The World Never Stops

Have you ever just stood by the side of the road and as a normal pedestrian observed what is going around?

Well I would say that if you want to give a dose of awakening to some friend from their self obsession slumber, it is a very modest exercise.

In each one of our lives, we are our own protagonist. We are our biggest competitors, each time trying to outdo our performance. At the same time, we think that the world revolves around us and only us. We are the epicenter of the earth’s rotation. We are the gravity holding things at the places where they should be!

You might think that if your certain issue is not resolved, the world will collapse! But no, there is still going to be activity around you. There are still going to be hundreds of people driving on the roads. Millions of birds crossing nations.

When we stand at some corner of the road, we think of our problems, our issues that need urgent looking into. But, for once, forget yourself and try to look around. Open your eyes to the world. Keep your cell phone aside and just look at the world with new eyes!

The world, my dear friends, never stops!

It will amaze you how in a matter of minutes you can observe the world revolving around you. Without you controlling it! :P

We think that there is nothing more important than what we have to do! No place important to go to than our own destination!

Interestingly, this is not just your story or mine. It is the story of everybody!

You will see each individual tending to his own self! One pushing his bicycle while the other on his tricycle. A rich busy businessman sitting on the backseat of his car while a lone rider listening to FM. A strict looking lady driving with ultimate purpose or a feeble lady struggling with the weight of her scooter.

Isn’t it amazing to just imagine that each of these living bodies around us have stories related to them? Just like us? Each of these faces in the crowd is a person with a solid existence! How easy it is to disregard all these beings and only focus upon our goals!

The world never stops though! Not for you, not for me…

But then how is it that we know the life stories of iconic personalities like Sonia Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar and even Shahrukh Khan?

Well, because these people rose from being just another face in the crowd to people who made a difference in their lives as well as ours!

The fact is, we live in the Milkyway, with a surface area of billions of square kilometers. And what fraction do we occupy on this huge area? That much math is way out of my potential!

The next time you travel in an airplane, make sure you look down. You won’t be able to spot even your house! Then what big shot are we?

Our existence is questionable if we fail to leave a mark… A mark that shines as bright as the Sun and is visible across four galaxies…

You may be the hero in your own lives. But, stop, think… Does being a hero in the lives of thirty count enough to you?

Take a look around, the world would have stopped for you the moment you capture the hearts of millions! When every element on the planet would be chanting your name…

Wait for your moment… But don’t let the world get the better of you because it never stops!

In the war against STEREOTYPISTS!!

Hell yes! I want to declare an open war against all those who have taken the open liberty of giving people tags on their own accord!

A person might want to live freely, enjoy his life, but gets restricted because of these social norms. A person who drinks, is a drunkard… A person who has many girlfriends is surely a Casanova… A girl and boy spend a lot of time together, is a full proof that they are sleeping with each other… A person who always gives in to others demands is a fool!

Why can’t a person drink if he wants to? It’s not like he is carrying a pint in his jacket! Well, yes, if you spot him at some bar daily, we have a problem there! Why can’t a person keep looking for his lady love? And why doesn’t he have the right to keep looking? Nobody would care to ask how he is feeling after the break-up, but yeah, everybody sure has the heart to say, “Oh! Another break-up?”

The most ridiculous thing ever! A boy and a girl cannot be friends forever! Why can’t that happen? It will not happen if either of them falls in love with the other. But then it doesn’t always happen! C’mon people, give them space! Widen your minds to the “possibility” of the idea that a girl and a boy are indeed good friends!

I am definitely against stereotyping! Unless and until you do not find instances that the person has behaved in a particular way, do not tag them! Well, and for all that matters, the person can succumb to change even after you have tagged them with something particular!

We need to grow up. We need to understand every person’s need of space. Everybody on this planet has the right to grow his wings as far as he wants unless they do not interfere with someone else’s space. Let everyone keep to their own businesses! And let’s keep to our own business too!

As my teacher says, a modern mind is not when you wear modern clothes. But your modern attitude reflects through you as soon as you open your mouth to voice opinions and expressions! :D

So the next time you call yourself open-minded, think twice!

