Saturday, January 30, 2016

A #LoveAndLaughter story: An Embarrassing prank!!



We had an arrange marriage, jhat mangni pat shaadi kind though. It was just after a month or so of my marriage. I had been to my maternal place as i was supposed to wrap up things at my institute where i used to work before my marriage. 

I have three elder brothers who were already married that time. And my three Bhabis – sister in law – are quite fun making kind. But my hubby is bit reserve. In our Culture, making fun with Brother-in -law (Nandoi…the husband of Husband’s sister) is often ritualistic. But as my Hubby was quite reticent those days particularly, so My Bhabis were not getting enough scope to make fun/prank much with him.

Well as I had been there and my Hubby was supposed to visit my place after some days and we were supposed to leave for Mumbai together, my Bhabis had a grand plan to trap him in a prank. I resisted as I knew how shy he was but in vein.

He used to call me every day in our land line (as those days in Cell phones...There was incoming charges also) which my Badi Bhabi used to pick most of the time. She would always try to talk with him for a while. But Mr.Shy either would ask her to get me in the line or would disconnect saying he would call after sometime in case I wasn’t available. That’s been the case always.

In fact taking these things, I had a little fight with him also over phone saying why wasn’t he bit opening up. And it was a perfect chance for my SILs to carry out their Grand plan.

Finally the day came when he visited our home. Three days before (the day after our fight) I wasn’t allowed to talk to him and Bhabi had conveyed that “I was angry with him”.

As he came, he was greeted by all those rituals done to a Damad. He was sitting in the couch in living room and perhaps looking around to find me. Knowing that my Bhabi said I was in the bed Room and he could go and meet.

Well, in the bed room there was a different set up for him. I was made to hide behind the Cupboards with my second Bhabi while my third Bhabi was there on the Bed sitting in the edge wearing one of My Saree with a pallu (veil) on her head. Her back was facing the entrance door.
“What would he say to me when he would find me alone” was the Grand Plan of my Bhabis to discover so that they could tease him for that.

I prayed the God that the “poor guy” shouldn’t fall into the trap. But…things were something else. He was escorted by my Badi Bhabi to the room and then she acted like as if she left. He entered the room and might be thinking nobody would be there other than me. He called me with my name and asked if I was still angry on him….

There was no answer (Obviously). I was hiding controlling my breathe and laughter...

Lord!!

I wish he would have been bit smarter to confirm if the lady before him was actually me or not.
Finally Mr.Shy did what he shouldn’t have.  He hugged the lady on the bed from the back saying all those private things….

And my Bhabhi screamed...

We came out of the cupboard and my Badi Bhabi rushed into the room (as she was also hiding behind the door)

Seeing me in front of him…poor Mr.Shy was literally shocked as he realized that it wasn’t me whom he had hugged and jumped out of the bed only to hurt him with one of its edge. He had turned Red (he is very fair) with shock, embarrassment and realization of the fact that “he had fallen badly into the trap”.

There should have been a camera set up in the room...
the scene and the expression of Mr.Shy was really epic..

My Bhabis and me couldn't prevent ourselves busting into laughter.
My mother came rushing as she had heard the scream thinking something went wrong. Finding that it was all a mischief by us...she shouted and asked my Bhabis to leave the room. She also scolded me for not informing her about it. 
Then she turned to her Shocked Damad to pacify him....


As my Bhabis left the room they were having those naughty and mischievous smiles on their faces…after all…the entire mission was successful.

We stayed two more days after that and believe me Mr.Shy could hardly come out of the room unless it was needed as he was feeling very awkward to face my Bhabis.
In fact for many years after that the prank remained quite fresh in his mind making him uncomfortable among them.

He would say me always...

“It’s for the love for you honey…I had fallen into the trap varna zamane mein itna takat kisme hai jo mujhe fool banade”

So you admit- I would say- that you were made a fool that day and he would really become silent while I would be having that mischievous smirk on my face…

Now days he is changed a bit, not that awkward but whenever we reminiscent this incident, we get tickles and mirth. And with groups (with my Bhabis and all…) when we all meet at one place…the mention of this incident actually unfolds so much laughter that it is almost like breaking our funny bones….


It’s my #LoveAndLaughter story…. An Embarrassing prank he had to fall for his love for me!!Choo...Chooo…Poor Guy!


“This post is a part of #LoveAndLaughter activity at BlogAdda in association with Caratlane.”

