The two facets of the Moon

Ours is a country where we can see various shades of life style. There exists a continuum of life style between absolute Poverty and absolute affluence. But there is no denying fact that the graph of the continuum is skewed towards poverty. [As per the official estimates, 37 % of the population lives under Poverty line. The Tendulkar committee has set the threshold per capita consumption expenditure for defining the poor in rural India at Rs 446 per month and for the poor in urban India at Rs 580 per month]. Please note the per Capita expenditure; 37 % of the people in India have only Rs 500 each(roughly) or even less to fulfill all their requirements in a month (For a normal middle class guy, 500 is just the expenditure on phone) .We can now easily guess the pathetic condition of the poor people within and at the margins of Poverty line.

Whether we will be able to bring prosperity and happiness to this deprived section is a challenging question for our leaders. However, if we go as per the statistics, it seems that India is doing well and heading towards a prosperous future. India is mesmerizing the world with its 9% growth story and enormous potential. But have the fruits of 9% growth reached to each and every family of the nation????? This question haunts me each and every time I read about millions suffering with poverty and striving for even the minimum basic needs of life.

This is a story of two families. One represents the huge chunk of deprived poor mass and other symbolizes the rich class. Jhulan and Phulwa are residents of an unknown village; Kunal and Sona live in a posh area of any metropolitan city.

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Jhulan: Are Muni ki Amma ,Sunti ho !

Phulwa: Ha Boli, Hum sunat hai.

Jhulan: Are taneek kareeb aake Suna !

Phulwa: Li aa gayni, boli ji.

Jhulan: Taneek chai ta pilava. Aaj to hal jotete waqt Hira(ox) ne pareshaan hi kar diya, hal hi nahin khaich raha tha, sasura saitan ho gaya hai.

Phulwa: Usse bech kahe nahin dete, koi doosra lelo.

Jhulan: Are naahi naahi, apna bacha hai, aise kaise bech de usse; Kal uski poochhiya madod ke maarenge do danda to apne aap hi sasure ke sarir me furti aa javegi. Achha taneek chai ta pilava ! kab se bolt hai hum!!

Phulwa: Dudh naahin hai, jo bacha tha woh muni pee gayi.

Jhulan: Achha koi baat nahin, dudh ki chai ko kise aadat hai. Nimbu ki chai banava.Taneek khatti –Taneek Meethi. :)

Phulwa: Taneek Khatti–Taneek Meethiiiiiiiii…….

ohohohohohoho…Hum to bas Khatti hi banayeb. :) :)

Jhulan: Are tu bas banava ta, tu khatti bhi banayabu ta meeth ho jayee, taahar haath me bada meethash ba. :)

Phulwa: :) :) bas bas , chai li.

Jhulan (chuski lete huye): waah waah :)

Phulwa: :) Achha hamara ek baat kahe ka hai?

Jhulan: Ha kaha!

Phulwa: Woh hamra iss diwali me ek naya Mangalsutra chahi. Pehle wala bahut puraan ho gayeel ba.

Jhulan: Tu bhi ta puraan ho gayeel baadu :)

Phulwa (Gusse se aankh dikhati huyee): Tu to bada naya bada; baal safed hoye ke shuru ho gayeel ba, Khud ke dekha.

Jhulan: Achha achha lada mat, phasal achha hoyi tab MFI walon ke loan chukta keyela ke baad dila deb. Chala ab muska da. (MFIs i.e Micro Finance Institutions provide Financial Services like loans, insurance etc. to low income clients)

Phulwa: :) :) :)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Kunal is the CEO of a Micro Finance Institution-(MFIs provide Financial Services like loans, insurance etc. to low income clients).He has just returned from the office and having a talk with his wife Sona.

Sona: Hi Sweetu, how was your day?

Kunal: It was hectic but fine dear. I had a meeting with senior managers today and we are going to drive in huge profits for the company. I can expect a handsome bonus. :)

Sona: Hmmmmmm, tats cool. :)

Kunal (trying to open his tie): O god, this tie. I will never be able to open its knot. :(

Sona: No problem, you just relax handsome.

Sona comes close to Kunal, and pulls him towards herself as close as if she can feel his breath. Then she lovingly puts her palm on his chest, gives him a gentle kiss and opens the knot easily.

