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