Being A Pedestrian

Part of my life is on foot and partly in an automobile. Its like two different worlds.

On Foot life is way too difficult and hopefully a wee bit easier as a motorist.

A day on the road as a Pedestrian and you will learn all nuances on how to cross the busiest Signal-less roads.

Gurgaon is one such place. There are hardly any red lights in Cyber-city and the crossings are all free movement, whosoever can cross, at their own risk.

Its like building a path for yourself all over again every single second , everyday is a new day and no tactics seem to work. Its a struggle day in and day out . Always one would feel as if their life is at risk at this very moment. Beware, even on a one way, look at the opposite side, "the world is full of idiots". 

It appears to be a perfect place to apply strategy. Be it negotiating, buying , flaunting ,holding etc. Viz.. choosing which cars to stop and what pace to walk on, how frantic to appear and then finally how to thank the ones who actually were considerate enough to stop their shining egos in front of pedestrian/s.

Many have mastered this art by being perfect scientists. There are four categories of car owners...

Ruthless - The ones you should only dare to stop in case you do not care about your life...these are primarily taxis and cars which have way too many dents.

Goggeled - These are generally the ones with ray bans or other expensive shades in any kind of a four wheeler.  In this there are two sub categories -

1) who will halt only if they think your life is in danger and their ultra glam style can be hazardous.

2) who might want to be generous enough to let you have a mini win by throwing an impression that they are a Dude.

Confused - In case they are in a good mood they might let you have your way. Else Tata bye bye.

Been there done that- these are the erstwhile pedestrians or they have to get off at the next stop from frnds car...so they would give you a way to cross the road...in majority of the cases.

The pseudo Pedestrians- the motorcyclists and cyclists travel in all together a different road which has no rules and no passes. It's a free world for them ...these are mightier than the cars , trucks and pedestrians . They have a license to make the other party helpless in any dispute.

Its not a full proof dissection neither am I a strategist, just an observation. However once you cross the road which seems more burdensome than any office deadline also, there is a sense of peace. Racing heartbeat suddenly resumes back to normal. Its a silent celebration after-all being unhurt as a Pedestrian is such an achievement.

Bravo!!

THE LOVE BENCH

So what's this Love Bench.

Its a wait, its a sign of an incomplete Love story, it is a half love story waiting to be unwritten , re-written and read out loud.

Its a Private affair sliding gradually into a Public sphere, its a half recognition of a  shy love.

I often wonder in every park, big or small there is usually a cosy , dim lit area where love birds often share their joys and delights.Hold hands and often cry, the girl unconvinced and the guy too pressurised. I am not being judgemental, but usually that is the case.

Its a place to sort out domestic differences which are not reconcilable in the confines of a house.

Indeed in times when Love is in the air, there are often mild and sometimes ostentatious declarations of Love.

Love which will fade away years later , if that story remained unfinished .

If at all , a Love consummates into marriage, the Love Bench for them remains a symbol of what their Love is now  not.

In teenage years, alot of giggles and kisses have been stolen at this very corner.

A corner , which in broad daylight looks like just another area in the Park, but as the night sets in..the Love Bench comes alive & occupants there are the most watched.

All activities around that Love Bench become immaterial when the status is occupied.

A falling kid is of no incidence to the mother & she will keep prying who that girl is?

Strangely you will never find a known face on that Love Bench, to the disappointment of many.

How many times the vacant Love Bench becomes a topic of gossip between men women and kids.

The teenagers and youngsters maintain an indifferent status knowing that they might be seen there on that Love Bench one day.

Yes, they all want to sit there holding hands in an unknown setup, where the world knows them not, and they can just look into the eyes of the one they Love..

Unashamedly and Passionately.

No Love story is complete without their Love Bench.

This is an ode to the Love Bench in the Park where I go walking. A funny diversion but a worthy one at that. 

Almost everytime I have been there , its seldom unoccupied.

Love thy neighbors ;)

A Summer Twilight

A Summer Twilight frozen in Time

A girl sat waiting for someone special, in a restaurant thinking how summers are as much a delight as winters.

How soon the mood and weather changed. Such a transition.

