Not abandoned

Of course not an abandoned blog. Will be posting soon. Thank you! :) :) :)

As I am!

My last post was on the Independence day about the Independence day of India. After that I didn't post. How could I, when I am so lazy? Yes I am lazy. So much so that I have stopped working on my second book. There are other reasons too. But those are seasonal. The laziness is getting on me. What I am suppose to do? Kill time. That's what i am into. Then, then what? May be I would find the answer and come back later. For time being I am lazy and going lazy.

Goshhhhhh!!!

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today is India's Independence day. Around sixty five years back India gained her freedom from the oppressive British rule. It was a Tryst with destiny'. Not because she gained freedom from one of the Imperial powers of that time, but the way she gained it.

India got her Independence through non-violent movement, something hyped every time in this world. Their were earlier attempts made through violent form to win freedom but it was only through this new found weapon that a new age was traced.

One man stood amongst, their odds, ideology, custom and many other things. But Mahatma Gandhi's fight was not just against the British but many other ill principles of the Indian society and their mindsets. To an extent it was successful and certain thing which he couldn't triumph upon - today's generation is fighting it out.

The freedom was won sixty five years back but the real fight was fought in this last sixty five years and is still on. We are fighting corruption, customs ,societyical odds and many to mention. Then there is one mistake which committed at that time and we bear for it to these day - the partition. That was a mistake, huge one and compensating for it is nowere on cards. The reason is that the fight still continues over that front. There will be a time when it will be solved and there will be time when we might over come the odds in today's lives.

Then, then we will find the true freedom.

JAI HO!

CRITICISM

Dear friends,

The below story created quite a flutter when i posted the same to club group. Some even hit at me saying i should quit writing. There are ways to speak to one person and there are ways to talk online too. Anyways no offence. The below story might have grammar but never intended to show any one in bad light or stereotype. I wrote because i believed in what I've written and i personally like it. I don't see anything wrong. My intention was to make people laugh as I thought the story has lot of humour in it.

My writing will always continue no matter what one has to say!

JOB INTERVIEW

‘Job hunting is easy these days, then done.’

I am here at a BPO to attend an interview for the post of Investment Analyst and to be frank – I am least interested to attend. (Don’t ask me why?)

I sit at the reception. To my right there is this girl –in her salwar kameez and clutching a file as if it is a treasure. (It must hold her credentials) I don’t like her dress sense. It is not matching her. I wanted to say to her – ‘If you have a boyfriend, ask him, he would guide you…, else ask me!’ HEEHAW

To my left there is another girl, complete opposite reflection of the one at my right. White shirt, tight trouser, very tight (wonder how she fit in it) straightened hair, smell of those international perfume derived from the skin of dead snake or they say so. I like them all. She is a modern girl. Yo baby yo!

I sit in between them, image of 21st India - One traditional and the other modern. Mom I have fond the bride for you, which one you want – your choice.

Mr.Sreekumar Nair! A lady in her secretarial dress call out my name. I go in the cabin and I am greeted by a handsome hunk or I think so! ‘Well Mr. Nair, I see you are not employed last six months. What were you into?’

I was busy authoring a book, I wanted to say. ‘I fell sick’ I said.

‘Sick for six month?’

‘Well I had to undergo a surgery and it took time to recoup’

He lift his one eye brow (wonder how he does it) ‘Mind telling what happened’ I explain to him and he listen in rapt attention.

‘So why you left your last company?’

‘I couldn’t achieve my target’

‘Hmm, I like your frank answer. But then you think you can achieve it here? I nod my head.

‘I mean you’re a sick guy, didn’t get your target last time. How are you going to do it here?’

What does he mean by I am a sick guy? I am medically fit and that word ‘sick guy’ has many connotation to it. How he dare, asshole?

‘Can you show me a presentation?’ he asked. I give a disgusting nod. ‘You can use the board’. I pick up a marker and want to write big, ‘FUCK YOU!’ Unfortunately I can’t.

I explain to him if the crude price fall, the best investment option is NSE and if not NIFTY or gold is a better option if NSE fails and Baba Black sheep!

