catch a wind

If there be a little time between dawn and sunrise, it will be this right here inside my room. Robi our pet rooster is already in tussle with silence and soon he will win into daybreak. There is another faint voice, a merry voice rising through rooster noise coming from the river; some solitary naoriya singing glory of Buridehing. Mild moist air is rushing through that vent just below a line where the brick wall meets our roof ceiling. As light is steadily growing and killing the darkness of my room; eight holes I can count right now six more to go before all fourteen holes will have light coming through. Then it will start crawling down the wall slowly, go over the picture of Bishnu Rabha and over the wall calendar picture of a parrot with a berry in its beak; till it reaches the edge of my bed and on my face!!! But I can still keep my eyes closed and cuddle in for some more time into sleeping or say, stay in this feel so good moment.

I do not remember how long I was asleep until I heard a sweet whispering into my ear,"get up my boy; Muga is waiting for you, get up love". These dreams I find very weird, I just saw it happening and I do not recall how it began and how I came to see what only I now remember of it; was it the end or in middle somewhere. Good today, I had a good one about a large ship coming in our river, it was colored in black and white; white above and black below. Then our river turned into a sea. There were also waves on the shore too, large one and small one, mostly small waves. I don't recall how but if I try closing my eyes again and stare hard I see how I am steering the big ship in open sea, changing gear from 2 to 3 to 4 and finally 5 when it was about to fly. Did I fly the big ship up in the sky?

Our Ranwonligaon is a big village, it is so big that we have two primary schools. Paaroporagaon on  other side of Buridehing has only one school, so Ratul, Surabhi and Deven come to our school; they are my class mates. They come in Ratul Khura's boat everyday across the river. Ratul khura is not same as Ratul who is my friend. Ratul khura is Deuta's friend. There is also a bridge at end of Garhaali but it's far from our school.

Muga is very playful today, this calf is now one year and fifteen days old and growing fast, fasted then the litchi tree; it hasn't even reached my height and I thought it will bear fruits this year. I will take him to a new patch of grass that Ratun and I had secretly discovered behind the Bor Namghar just as you cross the jack fruit tree and look beyond into the wetland, a little far you see our old river Buridehing then this line of green on the other side of the river and then the distinct line of horizon and then the clear blue sky, few dots of white clouds and then you take one more step and you fall. Fall into this shallow pond face down, no water, no mud just soft grass wet in dew and it doesn't hurt.

*Naoriya: A boat man
*Buridehing: River in eastern Assam
*Khura: Uncle
*Deuta: Father
* Bor Namghar: Hindu monastery
*Bishnu Rabha: Legendary Assamese singer and artist

“all thinking men are atheists”

I bought this book sometime back from amazon, just a random pick wanted to read some classic- if this be so called. I am not sure and don’t care whatsoever; just a book it is.

I haven’t had read any of Hemingway’s. Just have a faint recall about having read something while at school, a prose maybe. The story of which has no traces left in my memory. Hence l has not read Hemingway’s.

A Farewell at Arms, is based during the world wars of 1940’ties when Germany was on side of Austria and fighting with Italy who were with the Allied nations.

The story goes around one Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American who has volunteered to lead a team of Ambulance drivers; ferrying patients from frontline to field hospitals. Henry also being the narrator and protagonist of this story tickles the deeper thoughts of a man in middle of war and women. The woman here is his love Miss Catherine Barkley, a British nurse who is trying to fill in the gap from her past life- her dead fiancé, by serving as a nurse.

Henry is wounded by splinters from a bomb. A near escape from death that landed him on hospital bed and some glory. Where he was repaired and recovered all while making love with Cathy. Soon they realize he has to report back to duty and she has now conceived.

Until then it was quite a happy go lucky for Henry, but soon War shows up its ugly face. His team of Ambulance drivers get lost, missed and killed. Misunderstood, mistrusted, mislead into grapevine rumors; a scene of complete melee and chaos at the losing Italian side. Henry was himself almost dead from being shot at before his escape to Milan. Where he meets Cathy again and their overnight journey into Switzerland via the lake is quite an experience. Even though I felt my author was kind of hurrying at the end a second thought makes me realize that on contrary I am the one who was hurrying to the finish line.

The overall experience was good and what I learned apart from this being a great story that during those war times wine flowed more than water.

Here goes my favorite quote from this book:

"That's why I never think about these things. I never think and yet when I begin to talk I say the things I have found out in my mind without thinking.”

Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

walking a railroad

Walking a Railroad

7:42 PM (Bangalore)
 Autorikshaw reached Krishnarajapuram Railway Station. Some time still in hand, I will use it in loitering around the platform.

7:54 PM (Bangalore)
Phone rang someone called, "Gautom, where are you?"- I am at KR Puram Station on platform 4. "Come to platform 3 under shed 16." Now going to platform 3. Train name Chennai Vasco Express, coming from Chennai going to Vasco arrival KR Puram Station expected at 8:20 PM.