She thought, The knitted wardrobe of  heavy winter clothing has given way to bright Linens and Cottons.
From coats to skirts the transition of seasons catches us unaware. Closets bulging out with jackets are now neatly packed up with shortest and least covering attires. Overcoats are backpacked and sent into hibernation while special sunny light tiny dresses now hang gracefully in the closet.

 Just flipping her legs, she remembered a cold evening in her winter boots. But today her Funky flip flops flatter, heels are no longer disturbed by fine leggings openly flirting the stairs with consistent chatter. Season of pedicures and judicious visits to salons and parlors is a mandate in her monthly expenses. Air is conditioned, coolers comfort the otherwise fuming mind.

How she loves all the colorful fruits that summer brings. Water-melons, Mangoes color the palate to yellows and dull reds. Eating out means that the day needs to end with mouth-watering ice creams and rich creamy flavored shakes. The Bright pinks, the soothing greens and small tiny bubbles make our soul breezy. Just then topped with Toppling Ice, a Long slim straw peeps out towards her from the ordered delightful drink. What a relief!!

Her drink chills the day and quenches thirst of the soul. The tiny droplets at the outside of luminous glass colors her petite fingers translucent . The blurring is not of vision but the object only. The bright solitaire shining on her finger, which was slid onto her hand just four months back, looks divine with a perched tiny droplet on it. Her million dollar smile is beyond everything that can ever make sense to him. She knows the ring sits like a crown, yes she rules a Man's heart, she owns her King. Is this the magic of the evening?

The sun is dim, its rays shining on her face and he is mesmerized by the ethereal beauty all over again. There is a beauty in this twilight, there is so in every evening as the sun sets. Walking into the restaurant , she knows he sees all these pretty faces and their smiles,  what makes her the queen of his heart? Why indeed did he decide to propose. She knew not, but she was aware that there was alot of love in this moment to sustain a lifetime. This was what she felt all this while since they were together.
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder" , he thinks as he gets lost in her eyes , the warmth has not changed the last he met her a month back.

Unlike winters when fog smears the eyes and diminishes visibility , A summer twilight's effect is more subtle and not blinding. Its beautiful to be somewhere in a dim lighted cozy joint, sipping Icy cold drinks with a warm  heart. The plush of summers is not in expensive overcoats its in the minimalism of excess. The queen of his heart sits there with no makeup, just boldly outlined Kajal with his favorite fruit gloss with the aura of her romantic fragrance. She knew , he knew that he has never loved a woman so much. She can read his eyes, she has learnt it now.

He sat down in front of her, he smiled, she blushed. She was busy adjusting her attire and she was fully aware that she was not perfect, no beauty , just an average girl. He has been away from her , in the sea of books , he remained hooked. Still they keep in touch through mails, chats and calls. She feels no distance can part them away. She feels he is with her always. Time and distance can never pinch enough to hurt their love.

A tear rolls down her cheeks, yes she is delighted to see him. He could see the joy brimming from her eyes. It felt as though like the straw peeped out from the glass with tiny colorful liquids painting it all the way from the bottom to way up, his beloved too was colored in his love. It was not an emotional outburst, there was no drama. This was true to the Summer Twilight, a subtle hint of expression of warmth, love and affection.
After all its minimalism of excess. Of all the emotions you hone, its not wise to flood the banks of your relationship. Subtle emotions work wonders in a pragmatic world. If in Love, Love to your heart's content and let the tiny despairs set beautifully into a wonderful relationship. The sun, skies, stars, moon , the landscapes work hard to make a twilight and its night harmonious. So is with emotions, over reactions-melodrama defy the basic rules of nature. This is something she learnt with rough experiences.

Just then , the prettiest twilight gave its way smoothly into the night, luckily the stars lighted the skies. In the love net, forget not to count the silver linings & numerous stars which add sparkle to your darkest nights.
This evening soon turned into a star lit night, holding hands the lovers disappeared into the crowd but The Twilight remains frozen in their heart as the warmth twinkles in their eyes & breaks into a smile each time the sun is about to set and a night is born. Each day, each night, this twilight remains alive and their love it ignites.

This is their moment frozen in time.

The Pilgrimage

A visit to Vaishnodevi.
The experience was over whelming. The moment we stepped out to start our journey , I was aware that something is about to change.

We reached Jammu and it was an alien land. Why so? 

Because there was no chaos , it was an easy life.

