Comfortably numb..dedicated to a friend.

Hello,
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone home?

Come on
Now
I hear you're feeling down
I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again

Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like
Two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain
You would not understand
This is not how I am

I... Have become comfortably numb

O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick

Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working
Good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on
It's time to go

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye

I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I... Have become comfortably numb

(Solo)?

girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon...

bajay pyaar ki shabnum mere gulistaan mein
baraste rehte hain har simt maut ke saye
siyahiyon se ulajh padti hain meri aankhein
koi nahi .. koi bhi nahi jo batlaye
kitni der ujalon ki raah dekhe
koi nahi hai koi bhi nahi
na pass na durr
yeh pyaar hai
dil ki dharkan
apni chahat ka jo ellan kiye jaati hai
zindagi hai jo jiye jaati hai
khoon k ghoont peay jaati hai
khwaab aankhon se siye jaati hai

ab na koi paas hai
phir bhi ehsaas hai
yahiaon mai uljhi padi
jeene ki ek aas hai
yadoon ka jungle yeh dil
kaanton se jal thal yeh dil

chubtay kaanten yadoon ke daaman se chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon

bajay pyaar ki shabnum mere gulistaan mein
baraste rehte hain har simt maut ke saye
siyahiyon se ulajh padti hain meri aankhein
koi nahi .. koi bhi nahi jo batlaye
kitni der ujalon ki raah dekhe
koi nahi hai koi bhi nahi
na pass na durr
yeh pyaar hai
dil ki dharkan
apni chahat ka jo ellan kiye jaati hai
zindagi hai jo jiye jaati hai
khoon k ghoont peay jaati hai
khwaab aankhon se siye jaati hai

ab na koi paas hai
phir bhi ehsaas hai
yahiaon mai uljhi padi
jeene ki ek aas hai
yadoon ka jungle yeh dil
kaanton se jal thal yeh dil

chubtay kaanten yadoon ke daaman se chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon
Read more at http://www.leoslyrics.com/strings/yeh-hai-meri-kahani-lyrics/#VH8QkHK3ClcoE4Sc.99

bajay pyaar ki shabnum mere gulistaan mein
baraste rehte hain har simt maut ke saye
siyahiyon se ulajh padti hain meri aankhein
koi nahi .. koi bhi nahi jo batlaye
kitni der ujalon ki raah dekhe
koi nahi hai koi bhi nahi
na pass na durr
yeh pyaar hai
dil ki dharkan
apni chahat ka jo ellan kiye jaati hai
zindagi hai jo jiye jaati hai
khoon k ghoont peay jaati hai
khwaab aankhon se siye jaati hai

ab na koi paas hai
phir bhi ehsaas hai
yahiaon mai uljhi padi
jeene ki ek aas hai
yadoon ka jungle yeh dil
kaanton se jal thal yeh dil

chubtay kaanten yadoon ke daaman se chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon
Read more at http://www.leoslyrics.com/strings/yeh-hai-meri-kahani-lyrics/#VH8QkHK3ClcoE4Sc.99

19/11/2013

Yet another Bday...however you are not around this time..
Cant talk to you..cant wish you...cant buy a gift for you...but...
I will never stop loving you..

RIP Bro!!!

Stress buster

Everyone has their own way of getting rid of stress. Some people sing, some people dance, some read, while some sleep..
For me, the biggest stress buster is walking.
I can walk for hours all alone...thinking of nothing...drinking in the various scenes around me..ahh! its a lovely feeling!!

What is worse?

What is worse than "no music" in the gym???

Music that you dislike being played by someone else..

From Man of Steel..

A good death is its own reward!

6pat

Sunn raha hai na tu...ro raha hu main....
:(

Katey-Coke studio

Awesome song...

http://video.lyricsmint.com/video/kateycokestudiomtv/


Lyrics

Sanwariyo ghat mai re, Ramaiyo ghat mai - (Sanwariya is in my heart, Ram is in my heart)
Sanwariyo ghat mai re, Ramaiyo ghat mai
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe dhoondba jaaun re (where should I go to find you?)
Sanwariyo ghat maay, ho o o jiyo.... (Sanwariya is in my heart)

Birhma dekhya Bishnu dekhya - (I've Seen Lord Brahma, seen Lord Vishnu)
Birhma dekhya Bishnu dekhya
Dekhi Sarosat maai re - (And have seen Goddess Saraswati)
Dekhi Sarosat maai re
Sanwariyo ghat mai (Sanwariya is in my heart)
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe 
Thaane kathe hawaalva jaaun re (Where should I go to find you?)
Sanwariyo ghat maa
Ho o jiyo....