8:40 PM (Bangalore)
Here comes our train. Fuck man!!! its coming on the other platform. Platform number four. Run Everyone Run. With all the backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, mat rolls everybody jumping off this platform onto the tracks and up into the train on the opposite side. More running, more climbing.

8:44 PM (Bangalore)
Settled S6-46 upper berth. Most of the guys n' gals in the group have known each other from previous trips. I guess a fun group. This is my first outing with Bangalore Trekking Club, I will take my time.

9:42 PM (Bangalore)
Yesvantpur station. Eight more joins. Total 24- 17 boys and 7 girls is my count.

10:24 PM (Bangalore)
Train leaving Yesvantpur station only now. I had already had a late lunch so will not have anything for dinner tonight.

11:14 PM (In Train)
Train moving fast and slow and I am feeling a little bored. It's like sun rises slowly and slowly it shines. It doesn't just become noon after midnight.

12:23 PM (In Train)
Most of us are asleep, a few are trying and I am not sure. No, no wait I hear someone talking something like giving gyan. Haven't met the entire group yet. Ok lets say goodnight

1:25 AM (In Train)
Well its making me feel funny. I am supposed to be sleeping but its not letting me. When in a forest amongst all noise there's chirping of a cricket, near a lake there's croaking of a toad that always stand tall and clear; likewise here amongst all noise of thumbling locomotive like tin cans tied to a rope dragged by some unruly kid and all the clattering of window panes and buzzing fans overhead there's this rhythmic sound of my fellow travelers snoring stands loud and sound- its music damn it!!!

7:11 AM (Hubli Station)
Wake up old man. Jump off your berth and out on to the platform. Board says HUBLI. A quick brush chik! chik! chik! and a fast breakfast. Some iddli and vada.


10:13 AM (Castlerock)

CastleRock

At Castle Rock- fancy name for a railway station. Train standing and photo session started, followed by introductions, mist n drizzle n nice weather. There's this abandoned railway shed that stands right outside the station in ruins and covered in moss gives you a feeling of some old British castle destroyed by barbarians from up north(ah my imaginations sucks!!!) From here we walk into the mist.

12:32 AM (On Track)

The Welcome Tunnel

We have been walking for quite some time now. A group of fast trekkers carrying the tents are ahead by an hour or even more. Rest of us are moving in even smaller groups occasionally stopping here and there overtaking each other and many other groups travelling alongside. I am with the photographer carrying his tripod and lazily moving- at the end. Taking all my time in enjoying the walk and appreciating the surrounding. It feels like it will rain, a few drops and nothing. We have crossed three tunnels tunnels, few streams, a few trains and right now on a bridge looking at this green rock protruding out from the deep valley bellow.

2:32 PM (Caranzol)

Entering Goa

Group has stopped at a small station. Refreshing and re-energizing and filling empty water bottles. 6.5 Kilometers from here is Doodhsagar railway station says a railway employee posted in this desolate place who just finished his lunch and now washing his plate and tiffin box. And yes we are in the state of Goa now.



4:14 PM (Doodhsagar)
OK finally reached.... What I lost during this fourteen kilometer long walk- lots of calories and all of my shoe sole. What I gained- lots of stamina and strength and photography tips and made new friends and hell lot of fresh air. Right infront of me a sign board says Dudh Sagar Water Falls and above it a little to the left near the peak of this hill white water pouring down from the sky- what a sight.

The Doodhsagar Falls

 5:45 PM (Doodhsagar)
First thing I did was get into water, the fall gushes under the bridge before falling further down into the valley. I heard them say water is less now and yes, it was quite shallow.

Naha Dho Ke Fresh!!!  Few tents are already up, thanks to the leading team of fast trekkers.




6:37 PM (Doodhsagar)
Group starts chatting- all seated in a long line near the rail track as evening is now upon us. Now sleeping mats are being spread as we are about to begin the game of Antakshri.

8:16 PM (Doodhsagar)
Dinner time. Holding torch. Paratha, Palak paneer, Nutri bar, Jowar Roti, Groundnut chutney, Cup noodles. Yo 'm done!!!

10:16 PM (Doodhsagar)
Post dinner talk starts with stories of travel to haunted places. Followed by what I would say entertaining standup comedy. Group dispersed and good night greetings shared.

11:25 PM (Doodhsagar)
Sure most of the group will soon start snoring. Some outside and some from inside the tents

6:04 AM (Doodhsagar)

Heavy Rain

Wake up! Wake up! Answers your nature calls and get back soon for breakfast.

8:00 AM (Doodhsagar)
Super Heavy rain. Departure delayed. Breakfast done.

8:35 AM (Doodhsagar)
Bingo! water inside my mobile phone as we decided to walk into the rain.

9:30 AM (Sonalium)
We are at Sonalium station. Few members have plans to go to Goa so we leave them here. They will catch the next train to Vasco at 11AM. Just out of Sonalium station to your right a small trail starts from near a temple. Call it the Jeep trail.