Everyone was at peace with their lives. 

And yes there were groups of people who were barefoot and just walking colored in saffron clothes.

With Jai Mata di headbands. It was a different world. 

We first prepared our body for the pilgrimage, we thought to take some rest and make sure we fed ourselves a little.We realized later, it was not as much about our bodily strength than it was about our mental character.

While I was sitting in the train on our way back, I knew what had changed in me.

There was a shift in perspective. It did not matter how I looked while I was dead on my way back, the zeal was that I made it back without any support,on my own.I had no mental support , no one to give me a pat on my back, no one to hold my hand, we were maybe all on our own. Except the lucky ones who might have truly had some companions. There was no right or wrong, to take the stairs or the slope, to rest when the other one was in discomfort  I appeared to be stronger, ate my pain and kept on with the pace. The journey back was more painful, because there was a certain disappointment that all this hoopla was around an Idol which we barely saw for 3 secs and were hushed out.

It was a complete setback  , the conditions way up and way down with horse shit and water and rains and so much of crowd.I kept on praying please dont rain, but well that is the Test. You will be put through bad circumstances.What peace and what wisdom can come through this.

The experience taught me something, which was Faith and Trust.
It was belief in our strengths. It was loving your goal more than loving your comfort.

I saw men carrying their mothers/fathers/kids on their backs for 28kms, they had no resources to hire a horse/ass/palki..what they had was immense faith that what I am carrying is not a burden. They walked at an unbelievable pace. Their rhythm , the discipline and their focus was appalling.

And here we were, broken mind, body and soul, wondering why would anyone come here .

Is it worth it? 

In life, alot of times, we forget what we learnt because we are busy criticizing what we got. We are sad because we are comparing ourselves to others.

We miss out on smaller joys because we are focussing way too much on the end result, we are driven by accomplishments and not by experiences.

I am not sure if I would want to visit again, but I am open to any opportunity when I am called again to Vaishnodevi.

It taught me to love all and to give it all I got.

When we are tired , we know the plight of the other person as well, because we are travelling in the same boat.

We are all in different shoes, and not all humans are physically the same level, respect the differences and keep moving.

It rained and rich, poor, crippled, young, old all kept on moving. Adversities should not stop us.

The journey was colored white, INR 20 rupees raincoat which saved us from the rain.

Everyone had the same means to protect themselves, it was a journey of equals.

On our way back in train we met a devout pilgrim, who visits every month, then also those who visit maybe every week.Though I agree that god or that power exists and needs to be heeded. But I am not really sure how much comforts are we ready to give up.I can make that journey every week sitting in a helicopter, but I am not sure if I will make the same journey every week /month if I was on foot.

So many people's belief does make me think its a miracle and maybe Vaishnodevi and many such pilgrimages have some power.I firmly agree to the fact that, we do change our outlook visiting these places.

How else can experiences mould us. These are our own choices , to climb 14kms for a 3 sec glimpse of an idol.

The power of it transforms us, not to believe in all this blindly but they give us a re assurance that we all are able enough beyond our capacity.

A 70 yr old can walk through that 28 kms with a smile with a hope of visiting again very soon.

That is courage, that is the real learning.

All that we ask for, all that we wish for, we are ready to climb mountains but are we ready to accept the final consequences?

Are we ready for firm acceptance of the outcome? Will we crib about the tough life or will we smile at the very small funny incidents in our lives.

Perspectives change once we see the real people, the real life. 

Some sleepless nights , and we will sleep even without the conditioned air, we will rest without any conditions, without any fans.

What I learnt?? Many things, most importantly, when we give something all we got, when we tire ourselves beyond limits, when the pain of body disrupts your sleep.

You will still smile, because you do not regret. You did not give up, you had faith. You knew there are more able people with resources , there are people low on money. 

You will keep on moving. You will live the experience , you will internalize all pains and all smiles. 

You will live in the moment, you will give your best, you will not fret, you will not compare, you will focus and reach you destination, knowing that this is not the end of the journey.

You are wiser because even when you got nothing, you have lost nothing. You now know how much you can endure, you know where to rest and when to scale up your efforts.

Destination was disappointing, but main was the journey. 

I asked nothing when I was in front of the Idol for 3 secs, I could not think of anything to ask for, I just thanked her and asked for blessings.