If I ever become a Writer

I am an Engineering Student thoroughly traumatized by the qualms of an ugly book from which you have to study for the semester exams! I can understand the pain that we student go through when we open those huge books sometimes weighing more than the students themselves. I always need the Librarians help to carry my books from one end of the Library to the issue counter!

Once you reach the issue counter you have to keep waiting behind this long line of budding revolutionaries of the field. Well! No offence to them. But these are the people who spend the first day of the term making rounds of the Library! While on the other hand, we, the outcasts of such a college community, spend that time catching up with friends and friend’s friends!

After spending minimum half an hour in this queue which moves as slow as a turtle’s race, you somehow reach the front and win the battle of the start of term (10 days later) with issuing books!

These books never get touched unless and until you don’t have to arm yourself for the first unit test. 

But eventually books are to be opened when you have no other option to study from unlike the other blessed students who can study from VBDs (Computer Science Dept. has no VBDs published :-O ). You open the first chapter and what irritates the most is, out of ten topics you need to study 3. But to understand those 3 you eventually have to read all 10. Then why to limit the course syllabus to 3 topics when the examiners could as well ask questions on all the 10?

1.     When I write a book, I’ll write COURSE material books! So that the poor students do not have to be in any state of confusion as to what to study and what not to. They open my book, read everything and go for the exam with the confidence that they have done everything that was required from them.

Now, another important thing that we as students face is - what all questions to prepare. Yes, “questions”. We try to find short-cuts, well, here I’ll give them one!

2.     When I write a book, I’ll mark the important questions according to their frequency of appearance in the question sets!

A major turn off in book reading is the font, the print pattern and their deep relationship with monotony. You will only flick the pages and every page of the book exactly the same as the last one. Nothing interesting that will attract me to read them!

3.     When I write a book, I’ll make sure that every page has an interesting feature. Color patterns to mark the headings and sub-headings. Or related diagrams on each page!

Have you ever wondered what any particular author is trying to convey when he writes something? Well, if I had understood the subject and the complex technicalities mentioned, why would I want to read it in the first place?

4.     When I write a book, I’ll make it a point that what I say is easily conveyed. I’ll not use all those heavy words to prove that I am a very technical person or to tell how much I know! I’ll make sure, what I write reaches to every heart! And after every line they read, they say, “Ah! Wah! Got it now!” :P

I am not a very fond reader of books, but yes, I love reading the trivia columns in magazines! Find out new facts about the particular topic. Relate it to real world examples.

5.     When I write a book, I’ll add “FUN FACTS”!! :P Giving fun filled real world examples that will help students click with the concept as fast as are the chances of being electrocuted when you touch a live wire!

I may be a writer who other academicians loath because of my naïve attempt to spread knowledge. But when I’ll be blessed by a million students for generations to come, should I really be thinking about spreading knowledge the “right” way??! :D :D

Just A.M.U.S.E.D

My day started as it usually does. Waking up in the morning at a time when eye opens. Lazily going down the stairs and asking the maid to make some tea. No change.

Except, my dad had left home early. And my maid and grandmom were talking about the sad demise of the Vice Principal of my college. ;'(

He was a great man. A man of virtues. He stuck to his words and when he walked through the college, there were ripples of fear because of his strict disciplinary practices.

But as I said, that did not affect my schedule.

The pull of death amazes me. One day you hear stories about a person and the next day you hear the news of his death.

It indeed is true, when the time comes when you have to leave the world, you will do so. You won't be allowed many goodbyes. Or maybe you wouldn't be lucky enough to even say a single Goodbye.

Today, when I think about what must be going on at his place, sadness engulfs me. A whole world of well-being uprooted.

And not just this one household, but dunno how many other. How many others were left without a future by death itself.

The uncertainty of living amuses me. 

                                              An ADVENTURE of a Lifetime!! :P

Everybody must think that the change in college timings is a boon! You get to come back home early. But hello! Nobody is talking about havong to wake up early! :( 

But yeah, everybody talks about how peaceful it is in the mornings.

I went through a horrendous set-back because of this unnatural change in the college timings. 

