Short Story Writing

I have been thinking to write a Short story for a Long time now. Probably the last time, i wrote a short story was some 2 years ago. have been focussed on My food Blog for quite a long time now, and just completed 96 posts in my Food Blog - There have been a lot of if & buts, lot of thoughts, trepidations, at times even a Complete Change of Objectives of writing a Blog - My primary aim to write a Food Blog ,was to have a subject, where one could write constantly & without requiring too much of motivation & Food, Obvioulsy tops that list for me. Also If one is so passionate about some thing, it makes sense to explore that Passion & probably combine that passion with an Interest in writing

So that Primarily had been the sole reason for me to write a Food Blog -& trust me, writing a Post & getting even 5-6 Likes or 2-3 comments, can be quite thrilling for a Blogger . It also is quite satisfying, as it in a way helps you explore a multi faceted & multi pronged creative approach . Food Blogging - requires one to develop some sense of PhotoGraphy, & gradually you pick the art of Food Photography - Writing & the art of Food - are the Other 2 which a Food Blogger needs to combine

Coming back to Short Story writing, I am struggling to find a subject on whic to write . Will keep you posted, once i finalise a subject

Auto Rickshaws - Its a Tough Ride

We too have a story…I don’t know how many of you would be interested knowing about it as it is not a story of glamour, its not even a story of an inspiring rags to riches, but it is a story of survival…story of how a certain population is living, & majority of them are living in a state of despair, hopelessness. Un fortunately we are a common part of the social fabric yet we somehow remain to be neglected…..we are the unfortunate Auto rickshahwallas

Do you know that on many days Ina week, we have to spend close to 4 hours on the GAS Pump. Do you know out of the estimated 10 lakh auto rickshaws plying on the roads of delhi, 80% of them are illegally operating….Govt permissible capacity is only 50000 Rickshaws….the balance auto rickshaws are sold illegally ……… Do you know that Auto rickshaws are few things that get sold at 500% than the company listed price……still we hear that govt does not make any money & the crazy thing that even while buying we know we may not make any money…but still we buy, we buy in hope of something better & all this is on cash…. We don’t have the luxury of EMIs & Installments especially autos in black market….so where do we get the cash…..Local moneylenders, hence another trap of heavy interest rates, paying form the monthly income……again all in hope

Do you know that many a times, the commuters , even young students don’t pay up & un away at traffic red lights,do you know many a times , passengers who on  reaching a destination, escape away on the pretext of getting the change ? you know in certain cities we are not allowed to commute in certain areas In our own city , own country as if we are some untouchables or plagues in the society…..

Some of us who are deported at Places of Public transport have to cough up bribes to the police for us to stand,,,as if we are going to make some big kill……because of such pressures, may be most of us resort to some unethical practices…..may be we do cheat a little….But who doesn’t  ? 2 weeks back on my kids insistence, I took my 4 year old sun to a big hotel- McDonalds…..I was shocked to see One small burger for Rs 60---almost half of my days earnings for 1 Burger…..what is this ? this is not cheating……Or you call it Service ……what about Our service ? I have seen many Rich ladies with big bags, big sunglasses, coming out of restaurants – they don’t think before spending 1000/ on a Pizza , or 100 Rs on Chaat,  but they will bargain for 5 Rs with us……& hurl abuses at us

Seldom I have come across a Customer who can trust us…Most of  look at us with such suspicion that it really is shameful  for us…& THAT TOO when the scope for any malpractice is too small….how much can an auto rickshaw loot you, in a journey fare of Rs100/==…I am not saying that u all become philanthropist & squander your hard earned  money, but atleast show some compassion  & treat us at par. All of us are not chores( as u call in delhi) All of us don’t slit throats of foreigners / or take them to some shady hotel in delhi & chop them…All of us are not,like that

I read somewhere – Be kind to others, as everybody is fighting a secret battle

Manners Oh Manners

Manners Oh Manners !!!!! Where have you Disappeared these days, Just Vanished in Thin air is it ?? There was a time when all Emphasis was on how to Manage you & how you could be called Educated but not civilised if one didnt know how to manage you --- Having you was the thing - its benefits would be realsied over a period of time  --- It all looks a story of the Past, it seems - The Sudden Demise of Manners - Yes, I know you will vehemently disagree with me, but just observe around & you will agree