Seems the asshole is impressed and he puts me to HR round. Have some talk sense; I wanted to say as I left his cabin.

I meet the HR in second round, may be in her fifty. Still a HR? I am in my thirty and hunting job. That settles it.

She takes time to study my profile. Few moments later she looks at me. Then she says ‘All fine Mr. Nair. But your appearance should have worldly outlook. You know this is an international BPO.’ I will remove my cloth and stand naked. Will that give her the required outlook?

When I leave the premises I see the two pillars of Indian culture still sitting there. Few moments later, I see the traditional girl in conflict with someone on phone. I overheard the conversation. (Bad habit)

She was saying ‘I didn’t sleep with you, you slept with me.’



Yo baby yo!



***

SUMMER 2010

OK FOLKS, THIS IS HOW I SPENT MY VACATION IN KERALA AND THE TRIP THAT WAS ALL ABOUT!

As I board this train which will take me to my home town in the next twenty-four hours, my heart is throbbing in my body. Thrilled, I can hardly linger to reach my destination.


The excitement has always been there. I remember when as a child I would visit my grandparents and spend my days in total bliss. Today I recall it as a paradise on earth; so naturally blessed with beauty. It is rightly called as ‘God’s own country’.

It’s 10:45p.m when I board the train. I went to bed dreaming of waking to the sunlight hours when I start my days in the serene splendor of my home town.

I wake up the next morning to see the train bustling with people. Many vendors including chai wallas offering hot tea-coffee in the early morning; others were selling garam pakodas and samosa. I take tea and sit comfortably near the window. The train has entered Kerala. As it passes each town I am mesmerized by the exquisiteness of the natural world. The hilly terrain roofed in clouds, green fields as it dances to the tune of the breeze, idyllic cows grazing on them, lakes and rivers curving freely, banana and coconut plantations aplenty - God is such a wonderful creator!

I observed my co-passengers. Many of them with their families are heading for their vacation. I could sense the excitement on the faces of their children. I felt happy too. A few others were local travelers. This place is their home as well as a work place. To their daily bread they shuffle from town to town. A few moments later I notice this girl sitting next to me reading a book. Probably in her twenty’s, she looked striking. Not so pretty face but she appears elegant in her black salwar kameez. Her long and fair thighs are visible in her taut and translucent trouser. She is with her mother and it seems her name is Nandini as her mother uses to call out to her now and then. The rest of my journey is spent in styding her as well as the natural beauty of the countryside. When the train halted at the Trivandrum station -the capital of Kerala, my co-passenger Nandini disembarks. It seems this is her town. Hoping to catch a glimpse of her again, I continue my journey. After few more stations, I reach my destination. I see my uncle who has arrived to receive me.

It is just a two kilometer drive from the station to my native town. I see my aunt, their kids and a few other cousins who are waiting to welcome me. The excitement grows in me as I see all of them. The next few days I look forward to spending enjoyable time with them. Food is one thing which tops the chart on any occasion. Kerala food is worthy to die for. Its taste and quality is unbeatable. Banana is a fruit which comes in various size and colour- green, yellow and even red. It also fetches the prime yield of revenue in agriculture in the state after coconut. The coconut water is a pure thirst quencher. I make sure I have plenty of them. Jackfruit is another fruit typical of Kerala. It is light yellow when ripe. You can have it in various blend - have it ripe (yummy it taste so good), when raw you can make variety of chips. You can also make various types of curries out of it. Oh yes I forgot to mention the banana chips which is famous here. Then there are mangoes. It comes in a lot of variety too. Everybody is aware how mango fruits taste when taken ripe but for having it raw is more adventurous as we climb the tree and pluck it out. We take it after soaking them in the mixture of chili powder and salt with oil (again-yummy!). Sorry can’t help it! Our house is surrounded by all this plants and these fruits which it bears. So literally it’s forested area and who doesn’t love to stay in the lap of nature? Many of these trees are so big that I end up making a tree house with my cousins. We have planned to make a wooden house during the next vacation. Fish is the most edible stuff in this part of the country. Fishery is the largest industry in Kerala. Fish is very good for the health and is an internal part of every meal in my home. I use to bathe almost three times a day. The reason is the lake which flows close by. I and my four cousins and few other friends from that area made it mayhem whenever we take a bath there. It was so much fun! Apart from visiting my relations and few temples, I visit the famous Shankmugam beach at Trivandrum, the beach at Vaaley and the boat houses at Allapuza. It is all so much fun!