My first Pilgrimage was a perfect one. I learnt more than I imagined I can understand.
Awaiting for the next pilgrimage to unravel soon, 


Maybe wiser men knew-


'When , finally , we reached the place,
We hardly knew why we were there.
The trip had darkened every face,
Our deeds were neither great nor rare.
Home is where we have to gather grace.


-Nissim Ezekiel


No pilgrimage can ever cure an impure mind, a dirty soul, a selfish heart.
Before you make your next Pilgrimage , make sure we clean up the dirt.
Yes, Metaphorically and literally.

What are you Hiding?

Strange but true, when guests are at our doorstep and we are unprepared then What do we usually do? 
We hide things and we hide sometimes alot more than just things.In a hurry, we wrap up what we were doing and clothes go inside the almiras in the wrong places.


Dust is cleaned as much as not to show and pinch the eyes.There is some unwanted stuff which also finds place with our dear possessions.Things we never intend to keep, gradually mingle to become a little wanted.On this occasion when unexpected becomes exciting and we welcome the new guests with open arms, how much we change to please them and the abode goes through a mini makeover.And now we are not unhappy , we are good with this change. We have hidden what we do not like, we have the guts to showcase things which might appeal to others and not necessarily to us. Its critical to know what was put where and to not start liking the current status quo. Or is it?

The same happens with our relationships. Often in times of discomfort with people in life, we hide and camouflage to please usually ourselves and seldom others.In a house we do sacrifice and make that extra effort, but not in life.Relationships start rotting and the Almira of thoughts becomes hap hazard. In the scheme of clash of likes/dislikes and hate/love we temporarily adjust but never permanently.Not till we forget that this was what we did not like.Is it that we can skew towards opinions and preferences easily if we keep ourselves neutral.Are we becoming more and more egoistic and rigid not towards our preferences but because we have conditioned ourselves and derive a sense of self from it.Our definitions of possessions, emotions are strangely defining us today. And we will hide our real self under this garb to later realise that secretly we did enjoy what we claim to hate.

So sit and think, what are you hiding.And when the guests leave your home, when random thoughts and people leave you alone, do find time to think, why are you hiding yourself in good/bad/ugly/beautiful relationship or phases life. Lets love ourselves and not restrict what we think we are.


We are as wonderful as we wish to be. There is no limit to being what you want to be.Pause for a while and accomodate others in your journey as well, do not mould yourself as per others and do not try to fit others in your scheme of things.The ones who wish to see the real you will, and others well, will one day merge within their scheme of things to become likeable.Welcome all the guests with eyes split wise open to see yourself through their eyes, maybe they do see the best in you.They will see what you cannot and believe in you when you don't.Do remember, when somethings do not fit the scheme of things, either we keep them till we find space or we pass them to people who have space.People, friends, emotions, money, things, pictures, possessions and thoughts should never be hidden, else they might show up at the wrong time.Only hide your fat, it never harms to hide extra pounds. That is smart.Oversmartness is when we hide what we cannot manage.
x

Mujhe Kya Bechega Rupaiyaa

I was watching Satyamev jayate the other day. It was about how dowry is involved during marriages and how this has spoilt so many lives.In the name of marriage everyone including the bride, their relatives and families are ready to scale up to any heights of nonsense to massage the ego of the other party.

Social stigma is another evil which has ruined lives of many who have a girl child or a young lady being pushed towards marriage.This institution of marriage and the commoditization of women in this process has spread itself so wide that most of what was unreasonable once has become an acceptable norm of the transaction of Marriage Market.

The issue of all crime related to women finds its roots in no other custom but in Business of Marriage.

The cementing of a relationship is based on sacrifices and worries of all parents as soon as they hold a newly born baby girl in their hands.Even in most forward subsets of the society there is an inkling in the heart that she would leave us one day and go.This process of giving security to young women eats away all resources and gives sleepless nights to all her guardians.

Issues like Female Foeticide , child marriage, domestication, illiteracy , rape , social dependence, eve teasing are issues which are all related to attitude of the society. 

The attitude which is eating up all the confidence in this pseudo freedom given to girls in the name of Modernism and forward thinking.The time a girl child is born there are alot of restrictions to the mind. Today very successful women are said to be too career minded and have disjoint families.