• Rampant Cases of Road Rages - where seemingly Educated People, atleast they all could speak English, i came to know through reports- get down to brawls, verbal spats, one upmanship ,such an ugly & ostentatious display of power, the hunger to display that power, at times ending Peoples lives - & by the way all this happens majorly in the Big Cities - Delhi  - the mecca of Urbanisation, Progress, English Speaking & Educated People

• Parking Brawls - Again Owners of Houses in Posh Residential areas find it fit to settle Parking issues by a Fit for Deafening series of Verbal assuages, UnParlimentary Language, showing little respect for women & even elders. All this by Highly Educated & Rich, may be the Elite Class of People - again in the Bigger Cities of this country
• People Conveniently Blocking Key traffic areas ,at times even blocking Lanes by Parking their Cars, without any concern, as to how any body else would take their Cars out, in times of Emergency -
• Simple Ettiquettes Like leaving seats for Elderly or Women, in Buses, at Waiting areas in Hospitals, Clinics looks like stuff from Fairy Tales
• "ts all about the Look Busy Syndrome" - Thats Right - You have arrived in Life, if you are busy - Jetsetting, always on the Move, always rearing to go, on  the Move, On the Rush, is your stamp of having arrived - In this horde of things, you dont have any place - Dear Manners - I need to be the first one to reach, I need be the 1st one to screachingly drive away from the Red Light, I should be the 1st One to park my Car (That Old neighour of Mine, well he can have all the Manners)
• Causing Incovenience to Others at the Cost of ensuring Ones Convenience is becoming as acceptable as Corruption within Political Circles - yes thats a Given, it is only the Quantum which varies. I mean, Its so common to see People park their Cars in the middle of the road & conveniently Chat, even when there is a horde of cars behind them to finish their Conversation - if it ends in 10 secs its ok & acceptable

I am sure there are many examples one can relate from Daily life to clearly see, that Manners are quickly disappearing from Our Interaction Cycle- whether it is with Our maids, Colleagues, Our Road Rage Inflicted Roadies, Relations, Friends - Others Incovenience at your Luxury is a simple & soon to be accepted fact - Manners may intervene in only deciding the Quantum of Inconvenience



 

Fathers Day ---- To all the Dads

Fathers Day


Yet another Day to Celebrate a treasured relation in your life… Different people have different take on the concept of picking 1 day for Celebrating the most treasured relationships in ones life – Mothers day, Fathers Day, Friendship Day, Valentines Day …..While some may feel that an entire lifetime of thanksgiving may not be enough to truly cherish & the Importance which these relationships hold in your life, on the other hand, given todays lifestyles, where even recreation, enjoyment is time bound and to be completed within a time frame, it makes some sense to atleast have 1 day earmarked which is really dedicate to celebrating and honoring that Special person & relationship in your life

Many would agree that the Structure which todays families are build around is one where the Kid comes up growing closest to the Mother, as she is the One who spends the maximum time with the Kid . A Father on the Other hand, is the Bread earner for the family, who has to spend maximum time away from home, at work, and away from the kid . There exists a Very Delicate & subtle balance of relationships in this Triangle of the Father,Mother & the Kid ..Most fathers, knowingly or unknowingly assume more of a Support System role , than a Primary role … While the Male Ego may still make a Father think of his role as a Key Support Role, being bread earner role, But deep down, all Fathers know, that in the Initial 4-5 years of a Kid being Born, between the 2, a Kid would need the Mother the most in terms of their overall grooming, nurturing, emotional, mental & spiritual growth… Even Coming to terms with their Limited Capability as Compared to their better half, in terms of building shaping up the kid, especially in the initial years of the kid, which many would agree, are the most crucial in setting up the kid for the Life ahead …This is where Fathers relegate themselves to the background….It is this balance of Relationships, which the Father needs to gracefully handle, at the cost of not looking unconcerned, at the same time not exposing his own vulnerability to the situation of his infants exciting journey



I feel, that it is this balance of the sensitivity of relations & emotions, that lends a subtle complexity to a Father-Kid relationship. Somewhere a Complex of knowing fully well, about his limited capabilities of handling a Kids most Important needs at that time – Lets face it, what would be the Important needs for kids from 1yearto 5 year – Its not going to be Mobile Phone Bills, Ist not pocket money, its not girlfriend, its not College admissions, its definitely not school fees(from the kids perspective) – It’s the things like Changing his nappies, knowing their feed time, knowing how to put them to sleep, knowing how to converse with them in their most uncanny language, its knowing what toy to buy them, what clothes to make them wear as per their moods …..



