Morning Walk

Morning walks are sheer bliss.  We can observe many things that would usually go unnoticed because of the hectic schedule that we follow.  It has been a while now since I started going on morning walks, thanks to my husband, Atul.  We realised that it was high time we went for such walks.  The push and support from both ends made it happen. And, I am glad!

When the first rays of the sun touch earth, you can experience a magical moment.  The chirping of the birds makes the surroundings cheerful.  I love the playful look in the eyes of the dog that comes out on the walk with his owner.  The manner in which it wags its tail shows how joyous it is.  The energy with which it catches the ball thrown by his owner is intense. 

Walking in the park, I saw a group of the elderly practicing yoga.  The banner behind the instructor read: Yoga-ashram.  They also had a laughter session.  No, nobody cracked a joke but it is a part of the exercise I believe. 

Moving further away, I watched a group of women singing devotional songs.  A few were singing and others discussing which song to be sung next.  Their state of elation when singing songs of their choice is something which I will never be able to describe adequately. But I looked at Atul and we exchanged smiles. 

I was happy. No, not exactly happy but my heart melted, seeing the elderly women singing and enjoying with no worry on their face as if they are done with the responsibilities and their only job was to remember the almighty in some way or the other.

My reverie was shaken by the noise being made by the boys playing football nearby.  Dressed in white and red T-shirts with three-fourths and sport shoes, the kids were engrossed in their game.  A little ahead, I saw another set of boys playing cricket.  This indeed is a cricket frenzy nation.  Sport, oh boy, is a lifeline for every human being. 

The path ahead was about to end.  Many couples and a few men and women were walking briskly ahead of us. We moved out of the park to the road. The florist was busy setting up his shop to help spread cheer and earn his daily bread.  Across the road, his rival had already taken up his place and was making a bouquet.

Meanwhile, students in school uniform were waiting for their bus with their parents and a few others accompanied by their pet dogs as well.  The milkman was out while the newspaper guy was busy separating the brands of papers to make it easy for him when delivering.

As the early morning slipped into a busy day, I could hear honking all around. The hustle and bustle was clearly visible as office-goers replace school children on the landscape.  The feeling of bliss that I experienced when walking is just memorable and I can’t wait for another such morning.

Nostalgia…

The busy and robotic life that we all lead nowadays has restricted us to appreciate Mother Nature and its beauty all around.  The chirping of the birds, the green trees and colorful flowers, the green grass in the garden, the flock of birds up in the sky etc. are few to be named as beauty of nature.

The other day I was going to drop my daughter to school in the morning.  Her school is just opposite to my society.  All I have to do is to cross two busy roads to reach the school.  After crossing one road I stood on the pavement to let the vehicles pass.  My daughter being too tiny to run on the road, I didn’t take a chance and thought to let the vehicles pass although it were only few.

I kissed her on the cheek and bid her good bye.  On returning back after crossing one road, I stood again on the pavement.  Usually, I run in the middle of the vehicles to reach the other end.  This time I didn’t stop to let the vehicles pass.  I stopped because a ‘butterfly’ fluorescent green in color was playing around and came in right in front of my eyes.  That playfulness of the butterfly took me back to my childhood instantly.  I was charmed looking at it just like a kid gets thrilled looking at a new toy gifted to him. 

This was probably my very first experience of looking at a butterfly in my everyday so called modern and busy life.  For a moment I forgot where I was and completed a full circle orbing on the ‘axis’ I was standing on. 

My eyes kept following the fluorescent butterfly and in minutes it disappeared in the small green bushes with yellow flowers on it.  I came back into reality and crossed the road.  The smile upon my face vanished with the disappearance of the butterfly.  “I wish I could see more of it” I spoke to myself.

The distance from my house to the school is barely a kilometer.  That day it took me very long reaching back home.  I was engrossed in the butterfly and it took me to my childhood days.

 I fondly remember the days of my childhood and especially the ones when I used to play in the park right in front of my house.  The verandah of my house was open and I could see the motley colored butterflies playing around.  I believe (personally) one of the most loving moments of a child when he sees the butterfly and starts following. 

There were few naughty boys who used to tie the thread around the butterfly’s antennae and used to play with it.  I somehow never liked the idea of binding the butterfly which is so playful and gives you inner happiness when you see the butterfly playing around. 

I used to silently exit my being from there since I couldn’t do anything except saying, ‘we must not tie the butterfly, set it free’.  The image of the butterfly that I have in my mind when I used to see as a child is that of a brown colored with white very tiny dots on it. 