The Jeep Trail

10:23 AM (On Track)
Jeep trail ends here (it was more of a leech trail) and we are back on rail road. But trekkers are in a different mood here. Fulfilling fantasies of dancing in rain on a railway track; adding wild moves to gagnam dance as it played on a mobile phone wrapped inside a polythene cover.

11:02 AM (On Track)
About one n half km before Quelem station between last pillars of 47 n 48. A swift stream on our left. We plan to spend some time here.

12:34 PM (On Track)
We had fun, trekkers went wet n' crazy. It was relaxing. Will now walk over the remaining rail road to Kulem station. Here comes the downpour.

The Rejuvenating Stream

1:12 PM (Kulem)
At Kulem  station. My legs are hurting more because I have been walking in this weird manner curse my wet and heavy pants which seemed to be unevenly stitched between the legs making me uncomfortable. First thing change of clothes.

2:23 PM (Kulem)
Had lunch. Fish curry. Fish fry. Hungry tummy now so happy. Place is near the station, take the foot bridge and exit at the north side, take left at the crossroad and then first left lane, third house on right. Couple of table and chair outside.

Goods Train at Kulem

4:20 PM (Kulem)
Train comes Vasco-Nizamuddin Express. General compartment- full rush. So push and talk and make way and find a place to settle down. Once done now wait.





6:37 PM (Londa)
Londa station another one and half hour wait before our final train to Bangalore arrives. Bhelpuri gorging session followed by BTC Feedback session.

8:00 PM (In Train)
Train came in time. Now slowly settling down, arranging and rearranging our berth until we get it right.

11:00 PM (In Train)

Majestic Doodhsagar Falls

We had biscuits and moongdal and nuts and everything eatable that was left in our bags. Also had dinner. Then talked n' talked n' made noise n' played dumb charades. I was the last dumb enactor "Funtoosh the dudes of tenth century"- huh! Our team won n' the other team lost. As we are all tired and badly need some sleep quickly exchanged goodnight greetings and retired.

02:33 AM (In Train)
Shivering like I am the cause why this train is rambling. Someone must have left the doors open my berth being the last one takes all the chilling wind rushing in n m dressed extreme shorts n light tee shirt. Do not know what to do now smearing volini all over my legs and arms and will try sleeping again. MORE SHIVERRING!!!

6:56 AM (Yesvantpur)
Man had a cold night. Some of us got down here while rest will continue till city central railway station or majestic.

7:23 AM (Majestic)
Majestic. Quick walk out of station and shake hands before all dispersed with hopes to meet again and be part of another fantastic journey together.

Note: Photo credits Chaitanya, Kushal and Gangadhar (Photos were edited to best fit sizes). Many thanks to Bangalore Trekking Club for organizing this trip.

Nevermind

         Many a time as a kid, really a small kid like 6 year old; I remember of having to face strange questions while being introduced to an Uncle, an Aunt or a distant relative along with other question like what is your name, which school do you go to, which class are you in and

 “What is your aim in life?”

• I want to be a teacher
• I want to be a doctor
• I want to be a policeman 
• I want to be an engineer 

   and many more want to be’s in life.

         All of it being induced into you by your parents, your teachers or sometime you learn from fellow mates in class. Because it was also a general practice at School, when in a new class or when a new teacher joins your class during the custom of introduction we would stand up one by one and say, “Hello Miss Rita. My name is Robin. And my aim in life is to become a doctor. Thank you.”

          I used to say I want to become an Engineer because someone told me that an uncle of mine is an Engineer so they have a car and we do not. Engineers get to drive cars. So I should also become an Engineer, drive car and live in a bigger house and yes own a color TV too.

          Perhaps its a good practice to induce a good profession into a child’s mind and while in process of growing up they begin to like it and many may actually be able to fulfill it. Like me, I did become an Engineer after all and will definitely say its because it was my aim in life as a kid and partly because that was all the opportunity I could create for myself. Its altogether a different thing that I still do not own a car nor live in a bigger house.

          However I do remember this one instance when having seen in TV, a game of boxing the previous night I declared in class that my aim in life is to become a “Boxer”- what resulted was a complete surprise to me I had not expected that at all. I was scolded and punished, made to stand all through that hour long class.

trip down south

4:06 pm (Bangalore)
Autorickshaw reached Krishnarajapuram station. Auto pay 61/-  what sixty 'one'.
Train delay by 40 mins was scheduled at 4:25PM. Now wait n' wait. Some Howrah train left station lot of Bengali folks. A little chaotic scene. Open Hemingway. Little sleepy.

5:27pm (Bangalore)
Train 2 hrs 10 min late. Hemingway making me more sleepy. So walk around.

A Farewell to Arms

6:55pm (Bangalore)
My train arrived finally. Tutikuty somthin exp. Get on train, B2-30-upper berth. Call home. Discuss new house const plans etc.

7:40pm (Bangalore)
All phone will swith off. Read Hemingway. Chapter4 finish, war Italy vs Austria nd American boy drive ambulance cars on Italian side. Sleep off goodnight.

2:40am (Someplace)
Sleep finish. Phone on. Watsapp msg rcv rply. Vry hungry. Dinner passed out.

