SUMMER CALLING!!

Cold days have almost bid farewell to us and things are really starting to get heated up. If you ask me the best nights are summer nights. Why? I don’t know maybe they have a real cozy feeling about them. These were the thoughts that started to trickle in my mind while I was sitting on the lawn of my college.
I never really understood why people never sat on them. They are not that bad. There was a strong breeze of warm air a little higher from the green mate and a cold and addictive soft wind near to the green grass surface and as I starred towards the college building from a place I have never seen it, it was mesmerizing.
But it felt different. The type of feeling you get when you know things are moving ahead. Just how you feel when you look at the second’s arms of the clock that you are wearing when it’s ticking. Exactly the same feeling is brought about by summer.
For some summer means ice-cream, cold drinks, nimbu pani, exams, vacations, sweat and cooler. Yes its exactly the same thing but if you ask me, this time SUMMER means TRANSITION.
A time when even trees let go of there old leaves. Summer is nature’s way of indication that’s its time to let go of old things and preparing to welcome new and fresh things. That’s why I said summer means transition, when we migrate from old and welcome new.
This how you feel when you are writing on a page and last 4-5 lines is left. Kind of a dilemmatic situation where you don’t want to write further more on that page as you know new page is just a turn away where you can start fresh and neat. On the contrary you don’t want to exit that current page as it hold memories of past. I refer such feeling as SUMMER CALLING!!!
The significance of summer in our life is like the significance of a candle in a dark room. The candle itself is very small as compared to the vast darkness and size of the room.
On the other hand although a candle separately has a very minimal effect but when its taken in a dark room its value surprisingly increases. It eliminates darkness subtlety but effectively where it is taken.
Such is the importance of summer in life cycle of earth.
It enhances the importance of winter and monsoon. A feature no other season is gifted with. Strangely it’s neither as loud and as dramatic as the monsoon nor as demanding and dull as winter.
Summer is subtle. No doubt it’s harsh and strict too but it doesn’t mind when you pray for rain and cold winds in his kingdom.
Summer is hot and magical. You will feel its magic working.
Don’t hate summer! It’s a catalyst for other seasons.
Happy birthday to me!!
feedback and comments are welcome.... it s my birthday so do remember to wish me....

TO THE FATHER OF THE GIRL

Here is a letter that I found a few days back in a carol book at a church. I excluded the names as I don't want the identities to be the highlight of this write-up. It was found in a carol book at a very prestigious church. Hope you all like it.

Hello sir, I am not very habitual with stuffs like this but still m trying. Please ignore the grammatical errors. The intention behind writing this to you is to convey the message. Forgive the messenger if it misses a few ‘p’ and adds some extra ‘t’. Also keep in mind everything written by me was done with full respect and dignity kept in mind.

I know you are the lucky father of the person who is the luckiest to me. It’s not easy to be a father of a girl. I am saying this because even I am going to be a father someday and I sincerely hope that God bless me with a lovely child like your daughter. i may not have the right to comment on your daughter but I would really like to cash-in this opportunity now that in this conversation only two persons are involved one speaking other listening.

I wanted to tell you that you are a proud father of an even prouder girl. It’s not that easy to raise a girl child but I must say you did a splendid job. You love your daughter a lot and you don’t want anything wrong or won’t let anything bad happen to her. That’s why every girl looks up to their father in a very respectful way and I bet you must be the first superhero for her. Maybe greater than GOD who provides and protects her. I can surely say that she has accumulated most of your qualities and those qualities have brought me near to her.

She is very special for me just the way she is special to you. With all due respect I could never be what you are to her. You know your daughter in and out and its true m very new. But from whatever I know her I would never try to hurt her nor do anything without her consent.

Your daughter has changed my life in a very beautiful way. Making me realize that if you want you can influence other people’s life in a very subtle and positive way. There are few short-comings in me but there are few in you, your wife and even in your daughter and one should compliment others imperfection and that’s how things rotate in this universe. I believe imperfection brings uniqueness in a person’s character. I like the imperfections that daughter has. This is an honest truth and I dare not to rectify them because they make her who she is. I am honored to have known a person who is so beautiful at mind, honest at heart and simple in approaches to life. There were many instants I tried to hate your daughter but it couldn’t last for more than few hours. Your daughter is super-amazingly simple and special at the same time.