So I think this little minute Complex , along with the Knowledge of their Support role in the family, adds that subtle complex to the relationship…Plus add to it the Limited time that Fathers generally get to spend with kids compared to Mothers …Then Mothers Generally holding kids to ransom, with a possible threat of a scold from Dad, or using Dads name to generally turn them off for some expensive Purchase, all of this lends quite a complexity to this highly sensitive Father-Kid relationship… Which I feel eventually grows on to mature to a Different kind of bonding to probably a realization that we might realize today on this Day

So to all Fathers, who have been the Strongest Support System, and who happily sacrificed their Role of Importance in the Upbringing of the kids, by their able better halves ….Its not easy to give your best to the relationship, knowing fully well that, in this tripartie relationship, The Other 2 need each other more than anybody in the Initial years ..For Being so Selfless and yet ever ready to oblige the Kids – Heres to all the Dads- Happy Fathers Day.

DHB-7895

DHB – 7895




Yeh Lo sahaab, 5000Rs/…said the Mechanic- Ramesh. Ya thanks, these are the keys. You can come on Monday with the Copy of the NOC & Transfer Documents & I will sign it, said Naresh



Ok thank you sahaab, we will come in half an hour, do some fixing of the Car & then take it away. , said the Mechanics friend..



Kya Ramesh, Good deal, You got a15 year old Fiat Model in 4000/=, Not Bad.. Congratulations Ramesh



Congratulations…..How often have I heard these words…When Naresh informed his wife Priya of his Promotion in the Office.. When Naresh went with his family to buy his new flat…when Naresh went with his family to buy his 2nd Car. How often have I heard this word Congratulation… I felt that this must really be a good word, as I always realized that this word used to signify something very Important, something to Celebrate. I have been part of their special moments when the used to Congratulate each other. How couldn’t I have been, when I was the One who was carrying their weight around all the time. It was my muscular legs that Carried them all across the City & that too at great speed.



Even on the day, when I first met Naresh, that’s the word I heard, when my Care taker, handed over the reigns of my life & destiny to Naresh. I still remember…..



Congratulations Mr Naresh, this white beauty is yours. My heart was Pounding with excitement. The purpose for which I came to this world was about to be fulfilled, the Journey of life which I had to cover, was about to Commence



The helpers were doing their best, and giving my white glossy body, the finishing touches. No mark of dirt, was to be seen me on that day. I was looking away at my new Master. He was looking very excited , I later realized that I would be his first possession. With the enthusiasm of a teen ager, Naresh drove me out of the Show room at Connaught Place. By Now you must have realised that Naresh , was my Master, my First Owner.



Those wre the days, when this city was such a beautiful place to run. There were very few of us on the roads in those days, unlike today, when in one house alone you have 4-5 of us. How difficult it must be even for the Newer Ones to run fast on such traffic Conditions. I have not run on these roads for almost 6 years now, except for the Occasional drive in the nights, to just test my batteries.



Life with Naresh was beautiful. Every morning, I would carry him from his Home at DaryaGant to the Office at Connaught Place. He would reach office at 9.00 & then leave at 6.30PM, giving me a good rest. He would always park me next to is MD Mr Rajivs car. It was a Black Ambassador, much bigger & taller than me. She would always talk in an arrogant manner just because her master was the MD. I used to get even with her in the Evenings as I would get to leave office early.



Things also turned better with Naresh & Priyas marriage. I Remember I carried Naresh & Priya back home after their wedding, Priya looked so beautiful, she also loved me lot. She used to bathe me herself, once in 2 days. Later they kept a domestic help for washing me, but a domestic help cant do half a good job as a master. Weekends were fun as Naresh & Priya would go out for movies, & then to India gate for Ice Creams.



Years passed by, Naresh was growing professionally. He used to travel a lot out of Delhi, so many days would pass when I would not go for a Run. Soon I shifted with Naresh Priya to their new residence in South Delhi. Naresh had bought a home there. This area was much different than Daryaganj, where I was living for the last 6 years. For the first time, I saw some Imported Cars, Some even very big ones, which were not seen in other areas.



With Naresh growing Professionally, he decided buy another Car. This time a bigger one, I remember I Carried them many times to the Show room of Maruti. Then Finally , on that day- 20th May, 1998, Naresh bought his 2nd Car. It was called an Esteem. It was much bigger, longer & even better looking than me. It also had more power & speed than me. Priya drove me back, while naresh drove back in his New Car. How much it pained me, will always remain confined in my heart. Whats more surprising is that after some 4 years, they sold off their esteem & bought another car. I have never felt the need or desire to change my Master, but what is it with humans that they keep buying better bigger cars, when the old ones can still perform. Why cant they be satisfied ??