Kunal: Wow ….what a romantic way to open the knot. Wait I will tie it again :)

Sona: :) :)

Kunal: You seem to be in great mood.

Sona (winks): Well, I am in a better mood than what you are feeling right now. You wanna feel it.

Kunal wants to enjoy this moment but his past experiences say that it’s a kind of trap. She is making a strategic move with her smile, her eyes and gestures. She is soon going to put some demand.

Kunal (Smiling): No No baby. Let’s have Dinner.

Sona: (Laughing and coming closer) Ok Ok, I know you have sensed it well. Darling, I visited Skoda showroom yesterday and I liked the latest version of Skoda Superb very much, crimson red colored, my favorite. :)

Kunal (Silently): O Jesus, why did I disclose the profit and bonus thing to her? I should have kept it to myself.

Sona: Jaanu, Mrs.Arora has already booked one for her.

Kunal: Jaanu ye, Jaanu woh, Jaan hi lelo Jaanu ki. :(

Sona (angrily): Ok leave it; it was my fault that I expected it from you. I realize that the biggest mistake of my life is marrying you.

Kunal: Ok Ok, please stop your trademark comments; I will see.

Kunal (Silently): What a huge price for opening the knot of a tie.

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Micro Finance Institutions were recently( October 2010) in news for charging exorbitant interest rates (as high as 24-30%) on small loans, and using muscle power, harsh measures for recovery of the loans. Their executives were making handsome bonus to an extent that the big banks who were lending to these MFIs for further sub-lending to low income group were surprised at their profits.

But situation was not the same on farmer side. The malpractices followed by these MFIs have proved to be fatal for few and overburdensome for even more. MFIs have been blamed for many suicides in India. Aggressive Lending by Micro Finance Companies in Andhra Pradesh is said to have resulted over 80 deaths. (80 is the official estimate, please mind it).

Farmers who are unable to repay the loans (due to agricultural failure, failure of small business or if they have used the loan for non productive purposes like marriage and education etc.) are under acute stress and depression. And unable to sustain this stress they take the unfortunate path of suicide.

Apart from this there are many who in adverse conditions have to sell their only assets like livestock, jewelry etc to repay the loan and finally they end up in abject poverty which is no better than committing suicide. The fate of Jhulan followed the same unfortunate line. Due to deficient rain and crop failure, he could not generate enough resources and has to sell his son like ox-Hira and her wife’s jewelry to repay the loan.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

With his head down, Jhulan is sitting under the tree where his beloved ox Hira used to sit. He has in his hand the rope with which he used tie his Hira to the tree. He has lost few but his only valuables to repay the loan. He has lost his crop due to deficient rain and he is not able to think anything as if his mind has stuck in some sort of darkness. He is under acute depression and he looks like as if some devil has taken all energy out his body and all happiness from his life. He has no hope for the future and he could not see his family begging on the streets.

Gradually he raises his head and looks here and there, and finding appropriate silence, he smiles gently as if something has clicked his mind, which will relieve him of his pain and agony.

He ties the rope around his neck and climbs the tree, ties the other end with one of the branches and sits there. With his eyes closed he is all set to enter other world in search of relief. But suddenly his wife and children's face come to his mind, all anxiously waiting for him. He hurriedly unties himself as if he is back to his senses and climbs down the tree. He runs to his wife and children and hugs his wife.

Jhulan felt the empty neck of Phulwa and could not stop tears flowing down his chicks. But I guess Phulwa got her gift.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Kunal made a nice bonus as the company performed extremely well and he gifted the keys of the same luxury car-Skoda Superb to Sona on a candle night dinner.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

It feels that India is like a shining moon with its other side yet to see the light of the day.

A Rose Story

I am Rose, a symbol of romance,friendship, happiness and harmony.A glimpse of mine is sometimes enough to stir soft feelings in any distressed soul.My glossy petals can do the magic and bring smile to their lips ,and also many a times tears in those dark eyes arousing the lost memories of past.This is my story in first person and let me tell you something more about myself.I reside at page no. 39 in his diary,and have grown old,a year old,my complexion has darkened with time and I am no longer that glowing red,petals look separated and stem broken.I look dry and devoid of any feelings.Things have changed since I have been here.