Its not as much a shame to rape than be the victim to be raped. A woman's identity is kept under wraps after any such incident.

The root needs to be removed once and for all. Give a woman the right not to be commoditized. Her free will to marry or not and when , whom and how to marry.Social norms should change to cashless and foodless weddings, gatherings only to serve snacks and mocktails and expenses to borne by bride and groom , not their families.

This can remove the stigma of girl being a liability. She will spend what she earns. Should support parents. 

Instead of worrying in what would be the expenditure on her wedding, parents can think on more profitable line as how much can she study and what would that cost.This would reduce unwanted killings in the womb. Once women get that confidence to reject and accept what they want, rights will not be asked but automatically given.

She is not a mere asset that needs to be saved and kept scratchfree  till the wedding and handover. 

She is a diamond, the more she sees life , the stronger she becomes and more she shines.

She is not to be bought by money, but won by love.

Respect women and respect their choices.

One Day, Some Day

The gentle breeze ruffled and unsettled drooping trees warmly. It was some perfect evening which seemed warm and not unpleasant. Sounds of blaring horns muted by playful quirky kids. Chirpy birds flew by unnoticed spreading coziness within her heart. The slight humidity of the evening added a dash of sweetness.
When she looked around, it was chilly cold but still there was a subtle rush on her cheeks. Her tender fingers clasped each other in sheer assuring nervousness.

A Day when it did not matter how fast time runs because her heartbeats skipped once every single minute. This inconsistency of her pulse was in its own way very consistent. She could feel the moment, she could keep time, she could stay frozen in this era. This hour she measured was no less than a quarter of a century for her.

She indeed waited not for years, not for months not even for weeks. Not literally. It was a matter just of somedays. The days which had gone by like silk from the softest hands. This was not exactly the way she expected it, but this was beyond expectations. She never did bind her mind , never did condition it. Else it would have brought some hovering thoughts on ' how would that be'.

Some day, one day she knew this would happen. It seemed so right, it seemed so quiet, utterly soothing.
The moment seemed almost Deadly and complete. She looked around, the whole world was alien to her except this loving voice, these ardent eyes settled on her and the firm hands touched her gently. This was not a dream, she broke the silence extended her hand towards his face and replied:

 "Yes I do, I Love you too"

The shortest affair and the longest Love Story followed. This was their DAY OF LOVE.
One Day, Some Day you will have your perfect day with your Perfect Partner.
Till then , keep up the good work. ;)

MY LOVE SONG

Your eyes see in me, what I want to be

You make me believe that I can be

What I am , you always let me be

Somehow , you still bring out the best in me.

Life is too short to regret.

I want to live each moment to death.

It was magic the first time our eyes met

I will love you till my last breath.

Our story is like a breezy song

Crazily in love I hum along

Your touch is tender as it slides down my waist

Together a melodious symphony we make.

Your eyes express more than words do

Your voice touches my soul too

Every inch of me is beauty to you

Our unfathomable love is true.

When a smile might not settle a discord

We will reason it out & join the dots

Our love canvas is a rainbow

Like a sparkling estuary it will flow.

And I will be by your side , when the "billows dancing"

With any dark cloud , I will be your silver lining.

Dreams heard in a Lullaby will come true

I started to believe it the moment I loved you

All your dreams like a celestial sky I will tenderly hold

Till the Sun beams & until the Moon sleeps in the heavenly folds.

This is My Love Song

And this I sing, Every-time I melt in your arms.

Something Borrowed

The me I know is a world unknown,
From my lighted smile to the inherent warmth.
The silly me is nothing new
Its me but its still something borrowed.

When it all goes wrong
All hope is dead
I cheer up because I know its for the best
Not brooding, thanks to being something borrowed.

At times when brutal defeat stares hard
I tremble , fumble ,crumble and I fail
I cry and I break, I stand up tall, a little late
No one has faith but you, I am happy I am something borrowed.


When I hide it, as cupid strikes
I share not any names, I play mind games, I lie
I say I need you not, sometimes you know I am wrong
When hurt, You still wipe my tears 'cz I am something borrowed.


Often what I want I get not
I deserved it but it was meant not
For I do not curse or get jealous or pry
I will cheer from the sidelines, this goodness is something borrowed.


