HOLI- DAY !!!!

Do you play holi??
I don't remember,ever being asked this question,all these years.Except,in the past two years that I have been in Bangalore(no…I am not being judgemental about the city) .

As far as my weak memory can recollect.You didn’t have to ask anyone to play Holi.You just had to.It was an unwritten,universal rule,that no one dared to break.If you happened to be one of those,who were(mentally) allergic to colours, wet clothes ,violence and detested spending the day painted in the weirdest possible combination of colours…well…you just had to keep mum,grin and bear it,because that would incur the wrath of the rest and you would be the ‘ holi-da-bakra ‘,that everybody loved to get their hands dirty with.

It would be ridiculous to ask anyone such a question.It would be even more absurd to ask someone who wasn’t a " so called north Indian",if they played holi.One thing was guaranteed at every home,sweets...sweets and lots of sweets and mostly from homes were I (now) have realized Holi wasn’t celebrated culturally.Call it being naive or just too blindly secular. I never knew Holi could be segregated into regions...states....areas and worst of all would be celebrated in different parts of the same country on different days.

Growing up in Delhi,as kids we looked forward to Holi(for different reasons)Firstly,we were never asked or rather told when to come back home !!.If you were a kiddo,it would mean inhabiting the streets with all possible brands of water pistols and tankers(which you would beg your parents to buy,promising them that they would last several Holi-days) and gang fights.Might was right,in true god father tradition.If you were in the teen and college gang,Holi was the day that colours would play cupid for you(with a little help from the water balloons,too.I was a miserable shooter and ended up hitting street dogs than Greek gods in my colony).

There’s no place like the army,when it comes to celebrating festivals.It’s definitely one of the most secular organizations that exist in today’s fragmented world.Your religion,state,language,sect ceases to exist once you are in the army.It’s one big family,whether you like it or not.Holi’s are arranged par excellence.The officers play colour with the ranks first and then assemble in the mess(the time you have to report with your family is decided by the seniority and rank…so if you are the junior most in the regiment..you report first)There’s something for everyone…..soft drinks,hard liquor(no fauji party is complete without HL),bhang in the drinks..in your pakodas…biryani.For the truly spirited there ‘s a mud pool,accompanied with a shower.It’s a vicious cycle,at whichever point you wish to jump in,you end up feeling sozzled(in mind,body and soul) in the end. It’s a rare leveler of sorts.

It’s not ‘holi’ today,but we have been given a holiday and asked to celebrate.Unfortunately,its one of those festivals that happens only when you are in a gang of like minded…or should I say like coloured people.So,while I’ll be in school,telling children like an old grandmother ,tales from my erstwhile Holi-days,I’ll hope that the rest of you shall be drenched in colours.Just grab a packet of gulal and head out.Don’t worry about formalities and ask people whether they want to play or not and if you happen to be at the receiving end,well just follow Bapu’s advice…
extend the cheek and be a sport.

HAPPY HOLI

25 random blah blahs....

You know,you have reached the pits as a blogger...when you copy and paste attempted tags from Facebook onto your blog.Anyways,its the thought that matters.Don't we all cry about not resusing and recycling our resources.It's year ending (yes... we have this phenomenon,even at schools and words are truly a precious resource)
So here it goes...

25 random blah blahs about myself......

1.Whenever I have gone to visit a close friend or family member in the hospital,I have always fainted.(It’s quite embarrassing,cause more than the patient the doctors and hospital staff,start fussing over me.It’s heartening to know, it runs in the family,coz my brother too displays the same symptoms)

2.I am not afraid of lizards.You have to drop a lizard on me to prove me wrong…but then I challenge you to drop it !!!

3.I harbor a secret ambition of being a pilot.The closest I came to it was,when I was selected by Cathay Pacific,but instead, chose to get grounded as a WIFE.

4.I am extremely possessive about my friends.

5.I got married when I was 20.

6.I am an emotional patriotic fool.I have tears in my eyes everytime I sing the national anthem.

7.I am an exercise freak.Unless terminally ill,I can’t do without exercise.I believe it’s not the way you look but the way you feel ,that’s more important.(Dil ko shamjhanee ke liyee khayal acha hai galib)

8.I can never ever skip my meals.

9.I never wanted to be a teacher,but ended up being one.Now,I can't think of anything else I could have ever been.Moral of the story..never say I will never do this…..it may just come true)

10.I can drive as well as change tyres of both my car and kinetic Honda.This includes the front wheel of the Kinectic as well.(go ahead and try changing it,its not everybody’s cup of tea !!!!)