But I still have in my memory those young days of my life when I was filled with romanticism and enthusiasm.Like everyone else I dreamt of being "dedicated as message of love to her and she accepting me with a lovely smile".There was sunshine everywhere and we enjoyed the lovely breeze of spring.

Nobody knowing where they will land up,just there was a hope of romance in everybody's life.Isn't this idea of hope has resemblance with your life !!!

when we are young,life looks like a dream and dream a reality,everything seems possible and reachable.But gradually reality comes into play and time reshapes our dream, sometimes in a beautiful way and most of the times just opposite.

Same happened with all of us. many of us took the shape of useless garland,some got stuck to Dulha's car,few dared to reach in girl's hand but thrown away, some outrightly rejected ,chosen ones took the shape of bouquet AND only lucky ones could achieve their DREAM.

But where was I?

I was there itself, in his hand ,hidden from her,asking him to gather strength,to show his hand lightly in air and at least say "This I brought for you".But he could not,may be that was not the right moment or may be he was a fool to keep me with himself.

Time has moved on and life is walking its path knowing not much about its destiny but just a little hope,I have lost my shine and fragrance but not the essence.

He still looks at me with same hope.................






AND utters with a sigh..."Aal izz welll".

Childhood days.

Childhood days are days of innocence, it’s the time when we are joyous by default, we feel like doing anything and everything possible on his earth…A phase of happiness rather say unbound happiness where mischief blended with pure innocence is act of each and every hour.

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Ravi, Chunnu and Bhakua are close friends of around 9 years of age. They have climbed in front of window and secretly watching the girls doing dance rehearsals for Annual Function.

Ravi: Hey Chunnu…..don’t push me yaar, you will make me fall! Let me see for sometime, you were enjoying since last ten minutes and it’s my chance now. Aaaeee Bhakua, They look so pretty while dancing and see Simi, she is THE prettiest yaar….

”Simi, where do you see Simi in those 8 girls”.Bhakua asked!

“Are Bhakua, put your specs; don’t you see her, second from left. She is our Simi. And by the way there are only 7 girls, where do you see the 8th one….foolish fellow black buffalo….” Hiihiiiihiii….. Ravi laughed silently after teasing Bhakua.

Ravi: Hey Chunnu, Simi looks like a heroine yaar, the heroine from movie “Aankhen”…O lal dupatte wali tera naam to bata…do you have seen "Aankhen"?

Chunnu: Ya I have seen twice on my VCR… "Angana me Baba ,Duara pe Ma .kaise aaye gori hum tohre ghar ma”. Hihihihihihi...

Hey Ravi, the middle girl looks like second heroine yaar!

Ravi: Hmmmm yaar. But she is not from our class…looks like a senior

Chunnu: I wish she fails this year :)

Ravi: :)

Bhakua: :D :D :D

Chunnu: Bhakua don’t laugh so loudly.They may hear…

Bhakua: Hey they have stopped their rehearsal….did they notice my laugh?…..They are leaving!!

Chhunnu….No ….I feel they are done for the day. Did not you hear the bell! ….lets go.

Suddenly a strong voice shocked everyone: you idiots….what are you doing here? Why you have climbed in front of this window!!! Are you watching girls? But there is nobody inside!!!

No Madam…Sorry Madam… (All at once, keeping their head down)

Bhakua: We were just playing Climbing and Jumping!!!

Ravi(whispered) :Good excuse Bhakua

Madam: But now you are supposed to be class….Run fast...Go to your class…Next time I will catch you roaming like this; I will call your parents.

No Madam…sorry Madam… (All at once, keeping their heads down and secretly smiling)

Bhakua, Chunnu and Ravi ran to their classes whispering….”Yeh Moti madam kahan se aa gayee”…Chunnu mimicked the motorcycle sound ….huyee huyeeee huyeeeeeeeeeee… Suddenly Bhakua did “fusssssssssssssssss”…..Punctured….Hehehehehehehehe…All laughed….

Ravi: Let’s go to class now, this is math period and I like math very much.

