Sunday, August 9, 2009

Me And Lucky You

“I and you have got a lot in common
We share all the same problems
Luck, Love and life aren’t on our side
I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time
Always the last one in a long line
Waiting for something which may turn out to be right”

How many times we feel like being the unluckiest person on this planet. How many times you feel like saying "God!! Why always me".. why does it starts raining whenever I forget to wear the raincoat? Why the system goes down the time I reach to the counter? Why the bus comes early when I am on time and comes late when I am early? Why do they change the question pattern when I am giving the exam, why don't I have a girl friend when everyone else has? Why India loses the match whenever I am watching it? Why the left side traffic starts moving when I am on the right and vice versa? Why does the lift goes up when I am about to press it?
Have you been in any of these situations in your life, I am sure you have and I too am not the exception? These things have haunted me from long time to an extent that I felt like if God was going to drop 90 diamonds for 100 people on earth, I will be amongst those 10 who won’t be getting it.

Sometimes these comes in form of embarrassments also, there have been couples of instances in my life where I have liked someone and they have come back saying that we are just friends while the whole world around including me thought it's more than a friendship. You should have learnt the lesson at the first place, one can't be wrong twice, but again it's just me.
There is another form of embarrassment which comes as disguise in blessing. One such case happened when I was working with my previous company, my H1 US visa was filed from my project which was considered only lucky few got. This coincided with my appraisal and I was told that, since I will be getting the ticket to Hollywood (I mean USA), so I need to compromise with my promotion.

It didn't mean much to me as I dreamt of travelling abroad as many of us do. Then something happened which hadn't happen in history of H1 visa, all 65K quota got filled in a day, the US consulate received record 150K applications on very first day. I had less than 50% chance of getting it (not mentioning it as more than 50% chance of not getting it, a B+ve look, you can say half glass filed rather than half empty approach). Anyway our project managed to get 7 out of 10 applied visas, the best success ratio as compared to all other projects in the company. But then I was among those remaining three, remember 90 diamonds mentioned above. Now I was neither with promotion nor having visa. It looked like a game plan, someone didn't want me to get either, and someone above was really not happy with me. Although many of my friends from different projects managed to get it and those who didn't, went to other parts of world (The lucky you class) and I was still here, but again it's just me. I then called it a quit and decided to move on (shifted the company).

That was once such events from list of many, friends used to relate me from character of Saif in movie "Dil Chahta Hai", the guy whose life is too messed up and always lands up in trouble, a guy out of luck. One whose outcome of acts turned out to be quite funny.. remember that Christen character in Goa scene? :-) except that always yelling and dominating girlfriend. That was a torture, isn’t it?

Whatever it is, life has its own way of paying to your deeds, many a times I have desperately been looking for something, but got something else at that place although this didn’t please me as I was too engrossed in getting the thing I had wanted, but nevertheless, my journey till now has some unforgettable moments in it and wish it continues to be so in future also.

Sometime back I had watched a movie called "Just my Luck”, it’s about a girl who is always lucky and has an extremely fortunate life and a boy on the contrary who is followed by bad luck wherever he goes. Then comes that one kiss and the world changes as the lucks are interchanged.
Can one such thing happen in my life?? Still searching for that lucky charm

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Here Comes The Rain !!!!

Falling on my head like memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind
I want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you"


Lots more has been written about rain or monsoon which is how it is known in most part of India. It has different meaning for different people, for some it's relief from heat, for some it's the ray of hope, for some it's chaos, long traffic jams and potholes, for some it's memories of those moments spent with their loved ones, for some it's just a enjoyable walk.
The rain droplets when combine with sun rays, shines like tiny crystal droplets producing one of the most amazing thing to watch. Soft pitter patter all around while producing a unique chorus when dropping out from the green lush plants leaves and finally striking the ground like the sound of birds flapping their wings. That sweet, pungent and subtle smell in the air as the soil moistens and the magical feeling of breathing in the rich fresh air is mind blogging.
Enjoying the hot tea and wada pav in streets of Pune when rain pours from all corners of Tapari and people try to cover themselves to the extended plastic shelter is relished by almost everyone. Sometimes you even feel like coming out of it gracefully and enjoy a sip with rainy nature.