Just like my mother and father. They brought me up with sacrificing their own happiness and with sweat and tears. From them I learned to love and respect and also to take care of others like they are your own. Something very clearly written in Ramayana and m sure it’s written in bible at more than one instant. The most important pillars of any relationship are love, respect and trust. I love your daughter and it’s divine. But more than that I respect her for who she is because respect takes a higher seat than love and trust in my life where trust is the foundation of everything above. All I am asking is a chance and if you still think m not worth your daughter then you would be right.

The other day I saw you sitting with this carol book and at this very place and I know you always sit here. I sneaked in few times during your Sunday morning just to be sure. How to know if you are that person?

Its simple you are the honored father of the most beautiful looking girl in this entire St. WXYZ church. The girl who is the owner of a very simple golden chain and uses nothing to groom herself because she is beautiful in just the way she is and you know that too.

If you are the father of that blesses child all I am asking is some space in your heart for me.

If you are not – thanks for reading this but please put this letter back from where you took it and keep the carol book where it was or else that old man would never know that he is the luckiest and proudest man in this world to love that girl.

(Hopefully) Yours respectfully

The second most

Lucky guy in the world

That someone....

hello there! Here is one very beautiful creation of one of my very good and close friend KISHORE PATHAK. just colud not resist fro putting this on my blog. hope you guys like it and appreciate it equally.

I was in flight, was going to onsite once again. was very happy plane takes off, n takes me to the sky.
I looked outside the window, nice evening scene, feels like heaven. I just lost myself in that beauty. someone’s voice disturbed me “excuse me sir, would you like to have something?”
I turned back, and was surprise to see my beautiful old schoolmate,
Avanti.
“Hey Avanti, is that you, how come you… wow, you looks still the
same, pretty.. in this Air-hostess suit”
“Pankaj, wo…..w, I can’t believe this is you.. ohh sorry I am on my
job, will talk to you later”
she left smile on my face. I couldn’t believe in my eyes, It reminded
me my school days memories. How crazy I was about her, always followed her after the school,
wrote love letters, but never dared to give one of them. Always
looking at her in the class, from last bench. she was the queen of our class. I fought with 2-3 other guys for her, how stupid I was. I couldn’t stop myself, looking at her again, I was amazed to see that, she became more beautiful then she were at school.
she too looked at me and smile, then she said something to her fellow air-hostess, then they both started smiling. I was clueless that wat happened. her colleague was also damn pretty.
Oh my god, today you fulfil one of my dream.
I thought of going there and having chat with her, but I knew that, it’s her job,
so I stopped myself.
again started looking outside the window. we were above the clouds making an awesome scene outside,
also inside, because of her smile.
I got some courage, and pretended that I am going towards toilet. I looked at her, she understood what I desired. she came toward me and said : “extremely sorry yaar, I couldn’t talk to you much,
so say how are you, where have you been these many years, and what’s
your success story?
for what purpose you are going?”
“hmmm…
I was always there, it was you who left everything after school, I searched you, so many places wherever I could, but no existence of you. then I completed my college, got a job in such a nice company,
I didn’t know, my company will give me this much, still I m going for an onsite job, don’t know when will return back. you know, I got everything in my life except someone, with whom I can actually share my world, my success.
someone…”
I looked straight into her eyes.. those blue eyes, I think she got the answer,
who is that ’someone’ with some pain in her eyes, she said, “sorry got to go, will give you my number”
I again, sat back to my seat, very silent, looking outside, and hoping some answer. it was dark outside by that time, some thunder in cloud, just like inside my heart.
then suddenly, plane started getting hiccups.. everyone got scared..I saw Avanti running towards mic, she made an announcement, that don’t be panic as they are facing a storm outside. but plane started shaking badly, everyone started feeling it’s the last moment of their lives…
I keep on watching Avanti, and she to me…
then something hit my back hard.. and there was a complete darkness in front of me..deep silent, but I could still feel the shaking plane, and people’s scream..
then someone shouted… ‘Pankaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaj !!!!!’
“Panky, wake up you are again sleeping in office, wake up”
Damn.. I looked here-there, same ODC, no Onsite, no plane.. no Avanti..