Yeah!
MTV, Mr. Ram Sampath yo, this is how we do yo yo
Hardkaur and I always did it my way, don't like what I say you need to hit the highway,
Give it to you straight boy no sideways, this is my world all ya punks need to migrate.
Yeah cuz I'm certified fresh, kill it in a man's world... better then the rest.
Determined in my mind so I know what my future is,
Top of the world I rock all metropolis..
I rock the people them, time and time again, many many men, with my paper pen, time time again
Do what I do to the death till you reach the top
Don't won't can't shoulda could never ever stop.
Solo soldier I ain't Mrs. Smith, Do it big I'm hip-hop's monolith
Some girls sell their souls for a cameo role but I'm that type of chick that ya can’t ignore..word

Ram dekhya Lakshman dekhya
Ram dekhya Lakshman dekhya (have seen Ram, seen Lakshman)
Dekhi Sita maai re (and have seen Sita maa)
Aji dekhi Sita maai re
Sanwariyo ghat mai (Sanwariya is in my heart)
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe waalva jaaun re (where do I go to find you?)
Sanwariyo ghat maa (you are in my heart)
ho o jiyo...

Huh Yeah yo!
Yo Word to the wise this is something I was told.
Always walk the brave path never fear no soul, never let a man take my shine.
I stay no #1, I stay first, I seen too much hunger, too much thirst and
Sometimes I wonder how the hell am I still alive.
84 was the year that changed my life.. already had my mind made up at the age of five, 
Coz I remember that’s the day that my daddy died
Watched as the close ones changed their behavior but I was alone only mama was my savior, 
She use to beat my ass but I didn't blame her, for making me who I am today yo I rate ya.
You know you could never break me with your words, it hurts but I never give up like those birds.
I got the lord by my side and it’s my mind and my life and my right.. it’s my world.
Chose my weapons wisely, you can’t break me
93 I found the sound that would save me.
For every single time my step father try to rape me.. Man you don't know what music gave me.
I ain't no slumdog... I'm a millionaire... so what ya saying dog are you ready there.
Yeah and I don't need companions... yes sir you know I'm a champion.

Keru dekhya Paandu dekhya (have seen Kauravas, seen Pandavas)
Keru dekhya Paandu dekhya
Dekhi Dropadi maai re (and have seen Draupadi)
Aji dekhi Dropadi maai re
Sanwariyo ghat mai
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe, thaane kathe
Thaane kathe dhoondba jaaun re
Sanwariyo ghat maa
ho o jiyo...

All my ladies in the world
You better put your fist up
All my sisters in the world
You better put your fist up
Peace!

Zinda hoon yaar..kaafi hai!!

Zinda - Lootera

Mujhe chhod do mere haal pe
Mujhe chhod do mere haal pe
Zinda hoon yaar, kaafi hai!
Zinda hoon yaar, kaafi hai!

O...
Kaafi hai..
Kaafi hai...

Hawaaon se jo maanga hissa mera
To badle main hawa ne saans di
Akelepan se chhedi jab guftagu
Mere dil ne aawaaz di
Mere haathon, hua jo qissa shuru
Usey poora toh karna hai mujhe
Qabr par mere sar utha ke khadi ho zindagi
Aise marna hai mujhe!

Kuch maangna baaqi nahi
Kuch maangna baaqi nahi
Jitna mila kaafi hai
Zinda hoon yaar, kaafi hai!

Mujhe chhod do mere haal pe
Mujhe chhod do mere haal pe
Zinda hoon yaar kaafi hai
Zinda hoon yaar kaafi hai

Mujhe chhod do.. o o..
Mujhe chhod do.. o o..
Mere haal pe...

Wicked mind

The mind is a wicked animal...The more you try to not think about a particular thing, the more you actually end up thinking about it.
Just like that cavity in your teeth, which you want to ignore, but you end up constantly tonguing it...

Wicked.....

Change?

Times change, people change....heard this one a lot since my childhood days..But this change is only evident to people around you...why dont you yourself feel the change in you???

