Was I Imprisoned?

I was not certain how my mom would react, No, not one from my family has stepped in to a prison, and I know it well it’s not a thing to boast for being the first. As I sat in the Inspector General’s office, it was dot silent that I could hear my heart beat, a bit faster than the usual pace. I was informed I need to log in and surrender all the electronics and mobile phone at the prison gate locker before I step in, I felt I need to speak to my mom before that, but also had a hesitation for how she’d react, she would have no clue how I happened to land up in a prison and that too when I'm thousands of miles away from her.

The prison walls were built with black basalt rocks and that hints that the prison should be at least 200 years old. The 18^th century Nine foot pendulum in a mammoth Dark Oak case with its antique copper hands, placed at the open end of the prison lounge donged 12, it never looked like 12 noon when I gazed through the window that’s barricaded with huge iron bars that are literally  indestructible, It was pouring down heavy and the clouds were dauntingly dark with monstrous thuds of the thunders. The entire set up of the room was very Irish, the Inspector General’s armed chair was meticulously crafted out of African teak. The room had a huge portrait of the former Prison Warden who was killed by the prisoners during an internal mutiny between two parties, he was known for saving half a dozen prison officers as he gave up his life, a note underneath the portrait praised him for that. As my thoughts wandered around, I was called by an old man and was informed I would need to step in, in to the prison gate in next 10 minutes. It alarmed deep within me, I was uncertain about when I would get to breathe the free air again once I step in, In a spur of a moment I took my mobile out and rang my mother…It’s not the usual time I call her, after a few rings she picked up and I heard that caring voice, “Hello” she said…

“Mom, I'm in Ireland, & I'm in Crumlin road Gaol (Jail)….” I uttered with a speculation of what she’d reply…

“Nice, that’s a great place to be, I’ve read about that in a novel and it has been closed officially in 1960’s and made in to a tourist spot right, hope you’re enjoying Belfast..Do take some pics and send it across in watsapp” she replied, & I was awestruck with my mom’s international exposure ;-) I thought of giving her a thrill ride and she made me feel blunt. I replied “Sure mom, I’ll do” and as I disconnected the call, My friends who were in the café at the prison lounge returned and we gathered for the prison tour.

We had a old gentleman who should be in mid 70’s as the prison tour guide who's loaded with laughing gas which he never forgets to pump out often. One another soul that reminded me that age is just a number.

You can stay young at heart if you wish to, yes, if YOU wish to.

He gave a brief history of the gaol (or Jail), and we were walked through the chambers, the warden rooms, the security patrol towers, the medical centre and the only open space, the vast ground that was bound by a 15 feet black basalt rock wall with barbed fence above that, the wall was intimidating and gave no hope to surpass, not for the bravest too. My mind was playing back and relating it to Shawshank redemption (A movie to watch, if you haven’t), no easy deal it is….It was just a tour till then…He mixed with a lot of humour as we passed these place and there came the twist.

“The Gallow” – It never had a neuron attached to my brain till that very moment. It meant nothing to me till then. We were walked in to a chamber where the life sentenced prisoners were kept separated, along with two guards who stay with them round the clock, so the room had a decent enough space for 3 to strive living. It was dark except for the boring halogen light that passes through the bar gate, no exhaust window, no sun light and doses of depression.

Just imagine, staying for months together in a single room, where you do not get to meet people other than the two designated guards who stay with you, whether you like it or not. You don’t get to see the outer world, your food served in place. Could the world get more smaller for a person, I could feel myself trembling as I envisaged the life there. I know it had been only the people who deserved, may be, only the atrocious landed up there, but still that hurts deep to live than to die to be in such an environment. Just think what if an innocent is judged guilt, how would it feel…After spending months there, the prisoner on the final day, the Judgement day is moved to the very next room through a door that is riddled  in his very room where he spent so much time, he would have never knew his death doors were so close to him. That door lands him in to the Gallow Chamber, he is not given enough time to take things in, he is blindfolded, his hands tied, and in a moment he has a rope around his neck positioned right between his jawbone and throat to ensure the pain lasts minimal time and then the THUD, the lever released, the person is hanged to death, his soul leaves his body and that’s the end. 

As the old man narrated, we had 15 odd people in the group with nationals from US, Europe & Africa. Culture, Race,  education, maturity, the bullish looking and puny looking, and all possible differences were there, but one thing in common, tears brimming every eye. It was indeed an intense emotion, and we walk down the chamber, a narrow tunnel that leads to the exit door, I hardly found people talking to each other. Everybody was occupied in their own thought and so was I.

I was entangled in a different thought thou, The person punished faces the isolation for months, and pain of death for minutes, I would call that much better. Yes much better compared to the life of the guards who stay with him, take care of him, spend time with him, dine with him and at times, play cards and laugh with him… How would it be to watch a person who was there with you, whom you guarded for months, who almost became a friend in spite of his cruel acts of the past, whose softer side you know, and finally you watch him die, and then comes the next and the next…Don’t you think this is worse than execution as such? It is…no matter how cold hearted the guard may be..!

So, now, close your eyes and think about your biggest problem or  your biggest worry, and tell me if we are anyway close to this, definitely not, we have a life, we have a “Tomorrow” that’s full of possibilities, we have family n friends though at times it might have its own imperfections, which is way better than not having one. I don’t intent to say be happy about your problem, I intend to say be happy in spite of having a problem…

Life is short,  do not wear your problems on your sleeves.