So, one fine day, I wake up at 7.30am. Quickly dress up and have breakfast. Say a nice big goodbye to my parents and leave for college at 8.30. Little was I aware of what was about to happen! :P

On the way, I try to keep a safe distance from the ongoing traffic. A speed of 50kmph (slowest till date). 

While I am enjoying this peace, a Pulsar closes down on me... The guy sitting on the back, bends down and ROBS ME OF MY BAG! ;'(

And whoosh! Every second of my peace got disrupted. And my stupid mind wouldn't give me any instructions as to what to do next! I screeched to a halt. My heart thumping with fear. My insticnt told me, "Start this damned vehicle and go behind them!" But then, a passer by aunty invaded into it saying, "Nako nako pori, jau nako tyanchya mage!" (No no girl, don't follow them!)

I cried! ;'( Duh! But yes, I cried! ;'( There would be many giving me suggestins, "Arey, Bhagya! Number kyun nahi note kiya?" (Why did you not note the number?) "Chali jati na uske peeche!" (You should have followed the guy!) "Jab tak number nahi dikhta tab tak to jati!" (You should have followed him until you could note the number!)

I would say only one thing to all of them, "Now when I think of the incidence, I can shoot a 3 hour thriller-action movie!" But its better said than done! My mind just didn't work then.

This semester, I swore I would bunk minimum classes. And I stuck to it! My notebooks were complete, I understood the concepts. I was well equipped to face the exams this semester. 

But fate always has something else in store! I was robbed of my bag!! My COLLEGE BAG! :( Students like us, dress up early and leave for college and rogues like them, dress up early and leave for looting people!! 

I have cursed the men so much! They could well take my wallet, but return me my notebooks.

I was just recovering from all the loss. Having to face the repurcussions of loosing a driving license and notebooks.

I have now photo copied two of the four subjects. Deciding that tmrw, I'll apply for the license.

But not anymore!! Mr. Chor has duly returned my license, PT I-card and a packet of my passport size photographs! :D :D Yes!! I received a post today enclosed in it were all of these documents!

He even writes a letter, "MEIN AAPKO AAPKI SAMPATTI LAUTA RAHA HUN. POLICE KE PAAS NAHI GAYA KYUNKI POLICE NA KISI KI DOST HOTI NA DUSHMAN"

Lolz. ! :D :D

P.S.  Mr. Chor, please courier me my notebooks the next time!!!!!! ;)

Pictures, A reflection

We click pictures and pose for pictures. A person who shows least interested in getting photographed is usually the one who loves it the most!

But whatever, good or bad, pictures are evergreen. They are meant to be, for today and for tomorrow.

We might just pose for a picture today, but when we watch it some other time, nostalgia catches on.

If in the present we are sad, we can atleast see our pictures of the past to only relive those moments of happiness.

We are assured that we have the ability to smile again, and to laugh again!

And if at all we find ourselves submerged in sadness, watching old photographs, we know what to draw strength from!

Photographs are the glorious keeps of our deeds and misdeeds. An unbiased reflection of the kind of person we are. Capturing snippets of our life.

Today, Facebook has become an ultimate tool of sharing and publishing photographs. And I thank Mark Zuckerberg for making it possible! ;)

Because when I leave college in a year, I know I am always going to be able to live this time of my youth in its prison cell called “photographs”.

So go ahead guys, the camera loves you! Give it your best shot!

It is all about attachment after all.

The amount of expectations we have from someone is proportional to the value of that person in your life. I wouldn’t expect an acquaintance miss her class to come and support me in some contest! I will definitely hold that expectation from my friend though… And why shouldn’t I?

I wouldn’t expect my “date” to sacrifice his sleep and talk to me… But yeah, I have that right over my boyfriend! ;) I cannot expect my friend’s mom to cook me something delicious when I go to her place… Well, from my mom, I don’t have to keep expecting… I think of it, it’s there in front of me… Isn’t the relationship very beautiful where I don’t have to expect at all? Everything is done for me on the person’s own accord! And all I have to say is, “Wow! You really care!”

No relationship lasts if there are unconventional expectations involved. But neither does it last when the conventional expectations are not even near to being fulfilled.

