An article worth keeping pasted permanenetly on blogspot

THE SPEAKING TREE
A Letter From A Father To His Little Son

Rajesh Mani

Dear Pranav,
It’s been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When i held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands were twitching and your eyes were shut tight. Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, i cried.
Before i married your mother, i used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, “Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?” Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?
When i switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether i was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.
This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.
I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you’ll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.
The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can’t imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.
Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There’s a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.
Appreciate mother’s cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.
Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It’s like a post-it note from God.
When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you’ll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don’t be overwhelmed. We’re all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.
Money. It’s important. But it has its place. Don’t make the mistake of putting it right on top.
Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.
Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we’re living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don’t forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It’s your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.
Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.
It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we’ll find strength in your love for life.
Don’t have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.
Immersed as i am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.
Love, Dad

Why does Sukhi believe that musicians are next to God

Off late there has been too much of travelling by road. With some of the branches nearby, I steer through the places myself. Courtsey this, I have grown a penchant to music (to be specific something audio); some thing in the background reduces the boredom to some extent. In the process not less than a dozen CDs have entered through my Sony Car system; saving me an incremental bit of musical (note,lyrics, timbre & pitch ) knowledge everytime. With constant jarring (oops sorry this is not the right word) in my ears, I have made a couple of keen observations. I hope the readers would also agree to this

a) With the little bit of classical knowledge that I know and with a couple of good listening sessions of few Ustads through, I can make forth this point clearly that it is all about time. As per Indian musical system, all the ragas are hard-core mathematics in nature. If analysed properly, one can find out that permutations & combinations are used in plenty. Frequency modulations is the key distinct factor distinguishing some closely similar ragas. The variations in pitches and timbres may be drawn closer to I am sure a couple of theorms and equations.
"Time controller", if at all there was any phrase like this, would be used only for God. I am sure all would agree to this. He is the ultimate controller of time; what is going to happen to whom and when, only He can say.

b) I do not know how often one visits a temple (or any other place of worship for that matter) or any place of religious importance. The frequency would vary depending on the individual's occupation, nature and inclination towards godship (if I am allowed to used the term). But each visit provides a comfort; a soothing factor which come as an addendum to each visit. Similar is the reason for mortals when they are inclined towards music.

c) Blessed are those who repeatedly chant the God's name or participate in any such service owing devotion to some idol / God. A regular visit / participation in a relegious discourse keeps one bay from some (if not all) negations that creeps on regularly to one's mind. Similar if one develops a taste for or simpler still compulsively spends some time pondering over some part of a classical rendering, one would enjoy utter tranquility during the period. This is also bound to affect our senses.

Of "pakhal bhaat" and abracadabra

Reason 1: After a long time, its been back to Oriya basic food i.e. Pakhal Bhaat. For non-understandables, its basically wet rice and is primarily a Oriya cuisine revered and preferred particularly in the hot days of the year. I adore it so much that I can have it just like that with a dash of cold water and few grams of curd. For all foodies who have not tasted it till yet, can give me a buzz regarding the same. I can suggest the best possible combinations with regards to the side-food that can go along with it and all possible permutations with just the rice to give it the best palatable touch. Its not that today was the first day I had it but as I just mentioned it was with the best possible permutations and combinations. Whats more with a like-minded people around gulping down makes it all the more glorious and today it was glorious.

Reason 2: I really have no whim when was the last time I had been to a magic show. I would mention few notables with regard to the show amongst them namely
§ It’s a mirage / hallucination but it’s an art which we must acknowledge that comes with years of practice and is a science since it is all based on proven scientific formulae. Even a seemingly above-average educated person (if I can call myself) got not a single clue on any of the tricks that were being shown by the magician Mr. O P Sharma despite knowing very well that all was a passé; just a trick of the hand
§ In this world of Cartoon network and all sorts of gizmos, its good that atleast some children got an iota of an idea to the various possibilities of science and were able to see some bit of abracadabra which they typically see in television / movies
It was special in another respect too namely its been ages when I had been to a shabby hall / auditorium and today it was amidst smelly air, huge rotary fans of Bentick’s ages and a crowd with which I had never sat

Mohapatra calling....