 Happiness is a way of life and not a destination.

 Keep smiling & Stay Loving!! 

The heaven beneath the Sky, the isle of Skye!!

“It leaves you speechless and then it turns you in to a story teller”

I never knew I would have a moment in my life to make me feel  so unanimous with this quote until I knew Isle of Skye . What’s the best thing 3 guys can do on a long weekend when they are thousands of miles away from their lovable families, hit on the road, and that becomes more obvious when they live in a land that’s the analogy of serenity, the Scotland. Yes, we planned to visit the heaven beneath the sky, the isle of Skye.

The Planning was done perfect, rental car booked, a country house blocked and ensured the weather forecast says it’s going to be sunny [Unfortunately, I still trust the Scotland weather forecast]

It was a fresh and vibrant Saturday morning as we packed up the tucks and headed to the Car renter. And the Car Renter was generous enough to offer us a brand new hatch back, happy-go-lucky, we 3 boarded and as I put my hands in the steering, I felt the nervousness, we are from a land where juggling, hide ‘n seek, salsa and sledging is all a part and parcel of driving, and this auto-bot mode of driving is absolutely unfamiliar to me, and I have to get used to it.

If you call him the Savior who’ll direct you when you have no clue of where you are, for us, HERE maps app was the Savior for the trip we worshiped. One of the 2  was the navigator for me, or better called the messenger who communicated me what the Savior directed. We were given options with 2 routes, a motor way and a country side drive, and all 3 of us concurred in choosing the country side route, for we are not here to save time, but to save memories!

As I started driving along the beautiful roads, My initial misconception dissolved, it not an Auto-bot driving, rather it’s more of a meditation, with the landscapes that’s in similitude with the MS Windows wallpapers, and a road that reminded me of the NFS2 track with beautiful pine trees lined up on either side of the road, how better driving could get... After driving for 2 hours, the Savior as always, wanted to test us, it shows battery drained and car charger wasn’t fast enough to feed its hunger with GPS turned on, we were left out with no option but to use the road signs and the instincts.

The landscape turned more beautiful and that made us stop by and click some memories, soon after we realized if we are going to stop for the beautiful landscapes we would go no further for every single sight was eye-popping.

3 hours of drive took us to a place called Fort William, where we found a Roundabout but had no clear signs saying which exit will take us to the Skye!

Robert Frost lines came up in front of me “Two Roads diverge in an yellow wood” OMG, two roads was much better than a roundabout with 6 exits, I spoke within.

And a voice from our car , one of our mate, with total assertiveness commanded us in to a particular exit, and more often we rely anything that’s commanded with assertiveness, we did take that exit.

Driving few miles, we happened to see a spot that was so beautiful, with a beautiful Oak Garden table on plush green meadow on the bank of a loch(lake) whose name we didn’t know and the lock rimmed with a valley, it looked absolutely romantic, unfortunately we were 3 guys travelling together. And that seemed to be a perfect place to have the lunch as we were already hungry driving for hours. Parked the car and opened up the box of Spicy Aromatic Biryani made by our in-house Chef, and that was done and dusted in a jiffy. Again clicked some memories and resumed the drive. Another 30 miles and landscape started changing dramatically and looked more like we’re in middle of Grand Canyons. Is that Common sense or instincts, that we stopped by to check in a fuel station to ask how far is the Skye. He asked, where are you heading from, and as we said Edinburgh and via Fort William, we could see him control his laughter, and uttering “You should have taken exactly the opposite exit from Fort William roundabout, you need to drive back 30 odd miles to get en-route. As we said thanks and walked backed to the car, the 3 faced was exhausted and tired.

We picked ourselves up and started driving towards the Skye and now took the right exit in the roundabout, the route got better and much better, and that indeed bought smiles back in the faces. Another few miles of driving gave us the sight of the majestic Skye bridge and there we got all excited. The Skye bridge was a phenomenal peace of architecture and as we drove in to the bridge, the arc shape of it gave a feel as we drive in to the sky, as if we get dissolved with the beauty of the blue skies; it was just more than fascinating.

After a bit over dose of wandering, to our wonder, the first thing we saw as we crossed the bridge was the sign board of the country house we had booked, and that took us in to a 100 plus year old Scottish bungalow converted in to a B & B, we parked, picked up the baggage and as we walked in admiring the elegance of the Grande house which had the plush of modest luxury with the heritage retained in place, it was everything more than what we anticipated it to be.

As a rule of life, happiness and disappointments hit us back to back, we heard that the Kitchen is closed for dinner. We checked in the room, refreshed and started hunting for a restaurant, as the place having a very few of them, and we were lucky enough to find one by the bed of the loch, that had an amazing window view of the Skye Bridge and indeed serving us with a perfect Scottish food, not forgetting the haggis! As we reached back to the room, after a day with hours of driving, a sumptuous dinner, a cozy bed, we went in to sleep like an infant in the hands of his mother’s arm only to wake up fresh and vibrant in the morning.