Bhakua and Chunnu agreed…”Yeah lets go to class otherwise Moti madam will surely eat us this time.”

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“If Shyam buys 15 Bananas from fruit Shop and cost of banana is Rs 6/dozen.How much does Shyam need to pay.” Geeta Madam asked the students.

Ravi is hearing the question attentively and trying to do calculations. At the same time, Bhakua is elbowing him.

Bhakua whispering: Hey Ravi, see your “Simi-sitting in the first bench”

Ravi looked at Simi and got lost for a while and said “WOW”…Unfortunately this “wow” somehow came at high pitch and suddenly whole class was eyeballing Ravi with a puzzled look.

Ravi felt nervous thinking what if class has understood what he was thinking ,what if Madam asked for explanation.

Geeta Madam: Ravi what are you doing? Where is your attention ?Common tell me the answer of the problem I have asked.

Ravi feeling relaxed as he has already done the calculations.

Madam, The answer is Rs 7.5….Shyam will need to pay Rs 7.5.


Madam: Okkkkkk. Sit down but try to be more attentive in class.

Aaaaaaahhhhhh…Being smart in math is helpful sometimes. (Ravi pampered himself)!!!!!!!!!!

Madam bombarded the class with few more questions but Ravi preferred to keep mum (It seems like he was feeling little bit uncomfortable about the preceding situation. But Chunnu and Bhakua were still giving a tight lipped smile as if they enjoyed those moments)

Finally math period was over.

Next period was EVS and Madam was late. Ravi again got caught by Simi’s cute look and the same song (lal dupatte wali) occupied his little mind.

Why this same song keeps bugging me whenever I see her? And why she sits so far in that corner, why Ram Singh made me to sit with Bhakua? Did he know that I like Simi? Will I ever get a chance to sit with her? Will I ever be able to talk to her? Will I ever get a chance to drink water from her sky blue water bottle? Will I ever be able to touch her soft hands?

Ravi’s “Chhotku mind” was in some other world with lots of thoughts whirling in it.

In the midst of all these sweet and salty thoughts, Madam entered the class.

Everybody stood up and greeted her “Good morning Madam”.

Madam: Good morning Students;Today I am going to assign you a project and you need to do it in pair-one girl and one boy. So for this period I will be reordering your seats.

Raj and Anjali come here and sit in the left first bench, Nisha and Prakash in second Bench, Then Abhisek and Shini …..

Now Ravi is thinking to move close to Simi, so that madam might make them seat together :).

Ravi slowly and slowly went close to Simi and was already feeling happy.

But unfortunately madam asked Simi to sit with Bhakua and Ravi was made to sit with Niki….seat arrangement continued for next five minutes leaving Ravi a bench away from her girl.

This Bhakua…how come he is so lucky to sit with Simi and why did madam chose this Moti Niki to sit beside me. There was no need to have seat arrangement for this assignment at all! May be it was just to make Bhakua sit with Simi…Madam is very bad :(.

Madam: So Students turn page 50.You will see a fat child eating noodles. You need to draw this picture and write 15 lines on Obesity: Its causes and remedies. And you have to finish it by this period.

Ravi took out book, notebook and other necessary stationeries from his bag with eyes secretly fixed on Simi. He opened the book and saw the fat guy whose sketch was to be drawn. And felt "why these projects always involve some sort of art or drawing when I am not that good at it, it’s not a good day today".

At the same time he noticed that Simi was also looking upset and was asking Bhakua if he could Sketch and she can take up the writing work.

Bhakua: Simi, I am also very poor at Sketching but Ravi is very good at it.

(When did he found a good sketch man in me? I never told him anything like this.

OR is it that I draw well but never realized my talent -Naaaaaaaa, came the answer from inside)?

In between he noticed that Simi is looking at him with a pleasant smile.

Simi: Ravi, can you please draw this picture for me. Thank youuuu!!!

(Hey when did I say ‘Yes’ for which she gave such a cute ‘Thank you’- did she already knew that I will sketch for her. And why girls always try to push task at boys, is it some kind of Indication cum Exploitation)

“Sure! I will do it for you. I like drawing very much.” Ravi answered

Niki: Ravi I have started writing about obesity as I know that you sketch very well. Make a nice sketch so that we both fetch an excellent remark.