The most favorite drawing that I used to make as a kid in school was of a butterfly.  I used to give so many colors to it.  I cannot forget how once again I went down the memory lane of my childhood days just because of a butterfly.  This indeed is Nostalgia….

A Reflection of God

It was a lovely Sunday morning.  When every other person was in deep slumber after a week’s hard work, I was up early all geared up to go with my father to attend the religious congregation which is held every Sunday morning.  The religious congregation, called ‘Satsang’ in a common man’s language was lead by my Guru.  I am an ardent follower of him.  I call him Maharaj ji. 

I have been watching all my family members following Guru.  Guru, shows the light, the path that lead you to God.  At the age of 17 or 18 may be, I am not sure, I took the ‘Initiation’ (Naam Deeksha) from Maharaj ji.  ‘Initiation’ is the mantra, 'sacred utterance' of ‘Ram Naam’.  The name of the place was also dedicated to Lord Ram, called ‘Ram Sharnam’.

Shri Ram Sharnam is a place; I would love to visit over and over again and that too anytime.  This is a place for me where god dwells.  The inner peace that I get after visiting this holy place is inexplicable.  The serenity of the place brings tranquility to my mind.  The power of the almighty (Shri Ram) bind my roots to stay connected to this holy place.

I still remember the day when I went to Shri Ram Sharnam.  The place was full of people as always.  The age group was not defined.  I could see people of all age group there. From an old man, an old woman, a middle aged man and woman, a young boy and a young girl to kids.  Basically, people of all age groups visit this place.

As I entered the huge hall, somebody asked me why I was waiting there.  Since there was a pin drop silence and that somebody whispered to me, I also whispered in her ear and said, “I have come to see Maharaj ji.  I want to take ‘Deeksha’ from him”.  She directed me towards a room where few people were already standing with folded hands.

Hands folded because; when we pray we fold our hands.   Their prayer was still going on I believe as their hands were folded.  I joined them with folded hands.  Someone came and asked all of us to enter the room and we all sat down on a white sheet, it was as white as cotton that was laid on the floor.

I noticed there were 3-4 middle aged men and two girls including me.   I observed everyone’s eyes were shut.  I also closed my eyes.  The moment I closed my eyes, I heard someone saying, Maharaj ji is about to come.  Everyone opened their eyes and at once got stuck at the door.

A saintly figure entered the room with folded hands and a smile on the face.  His tiny eyes hid behind the spectacles he was wearing.  He took his seat right in front of us.  There was pin drop silence and then Maharaj ji said, “You all are here for Deeksha.  The sacred utterance of Shri Ram must be done regularly.”  As he preached, more than hearing, I could feel the clarity in his voice, the sparkle in his eyes mesmerized me.   I was awestruck. 

He then made us meditate for few minutes teaching us the method of meditation and he kept uttering the sacred name of Lord Ram.  We all followed after him.  After his preaching was over, the strength of the room began to fall.  Everyone went to Maharaj ji to take something he was distributing to everyone present.

It was my turn now.  My heart beat was fast as if I am meeting the counselor who had come from outside school to take my viva.  Why it was happening, I still couldn’t figure it out.  With a smile on the face, he gave me a dark pink colored garland with 108 beads.  He didn’t say a word.  I was wordless too.  More than speechless, I was so much beguiled by his presence that my mind just ceased serving.

I came out with a wonder joy and smiled after seeing my father standing outside the hall.  “You got it” asked my father in pride.  “Yes, Papa” said I.  I just couldn’t stop describing Maharaj ji to papa.  It was the first time I saw him that close.  “A Reflection of God” I believe.

Why Mars and Venus Collide?

 The alarm of my Blackberry started ringing at 6.00am.   Aarohan, my son has school.  “Get up son, it’s time to get ready for school”, I said, in a thick voice dismissing the alarm.  I was trying to open my eyes wide but the light coming from the door ajar didn’t let me open them.  Aarohan like an obedient child got up and went straight to the bathroom.  I was still lying in the bed.  If we get only five minutes of more sleep in the morning, we feel as if we have got an hour.  I got up hurriedly as if I have actually slept for an hour.  Aarohan, all dressed up was combing his hair.  After having my thyroid medicine which I have to take it religiously, I went into the kitchen to make his tiffin and his milk.

All set, I went to drop him to school without speaking anything.  “Your bag is very heavy, son, How do you manage to carry it every day?” I questioned.  He didn’t answer, probably trying to search his friends at the main gate and bid me goodbye.