The morning greeted us with a perfect English breakfast on a room that had that beautiful view of the window side vibrant shades of flowers and a scenic valley behind. With the Whisky patriot on board, the first destination in Skye was Talisker Distillery and as we reached the place, it was hilarious to see his reaction seeing the board “we are closed for the day” for Sunday. Next on list, the Neist point light house which is in the other end of the Skye, we drove dozens miles as instructed by our Savior, who’s all loaded today. Few hours later, we were directed in to a road, which had the road Sign Neist Point with Right Arrow;. The road should be 7 foot wide and it’s a two way road! It was thrilling , but exhausting too to drive a manual transmission car, to give way for every vehicle that come in the opposite. We kept driving and after driving for more than a 20 miles, we realized the fuel bar stood at the last point, we were skeptic, (or in panic?) we neither saw a fuel station, nor a petit shop  in the last 20 miles. We halted the car in side turf and debated whether to risk and go forward or to drive back, and the vote was up for drive back as we were in middle of no man’s land. We drove back, and this time a bit lucky to find a short path that took us to a fuel station in 12 miles. As we refilled the fuel, one of our mate was all excited, and latter we understood it is because the restaurant adjoining has the Indian Spicy Chicken curry with Rice in its menu stuck in the door. Nothing could stop us getting  in to the restaurant and we did. An hour later, Car & us were both fueled enough to run further, we decided not to give up and we drove back to the Neist Point. The same short route and crossed the place where we parked to debate, and as we reached, we found we were just 2 miles away from Neist point from where we debated and  returned back the previous time, and that sparked a philosophy in my crazy mind:

“We’d never give up if we only knew how close we were to Success (destination?)”

And finally we reached the Neist point, bright green turf, Clear blue Sky, Mammoth Black rock that looks like the fossil remains of Volcanic eruptions , the view was Worth the hours we spent behind it.

Retired back to the room, after a worthwhile day and tired enough to sleep in graveyard mode. Next morning, the final day of trip, the only item pending, The Talisker Distillery and we drove towards it, this time, lucky enough to find it opened. A one hour walk through on the Whisky making process reminded me of the 7th grade chemistry classes with the huge furnaces around, hearing about fermentation, distillation so on and so forth. And the icing on the cake, Whisky tasting at its own house, the first time I tasted, a 10 ml shot, and that too from where its made,  and a Talisker badge they gave us to carry along made it one of a kind experience. Not forgetting to mention, our mate ensured to buy a 20 year old special edition bottle packed in a shiny velvet box, and yes, he treated that as a prized possession.

And there came the end of the episode, as we drove back home, Edinburgh was waiting for us with the roaring traffic at the city gates. Time to get back to reality from the dream world. We were tired enough to hit the bed much earlier than our schedules, and that night we knew we’ve earned a heap of memories that we’ll bestow for the rest of our lives, we felt a sense of accomplishment, and a wave of gratitude towards the Savior, now the real Savior, who was gracious enough to create a little heaven of tranquility for us under the Sky called the Isle of Skye!!

700 Kms to Serenity!

Wouldn't you say an Yes when someone ask you "Hey, Do we make a trip, now?" when you know you're super bored with your computer-job!? I would, & that too when you are being called by your besties named cousins, & when it is lead by THE CAPTAIN who has no par in planning a trip exquisite  & that too when you dunno the destination until you turn the bolero's ignition on. Yes I did say an yes!

Okay, this ain't a travelogue, the purpose is different. But may be I need to brief on the journey! It was a 4N/5D trip and we clocked 2500 Kms in Bolero, covering Chennai-Chickmangalur-Agumbe-Manglore-Kerla Backwaters-Coimbatore-Conoor-Ooty-Chennai. The list looks big, yeah? Don get Suspicious, the captain had already made a 9 day trip to Chennai-kashmir-chennai clocking 10,000+ kms, and all the way in Innova.

 It was a Tuesday eve 3 pm when we had  the thoughts for the plan ignited in our minds and it was 6 pm when we started off. So criteria is to return on Monday. Captain said as we all boarded, we are heading to Agumbe, we had no clue where it is, but nobody cared indeed. Captain resumed, Its almost in the western coast of Karnataka, posterior to Goa. Oh the guyz did smile, as they heard Goa, we never knew the script was going to be different. 

Now back to our page, We started in the eve and drove passing across Karnataka-Tamilnadu Border in the late night, good that all 4 drive, driving is never the constraint. I woke up only to see jilabi's on the huge yellow boards. We're in Karnataka, and it was Chicmangalur. We had to identify a spot to download n then upload...skimming across either side of the road, we happened to find nothing impressive. A cousin of mine made a hard brake as he found a board on the left, "The Serai" a wooden emboss which was made to flaunt its luxury. May be something we should try, we drove in to find an out of world contemporary architecture that was stunning, and what added up the spice is the 300+ acre coffee plantation that was behind in the same fence. That was such a marvelous combination. We checked in for what we went, then came back to the restaurant to order coffee and they offered us with an English breakfast. Food was nothing short of elegant and coffee was more than sensational. When we said that to the waiter, he said, wouldn't it be sir, this is the estate of Cafe Coffee Day, we are here for coffee! Impressed we were, and that led to check out the rate card for the cottages, only when we realized, we should leave if we don't want out pockets left with  a huge hole. 