4:25 am (Madurai)
Train rchd Madurai jnctn. Get off train. Ask RPF how go to Rameswaram. Take bus frm station to matdawani bus stop n get a bus frm there. Matdwani 7km frm here. Hotel Shree Kanna Veg. One coffee 11 rs. Make it super strong. Ask at hotel counter Rameswaram bus. He says train at 6 am better. Sip hot coffee njoy n back into station. Nw in Q5 railway bookin counter in Madurai station.

4:46 am (Madurai)
Tic done. Jnry 3041 Rameswaram passenger 30/- 6:00am. Now sit in platform n do nothing. Look at people walkin by, talking loud n soft n singing vendors,"kapi kapi kapi tee kapi kapi kapi teee"

5:22am (Madurai)
Wait, wait n more wait n chapter 8. Hemingway is all girl-wine n wine- girl n ofcourse war scheduled to start. WAR! Huh m already at war- bloody mosquitoes every where. Rt hnd holds hemingway,left flyin allover chasing them. Eyes readin book while mouth blowing air missiles at attacking enemies. And wait, wait, wait

5:51am (Madurai)
Platfrom4 announced. I like the people here in south. Very Disciplined. All coffee goes inside you n cups inside dustbins. Station jet clean even in dis hrs unlike up north it smells n looks shitt. Also they hav escalators here which is better

6:06am (Madurai)
In d train. All lower berths taken. No issues passenger train it is. Happily place my water bottle, bag, sandals n me on d upper berth wooden platform. Let d sun rise higher n once more light apear will release Hemingway. Till then will try to grasp wat eveybody arnd are talking abt. My tamil being fantastically zero. Its sm wat like foreigner experience

6:42:am (Someplace)

As train starts talking with wind. Everybdy here has settled themselves in their own comfortable states.  All ladies fat n old n with babies n kids n without seats settled on floor. All men standing near d door hav started talking dn know what of heaven or hell yet they r nowhere near the shrill chatter of d ladies on d floor mother-inlaws daughter-inlaws grandmothers granddaughter all of ladies kin. Here goes a fewmilkbikis, milkpowder n warm water in a bowl n a quick cerelac spin.

6:57am (Someplace)
First stop n all hell broke loose. More ladies, more jasmine, more yell, more chaos. Quick settlements and all on the floor. Hail ladies. Nothing more of any interest. I guess Hemingway's time has come.

Bridge and Boats at Bay

9:37am (Someplace)
Rameswaram hasn't arrived yet. Awfully bad smell not sure how much left but yes this is d last leg before reaching d island. Morning rush is over nt many ppl left. Floor is empty, even seats r empty n I m fucking hungry

10:21am (Rameswaram)
Pretty warm out here or say a little hot

10:37am (Rameswaram)

Damn my dear Friends have been struggling to book my return tic from Madurai to Bangalore. Nothing worked no train tic booked all regretted. Kartikh hotel 850/- AC near KV Rameswaram. Room 204. IRCTC SUCKS!!!

11:10am (Rameswaram)
Ok I booked a bus ticket from Madurai to Bangalore for tomorrow afternoon. Redbus zindabaad. Lunch at Ramdev Marwari Bhojanalaya near temple square

1:34pm (Rameswaram)

To Dhanushkodi from near hotel. Bus number 'Three. No seat. Got seat. Weeding hoardings all over in town, outside town. Scores of them all along roadsides. I guess I landed in d peak mating season here. Among NTR, Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha, I also spotted late LTTE's Prabhakaran on wedloc banners alongside local heroes and to be married couples.

Mahindra MaxiCab

2:39pm (Dhanushkodi)
Only started now. MaxiCab Mahindra last window seat. Like camel back ride.

5:00pm (Dhanushkodi)

It was a strange feeling to be at d edge. Sea of Arabia to your right roaring n slowly merging with the silent sea of Bengal on my left. With what shall I compare I do not kno but I loved d feeling of being here. Dhanuskodi was once a small town that got completely destroyed in a storm back in 1964. One ruined church, railway station couple of broken building is all that remains.

6:17 (Rameswaram)

Left Dhanushkodi. Sunset was not complete. There are clouds at d horizon. Was alone but never felt lonely  its good to b alone sometimes. Will take another shower once in hotel, hav some coffee n bada, d fast food stall near d hotel looked good.

Dhanushkodi

9:08 pm (Rameswaram)
Today its early to bed n early to rise. Tonight I turned Rameswaram upside down looking for South Indian veg meal n ended up eating at ramdev marwari bhojanalaya AGAIN! N drank hot badam milk after dinner. Bought a souvenir sea shell for 100 buck. Yes, I know overpriced.

09:16pm (Rameswaram)
Hav been fighting with d tv remote cntrl for quite sm tym nw. Its a daunting task finding one non tamil channel here. I better retire for d night.