All endless fights we have
I know you are right
I know you think that its my false pride
I hate it when you are always correct,
Alas even you would be something borrowed.


Life and its morbid experiences
Start to rust me out
I know you will take time out to fix me
I am too dear to you,
A part of you, Something borrowed.


Life comes a full circle someday
My Borrowed potions heal , smile and fix the ones I love
Their pain scars me, even when they Fail me I will stand by them.
This is who we all are,
At heart after all , We are all something borrowed.


This is especially for my MOM and all the ones I love- The Powerpuff girls, My Family , My Friends, and Others who were'nt that wise otherwise . ;)

Khwabon Ke Parindey

Khwabon Ke Parindey Song -ZNMD

Ude, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey
Ude, dil ke jahaan main khaabon ke parinday
Oho, kya pata, jaayenge kahaan
Khule hain jo pal, kahe yeh nazar
Lagta hai ab hai jaage hum
Fiqrein jo thi, peechhe reh gayi
Nikle unse aage hum
Hawa mein beh rahi hai zindagi
Yeh hum se keh rahi hai zindagi
Oho, ab toh, jo bhi ho so ho

Ude, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey Ude,
dil ke jahaan main khwabon ke parindey
Oho, kya pata, jayenge kahaan
Kisi ne chhua toh yeh hua
Phirte hain mehake mehake hum
Khoyi hain kahin baatein nayi
Jab hain aise behake hum
Hua hai yun ke dil pighal gaye
Bas ek pal mein hum badal gaye
Oho, ab toh, jo bhi ho so ho

Roshni mili Ab raah mein hai ik dilkashi si barsi
Har khusi mili Ab zindagi pe hai zindagi si barsi
Ab jeena hum ne seekha hai

Yaad rahe kal, aaya tha woh pal
Jisme jaadoo aisa tha Hum ho gaye jaise naye
Woh pal jaane kaisa tha
Kahe yeh dil ke jaa udhar bhi tu
Jahaan bhi leke jaaye aarzoo
Oho, ab toh...


The Song-

This is one of the best songs I have heard lately. The lyrics, score and the song have an intense tranquility to it. Khwabon ke Parindey is a song that narrates the Feeling of Falling in Love.
An unsettling restlessness which will keep that smile and glow on.

A moment where worries, expectations and inhibitions will dilute and you would be as light as a feather and flow like a gentle breeze. Your ultimate moment of bliss which is real and not surreal.
Beyond which you are not baffled . Just at ease with yourself .A moment so powerful that even its mere memory will always infuse the same bliss into you as it did when you froze it eternally in your heart. And you would say to yourself, beyond this , "Jo bhi ho so ho".      :)

Dreams on Wheels

First Day , First Show- Delhi Auto Expo 2012

Lights, Camera , Action...
Glitz -Glamor and Style. Auto Expo 2012 is nothing less than a big budget masala flick.


Walking miles and miles to see splendor of Machines on Wheels can be taxing.
Just a glance at the Beauties.Ahem Ahem..not the models but THE SHOW STOPPERS- THE MIGHTY MACHINES makes all the hard work of journey on feet worthwhile.


There is always a first time, and my first experience to witness total stunners backed with excellent technology was a memorable one.No photos can do justice to any of those machines which sparkle and entice you to look at them. I flirted with not one but many such wonderful machines. It was like all vital stats mentioned upfront for open admiration.The detailing on CC, bhp, torque , shockers etc just make these automobiles so much more desirable. You can differentiate eyes and attitude of Men drooling on technology/machines and the ones just there for cheap thrills.


I am still wondering what good would come from so much exposure of models of Indian and Foreign origins. We have clearly undermined the Power of Dreams on Wheels. The real automobile enthusiast would pay attention to detailing not of the Skinny models but the technology and styling behind the machines. Strangely I did see some grading system in utilization of models as well. Next to all new launches / stunners were no less than eye-opening models pulling more unwanted crowd than appreciated. Spectators scanning women in the spotlight deep down under. Behind their fake smiles one could sense their discomfort.The biggest flipside, those models know nothing about the machines they are standing next to. What a pity!


