I sometimes wish that I was born somewhere out of India. Not because I don’t love my country but precisely because I love it. Yes! I want to go away from my country because I love it; rather I should say that I want to love it. I mean I do love my country but I don’t think I love it as much as it, rightly, deserves to be.
Let me put it this way- I saw this show about a traveler’s journey through India. And the way that traveler described the simple things here made me feel like a total stranger in my ‘own’ country. ‘My Own’ of which I know so little. Suddenly my home felt more like a house. And this transition was anything but pleasant.
Its like when you are a stranger in a land everything is so new to you. Even those petty things which are we are used to back at home seem new. You want to explore everything you can. You wanna see it all, feel it all, experience it all, taste it all and imbibe it all, if you can. You don’t want to change it, you accept it as it is and appreciate it for what it is.
But when it’s ‘your’ place then you take things for granted. Like “this is how it always has been. So what’s the buzz about it?” But then I’ve seen tourists go “ooh!” and “aah!” with amazement looking at the number of people sitting (actually mostly standing) in a bus. And some have also asked the question that “How the h*** did they all fit in?”
But we did- SOMEHOW.
Now this would be of No interest to a native Indian because this is something we all are accustomed to this. So there is no point in being excited over the ‘mathematically challenging’ number of passengers.
Similarly, the texture our metropolitan cities have is no less than a conundrum for these people.
Skyscrapers and slums co-exist,
Chopsticks and papad co-exist,
Growing GCD and illiteracy co-exist.
And this is nothing but a miracle for that stranger, but NOT for us, because this is the way it’s always been so in al possibility this is the way for it.
Most of us head for some or the other hill station to beat the heat. And every time we see the mountains we go ‘Whoa!’
So why doesn’t the fact that Hindus alone have some 33 crore gods and goddesses has the same ‘Whoa!’ effect?
Our country deserves and needs that much-awaited attention from its COUNTRYMEN, as well.
So if I can give my land that attention it deserves then I don’t mind having to stay away from it. Only to come back with an eye of an explorer!
Its dangerous for a gal like me to be left alone with her thoughts; for I afraid my thoughts. I’m afraid of what I might just discover about myself.
So I’d rather escape this dreadful state and take a refuge in books or internet surfing or writing or music or anything to divert my self. But then the kind of books I read and a few songs that I ‘relate’ to, again, push me towards that void. And that void is a horrible state to be in. its like purgatory where you’re nowhere near any haven. Everything that I have holds no meaning; all that I’m lacking comes to me…
I’m afraid of what I might recall; something about me, my past, my friends… be it anything they always sap my energy and my spirit. All those things, that I’ve taught myself to live without, suddenly surface. You feel weak and vulnerable and, sometimes even, worthless. As if something is dragging you towards that gloomy and appalling corner; and haunting you for something that you have no idea about. I can’t really explain what it exactly feels like.
All I know is that I fear my own thoughts and I fear this Void...
(I’ve tried explaining it but I couldn’t. You’ll only understand it if you go through it… and I don’t want that for anybody. And if you’ve already been through it, then just know that you aren’t alone)
author:- joy.
Just thought it was too good to read and realise... :)
While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked up stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times; not realizing he was using a wrench.
At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.
When the child saw his father.....with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?' The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.
Devastated by his own actions......sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.
The next day that man committed suicide. . .
Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life..... Things are to be used and people are to be loved,
But the problem in today's world is that, People are used and things are loved... During this year, let's be careful to keep this thought in mind:
Things are to be used, but People are to be loved ... Be yourself....This is the only day we HAVE.
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits they become character; Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL
It was a boring day so like any other youngster I decided to ‘invest’ my time in a not so constructive activity, rather than ‘wasting’ my time in any thing constructive.