(Two sketches in single period and a super talented sketch man like me. Not a good day, Hey Bhagwaan!!!)

Though Ravi was not good at Sketching, however he somehow managed to complete both sketches within time. But he was worried about whispering chit chat of Bhakua with Simi. Both were enjoying their secret gossips and laughing, Ravi could only feel jealous and irritated.

But finally Simi praised the sketch and said Thanks with a smile. And that simple smile was enough to overwhelm Ravi and he could not stop himself from giving a pretty smile in return and told “you welcome”.

The class was over and so was the school for the day. But Ravi was still thinking about that thanks and smile.(wow what a smile it was, I love Sketching,in fact I will start taking Sketching classes from next month :) :))

Chunnu and Bhakua: Hey Ravi, What are you lost in. Common lets go, we have a cricket match also today.

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Bhakua, Chunnu and Ravi are returning home.

Bhakua: You know one thing Ravi, Simi likes Hero Ranger cycle very much, one with straight handle and stylish looks.

Ravi: Sachiiiiii???? Babuji has promised me a bicycle if I come in Top 5 of the class. I wish I get under-5 position this year. and Then I and Simi on Hero Ranger and.................

Bhakua I forgot to tell you one thing, Niki likes
your egg size eyes when you wear your specs. :):)

Bhakua: :) :) :)

Chunnu: Lets hurry up; we have a cricket match also. BTW that middle girl in dance rehearsal is Sweta - immediate senior and very weak student. Let’s hope she fails this year
And I manage to pass :D

Ravi-: D: D

Bhakua- : D: D: D.

Chandni Chawk to Childhood

Here we are on Gurgaon Delhi expressway (NH-8) moving towards Dilli. NH-8 is one of the few good things for which I like gurgaon, I enjoy riding my bike here, ride is smooth and is really fast. One can also like gurgaon for lots of Theka. Hope you all know what is Theka? If not! It is a shop where you visit when you are in very good mood or very bad mood or when free to be in any mood.

BTW Nitin is driving, so let’s divert ourselves from Drinking :)

Let’s have a short introduction. We are five people in the car (Meenakshi at left, Pankaj at right, I in middle of left and right, Amit next to the Nitin (owner n Driver of new car); two more (Akshat and Prachi) will join us at CP (bole to Cannaught Place Metro Station).We are still left with 30 minutes of journey; so let me stretch this introduction part.

Starting with Meenakshi will be a good idea, because she is the one who planned the trip. Meenakshi is known for good reasons but is famous among team mates because she has got the magical credit card which fails (rather succeeds) to work at crucial time of paying bills. People now are more skeptical than happy at her treat. (Par yaar ek baar unhne mujhe pizza khilaya tha ussi credit card se, waise who doosre baat hai ki bill company se reimburse hone wala tha :D…………… She is good at everything she does but even better at crying (without tears).Above all she is gold medalist in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee and it’s both a matter of fun and pride for the team.

Pankaj sir or Guru Drona though looks like a silent person has nice sense of humor. I enjoy his gappe (conversations) and by now we have become good friends as he also loves drinking very much. He is a good investor, but will not remain for long, nowadays Meenakshi is conspiring to invest money through him at 50% profits and that too monthly. May god have mercy upon him! Pankaj sir is a nice person not because once he wrote the same SQL queries twice for me but because today He is the one who is going to pay all the bills.

Moving to Amit, Patna wale bhaiya, Programming God or one of the Pillars of our team, call him anything, He is serious with his work and hard working too, the way he guides for any work is amazing; quite serious, passionate and informative at each step. Looks like happy kind of guy who cracks joke at right time. He is also famous or rather infamous, no famous, ok lets not confuse, he is known for his crazy choices in Barista and Restaurants. People make sure that they don’t order the items which he has ordered …………………………till date.