I stared at my colleague “Jai” in anger.. Because of you only, that plane crashed!!

created by:- Kishore. Pathak.

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd.
Chennai

HERE MY WAY OF WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. Enjoy the holiday. Feedback and comments are welcome.

Please lend me your hand.

“mone zakale onnu help cheiuvamma da?” an elderly voice broke the serene envelop of silence around me. I am not habitual to listen to such complicated words that too at supersonic speed. By the time my mind got hold of first letter, the entire sentence was over.
I was sitting of the left hand side of the grotto in seminary hills in a semi sitting and semi kneeling position a kind of ‘Aasanaa’. Apart from occasional clatter of children and crying of babies its quiet. But this got my eyes opened to look around.
To add to my surprise I saw an elderly man starring towards me. To tell you the truth the man wore everything white from hair to shirt and strangely even a white LUNGI. I dragged my backpack close to me thinking maybe its lying in his way.
He smiled at me after looking this and again repeated the same sentence
“mone zakale onnu help cheiuvamma da….?”
And there was a big question mark all over my face.
“Excuse me??!!” I reactively replied.
The man asked “Ni Malayalam samsari kumma?”
My face got relaxed after hearing it.
“No no malayalam….only English…...and hindi” I said.
The old busted into laugh maybe because the way I replied to his question, like a foreigner.
“I mean to say could you lend your hand for a minute” he said
“yes absolutely” I said
I saw a super old lady sitting there i understood she is the wife. He man held her one hand and uttered something and I was ready with on the other side with my hands. The lady stood up and with the support of our hands. She could barely walk and somehow slowly and carefully we managed to get her down from the first set of 12 steps of the grotto.
As we slowly approached the next set stairs a group of people hurried towards us and another young man smiled and took her hands from me. I thought that they are family and so I turned around to leave.
The old man again called for me
“yes sir!” I hurriedly replied.
He smiled and said “thank you munna”.
“Please don't say it. It's nothing” I said.
“ joyin us for lunch”
“whats the occasion” I inquired.
“oh!! Its our 52nd wedding anniversary” he said smiling.
My eyes stuck to its place as I couldn't believe what I heard and as I was trying to calculate there present age accordingly. 52nd !!! you got to be joking.
He again laughed and patted on my back and took me along.
“its our 52nd anniversary and our youngest son was blessed with a baby last week so we decided t have a family prayer and lunch here. You helped us out so join us”.
“Do you still love your wife?” I couldn't believe I just said that. It’s a kind of thing that can land you in deep trouble and invite a public thrashing. He gave me a angry look and I instantly bite my tongue.
He then smiled and replied “of course I do munna!! So what if she's old and fat and faces difficulty in walking, even am not salman khan”
I felt that he was making fun of my stupid question and even I felt pity for myself.
“we were blessed with 3 sons and a lovely daughter giving birth to 4 children and growing them up takes a lot out of a women. Maybe somewhere I myself is responsible for her present condition” he started and then it was he speaking and I listening.
“I know her for past 52 years longest than anyone in her life” as the old lady was escorted by her family
“she trusts me more than GOD. I stand by her today just the way I did 52 years ago. I cannot let go of her just because she old and weak and not that good looking as she was 5 decades back.”
He continued “we took a promise in front of GOD that we’ll take care of each other in sickness and in health. Then why let go now? ”
“we spent the best years of our life when her hands were soft and mine strong. The day I held her hands for the first time I decided I am not going to let go of it...what ever happens.”
I thought he is actually making some sense as he continued “Its a sign of trust and belonging”.
“don’t love anyone for a reason. You people think of yourself as super smart kids. But am telling that you all are stupid. You are stupid because you don’t know the meaning of love. You relate it with looks and style and height and clothes. Its all physical to you people and you think it will remain forever. Right munna??!!”.
I laughed at the way he called me munna and so did he along with me. It was a very loud laugh.
This caught attention of one of is son and he shouted “Acha, vanamakku pokkum”.
“well munna just remember if you see yourself getting old with a person that means that you are in love with that person. That’s true and divine”.
I was cemented on the bench as his son escorted him towards dinning place. He turned around and said “you got it munna?” and started to laugh with his son.
“come lets have food..” he said in typical malayali accent and we walked together.
Well the message is clear itself. If you think about anyone in this way the YES you are in love.