                   

Image - Google Images!! 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

#FirstCrush: Silence Love


She was just into her teens then
When her eyes struck
With another pair in her Class
But they never talked
Silence was the Language perhaps
To exchange the feelings of tender hearts
They never tried to break it
Or never knew how to break it at all
It needed words…that they could never learnt

Time flowed like that of a river flooded with muddy water

And she realized it was her #FirstCrush
Where Silence was the Rule Book
But still she wonders…
When Eyes meet, hearts talk
How could “words” match the feelings and thoughts?




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The India of My Dream: Mere Sapnon Ki Bharat!

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY TO ALL!!!!! 
On the eve of Republic Day…I was out for something. In my locality I found these two girls selling tricolour flags, batches near to a famous food outlet …etc. Their parents were not present there.



I asked them,"why you are selling these things. Where are your parents?"

No answer

"School jate ho…?" (Do you go to school?)

They nodded their head in affirmation.

You want anything?

They shook their head side to side… (No)

"How much does a flag cost?"

One of them said, "Panch Rupayaa" (five rupees)

I asked them to take two and hold them in their hands. They hold one each,only when I paid them the Rs.10/-.

I didn’t know what to do then…because I couldn’t see the "Smile" they deserve to have in their faces. Of course…how could they be happy when they were selling the flag instead of flying them?

Truth is...Children Look good when they are happy in flying TRICOLOR!!

I know…there are some hard realities. Even if we are celebrating 67th year of Republic Day…a big part of our population still has not experienced the meaning of it.
I dream of a Bharat where every Child will fly the Tricolour with a smile on their Faces. Because Children look good flying happily the TIRANGA and not at all…Selling it to meet their needs!!isn't it??? 
Every Child Should Eat, Play and Study. No Child Should Beg, Work or Hungry!


HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY!!!

Image - Whatsapp,FB And My Mobile Cam.




Monday, January 25, 2016

The Fruit JuiceWala who taught me a lesson that have a deep impact on me!!

it happened few months back.We were returning from a Doctor’s appointment at Dadar. The visit was over around 10 pm and by the time we reached Vashi it was almost around 11:15 p.m.  It was already late so we decided to pack some food from a restaurant. 




We went to the restaurant to order our food. While returning, suddenly it started drizzling. As the car was parked at a little distance, so my husband asked my son and me to wait there while he went to the car to bring the umbrella (we couldn’t allow our son to be drenched as he has respiratory problems and it aggravates with that). Near that restaurant a Fruit Juice wala have his outlet. We waited there.

Although it is a busy lane in general but that time it was almost crowd free as it was late. Most shutters were already down. Not many people I could see surrounding the Juicewala. I saw some of them even were bargaining for the price for a “Glass Of juice” even it was at a nominal price as compared to the same “Glass of Juice” in any branded juice outlet or restaurant.

Well…that’s the way most of us do…I guess. I loved the way the JuiceWala appeared to be. Tireless, energetic and cool…I quickly clicked some pictures of him.

I saw a little boy was standing there and looking at the Juice glasses. I thought he might have been a son of a shopkeeper in that place or the people around there.
After some time I saw The JuiceWala offered him a “Glass of Anar Juice (Pomegranate juice) and the little soul gulped them as quickly as he could.

Now I was sure the boy was known to the Juice Wala. However I was proved wrong as I saw the little boy ran to a Tempo parked at few steps away after hearing a harsh tone from a mid aged man.

He quickly boarded the tempo and within moments it left.
I was bit curious. By that time my Husband had already reached with Umbrellas. But I couldn’t stop myself asking The Juice Wala about the whole scene.

What he said had a deep impact on me…

The little boy was a child laborer working as a helper for that tempo driver. He was perhaps hungry which the Juice Wala understood. So he offered him a Glass of Juice even if the boy was completely a stranger to him.

Just before I had seen “well off” people haggling to lessen even Rs10/- for a glass of Juice where as the JuiceWala offered an entire Glass (which could have earned him Rs.70/- per a Glass of Anar Juice) to a hungry child. Also none of us could see the hungry eyes of that boy….isn’t it something shameful for us?


It was something soul stirring as it made me realized the shrunken consciousness inside us the so called “well heeled” people. We perhaps need counseling on “generosity” from such people around us like that of the above Fruit JuiceWala”



This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

A Quirky friend: Pehchan koun!!


That day it was really horrible.  Two days before that it was mild gradually increasing considerably the next day. I had taken a pain killer. But it was intolerable that day. Even painkillers were not working. Perhaps something was really serious. I had taken the doctor’s appointment for the evening.
It’s not that I’m having a toothache for the first time. But it was never so serious. It used to reside after taking some pills or some homemade remedies.