It was just another phone call that we often exchange. But this time when pepped up with the question of whats new...pop came the reply that he was quitting. As professionals we are all ups for newer and better oppurtunities. But take my word this busgger had been my companion. I knew always whome to fall upon for a query redressal be it official or personal linked through the officvial strings. I have no shame in mentioning this in the public mode that it was because of this person I find myself today where I am. It took some time to digest the news but as you all know we have become seasoned professionals. However I do say that it would be a great miss for me. I am suddenly at 2 roads. This was the person who brought me to this organisation. What should I do now; quit for other ventures or continue. I have to take a call soon. I have to think swiftly and petty fast. With each passibg day, there are ample changes that are being cooked up in the organisation. So when !! Hey bhagwan mera number kab ayega !! Adieu Aroop !!

har fikr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya......

14th Sep. was like any other day in my life. But henceforth it will go in the history of Sukhi as a red letter day. Because this day I dcided to go ahead in quitting fags & booze. Its not that I decide not to go ahead with the same but I will definitely try to avoid them conciousy. Earlier it was so that I used to go for it with every possible minute or situation. Its not that Mallaya's pockets would be affected but I am sure it would affect my pockets to a large extent. But the decision was nothing to do with finance or money because by the Almighty's blessings I am at a comfortable position now but yes I decided it in the longer interest of the family and closed ones. Offlate I am seeing that work pressure has augmented and some days I get pissed off. These intakes were seen as a offway for these tensions but I am sure it was affecting me internally. Since at this juncture of life, family takes priority, I am sure this will go a long way in bringing a new sense of living.

A Mall in the Capitol

Chhattisgarhis were taken aback upon hearing the opening of a descent life size mall in their premises. Needless to say the locale was Raipur and it came with a BIG BANG; INOX + Big Bazaar under one roof. The not so populated Mahasamund road was suddenly flocked by one and all. So much so that Muncipality had to place a car & bike lifting crane permanently. Typically as Raipurites would know the road was used by bachelors and family at times only for visiting the famous lineage of dhabas. However come this mall, we had every body vying for stepping into the largest market complex of the state (as of now: who knows the future; we hear somebringing something bigger than the same). I have frequented the mall countless number of times, shelled out few thousands on movies, dresses, pens, banana shakes, ice-creams, toys already. However I go there for my penchant for observing people. You have distinctive notobles which glare you the moment you enter there which was not there earlier. Raipur was the typically trading city with no outing or night life. Typical observations

a) There is a breed of people whom you never saw amidst the public in Raipur; gorgeous damsels (should I use babes) with a tinge of metro-conciousness, the IAS breed and some elite personalities of the city (read class business men who use palmtops and drive the latest models of Honda & Ford only)

b) The mall owners have to be complimented for using elevators (the only on in the state as of now). Every visit allows me to view atleast a hunderd new people trying it for the first time. Infact they are also not to be blamed for their knaveness; this was a capital with no touch of modernity in terms of facilities of the metros and other A class cities

c) Thankfully seeing the shift in crowds, the existing cinema halls of the town wuold think of improving their quality of offering and services. I had few harrowing experience in some theatres once saving my hand (narrowly I must say) from the wrath of a policeman and few times some parts of movies as a deaf (sound systems conking off for hours in halls, eh ever heard such a thing at other places? I seriously doubt!)

d) Atleast you have some space in the city which is neat and clean (even though it is just few lac sq. ft.). It has brought in a sense of civic-ness amidst the populace. I hope it stays; no seriously as I am well versed with the pathetic civic sense of the public of Raipur

e) Mind you the concept of mall is not new to India but the case of Raipur is different. Malls at Pune are flocked by Puneites, Kolkata by Kolkatans but Raipur's mall is flocked by people dran from all other important towns of the state

f) We being with private sector organisations, thought that the exorbiant prices of designer dresses, costly filmi tickets, no free parking would detest many (the city being driven by Marwaris and SIndhis who wish to have everything free). But no! Brands are flocking in day-in and out and the crowd is burguening with each passing day.