I don’t know how the days just pass by and soon my trip comes to an end. The memories are something which will never go away and I will cherish them until the next summer vacation. Hoping for another wonderful summer holiday next year, I board the train to Bangalore.

When I reach and disembark at the Bangalore station, I see Nandini with her mother getting down from another coach. She was in the same train yet I was unaware. (I curse my luck) I look at her wondering whether she has had the same memorable holidays as I have!



****

Hey!

Back from Kerala trip. It was fun but missed B'lore for sure. Presently working on my second book. Will post about my Kerala venture soon! :)

Till then... Be safe n be good!

On Vacation!

I don't blog regularly but now off late, i am. My blog was like a ignored child and i am going to ignore it further. Precisely for a month. This June for whole month i will be in kerala and without access to internet. Therefore this will lie like a ignored child.

Kerala is a place i adore for sure. In a small village where i was born, i keep visiting this place whenver i can. This time it will be for a long time though. Would like to expand this topic on Kerala a bit. Pherhaps next time.

And yes, i will not ignore this child after i am back. :-)

So i will be back soon n happy journey to me!

Mangalore crash

Sad news coming up about the air crash in Mangalore. As we all pray for the victims and their families, we also need to understand the saftey standards maintained. Though it is a first crash in India in a decade, things cannot be taken lightly.

Accidents do take place and it is not within our reach. Beacause it is a mistake and mistake just happens. But what we can try to do is that this accidents doesn't occur in future. This mistakes are not repeated. We should learn from  accidents and see to it that it is not bound to happen again.

Life is precious and it is always!

THE SKY

It just happened. While going through a magazine, thought made me to scrible this poem. It's nothing much.



I am a beggar, you are a learner


A homeless person, I sit here like all


A vagabond trying to figure the definitions of my life.




As learner, as novice, you discern it all.


Still you are no proficient, you are an amateur.




I know it all. Like all vagabonds, I know it all.




You may well reach heights; I will be where I am; for certain.


Still I know it all!




You are under a roof, I have sky. I know it.

INTERPRETATION

It's been high time since the book has hit the stand. Not a single promotion i did for the same, but just circulating the copies to my friends and near one. Well so here goes - one month down the line, come July and i am going to launch it - BIG WAY!

Keep tuned in for further news! :)

A EXCREPT FROM THE BOOK - 'INTERPRETATION'

THE BEGNNING

Ranjith Singh is an army intelligence officer. He is in this

job for past 18 years. He is very patriotic, who loves his

country first, than anything else. Always in front to do

anything for his motherland. And so, he loves his job.

His other interest is his family. His second love. His

wife and two children. Khanu, his wife is a beautiful young

woman from Amritsar, Punjab. Theirs was a love marriage

eventually blessed with two kids, a happy family.

However, today Ranjith Singh lies on his cot as the sun

rises to say good morning. He is ready to get up, somewhat

awake but still asleep. He is dreaming. In his dream, he

sees his beautiful wife and his two lovely children. They are

stretching their arms towards him, asking him to help them.

It seems they are being carried by someone. Ranjith Singh

crawls on his bed. He wants to help them. He opens his

eyes and sees the morning light. Where is his wife who was

asking for his assistance? And his two children who wanted

to get on to their father’s arm? Even they are gone.



***


THE CENTER FOLD


What exactly is Captain Ranjith’s mission? How did he

lose his wife and children? Where are they? What happened

to them?

It began like this.

The year was March 1971 that was sparked by the Bangladesh

liberation conflict between the traditionally dominant West

Pakistan and the East Pakistan. India expressed full support

to the struggle for independence by the people of East

Pakistan. A war seemed inevitable. So, the government

wanted to make sure whether they were going to involve

in this adventurism and how?

Pakistan was initially a part of India. In the year 1947,

at the time of independence from the British rule, it was

separated and was carved into an independent Islamic country.