I was lying on the bed when my phone rang. The name that flashed was “PehchanKounShakti”

Let me confess one of my typical habits of storing phone numbers. Some numbers I keep giving it a tag depending upon the behaviors, reference or something like that. For ex, I have a relative whom I know has a habit of gossiping in your back. He would talk nicely with you but in your back he would say something against you to somebody else in the family. There were so many misunderstanding because of him. So I have given a tag to him as “Lagajota Reporter”. (Lagajota is an Odia word that means “bitching”)

In similar way I have also a habit of giving tags to my friends and save their number that way. So I have Friends called GoogleNiru, WikipediaRachna, MrsFunnyboneBhabi, (some bad thing as well like khadoosbaba, angrybird...etc which I can’t state here) and many more…

One of them is “PehchanKounShakti”…
Shakti is really a wonderful friend. We had met for the first time in the initial days of our working life.  Since then we are friends. He is actually very witty and would always cheer you up saying something in a very amusing way. (Yeah…I am thinking of changing his tag as “KapilSharmaShakti”). 

Pehchan koun” I had given him because he used to be bit like Navin Pravakar – The Comedian - of the first season of Comedy Reality show The Great Indian Comedy Show.

I picked up the phone…
After the initial exchange of hi/hello…he enquired about why wasn’t I active in group chat since two days. I told him about my problem.

It could be a root canal … I guess He said very considerately.

Hmm…even I feel so. I said

Well u need to take care of your teeth….dear. Use some ayurvedic or medicated tooth paste to prevent your teeth from decay. He said seriously after learning that I was really in awful pain.

Hmm…right. Let’s see what the Dentist will prescribe…I said

Hey…I know an ayurvedic guy who recommends very good toothpaste for all-round care of your teeth and gums…he said caringly. Why don’t you visit him after you visit your Dentist? I’m sure there will be no further problem in future.

Is it…? Are you sure? I asked anxiously. Give his details then…I will try to visit.

Of Course I’m sure. It’s very scientific. He said in a convincing tone.

Ohh!! What’s scientific about it? I mean is it something purely medicated?

Not Like that! Well…once you start using it na….within a month…I guess…all your teeth would become Mr.India. When there will be no teeth…then how will there be pain?
Na Rahega bansh…Na bajegi Bansuri…ha ha ha

God! This guy is incorrigible. Initially I was really annoyed like anything and felt like punching him in the phone itself. That was surely not a time for joke.   But after sometime…I couldn’t stop laughing more because…it could only be an odd Friend like Shakti who can take the risk to cheer you up when you’re in pain.

One of the best thing about my life is I have really been blessed with very good friends. They are like my soul family. Thank you all my friends…you are all treasure of my life.

Hey Shakti…Thank you yaar!! I would have dumped you in Municipality dump yard but you know what…har eek friend jaroori hota hai…majboori hai yaar

he he he... :) 


This blog is featured in WOW - Write Over The Weekend an Initiative by Blogadda


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
Images-Courtesy google

Saturday, January 9, 2016

#SpreadTheVibe: Become a Help to someone else when You are most Helpless!!!



"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."


Well, I’m neither a tarot card reader nor have any inclination towards any kind of occult science. However the tarot cards especially the pictures in them often fascinate me a lot.
The above picture is called as “Eight of Swords” that - I feel - symbolizes the reality of most women in our country. It shows a woman tied up, blindfolded and surrounded by swords that act as a kind of prison or enclosure.

Ever since a girl is born (even it happens only if she is really fortunate enough to come out of the womb and witness the glimpse of sunlight on the earth) she is tied up by age old traditions, prejudices and all those patriarchal clutches reign in the society. Before she is able to view her world through her own eyes, she is blindfolded with all those “dos and don’ts” and asked by everybody in her surrounding to “see” what others want her “to see”. At a point when she realizes that she is an individual and can have her own thoughts and identity and has every right to chase her dream, she discovers the shackles surrounding her in terms of “family deliverable, criticisms, fears of assault by hungry sharks, sometime her own health constraints (due to eternal negligence)…and the list goes on”.

