Emotional Upheaval

The waves lapped gently at first and reclined with a sigh. Their rhythmic flow was peace inducing. As the horizon darkened the sighs turned into hisses and plops.
The beat was faster now as the waves garnered forces to speed up their hammering at the shoreline.
The emotional Tsunami struck and destroyed all bridges.

Mumbai monsoons

The monsoons seem to have finally arrived in Mumbai. After the torrid summer heat the intial reaction is relief as the mercury drops and there is a general feel good ambiance all around. But like everything else this too is transient and the moods start going in various directions.
The lovers love to snuggle up to each other under one umbrella, holding onto each other tightly and walk along the seaface with waves crashing on the parapet.
The children love to get wet in the rains despite the danger of falling ill and being reprimanded by their parents.
The taxi and auto drivers are happy too and look forward to some heavy rains which would disrupt all rail traffic so that they can make hay while the sun hides!
The motorists and motorcyclists are on guard to ensure they don’t skid on the now slick roads. The first rains always cause a few to crash and bang due to the fine skidding mixture formed by the dust and water on the roads. Once that is washed away by subsequent rains, the dust in the air also is reduced by the heavy moisture and driving and riding becomes fun again with the cool air blowing across ones face.
Manoeuvring in the crowds with an umbrella is an art one has to develop in Mumbai. The umbrella has many uses in Mumbai. It can be used in self defence from gropers and pickpockets and also as a shield to protect oneself from dirty water being splashed by passing vehicles apart from the heaven sent rain water.
Corn on the cob is found being roasted and sold like, well, hot roasted corn cobs at almost every corner. And then there is also the ubiquitous chaat wala where the hot ragda patties on a wet evening are a must.
The time is also right to sit at the window with your companion and watch the rain and listen to the mesmerising pitter patter endlessly while munching on hot kanda bhajjis (onion pakodas) and sipping hot chai.
All Mumbaikars are happy that the rains are here and fervently pray that it will rain enough to fill up the lakes that supply water to this wonderful meglapolis.
Once the rains have poured their hearts out for a fortnight the mood swings and how!
Will post about that when it happens!
Till then Happy Wet Days!!

Man vs Tiger

He sat staring at the wall. The painting on that wall was intriguing. It claimed to be of the last tiger alive. The more he stared at it the more it seemed as if it was wanting to speak to him. Eerie.
Jappo closed his eyes thinking the tiger’s eyes would not be able to connect. But then he actually saw the tiger smile at him.
‘Hi! What scares you now? You have eliminated our species and till ten days back i was the last one alive and thanks to your stupid ways i have gone too!’
‘Hi. First of all i can’t believe that am conversing with a dead tiger. And even if you are, why me? How am i responsible for the extinction of your species. Have never been interested in hunting. Matter of fact have always been scared of the wild jungles hence never even ventured anywhere near them.’
‘It is your indifference that has led to this situation. Maybe if you and many others like you had raised your hand in support of tiger conservation, i would have been roaming the jungles and not met such an ignominious end.’
‘But your survival was not important for me. I had so many other important things in life that deserved and demanded my attention. Why would i have bothered about your survival? And is it not the law of nature that the fittest would survive?’
The tiger replied with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, ‘Obviously you are so steeped in yourself that you cannot see beyond your nose. Do you realise that if you continue to behave the way you do, soon all other living creatures would die off and so would the jungles? Would that make you happy? Maybe it will not happen in your lifetime but is it a legacy that you leave behind for your children and generations to come, something you would be proud of?’
‘Oh come on. Once the jungles are cleared of all wild animals and those trees, at least my children would not have to struggle to find a house to live in! They would thank me for what i have done!’
The tiger just rolls his eyes in disgust and throws his hands up in the air in despair.
‘My dear friend, the day the jungle dies, you can consider it as the death knell for mankind. You would have destroyed the very element that is responsible for your survival. If you cannot take care of your environment, don’t expect to survive in a depleted or dead environment. Think about it. It is for your own survival. Forget me. I am dead and gone. Now if you want to survive please go out there and take care your fragile environment before all is lost.’
The tiger disappeared and he dreamt of a concrete jungle where man fought man for survival.
He woke with a start and the first thing he did was call up the World Wildlife Fund for membership.

The North East imbroglio

The NE (North East) states of India are NE (Non Existent) states for the central government and the powerful national media.
The activists of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have been blocking the highway (lifeline) leading into Manipur for almost two months now. This has led to a shortage of all essential supplies in Manipur. Strangely none of the big media houses have bothered to report this tragic state of affairs. Nor has the Central Government found it serious enough to resolve it.
The Naga students launched the economic blockade after the Manipur government objected to a planned visit by NSCN leader T. Muivah to his ancestral village in Manipur.
If a solution to the impasse is not found soon, the crisis will blow up into a North East versus India confrontation. It could lead to these states asking for separation from India as desired by China. But our politicians are busy guarding their chairs and cushioning their nests. It won’t be long before the Kashmir situation is replicated in the North East with China replacing Pakistan as the occupier. Wonder what would wake up our so called evangelist anchors of our prime time news channels to focus on this serious issue. Is this not the time to help these states feel a part of mainstream India?
This could be the last wake up call before we lose them forever.

Bhopal judgement

Today we had the pre-monsoon showers and what a relief it is. It has brought down the temperatures to a bearable level. Phew..

But the general attitudinal temperature in the country has risen after the damp squib of a judgement passed against the officials of Union Carbide – a meagre 2yrs and that too 25 years and 20,000 deaths after the grave tragedy of the gas leak in Bhopal. The then CEO of Union Carbide has been let off scot free and this while the people in Bhopal are still suffering the after effects of the gas leak. The soil and the ground water there is apparently still contaminated. And the apathy shown by all the Governments of our country since the tragedy has been pathetic.

As has been pointed out if this had occurred in a commercially/politically sensitive area which would affect the rich and famous, the outcome of the case would have been different.

Sad but true.

Happiness - Friday Flash55

The movie had ended on a happy note. And they said movies reflected life.
Vikram wondered.
His phone started ringing. A call that he was waiting for, to say ‘yes’ to Kamini.
He answered and was blown to bits. Well, figuratively.
Kamini had committed suicide and left a note asking him to join her.


For more of Friday Flash 55 visit g man

Distant Echoes

DISTANT ECHOES by James Bengel

Here is a book of poetry and images that is guaranteed to drive away all your blues.

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I must have read it innumerable times and yet everytime I pick it up I find it refreshing.

One of my favorite poem is 'I am not dreaming' The 1st verse is:

I don't remember dreams

But if I did

I would remember the one

Where I stand on the beach

Scanning the ocean

Just beyond the breakers

Where the riptides don't reach

Where the swells are steep

Where you are.

.........

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