Frustrations & Disappointments - 7

The calming sounds

Everyday I get into my Car and head to office, I talk to myself, telling me to be calm, not to lose temper in the traffic or at work. I tell myself to ignore those errant drivers, not to engage in road rage, and irritants at work.

I even listen to calming music, chants, mind relaxing music, music for stress relief as I step into the Car.

One psycho, A$$h@le drives past me or honks madly, I just lose it!! No music, destressing helps!

One of the most chosen option to practice spirituality, is to listen to Preachings and Pravachanas by Gurus, Godmen & Philosophers.

The gyan, philosophy heard all the time, seems to be just for that momentary feel of spirituality and not for adaptation. I see people continue their toxicity, hatred, negative mindset, belittling others.

I haven't come across a single soul who has changed the approach towards life and people, after hearing so much philosophy.

Be it relaxing music or preachings, the effectiveness and implementation of good things these sounds are supposed to inspire us, change us, is questionable.

Our thinking and consumption goes parallel to each other, despite the motive is for these two to be in sync!

The Freedom

Freedom - a tool to do anything as per my wish. I can be slapped, abused, raped, anybody can beat me, rob, anyone can break law, traffic rules, anyone can talk anything, belittle anyone.

Law will take it's course with no assurance of justice, but nothing stops someone to violate me in the first place.

Any politician can speak any nonsense and still find ways to get away. Any politician can be slapped with cases and put behind bars, it's just the matter of which side of the power center one is.

Patriotism and Nationalism lines are blurred. If I don't agree to the men in power, I become anti-national.

People whose job is to shut their mouth and govern the country, maintain law and order, are busy selling their ideology and personal agenda.

And saddest part is, citizens are happy with just Bhashans and act as if it's their life's purpose to defend any crap their favourite leader vomits in the Bhashans.

Freedom must be a collective responsibility to maintain harmony in the society, being disciplined, being mindful of our behaviour in public, following rules, law.

Is it to do with democracy, population, literacy, culture? Or a combination of all?

The answer could be to ensure each of us are either God fearing or Law fearing!

The Religion should be eradicated

Such statements are actually good social exercise to see where the society stands and the social health.

It's not about one person making a statement, it talks volumes on that person's mindset, but also shows mirror to the society on no.of people supporting and opposing.

The way we have hatred towards other religions, they will also have on us. So, no point getting offended.

No point blaming just politicians, who are atleast Frank in expressing their views, and ofcourse see electoral benefit.

Religion and castes are belief systems on our definition of God and spirituality, which is personal to each of us, and should definitely not be a Nation's aspiration.

Lets accept, All the religions has draconian laws to oppress their own people either based on gender or caste.

All practices and rituals evolved based on the need, in the context of the society those times, education, exposure and imagination of people those days. As world, education, society evolved, practices also became redundant...so, why cry now? The Same converted politicians, who have made it big, never faced any struggle, are now talking about disparity in the last century!!

End of the day, "God" is also man made, as per our convenience and perceptions, which also brings the question, are animals atheists?

Renaming India

Bharat!!

Why not? If Benaras, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Trivandrum and many more cities and state's names can be changed back to the origin, it's absolutely correct to rename India as Bharat, which anyway was always in use locally.

It's infact officially an alternate name, as mentioned in our constitution.

Anology:

The client comes to me seeking solution for operational and financial problems, who has given me contract for providing consultancy services.

In the last 2 AMC terms, I have suggested him to build a temple in the campus, bad mouthing and abusing his competitors, travelling on his behalf and on his expenses to build (my own) brand.

Just before the Contract renewal time, I have now suggested him to change the name of the Company.

The client's real problems have only escalated over the years, but I am telling him to renew the Contract for the next AMC term for 5 years, and I shall solve all his problems.

Meanwhile, the 2 out of 5 board members (whom I have bribed) are all praises for my intelligent solutions, and are influencing for my contract renewal. I have also asked those 2 to call the other 3 who are not in favour, to be called as disloyal to the Company.