Since then, this neighbour of India has been cultivating hatred

against India. Though, it needs to be understood that it was

Pakistan which wanted to separate from the mainland to be

formed into a new Muslim country, India never wanted that

to happen. But unfortunately, the line was drawn and thus

two nations were formed. What emerged next were constant

fights between the two countries that resulted in war in the

year 1947 at the time of independence and later in 1965.

Both the times, Pakistan lost the war to India. The wars

resulted in a lot of destruction in terms of human life and

property. But the conflict continued and again in 1971, some

kind of dangerous and threatening activity was detected from

the Pakistani side.

In the 1947 war, few areas of Kashmir went into the

hands of Pakistan, which they called Azad Kashmir or

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Due to this, the people of

Kashmir were separated. The people and their kins found

themselves parted between the two borders of the country.

This also put them in an abyss of emotional hardship. Later

that year, as per the agreement between the countries, people

were allowed to cross the new border - the line of control

- to meet their near and dear ones.

At one such instance in 1965, Ranjith Singh and his

family which hailed from Punjab visited Muzaffarabad, a

town in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Ranjith Singh’s wife

Khanu had a family marriage to attend there. Ranjith Singh

dropped his family there and returned to Kashmir on the

Indian side for an official call on an immediate reporting

basis due to emergency. Then suddenly Pakistan attacked

India. Khanu and his two kids got trapped there. Ranjith

couldn’t do anything immediately as he was in the middle

of a war. Even after the war got over, he could never find

his lost family. The border was closed and people were not

allowed to cross either side. He couldn’t even communicate

with them through any other means. Diplomatic relations

between the two countries were not good either. Therefore,

the embassy also could not do much to find the family of

this army man. Ranjith never heard from his family after

that. They were lost for him. And he was lost for them.

***

A DIALOGUE FROM THE BOOK


“Okay officers, let’s get moving. As you people are

aware, we are in support of the ongoing Bangladesh liberation

war in East Pakistan. President Yahya Khan has already

rejected the claim of Sheikh Mujibur Rehaman, the leader of

Bangladesh to form the government there. It seems he will

call the military to disarm Bangladesh. Lots of movement

is taking place against this. And our Prime Minister has

expressed full support of our Government to the struggle

for independence by the people of East Pakistan. We share

vast borders with them and we would not like to have two

Pakistan on our West as well as East. It is dangerous. So,

Pakistan has got enough reason to camp their armies on our

border. This is something that we can deal with, since it

is a face-to-face and direct action. But dealing with indirect

action is not easy,” says Puri, as Ranjith and Rajan listen

attentively.


WAGAH BORDER


Wagah is a road in Punjab, and the only border road

crossing between the two countries, India and Pakistan. It

lies between the cities of Amritsar and Lahore in Pakistan.

Wagah itself was a village. It got divided during the

partition in the year 1947. The eastern half of the village

lies in India, while the western half is in Pakistan. It has

one gate on both sides and the rest of the area is fenced

***

THE WAR


Pakistan attacked several places along the Indian border,

but the Indian army successfully held their positions. The

Indian army quickly responded to the Pakistan army’s

movements and made some initial gains, including capture

of around 5,500 square miles of Pakistan territory in Punjab

and Sindh sectors. This was later ceded by India in the

Shimla Agreement of 1972.

The land war or the battle of Longewala in Rajasthan

is worth mentioning. The intelligence report of Ranjith was

ignored as the time was up. In the night, Pakistan attacked

with about two thousand infantry division and more than

forty tank regiments. The mere one hundred sixty eight

Indian soldiers stood their ground, though they were given

the option to opt out. It was a brave act but they were lucky

to have a natural defence of high sand dune and the post

totally fenced up. In the night, it was not visible. It was

very easy to attack the enemy from the upper ground. The

situation was very much in the favour of the Indian side

with an airstrip close by. They striked Pakistan battalions

by the morning, which suffered huge casualties. The battle

of Longewala was won and it was a mark in the Indian

history that cannot be erased in long years to come.

***

© sreekumar nair- pustak mahal

INTERPRETATION

GO GET YOUR COPY NOW! :_)