Life amidst Explosives

Diwali is a festival of lights and colors but after so many years it has lost its charm. It may be a side-effect of growing old that the festival has dwindled down to just a holiday. All it means to me is to indulge in some family bonding. Decorating home and cooking/devouring ‘good’ food are the other things that I love about this festival. Since my mom has not been keeping well, it is for me to do everything from making Rangoli (though I suck at it) to lighting lamps, from welcoming guests to cooking festive food.

There was a time when I would be overjoyed with the thought of Diwali being around the corner. Back then, it would mean lights, sweets, and new clothes. It would also mean a break from studies. Fireworks, however, did never interest me. Although, I did try to develop an interest so as not be regarded as ‘weird’ but all in vain. I found it totally pointless because I took all the pain to go out of the house, light a cracker and before I could realize it, the show was over. Worst of all, it led to noise and air pollution which made it difficult for me to breath. When I returned home, my hands and feet were all dirty and it left me with a feeling ‘What a waste!’ The feeling still carries on.

I step out on to the balcony to light a candle and I'm impinged on by a deafening sound. I lean over and find out that entire area is littered with debris and the air is contaminated by the smoke from fireworks combustion. Why people don't understand that a few minutes of pyrotechnic entertainment is not worth polluting the environment?

Disappointed, I return to my room. The tranquility of my candle-lit scented room feels like heaven. Watching a movie with surround sound seems like the only way to refute this ubiquitous noise!!

While I struggle to get by, you have a peaceful Diwali!!

To the Movie and Back

I have been waiting for this movie for a long time. So I book the first day first show. On the day, I arrive 10 minutes late. I quickly rush through the security check and run to grab my seat, only to find someone else seated there.

'I believe you have taken my seat. Could you please check?'

'Sure... Nope! We booked seven tickets and this is ours. Guess there is some confusion. Why don't you check with the usher.'

'Okay thanks. I'll check.'

To the usher...

'Can you please show me my seat?'

'Sure! Your seat number?'

'It reads A-7 i.e. I believe is in the top row.'

'Come with me ma'am.'

He checks the ticket of the occupant and mumbles in confusion, 'How is it possible?'

He takes me to the bottom row and promises to get back to me shortly. He asks me to take a seat meanwhile.

He comes back and asks, 'Ma'am can I please see your ticket again?'

'First of all, you issued a wrong ticket and now, you're ruining my movie. Here. It's A-7.'

He scrutinizes my ticket and I look at him blankly.

Ma'am this is booked for the same show but tomorrow.

'WHAT!! NO!!! How-Is-It-Possible!! How can your site goof up????'
'I have to watch this movie right now. Can you please let me sit at the bottom row and watch the movie.' (Yea! I cant wait till the next day.)'

'I'm really sorry ma'am. The movie is houseful.'

Right then, the owner of the empty seat arrives.

I leave!!!

Lesson of the Day - No Secret Strings

When we do something that feels good to us, we should do so without any "secret strings" of expectation. Whats important is we felt good irrespective someone does or doesn't respond to our gesture of goodwill. We should do these things without any "secret strings" of expectation attached to that goodwill that we send out. 

When we cut the cord of expectation, and it frees up the energy to go where it may. Without having expectations, it is like freeing a bird's energy and allowing that bird to go where it wants to. But if we try to contain, control, or direct the energy of a bird, we would not get happiness or song from that bird. So when we release this energy of goodwill to anyone, we should do it for the sake of planting seeds of goodness... without expectation of anything in return.

I Do Cherish You My Little Weeny

He gives me the most innocent look ever and makes me realize that I haven’t spoken to him for a long time. Yes, life has been real busy in past few days but I haven’t forgotten him. As a matter of fact, I adore him but unfortunately I am not getting enough time to spend with him. He is being noisy, thats his way of grabbing attention.


It’s Saturday and I have to talk to him. He is adamant.