The Proudness

The exaggeration of being proud of religion, country off late needs some logical understanding.

Are we truly "proud" of our religion/caste/country?

Pride comes by achievement, being born in a family that practices a particular religion is not an achievement, but just our fate.

It's more of a binding to our roots and continuing a legacy, heritage.

Those who put a hoarding on their chest that they are a "Proud Hindu", are the ones who actually don't believe or practice almost everything the Hinduism preaches, but just because their favourite politician says so, they blindly follow the suit.

If you are conveniently, subjectively practicing religion only means you are questioning your own religion's practices and rituals. Now "Proud Bharatiya" suits them, as they selectively are loyal in parts and not the country as a whole.

I am an Indian, and accept my country on the whole, with all it's flaws and beauties.

I am a practicing Hindu and a practicing Brahmin and it's my personal choice to continue my family values and tradition.

I am loyal to the country I am born in, and vow to protect and respect my religion and country.

This has no bearing on my professional duties or as a social being.

Very similarly, other people of different faiths and nations believe so.

I, as any other Indian am proud of my country's achievements in sports, business, technology, successfully hosting a G20 meet.

Problems that I am built to deal

I wish for a lot of things..I wish I can climb on top of my building, aim and poop over the Pigeons. I wish it was ok to shout loudly right next to a dog in the middle of the night when it's sleeping. I wish lizards and cockroaches go extinct.

I wish it was legally allowed to slap an errant and indisciplined road user. I wish I could hold the neck of so many people and ask them "Why? Why do you do that?"

But I know I can't do any of them, because I want to be considered sane, and I know I can deal with them and tolerate them.

Life has taught me that we are given irritants and problems only so much that we can take, though we think we can't handle them.

If you are not built to deal with a problem, you will be given a mindset and intelligence not to even look at the problem and stay aloof. Life will go on for such people, as someone or the other will step up and take the responsibility, while they continue to stay detached from the problems.

Democracy & Freedom

Democracy by definition and nature gives freedom for people to do anything.

In the name of being democratic, it encourages lawlessness.

In the pretext of exercising democratic rights, people can actually do anything, break any rule, abuse anyone, break anyone's property.

If there is a cause behind the violence, especially the most loved topics in India - Caste, Religion & Language, then everything is justified and no law can question such violent protests & lawlessness.

Irony is, only law abiding, tax paying citizens are the ones who are always punished who are usually scared of going to Jail...be it traffic violations, tax collections.

For everyone else it's a freehand - don't pay tax, abuse people in traffic or otherwise, cause trouble to co-road users, drive without Number plates, damage other's property, vehicle.

The law punishes only weaklings!

The Poet in me - 4

The unending Wait...

That wait for someone, That wait for an Yes, That wait for the announcement, Wait for the result, Wait for the blue tick. Wait for the verdict, Wait for things to pass, Wait for feelings to fade, Wait for the rains, Wait for the rains to stop, Wait to reach the top, Wait to click on Send, Wait for things to end, Wait for the signs. The willingness to wait, The ability to wait, Someone waiting for you, Something is waiting for you, The worth of the Wait, The sad wait, The anxious wait. It's a test of patience while I wait, Yes, I am gonna wait. What are you waiting for?

The win

Not that I don't know how to win,

Not that I don't want to win,

Losing is not always a loss,

Winning is not always a win.

A father's joy of losing to make his child win,

Losing an argument with a friend,

Losing a fight with wife,

Slowing down to let past that Car who thinks is in race with you.

Giving that extra long rope to help someone win,

Doing that extra bit to help others,

Going that extra mile to make someone a winner.

And that win you are helping someone with, is just seeing through one struggle of that someone.

That smile you see on other's face when your loss makes them win, is your win.

My morning Love

A part of you, is me.

My peace place, is you.

My untiring endurance, is to keep the smile on your face.

My need, is you.

My medicine, is your eyes.

I dream of new dreams every day, and in each dream making you more happier.