TO BE HANGED….. TILL DAWN!!!!

Hello everyone, here I am again. I know it has been quiet a while since posted my last article but circumstances were not conducive to do any recreational activity. And the after effects were so deep that it took me a while to get over it. But now I am back and the best feedback I could get is when my long time friends call me and enquire why I haven’t posted any new posts on my blog. Thanks guys for motivating and driving me to write more and more.
I know its very auspicious time of the year and the season of festival reaches its pinnacle with amazing festival of DIWALI one of the most anticipated festivals of the entire India. A lot of things are going around everywhere and some how everyone is busy in doing something or the other. On the other hand here I am. I mean if on the eve of diwali if I am writing for my blog than you can imagine the level of participation and occupancy by me in this festival. I never fancied DIWALI like others do. I don’t know why…
One thing that really caught my eye this time around was the level of decoration I have seen in Nagpur. I don’t know if this thing was there in past but I have noticed it this time around very profoundly. I mean it is amazing and super good looking. Specially mentioning the hanging lightings in front of THE TIMES OF INDIA office and SATHE jewelers and ‘JP heights’ in Byramji town is incredible. A sight very promising at the time of economic slowdown. Special mention goes to all those who hanged there lightings on trees, its something very appreciable. They are very eye-catching and instant attention grabbing thing. Type of thing that’s really catching and it just brightens your eyes in an instant and makes your normal evening into something very bright and beautiful.
Simple, yet stunning. I really like the ones which are orange, blue and red colors.
Most would be the simple orange golden colored series of lightings which creates an amazing ambience around itself. I feel that if you are using this series you don’t need any other colors of lightings. If you want to see such a glow and luminosity then do go to TIMES OF INDIA office. I really really like it.
I think this is a much better, greener and safer way to show your happiness for this festival. I think the ad which says “DO DIYE ZADA JALAO” also sends the same message. Instead of wasting money on crackers it would be really advisable that we do it this way. Please say no to crackers “diwali roshni ka tayohar hai” so lightings lagao, roshni karo, andhere ko dur karo, but please noise pollution is not diwali. Instead buy sweets, buy lightings, recharge your phone and call your friends instead, and give that extra money to someone needy if not do call me I will suggest better alternatives. Even you know that your crackers budget could make someones diwali brighter and happier.
Happy DIWALI to all and enjoy your holiday.
Feedback, wishes, comments and SWEETS are welcome.

THE LEAKING ROOF

Hello friends I am back and I know it has been quiet a while since I posted my last article on my blog and there are like a gazillion reasons for it. But honestly mujhe kuch mil hi nahi raha tha thats why and I don't know weather the heading has any relevance with this article too

I feel there are so many things in life that you carve for. So much so that you are ready to do anything to get it. You think you want those things as if your life depends on them. For me it may be my dream company TCS or a galaxy tab phone or MBA from a certain college. But as they say not all things are under your control. I feel that in correcting the things that has gone bad and the process of trying to find an effective remedy to it takes you so very far away from yourself. This thing makes you somewhat weak and then there occurs uncertainty and doubts on our decisions. At this time our very own self comes to our rescue, the real you.

This is where the title “the leaking roof” spells its meaning out.

(funda zada ho gaya na!!!) frankly its an attempt to explain you how I felt few days back. I didn't get a particular type of job in an event in my college which I needed and I was carving for it big time.