The Captain @ Serai:

Bolero Vroomed again & headed towards Agumbe, oh yeah I started to feel the absense of no stretch back seats in the SUV. Half way to agumbe, we stopped near a disowned area, no vehicles, no manking, no mechanical decibels, a place void of commercialism. A Stream, An old string suspended wooden bridge and the quills singing, that was enchanting. We took a stroll along the wooden bridge, relished the beauty before we resumed the drive. Another tiring 4 hrs drive and a lunch in the middle of a highway dhaba. Around 5.30, Captain announced we are almost there in the destination, Agumbe!

The Century old wooden bridge - String suspended:

I was taken back, Agumbe, after 700 Kms all I expected was to see a tantalizing landscape, well organized tourism, and a buzzing crowd. But I was surprised to see a lone Snack bar which is the entrance of the little town, a but stand nearby which hardly had a bus, and no crowd. I stared at the Captain in annoyance if he had taken us all the way to come to this villagish town, he never replied, he does only through actions, as ever. We had a coffee in the snack bar and a sweet/karam thingie named dhokla if I'm not wrong. Bolero again headed to the inner road of the lil town where I happened to see a very old, huge house almost in the size of a basket ball court, and I happened to see Captain driving the vehicle towards that Villa. He parked the vehicle and asked us to get down with the baggage. We did, As we stepped in the Hige Villa, it did seem like an old Aranmanai (Palace Kinda home), And as we entered I was stunned to see a group of Old ladies sitting across the hall there, I thought we wrongly entered an old age home. But Captain greeted a 70 year old lady who seemed more stolid than others there and inquired her on her wellness. She bore a serenic smile. I was baffled at the sight, old interiors, hardly renovated, 2 to 3 70+ Ladies, 1 lady out there should  be 90+. It neither looked like a home stay nor like a lodge and I was sure they weren't our relatives either. Captain headed back to us and directed towards the first floor, a traditional wooden stairs took us up. We kept down the baggage and headed down. As we got down, the lady asked us to have a check on the sunset and said it would be beautiful from the nearby cliff. We came back to Bolero and headed to the sunset point where I found nothing really unique, moreover I was ambiguous on why he has brought us here all the way to this place which is not explicitly amazing. Time to break, I asked the Captain, whats happening, where are we, whats special about about this place?

We came back, parked the Bolero, and it was already 7, so we took a stroll on the wide road that headed towards nowhere. Captain spoke, finally breaking the silence. He Said, The Oldies whom you saw inside are the Royal Blood of this land, the King's descendants, the King's family. They owned thousands of acres across these hills.  And there came a day, where the govt issued a law to take over the assets of King's family across India. They took all their wealth, the family lost the big heads following up. The govt left the Royality with their heritage house and a 5 acre land nearby. The lady whom I greeted was Kasthuri Akka, and along with her there are 2 sisters of her, all of them were in 70's. The Old lady in the corner spinning a yawn and making an earning through it is their mother, who should be almost 95 years old. Kasthuri akka has a daughter, and a grand son and a grand daughter. They do not have a definitive source of income now. They are not living the King's life anymore but no one could stop them from being King like, they haven't given up on what they were doing. Anybody anytime getting in to their home will be welcomed with a warm smile, as if they were expecting their relatives, served food, provide the needed to stay over night and people leave, and they do as it was their heritage. This has been a part of their life for centuries together. Doing this when they  were the kings is different,  doing this now is something to look with awe! And the best part is, they had offered part of the 5 acres they were given back to them  to the local panchayat and they have built a school there as there were no school nearby for the children around. The four generations living there had just one principle, be good and do good to the people around! As he finished this we were in utter darkness, not even the road was visible and as I chinned up, I was dumb struck to see the sky so scintillating, I've never seen the sky star studded this way. I never knew the world has still got such wonderful souls around. Yes, I had a lump in my throat, My mind was pre-occupied as we walked back home, what makes this place in par to heaven, Is it this pollution free atmos, Is it the blessed view of stars, is it the calmness that prevails around or it is the best of mankind I just heard of....!!

Now, entering the house for the second time, It was already 9 pm, all my perceptions changed, the basic fact, perceptions are often deceptive, I developed an unknown respect for the folks there, not because they are the royal blood, but because they hold they destiny, they design their lives, for they have never given up on life and had given their best back to this world. 

As we entered, we got introduced to everyone there, Kasthuri akka asked us to get refreshed and come for dinner, I was still in thoughts as I took my towel and got in to the wash area that was behind the kitchen area. Something brought me an illuminating smile, an excitement mode. What I saw made me call Kasthuri akka, Akka whats this ? She said, This is a century old heater system, There were 2 huge, almost 3 feet brass pot vessels, they we molded over with clay and made in to a table like structure with clay where you could only see the mouth of the Brass vesel. Firewoods under, 24x7, serving you with hot water, I was wondering how intelligent we were way back, I bore a smile as I took bath and came for the dining are, all my cousins  were already there sitting in the old wooden bench, Kasthuri akka inquired about out where abouts as a part of conversation as she served steaming hot rice, kannadika dhaal, a yum spinach and a distinct jack fruit curry. Wouldn't it taste fabulous with that extra dosage of love & hospitality that she offered? It did!

Thanked her for the sumptuous meal and headed to bed, the room upstairs is meant for guests, it wasn't a bedroom, more like a dormitory, with almost 12 cots lined up. We were chatting on n number of topics, but my thought were stuck to these wonderful people, are we chasing something fake, naming it success? Aren't these guys living the best as a person and such thoughts. And finally as Captain instructed, we went to bed as we had to wake up early next day to see the sunrise. 