Because you never change from inside.. All that changes is circumstances and perception of people around you...

Seriously, ... think about it!!

I feel...

There have been few occasions when I have been unable to express myself.. When I am unable to describe what I was feeling like..I finally got the right phrase from this movie called "The perks of being a wallflower"..Its not perfectly what I was feeling like, however it is the closest match.. The phrase is...

"I feel infinite!"

Life is a b$%*#

Once you were all flesh and bones and a noble soul...
Now you are just a folder...
That's how fucked up life can get!!

the rural barber shop

One of the most dreaded items in my list of things to do when I go to my village is a visit to the local barber shop. Well, my fright is not confined to the shop in my village, its the same when I travel to any rural place in North India. Most of the rural barber shops have the same setting and atmosphere...

The shop:
You come across a small dingy shop with a hand painted board (usually done by an amateur) displaying the name of the shop in English/Hindi. Some examples "Vinod Hare Cuting Saloon", "Jai Mata di Parlor", "Om Prakash and sons" "Saawariya" etc... Once you gaze past this, you come across one/two well worn out hair cutting chairs, even more worn our mirrors on the wall and some rotting wooden benches to sit on, while you await your turn. "Maxii Shaving Cream" "Pintu Shaving gel" "Roma After shave" "Ponds fairness powder" adorn the shelf like trophies. The fan is set to move at its fastest, which is too slow for your comfort, but the groan created by the slow whirring tells you that its not the fan's fault. As if the fan is trying to tell you "So what if I am old, I am trying my best!!" Whatever space is available on the walls usually is taken up by hair style posters of the 60s and 70s (figure 2). On one corner of the wall is where the Gods reside. Assorted idols/photos of various Gods/Goddesses with a fresh garland around them is a common sight in such shops.

The barber:
In North India, 9 out of 10 times you will run into the barber described below.
Rural barbers are early risers. No matter however early you visit their shop, there they are, freshly bathed with neatly oiled and combed hair. Also irrespective of the ongoing trend, the rural barber never messes with his original hairstyle(unlike cities). He will always have the same hairstyle which his mom gave him during his school days. Wearing an old fashioned sweater over his dull checked shirt and a formal pant with regular chappals, the roly poly (most of them have bulging waistlines) barber is not style conscious. However, 9/10 barbers carry mustaches and 10/10 barbers have red lips :) Their mouths are always full of gutkha/pan masala/pan. But this doesn't prevent them from speaking to their customers as they have mastered the art of speaking with their mouths full of this stuff (if you ignore the red juice leaking from their mouths). Unlike the city barbers, these guys are not perfectionists. They believe in just getting the job done. Few mistakes while shaving are normal and they still manage to have that satisfied look on their faces after giving you 2-3 cuts.

The haircut/shave:
"Which style?" he asks pointing to the poster before getting started on you. Good thing about the worn out dirty towel he has placed on you is that the dripping juices of the betel leaf he is eating don't fall on your clothes. Once the style has been decided, he gets on with his job. But not without the socializing :) A good barber manages to maintain conversation with the guy on the hot seat as well as every waiting customer. "You are not from here, are you?" spit!!
"No, I am from Bombay"
"Ahh , Bombay..whom are you visiting here?" spit!!
"XYZ..."
"Ahh, accha..Do they open barber shops this early in the city?."spit!!
"Nope"
With a grin.." Aah..they are not as hard working as us, these city barbers" spit!!
blah
blah
blah....
While this conversation is on, the snipping is on, then he uses the blade and finally the ponds powder before he dusts away the cut hair from your face n neck..
"There you are...haircut is done" spit!!
"The two sides, dont look even, the right side has more hair than the left." This hurts his ego!
He grabs the hair on both sides and checks the size. "You were moving a lot while I was cutting. However tThey are even" spit!!
"Also this haircut doesnt resemble the style that I chose"
"Its the same Babuji, you feel so since your face doesnt resemble that hair style model " spit!!
"Wtf.!! Anyways how much is it?!!"
 "30 rupees saar" spit!!
"30 bucks for haircut and shave..wonderful!" The same service would have cost 300 bucks in the city.

I manage to smile before I leave..

Memory remains....

Fortune, fame, mirror vain, gone insane but the memory remains

Secrets

You have your secrets, I have mine...Lets see how far we can carry them.......