So the CD player was staring at me with his ‘button-like eyes; he was pleading me to play something on it. So I decided to consider his plea, and was searching for something familiar among all those CDs. After wasting my ‘precious’ 15 minutes from my idle time I finally picked up a CD and played it. The first song was some lame remix, which I somehow tolerated. Then the next few songs were ‘the sad songs’ ranging from ‘Quit playing games with my heart’ to some sad songs from some Imraan Hashmi flick and something just clicked…
Why is it that all of us easily ‘identify’ with these sad songs? Everything that has to do with break-ups or related to it easily finds a soft corner or rather hits the soft corner already there.
Okay, we all sulk for everything and everyone we’ve lost- fair enough! But then why don’t the songs with all those happy and up-lifting lyrics have the same long-lasting effect? It’s as if the sad songs are like Rexona; with the whole ‘long-lasting’ effect.
You must have noticed a similar trait in all married women, that whenever they are at a wedding they’ll start crying when the Doli goes- flash back or whenever there is a song from the family of “Babul ki duaayein…” or something similar. All you need to do is mention the topic and nostalgia takes over them and tears start rolling down their cheeks. Why can’t they be happy for the ‘new bride’? Why is it that the first thing they recall here is the ‘separation’ from their family? Yaar honeymoon was also the part of the deal, so why doesn’t that click with them???
And don’t we ‘connect’ with those people who all happen to share the same ‘sad story’ as ours!
So my readers, the question that I’m raising here is WHY?
Don’t tell me that you were hoping for an answer to this question
FYI readers! This post was certainly not meant to define the root cause of this highly subjective issue
( Holy cow! That sound like a legal and official sort of declaration. Whatever, I like it. Lol)
I don’t know the answer. If I knew it then I would have revolved the whole post around it.
Please do share your opinion along with the Kudos!!!
‘Angel’ is, generally, somebody thought to be dressed in white with a halo and wings. Looking all angelic (what else?) but things and age-old beliefs are getting improvised [just a euphemistic way if saying wilder, wackier and freakier]. Hey! It’s the 21st century what the hell do you expect!
So moving on the same lines ‘my angel’ arrived here on 29th. He came dressed in a shirt, a GAS’ denims, PUMA’s belt, Ray Ban’s shades and Tommy’s slippers [well, they were fake]. Oh! Though the shirt was white & not to mention ‘wrinkle free’ [the perfect blend of Tradition and Modernization na] and he came down to Delhi just to see me [this part is to make me feel good, I know he won’t mind].
He came had some water, cribbed about the weather, lit a cigarette and was all set to pay his attention to me [just what I wanted]. I always wanted to spend a day, just one day, where someone would care for me; without me asking to do so. The hour or two I spent with him were more or less the same.
He hugged me like his pillow.
He listened to all that I had to say. Things were popping in my head and I was saying exactly the same without thinking even once, without worrying about what he might think. He listened to my non-stop chatter with the…
Zest of a 5-year-old,
Curiosity of a new intern,
Amazement of a virgin,
And patience of a salesman.
I made fun of him, but he still loved me.
I taunted him, but he still loved me.
I kicked his butt, but he still loved me…
He kissed my forehead and went back to where he came from.
This angel had no wings, no halo; but his smile made up for all that...
Now this has nothing to do with oxymoron. It simply has to do with ‘Parting’ [not partying], the ‘Sorrow’ that is ‘Sweet’.
First a little introduction, so the idea isn’t completely mine, its Prasoon aka Ashu’s brainchild. But the credit is all mine because I am writing it
.
Let’s cut the crap, it’s just that I too have felt this ‘sweet sorrow’. Like many others I too have been up, close and personal with this particular emotion.
Be it regarding our friends or our loves, all of us have felt this intense pinch within ourselves every time we were made to let go off something that meant the world to us.
Be it your favorite toy, your old ragged pair of denims or your favorite adda… It may be the most practical & rational thing to do, but all the reasons given to justify the loss seem totally impractical, irrational, wrong, baseless and eerie. But then you had to let go off that thing, no matter how hard you protest but sometimes you just have to surrender. And now when you look back you miss those things and all you do is smile thinking of those moments, those happy moments.