Priya used to drive me for some time but with the delivery of their Second child, she was completely restricted to home & bed, & I was to be way from the roads, slowly leading to wear & tear of my Inner Body parts



Years Passed by, Naresh & Priya got so engrossed in their Works,Family, kids, that I now had been sidelined completely. Though I still occupied a Slot in their Parking, with 2 other cars parked behind me, I rarely had an Opportunity to be taken out for a Drive. Later only their Driver & domestic help used me for fetching vegetables & Milk from the roads. But I realized that I didn’t have the same power in me, as I had 15 years ago. I indeed was growing old.



Even Naresh & Priya were growing old, & not just old they were growing weak & fragile too. Growing work pressures, growing up kids, was taking its toll on them. Naresh was just 45 years old now, but he looked much older, with strands of grey hair. All this wealth he had earned, he didnt seem to enjoy, as he developed Heart problem as well as Diabetes.



Strange isn’t it ? the Best of Cars. Big Money, a great job, still you cant save your health



However, being so passionate about his work does get you reward, even though there is a price to pa for it. Naresh was promoted to the Singapore head office & he had to move with his family next month….This was the news they discussed in front of me, just after getting out of their Big car. T all had to be done in a month…..Again I heard Priya telling naresh…Congratulations



I WAS WOKEN UP FROM MY SLUMBER AS MY NEW MASTER WAS RACING MY HEART FASTER N FASTER. Handing over the money to Priya, he drove me out of the house….



His pal accompanying him, hugged him,,,,Great Deal yaar….Party banti hai….Congratulations…. I closed my eyes, cried n tried to run faster, away from my home of so many years….With a heavy heart, I ran away





Regards



DHB 7895

Fiat Padmini

Year 1985

Chassis No KR2345-7568

Democracy -- Of the People, By the People, for the People

There is a whole lot of talk regarding the LokPal Bill & the subsequent mockery that has been made out of this entire Campaign of "India against Corruption" & how after so many months of a slight unified common understanding  perhaps the Largest Campaign by the Civil society post Independence & post the Gandhi Era ... Intellectuals have already started panning it as the death of Demcoracy in India .. How the Voice of People is being subdued by the Powers to be .... Everybody seems to be so concerned about the fate of the Democarcy in this Country --- which Ironically enough, happens to be the Biggest functional Democracy the World has to see, upto now ... Our First Prime Minister, the Great Scholar. M JawaharLal Nehru, being the idealist that he was, was so fascinated with Utopian concepts & Democracy was one of them.....

Democarcy, simply put is  of the People, for the People & By the People ... In a Country, where still more than 40% of your Popuation lives below the Poverty Line ... & what a Unique way to mechanism & check Point to measure that Line ... Some Joker commented that, according to some Survey, People earneing 32rs a day or more, are above the Poverty Line....Thats a Genrous 1000R per month of earnings..... YOu dont even get a Pair of Jeans, a Shirt or trouser in that amount - even an average middle income household will vouch for that .... So thats above  Poverty Line for you ... More than 60% of your 6,00,000 - 6 lac Villages, dont have basic, I mean, not even basic amenities ... There is no drinking water, no portable water, no are & electricity, no primary eduaction, no sanitation, no basic medical care & health ... In Other words, Its almost Inhuman conditions to stay & live for an ordinary person ...... Thats almost 30% of your Population that Lives in conditions, that can be easily deemed unfit for human life ....

Literacy Rates & Education standards are another shameful thing to talk about .. Govt is obviously spending huge money in terms of Promoting Prinmary eduaction, but the results are for all to see .... In a Country , where such a Huge % age of your Population, is just managing to survive for existence, do Utopian & Ideal Concepts Like Democracy hold any PLace ....... Elected represenattaives of People , who become their voice .... Any Body who has studied basic managemet would know, how the Maslows Law of Hierarchy applies to all of us ... Where own struggles & existence is such a big challenge, its difficult for the nation to collectively rise above the self & think about the Society, country at large ....In such a Scenario, Democracy will continue to be the mockery that its today .. Democracy , especially the Concept of Elected representatives, holds good when People who elect their Represantatives, do so ,without having to fear, how they will arrange their next meal.... It continues to be farce ....