4:18am (Rameswaram)
Wokeup already. 12 mr mins befr my alarm comes alive. Anyways will go ahead take bath and get ready to catch d sunrise at eastern sea

5:02am (Rameswaram)

Left hotel towrds the ghats near Rameswaram temple. Its quite n cool morning.  Less dust just sand over tarred rd, a pleasant walk it is.

05:25am (Rameswaram)
At agnitheertham ghat near d eastern gate of the temple is already teemed with people going for bath, taking bath n returnin after bath. Its not dawn yet but I can understand its goin to be a cloudy day ahead. So dats about all for sunrise at sea. Will go do my darshan, sooner better before it gets crowded

05:40am (Rameswaram)
Will leave my bag here at this stall infront of eastern dwaar of d temple where this old man is selling pooja thali. Will leave my sandals here too.

6:16am (Rameswaram)

Darshan over, not much rush. I took all my time going through temple compound. Saw the crystal Shiva lingam. Offered my prayers. And I did pay 50 Rs for darshan. There are about 27 wells within d temple that devotees take bath as part of darshan n purification of there sins. I had taken my bath so skipped anthr 27 baths n also saved 25 Rs

They Sell Sea Shells on Sea Shore

6:40am (Rameswaram)
One hard crust bonda, one onion bonda n one soft crust sweet bonda with tea without sugar for breakfast near Harish hotel on main market road just before the central traffic signal.

7:12am (Rameswaram)

Since I have couple of hours n weather is not hot like yesterday I have decided to walk till the Ramapadam temple. About 3 kms on the north road from central traffic signal. Almost empty road, just a couple of autos n bikes passing by. It's Ganesh chaturthy today, front yard of all houses that I hav passed on this road has been cleaned n moped with cowdung. Has a typical smell n looks greenish in color. Rangolis hav also been made. Walking towards a TV tower.

8:00am (Rameswaram)
At Ramapadam. Small hill, two storeyed temple. Nice view of the island from here. With d sweet breeze its relaxing up here.

9:25am (Rameswaram)

Another glass of tea is perfect nw. Lot of temp shop selling Ganesh idols of all sizes. There are also a few that will get you a fresh out of cast idols. Not sure when it will dry n when u will begin pooja with it. May be its a better thing to do, environment friendly no colors no false jewels just out of mud. When immersed after pooja it will hav no carbon footprint. Awesome!! I like people here in South they are intelligent folks. If only rest of our country learns from them

11:19am (Rameswaram)
Left hotel. It rained a little, love rain. Got ticket to Madurai 30/- 11:50 train. Gorged lemon rice at the station hotel for 20 bucks.

Rameswaram Rail Station

11:35am (Rameswaram)
Got a corner seat somehow. Not much rush like morning n evening trains. Now waiting for train to start n give Hemingway a read, its been sittin idle for sometime now.

11:51am (Rameswaram)
Train just started

1:13pm (Ramanathapur)

Train stops some get down n more get in while I snap off from my short nap. Now Hemingway will appear

1:56pm (Paramakodi)
Hemingway's boy is about to become a father n has to go back to war. While more people climbed in its the floor that is again cleared for ladies. Funny times Hemingway is talking about, funny talk ladies talking aloud that I do not understand watsoever

2:34pm (Manamadurai)
I did not know they have peacock down south. Spotted a few while train passing by these arid landscape.

03:26pm (Madurai)
Madurai junction. Will head to Meenakshi temple.

6:00pm (Madurai)

Meenakshi temple is no doubt the biggest of all temples I hav been to. Beautiful, absolute splendor one should never miss. Had 2nd lunch at Brindavan Veg 60Rs South Indian meals before going to temple as temple only opened at 4 pm. Weather is not very hot slightly cloudy.

7:37pm (Madurai)
Now nicely seated at a corner table in Anjapar restaurant KKnagar Madurai. Prawn fry, chicken Chitenadu n rice being cooked for me in the kitchen. I hav my bus at 9:15 from near here.

Nataraj - at Meenakshi Temple

9:16pm (Madurai)
Bus is here, seat num 9. Very tired will try to sleep quick. And food in Anjapar was not at all good. It did rain here too.

6:00am (Bangalore)
CentralSilkboard junction. Will be home soon and its raining.

Note: Snaps at Glimmering - Flickering

From Udhanpotan Saah Bagicha

This about a man; lean, dark and shabby, perhaps in his very late sixties what I remember. 'Budhu Kokai' everybody in Udhanpotan Tea estate from Bara Saheb - Hemen Kotoki to Chutki, five year old daughter of Jibon Kuki and Mina Kuki knew the angry old drunkard.  Budhu was a popular figure in our coolie lanes, you would always see him fighting and yelling at someone, even at his old goat. His wife was long dead and she bore him no children; he never married twice. He was not like this, he was a jolly fellow like most Tea Garden folks, always in merry mood and smiling and laughing and yes loved hariya the local drink. Never said no to any work assigned, very prompt and hardworking.

They say it was after his wife's death that he turned into this angry man, a mad man. Lot of story telling went around at time of her death, some say it was a failed witchcraft that killed her, she was desperate for a child. Budhu had been to town on that fateful day and only returned late at night to discover what has happened. He knew she was visiting some tantrik even after his repeated requests not to do so. They had big fights about it too.