Isn’t it strange that when you are forced to leave a part of your life you feel overwhelmed by grief, but when you look back all you remember is the delight that you’ve shared. If you ever come across your ex after a long time why do you feel awkward? Isn’t it because of what you two shared once, can’t you see that his/her eyes still reflect that [it may not be that intense but it still says something]. And that feeling is beautiful.
Now the flip side, all those friends [read false friends], whom you parted ways with, who bitched behind your back. All those who back stabbed you and went for the guy/gal you’ve been meaning to ask out for quite sometime. And that ‘love of life’ that turned out to be nothing more than a gold-digger.
So why am I making you recall all these instances, you’d ask!
I know you cribbed and cried like hell at first, so did I, we all do so… but then you soon realize that whatever happened, happened for good. You are better off without those ‘friends’ and if you’d notice then you’ll find all those who really care for you.
And now try and imagine this- a picture perfect life. Those who’ve never faced any hardships in their entire life. They have the same group of friends since their first day at the playground. And have been dating the same guy who they’d fancied since the same day at the playground- sounds a Fairy tale?? Simple, sober, sweet… just fell short of describing the Bright side of it. Because for me it is rather dull, slow, monotonous, too safe, unadventurous, boring, lacking fun and color…
I mean just recall the silliest thing you’ve done, like going out on a date with the ‘Bad boy’ of the area or the ’Blonde’ and then how your friends rescued you from the ‘Lets talk about me’ date. These are the decisions generally taken either on impulse or when you are high on adrenalin. Whereas, these people never got a chance to go wild or silly, they never came across any new or interesting character, and above that these people could never know what fun is it in dressing up (or down) for a date [lol]
So a risk-free life doesn’t really spells out the recipe for a good life. So enjoy your break up’s, get all the sympathy you want (lol). So don’t feel bad, it’s just a part of the game. Just to make you a lil more mature and sensible. And if even this doesn’t pacifies you then just merry in the fact that a lot of people feel the same way and its time to move on [this part is NOT sponsored by Fast track]
cTraveling generally refer to visiting new places, learning about new cultures, experiencing new cuisines, enjoying a new sunset at every place you travel to and (most importantly) shell out those moolah- Shopping.
And FYI! I do all these things! So what’s the big deal right? Well, I do all this without stepping a single foot out of the boundaries of Delhi. Oh yeah! I can do that, so can you. Lemme tell you how…
So what makes a place new? Something is new when you haven’t seen, heard, or felt that before. And the same place can also feel new without changing it. I can prove that- now tell me why does those restaurant, you visit every weekend, ‘feels new’ when you are on a date in there? Why?
Why and how can an old cozy place make you nervous when you are on a date? Why?
[I know the fact must’ve dawned on you just now. I am just too good]
The answer is simple; you know it- because you are on a date. I mean you are with someone ‘new’ and the presence of that someone ‘new’ makes the whole ambience look, feel and seem ‘new’!
Hence Proved!!!
So when I say that I too travel what I actually wanna say is that I too get to see the new places (as proved).
I get to learn about new cultures too- be it from my friends, Internet, books. So whenever you try to explain something particular you always have that scene in rolling in your mind and you try to create a life-like image in front of your listeners. Similarly, when you are reading something your mind is constantly on the move, it tries to picture every word that you read. Whenever you read any description your mind tries to bring those words to life. So you again get to see the new place and learn a lot.
Experience new uisine- would you go all the way to Italy to have a slice of pizza, not unless you are a billionaire. Above all that when you’ve got the best chefs at your respective places, the mummy. All you need is her and a cookbook. Else analyze your social circle and you’ll find people from different backgrounds who can offer you the ‘authentic’ meal – it’ll bring joy to both of you.
Now the shopping- I don’t think I need to explain this.
And now the sunsets- well, the sunsets feels different according to your company. Its holds a different meaning when you are alone and is completely different when you are held by someone. It looks happy the day you heard ‘Yes’ from your love and looks sad when you broke up...
See you don’t really have to travel to see, hear, learn and feel new things. Just be a little more observant to the small things around you and you’ll know what I’ve been trying to say all this while.
So I am a traveler and so are you…