Then, should I stick in wait for the person I love, to tell me he loves me too or should I just coyly sit and watch as he craves for another woman?

Should I just let that friend go who would care more for some awfully wily person rather than ask me how I have been in the past few months?

Or, should I just wait until my parents understood me and let me freely accomplish my wish list?

Can I or can I not expect all of those things from the people I love so much?

Every person that comes in your life brings a relationship that attaches you to him. And that relationship tows in expectations.

But then should I just go ahead and throw all these tantrums and wait till I am attended to or be a strong person, understand others and not be understood at all?

People say; do not expect at all if you have to live a happy life. But then isn’t that becoming stagnant in the relationship altogether? How can you foster it if there isn’t any “nautanki” involved? No craving for attention? No feeling for the need of making the relationship stronger? More transparent? How can we not want to know how our counter-part is feeling about it?

After all, it is all about attachment. The more you love someone, the more you expect. The more chances for you to throw all your attention seeking gimmicks! But make sure all your demands are met after you have taken all those pains! :P

A  LITTLE MOMENT OF WEAKNESS CAN MAKE YOU FEEL A LOT STRONGER

All of us take pride in being strong human beings. We seldom admit our weaknesses to other people around us. Looking weak is something you would always want to avoid.

What if the other person took advantage of it? What if the other person does not think of you as capable of doing something strong? Take up a huge responsibility?

Well, I would like to give you a new “What if?” question to think upon!

What if you succumbed to your weakness and it made you feel a lot stronger again?

Think about it this way – You, for some reason are feeling sad all day. Holding back feelings. Holding back tears. And all you can do is concentrate on not falling weak.

What did you do the whole day? Tried and tried harder on not condescending to the fact – You are sad. Well, you succeeded, but then didn’t you lose a whole day’s work?

The stakes are very high my friends. Instead of being so attentive towards not being in a bad mood, let’s say you find somebody’s shoulder?

Peacefully keep your head on it, and just let your knees give away. Let someone else lift your weight and lift the weight of that little brain of yours which is so full of prejudice right now!

I feel very proud of myself when someone tells me that I am a strong human being. I have that unruly power to deal with my own pain.

But it pays a lot to be that way. Yes, it’s true. I would not want anyone to show me pity. Give m those fake assurances that “Everything’s going to be alright” when I know it’s not!

Somehow, this attitude of mine has become past, until someone came along and told me, “Everything’s NOT going to be the same, but yes, there is this other way around it”. All my self-pride crumbled down to pieces when I fell down on my knees, crying my heart out, sticking on to that shoulder.

It was then that I could see the other way with clarity. My tears had washed out the fog on my eyes. Giving me strength. Giving me a new vision altogether!

How I wish I had given way to those tears a long time back and let my strength recharge.

To all the gentlemen, you are still going to be men of honor if you cry.

To all the diet conscious ladies, you are still going to look beautiful if you nick that small piece of cake on your friend’s birthday.

To all the principle driven people, you are still going to be respected if you toast a drink on somebody’s success and drink to their wellness.

A truly strong person is the one who cherishes those little moments of weaknesses only to empower new vitality of strength in him!

A walk to remember

It wasn’t like any another night. Hot and outrageously sweaty. It was a night of cool breeze, inviting you. When you are living so near to a lake, there is no reason why you should decline such an invitation from Mother Nature herself! Cherry on the cake, just then, you hear your dog is going to be taken for a walk! Dad leashing him with a strong chain. And I jumped up and down at the prospect of being taken as well!

The next day, I had an exam, so there were little chances my dad would allow me to come along! But I had it set! Rehearsed the dialogues in my head, practiced a few expressions to earn some pity.. :P I am so tired from studying and all..

And there I was, walking along my dearest father and my dog. (Well, he deserves to be specially mentioned).

Once I was out on the street, I couldn’t really understand what was making me so happy? The walk on this pleasant night or walking with my father? I think it had to be the latter. It had been so long that we had not taken those strolls after dinner!