The best sleep I've ever had in the recent past, a complete sleep as if I've accomplished all tasks of my life, as If I'm with full bliss. The alarm rang aloud to wake us up at 5. We freshened up and headed to the Sunrise point, when you fall for something, everything about it would impress you, but this ain't that way, this is such a  beautiful sun rise, yes we reached a bit late as Google maps dumped us, but finally landed in the cliff to see the clouds beneath our foot, an age old temple in the cliff and almost a 360 degree view. Every earthy problem looked really negligible. Time to make clicks n we did.

Sunrise Spot:

 Entangled with the beautiful sunrise, we got back after 2 hrs and reached home around 9. As we entered I happened to over hear a conversation between the grand son and Kasthuri akka, which made me stun. It was evident that they find it hard to make ends meet, but how is it possible for them to treat the guests so well where they do not have enough for themselves. Everything that happened made me respect them more, made me question on the living we do, the care we have for our very own people. I walked in to take a bath again, enjoying the unique style of it, worth more than the Jacuzzi of Taj house. Akka called us for breakfast and offered the Kannadika pongal which was almost sweet. Thou we weren't used to have sweet for breakfast, we found that good to have. She invoked a conversation, spoke about our interests, food and everything, back of my mind I was questioning myself, she has got a problem, she wasn't able to provide what her grandson asked for, how is that still she can be so caring and still bear the blissful smile. Its not that she doesn't care for that kid, its about priority, serving other outnumbers anything for her. 

We spent the day exploring the locales of the town, a waterfall, a cliff ride and a mini trek and returned home in the eve, she offered us a malt that I wasn't able to recognize. She said its made out of some cereals. 

As she was speaking, 24 hrs before, I hesitated seeing the place with its outer covers, but when you get to know the people, I had no heart to leave the place. But it was time, Captain instructed to back pack. We got the baggage ready and concurred on one thing, to do what we can, which might help her to meet her grandsons need and we did the same. Thou not a million dollar would make it par to what she really deserves, its something we could do. Time to bid adieu to the beautiful family, Thanked Kasthuri akka for offering this wonderful stay. I wasn't able to speak fluently as I always do, I felt I don deserve talking too much in front of them, I jus felt we're talkers, in front of those doers.

Kasthuri Akka:

But for some reason, they have made me see a new dimension of live, de-tethering the relationship between money and happiness. I felt complete and rejuvenated. 

I owe all this to the one and only impeccable Captain, Vignesh Mathivanan for taking us to this out of world experience which we will bestow it for lifetime. :)

P.S : We still have some extravagant people who inscribe that you can be the King of your life, its all about what you give back to the loved ones around you! Live and Live with Love!

Is your heart Out there with you ??

After a considerable break, I joined a new project ! A new Location where I din knew a single head !

New People, new Acquaintances, a change which I desired now . Here I have half a dozen of young chaps joining my project who just passed out of college! Every morning when I see them I sense a nostalgia, I regret about something, I crave for something with all those effervescent memories of my college days rushing in to my head ! The boys are so lively 'n Kinetic, all they need is to find a reason to laugh, laugh till their stomach aches, candid about the corporate ethics or whoz watching them or what in turn will happen. A care free attitude much like a seagull flying in the coastline !

I closed my eyes jus to bring back the burried memories of college, I could see an unbound who just had 12 Indian Dollars (for commuting) in his pocket everyday and yet walked like the Prince of the Reign. The bottom sip bets, the Daring Zero paged answer sheets, the attendance lag issues, the canteen crimes, symposium-mania, Gang Suspensions, Birthday Bumps, class hours munching and a million fresh 'n vibrant memories !

As I opened my eyes, It all disspaears jus to witness a so called professional, who things times just to utter a word, who acts so serious, who infact follows the "Work for Weekends" paradigm and and whoz bored of the fact "I know whats my tomorrow!".

This brought me the the question, Is it me, the sober, reluctant person who is working just because he need to Work ?? And something that struck my mind the very moment is "No, Its what I pretend as Me !!" A Bulls Eye to hit on, A subject matter that needed to be looked upon.

These thoughts kept eating my mind & Thoughts.

Meanwhile, I was invited by a friend of mine for a function, My Closest pals were there, "A Once upon a time Gala Gang" . Now all with a made out Smile, with some thoughts or the other running in their mind and just physically present there . Jus 3 years, what had changed it all !! I was baffled ?? Why din I find LIFE in these faces which were Once a Godown of Energy !!

And what made me wonder the most is when I watched this One Person, a dear friend of mine. The Synonym of Energy, the synonym of Dancer/Rockstar or Wateva u call , She was a Celebrity in college for her Dance 'n Choreography !! Who made her Screen appearance in college days itself. A Gal whom I presumed would be in Magazine front cover bragging abt her Dance Academy or something in years down the line !! But she was just yet another person in the tight smiled list with some regrets flooding that can easily be seen !!

Yet another person on the scale of 10 hours work a day and another 4 hours commuting to work. What has limited the life ? Why is life much like a known card, like the other side of the coin !

This made me think as I rode my bull back home, As I reached home Something kept creeping my mind. All I needed is an Answer, A Solution ! What is the reason for this change , Is it Age, I chuckled, Its definitely now, coz I know people, and particularly a person whoz 50 & still remains 20 (My all time Role Model, My Brother, My Correspondent & most of it My biggest source of Inspiration !! ) So , Its not the age !!