Thank You-Led Zeppelin

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

Kind woman, I give you my all, Kind woman, nothing more.

Little drops of rain whisper of the pain, tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong,
together we shall go until we die. My, my, my.
An inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look... see.

And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness....I'm glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

Friend in need....

I have this friend, whom I have known for almost 7 years. He is 4 years younger to me and a bachelor.

When we had first met, I was unmarried too. I remember how I yearned for company during the dull days of 2007-2008. This guy was always there to give me company...well..almost always!! We used to visit sidy bars and drink to our hearts fill. I can never thank him enough for being there when I needed someone to talk to.
Then I got married in 2009, natural order of things prevailed and and my outings with him/other guy friends became less regular.
Now, I have always believed that after 26 a normal person starts feeling lonely..even in a crowd. There is a hole created, even though friends and family are around. Only a wife can fill that hole. From the time you realize that this vacuum exists to the time you get married is when a person needs company desperately.
I have been through that in 2008-2009, and my friend is going through that now.
So, I make it a point to meet up with him whenever I can and spend some time over drinks...

After all, a friend in need....is a friend indeed :)

Harsha Bhogle-MI vs KKR 24th April 2013

Another gem by Harsha Bhogle yesterday..

Yesterday was Sachin's 40th bday and the crowd yelled like mad when he came out to bat.
Sachin was at the non striker end and Balaji was bowling to Dwayne Smith. Smith played with soft hands and the ball landed near forward shortleg. Tendulkar gave the go ahead since a run was on and he would run towards the danger end.
Tendulkar and Balaji started sprinting...Tendulkar to complete the run, Balaji towards the ball.In the process, Balaji overtook Sachin and crossed his path and leaped towards the ball. Sachin now was blocked by Balaji and he frantically changed his direction and leaped towards the crease. Balaji collected the ball and had a shy at the stumps. The ball missed the stumps by a whisker and Sachin was home..at this very moment Harsha Bhogle said "Well...Balaji just stopped himself from becoming the most unpopular Knight rider tonight"

Superb!!

MI vs Sach

Yesterday MI suffered another humiliating defeat.. This time it was DD that spoiled MIs party. Last time it was RR. Sachin made 50 odd at a strike rate of 110, which was poor, considering that 331 runs were scored in 220 balls.
After the match, I was dejected and started pondering over the sorry state of affair of the MI team.

However I soon realized that I follow the MI team and try and watch every match only because Sachin is a part of the squad. I am sure that millions of others do the same.

Watching Tendulkar in action is a privilege of our times. whether he scores 5 or 50 doesnt matter, atleast not to me!! I am just happy to see him play!!

Meethi Boliyan

Kuch lamhe thhe
Alsaaye se
Bharmaaye se
Fiza mein
Kabhi sehme se
Muskaate
Jaana kidhar
Na Jaane

Meethi boliyan sun lo
Aasmani rangon ki
Meethi boliyan sun lo
Bezubaani lamhon ki
Girte sambhalte chalte ladkhadaye
Haan magar ye honsla na dagmagaye
Armaano ke patang ko udaayen
Udaayen...

Aye zindagi hamen sohbaton ka nasha hai
Yeh sohbatein yaaron ki
Aye zindagi hame hosh ki na tu dava de
Dua de, dua de

Meethi boliyan sun lo
Aasmani rangon ki
Meethi boliyan sun lo
Bezubaani lamhon ki

Sapnon ke peechhe chale,
Raahon mein hai yaadon ka pehra
Sulga ke (sulga ke) kaali si raat (kaali si raat)
Laayenge ye ujla savera
(Ujla savera...)

Girte sambhalte chalte ladkhadaaye
Haan, magar ye hausla na dagmagaaye
Armaanon ki patang ko udaayein
Udaayein..

Aye zindagi hamen sohbaton ka nasha hai
Yeh sohbatein yaaron ki
Aye zindagi hame hosh ki na tu dava de
Dua de, dua de

Meethi boliyan sun lo
Aasmani rangon ki
Meethi boliyan sun lo
Bezubaani lamhon ki

Jee le zara....