11.I love driving fast.My personal best was 110 km on the Vadodara Ahemdabad expressway.Unfortunately,Bangalore roads aren’t the best place for this.

12.I am a disaster when it comes to spelling.

13.I met Mohan at a wedding,ala typically filmi style.We met and parted and then met again.(the story would have been a happy ending had it not been for the last part.)

14.I can almost never pronounce the word QUEER.It’s just one of those things,that will get me kicked out of my job someday.

15.I love Delhi,But don’t see myself living in it in the near Future.

16.I have high expectations from people I love and often end up feeling hurt,when they crash.

17.I had vowed to write once a week on my blog.It changed to once a month,now its almost once in 3 months.I hope It doesn’t get worse.

18.I hate people with attitude.I have an uncanny ability to identify them from a mile.

19.I was a cry baby at school.

20.I love photography.

21.I hate sleeping late.

22.I dissect movies to the core.I am critical ,opiniated and chossy about the movies I see.

23.I find it difficult to say NO to people(except in school,when with my class)

24.I like to be left alone when I’m sick.

25.I love dancing.I learnt Kathak for 4 yrs as a kid.I want to start all over again.

rehna tu....

One of the most difficult things in life is to love someone....
second to love them unconditionally....
third love them for what they are , just as they are !!!!

Rehna Tu ......DElhi 6...lyrics by Prasoon Joshi




Rehna tu hai jaise tu
thoda sa dard tu thoda sukun
rehna tu hai jaisa tu
dheema dheema jhonka ya phir junu

thoda sa resham tu humdum thoda sa khurdara
kabhi to ad jaye ya lad jaye ya khushboo se bhara
tujhe badalna na chahoon ratti bhar bhi sanam
bina sajawat milawat na zyada na hi kum

tujhe chahooon jaisa hain tu
mujhe teri barish main bhigna hai ghul jana hai
tujhe chahoon saahey
mujhe teri lapat main jalna rakh ho jana hai

tu zakhm de gar
marham bhi aake tu lagaye
zakhm pe bhi mujhko pyar aaye
dariya o mere yaar
doobne de mujhey dariya

rehna tu hai jisa tu
thoda sa dard tu thoda sukun
rehna tu hai jaisa tu
dheema dheema jhonka ya phir junu

haath thaam chalna ho
toh dono ke dayein haath sang kaise
haath thaam chalna ho
toh dono ke dayein haath sang kaise

ek dayain aage hoga ek bayain hoga
thaam le haath ye thaam le
chalna hai sang thaam le

rehna tu hai jisa tu
thoda sa dard tu thoda sukun
rehna tu… hai jaisa tu
dheema dheema jhonka ya phir junu

thoda sa resham tu humdum thoda sa khurdara
kabhi to ad jaye ya lad jaye ya khushboo se bhara
tujhe badalna na chahoon ratti bhar bhi sanam
bina sajawat milawat na zyada na hi kum

tujhe chahooon jaisa hain tu
mujhe teri barish main bhigna hai ghul jana hai
tujhe chahoon saahey
mujhe teri lapat main jalane rakh ho jana hai

TO MA'AM WITH LOVE.....

Fed up with the cut,copy.... paste answers that my students wrote,I motivated them to be creative and write out answers in their own words.Little did I realize that their over- active little brains were actually mixing up instructions,that I gave them for the three different subjects that I teach them.
Sometimes, to motivate them and unblock their inhibitions,I ask them to write their essays without worrying about spellings or grammar.They follow that diligently in all subjects,including their exams and some proudly have even declared this to their parents.
(i had a tough time justifying my move to the authorities).
Likewise instructions, to be creative and think out of the box were applied to Science and social studies.

The nominations for the category.......MOST CREATIVE ANSWERS goes to.....

Livestock is ......

1.when animals are domesticated for our use and there is profit.

2.when domestic animals are overused for profit,they are called livestock.

(so much of truth here)

White revolution

........is the cultivation of cattle.

Pisciculture is

........actually bio gas,which is made from cow dung.

alternate source of energy is force.

(and this is going to be true in the near future)

Bi -product of petroleum is speed.