So What then ??

I kept grinding my mind to squeeze out something , and when I cross-interrupted our life styles & patterns & just felt this.

"Commitment, that forces to compromise the Passion we have"

To be more precise, The Family Situation demands me to do this, I don think I have a card to choose, but I know this is not my card, but I gotta play with this!! Hey, I jus have to give up on what my heart pound on, Everyday, every minute !!

So finally arrived at the Problem !! Now whats going to be the solution, Sure, not to live with it..! While contemplating I remembered a small story I read way back !

Socrates, when asked by a young chap, what could make a person successful. He asked the young chap to walk along him, they had a river on the way and they had to cross it by walk. They both started traversing and when the water was neck deep , to the young chaps surprise , socrates pushed him under his arms and made him go under water. He struggled to breathe. he fluttered & when he was about to turn blue, socrates let him come up. The young chap asked in a perplexed tone "Why did you do this, why to me? " Socrates jus smile and asked "What were you thinking when you were under water ? What was running on your head ??" The boy replied "All I wanted is Air, Desparately" Socrates Smiled & said "That's how you can succeed in life, with all your thoughts and Focus on what your heart desires, what your head fights for !! Breathe you passion & you shall sure succeed !! "

What a Wonderful message, Isn't it. Its the Passion that counts !! And to add icing on the cake, another small story about someone who just found a reason to be comfortable, to be kept under the currents of life.

There was a person, who always had a reason, when he didn't excel as a child he said, I'll be better & happy as a boy & when he became a boy he said himself I'd be better & happy Once I complete my college, & when he completed his college, he said I'd be happy Once I get a Job & Once he got a Job, he said himself I'll be happy Once I get Married. That didn't stop there, Once he got married, he thought Kids would make him happy, but after having Kids he thought Only when they pass outta School he'll be happy & as they did, he said to himself I'll be happy when I retire & One fine day he Retired, & he Looked back to see that he has not Lived a single Day because he din Live his Life his Way. He was a spectator of life & expected Life to turn better, which never happened indeed !

It all flashed in my mind like a lightening in the dark September Sky !!

So, Now I had a Problem, and I almost have a Solution, too !

First , Find what your heart pounds on, What your soul loved to do !!

Second, Once found, & you know it for sure, I don say flip things & start chasing it right away !! No, thats not possible in all cases, All I say is make time to work on your passion.

I din say find time, you have to make time !! You always excel in things where you have your heart right there with you and as its well said "When you love your work, you don't work for one single day". Start practicing it in weekends, your free times, and start exposing yourself to possibilities, Never, Ever Limit your Life, Human Mind it Limitless !! Keep Working on it and remember its better late than never,.

" Believe me, One day you'd sure Create an Undefiable Empire & You'll be Ruling it !! "

p.s : A Lengthy blog, thanks for reading, and yes, As you finish I would be honoured if you close your eyes and ask yourself if you Love what you're doing. All the very best for a New Empire of yours, Soon !!

Old, but still Young !!

After another demanding day at office I boarded a bus to my aunt's house where I parked ma buLL the previous weekend, Just to ride him back  home. It should be late 7 when I reached there and I got  lucky that the Newly Wed Couple had come there(My cousin Sis and her Hubby, A "Made for each other" pair [touch wood]  ) We were chatting there for almost an hour about his Job, B'lore, San Jose, IT Field , politics and what not..! My Aunt's family is like a joint family with her Dad 'n Mom,  her Brother his wife and their Son and loadsa people. A Sweet Home where you literally feel 24 hours is a scanty number !!

The clock ticked for 10 pm, We got a call from upstairs where the Granny and others live. It was an emergency call, the granny has gone serious and no one was there except for the other aunt there. They wanted someone from from here to help them. In a spur of moment, me my cousin and the new bro rushed upstairs to find the granny struggling to respire, she was almost sniffing every single breathe and was bustling hard ! We were amateurish, but a moment to act matured, coz itz just us who has to manage the situation. We shifted her from her bed to a chair and then brought her down, by that time one of the uncle has got his Car ready. With great efforts we managed to bring her down and shift her to the Cars Rear seat. The car roared approaching the Multi-speciality Hospitals thats couple of Kilo meters off the house. Al-through the way Granny was mumbling words of uncertainty. Finally managed to reach the hospital in not more than 10 minutes dodging the peak traffic. 

As we reached the hospital, the Grandpa just turned up from his Shop to the hospital. We rushed to get a stretcher and with the help of attendants there we placed her in the stretcher. As they took her in. a doctor rushed towards her running along checking her pulse and in a moment he ordered the attendant to take her to the emergency ward as the situation sounded to be complex. The Stretcher was propelled to the ICU in a moment. Grandpa who is almost 80 managed to walk fast following the stretcher but he was almost crawling. With our assistance he managed to come along. 