Akshat’s dream of life is to read all the books in the world, He feels like spending his whole salary on buying books, has finished “Bhagvat Geeta” and is now doing time pass with Speaking Tree volume 4. You know sometimes it’s not that hard to figure out why people have lesser hair on their head, but Akshat is more concerned about his health, keeps fast and talks about burning calories (or just talks about burning calories? Amit sir sometimes doubtJ) Energetic guy, can work, talk and enjoy simultaneously. Nowadays goes for drinks also…..neither with boys nor alone (bigad rahe hai, its time to revise “Bhagvat Geeta” vats)

I din not know about Prachi much before but came to know about her tender nature during the trip. To sum up all, we are missing Vineet, Ashish, Ankush and Udit. First three of them are MERRY-RID and last Udit has taken leave to visit DHOLPUR, may be he is also planning for Dhol-Band-Baza in his life.

Now we are going to enter New Delhi and I am feeling good .I always believe rather everybody believe that Delhi is much better than Gurgaon. Delhi is complete in all respects whereas gurgaon is just a “kamao khao city”. Meenakshi is guiding us to the CP metro station as we sail through the city and finally we reach. Weather is quite nice and Sun is smiling at us, and I am also smiling with my goggles on, I bought goggles few days back and love it very much but generally feel shy to wear it, but here at Dilli nobody knows me, so why feel shy! To add to the surprise Akshat and Prachi are also coming happily with their goggles, Amit is wondering whether we actually planned for these goggles or it was just a coincidence and he commented “Team outing is a good idea for knowing the hidden aspects of a person, see these heroes!”.

We took ticket for Chandni Chawk and really enjoyed the metro journey. The world class metro makes Delhi :). more charming, Thanks to the concerned Authorities. While we were moving out, Akshat who talks about burning calories took escalator and I took stairs

Chandni Chawk is a very colorful place and we wanted to make sure we enjoy all the colors. We started with buying “mini gel balls”(I don’t know the formal name for this)….They are colored mini balls which when dipped in water for few hours grow big and beautiful like “kanche” Thanks to bargaining power of girls (i.e. Meenakshi n Prachi), We made a nice deal with 30% discount.Moving further, we reached a small shop where we found the sweet corn, I was amazed to see that corn, I never heard about sweet corn, we asked for the price, negotiated a bit, tested lots of sweet corn and just promised that we will buy when we return, with the excuse that we are just starting now and have no bags to hold. I know the shopkeeper must be thinking some “good” things about us (kaha kaha se aa jate hai muh utha ke)……………………

Moving through the narrow and crowded gallis (streets) of market we reached at Natraj hotel. It seemed very small and not so clean, but Akshat said it’s the best shop for dahibada and Aloo Tikki but I was not happy with his perception, But as team decided we moved to the first floor of the shop and I was totally surprised ,It looked like a nice restaurant and there were people for efficient service, we ordered dahibada and Aloo Tikki, service was quick ,things looked delicious and taste was godly, we repeated the order twice, meanwhile someone raised the point that this is not the only good thing and we are blessed with just one stomach :( and we asked for the bill.

I usually don’t eat much and the way team mates were planning the next stoppage “Parathewali galli”, I was no less than terrified. We reached Parathewali galli after crossing several gallis. I don’t want to surprise you but I will have to mention that there was a proper queue for entry and the so called hotel was totally packed. For time pass I was looking here and there and I found the poster for “Chandni Chawk to China” showcasing Akshay kumar in HAYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE pose, both hands crossed. We were lucky and got the entry after a small wait, we saw the list of parathas (24 varieties) and Akshat and Amit made the target to touch all of them. We started our order with peas Parathas, KARAILA Parathas, Chili Parathas. Everybody was very happy and excited and loud too, I am sure the people around us would have thought that we are coming to any city for first time (and more or less it was true as we came from a big gaon (village) called Gur-gaon :) ). We got served quickly and people around were relieved, Parathas were deliciously great and especially KARAILLA one. As we had decided, we tried checking as much items as our stomach could bear, but could take the count to 13 varieties only, BTW realizing the elastic limits of my stomach I felt wise to surrender to 7 varieties only. But Akshat and Amit could hold the flag till the 13^th variety (Pet tha ya black hole). The table next to us has in the meantime seen new faces for third time, also there was long line waiting outside, and thinking that it would be wise to move out before we get spotted and get cursed by the people in the queue, we simply followed the exit. We were feeling satisfied ,but stomach was crying for lemon soda drink to facilitate digestion, we took the drink , and that too twice from the shop which was selling it for the last 7 generations, the shopkeeper proudly said that they were covered by National Geographic few days back for their legacy. Wow. Such a small shop and National Geographic…cool……….