After her death Budhu went in search of this tantrik, some say he found him and killed him; others believed he could never find the tantrik and became mad. His anger became more and more violent with each passing year. He drank a lot and would pick a fight with anyone and everyone. He stopped visiting the church and rumors spread Budhu has been taken over by the Devil. He lost his job, sold or gave away all his belongings for hariya. He passed his nights in an abandoned railway signal room on the southern edge of the tea estate beyond the big banyan tree. But for strange reasons he kept his goat; he would take her for grazing, bring her leaves of Jackfruit tree everyday and even give her a wash at times. Most of us have heard him shouting at the goat, but he would never hurt her.

Only other thing apart from hariya and that old goat, Budhu Kokai was very fond of Chutki, may be Chutki was the only person he was not angry with. He always told her stories about his adventures when he was a boy. He use to say, "Mina you are so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter, you should take good care of her and never be angry with Chutki. Are you listening Mina? Send her to School that is the only way she will realize her beauty, it is very important. Our Chutki should not become a dumb coolie like you. Do you even understand what I say, Mina? " After he died he was buried at the end of last the nala between his abandoned railway signal-room and the big banyan tree. There was nobody to put a flower at his grave that day and none from church came, no one mourned his death. His goat was sacrificed for Kali Puja feast that year. We all forgot about Budhu kokai too soon.

Now after these many years of his death you see so many flowers on his grave, there is a shade over it,  they clean it every day, twice. Only yesterday they even put up this new statue of him, it looks more like that Sai God from south nothing similar to Budhu Kokai I knew. People from all over the State come here to offer, there is always long queue every Sunday. I have even heard that some people came from as far as Kolkata and Mumbai. Its a shrine now, Budhu Kokai'r Dham they call it.

How it all begin? It was one of the hot Summer noon almost five years had passed since Budhu's death; end of July or start of August I don't remember exactly. That day at school Chutki's confronted couple of boys in her class over the ever trifling matter of boys being better than girls. Offended by her smart answers they poured ink on her shirt and when she complained Mukul Sir did nothing; he said it was by mistake and she should forgive them. A furious Chutki reached home only to find the door locked, Mina forgot to keep the key under the Tulsi tub, she sat on the steps for some time before she realized how hungry she was, insult, ignorance and now this. She could take it no more; hunger and anger. Now she was crying, she she stood up and walked out of the compound, into the lane. One after another coolie lines fell behind, Chutki kept walking without looking where she was going.  A number of people she passed by but nobody asked why she was crying and where she was going. She just wanted to far away from here, how could the boys be so rude, why did Mukul Sir not punish them, why did her best friends laughed at her, how could my own mother forget about me, why is the world not bothered to help me.

She reached the end of Udhanpotan, it was almost evening now, she was still crying but she could go no further. She was afraid and alone yet she did not want to go back. The only place she knew there was Budhu's grave, she remembered now how a few months before he died, he had come to her house, "My beautiful Chutki, if you ever be very angry and do not know what to do, come to me and yell at me, I will take all your anger". I cried and cried and told him all, all my feelings, all my aspirations, all my fears and all my anger. I do not remember when the sun had set and when it was night and when I fell asleep; until next morning someone found me near the grave and informed my uncle. They have been searching for me all night, even a police report was filed. Things only began to change when people started talking about how powerful Budhu has become after death, they said he fought with everyone all his life and now he has come back to help us. Even Mina went to pray at his grave after the last worst fight she had with Jibon. They say he takes away your anger and gives back peace. I don't know how true it is for others but for me I have never been angry since and peace he did give me.

I - a Devil and a God

I am the Devil and the God, you will get to know me as what you see and seek from me. For the same Devil and same God lives in you, said Delli as he rose to leave the room. Martin was still thinking what to make of all that has happened since morning. "It is difficult times you see, you may go now", said Martin

These words of Delli had left a mark on Martin's thought. He is still thinking how should he be able to judge that what is right and true in the Devil or in the God; that he has to see and seek in his fellow men like Delli. Delli had been a good friend for all these many years and Martin knew him well, but never expected to have to go through this day, having to make decision that will so hugely alter his good friend's life and the very feeling of being solely responsible for this is making Martin unbearably uncomfortable.

When you wish happiness for a fellow human in pure mind, you actually wish to become that happiness yourself, the bearer of good news. But not here, Martin is in deep struggle within his thoughts and thinking's.   He wished Delli to be happy yet Martin is bearer of the bad news, a Devils act. He felt so lost and wanted to escape this moment, runaway to some place far and hide. Martin switched on the radio by his side and closed his eyes as he leaned back on his chair as far as it could go.