I want to declare I have won, when I can still hold your hands and sit by the beach, when I am 80.

I want to express my love to you, in every conversation we make, in every word I speak.

I woke up to say all these to her, wanted to tell these as soon as my sleeping beauty opens her eyes.

She opens her eyes with a beautiful smile, raises her arms, pointing her fingers "Go and turn on the Geyser", turns to the other side and sleeps off. She again in the beautiful, soft voice whispers "Wake me up at 7:30"

Home

I wanna go home, I wanna go home, is it in the Rome? Is it in my Room?

Take me home, that helps me overcome,

The home, I wanna have no syndrome.

Get me a home, that I become, I reckon, I beckon,

I wanna go home, to be in the zone, comes no drone, don't wanna be alone, have my own throne,

My home, my ozone.

I went to the hills and said, I wanna go home.

I went to the beach and said, I wanna go home

I went to my friends and said, I wanna go home.

I went to my love and said, I wanna go home.

I came back home and said, I wanna go home.

Boom, where is my home!

Wait for that floating Boat

I can't decide if I had enough of this, or if I can't get enough of this,

I am just going with the flow of the river,

I see a boat floating far,

I am fighting and struggling to reach that boat,

I hope there is a seat with my name on it.

I have taken this pain to reach the boat,

I am sure (so far) that the boat itself is my destination.

I hope a new journey doesn't start on the boat,

I can't imagine myself going through another journey on the boat.

I don't have the energy left in me to learn riding a boat,

I don't have the fizz in me to anticipate the destination the boat takes me to,

Knowing my luck, am sure it's yet another journey!

The Straight thinker

Things gonna be Right, when you feel the situation's height, and you deal it right.

You are not gonna always think straight, when nothing in the nature is straight,

River doesn't flow straight,

Tree doesn't grow straight.

You and me don't always think straight,

We are only humans, and it's our trait.

When your thoughts go in a circle,

Mind goes fickle,

Just give them the extra pickle.

Infinity when made to stand, is eight,

Pushed to the corner, even a sissy will give a fight,

So just sleep tight.

Gyan Bhandar - 7

Does the world change, or people change?

I went to a Dhabha with friends after almost a decade. The ambience, food quality, insects, all other possible shabby things were still the same, but we just could not sit there for long, which we didn't mind couple of decades ago. The discomfort, awkwardness and cringe on our faces.

As time flies, decades roll by, things seem to be different, given the same situation, the perception of problems are different.

There was a time, reading a map during a journey was the most difficult, Now deciding on the playlist.

Fighting diseases was a challenge then, managing mental health and physical fitness is a challenge now.

We loved Lollypop those days, come to think of it now, we were just swallowing our own saliva with flavour.

The same set of friends meet had topics of Girls, Jobs, Marriage, Technology to now on Retirement Plans, Investments, Health issues.

From rebellious to religious, from sports scores to current affairs, from wondering if someone likes me to wondering if I like them.

Control on my own life

How much of our own emotions, happenings in our life, is controlled by us?

How much Love I feel, how much I am loved, depends on how much our loved one, love us back.

The almighty decides what to give, when to give, how much to give.

The co-road users decide how calm and stress free, my drive is everyday.

How efficiently my company delivers to clients, depends on my Employee's efficiency.

How long will I serve a client, how long I retain business, is decided by few in that company.

How much salary hike you deserve, is decided by your Manager.

How peaceful, calm & relaxing my home is, depends on how mindful, sensible & civilized my neighbours are.

Who Am I

Many years ago, in one of those Pub hopping days, I was at a pub with my wife. I came out for a smoke, and found this hippie like stranger smoking next to me. He surely looked doped, I just looked at him and smiled, he smiled back and asked "Who are you?"

I was slightly confused and introduced myself with my name.

"That's your name, who are you"

When I talked about my professional life, he said that's your work, still doesn't identify you.

I told him it's not just work, it's my creation, I am the business, everything in the company is me. He was still not convinced, even when I identified myself with my family, my wife.