It was just a normal day for me.  I came back home all set to be in action for other household chores.  It was time for me to wake up my daughter.  Her school starts exactly an hour after Aarohan’s.  I went through all the things which I did for my son.  Leaving her in the school, I came back home, desperately wanting to have my morning cup of tea.  I comforted myself on the chair and started reading the newspaper.  I read a few headlines and then put it back on the table.  Something inside me was forcing me to shut the newspaper as if there was nothing interesting in the paper.  I was not in high spirits.  Everything seemed stagnant to me.  I was feeling lazy to take bath.  I got up and went to take bath thinking I would feel better.  All the while there was something going on in my mind. What? I do not know myself.  It was as if my mind was totally blank and my reflexes are dead.

I was reading a book few days back called why Mars and Venus collide?  It is about the relationship between men and women.  How can we improve on our relations and what necessary steps and measures we must take to lead a healthy life? 

The book basically acts as a mirror in which you may see your reflection, judge what is right and what is wrong and try to correct it all by yourself.  I wonder how many of us do that.  There have been times when we completely disagree with something and get into an unintentional argument with our loved ones.  We fight; we make up, accept what is wrong and then move on in life.  This is how many of us live and take life as it comes.

The book spoke about the hormones of men and women.  How both of them react differently on certain things.  A man can focus on one thing at a time whereas a woman is multi tasking.  For example: If a man is engrossed in doing something on his laptop or phone, he would not hear anything from whatever source.  Whereas, a woman may be talking to someone, cooking at the same time and still manages to think that she has left the tap open in the bathroom.

Similarly, if a woman is upset that means she is unable to concentrate on anything.  Whereas,  if a man is upset about something, he would prefer not to worry about the thing and just let it go without thinking too much about it.

I have been thinking too much about the book and its contents.  In fact, some of the content amused me.  While reading, I was imagining as if the whole episode is happening somewhere around. 

A hug says it all.  The writer has emphasized that most of the problems are solved by a simple hug.  I think it’s true.  If a husband gives a hug while going for work and gives a hug when he comes back from work, wife will certainly appreciate this natural gesture.  If only ‘Mars’ could give an ear to what ‘Venus’ is saying, more than half of the problem is solved there and then. 

I have also felt that many a times if we actually sit down and contemplate on the discussion or argument (s) that a wife and husband has, it is merely non sense.  It is as if ‘Mars’ and ‘Venus’ are destined to argue on trivial issues.  One thing which I think is absolutely right in the book is that when a woman is stressed, nothing on this earth can make her happy.  No matter what a man does for her, she will not take anything into consideration unless her stress is busted. 

The list is never ending I feel.  There is love and there are fights in each and every relationship.  We stumble and start walking again.  Hence, to go hand in hand is the best comfort.

Where there is a Will 'HE' makes his own Way

Its 6:00 pm.  After giving milk to the kids because they have to go downstairs. It is time for them to go and play with their friends.  I, while sipping tea called Atul (my soul mate, my better half) to ask what time he would be reaching home.  It is like a daily routine for me to call and ask him whether he has started from his office or not. 

After precisely two rings, he picked up.  “I am in a meeting, will call you once I get free,” he replied hastily.  He didn’t sound normal to me.  “I hope everything is alright,” immediately I sent him a text message.  There is no response.  My tea is over.  It is time for me to prepare dinner.  The phone rings as I chop the vegetables.  Without wasting time I pick up the phone.  It is Atul.  “I want to talk to you about something but I am afraid I will be late.  Do not go to bed and wait for me,” said he.  “OK,” I responded.

It’s 10 o’clock.  The kids have gone to bed after dinner for they have school tomorrow.  I am flipping the TV channels with my remote.  Don’t know what exactly I want to watch.  There is a knock at the door.  I know it’s him.  He never rings the door bell when he is late.  This is to avoid the kids to wake up.

After serving a cold glass of water, “What do you think about business?” he queried.  I am unable to relate.  “What kind of business?” I inquired with a straight face.  There is no response.  After a brief pause, “I want to start something of my own, some business.  Going to office everyday is no more exciting.  I want to put in the best of my energy in doing something of my own. What do you say?”

I am standing like a dummy, obviously with no life.  Reacting to the statement, in a cracked voice, I said, “Are you sure about what you are talking?  How we will manage?  I mean the school feel, society maintenance, electricity bills and so on.  How can you just leave your cushy job?  What has gone wrong?  Why did you take this step?  You have a handsome salary and everything is going fine.  I know you make some overhasty decisions but this is something absolutely not expected.”  It was as if I am playing a ‘rapid fire round’ with a contestant on a TV show.