Signing off with the hope that another mall soon blesses this suddenly affluent city of Raipur.

Mail / Super fast musings

Has been one of the most harrowing days of my life. I had just heard earlier of trains being late sometimes for few days together but had never experienced it myself. No today I sit stranded with the train taking an unknown route. I have no idea as to when will it dock Howrah. Imagine my face in front of my colleagues as to what they would be thinking but again why should I worry. It was not at all my fault. Rather they should all pity me that I went through such a trauma. Well, its nothing in my mind now. What a state I am going through now. Touch wood its wonderful but apprehensive about my health. I pray that my inner parts cope and understand my plight.
I was thinking of the relations with some of my colleagues, which has been strained due to some mis-happenings in the recent past. Now one thing is decided that I will go back to my normal state. I was a chatterbox and an energy box full of vibe and energy imbibing others to be so. I am sure that I can and I will regain the earlier state that I was into. Let God be with me.

New feeling...

Well it was business as usual for me but that was not so for my wife. I saw her for the first time in the new avtaar of reading. I never knew that she could be so serious while reading. Well she better get going with her studies for her forth coming exam tomorrow. I suddenly found myself to be a bit mature person with a proper family....what do I sense....asm i getting settled ?? Huh..

T Time

It has been a harrowing day today....not because of it being a physically tiring or mentally draining day (as I have seen much more pathetic days) but because of the BIG gloom.....no no no not inside my or anything to do with my moood but inside me due to the umpteen number of tea cups guzzled. I will never forget this harrowing day; neither will I ever pardon the person who initiated the idea of making Rajnandgaon a branch location. I hope it subsides with time.
Refer to the previous blog....I told you marriage is the best thing that can happen to a person; me missing my other half

Long long time....

Long long time there lived a happy-go-lucky bachelor who alsmost had the entire world at his foot; as if he were the only homo-sapien on this globe and thus he had the rules set for himself and for others. Be it the time frames for each of his physical activity or be it maintainance of relationships with "internal as well as external" customers.
Now this creature no longer has the freedom of the world but this is for sure that his normal idiosyncracies has gone for a toss and he has developed a fresh set. Its now no more, "...we also go home" but, ".....we only go home" and when you use the word home, it symbolises the massive reduction in the degrees of freedom
But frankly speaking nothing seems to have changed thanks to the understanding companion. Its still the same habits that rule besides new permissions to new arenas courtsey the family tag attached to the individual name. Now its no more a house of four walls but a home. Trust me this goes as a lesson for all forthcoming to-be-married that marriage is the best thing that can happen to a person. Its been all fine as of now and I am confident that this shall go on. No doubt that brought about a cultural shift in the life of me but I am happy that this happened to me.

Scrapping after a long long time. I expect to continue with the same habit with augmented frequency. Lets see if I can make it a quotidian affair.

Crouching tiger.....hidden (lot man other things) dragon

A couple of days back I was seeing this movie on AXN....off late I have been seeing too much of television; movies or otherwise....I have to get rid of it....but take m word I was seeing it for atleast the sixth time...but somehow or the other I was attracted enough to see it at a stretch non-stop without even changing the channel even during the pods....I located a couple of things....precisely that is the reason why I am blogging on the same today

a. We associate this movie with martial arts....no doubt that was but whats hidden is the romance that is depicted in the movie....julian and mubai....this is pure romance not the tpical love making or otherwise that is shown in movies to express one feeling for the other

b. More important that this movie at couple of times focusses on man philosophical issues...mubai: all things that can be touched loose their weight...one has to loose something to understand the importance of it

c. Life does not go our way.....more importantly one ought to dedicate onself to the society rather than thinking of oneself....but is it easy? i am sure people will admit that it is easier said than done

