TGIF!!!

Dear Blog

For the first time, I know what this means... in its true sense :)

The first week where I actually worked - cracked my heads over subjective issues... Now I feel tired - more like exhausted!!! Though my job included a lot of pondering over things and not actually working, it was tiring. Now that it is 5 pm, I'm desperately waiting for the clock to turn faster. I'm waiting for the remaining 30 mins to pass quickly.

Not like I have the weekend completely planned. I do plan to meet up people (some of them after planning but being unable to last week). I do plan to see more of Bombay and use my new monthly train pass to the maximum. I do plan to relax a while too...

For the first time, I'm so looking forward to the weekend and can sigh and say aloud - Thank Goodness Its Friday!!!

On the Back of a taxi -

Dear Fellow Citizens!
The Country Looks up to you again...
Perform your duty... Think and Vote!

A mind-numbing experience...

Dear Blog,

I was returning from work. Yet another normal day at office it was... I got down from the bus and saw a juice shop. It was a hot and sultry evening and decided one glass would do me good and ordered one large glass for me. Just then, a beggar boy came there - almost crying - said aloud – भैया दो रुपये दे दो. भूख लगी है. The shopkeeper, sensing my discomfort shooed the guy away (not the PC way). The boy went away but he didn’t go from my mind. There was something in his eyes that held me.

Now I have heard a lot about the beggary nexus of Mumbai and how kids are tortured to begging and how the beggars network to make money! Something struck me. The boy – barely 10 – roamed the streets the whole day barefoot and asked for Rs.2 from me. Accepted he didn’t give me any direct service or product but that didn’t mean he wasn’t tired – that he didn’t need food – that he dint wish it was him who was having the cool juice. He worked the afternoon – probably more than me and asked for Rs.2 in return. I do not like to support beggary – but that’s because I’ve been asked not to and this was one area where I somehow never questioned the orders – an area where the rebel Puneet did accept. But now I questioned it... The beggar had already moved on. I too did...

But not for long... I reached my room and switched on the IPL – The Kings were losing yet again – but my mind was far from pretty Preity. I just couldn’t get the boy out of my head and decided I needed more info. I walked back to the juice shop – the guy was there asking another guy for Rs. 2. I asked the boy what he would do with the money – he said he’d buy a vadapav for food. The shopkeeper suggested I forget the matter in his typical mumbaiah – “इन सबको भाव नहीं देने का” accent... I decided I wasn’t gonna give him money but I could also not leave him. I retraced a few steps and found my regular bananawala there. Bought 3 of them for Rs.5 (I only had Rs. 10 change and I had other plans for the Rs 5). I went into the shop just behind – the shopkeeper knew what I was doing – he uttered some profanities against the street urchins but I was not listening today. I asked the shop what he’d give for Rs.5. He gave me a Vadapav. I went back to the juice shop - the boy was still there. I gave him the bananas and the Vadapav. The Juicewala and the boy, both looked at me in surprise and probably even suspicion but I guess the boy was really hungry. He took the first banana and ate it off in a blink. Next took the vadapav and thanking me, ate that too. I do not know if he needed that vadapav despite his “network” but for me, it was the vadapav that told me that the boy (and others of his kind) do desire – unfulfilled but earthly desires – those which we take for granted – those we ridicule – those that form the very basis of their livelihood and what we call “nutrition”. For them, its plain and simple - "Survival".

I know its better to teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish - but what does he fish for!!! In a world full of fishermen waiting in the lines, who will allow him to fish???

PP

Torangallu to Bombay

Dear Blog

Its been a long time coming... Not due to nothing happening but due unavailability of the net... Oh how inaccessibility can paralyse u!!! Anyways, it hasn’t stopped me from writing and i shall post what I’ve written on sheets.

I travelled from my place to the city of dreams – Bombay in train. Luckily for my habit of reaching the station well in time, I was able to catch the train despite some misinformation on the train timings (it had been preponed by 15 mins). Another ominous sign followed – Laptop charger!!! When things start to go wrong they really do. As can be expected, this wasn’t gonna be the last of my worries. I had a general ticket but the general bogie was really crowded. I, with my elephantine luggage could not get on, forget travelling. I got into a sleeper coach and had a “verbal go ahead” from the TTE (He did agree but not before pocketing a Rs. 50/- note, which I willingly gave). Then again, as always, there is that old unaccommodating old woman who just wouldn’t let you stand though you are in no way obstructing her. Thankfully, I reached Guntakal without any further hassles. A daunting realisation hit me as I descended on the crowded platform – I had to pass more than 3 hrs on that dead platform. This is where the things turned for the better. Thankfully (really can’t the author enough). I had the “Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Read the whole book in those three hrs and boarded the train to Bombay after a lone quiet dinner.

My copassengers included a professor, two IT engineers one PhD and two ladies who really had seen India. Now those who know me, will know how enjoyable my journey must have been. From current economic scenario to Laloo to travelling through India, we talked about anything and everything under the sun.

I reached Bombay and was brought to the well furnished room that I’m currently staying in. Hoping this good time continues into my days that will be my first ever paid assignment.

PP