“Calm down,” he stated.  “I want to give myself an opportunity before it is too late and trust me Coocha (name given to me by him when we first met), I will make it,” in a pacifying and convincing tone.

I am deep in thoughts, skeptical and apprehensive about the future.  “Ok, I am with you,” I replied with a sigh.  I see his eyes lit up bright.

The ceaseless journey of running around from pillar to post commenced the next morning.  From registering the company to making company’s profile, attending meetings and so on.   The work seemed has no end, no full stop.

Hard work never goes in vain.  This I realize it ‘Today’.  Time flies.  Yes, it really does.  Augustus Communications Pvt. Ltd. (ACPL) completes three successful years today.  I took a tour of flash back about how it all began. 

On the third anniversary of ACPL, I dedicate this piece to all those who have supported and helped us accomplish our goals.  The diligence, hard work and the sleepless nights put in by the team have made ACPL touch great heights. 

It is said, “sky is the limit” and I am sure the kind of laborious and industrious team that ACPL possess, it will keep prospering.

ATUL, “I am proud of you.” Thank you Lord, you have been very kind. I extend my devout gratitude to the team of ACPL, our clients who showed confidence in us by giving us the opportunity to get associated with them and got back unexpected results at an unmatched cost and services provided by Augustus.  Last but definitely not the least our lovely friends and wonderful family who stood by us through thick and thin.

Three Cheers for ACPL, “Hip-hip, Hurray! Hip-hip Hurray! Hip-hip Hurray”!

The heat is on..........

43 and CSK still going strong.  My heart just didn’t stop thumping.  Little disappointed but that ray of hope was still there.  68 and I see Hussey moving out of the ground.   There was a bit of sparkle in my eyes. 

A marvellous shot by Murli Vijay and Ross Taylor takes an awesome catch. There I take a sigh of relief.  Hang on! What is it? It was a SIX and not out.  Ross went beyond the boundary line.  A ‘thin’ layer of dashing hopes covers my mind again.

Nevertheless, this big game tonight is going to be one of its kind.  The dandy sixes by Vijay has made the CSK score running, with Vijay still playing on 84.  “He writes his own script” displays on the board for Vijay.  Completing his century, Vijay steals the show.

With a target of 223, M. Jayawardene and D. Warner opens the batting for Delhi Daredevils(DD).  Although, I was expecting Viru on the ‘frontfoot’. 

Warner disappointed and so am I.  Although the ball was travelling like a bullet, he goes on 17 making only 3 runs.  And guess what?  The catch was taken by none other than but the man whose stars are shining bright tonight. Yes! M. Vijay.

Viru comes and that slight ray of hope is awoken once more.  Gosh! What is this?  Viru is moving out with only 1 run in his pocket.  Now that is something not expected out of this “Dilli ka Munda’.  “Come on Dilli, Ruk kyo Gaye?” 

Please Jayawardene, my eyes are on you now.  As I put my hands together for Ross, he has hit two sixes in a row already.  Yippie! Happy I am.   

My son in the mean time shows his urge to change the channel as he firmly believes that DD is going to lose tonight.  A bit of scolding by me and there he sits quietly  on the sofa watching the game with disinterest. 

This heroic team has given ‘us’ (DD), ‘us’ because I support DD, a big total to chase but I feel these ‘Munday Dilli Ke’ will play on the ‘frontfoot’.  At this moment I remember the theme song of DD.  One of the line is “Ghoomayenge balla aur urayenge hosh sab ke’.

S.Rana was ecstatic as he takes the catch and makes Ross move out of the ground.  D. Bravo, dancing in the middle of the ground after making A. Russels move out.  I laughed watching him dance while talking to my mother in law who was having her dinner, relishing the ‘Pulao’ I made hastily.  Hastily because, I went into the kitchen the moment CSK ceased batting, not wanting to miss DD’s batting.

Now I am highly saddened, because DD will lose the game.  Only a miracle can now lead DD to the finals.  With a very heavy heart, I see wickets falling down super soon.  GAME OVER! Dhoni takes CSK to the finals for the fourth time. 

Curtains drawn for Delhi Daredevils.  As I write this piece of mine on CSKvsDD, I hear my son shouting, “Yay! DD lost”.  Busy with my writing, I ignored him as if I didn’t want to hear the defeat of DD. The journey for DD ends here.