do comment if you feel that I am wrong

This shall also pass away

Recently (to be specific last Sunday), the father of one of ex-colleagues died. He died of cancer. The instant I heard the same, it was horrible. Memories came back of the time spent together. Though his (my friend) exit from my present company has been almost 6 months, all the images of togetherness, parties, get-togethers, meetings, duels which I had with him came across my eyes vividly. The tone which he spoke was different. A sudden sense of pity rose inside me.
I was there at their home before the funeral rites. There was a sudden gloom as the dead body was being carried away. The dead man's kith and kin could help themselves from not crying while the corpse was being lifted away from their house to the grounds. There was wailing all around; streams of tears from the eyes of all near and dear ones; smokey milieu cortsey the burning of sacred dust as per rituals; commotion with all friends and known ones around.
The funeral went off as per rituals. That was the first for me. Everybody paid their last wishes. I was there for quiet some time even after the ritual lighting of the pyre. The atmosphere had changed a bit. There was grief but that was with a tinge of maturity; all realising that this was to happen today or tomorrow. There was a sense of fellow-ness and feeling for the other person. Me thinks the Hindu rituals are the reason for this. It is a lengthy one encompassing variuos steps and procedures which reduces the sorrow slowly but steadily; one does not realise when it has reached zero.
With the hustle and bustle of the times and the complexities in the respective jobs, we easily are able to do away with the sorrow attached with the death of a known one. Herman Hesse comes straight to one's mind; straight from Siddhartha - This shall also pass away. Who knows when my time also comes....

Weight of vaccum

A sudden loneliness has engulfed me; I have no explanation for the same. All of a sudden I dont understand how it has happened. Nowadays I seem to be in loss of words while I speak to people. Though there are many people around me and really lots of them; (thanks to my job) lots of parties and get-togethers suddenly these things do interest me. I was pondering about this phenomenon for quiet some time trying to analyse the reasons for the same. This became necessary for the simple reason that I am a person who loves talking to people and make new and newer contacts still maintaining contacts with my old pal. I realised that the most probable rather closest reason would be that I have overgrown for the place and the job. This is the right time for a change. So I am on the job for job hunting. But again I am a lazy person and it would be easier said thatn done for the same.
Till any change takes in my life, I am sure for the moment that I have the unique oppurtunity to try and weigh the emptiness

holiday...musings

Its been quiet some time since I last blogged....blogged...eh whats that ?? You know unknowingly we cramp in so many words and jargons that Shakespeare would really have a tough time understanding those...but as they say it is the call of the time.
the past time (since last scrap) had been a not so exciting one....last week had been full of holidays....holidays mean lots of idle time....nice slumber and passover with books....coming to books, I have to confess that there has not been much progress. No serious reading since long. I have to catch up otherwise this head is going to get scrapped with idiotory things....I hope to be in a position to comment about some writing. But why do I say so...I had been afterall going through the soft version of a novel (I dont remember the name) of Jeffery Archer on my laptop.

East or West; Mom's the best

Well was in for a 1.5 days break. Infact did I tell you that off late I have a taken a few of these 1.5 datys break? This not only shows me asa doting son who cuddles up home freaquently (parents simply overjoyed at this) but also enables me to chip in no officila entitled CLs.
Diwali was just an excuse as I have none of my friends anymore in Rourkela (some like Sushant and Gitu would be caught definitely; I have concrete information about them). But the thing that I have sterted relishing is the motherly touched food; take my word, simple vegeteramian food but the mystique is simply undescribable. Hope nothing goes rot for my stomach. Theek hai, my dear mother I will bear a stomache bout or 2 for the tasty dishes.

Excited state of affairs

With diwali in the air and the prospects of going home tonight, excites me. But this is not the only reason why I would think of having such a title. Had a terrific fracas with boss today. Things could not have been bad with an operational issue coming up in one of the branches of my domain. By the end of almost 10 working hours, I realised that it was only talking for atleast 8 hours a day. Was in a dilemma as to whether I do work for a bank or for a call centre ?
The tinge of partying tonight the Diwali way is also in the air. Each one is eyeing the other at office as to when will all close their official state of affairs to hurry and chill out....what the hell then I am blogging for ?..............signing off