With a soft crackle the radio began to play some song he did not really care and it played for a while not sure how long for Martin was almost dreaming when the door opened and he heard his named called as if God himself was calling him, "Martin, wake up Martin I have something to tell you. Its important, I want to know your opinion". Martin slowly opened his eyed and saw Delli standing and smiling across the table. Hey, Martin as you know things has not been going down well with me here in this office, no matter how I try it was not happening. You know I am not lying. "What is it Delli? Tell me"- said Martin. I just got a call from an old friend who lives in South Africa and he offered me a job from near home. Its a decent job not great salary like here but its near home. What do you think, shall I go for it?

Martin was shocked and a strange happiness grew inside him that wanted to come out, burst out of him as if all his wishes fulfilled. But he only smiled, tried to be gentle and said, "Ah! Boy that will give me an opportunity to visit South Africa. I have never been out of this damn State of Texas for God sake!" Delli smiled and thanked Martin. "Anytime mate anytime, thank you Martin". As Delli left the room, Martin moved his hands around behind his head so as to rest in the most comfortable position that he can and leaned back again. This time smiling as he looked at the file on his table that contain the list of people to be laid-off  this week. Delli's name was on top. And as he leaned and closed his eyes with the biggest smile that he had the Radio played-


                                                       

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand?

Yes, ’n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly

Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind

How many years can a mountain exist

Before it’s washed to the sea?

Yes, ’n’ how many years can some people exist

Before they’re allowed to be free?

Yes, ’n’ how many times can a man turn his head

Pretending he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind...

shrunken Ingeniousness

The WORLD, my dearest dear World is becoming smaller day by day while the great wide Universe is expanding ever since. Where do I fit in this tug of centrifugal pull of expanding Universe and reducing Earth....

Yes, yes, I know my understanding of the above two concepts seems to be utterly wrong as how I described above. The ever expanding Universe came to me in last few years of School. Its a very very intriguing thing to try to understand and study. Those days I used to think a lot of this kinds, driving deep into it, deriving my very own theories.

For instance to create a centrifugal force you need to have an object in rotating motion thus leading to a reactive force that tries to keep the object in motion to move on an outwardly straight line at any point of time of its rotational motion. (take a quick breather here!)  For instance if you have a heavy ball attached to a long string and a comparatively smaller ball attached with the heavy ball with another smaller string. Now with opposite end of the longer string in your hand, swing the heavy ball so as to create a rotational motion. At a point when you achieve peak of your rotational force you will see that the smaller ball, the heavy ball and your hands are all in a straight line(ignoring bent due to other natural forces).

Also you can visualize that to keep a body in a continuous rotational motion in an attempt to achieve optimum centrifugal force the rotational force has to be constant at all times. And since we can not achieve a forever 100 percent efficient force a near continuous push and pull force is required that deforms the circular form of path of rotation. Each act of push and pull reached its optimum limit before changing into the other. Ok, so that is also the reason why the Earths rotational axis is elliptical rather than circular, the force is not same is all point and hence there must be a push-pull active force acting. The same also explains elliptical nature of pictures of other galaxies. And also the High Tide due to Moon's path around Earth- point of change of Push-Pull force...ah! ha!

Thus the whole universe is under a constant push and pull motion withing itself. For such a big Universe to perform such a motion would definitely take millions of light years. How long does our Solar system takes to perform such an act, definitely a few hundred thousand years. And right now I am sure we are in a phase somewhere between of constant push leading to an expansion theory. But there will be a time when we will be in a phase of eventual contraction, bring all solar objects closer and closer to each other, reducing the distance between planets, and moons and meteors and all; imagine the affect of such a change to life on Earth. The atmosphere will become more dense due to immense pressure, temperatures will fall and change rapidly, growth of life will slow down and so many other thing, meteors slamming on Earth's surface, super tsunamis will be a every day event. Hmnn... Man, this explains extinction of Dinosaurs also, really large ones died of meteoric hits and extreme temperatures change, mid sized ones deformed into other beings-crocodiles maybe and went into water; the relatively smaller ones became even more smaller may be they became lizards. WoW! a giant T-Rex became a humble House Lizard.

Now I don't even seemed to care what I understood and tried to understand and what I derived than an how I came to my own conclusions. I am sure I am not the only one to do so in their own course of becoming grown-up's. But I definitely try very very hard to step out of this circle I am in and look at it from outside, I barely get time and strength enough.

understanding Virtual Social Living

Questions:

What is Virtual Social Living?
How does it work?
Am I a part of this?
How will it affect me?

In an attempt to understand the dynamics of recent Social Media Movements I stumbled upon this thought as how significant is our virtual presence. Privileged man has split his life in two very barely differentiable identities. His physical presence in society and his life in Internet. Privileged because only about 35% of total human population has access to Internet. But not all of this 35% has a virtual life. The Internet has been there for more than around two decades now but it did not reached the masses until last few years of rapid telecommunication rise and diversification of Internet usage. Mobile phones became our seventh sense organ. You can now connect, find, work, contribute and grow with your peers, friends, family; leave your footprint in each step, each click of a button. Its a fundamental shift in how man communicate with other man, a revolution far greater and reaching than the Industrial revolution some would argue. Welcome to Virtual Social Living.

Communication = Expression + Understanding.