We were done with food and Prachi suggested how about going to Gurudwara, and that was really nice. We moved to Gurudwara and there was sudden feel of bliss. We had to remove our shoes before entry and soon everybody was in the business of opening their shoes and submitting it to the shoes counter; I thanked myself for wearing clean and washed shocks and preserving the freshness of the environment. I was the last one to open my shoes and Prachi quickly took the shoes and handed over to the lady at counter before I could stop her and say let it be Prachi, I will do it myself. I did feel bad at myself but at the same time was touched by her humbleness. I looked at Meenakshi and she silently acknowledged “Prachi is like this only”. We entered the Gurudwara, there was prayer going on with one person narrating some sacred stories, there was complete calmness on the faces of the people there, I also tried to understand what the person was saying but could not get much, and thought it would just better to communicate my wishes to Wahe Guru and move on with Prasad, Prasad was good and so was the feeling of being at Gurudwara.

With ‘Pet Pooja’ and ‘Bhagwaan Pooja’, it was the time to search for enjoyment ‘dooja’. I suggested for a visit to Red Fort and insisted team to take rickshaw instead of mini bus, I like rickshaw ride very much, as I can have clear look of things around, during journey. We hired two rickshaws and journey was amazing, I felt like child again seating on the back seat facing backward, that 10 min journey was the most interesting part of the trip for me. As I was looking left right, I found the place surprising; one can find Temple, Gurudwara, Masjid and Church just few meters apart. It was perfectly depicting the prosperity as well as poverty of India, from small Tea shop to Cafe Coffee Day, a big Brach of SBI to Beggar beside, big trucks to a man pushing a loaded cart. Now I realized why foreigners find India so interesting, they get to see all the colors of life at same place.

Regarding Red Fort, I would just say that it was simply boring .I tried to make the visit interesting by buying a booklet briefly explaining all the aspects of Fort, but that was not of much help, One good thing I deed was buying a small statue of Buddha made out of wood. It was really nice and today also I feel calmness within seeing at it. BTW we took rest also there which was desperately needed after so much of stomach exercise :)

It was almost dusk when we came out of Fort and people were feeling hungry again, and reason was difficult for me to understandL. It was decided that we will walk back to Chandni Chawk, and now the fun was back into the scene. Akshat took popcorns and everybody tried, Amit took Moongfallis and again everybody tried including me. Now everybody was in full mood to try anything and everything and Chat-Papri was close, we ordered Chat-Papri and repeated it thrice, they were too good and I ate most of them, then we took sweet corn and then Guava and then Cookies and then Ice cream and then FULL STOP.

Now it was time to return back and we were on our way to Chandni Chawk metro station. In the mid I saw a toy shop selling toy helicopter, It looked cute with LED (light) on its top and took rounds in circles when given “Chabhi”. I was in total childhood mood and I deserved one helicopter, but it was not just me, we had three more children (Pankaj, Prachi and Nitin ) in our group and they also wanted helicopter. It was really great to have that helicopter at that point of time. Everybody was so happy. We were close to metro station and suddenly there was a 5 year old child running after me and saying “bhaiya helicopter dedo, bhaiya helicopter dedo” I told what you will do with this helicopter, its difficult to operate and I have no time to make you understand (what a lame excuse !). He repeated “bhaiya helicopter dedo, bhaiya helicopter dedo”. I told him take this 1 rupee and have toffee and he happily took it and ran away. But suddenly I felt It would have been better if I would have gifted him the helicopter ( realizing the mistake I could just console my heart that one rupee is better for him than helicopter ,at least it will fetch him one bread)

Ending on such a sentimental node will not do justice to such a fun-doo trip. The chain of enjoyment continued at Cannaught place also where we did shopping, had Ice creams and Pani-Puri and bought Santa Clauz cap with blinking LEDs(lights) on it (I forgot to mention that the day was Christmas Day).

We said "bye-bye" to each other with Sweet Pan and Sweet memories.