With nothing in hand and nothing in bank, I do have my wishlist ready for must haves before I die. The best was Harley Davidson. No frills only machines roaring of sheer and absolute stunners. Not a single Harley displayed was any less than the other. A rock band was playing to match with the spirit of Harley. Being    much more than a bike they can be defining the person who owns it. A rarity on road Harley still has more X Factor than any of the high end cars, even the likes of Jaguar. Nontheless its a game of money and bags full of them at that.


For ones who are done with Harleys of the world, welcome to Triumph. No, its not a lingerie brand, Triumph is almost as phenomenal for women as for any bike enthusiast. They have range of bikes which can make your heart skip a beat when you see the Price Tags. Phenomenal bikes at jaw dropping prices.


A point worth noting is that almost all major automobile manufacturers are launching minimum 1-2 models this year. Be it  Scooters launch, a range of SUVs or wonderful small cars. Curious eyes and guessing minds will be kept waiting till the final Press Con happens for all respective Automobile honchos declaring the much awaited launches for 2012. Surprisingly for a year which might see another Depression looming , Auto majors are very positive for the year ahead.


From a ward of Rovers to Cruisers to Fortuners to Maruti Suzuki's Alpha and more , many upgraded models of existing SUVs will flood the Indian markets and test the real waters. Tatas might have ruined the macho look of Safari by introducing its sleeker feminine upgrade Safari Storme.
The automatic transmission of Toyota Fortuner was awaited which is a 4x2 model with another variant with manual transmission which is a 4x4 model with headlamp washers.


However all the classics left me restless. Right from the vintage cars to Classy Gypsy did leave many awe struck. The much awaited BMW Mini (Cooper) was also launched amidst a jam-packed press-con. The luxury hatchback club would widen with Mini joining Beetle and Fiat 500.


Ferraris, Porsche , BMW, Mercedes Benz, Maserati, Jaguar and Audi etc were all out with their four-wheeled gems . The likes of TVS, Honda, Yamaha, Polaris, Hero, Suzuki, Firefox had alot to show-case too the the spectators. Millions of visitors have already witnessed the Year's Moto Extravaganza.


Young men were glued to virtual and video games with a clear "Need for Speed" bug biting them. Rowdy crowds did leave no stone unturned to create an Auto Expo out on the roads, the evening of 6 Jan when all roads to any "Pragati" seemed jammed and blocked. For a city which boasts to be capital of India such severe clogging was as surprising as spotting high profile men and women at the Auto Expo.


I had the pleasure to get a fleeting glance at Rata Tata, Sr Munjal maybe an SRK and Big B , Honchos of all major Auto brands & some prolific editors of Auto mags. And then they said that John Abraham was here, Katrina Kaif and many more. It was a tiring day as A high-heeled and a high headed girl saw her Dreams on Wheels. My list of must owns has even become a little more ambitious than it already was.


Auto expo is like an A list event, where all you can do is window-shopping and as you step out,  you are aware that Technology not only changes lives but inspires us to dream bigger. Its indeed an excellent drive to achieve...Vrooooooooooom. Get Set Go.


PS- I am a person who does not know how to ride a car and has 0 knowledge about the Jargons of the world of Automobiles. This is just an experience which left me richer, even after loosing my wallet and a credit card usage of 15000 bucks not made by me. Guess, Every dark cloud has a silver lining. I lost my wallet but have bigger dream to chase.

Just like that..

Random thoughts keep flooding my mind, Always Just Like That.   :)

Days become longer , darkness shorter.

Nights are sleepless & still I feel afresh.

It is sometimes great to think nonsense. 

Afterall its just me alone in my world.

My plush life of abundance.

What harm can it do. 

To Think through, Just Like That.

When flying high in the sky.

You switch seats to get a view.

And are in awe of An Artist you call Nature.

Painting clouds orange, white, blue and bright.

Imagining these clusters as Flocks of birds & far of Palaces.

Watching sea of clouds turn to a Polar bear.

What harm can it do.

To Glide In, Just Like that.

On a jam packed road.

Seated in your car at ease.

Your favorite song comes by.

Humming it with restrain.

Tapping your feet & clapping silently.

Shaking your head shyly, you look around.

What harm can it do.

To Sing Loud, Just Like That.

Being alone in thoughts is not being lonely.

When solitude brings more meaning.

When in a crowd you have no one to talk to.