(profound indeed !!!! am sure this kid isn't from bangalore...coz the poor souls haven't had a chance to witness a phenomenon called speed at all)

fossil fuel is

...... when we use the remains of all dead and decomposed things.

blue revolution is......

motivating fisherman to produce more fish by themselves.

operation flood was .

......when a new breed that produced milk was introduced.

Dear N

Till about half and hour back,I believed that being strong had a lot to do with the number of muscles in your body,or the amount of weight you could pump or number of hours you could jog on the treadmill.Well,I know it isn't that way,but just that somewhere down the line I had forgotten about it.Just this morning the greatest worry on my mind was that k.g and a half I had acquired over the vacations,why I was sprouting new white hair suddenly.....why My son couldn't get a perfect score in his exam....
As I reached back home, this evening(after visiting a number of banks with a close friend) who is trying desperately to get a loan,I realized(shamefully) I wouldn't be able to deal with even one tenth of what she was going through)
Even though in the middle of a severe personal crisis,it's miraculous how she manages to put even a smile on her face.However,she never lets her problems spill over into the classroom.Her students love her.She inspires them,motivates them and pushes them to do their best,each and everyday.Her sense of humour keeps me alive and in splits.When I complain about the weather or about my maid not coming since 2 days,she puts me to shame,by quietly saying(without looking up from her papers)that she hasn't heard of the word called MAID since 1965.She manages her own two kids,pesky neighbours,car troubles,pot holes,an irritated principal,severe backache,paper setting deadlines(every week),screaming kids,anxious and more childish than their children- parents.....without a sweat !!!!
Dear N.....
I don't know where you derive your strength and patience from,but I just pray that that source grants you oodles of it.Meanwhile,I shall try and pray that I never have to be in your shoes,because I 'm too mortal to deal with a situation like this.

Sometimes I wonder if our physical strength has anything to do with our being mentally tough.

Sun,spirits,sand and solace

The sun never sets on Goa.
Technically every evening it may,though.The spirit(s),soar after sundown,when people get a little more serious,with food and drinks.(and are less distracted by the sun.... sand...... swimmers and sun baskers).This was my sixth vacation in Goa,and I can say that I am still no authority on it,for every time I manage to discover something new in the old here!!!!It has never ceased to amaze and surprise me.Although,facing the inevitable crush of commercialization,it still maintains the old Portuguese charm(though you will have to venture into the heart of Goa to find it now).
There's always something for everybody here.








1.Head to South Goa,to escape the rush and crush of people(try the lesser known Betalbatim,Varca,Majorda beaches)

2.Go green,take a bike and peddle down the beach.It's an unforgettable experience and believe me you just can't keep your eyes on the road!!!!)

3.If you wish to feel truly intimidated,swim in the sea(deep into the sea).Be sure,you go with a group or at least with someone else.It's therapeutic,excessively salty but reviving(and worth the sun tan!!)I finally managed to defeat the last and final remains of aquaphopia,this year.

4.Visit the local churches on a Sunday.You may not understand the sermon,but will still feel blessed like the locals.

5.There's plenty of fish in the sea.Give the naans and dals a miss.Experiment and taste the local fish and cuisine,sprinkled with Goan hospitality.It's red and hot and spicy,but worth it.

5.Sad but true.Recession...terror attacks and then the subsequent panic attacks both in minds and pockets have hit Goa visibly.A little known fact.That friendly waiter in the colourful "I love Goa" tee shirt is probably a Bihari,working for a measly Rs.1500 per month,@only 5 months a year.The rest of the year,he packs off home and eagerly awaits for December.For an economy that balances precariously on THE SEASON,this year has been crushing.The life guards and police are paranoid.The mood is festive but dull.Let's hope Goa can bounce back to life,at least ,for all the people,who have their livelihood depending on it.


CHEERS TO THE SPIRIT OF Goa(and I don't mean the alcohol here!!!)

The New year prayer

After a week of overindulgence a.k.a Goa,am tanned beyond recognition, resemble an over baked potato, both in colour and size, still have sand in my hair and an even more enormous amount in my shoes, my butt hurts thanks to the exhaustive cycling trips ,I took on the beach, and my blood contains high levels of seafood.

Despite the holiday hangover,like all(ahem),most bloggers, I am eager to put in something on my blog,dated Jan 1,2009 and shamelessly admit so.I can proudly say that this post has been places,for I scribbled on whatever I could lay my hands on.... paper napkins,receipts,bills,while waiting at the Goa airport.