White & Black

I was 8 years old. It was just an usual day, I had taken bath n was praying to god, today also it was the same wish “hey bhagwaan mujhe mann ki shakti aur vidya de”.(I always wondered why in my childhood days I was in habit of making this wish everyday, may be mother would have taught. But now I have realized these are really important assets, and have started making the same wish with few more additions.Wishes are increasing with age :) ........).
As soon as I finished my wish, there was a knock on the door, Opening the door I found an unknown middle aged man, with a sheet of paper in his hand.

“Where is your father” he asked
“Babujiiiiiiiii“ I called
fixing his eyes on the sheet of paper ,He told “Prasadji, your son has been considered for the admission to BIV 6A in second list”.( I was denied admission on the basis of test, reason I knew was close to blank paper I submitted for English section. But since school was new, they even considered genius like me)

New school, new uniform, big playgrounds. Waah (Wow), I felt great in my heart.

In the meantime the person had explained about the fee structure, and I could easily see the happiness on my father’s face fading away, I guess he was not aware of it before, monthly fees of Rs 30, admission charges of 200, costlier books, new uniform, extra tuition fees(as nobody knew English in my family).He was calculating at the back of his mind how his humble monthly earning is going to support this extra ….finding it difficult to manage a family of 8 persons with a daughter of marriageable age.
My eldest sister, finding Babuji in state of dilemma said “Babuji, ghar me koi angrezi nahin padha hai, randhir ko ek mauka hai, jyada mat sochiye, kisi na kisi tarah manage ho hi jayega”. My sister wanted to become a nurse, but lack of resources accompanied with the conservative approach of family shattered her dreams, but she wanted dreams of mine to be alive.
Babuji agreed quickly, I believe he was waiting for gentle push from some body.Sometimes you want something to happen, but there are obstacles around you to stop doing that, you just need few words of hope and support “thik hai ho jayega, chalo karte hai” and things start clicking.
I was jubilant .Binod bhaiya is no more going to tease me for failure and now I need not attend that Hindi medium school and that too from today itself :)

Today I believe that, decision taken was the turning point of my life because I don’t see students of my previous school at any good position, not even the brightest of my class mates, The reason being Hindi medium! Incredible India.

I was admitted, Got new books, all in English (Thank god at least Hindi textbook was in Hindi), white shirt being common in both schools, what we needed was trouser, a gentleman’s tie and a pair of BLACK shoes.

I With My Father and one uncle whom we called Lalan cha were returning from the market. I think we took tie there, readymade, one with elastic :) .In the way there was a shoe shop named ‘Mangru joota dukan’. We had to order shoes there. I will never forget that shop and I think nobody else can, the peculiarity about that shop was the Grand Old man who owned that shop, I wondered how that Old-Old man could make shoes, He worked with big needles and small but solid hammer, and did not even use glasses.Lots of finished shoes were hanging on the wall and they were good, Mangru was fine at his work. He looked like 150 years old; this was the guess of a 8 year old boy :).
Babuji told him that he wants a pair of black shoes for me and enquired about the price, He told “50 rupeya lagega” .I did not know how big 50 rupees amount was, but suddenly I realized 50 rupees is a big amount! How I realized that is still a question for me, may be father would have said ‘ok’ after a long pause or would have replied in a manner that revealed that he was running short of money!
We came out of the shop without ordering the shoes, thinking that we can try somewhere else for lower price. Then I told Babuji “hum joota nahin lenge”. I will get my white shoes painted black; I don’t know how that idea clicked? And I got adamant about it and it got executed .My brother was a good painter and he painted the shoes with plastic paint and I was ready with my new shoes.

Now today when I look back and think over this incident, I realize this philosophy of “Making adjustments and keep moving” played the crucial role in the survival of my family. And why just my family, I believe this is the case with most of Indian families.

BTW my brother was not a good painter as I used to believe earlier, He made a silly mistake during painting as he forgot to paint the base of shoes. So the situation was like this, it was black everywhere except at the base, Once when I was trying to kick football like Diego Maradona,my friend noticed the white base and asked the reason ,I replied after a pause” This is Chinese shoe” ,He exclaimed “achhhaaaaa, bada stylish hai yaar” …