By then, We both had finished our smoke and he said "I know you are thinking I am a weirdo, but think through it" and left the place.

That incident is still stuck in my head "Who am I".

The answer could be very philosophical, but as ordinary beings, our work, family, personality, the social image we have built defines us and people identify us with those.

I am still wondering what was that guy expecting as an answer!

Opinions & validations

Our responses and reactions on any topic, news or happenings in other's life, is an interesting psychology to observe and analyze.

When we process an information and react, how much of the processing involves we putting ourselves in that situation? and our opinion reflects how we would react or treat that situation?

If an information is shared with us, we tend to superimpose ourself in that situation and opine based on our perspective and our life experiences, whereas the situation is someone else's, the compulsions are different.

The irony is, we always go to someone for opinion, advise knowing it's their solution based on their thinking.

Probably we want to validate if we are thinking right.

The World of Idiots!

I call someone driving in the wrong way an idiot, same guy thinks I am an idiot for showing road rage.

Bhakts think everyone else are idiots, everyone else feel Bhakts are idiots.

People following one religion think followers of other religious practices are idiots, and vice versa.

Anyone driving slower than me is an idiot, anyone driving faster is also an idiot.

The definition of an "idiot" is subjective to my circle. In my small circle, I am sane, matured and sensible. I become an idiot the moment I meet someone with different perspective to life and world.

The only way one is not termed an idiot, is when they don't have any opinion, any ideology. The moment you have one, you become smart to someone, idiot to someone.

The Odyssey of Life

The transition from learning to earning,

The journey of earning to peaking,

The pain of retiring and sulking,

From being resourceful to finding ways to be useful,

From having no time to love, to having no one to love,

From not knowing where to stop, to realizing where I should have stopped then,

From uninhibited action to introspection,

From being restless, to not knowing what to do apart from resting,

From spreading infectious energy, to avoiding infections.

Life is an Odyssey from being helpful to helpless.

The grace and maturity we gain during the journey, the learnings and life experiences that has chiseled us, is shown in how we conduct ourselves as we age.

The Journey and fate of the Waves

The best way to judge myself, is the way I judge others, i.e from a distance, by seeing myself through the lens of others.

If I detach myself from me, and while I see myself living life and the inner me stands afar and observe, this is probably what I see.

I see myself like those waves in the beach. All noise, excitement, temporary achievements, momentary pleasures, eventually crashing at the sands dull, damp and flat.

Just like those Waves, no objective, organically rise, give hopes of shining but fate is known, crash as the waves reaches it's destiny. The waves might give some fun along their journey to some kids and surfers enroute.

The strange, mean creatures

We are strange, mean creatures...

We lock the Car atleast 2 times after we park.

We pull the door to check, after locking the Main door.

When the power goes, we first peep and check if the neighbour also has no power.

Love affairs in Movies are emotional and beautiful, but Son/Daughter falling in love is unacceptable.

We preach and portray an open-minded, forward thinking outlook in the society, but insist on being traditional and accept no changes at home.

We love when Technology eases our job, but hate it when Technology makes manpower redundant.

We believe and wait for miracles, but doubt the realities of life.

Chrystal Anniversary - Chapter 2

Chrystal Anniversary - Chapter 2

By

Murali Murthy 

After a very satisfying, contented feeling with unique and adventurous experiences at Vrindavan and Mathura, the second half of our Chrystal year celebrations were planned in Delhi.

Preeti's excitement had no bounds.

For the first time, she explored, researched and listed the Shopping places to visit!

Anyway, taking her to the famous shopping markets and letting her splurge, was my anniversary gift to her.

The drive from Vrindavan to Delhi was via the much hyped Yamuna expressway. It was a 8-laned highway and the quality of the roads, infra was not any better than our usual NH7, NH48, NH44 or any other Highways we have driven on. Ofcourse, with much much lesser traffic, maybe because of the hefty Toll.

The evening was well spent at Janpath Market, with Preeti opening her wings and hopping on every shop with a grin on her face.