The doctors rushed into the ICU examining her, We just had a transparent circle on the glazed glass which gave us a minor view of whats happening inside. She was placed a ventilator immediately to support her breathing. Grandpa was totally restless, he spoke not a word to us but kept uttering words to himself saying papa ll be alright (Papa : thats how he calls her)  He came to us and consoles us saying "Granny ll be alright, don worry" , but as he says I could feel his voice trembling, his body shivering. It took almost an hour. All we can see he she was totally wired and doctors having discussions now 'n then. Also a doctor from Apollo was called since it was critical. We took the seat in the corridor, but the old man never stepped back from gazing through the transparent circle in the glass door and he never stopped mumbling too. We were almost uncertain about it, she became totally lost, and breathed like it were her ultimatum. An hour later, it was about late eleven, the doctor came out to say, "Her Lungs has contracted, this is kind of Extreme, but yes, we are trying our best, hopefully she will be alright" But we felt a sense of Script in the doctors way of saying that. Almost all of us were daunted but now, not the old man. He smiled with great spirit saying "Papa will be alright, I know, She'll be fine 'n she'll come back home with me ! "  A sentence he uttered almost made us melt "Indha marundhu, machine lam pathadhu. Avaluku enna patha podhum, dhairiyam vandhudum , Doctor naa avala pakanum" (Neither the medicines, nor those instruments alone will be enough to cure her, she needs to see me, see me and she'll sure get stronger to overcome all this, Doctor I need to see her) Thats something the Grandpa uttered and waited for no permission and started proceeding in to the ICU. The doctor neither stopped him, who knows it, even he believes what the old man jus said. As we looked through the window he went near granny who was totally wired, with all the daunting machines connected to her, he sat near her, we could jus see him speaking to her as if she is listening, he spoke 'n spoke 'n spoke and smiled and laughed as a part of it. Some moments later he came out vibrantly and said "Papa ll be alright". We din know what to say but appreciated his confidence for doctor never said that. Again the treatment resumed. It was almost half past 12. Doctor came out with a smile saying "Things are under control, her breathing has become regular close to 96% from the initial dreadful 68%. This is more than just Medical efforts" , he shuddered Grandpa's shoulder with a brim in his face saying "Shez got a decent dose of Love, she would be alright" A smile bloomed up at all our face. Grand pa was proud, proud to have his love alright (for him, she already is). 

As I stepped down the hospital stairs, I kept smiling for no reason. Its not a one year or two year affair. Its a 50+ year relationship, how powerful will that love be. They've grown old and they struggle to carry themselves, but they stay so young to carry their better half in their heart.

What a wonderful Love Story I've witnessed that night !! Hats off Old Man, Oh I'm sorry young man !! :)

p.s : Engrave in your heart, There is nothing that could match true Love, Dedication and Devotion, Not the money, power or any sorta material possession . Relationship is something so divine, never ever take a chance of it or play it, knowingly or unknowingly.

I wish you too are blessed with such a noble life like theirs,

and certainly a living worthwhile !! :) :)

The Dog's way !!

Hope you are doing flamboant as ever !! Here I'm back with a blog :)

Chromepet to Siruseri(Ma Office) is a pretty long travel routine everyday. Perhaphs people  read books, listen to music, do 'bird watching' or the more earthy fellas take a nap ;) I do almost everything outta the list there and additionally one thing I do is making new friends, which I always find really interesting. A simple way to know new thing is to know new people :)

Recently I've got a bus mate who just returned from Florida after a long tenure onsite assignment. We had something in common, coming really late to the bus stand and so in-turn became friends easily :P . He gets excited seeing things, the place that were outskirts then are  hot-spots now..!! We discuss about everything. One day as we were discussing his life there he came up with something which was really funny ?? nah,  interesting?? naah , u gotta say it...

As they say , Onsite is like walking in a shoe of  golden nails. You'll be screwed, but where not. Its all about the way how you take it. So they had a team there who were working for the US Clients in the client office. Life goes well there, they had real good Clients there, they spend time together, sharing food, culture and they were simply good to move with. 

It was a Monday, my friend has gone to office to find  his Clientile head Jonna not available. He checked the mail where-in he has received a cc of the mail that Jonna had sent to her boss.

Hey Bob,

Timmy  is delivering baby in couple of days, So I need to look after her.

Will see you next week.

Cheers

Jonna

A week passed on and Jonna,  got back to office, my friend after a chit chat has asked her casually like how did things go and then he has asked like whoz Timmy and how is she now post-delivery. Jonna  replied and my friend has gone awe-struck !! Wanna know what Jonna said. Its here " Hey yeah man., Am So happy about it. Timmy is doing great now, She had delivered a fairy white pup. Its cuter than the cutest creation of God   !! You gotta Come home to see her if u have time, you'll relish too seeing her ! " 

My friend has asked  "So Timmy is you pet dog ? and you took a weeks leave for her delivery? "

The Client has replied "Yeah, Of course"

He has smiled at her and got back to work. Later that week, the Friday, One of the team mates of my friend whoz basically from banglore has called him and informed that his wife is getting admitted in the hospital, the doctor has scheduled the delivery for 11'o clock in the morning. My friend has informed the same to their reporting boss whoz another chennai guy. He has nodded an yes.  My friend has got to the Arabian delight restaurant on the other adjacent street to have his lunch and got back to office at 2. There he saw his friend who just called up in the morning. My friend has wondered like "Man, you said your wife is delivering and you're here now ?? "

"Yes dude, boss called up @ 12, asked me if everything is fine,  I said its a boy baby , he said Excellent and in a spur of the moment he asked me to get back to office asap as they've encountered a critical bug and that needs to be resolved by EOD, I started sayin something, he immediately said, I understand your situation but I just call you now for I din have any other go"and so I'm here...