The growth of Human civilization has been credited to our ability of improving ways we communicate with each other. I believe the most powerful aspect of our virtual life is our freedom of expression, I write what I want to write, I may proudly reveal my identity or prefer to wear a mask of anonymity. Every human expression needs Audience to understand it; audience here is the largest that can ever get, independent of cast, creed, color, border, race, its limitless. Its like a big canvas where everybody is writing, everybody is reading everyone is communicating with everyone all through a single common channel. Social media methods has completely redefined basic human communication streams: to read, to see and to listen. Therefore with independence of expression coupled with larger audience and with use flexible communication modes we have been able to creat a singular collaborative platform for whole of humanity that is fast, reliable and direct.

In coming years we will see more significance of Virtual Social Living. I will try to imagine this idea; General Election in India for a certain year in very near future has been completely prepared to take place online. The amount of money spent in terms of man and material in any General Election in India is significant, most of could be saved I am sure if replaced by a softer version. However the more significant thing will be the transparent nature of such a process. To add on top of it will be more appealing to voters to see that their vote is making a difference, as these days most of the urban population prefer not to vote. It does not end here, a healthy debate and discussion on each candidate will go through public scrutiny, this should hugely reduced worthless individuals from being elected. Just like the pros there are definitely cons to it too, but those could be reduces and worked around with. 

Reading is as old as writing, and writing itself dates back to early cave man drawing animals and signs on cave walls. Reading book until now was a more enhanced version of cave walls that man carried and rewrote and republished over last few centuries. Now you don't have to carry your stack of favorite books you just put all of them in your iPad how easy. You read them, listen to them anywhere anytime, share them with your pals and peers; most importantly you also express your exclusive opinion, you review them. This is just one of so many changes social media has brought in, market watch- way we buy and sell,  new media- what you want is what you get, travel- where to go, when to go, how to go, what to eat, where to stay everything. It has even the power to form and pull down governments. One comment in Facebook brought down the 30 year rule of President Hosini Mubarak in Egypt- power of social media. This is a radical change, it may look sententious change, but its more of a spontaneous kind and I can not escape it because it is changing society of which you and me are invariably part of.


Virtual Social Living has thus changed the demography of Human World. It has and will keep bring people more and more near to each other, will help me understand you better.

Its not appropriate to decide here if it is good or bad, what affect is bigger the bright side or the bitter part, its the involvement what I am trying to understand.

not of rosogollas and rassam- its mutton

I love rosogullas, I also love rassam- does that ring a bell. That may not mean that I am a foodie, which I am not entirely if you try setting a list of do and don't but you see here I am still self proclaiming that I love to eat and  eat good with love. Ok thats enough of nonsense! my bad Sorry. Not all food loving folks are as emotionally senselessly talkative.

Pardon me again for the above and for the same, today I want to share with you one of my recent experiment that I had performed into my course of understanding the divine art of Cooking. A plane-jane recipe which I believe was good. Its nor sweet nor tangy but more like mutton'ish and crunchy and hot and happy and easy. Do Try Maddi!

SO here the list of participating ingredients:

1. Of-course Mutton (300 gms Mutton Breast) you can try Lamb!

2. Bok-Choy (200-250) fresh and green

3. Green Chilies (5-6) likes of slender, tall and hot models

4. Onion (2 M) purple ones bit more sharp than the whites

5. Garlic (8-9) like more add more

6. Black Pepper (15-20 nos) 

7. Daalchini, Laung and Elaichi

What I did with above:

- Boil the mutton ribs in a pressure cooker with some salt and a daalchini stick. 3-4 whistles should be good enough.

- Heat 2 table spoon of Oil (I used mustard Oil) in a pan. When hot add a bay leaf along with daalchini, laung and elaichi. Add chopped onions and chopped green chilies. Cook in low heat till onions turn light brown.

- Add the chopped garlic, chop garlic thin and flat lengthwise. Add black pepper seeds lightly crushed.

- Followup with two spoon of soy sauce and tomato sauce. (I used Chungs Soy and Maggie Hot and Sweet Tomato)

- Now add the mutton breast to it. I used the mutton boiled water in my Soup; with mutton fat melted in it and a zest of cinnamon.Good Soup!!!

- Cook for some time till the hot and spiced sauce mixes with the mutton. Cover with a lid and leave to simmer for 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook it.

- Finally add Bok-Choy. Remove each leaf apart and you don't have to cut and slice, just make a bundle of the leaves and twist so as to tear it in two-three halves and into the pan.

Stir all of it for 4-5 minutes, add salt to taste and some vinegar (if you have) make sure the greens should not be more than half cooked or you will not get the crunchiness. Now put the lid for 30 sec on the pan- quickly remove it again and as you see the steam hissing and rising; poke your nose in it and get drowned in the aroma of what you have achieved. If that feeling makes you happy and smiling you should know -

TADDA!!! we are ready to Eat.

Note: If you like your dish to have a sour note drizzle it with little lemon juice and if you like it sweet just swing some honey lines when serving.