And the Delhiites surely know how to party, as we explored the night life of Delhi.

Day-2 was the day for sight seeing.

Since the Independence Day was near, there were restrictions to visit close to the Parliament House and Rashtrapati bhavan.

Qutb Minar, a popular tourist destination. Good to see and click a few photographs. The history and purpose of building, the structure is rather not be discussed, as it's indeed a historical mistake.

Moving on...the next stop was at yet another attraction - Lotus Temple. Yet another hyped place, where the majestic lotus shaped complex stands tall and inviting.

Very elaborate and systematic arrangements are made to manage the crowd, footwear, building up for the entry into the "Temple".

As one close in to the temple, the concept and idea (Bahai religion) is displayed through the walk way, which is similar to that of Matri Mandir in Pondicherry, where people from all beliefs and religions can come under one roof for prayers. Concept is difficult to digest, as the massive, elaborate Structure houses nothing, just nothing. It's a hall that can seat 1000s of people and absolutely nothing!

And time for shopping again...Delhi Haat!

After a hectic time, had a sumptuous meal and headed back to hotel to rest.

Evenings are again to explore the night life in Cannaught Place.

Day-3 was planned for more sight seeing. Started the day at Birla Mandir, a beautiful, elegant temple that houses Shri Lakshmi Narayana. Extremely well maintained temple, surprisingly very less crowd for a morning visit.

Next pitstop was at Agrasen ki Bauli. An age old water management system, with multiple stories behind it. Rumours has that the place is haunted, the black water is hypnotic and draws people to commit suicide.

Anyway, it's a nice place for a good photo session, with many couples and friends groups sitting in peace. Well known movies like Sultan, PK has some scenes here.

Much needed break from the Masalas, Butter, Ghee, Paneer and Alu, a sumptuous South Indian meal is so satisfying. Wherever you go on earth, you will find a Saravana Bhavan to the rescue.

Second half of the day was at the expansive Sarojini Nagar Market. It reminded me of Chatuchak market in Bangkok. One needs patience and energy to cover the entire Market.

We then headed to Aksharadham Temple. An enormous temple of Swami Narayan with elaborate security arrangements and lot of activities to keep the crowd engaged and entertained. The Temple campus is pleasing to the eyes and can spend hours in tranquility.

The lighting is supposed to be even more beautiful, with lazer shows by the Water, but Sarojini Market had already drained us out, so we didn't spend much time there.

A quick stop at India Gate, on the way back to the Hotel.

As usual, late evenings at one of the Pubs in Cannaught Place.

Day-4 was marked to relax at the Hotel, to pack those scores of stuff Preeti had shopped at all the Markets.

A trip to remember, a much needed break from the routine, stress and monotony.

Thank you Vrindavan, Mathura and Delhi for everything you offered us.

Thanks to Saravana Bhavan, Sagar Ratna and Bheemeshwara Restaurants, they don't let us South Indians miss home food.

It's a sight to watch the girls, women so beautifully, elegantly dressed. With no inhibitions in their dressing, and Men don't give a stare at all, atleast the localites.

We come back to Business As Usual, with loads of memories and GBs of Photos to re-live these amazing memories, for years to come.

Neena (Mini and Jone Hospitality) was always there to ensure our Trip was a good one, she ensured the discomforts, issues gets resolved immediately.

Chrystal Anniversary - Chapter 1

Chrystal Anniversary - Chapter 1

By

Murali Murthy 

As we live along, going through the life drills, we sometimes do not realize how time flies.

As me and Preeti complete 15 years of our life together, we are continuing the trend to celebrate the wedding anniversary at newer destination each year.

Due to some minor situation at home, we couldn't go ahead with our extravagant plans to celebrate this milestone year, and chose another place in our bucket list - Vrindavan and Mathura.

Despite many suggesting 2 days at Vrindavan & Mathura is too much and a day visit from Delhi was enough, but I knew what I wanted from this visit, so planned a 2 full days.