Main hoon gumsum tu bhi khamosh hai
Sach hai samay ka hi sab dosh hai
Dhadkan dhadkan ik gham rehta hai

Yun Jaane kyu phir bhi dil kehta hai
Jee le zara, jee le zaraa
Kehta hai dil jee le zara
Aye humsafar, aye humnawa
Aa paas aa jee le zara

Hai zindagi mana dard bhari
Phir bhi isme ye raahat bhi hai
Main hoon tera aur tu hai meri
Yunhi rahe hum, ye chahat bhi hai

Phir dil ke dil se, pul kyu toote hain
Kyun hum jeene se itne roothe hain
Aa dil ke darwaaze hum khole
Aa hum dono jee bhar ke ro le

Jee le zara, jee le zaraa
Kehta hai dil jee le zara
Aye humsafar, aye humnawa
Aa paas aa jee le zaraaa

Gham ke ye badal guzar jaane de
Ab zindagi ko nikhar jaane de
Chhod de ab yaadon ke dukh sehna
Sun bhi le jo dil ka hai kehna

Jee le zaraa, jee le zaraa
Kehta hai dil jee le zaraa
Aye humsafar, aye humnawa
Aa paas aa jee le zaraaa

Warne in Warner

"Next to bowl is David Warner. He ll be bowling leg breaks. Just 4 wickets in test cricket, this shows that he is not a regular bowler. However one of those wickets is Hashim Amla, another one is Darren Bravo. Well watch out Dhoni, because there certainly is a "Warne" in "Warner" -Harsha Bhogle, 24th Feb 2013

Real world??

All this bonding, is it worth it?

The story of the Gas cylinder

One of the most difficult things while moving your house is transferring your gas connection. Its a f*#kin painful procedure. This is what happened to me:

Day 1: Early morning 8:30 am

I located the Gas passbook which had the contact numbers of the gas agency. Dialled the first number.. no response. Second number...no response. Again...no response...again ...no response, till I ran out of energy. "They never answer the phone" my mom said.
So, I took my car and drove down to the gas agency office. The office was in a mess and was crowded like shit.. The phones were ringing incessantly, but none of the employees seemed to be bothered.
"I want to transfer my gas connection to a different city" I told the young woman behind the desk, when my turn came.
"Consumer number?" she asked as she fidgeted with the computer keyboard.
"1223223"
A few clicks later. "Account dormant hai, active karana padega"
"How do I do that?"
"Woh saab se poocho..NEXT"
As I stood in the second queue to meet Mr.Saab, I wondered how many hours would it take for me to get to him.
Finally as my turn came, I got straight to the point "Account dormant se active karana hai"
"Ye lo KYC form. Bharke leke aao. Saath me address proof, id proof and photograph leke aana"
"But I am already your customer, why do you need all these proofs again"
"Government se poocho. Unhone rule banaya hai" and he moved to the next hapless customer.
I slowly curbed my anger and decided not to fight and headed home.

Day 2: 8:45 am

As I reached the Gas agency office, I realized that it was closed. I inquired in the shop next to the agency.
"Saab, Second Saturday band rehta hai every month"
I resigned to my fate and headed home.

Day 3: 9.00 am

I prayed to God before stepping out of the house"God, please have mercy on me. Let the office me open today!!" All my documents were ready.
My prayers were answered. The office was open. Again I spent several minutes awaiting my turn.
"Kya kaam hai"
"Dormant se active karana hai"
"KYC form laya hai?"
"Yes"
"Address proof, id proof?"
"Yes"
"Theek hai, 6-7 din lagega account unlock home me" and he handed me a receipt.


10 days later:

"Saab, Account unlock hua kya..number hai.....blah"
"Abhi tak nahi hua hai"
"But aapne to bola tha 6-7 me hota hai, 10 din ho gaya already"
"To mai kya karu? Maine to documents already forward kar diya hai"
"When should I come again to check"
"4-5 dine me aake jao"

4-5 days later:

"Account unlock hua?"
"Number?"
"blahh"
"Ha ho gaya"
"Abhi transfer ka procedure kya hai?"
"woh madam se poocho"
Another queue, another wait for 30 mins.
"Madam account active hai, transfer karna hai"
"original receipt, gas cylinder, regulator leke aao"
"Okay madam"

Next day:

"Madam, I have got the cylinder, regulator n original receipt for transfer"
"OK," she scanned the original receipt and started entering stuff on the computer.
10 mins later, she handed me a transfer receipt and the deposited money.
"Now what is the procedure in the new city"
"Kuch nahi, jaake receipt dikhao, paise deposit karo, ho gaya"
I beamed, as I made my way out of the office...
....little did I know, that the job was only half done!!