I let him out of his cage. He is jubilant. He encircles me then takes a flight around the room and finally decides to rest at the chandelier. I wait and watch. I call his name a couple of times but he ignores me. He is enjoying his freedom however transient though. He looks blissful. I am enjoying too. I wait for some more time and then I ask him to come down. He looks at me but valiantly denies my request. I appreciate his nerves. I step up on the center table and shake the chandelier, he is shaken too.  He flies down and royally sits at the sofa. I grab him in my palm and laugh out loud. I kiss him and tell him ‘you can’t fool me, Weeny!’ He bites me. I hold him a little so he doesn’t bite. But he doesn’t move at all.

I lose my grip and he still doesn’t move. I shake him; make him drink water, but nothing. I call his name, I cry. He is no more. I am paralyzed.

It is to let you know Weeny that your sister loved you very much and it was an accident. It happened through me because lord wanted me to free you from this life and I pray that your new incarnation is of a human being and that you fulfill the divine purpose of your life that is making you come back to this mortal planet. May you meet your loved ones and we meet once again in some way. As a repayment of my sin, I let go of Teeny and wish him a blissful life. I may never be able to keep a pet ever again.


I also want to thank you for gracing my life with some most beautiful moments and I'm ever indebted for all the love & affection you showered on me. I will always cherish the time spent with you. God bless you my baby. Love you always!!

Your sister

Is it that simple?

We are at an altitude of 13050 feet. The snow is virgin and pure white here... And what a panoramic view - snowcapped mountains, rising far above the clouds - truly breathtaking - feels like heaven!!!

We got up at 2.00 am for this soul stirring trip and started our journey sharp at 5.00 am. We packed ourselves in windproof, waterproof jackets, pants, gloves, thick socks, glares, and hats. We also hired a pair of ski gears and a trained guide. The cabbie is swift and smart. We made it to the Zero Point by 8.30. Outstanding!!

This is the first time I have seen snow and I am totally mesmerized, so is my friend. We play with snow for a while. I am all set to ski. My friend's ankle pains so she has opted out.

I ask the guide how it feels to ski?
You slip your feet into heavy skiing boots, clamp them on to the skis and let gravity do the rest, he replies with a smile.
Is it that simple?
Oh yeah! Don’t worry.

He asks me to take off my gum boots and put my feet into skiing boots. I do as he says.
He gives me basic instructions around sloping down the hill, changing directions, identifying the ski circuits, how to reduce the speed, how to stop, how to avoid collisions, how to reverse a fall, and most important, how to get up without any help.

At the first attempt, I slope down the hill without tripping. I convince myself that it’s a mere coincidence.

I ask the guide 'how many people have learnt the first time?'
'No one. You gotta take the basic course.'
'Damn! I shouldn’t have asked this question.' I condemn myself.

I concentrate back on skiing. This time I fall. It doesn’t hurt. Its rather fun.
Can it cause me any serious injury?
Yeah, it can hurt your back or knee if you are not careful enough.
Hmmm! Ok. Time for some serious learning.

My guide tells me that edges of skis are where most of the control comes from and to use the edges properly, I must push them into the snow evenly along their length. This means I need my weight in the middle of the ski; otherwise my weight will not be distributed properly. He also asks me to lean forwards to keep my weight over the middle of the skis as I come down a slope where the gradient decreases. If I don’t lean forwards, my weight will come back giving me less control of the skis. I will also need to lean backwards slightly if the gradient increases, to keep the weight over the middle of the skis. He shares that I can tell if I have my weight in the right position, if I feel my shins pushing lightly on the front of my ski boots.

I continue skiing for an hour, fall down many times, give a few good shots too and then decide to take a half an hour break. It does take a lot of energy after all.

I take a Yak ride and enjoy cube slide during the break. How about a cup of coffee? Hmmm refreshingly delectable!!

Back to skiing.

I recollect previously learned lessons, all his instructions, and the mistakes that I made. I want to give my best. I wouldn’t be a champ by the end of it, but I can still learn not to fall, at least.

I do fall a couple of times but I manage to change directions. After toiling for two hours… yes I can feel a few drops on my nose, I am able to stop on my own. But I can still not get up on my own... I need his help.

My body is shrieking. My ab muscles are paining as if I had 1000 crunches in one go. I stop. I drag myself to the cab.

Everything in life comes at a cost, even adventure sports. My body hurts!! But the experience was worth it.