Every New Year, I say the serendipity prayer to myself.It works like magic,Right from the first time I heard it,and it gives me hope and new energy,each and every time I say it to myself.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference."

This year I added a little footnote to god as an attachment.

Please also let me know the difference between right and wrong, between the good and bad….between a friend and an acquaintance and the courage to accept all of the above.

In all my greediness,I know I have asked for more.If all good things must come to an end,then all bad things should never have had a beginning.Isn't it??Wrong.For I know,that its impossible to see the what is right,unless there’s a wrong.The brightness of good,without the chill of evil.
Similarly it requires more than accurate vision to judge and recognize a friend(s) and family and set them apart from the crowd of people,we know and come across.Only time and adverse circumstances have that kind of power.

So,till god decides how much to grant out of this prayer,I’ll be optimistic(like always) and will assume that this attachment has been successfully delivered.

Wish all of you a very very happy New 2009……

full circle....Kite Runner

I finally finished reading the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and it has taken me two months to do so.Well,its a feat, given the fact,that I was able to spend only about 10 mins everyday with the book.Reading a book, over such a length of time has its own pros and cons.Everybody...from people in the lift,security guards…. to those in the gym and at the bus stop(where i wait for my colleague to pick me up)knew what I was reading.I won't be surprised if they would be calling me the 'kite runner woman' and would be laying bets,as to when I would(finally) finish my book.The pros are that you get to read several parts of the book over and over again(and savour and sip the book),coz despite the bookmark,you tend to forget the exact place where you last left it at.

Anyways,I don't think the book has too many parts and details,that I would like to savour and revisit.The book filled me with sadness,anger and hatred, towards the politics of war and the fact and realization that the innocent always get sacrificed at such altars.Surprisingly,I was eager to watch the movie,knowing very well the fact,that movies are seldom a fitting tribute to the spirit of the book.Watching the movie of a book that you have just read isn't one of the most advisable things to do.For 99.999% of the times,you shall be terribly disappointed with the comparison.Well,I tried very hard to keep the two aside and have to admit, that I did a good job.


To say that a part of me identified with the book,would be an understatement(didn't everybody,in some way or the other).But,this wasn't a kind of empathy, you felt for the protagonist .This was a penance for something I had been guilty of, for a long long time.

My family (i.e my parents, are Kashmiris).Although I was born and brought up in Delhi,we always went back to Srinagar for our summer vacations.Frankly,for me as a child,Delhi was my real home and Srinagar just a beautiful resort which would be bustling with relatives,food and lots of scenic drives around the Dal Lake.After the unrest of 1991,when there was a mass exodus of Kashmiri pundits from the valley(was when my grandparents and close family members fled,with their bare minimum belongings),there was always an air of utmost gloom and despair at home.However,as a child, the pain of being a 'migrant',homeless and without identity,was something I completely failed to understand.I was irritated with the continuous stream of relatives,who discussed nothing but Kashmir.I resented my dad calling himself a migrant(i failed to understand why he did that when he had a home,in Delhi).Only,years later,I realized that like the lakhs of Kashmiris,he did have a house in Delhi,but his home was still in the land they could never go back to.Many Kashmiris still dream and hope for peace to return back to the valley and going back home.But,it seems like a distant dream.My grandfather sold his large palatial home in the heart of the city(and he passed away very soon after that.I think he gave up all hope of ever returning ) and with that beautiful house,were sold all those precious childhood memories,which I have begun to treasure ,even more,as I am growing older,for some strange reason.

That night,I too dreamt of being in my grandparents house,not amongst the ruins,that it would be in ,right now.It was a happy dream.I was in the attic which also doubled up as a library(my favourite place in the house).Ransacking the cherry trees and the strawberry bushes,with my cousins ,till my belly hurt.Of long drives,with my father on his cycle,to buy fresh bread from the kandervan(kashmiri bakers,who are known for their fresh breads).Of crowding around the old television,to watch Doordarshan’s Krishi Darshan,with rapt attention,and not understanding even a word.

I have been having the same dream ,for the past three consecutive days,now.Like a reel it starts and ends at the same place each time and I can’t get it off my mind the whole day. Like Farid says in the book,some memories are best left happy.I don’t think I have the courage to visit that house,and see it in shambles.
It took me two months to read the book, but a moment to realize that I too was a ‘migrant’,in so many ways.A word that I had so vehemently fought against for so many years.Funny,how life comes a full circle.