But for farmers it's more than a fortune which sets a jubilant mood as they have been eagerly waiting for it. The temperatures soaring down and those dark clusters of clouds with buzzing sound of thunderstorms send a soothing cool breeze of hope all across their community. When the city dwellers rush to their apartments for rescue, farmer raises his hands to the heavens to thank God for finally listening to his grief and being benevolent. Like a new borne seeking its mother’s bosom to feed it for survival and provide enough strength to carry on.

As a Kid, I had felt it approaching with soft steps while trying not to make any noise sometimes suddenly coming out of dark cloud and then disappearing as if playing hide n seeks with me.
Monsoon brings child out of everyone. During my school days I used to wait for rain to pour in and enjoyed running completely drenched from head to toe . If you are a soccer fan, there can be nothing more pleasing than playing it in this period of time. Those deliberate sliding and falling down on the playground and the mud clashes are hard to forget.

For lovers this season is blessing in disguise. When others look to cover themselves, these free birds walk in rain holding each other's hand together while feeling their warmth and touch.
CCD (Coffee cafe day) is one of the busiest places filled with couples like these. Love blossom in this season and this romance is soon engraved as one of the most memorable moments in their life.
I was not a writer till now, but it did brings a poet hidden out of me. I don't know how many such things we guys develop just to impress our lady love.
Anyway at times I have been stupid also, I can still remember those days standing in front of her window saying Sorry while it rain cats and dogs just to let her know how much I loved her. It used to be a cute and romantic act for her although sometimes I had been on antibiotics after that.
I find rain the best way to connect to the nature. I am in resonance with God through the Mother Nature. I often go beyond into the country side to enjoy the green meadows and sun playing with the clouds to really cherish the delights of this season. I have always loved driving in the rain be it with someone special or alone. Over the years I have embraced it as a true lover. Those tick lings as if playing with my nerve and the severing sensation while rolling over my skin like a passionate lover.
I live my childhood when I see those kids playing out in rain. I feel blessed when walking in rain and when riding on my bike, I fly...

These are some moments which I haven't just lived, but also cherished from ages.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Cricket- Is this the Identity of India??


There was a time when I used to watch cricket as if ever thing of mine was at stake. I can still remember the loss which we suffered in 1996 world cup against Sri Lanka to an extent that I remorse for it, forgetting that I had my board exams the next day or be it the famous 2004 defeat by Aussies for which I painted my face and cap with tricolor and brought whistles specially for the Finale...

This kind of feeling national/emotional whatever you say continued for years to come and we kept on feeling bad for those humiliating defeats and then long analysis of the loss like India should have done this or that, they should have dropped him or included him, should not have given bowling to him at this critical junction. Everyone had his own explanation on why we lost (a feel like the nation has lost some kind of war). everyone was so seriously and sincerely involved in it, that it looked Cricket is the only identity and future of India and Indians at large and the pride was now lost.

Things have now changed, I do not try to get emotionally or nationally involved, though I still watch these with same enthusiasm as I used to in the past (as a proof I watched all ICC T20 matches of India which we all lost till end), but then also managed to have a sound sleep.
Perhaps I have grown up in this sense now; I no longer take it as a matter of national emergency or the only identity/pride of India. I take it as a SPORT now, yes as a SPORT where you win some and lose some. Why we lost and what should have been done let's leave it to Captain/Players/BCCI, they have been playing and running this for years, it's their job, they are not answerable to us as they are not elected or selected by public vote. But this still affects our life, I do not know how? each and every word of them is blown in the media. I wonder if this is how it happens in other cases where the captain has to answer on media/press. I wonder if same was done when we had Mumbai episode where our PM has a press conference and then the Media asking all short of questions and PM replying it. I didn't see it happening on TV.

I know this might disappoint some of Crickets lovers, but let them know that, I am also a big fan of Cricket, but let's watch it as a SPORT and forget about who to be included, who had injuries, who should play, who shouldn't. Let's enjoy it as an entertainment when we WIN and forget it as a bad movie as we lose it, but do not forget to have popcorn while watching it.