In short it seems as if she has been enslaved without her consent, in fact without her notice. To her it appears, there is no possibility of escape as she finds herself standing isolated and alone in the midst of bleak and inhospitable surroundings far from the town (read a “a positive hope”) in the distance. The sky is grey and gloomy, indicating despair and hopelessness. At that moment robbed of with all her energy to fight a battle for herself she often left with only choice… “Give up and accept the destiny”.
Option less… Right!!
Isn’t it the harsh reality of women (baring few privileged) in our society??
Well...Let’s again have a deep look into the picture. We can see that “her feet are not tied up”.
That means even if she is blindfolded, hands tied up, swords restricting her…her feet are free to get out of that. In simple words…even it seems to be impossible to come out the manacles of injustice and chauvinism…there is actually a way out exist in reality for every woman. While Most women are not able to make out it but few not only see it but they walk out through it.  They are the “ones” who become “inspiring” for others to #SpreadTheVibe to follow.
Here is an inspiring story of such women “Mrs.Shanti Mishra” which will leave you enthralled and awestruck.
Mrs.Shanti Mishra - Social Worker and Human Right Activist

When I met her for the first time I was quite impressed by the gorgeous smile she carries every time on her face. Though she is 62, her charm and magnetism in her personality is something that will amaze you.
She is an active human activist for women rights, a social worker working for protection of women and child welfare in association with ISWO (Indira Social and Welfare Organization) – an NGO -  and an esteem member of CWC (Child WelfareCommittee) and many more….I will mention them in the course of writing.

Her personality is actually quite deceptive. No one would ever believe that she in reality had a very thorny and helpless path to trail before coming to a position at present where “She is the HOPE” for many.

She was born to an educated Middle class family in Dhenkanal, Odisha. Her parents were liberal and believed in Educating girls. She did her Masters in Philosophy from Vani Bihar, Utkal University. At that time she was the heart throb of the college as she was damn beautiful with an exceptional brain.

She was willing to join Civil Services which would have been easy those days for girls like her. But destiny had other plans…bit cruel one.

She was married to an IITian Engineer (an alumnus of IIT Kanpur) well placed in Mumbai in late 70s. She was convinced by her father and father in Law (who were friends) that life would be easy. Believing on them almost blind folded she traveled to Mumbai in search of “Easy Life” for her.

After she became mother of three…life started taking turns. Her Husband left the job and return to his native place in an ambition to do something of his own which he could never succeed.
Life at her “in laws” place which was a “Baa Bahu aur Beti (Read “Joint Family”) kind was something more than what the “protagonist” face in any Ekta Kapoor serials.  As her daughter says “My Mother lived in a HELL or real HELL might be a better place than where she had to spent most of productive time of her life”. There were conflicts, criticisms, unnecessary accusations and unfair allegations…etc. Typical Indian In laws family.  She was the one who had to face all such things in spite of doing all the household works all alone without giving due care to her children and herself which she sometime regrets these days. There were some merciless times when she wasn’t even able to visit her Parents and family at least once/twice a month who were staying in the same streets as her in laws do …some 50 meters away. 

THE BOOK SHE TRANSLATED INTO ODIA AND PIECE OF ODIA ARTICLE ON HER SOCIAL WORK CONFERENCES 

However even in the midst of stress both physical and mental, she had joined an NGO those days out of her passion for which she was dedicating at least one hour a week. But that too didn’t go well with some of the family members at her in laws place. So there was no option for her than to leave it and get confined into the four walls of her house. Those were days when she was totally cut off from the outer world.

Life was tough as there was no support for her in terms of finance, moral and emotional. Her kids also suffered in terms of education and nutrition. But she was helpless. The tensions gradually took a toll on her health as it started deteriorating with all those health ailments like rheumatoid arthritis at an age of 35.  

However in year 2000 her children who were grownups by then forced her to Join ISWO – The NGO established in 1989 – that was initially a “distraction” for her from her difficult life at home.  But it became something “Life changing” for not only her but also for those who are having similar or even more gruesome fates. 


She was just a volunteer in the beginning but gradually became a Human Right Activist especially for women. She traveled all over India for conferences and workshops. With all her effort she could manage to open a Cell for women called “Surakshya Mahila Prakosta” at the Dhenkanal SP Office to work in co-ordination with Police to deal with the problems (including domestic violence, dowry harassment, social harassment, violence against women and assaults)  faced by women. She is at present an active member of District Legal Service Authority of Dhenkanal and also Sexual Harassment Committee in District Court (Dhenkanal) and Postal Division (Dhenkanal).
.

In year 2014, because of her selfless involvement with all these works lead her to be nominated as an esteemed member of of Child Welfare Committee(CWC)– a quasi judicial body for care and protection of children of Dhenkanal District branch.

She had a special interest to study Law which she couldn’t. But while her involvement in social work she also read the law books and understood that “at a position when nothing is with a woman, there still remains the Constitutional rights with her which is sufficient to live a Life of Dignity”. To create and spread awareness of “law and constitutional rights for women” among women and their families she also has translated a Book in Odia language “Mahila Samparkita Aaieen Sachetanata Pustika” originally written by M.A Banaja and Advocate Shyamasundari. She was also awarded as the “Defender of Child Right” By CLAP (Committee for Legal Aid to Poor), Cuttack, Odisha.