Whatever it is, “Sadde Munday Dilli de” played really well throughtout.  Now let us see Chitti vs Ra.one(G.One) on 27^th May i.e. CSK vs KKR.  Any guesses? Who out of the two will kiss the trophy and wear the crown of victory of IPL 2012?

Sometimes all we need is a little appreciation……

My eight year old son, Aarohan was constantly asking me to buy him a Casio.  Every day he used to ask me, “Mamma, are we going today to buy my Casio?” I had to turn him down as the kind of Casio my husband was looking for was either not available in the store or the store used to be shut.  After visiting almost seven stores he finally found a store next to his office that had the model which my husband was looking for.   I called Aarohan in the office and three of us went to buy his Casio.

He was all excited and euphorically went home after buying his Casio.  The next day he went to his uncle’s (Chacha) house after he learned from his father that his uncle plays an excellent Casio.  He learnt the basic notes, came home and started rehearsing. 

In the evening, when I came home he asked me if I am interested in listening the notes he had learnt.  I told him of course, I will listen.  He took out his Casio from the bag, plugged the adapter and with great zeal he gently made use of his forefinger and thumb and started playing the Casio.  Before I could say anything he started singing, “Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa; Saaa, Ni, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa” and slowly ended the note.

I could see the sparkle in his eyes behind his specs as if he attained victory over something that he never thought of.   In the mean time his father had also come and we both sat gazing him with proud.  Both of us applauded him and we were accompanied by my little daughter and my mother in law.

My mother in law with a Rudraksh garland in her hand exclaimed, “You sing so well and your voice is very melodious.”  The sparkle in my son’s eyes doubled and with a big smile on his face he looked at me and his papa. 

It seemed he was on cloud nine when each and every one of us was full of praises.  I pat his back and so does his father. To add humor to the situation my brother who had come to stay a night with us tested his vocals too with the kids.  He too appreciated him.

That moment I realized how significant it is to appreciate a soul.  Two things that each one us want is ‘Recognition and Praise’

My Debut Blog

I have been thinking of writing my debut blog for a long time now.  Eventually, the day arrived and here I am presenting you my debut blog.  I should not forget to thank a dear friend who has been pushing me very hard to start and share my own blog.  Thanks Priyanka!!! For pushing me hard else this would not have been possible.

Alright, now that I am here, I must share with you all how hard it was for me to write a piece for my blog…oops my ‘debut’ blog.  I believe (personally) that there had been lots and lots of hindrances.  Although I am into writing for quite some time now but creating my own blog was ‘a task’ for me.  I had apprehensions how will I be able to create, how or most significantly WHAT am I going to write in my debut blog?  This of course took a long time to decide but as I said above thanks to my dear friend, Priyanka who invariably pushed me..wait a moment, I should say praised me of my writing skills to initiate a blog of my own.  (She has always been very kind and sweet to me.) 

The hindrances I was talking about were not actually hindrances.  It was ‘Time’ that I was not able to manage to write.  A woman has so many roles to play.  I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a daughter in law, a sister and an entrepreneur.  Gosh!!! I have so much in my mind and so much to cater to the roles I play that writing a piece for my own is downnnnnnnn there in my list.

Sometimes I think “Is it always had to be like this”???  I have no time; I mean no fixed time to do the things I want to do.  I am on my toes from morning till midnight.  I am taking care of the house, my kids, my office, my husband (another child, that makes the total number of children in my house three..hehe..)

Anyhow, one fine day I thought ok now today I will at least sign up on blogspot.  Thinking, “It will give me a boost to write once I sign up.”   There I go…got stuck to what name should be displayed?  I thought and thought, the days passed and I kept thinking.  See, its ‘Time’ again that I was not able to manage.

I messaged Priyanka, if she could suggest me a good name.  Instantly (as expected) I got a reply from her asking me what is the area I want to forte in after which the name should be decided. 

I wrote back, “I have no particular interest and that I want to write in general.  Immediately, I opened the sign up page and started filling my particulars.  I don’t know how but the title just came into my mind and I filled in there the title called ‘Sentiments’.  It then asked me about my display name.  I surely didn’t want to self praise and write such a name and thought why not give my call name, which is Coocha.  This name has been given to me by my dear hubby.  He calls me by this name from the day we met until today and forever.

So, the baby steps were almost over and then I decided to take a leap by writing my debut blog.   

This is all that came to my mind and is now right here in front of you.  It is a general piece of writing (Sentiments) and I hope you like it.