My friend has Sighed hearing this !!

As he told this...I started laughing aloud forgetting people around me are watching!!

But ain't that funny ?? I don mean to say They slave us, Jus that chasing money we forget to relish the best moments of life..Isn't that true, A Man's most memorable instance definitely include the one when he becomes a father, the moment when he has given life to a cute little kid, Isn't it a moment to celebrate..Not that nobody does it..But yes, these are moments which are common but yet rare !!

So Lets not forget

" At the end of the day, its all these tiny moments that count !! 

Neva miss them !!  "

Go, Kill the bLack Wolf !

Hoping you all are extremely good..and now here I'm back with a post after a break..

OK now, people from PFA 'n Blue cross, don start dialing your phone to put the cuffs on ma wrist for the tag "Go, Kill the bLack Wolf !"   ;-) lolz. yeah. This is not  slaying in reality, but yuh slaying within. Slaughtering the Black wolf within!

I would like to share a small incident that happened 2 days back. I've been to my family friend's home. He owns a Hardware store. Its been sometime since I met him and so went there to spend some time with him. There I was blessed to see his cute Kid who welcomed me with an shrewd smile. He seemed to be too effervescent for his age, he should be not more than  4 or 5. Not a moment he stayed still. A dozen questions, " Uncle whats your name, why are you here, do you like pokeman? you din have school today? " and loads loads more. I was smiling while answering his little cute questions. It was raining outside. As I was admiring  the kid, my friend showed up and  welcomed me . We started to chat on the missed out past. The kid disappeared all of a sudden as I was conversing with his dad. Moments later he jumped out of the stairs from the terrace, he has got drenched in the rain, he started running inside the home making the Italian white marble turn choco fudge with his little muddy foot, but still it was cute, but may be not to his mom ;) She became tempered seeing this, she dragged the kid in to the kitchen and all I heard is a smashing  spank. The kid came out chin down, holding his back and murmuring "I hate you, I hattte you! ". His sparkling eyes were filled with tears ready to flow out. He slowly walked out again and now he wasn't dare enough to go upstairs, but he moved to the hall below the house  which my friend used as a go-down. Me and my friend saw this and shared a smile. We resumed our talk and in a while his wife bought coffee for us, We started sipping it as we discussed family, business, jobs and last but not the least politics. 

Few minutes later, the kiddu came back running fast, hustling back yelling "Mommy, mommy.." in a trembling voice and hugged his mom from behind, we were able to sense of panic in his face. His mom embraced the kid inquiring whats wrong. He whispered "Mommy, there is a bad guy in the hidden in the Go-down, he shouted he hates me, Mommy who is he?? " .  We were puzzled and went down with the kid to unveil whoz In. We three were standing besides the kid who turned at us and pointed his fingers to one corner where the asbestos sheets were mounted and said "He is somewhere there mommy !! " ,His mom took him in his arms and asked, "How did you know that baby, did u see him ?" the kid replied "No Mom, but I heard him, he said he hates me" As we shared a baffled look, now the kid shouted "I hate you, I hattte you !! " facing the darker closed side of the room where in one corner those sheets were mounted. In a  moment the kids voice echoed back " I hate you, I hattte you !!"  and kid looked at his moms eyes and said , "See mommy, he is still there" brimming innocence.  Myself and the kids dad couldn't control and we broke in to laughter..! How silly kids can be  was the thought that conquered my mind. But his mom never laughed at it, she  contemplated and  a moment later She holded the kid and said" Listen baby, he is not a bad boy, he is a good boy much like you. If you love him, he'll love you too.He will be  your friend if you want him to be." The kid gave a suspicious look, but still trusting his mom more than anything in the world, now he turned back to the dark wall and yelled "I Love you, I'm your friend" . In no moment the kid heard back "I Love you, I'm your friend" The kid was so excited hearing that, he started bouncing to his mom, his mom again took her in her arms and said, listen baby, If you hate others, they'll hate you. If you love others they'll love you too, so whats my baby gonna do, he's gonna........ !" The kid reflexed saying  " gonna love others mommy !! " witha smile brighter than Sirius !

As we started walking upstairs, I started thinking how a little thought sown in a mind can actually grow as the so called tree, the character of a person ! The kid wouldn't have understood the physics behind it, how it echoes , or wateva but how well his mom thought him a beautiful lesson in a moment !

Not just for the kid, its for everyone !! and its as simple as that !!

" You get what you give,

                 give love and you'll get the same back"

Learn to Love, unconditionally for life is just a mirror. Its love or hatred you show, it'll show back the same  !!

 

Its not just about how we treat others, but most of the time how we treat ourselves !!

We mount up assumption like " I can't do that because I'm not born rich...., I'm not intelligent...., I'm not lucky...., I'm not an extrovert...., I don have the right stars now...., I'm not attractive and a loads more "  

Its all a lump sum of pit falls that we dig for ourselves. Never ever limit the possibilities.

Like it goes  "Physics says a bumble bee can neva fly because  aerodynamically its body shape  is so, but you know what, a bumble bee flies, because it neither knows physics nor its limits"

Every time the black wolf within us gets aroused, the wolf of ill thoughts, the wolf of limitations just kill it, kill it with the mightiest weapon called confidence !!

Win yourself with Confidence

and 

Win others with Love !!