikes are much more fuel efficient thatn car or buses and hence save money as well;

4. Bikes cause less pollution;

5. Going by bike saves alot of time as bikes are like rats which can cruise through smallest voids left between so many cars. Even in traffic jams;

6. One who enjoys riding bikes get to do atleast one thing that he likes after being employed;

7. Bikes are easy to park and even parking charges are less;

8. Bikes do not take much space in roads as cars and buses do; etc.

There can be so many other reasons which I am now lazy to think about. I think aforesaid reasons are sufficient enough to show my intent. And yeah it is needless to say that one who is riding a bike in mumbai should be the one who is not bothered about the luxury of a having a car with air conditioner and music system and yeah a driver as well as traffic here is killing. And Id rather prefer to catch on my pending sleep rather than sitting at driver`s seat and cursing everyone. And yeah it goes without saying that he should have the traffic sense and skills of riding in voids, narrow lanes and even on the foothpath if required. Yes in Mumbai, it is required at times.

Today almost 22 months of my stay in Mumbai are over. Having been interned in Mumbai I was pretty much aware of traffic in Mumbai and since we decided to stay in Wadala which is about 10 kms away from my office (not very far from Mumbai standards), I decided to get my bike here. I still remember the day I went to pick my bike from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus station godown. I was happy to see that my bike was in one piece and good condition as well. I had tried remembering the route by the number of flyovers and advertisement hoardings (though i maintain that my direction sense is absolutely fantastic). And which coming back, the string of my hawai chappal broke while it had started raining and i rode back barefoot. Yadavji was there with me when all this happened. What memories!!! Thats the story about how my bike entered tinsel town. And thanks to Varun, who had come here for a week for helping us (the freshers in this monster town), for going to RTO office and finding out all the formalities and paying the octroi which was required for running my bike on road here. However still i have not still not paid the required road taxes and charges required for the fresh registration. This is precisely because an agent at the RTO office suggested me to purchase a new bike rather than getting my bike registered all over again. And that time i decided that id rather prefer to pay bribe of 50 bucks than paying 8k to 10 k for fresh registration (though traffic police h never caught me for this and i have never paid even one penny of bribe in Mumbai for any reason whatsoever). I am sorry but this system of fresh registration sucks. I believe that today we have technology and the process for registration and charges for registration throughout India should be common and same.

Now I think I should get over the procedural part and come back to the substance about riding the motorbike. Well I must confess that riding a bike in Mumbai is very challenging in Mumbai (specially during peak hours). All the space in roads is occupied by BEST buses and cars who keeping on blowing horns all the time. I fail to understand how blowing horns help during bumber to bumper traffic and jams in Mumbai? It only increases pressure and tension. But still most of us (Indians) have this habit of blowing horns unnecessarily. Anyways certain things about Indians cant change (coz it will take out the Indian flavour from it) so no point discussing it. Rather we should accept it. In my views it is not at all advisable to ride bike in right in the middle of the road and the chances of getting sandwiched between four wheelers are quite high. So one should trying riding in leftmost lanes as there is adequate space for bikes to pass smoothly. And please beware of pan, guthka and chewing gum spitting passengers when you are overtaking BEST buses. Try sneaking as fast as possible. And it is suggestible to always wear a jacket as it would save you clothes from picking up dirt and also save you from bruises if case your bike skids. Chance of your bike skidding are higher coz of cement and concrete roads. So you should not ride it very fast as well. Helmet is a must and you shouldn’t lose your patience just coz you are missing a deadline in office. You lose lifeline just once.

MFKP and Rishi always ask me to avoid commuting by bike as much as possible. Almost one year back, the rear tyre of my bike got punctured while i was riding the bike and I badly skidded in the middle of the road. Fortunately there was a red signal just behind the spot and all vehicles had stopped. I got some bruises, sprains and also my Espirit watch which was gifted to me by someone on my 23rd birthday.Though it wasn’t my mistake but you aren’t so fortunate always. And the BEST buses in Mumbai stop for no one. Not even for passengers. And despite of that incident, I have continued to commute by bike (though Im much more careful). Its only rainy season in Mumbai (like the period of hibernation for me) when I do not touch my bike.

Now since I can manage to buy a bike on my own, I wish to buy the new enfield classis 500 cc bullet. There are serious objections from my parents who are emphasizing on buying a hatchback car. Even from friends side, opinions are 50-50. But most of the times, I do whatever I feel like doing and chose only what I like. So please do not be surprised if you get to know that I have bought new enfield classic 150. You guys may suggest me a colour though. Its available in grey, black, red and silver. And I prefer Black.

Nightmare and its repercussions - Part-2

Yet another dream of arranged marriage tonight. This time the girl was very beautiful and still after saying yes before, I retracted and said no. This time i was being offered a lot of bribe (dowry) for marrying the girl. And I woke up........

And again a bad start to my day. I started late from home thinking that Il rush on my bike today only for finding that there was no petrol in bike (I will speak with shrawan about this in the evening). Then I took a cab and as expected there was a huge traffic and i ended up reaching office at 11 for fining out that MFKP (ask me if you want to know who MFKP is) was furious over certain issue to which i also was a party and he was looking for me. However gradually things got better and it has been a decent day so far.

There are two posts pending ! One about my job im currently doing and other one is about the dreamgirl. Coming soon...........

Another Dream !!

I had yet another dream today. I was travelling in a train with some familiar looking old man who I do not know in my real life. I was carrying a brand new leather carry bad gifted by my father to me. And I put it in a seat. And just like the way I am (extremely careless about my things and my own belongings and I am very committed and careful when someone is depending on me), I forgot my bag in some temporary seat where I was sitting and lost it. The old man seemed to be very resourceful and tried helping me and before I could find my bag, I got up.

I am still trying to figure out if seeing a dream means that you have had a sound sleep. Anyways I was not feeling so fresh today after I got up and slept in the taxi while going to office and it took very long due to traffice. Plus its geting more hot and humid everyday here. And it was comparatively a lighter day in the office. I am also recording my dreams in this blog because this blog is also like my diray where you write your mind. So stuff in my blog is as raw as it comes out of mind without thinking over it, processing and also without any prejudice. I wish I could know the interpretation of dreams !!!