One would find numerous stories that she encountered while visiting the rural areas of India. She says. “There are some places where people still leave in dark ages”. Horrible! She is determined to spread awareness there and help them to come out of obscurity.


However looking at her dedication, selflessness, enthusiasm and commitments it seems…it’s just the beginning of her recognition.
When I asked her what drives her from inside to get involved in these works when she suffers all the health ailments …her reply was “it was the expectations and hopeful eyes of needy and deprived” that gives her energy to walk out and do her best to help them.
She says…In the moment of helplessness and weakness, one should become the “Strength and Help” of someone who is more depressed”. That’s the best way to gain strength for you. 

I asked her what “happiness means to her” to which she shared lighthearted tale.
Once when her two year old Granddaughter had visited her place, her Grandpa (who is very fond of tea) said “When my little angel will learn making tea for me” (we know how our society is obsessed to make girls learn cooking and other household works) to which she immediately replied on behalf of her Granddaughter that “she will not learn “making tea” but will learn something “how to enjoy a Cup of Tea” made for her by others.


Her sole message to all the women out there is. “To urge the women; to discover their potential, regain their self-confidence and stand firm for their conviction and rights.  To break the culture of silence and speak out the injustice they suffer and find ways and means to set them right, become the voice of voiceless speaking for others so that they can be instrumental for transformation in the society. It’s the need of the hour”.
"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

I mean isn’t it amazing. I am inspired by her. Dear friends…I’m really delighted to share this story.
 #EveryWomanIsALeader in her own way. It is essential for her to recognize her worth and importance. Then she can really #SpreadTheVibe and ignite the minds of others to live a LIFE OF DIGNITY. 

Remember even if her hands are tied up, she is blindfolded and swords are there to restrict her, her feet are always free to “walk out” if she wishes…!!

#SpreadTheVibe because all the good in the world needs to be talked about. 



I shared this story for #SpreadTheVibe campaign of Youth Ki Awaaz  a Platform that gives voice to many unspoken stories in association with Indiblogger. 

Click the link  http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/ to know more about this. 








Sunday, January 3, 2016

It’s Not My Resolution to "Lack Convictions" in My Resolutions!!!



It’s Not My Resolution to “Lack Convictions” in My Resolutions

Date 01.01.2015
Time:  9 a.m

I was standing in my Balcony of my flat looking at the busy roads with my cuppa in hand. The Hangover of previous day’s New Year eve party was still on me. My phone was giving a beep for a message alert nearly in every five minutes. Mother had already called me in the early morning to wish me Happy New Year when I was still on bed. There were some missed calls…probably from some other relatives and friends. I hadn’t checked them. My Hubby and My son were still asleep.

After few minutes I returned to my living room. My new Dairy and a new pen were lying in the centre table. The newspaper was lying beside them. I had already decided. The first thing I would do (as I always do) was “To Write My Resolutions for the New Year”.

I started writing them one by one. Around half an hour I spent writing my resolutions, goals I wanted to achieve and things I wanted to do/start.   I was happy as I did what I always used to do.

I believe in making resolutions on New Years. Since my academic years I have been making them. Some were achieved and somewhere not.  I always feel we should always have some resolutions to begin with the New Year.

But when I flipped that page in the last week of December 2015, I found many of them haven’t been even touched. Some of them not even tried for. Then I remembered it has always been like that. I would write many of them, then would try some…then forget about all.

For example…Two things I would always write in the list of resolutions in the category “Self Improvement goal”

1.    I will overcome my biggest enemy “Procrastination”.
2.    I will conquer my fears especially when I face an audience, new people or new surroundings.

But I have not been able to achieve it. Still Procrastination reins my routine and still “Fear” has a strong grip on me.
What does it mean…lack of conviction in my resolutions...right. At least I feel so.  May be I never had that faith or belief on my resolutions thereby never put as much efforts to achieve them.

Moral of the story is “Without Conviction, deep passion and sincerity…resolutions are nothing”. Lack of Conviction always defeats the purpose of Resolution.
So this time I have decided not to repeat the same.
So
It’s Not My Resolution to “lack convictions” in my resolutions.
It’s Not My Resolution to let insincerity or unbelief defeat the purpose of my resolutions.
It’s not My Resolution to let “Procrastination” and “Fear” to still have a clutch on me.
It’s Not My Resolution to let My List of Resolution to have a tag of “Not Achieved” at the End of the year.


Let’s not allow anything derail us from the track that leads us towards the fulfillment of our resolutions!!!! 





This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
Image Source - Google Images