You hear your voice assuring you,

"Why bother I am here, with you"

Still an unknown face catches your attention.

What harm can it do.

To Smile Back, Just Like That.

A time when your love hurts you bad.

Tears bring pleasure not sorrows.

Tired of the grim mood you are in.

You peered into the adorable guilty face.

In an instant your affection melts you.

You are healed and become weak.

What harm can it do.

To Forgive Him, Just Like That.

In your complicated life.

Noticing that love again came by.

You stop, smile and wink.

Wonderful outsider beams & it clicks.

To start to build your magical adobe.

Later see him turn cold, dejected again.

What harm can it do.

To Speak Out, Just Like That.

On a hostile winter rainy night.

Out for a stroll in the mist.

You disregard a tiny cranky pup twice.

Selfish, You cared not, but thought once.

Years later you cared more and thought not.

You went home to get food & showed love.

What harm can it do.

To Do Good, Just Like That.

To gaze at the limitless sea, surge.

Into Highs, Lows and Numbs.

Your heart's filled with endless emotions.

With joy, gratitude and pain.

Unaware you wander, salty waters roll down your eye.

And people watch, but should you care.

What harm can it do.

To Walk On, Just Like That.

Trudging an uphill is tough.

The heavy weight breaks you apart.

When risks seem unwise.

Your gut tells you to lie- low.

Rest for a while, its good.

Your will is strained, you sneak out.

What harm can it do.

To Give Up, Just Like That.

On your Judgement Day.

You tremble not.

The Voice Commands

"Why you lived on, Just Like That."

Will You say, I Regret Not.

Yes you will.

Because-

You Thought Through

To Glide In

You Sang Loud 

And Smiled Back

You Forgave Him

But Spoke Out

You Did Good

Still Walked On

Not Gave Up.

YES YOU LIVED LIFE, JUST LIKE THAT. 

PS- We are what choices we make, In the End Regret Not.

Life is lived, Just Like That. 

LIFE ver 2.0.1.2

Welcome 1-Jan-2012




For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.

~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

Could'nt agree more with the esteemed thinker/writer of 20th century.

What a perfect way to sum up a Year gone by. 

World saw a transition, a change of yet another calender year. (2011-2012)

What actually changed? If at all anything did, would be our perspective. Maybe a will strong enough to accept and acknowledge - The Inevitable Metamorphosis. 

Version 2.0.1.2 of life awaits you for better or for worse. 

Perhaps New Years signify a collective decision of masses to change  perspectives, habits and memories. In a world full of random experiences it becomes difficult to make choices  and be selective in what we wish to learn/unlearn /erase from the year that passed us through. Do we let "bygones be bygones" or learn to value our experiences. 

What to pick as valuable and what as worthless is going to determine what we become in Life as years go by as a social mandate.

No 365 days are the same and what we were last morning,  we might not be this morning. New Years seem to be the time when we age psychologically and very suddenly so. On birthdays we are termed to age physically. Each year this day, I ponder and reflect the story of last 8760 hours that flew by me. How much was I able to hold on to? Not much. Qualitatively the year was not very enriching until it dawned this was as good as I could make it. 

Last year , this day, I hoped that Life Ver 2.0.1.1 would be better than its yester-self. 

Soon to realize that there will always be highs & lows, Life will be as unpredictable & will get more erratic as we grow grey.  Every year looking into the mirror, something changes. 

The quest to get better out of me becomes stronger while the fear to face another year lessens. This is what we call a Habit, though old habits die hard.

A year to realize that no thing and no one is irreplaceable. 

A year to learn that with immense joys follow the deep crevasses of darkness. 

A year to understand that permanence is temporary & temperance is mandatory.  

A year where I met life in its raw ugly form and saw the best of me lost in the web.

A year where I knew every dark cloud had  silver lining. 

A year when I am unaware when the sun would shine.

A year where I am at peace with Life.

A year which will go down as dawning of eternal wisdom.

A year when journey became more important that the destination.

A year where all goals were blurred and new milestones appeared.

The year I grew up to LIFE.

To all those who stood by me , Its been a good one.

Am all set for another roller-coaster called 2012. 

Virus struck, infected and cured.  :)

Behold the light, behold the dark.

Swiftly in the  sky I lark.