Day 1: City2: Morning 9 am.

"Sir, Transfer karana hai. Just moved into this city"
"Kal aao"
"Huh...why?"
"Madam nahi aaya hai aaj"
I was off to a bad start.....

Day2: City2: Evening 3:35 pm

"Sir, madam aaye hai kya? Transfer karna hai connection
"Ha, andar aao peeche se n meet her"
"Hello madam, transfer karna hai"
"Jaldi aane ka Sir. Office band ho gaya hai"
"Bahar to likha hai 8:30 to 4:30"
"Nahi 3:30 tak hi rehta hai, aur subah 10:30 ke baad aane ka"
She clearly meant that her timings were from 10:30 to 3:30. I controlled my anger and walked out.

Next day:Morning 10 am:

"Good morning madam, transfer karna hai"
"Ha, sit down, we ll start at 10:30", she said as she lazily read the local newspaper
At 10.30, she started the computer and indicated me to hand over the papers"
I handed her the transfer receipt.
"Baaki paper?"
"Kaunsa baaki paper?"
"KYC karna padega. ID proof, address proof, photo aur yeh KYC form bharke lao"
"Madam, abhi karwaya tha KYC doosre city me"
"Naya address pe KYC karwana padega"
"Yeh kya rule hai?"
"Yehi rule hai"
I cursed myself for being so dumb and not asking about the list of documents earlier.
Slowly, I headed back home...

Next day: 11 am.

She recognized me "Sab documents laya?"
"Yes madam"
She casually glanced through the documents and then started typing slowly on her computer.
After what seemed like ages, she finished filling up my details and handed me a receipt.
"Maine cylinder ka paisa bhi add kiya hai along with deposit"
"Matlab, cylinder abhi milega?"
"Nahi, aaj gaadi nahi aaya hai. Kal ghar pe bhejti hu. Yeh regulator leke jaao aaj"
"Kitne baje tak ayega?"
"12 baje tak ayega woh"
"Ok madam" I left for home...

Next day:

I waited patiently till 2 in the afternoon, and then called the agency office.
"Consumer number blahh..."
"Ha ..bolo"
"Cylinder book kiya tha, aaya nahi ghar pe delivery"
"Aapne kal booking kiya hai.. 8 dine me ayega"
"Arre, madam ne bola ki aaj ayega"
"kaun madam?"
"Transfer karti hai jo"
"Ruko un se baat karo" I waited for a couple of minutes, before she came on the phone.
"Madam, kal transfer karaya tha na...aaya nahi cylinder"
"Arre..maine to bola tha godown me"
"abhi tak aya nahi"
"Bhaiya..aaj ayega pakka!! dont worry"
But the cylinder didnt reach my home that day..

Next day:
I called up the office. "Chaya madam se baat karna hai"
"Kaun?"
"Madam, woh cylinder nahi aya"
"Kal nahi aaya? Ruko I will call the godown and tell him"
"Should I call you back?"
"Ha 5 min me phone karo"
After 10 mins, I dialed again. "Madam, bola kya aapne godown me?"
"Ha, 2 ghante me ayega"
My blood boiled when the cylinder didnt reach within the next 8 hrs..
I decided to pay them a visit the next day.

Next day:
I reached the agency office and located Chaya Madam.
"Cylinder aya nahi kal bhi"
"Yeh godown wale log ko kitna bhi bola kaam nahi karte barabar"
"Abhi kya karna hai bolo, I need the cylinder"
"Aap godown me jaake apna consumer number bolo, they ll give you the cylinder"

I drove to the godown, and did the needful. The delivery boy threw a cylinder towards me and told me to take it.
I hugged the bloody thing and kissed it as I loaded it into my car.

With a smile on my face, I reached home.
My wife heaved a sigh of relief as we packed up the induction cook top (YEs!!its a pain to cook Indian food on the induction cooktop) and installed the burner.

The heavenly delicious phulkas that day made the whole freakin goddamn experience worth it!!

Brother v/s brother

Elder brother: Born in 1981
Advantage:Super fast bowler.

Younger brother: Born in 1987
Advantage: Batting genius.