Set off to Delhi on a early morning flight, and drove to Vrindavan straight from Delhi Airport, which is a 3 hours drive.

The highway filled with Dhabhas serving some authentic, yummy North Indian food.

Neena (Mini and Jone Hospitality) had chosen beautiful Hotel for us, and assigned a very humble and nice Driver for our entire 6 days trip.

We checked into Nidhivan Sarovar Portico hotel and rested till evening.

To maneuver on the narrow and congested lanes of Vrindavan, our driver recommended to take a eRickshaw to visit places.

The city is filled with 1000s of these sleek eRikshaws.

I infact wanted to name the blog "Horny Vrindavan"...People honk endlessly here. It's maddening and chaotic, as every single vehicle user has a finger on the Horn all the time.

Apart from this one irritant, people are nice, humble and innocent. Though there are touts at all temples, they do not pester or force.

Evening was well spent at Keshi Ghat, a peaceful place to sit and consume the life of the locals along the Ghats. Many small, private groups performing Yamuna puja and Aarthi.

It is believed that lord Krishna killed Demon Keshi (sent by his uncle Kansa) here and cleansed himself in the river.

We then visited Prem Mandir, a beautiful temple dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram.

Despite being a weekday, the temple was extremely crowded. It became suffocating after few minutes and Preeti just could not take it anymore, we decided to skip the visit and headed straight to the Hotel.

Next day morning, on the D Day, Neena had arranged a surprise for us.

After finishing a tasty breakfast at the hotel, we headed out again on a eRickshaw to the main temple at Vrindavan - Banke Bihari Temple, where the deity is in the combined form of Radha and Krishna. A very pious temple, with lakhs of devotees chanting "Radhe Radhe" and pushing along to have the lord's darshan.

Preeti was better prepared today to grove along the crowd.

After starting this important day taking blessing from Radha Krishna, we headed towards a much peaceful, cleaner and more civilized crowd at Iskcon.

Wow, it's an intimate, intuitive experience. The vibrations at this temple can be felt. As one stares at the beautifully decorated idols of Radha Krishna and Krishna Balarama, with constant chants in the background, it just takes you to another plane. One can spend hours here, feeling devotion and bhakthi in the air.

The second half of the D Day was in Mathura.

If you are a Krishna lover, imagine the feeling, vibrations you will get if you can touch the exact place where Krishna was born! Krishna Janmasthan was indeed Goosebumps moment for us. We had a moment with the lord at the place. Wow, just unexplainable experience.

Since it's a communally sensitive site, there is heavy security in the entire complex. No electronic gadgets, Phones are allowed inside, couldn't take any Photo.

After a brief stop at Dwarkadish Temple, the final destination of the D Day was Vishram Ghat. It is believed Krishna took rest here after killing Kansa.

It was a much awaited moment for me to witness Yamuna Aarthi.

We took a Boat ride from Kans Qila, and waited in the middle of the river for the Aarthi to start.

Witnessing Yamuna Aarthi, touching the place of Krishna's birth, roaming on the streets where Krishna roamed 5000 years ago, are all incomprehensible, enigmatic and exotic experiences, and no amount of words can do justice of what we felt there.

It is a once in a lifetime experience. Not sure many can venture such a trip, especially for us city-bred.

The twin cities seem to be stuck in time. It's bit difficult for us, especially South Indians to digest the unhygienic, filthy and dirty environment.

People do not want to progress and are comfortable being stuck in time here.

The differences between North Indian and South Indian approach to life, discipline was loud. Even the expression of devotion was limited to Bhajans and Chants, with no importance to Madi, Mailige, Manthra, Sthothra, Vedic chants and so on.

We see equivalent crowd in Tirupati, Mantralayam, Udupi and similar places, but the crowd management, policing is in sane levels.

It is indeed an adventure, and proud that we could do this trip. I personally enjoyed consuming the vibes of the place, travelling in those unimaginably narrow lanes.

Radhe Radhe!

Chapter 2 - Delhi!