But instead I ended up doing an altogether different thing. My childhood love and in due course of time I almost forgot that it’s a thing i love most. If it wasn't supposed to happen this way then I could have missed the chance to play a very significant role in creating something so beautiful, amazing and artistic like the ETHOS hanging and Audi-backdrop. I enjoyed doing it very much and I felt exactly how I use to feel when I was a 12 yr old doing drawing and painting in my beloved school. Playing with colors and creating my imagination.

You know no matter how hard you try to cover your cracks to stop the leaks, it will eventually leak. Meaning no matter how hard you try to run away from your true self the ultimate sense of achievement and fulfillment comes when you try finding the ways back to your self. We try become new and project ourselves differently but the best part of you lies within yourself and that path, although difficult to track but not impossible.

Remember, your true self will some how leak through your sham crack and it will eventually triumph.

If you ask me, I don’t mind having such a leak…..coz it helped me to have romance with my forgotten first love once again…..and that too in a very grand and colorful way and got appreciation for it too……imagine!!!

Special thanks to ETHOS-11 “decoration and hanging committee” for including me and accommodating my views and opinion to create something so amazing……

How I meet myself

There are moments in you life when you try finding the true destination for your life. Although it’s not necessary it would come when you are ready. We are always so busy running behind thing that we forget what actually we want. You work hard to achieve something and when you’re done with it you realize this not what you thought it would be.
These things ponder your mind while sitting in a cubical section in library and you see boards of “DO NOT DISTURB!!” hanging all around.
On the contrary life is not supposed to be like this. I believe life offers everyone everything although not in the same time and amount, but it does. What you take out of it really makes the story of your life. And when it throws an opportunity towards you to add a new chapter to your story you should take it and if it does, priorities of other things shouldn’t matter.
And I believe you don’t have to go far away for new things. A recent trip that I made with the YES+ team was I believe a very significant chapter in my life. A group having different backgrounds, cultures, age and religions. The factor uniting us was we want to enjoy life in the best possible way and it is done by accepting others existence around you and find some reason to be happy in the darkest moments of life.
The place was a small village where only way to stay connected with the external world was small gauge railway line. I never knew those thing still run. Riding that small train was fun and there are very few times when you actually feel proud of Indian railways and this was one such.
I know the sense of going out or seeing something new excites us but the smile and happiness that you see on people's faces was the best thing and living one of your fantasies makes you fell elevated and it was visible on each and every face that occupied that 38 seater boggy. You can understand the gravity of the feeling that more than 50% of all the snaps are taken in and around the train itself and the smile width never reduced in any snap.
The place itself was so amazing, simple, unhampered and unadulterated that you are bound to like it.
Far way from all the hustle of city, creamy silence to heal your senses, and beauty to die for are some ways to describe it. Even the people there are so simple that you obviously feel comfortable around them and when you do group meditation there right in the middle of the nature undisturbed and united with nature you actually discover yourself.
At least I did when I sat on the edge of the dried waterfall as if I was sitting right in the middle of hell and heaven. I can tell you that I had never felt this way before in my entire life. A mixed feeling of fear, peace, happiness, elevation, calm, emptiness and filled up all at the same time. These thing makes you realize that there is more in you than what you know and sometimes such experiences makes you introspect on what you have and what are you are running after. You see the true you, not the one who you show. I know there is something divine looking at me and that thing made me go there coz I felt it was very much needed.
Sitting there I realize that I have a aim, a faith, a heart, a life, people I love and a personality and with these thing I can achieve anything.
While sitting next to a new YES+ teacher I felt that when you accept people the way they are thing in life become very easy. Everyone falls so don’t hesitate in asking for a helping hand in such times. We shared our failures she gave me some valuable thoughts to think on. I know she was right. And I thank her that. Sometimes you have to run away for a while to get hold of things. Apart from this it all boils down to the fact that some one you meet just few hours back ask you to smile for a snap then there is something in you.
So meeting a new person is like meeting yourself again through that person. That’s what happened to all of us in gallows of a dried waterfall on a day stolen from my busy life by myself to meet myself again” Hi!! My name is Ignatius Lewis, meet the new me!!”
feedbacks are welcomed....