I realized, I had so many complains and demands! :P

Remember those days when you wait for your father to come home from the office. When he comes back, there is always some fun in store! He would ask you what you did all day, how was your day, and other infinite questions we find nagging today.

Today, we are so busy with your own life. So busy in putting up updates on Facebook and Tweeting about your extra-ordinary day, that we spare as much of a glance. And that is all that comes in his share!

My father is a professor in the same college in the same college where I am a student. And the next day, I had an exam on the subject he taught in a different branch. I was afraid, he’s going to ask me, “How much of the syllabus has been covered?” “Are you studying or not?” “Do you need some help?” in his always so loving ways. And I was definitely in no mood to talk about my paper!

My happiness that day was boundless..! It was after a long time that the weather was as inviting as this. I so much wanted to feel the nice cool breeze on my face.. Run around the lake like a free bird ( with, ofcourse a safety harness put on, one end in my father’s hand J ).

We walk out the door, and I am half excited because it had been ages since I took a walk with my dad. I keep on chirping like some stupid kid! Excited to be talking! :P

Telling your dad what you did the whole day! And complaining about your brother! Telling him, “Will you buy me this and that dad?” Telling him the fun you had in the college.. And all the while, he just smiles at you. Looks at you and gives you those admiring glances! Telling him amusing stories about your dog! Not a sign of monotony in his “Yes and Nos and I sees.”

It is so much fun to sometimes exclude yourself from the daily rambling. Go out on such walks and vent it out. Feel close to your father again. All the while, you always know that you love him. He treats you like a princess. But that walk I took after so long brought me closer to him than ever before!

One HELL OF A MAD LIFE!

Well, yes, when people call you MAD in the college, you should know that you have definitely made THAT difference!

A tale of another MADster who got to Making A Difference with a grit! J

When you are 19, you have just entered some grad school. And you have those dreams of achieving success… Being a role model to people… And to prove to the people around you (sometimes your neighbour) that you have it in you to reach the pinnacle.

You know that you want to do something so great that people will quote your examples! “Yes! Bhagyashree did what she had set out to do! She has made us proud. You should learn something from her!” Oh, wow! Wish I would be fortunate enough that my neighbour (they are quite botheration at times like these) would tell this to their sons and daughters.

I definitely wanted to do something awesome with my life! Fly out and reach to the heights which I could have only imagined.

But when you change your faculty from Law to Engineering, there’s little you can do. How can a person who had dreamt of bringing a revolution in the Indian Judiciary system, suddenly bring that revolt in a system as static as a computer!

Moving on.

Exactly the above stated happened with me! The initial one year was one of the most difficult one of my life… If you have watched those “Telebrands” advertisements they show on TV. You can relate me to them very precisely! :D

When I was thinking about all the wonders I wanted to cause, a wonder happened to me.

I got “poked” by MAD!

It was the most thrilling experience I have had in the twenty years of my life! Yes guys, I could actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE in someone’s life. Suddenly I started to realize there was a huge bunch of kids who needed me! Those kids who saw me as the ray of their hopes. I had brought around a whole new definition to their lives. I was their role model. And this revolution though a very tiny one, will shape a whole new era. I had a bunch of small kids, whose ideas I could mold. I could give a new shape altogether. I could take them on a wondrous journey of education and enlightenment. A time when there wouldn’t be any gap in the society because of education! Or ideas!

And what did I get in return? A lot! I got the best lessons of life from my time at MAD. There is so much these little kids can teach you in the passing. Adding the verve, the spice and an awfully infectious amounts of excitement!

Suddenly you get to thinking for the betterment of the kids. Every movement around you will only instigate you to think, “How can I use this in my class?” That creative part of the brain which had only been hibernating, wakes up to the calls of the needy.

After two years in MAD, I think I have turned into the needy one! In constant desperation for the love and attention the kids give you!

Imagine this, when you walk in that door of the center, and one child notices you, he veers everybody else’s attention to you.. And suddenly you are in the mid of a stampede!

When that happens, your heart will give you knock, and say, “Way to go girl! You have Made A Difference!”

And today, when I walk in my college, people will only say, “Hi MAD!” What more can I do but grin and acknowledge the greeting with satisfaction! :D