Story teller: Elder brother
Year: 1997

"Should I reduce my pace? He's still just a kid..what if he gets hurt?" As I walked up to mark my run up ater celebrating yet another wicket, these were the thoughts racing through my mind.
In fact, every time I bowled to him, I though about this. Brotherly love always overcame my killer instinct as a bowler.

On the other hand, even from a distance of 40 yards, I could see the fierce determination in his eyes. The poise of a confident batsman. No hint of fear of facing someone with a reputation, twice his age and size. Fierce determination and concentration!

I had been taught to decide what delivery to bowl depending upon the conditions and the batsman' stance and capability. As I ran in to bowl, I changed my mind and decided to bowl an out cutter instead of an in cutter. BIG MISTAKE!!

As though by magic, he read my mind. He watched the ball till the very end, his eyes lit up and he whacked it over the rope.

Amongst cheers of his companions, he celebrated his assault, while I was subjected to mockery..

Second ball. I wasn't going to be the big brother this time. All my strength, all my focus, all my energy went into the next delivery. The ball must have kissed the speed of sound..I smiled as I delivered the ball..

He was quickly into position, very quick in fact and WHACK!!! Another super shot out of the park..

The smile was wiped off my face..

Wherever I bowled, however I bowled, the outcome was always the same..


He was the most gifted batsman I ever bowled to. I have no shame in admitting that he was better than me...maybe in every aspect of life

RIP brother!!

The school kid

It is strange, how certain memories which are tucked away in a remote corner of your brain, some things that you have totally forgotten about, things that dont matter (or do they?), come back in a flash!

Today as I was traveling to office in the cab, I noticed a school kid standing on the road....zip..zap..zoom!!!

Some years back, I used to travel to office on my motorbike. One fine day  saw a school kid trying to grab my attention on the road. He was small, frail and by the looks of it not from a very well to do family. The school uniform he was wearing suggested that he was from a school which wasn't very popular amongst the middle and upper classes.
However, here I was, early in the morning, driving to office and the kid trying to grab my attention. I slowed down and stopped some paces away from him. In the rear view mirror, I could see him running frantically towards me slowed down by his heavy bag, but not by his spirits.

"Uncle, school ke pass chod do na?" he asked with an innocent face.

"Kidhar hai tera school? Mai to aage se left loonga"

"Udhar tak chod do, wahan se nazdeek hai mera school"

"ok..aja peeche!!"

In an instant his face lit up and he started smiling. Soon we were on our way and I could see that he was tremendously enjoying the bike ride despite the chilly weather. Once I dropped him on the junction, where our paths separated, he smiled as shouted "Thank you uncle.." before running away.

I met this kid many times and offered him a lift every time we met. However, we never spoke anything of consequence and I dont even know his name.

After some days, I stopped coming on my bike and started using the office cab (changed timings).  I never saw the kid again, but I didnt stop thinking about him for some days.

Fate took its toll and I left the city, only to return back in 2 years. Other things occupied my mind and the boy was forgotten, as if he never existed.

Today, when I passed by the same street, I saw another kid dressed in the same uniform. Everything came back in a flash and I started to wonder.. "Where would he be, what would be doing, I hope he does well..."

Strange are the ways of the human brain.

Lakh Duniya Kahe-Talaash

Lakh duniya kahe 'tum nahi ho'
Tum yahin ho, Tum yahin ho
Lakh duniya kahe 'tum nahi ho'
Tum yahin ho, Tum yahin ho

Meri har soch me, meri har baat me
Mere ehsaas me, mere jazbaat me
Tum hi tum ho
Tum har kahin ho
Ho o laakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho
Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho
Ho o laakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho
Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho

Tumne chhoda hai kab saath mera
Thaame ho aaj bhi hath mera
Koi manzil koi rehguzar ho
Aaj bhi tum mere humsafar ho
Jaaun chaahe jahaan tum wahin ho
Ho o o lakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho
Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho
Ho o o lakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho

Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho...

Khushboo banke hawaaon me tum ho
Rang banke fizaaon me tum ho
Koi gaaye koi saans goonje
Sab sureeli sadaaon mein tum ho
Tumko har roop me dil hai pehchanta
Log hai bekhabar par dil hai jaanta
Tu mere paas ho, dilnashin ho
Ho o o lakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho
Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho
Ho o o lakh duniya kahe tum nahi ho
Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho

Tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho...